The Gleaming Eyes

    By viknoshini

    The Gleaming Eyes cover image

    09 Feb, 2024

    a boy standing in front of a river with a backpack on his back and a forest in the background, environmental art, a character portrait, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    One sunny day, a young boy named Sam was fishing on the banks of a bubbling river. He felt a strange sensation, as though he was not alone. A shiver ran down his spine as he slowly turned around.

    a person standing in a forest with a light on their head and a light on their head above their head, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, josan gonzales and dan mumford

    He saw two gleaming lights peering at him from behind some trees. He blinked, believing it to be a trick of the light, but the lights remained, shimmering mysteriously.

    a boy with a backpack and a fishing rod stands on a rock in a forest with a stream and a waterfall, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, 2 d game art

    Sam, filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure, decided to investigate. He left his fishing rod by the river and cautiously approached the trees.

    a cartoon character with glowing eyes in a dark forest with a full moon in the background and a tree, sots art, concept art, ESAO, glowing eyes

    As he got closer, he realized the lights were eyes of a creature, glowing in the dark. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

    a white wolf sitting in the middle of a forest under a full moon light with a full moon in the background, furry art, a character portrait, Anne Stokes, majestic

    The creature had a majestic aura about it, its fur shimmering in the moonlight. It was large, but its eyes reflected no malice, only curiosity.

    a boy standing next to a white wolf in a forest with trees and mountains in the background, with a man pointing at the wolf, furry art, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, official art

    Sam was fascinated, rather than scared. He reached out a hand and the creature stepped forward, allowing him to touch its soft fur.

    a man and two boys standing in the woods with a dog and a fox behind them, with the sun shining through the trees, sots art, concept art, Adam Manyoki, official art

    A strange bond seemed to form between the boy and the creature. They spent hours together, exploring the woods, with Sam showing the creature his favorite spots.

    a boy is standing in front of a large bear in the woods with a stick in his hand and a bear on his shoulder, furry art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    Days turned into weeks, and Sam spent most of his free time with the creature. He even taught it to fetch sticks like his old dog used to do.

    a boy standing in a river next to a white dragon and a boy in a brown shirt and backpack, photorealism, a storybook illustration, Clint Cearley, promotional image

    One day, while they were playing by the river, the creature acted strangely. It seemed to be trying to show Sam something.

    a boy standing in front of a waterfall in a cave with a backpack on his back and a waterfall in the background, naturalism, a detailed matte painting, Cliff Childs, rossdraws global illumination

    Sam followed the creature to a hidden cave behind a waterfall. Inside the cave, he discovered ancient carvings on the wall that resembled the creature.

    a couple of people standing in front of a large animal in a forest with trees and bushes on either side of them, furry art, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, promotional image

    Sam was amazed. He realized that the creature was not just a random creature, but a guardian of the woods, protecting it for centuries.

    a boy standing in a field with a backpack on his back and a sky background with clouds and trees, serial art, a character portrait, Aaron Jasinski, official art

    The realization made Sam feel special. He was the only one who knew about the creature's existence and its significance.

    a man standing next to a white lion in a forest with a dog on a leash next to him, furry art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    However, he also felt a sense of responsibility. He knew he had to protect the creature and its secret.

    a boy standing in the woods next to a wolf with a backpack on his back and a backpack on his shoulder, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    From that day on, Sam and the creature continued their adventures, but with a new purpose. They worked together to protect the woods and its inhabitants.

    a boy and a boy are standing in the woods with two white bears and a boy is looking at them, furry art, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, official art

    They helped lost animals find their way, cleaned the river, and made sure no harm came to the woods. They became the unsung heroes of their little world.

    a boy standing in a forest with a fox behind him and a forest background with trees and leaves and a fox, furry art, a character portrait, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    People in Sam’s town started noticing the positive changes in the woods but couldn't figure out the reason behind it. Sam smiled whenever he heard such talks.

    a boy and a boy are standing in front of a wolf and a wolf cub in a forest with a sunset, furry art, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, official art

    The bond between Sam and the creature grew stronger with time. They understood each other perfectly and seemed to communicate without words.

    a boy in a coat standing in a forest with a fox in front of him and a forest background, furry art, a comic book panel, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    As Sam grew older, he took up the responsibility of being the guardian of the woods himself, ensuring that the creature's legacy lived on.

    a boy standing in a forest with a backpack on his back and a sun shining through the trees behind him, fantasy art, a character portrait, Diego Gisbert Llorens, rossdraws global illumination

    The creature, knowing its purpose was fulfilled, disappeared into the woods one day, leaving Sam with the duty of protecting the woods.

    a painting of a boy holding a book in a field of flowers and mountains in the background, with a stream running through the valley, fantasy art, a character portrait, Aaron Jasinski, kinkade

    Sam missed his friend but knew that it had entrusted him with an important task. He carried on his duty with the same passion and dedication.

    a man with a beard and a long coat is walking in the woods with a dog and a dog, furry art, a character portrait, Drew Struzan, official art

    Years later, Sam became an old man, but the woods remained as vibrant as ever. The stories of the guardian and his creature friend lived on in whispers.

    a boy and a boy are standing in front of a lion in the woods with a backpack on his back, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    And so, the tale of the boy and the gleaming-eyed creature became a legend, passed down through generations, inspiring many to protect the woods and its inhabitants.

    a wolf standing in the middle of a forest with a sun shining through the trees behind it and a path leading to the woods, furry art, a character portrait, Dan Mumford, official art

    Even today, if you venture into the woods, you might feel a pair of gleaming eyes watching over you, ensuring that you respect the woods and its creatures.

    a boy standing in a cave with a backpack on his back and a river running through it in front of him, serial art, a detailed matte painting, Diego Gisbert Llorens, rossdraws global illumination

    And who knows, you might also stumble upon the ancient carvings in the hidden cave, reminding you of the bond between a boy and a mysterious creature from a time long past.

    a boy standing next to a lion in a forest with trees and leaves on the ground and a person standing on the ground, sots art, poster art, Anato Finnstark, rossdraws global illumination

    The legend of Sam and the creature serves as a reminder that we share our world with many creatures, known and unknown, and it is our responsibility to protect and respect them.