The Secret Realm

    By Edit

    The Secret Realm cover image

    13 Feb, 2024

    a child is reading in a bedroom with a green bed spread and a green curtained window with a mountain view, magic realism, a matte painting, Chris LaBrooy, kyoto animation

    Every morning, when their parents left for work, siblings Peter and Lily transformed their ordinary bedroom into the entrance of a mythical world. Underneath their parents' bed, a portal to an astonishing realm emerged, a secret world filled with magic, elves, and mythical creatures.

    a couple of people standing in the woods with a girl and boy in front of them and a butterfly flying above them, sots art, a storybook illustration, Anne Said, official art

    Their first adventure took them to a vibrant forest, teeming with elves. The siblings were awestruck by the shimmering leaves and the sight of elves working harmoniously, crafting exquisite objects.

    a couple of people that are standing in the grass with trees in the background and a forest behind them, sots art, concept art, Ada Gladys Killins, official art

    Peter and Lily met Eldan, the head elf. He had twinkling eyes, an amiable smile, and a wisdom that reflected the many centuries he had lived. He welcomed them warmly into their world.

    a man and a woman standing in a forest with trees and flowers behind them, with the man in the middle of the picture, sots art, a storybook illustration, Ada Gladys Killins, official art

    As days passed, the siblings learned the language of elves, their customs, and even the art of crafting. They reveled in their new daily routine, finding the magical world more fascinating every day.

    a couple of people walking down a forest path with trees and flowers in the background and sunlight shining through the trees, rayonism, poster art, Armin Hansen, official art

    One day, Eldan told them about the ancient prophecy. It spoke of two human children who would save their world from an impending doom. Peter and Lily instantly knew they were those children.

    a group of people standing next to a dragon on a mountain top with a sky background and a sky background, sots art, concept art, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    The prophecy led them to the lair of a dragon, Arokh. Arokh was the guardian of the magical gem which held the power to save the elven world from destruction.

    a group of people standing next to a dragon in a forest with a green dragon behind them and a woman in a blue dress, fantasy art, concept art, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    The dragon agreed to surrender the gem, but only if they could solve his riddle. Lily, with her quick wit, solved the riddle, and Arokh, true to his word, handed over the gem.

    a man and a woman standing next to each other in front of a dragon and castle with a fire, fantasy art, concept art, Akira Toriyama, official art

    With the gem in their possession, the siblings returned to Eldan. The entire elven community celebrated their bravery and wisdom. The prophecy was fulfilled, and the realm was saved.

    a painting of a man and a woman standing in a forest with trees and sunlight shining through the trees, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Artgerm, official art

    Despite their victory, Peter and Lily felt a pang of sadness. They knew their adventure was coming to an end. As they bid their goodbyes, Eldan bestowed them with elven tokens of friendship.

    a family sitting on a bed in a bedroom with a teddy bear and a window in the background with a teddy bear, sots art, a storybook illustration, Armin Hansen, official art

    Back in their room, they carefully placed the tokens on their bedside table. Every night before sleeping, they gazed at them, reminiscing about their magical adventure. Their hearts filled with the hope of returning to the realm someday.

    a couple of people standing in the woods together with trees in the background and a forest with white flowers, neo-romanticism, poster art, Armin Hansen, anime key visual

    Time went by, and the siblings grew older. They held on to the memory of the enchanted realm, their adventures, and their friends there. The tokens remained as a testament to their extraordinary journey.

    three children standing in a room with bunk beds and a cat on the floor in front of them and a window, sots art, a detailed drawing, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    In their hearts, they knew that the secret realm under their parents' bed was more than just a childhood fantasy. It was a part of their lives that shaped their adventurous spirits and their belief in magic.

    a couple of people standing in front of a forest with butterflies on it and a butterfly in the background, magical realism, poster art, Anne Said, anime key visual

    And so, despite growing up, Peter and Lily never stopped believing in magic, in friendship, and in the power of imagination. The secret realm, though no longer accessible, lived on in their hearts, forever cherished.

    a young man standing next to a green dragon in a forest with trees and bushes behind him, in front of a green dragon, sots art, concept art, Andor Basch, official art

    Their adventures with Eldan, Arokh, and the elves were not just tales, but life lessons. They taught them about bravery, wisdom, and the strength of friendship, values they carried into their adulthood.

    a couple of people standing next to a dragon in a forest with trees and bushes behind them and a woman in a purple dress, sots art, concept art, Baiōken Eishun, official art

    As they embarked on the journey of life, they carried the spirit of the secret realm with them. The magic of their childhood, the lessons they learned, and the friends they made, were their guiding light.

    a man and two women standing next to each other in front of a book shelf with books on it, sots art, concept art, Andor Basch, rossdraws global illumination

    As adults, they often found themselves reciting the tales of their adventures to the younger generation, igniting in them a spark of curiosity and imagination, just like Eldan had done for them.

    a man and a woman walking through a forest with flowers and trees on either side of them, with a stone archway leading to a waterfall, neo-romanticism, poster art, Aya Goda, anime key visual

    They hoped that one day, some other children would find a secret realm of their own, embark on their own adventures, learn their own lessons, and keep the spirit of magic alive.

    a family of three sitting at a table in a library with books on the shelves and a bookcase full of books, remodernism, a storybook illustration, Anne Said, official art

    The tokens of friendship, their connection to the realm, were passed down as heirlooms. A symbol of the magical journey they had embarked on, a testament to their belief in magic, friendship, and the power of imagination.

    two girls walking through a forest holding hands and smiling at the camera, with the sun shining through the trees, rayonism, poster art, Anne Said, official art

    Peter and Lily knew that magic is real, as long as you believe in it. Their story is a testament to that belief. The secret realm might be hidden, but the magic, the lessons, and the friendships are forever alive.

    a couple of people sitting on a bed next to a lamp and a table with a lamp on it, remodernism, concept art, Anne Said, official art

    And so, every night, as they looked at the tokens on their bedside table, they smiled. For they knew, the magic was real, the friendships were real, and the secret realm, though hidden, was very much real.