Journey To The Mystery Stone

A story about love, family, betrayal and adventure

         Deep within a small country in west Africa lie a small kingdom call Greenville. In this kingdom stood an incredibly beautiful and magnificent palace. This palace was surrounded by big beautiful trees and green grass. The palace was so large that it could be seen from anywhere within the kingdom. It was the most beautiful thing in the kingdom. People from far and near comes to the kingdom just to admire the beauty of the palace. Inside this palace live a King, King Joseph Brown III. King Brown III was a very mighty and beloved ruler to the people. Every person in the kingdom love and admire him. The king also never shies away from being among the people. He loves to be among the people. He would host many events inside the palace and invite all the people of the kingdom to attend. To many of the people, he was more than a King, he was a father, brother, and son. King Brown III had two sons, one from each of his two wives.

A long time ago, the Queen, Rebecca, could not give birth to a child and King Brown III really wanted a son to inherit his kingdom in case something was to happen to him. The elders of the Kingdom advice the King to take a second wife that will give him a son. The king really loves his wife but knew that was what he needed to do. The King took in a second wife, Queen Mary. Soon after, Queen Mary give birth to a son. The king named him James. Everyone in the kingdom, especially the king was extremely excited to finally have a Prince and an heir to the throne. However, after a few years, Queen Rebecca also gave birth to a son as well. This brought the King extreme joy. He decided to name him Joseph, Prince Joseph Brown IV was his full name.

Joseph was a very shy but smart young man with a strong love for books. You will never see Joseph without a book in his hands no matter what he was doing. His father love that about him. He was his father favorite. James on the other hand, was a well build and greatly confident young man. Everything about him scream leader. He did have a tendency for getting into fights. Every kid in the kingdom was afraid of him growing up. He was groom from birth by his mother to be the next king. Everyone in the kingdom figure he will be the next king.

After many years of ruling the people, the king was finally getting old. He was also starting to fall terribly ill. He could no longer do much of the things he used to do. Many people in the kingdom started to take notice. They decided to ask the king to appoint one of his sons to be the new king. The King listen to the people and decided to consult with the elders of the kingdom. Base on the advice of the elders, the King decided it was time to appoint a new king. It was a very tough decision for the king, but one he knew he had to make.

The day of the king announcement arrive. Everyone, from young to old, in the kingdom were invited. It was a nice raining day outside the Palace. Everyone in the kingdom gathered around inside the palace as they wait for the king to announce which son would become the new King. Facing the entire kingdom, King Brown III announce that his youngest son, Joseph, will be the new king. The King announcement took everyone in the palace by surprise, they all look confuse. No one was expecting Joseph to be name the next king, not even Joseph. The King, seeing the confusion on the people faces, turn to address them, “I know many of you are surprise at the fact that my youngest son was chosen instead of the oldest, but this decision was taken according to the rules of this land, which states that in the event I do have two sons, the next appointed king has to be the sons of my first wife, the first Queen, Queen Rebecca”. The King then continue, “if Joseph was to refuse to be king, or if anything were to happen to him, then James, my oldest son, and the son of my second wife, Queen Mary, would be name King”. Without waiting for a response from the people, the King said to them “Join me and let us celebrate your new king, Prince Joseph Brown IV”.

          Everyone presents at the palace, gathered around the king and Prince Joseph, drinking wine, dancing, and celebrating to their new King. Away from the party and in the dark empty room, stood James and his mother, Mary. Neither of them looks one bit happy with what had just happened. Queen Mary holding the shoulder of her son said to him, “It is very unfair that the king chose Joseph, his youngest son, and not you, his oldest son”. James looks angry. Queen Mary then came up with a plan for her son to get revenge on the King for not choosing him and to also make sure her son will be crown king. Her plan, which she explains to her son was to kill the King, and then frame it on Joseph. That way, once Joseph is arrested, James can become the king.

Growing up both boys never really got along. Lot of that had to do with Queen Mary resentment of Joseph and his mother, but it also had to do with the fact that James always felt like he was nothing to his father. James felt that Joseph got everything he wanted from their father, while he is constantly being look down on by his father. James thought the king never paid any attention to him and his mother, and he hated him for that, but he especially hated Joseph. Therefore, James did not resent the idea to kill his father and frame Joseph when his mother brought it up. He was perfectly happy with the plan; he could finally get his revenge on both his father and Joseph.

It was a dark stormy night; everything was creaking in the house. Joseph decided to step outside to watch the stars, like he normally does. As he stepped outside, he looks up and saw a bird flying down towards him. It was bright red. The bird fell right in front of him. He reaches down and grab it. As he grabs it, he noticed that the bird was dead. He then notices that the bird was not actually red as he originally thought, the red color was blood from where it was stabbed and bleeding. Joseph try putting the dead bird down, but before he could, two large birds came flying straight at him thinking he had killed the other bird. As they were about to attack him, he jumped up from his sleep. As he tries to settle on the bed, he heard a scream from his dad's room. He rushes over, but no one was in site. He slowly walks inside to the king’s private room where his father usually is. He found his father lying dead on the flood in front of him bleeding. He screams so loud, that everyone in the palace heard and came running. They found Joseph standing over his father crying. Everyone looks shock when they realize what had happen and started to cry as well. All the people in the room, including the elders started moaning the loss of the great King, their leader. Out of nowhere, Queen Mary came out with a weapon. It was a sword which was cover in blood. It looks to be the weapon that was used to kill the king. The elders took the sword and examine it. It was the King's personal sword, a weapon only Joseph had access to as the newly appointed king. Everyone in the room look towards Joseph with a surprise look. They could not believe that he would kill his own father. All sudden, someone found a blood trail. The elders follow the trail and it led right to Joseph's room. The elders order that Joseph be arrested and taken to prison. Most of the people, especially the elders still could not believe Joseph could kill his own father. Instead of hanging him to death, the punishment for murder in the kingdom, they decided to put him in prison until they can find out if he did it.

After Joseph was arrested, James thought he was going to be crown the king right away. But the elders of the kingdom decided that they will not appoint the next king until Joseph is proofing guilty. This made James incredibly angry. He must be King, but how. He needed a way to get rid of Joseph for good. James went to the elders and convinced them to put Joseph in prison with the rest of the other prisoners. After convincing the elders, he hires someone to attack Joseph while in prison and kill him and make it looks like Joseph was trying to escape and got kill while killing the guards in the process.

While in prison, Joseph overhead some of the guards talking about a mystical stone that can grant you whatever you want. Joseph remember hearing stories about this stone when he was a child growing up. He always thought it was fiction, stories parents tell their kids. Joseph also remembers one key part of the story told; the mystical stone was located deep within what was call the forest of doom. According to the stories, this forest is so dangerous that no one had ever gone in there and come out alive. He thought to himself, you will have to be either a fool or desperate to go in there. But the thought of him going there did cross his mind. If he can get his hands on that stone, he can clear his name. Joseph fell asleep with that thought going through his head.

In the middle of the night, he heard a loud scream, which force him to wake up. He sat up and looks down and saw two of the guards laying on the floor bleeding. He then looks up and saw a dark figure coming towards the prison cell he was in. He could not see their face but could tell the person was carrying a sword. The person reaches out with the keys and opens his cell door and try to attack him. Joseph fights off the person and escape, running for his life and never looking back.

Early the next morning, the people in the kingdom woke up to find out that all the guards were dead, and that Joseph had escaped from prison. Right away, everyone assumed that Joseph was guilty and that he had killed his father and now he had killed the guards to escape. After looking through the prison, the elders notice that the prison was not break out of, it was open. The only other person that has access to the key was the Queen, Queen Rebecca. Queen Rebecca was then accused of conspiring with her son to kill the king and then helping him escape. She was put in prison, until trial and then execution if found guilty. The elders then order the guards to search for Joseph. James was then appointed as the King by the elders. Joseph had been running all night through the woods. He had no idea where he was going, he just knew he had to keep going. He knew if he goes back, he would be arrested and even worst kill. While he was running, the thought of his father kept popping in his head. He started to remember all the fun times he had with his father when he was growing up. The thought of his father made he sadder. He could not believe his father was gone. He wonders, who would want to kill his father. Everyone loved his father, at least so he thought. Tears started to roll down his eyes. The more he thought about his father, the sadder he got and the angrier he got as well. He wanted revenge, but on who. He had no idea who had kill his father and who try to kill him as well. He knew he could not go back to the kingdom to try and figure that out. He knew they will kill him right away. With no food or water to drink, he needed to find a river or something to drink from. Joseph continue through the woods for almost an hour before coming across a river. It felt like a few minutes to him though because he was deep in his thought. He went into the river to grab a drink of water. After drinking, he decided to take a dive into the water. As he was about to jump in the water, his foot got caught in mud under the water. He fought to free his leg, but the more effort he made, the more he sank to the bottom. He started to sink deeper and deeper into the river. All he remembered next was the site of the sky as he falls deep into coma. When he woke up, he found himself lying on the ground. As he opens his eyes to his surroundings, he caught the beautiful view around him, the beautiful trees all around him, the tall mountain in every direction, and the beautiful waterfall. It all felt peaceful. They were all beautiful reminded of his home. What he loves most about growing up in the kingdom was how it was filled with trees, beautiful rivers, and the beautiful palace that stood tall right in the middle. He loved watching the beautiful stars at night with his father. It was one of their favorite activity together. As Joseph continue to observe his surroundings, something caught his sight. It was the girl walking towards him. She was incredibly beautiful. She had straight black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and an incredible smile. She was wearing a beautiful flower dress that bring out the beauty in her eyes. Joseph could not get himself to stop staring at her. The girl came closer to Joseph and knee down by his side, touching his full head to see if he was ok. Her hands felt very warm on his face. He did not want her to stop. She pulls her hands away, stood up and turn away. Joseph was curious as to who she was, so he asks her, “Who are you?” She turns around, flashing the brightest smile, a smile so beautiful, Joseph was barely listening when she introduces herself. “I am Julie”, she told him. “I am Joseph” He stood up and introduce himself to her. He told her thanks for saving his life. The two of them sat down under one of the trees and talked for hours, telling each other their story of how they had ended up there. She told him that she was on the search to find the mystical stone, to save her dying father. The stone, she explains to him, is believed to holds the power to give life to people and show you what is hiding in the dark. It can grant you anything you want. Joseph told her he had held about the stone. He also told her he had heard how dangerous it is to get it and that no one had ever made it out alive through the forest that lead to the stone. It did not seem to bother her; she seem set on going to get the stone. Joseph, even though he knew the danger, was extremely interested in finding the stone as well. He thought it would help him find out who killed his father. Also, he wanted to be close to Julie as much as possible. And besides, his life is ruin anyways, so dying should not be an issue. They both decided to rest up since it was getting dark out and will head out early morning. The next morning, both Joseph and Julie got up and started their journey into the wood to find the mystical stone, both for different reasons, but with similar commitment. Joseph and Julie walk for hours in the woods before they arrived at the forest. They both knew the danger, but neither of them expected the surprise that lie ahead of them. As they were going through the forest, Julie got a little distracted and did not see what was in front of her. She almost fell right into the river. Joseph was able to grab her hand and pull her back just in time. They both look down into the river, and what they saw made Julie breath a sign of relief. The river was full of hungry crocodiles and alligators. They both then realize that they must get across that river to the other side, but how. Joseph then grab an old tree branch laying on the floor. With the help of Julie, throw it across the river to the other end, so they can use it as a bridge. The branch was not strong enough to hold two people, so Joseph told Julie to go across first. She slowly made her way across the river. Joseph then start making his way across when the tree branch broke, and he fell into the river. When he looks around him, he saw all the crocodiles and alligators all swimming towards him. He started swimming fast until he got to the end, but it was too slippery so he could not climb up and out. Julie, noticing he could not get out, reach out her hand and pull him out of the river just in time. They both lay on the floor and did not move for a while. Joseph finally decided to get up. As he was getting up, he heard loud footsteps, it sounded like it was coming towards then. The footsteps did not sound human. Julie also hear the footsteps causing her to jump to her feet immediately. They both look at each other and then turn around at the same time. What they saw scare the life out of them. A large group of creatures were approaching them. Joseph had read about these creatures in one of his books, but never thought they were real. These were hybrid creatures, they were part lion, part wolves. They were call demon creatures in the book. According to his book, these were the fastest and deadest creatures in the forest. Both Joseph and Julie give each other a quick look, and started running, jumping over tree branches. Out of nowhere, a ray of fire drops right in front of them, forcing them to stop. They both looked up and saw two large dragons flying over them. Joseph look behind and saw that the demon creatures were gaining on them, so he grabs Julie and they started running again, this time faster, and more carefully. Julie was trying to dodge a fire coming at her when she trips on one of the tree branches. Joseph kept running until he held Julie scream his name. He turns around to see her on the ground surrounded by the demon monster. He then looks up and saw the dragon were following him, and he got an idea. He ran pass where Julie was and threw a large stone at the creatures that were attacking her, putting their focuses on him. He then proceeds to run. The creatures all started chasing after him. The dragons were also following him as they kept shooting fire towards him. The fire hit one of the creatures, causing it to fall to the ground, which then scare the rest of the creatures forcing them to turn around and start running. Joseph then ran back, and grab Julie and they hid behind the tree from the dragon. After a while, the dragon flew away. Joseph and Julie scan their surroundings and notice nothing was in site, so they started running. They ran through the wood for a long time until they finally made it to where the stone was.

After they got to the stone, they notice that the stone was sitting in the middle of a big hole. Neither one of them had any idea how they were going to get the stone from down below. They had not plan this in advance and was not given the time to try and figure out a plan to get to the stone, because the ground around them started to split open. Under the rocks were hot lava. They started to run back to avoid falling into the lava, but the faster they ran back, the faster the ground open. The ground was opening faster, they needed to figure something out fast. Joseph took his shirt off and told Julie to do the same, he then tied them together and swing it across at the tree and told Julie to hold onto him, right them the ground under them open and they were hanging onto the tree branch. They could feel the heat from the lava under them. They both knew if they let go, that is it for them. Then, the trees started to fall also into the ground. Joseph then thinking quick saw a rock floating on top of the lava. Holding onto Julie, he jumped, both landing on the rock. Joseph then saw a rock ahead of him and notice the stone laying on it. He then grabs the shirts again and swing it across to the other tree and holding onto Julie, he jumps onto the other rock and grab the stone. Right when he grabs the stone, the rock they were standing on starts to sink into the lava. Thinking quick, they both Jump onto the next float rock and then jump to the other side falling to the floor. They both sat down on the floor, embracing each other, and holding on for comfort. After a little while, they both got up and begin walking towards the kingdom. They have gotten what they came for and was still alive. They were happy. They walk for a while until it started to get dark outside. They then decided to get some rest and continue in the morning. Lying under the tree, they fell asleep in each other arms. Early the next morning, Joseph opened his eyes and next to him, in his arms was Julie. Seeing Julie in his arms was a special kind of feeling he had never felt before. He felt happy for the first time since what happen to his father. He then closed his eyes thinking about everything that had happen so far, but how this very moment had made everything feel better. His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp object pointing to his head. He opens his eyes to see it was a weapon at his head. This cause him to jump, waking up Julie. They both look around them and saw a large group of soldiers all surrounding them with sword in their hands. In front of the group, he saw his brother James. James came closer to them and grab the stone from Joseph hands and order the guards to pick them up. One of the guards pull Julie up by force hurting her in the process. Joseph then scream to the guard not to hurt her, that they were here for him and should leave her alone. James laughs at his brother. He then told Joseph how naive he was and how it was his naiveness that made his plan to kill their father and blame him extremely easy. James also told Joseph that it was also because of his naiveness that he knew it would be easy to get him to trust Julie, who was part of his plan to get him to bring the stone and get him arrested. Joseph look at Julie to see if she will disagree with what his brother was saying, but her face said it all. Joseph at that moment felt heart broken. James then order the guards to take Joseph away. Joseph did not even try to resist. Joseph was arrested and put in prison. He was to be executed the next morning. Joseph did not seem scare or as if he cares. What hurt more is that both his brother and Julie had betrayed his trust.

         Early the next morning, Joseph wake up to a soft tap on his shoulder. His first thought was “this is it; it is time for my execution”. At that very moment, the thought of him dying finally hit him, and he felt a little bit of tears drop from his eyes, which he quickly wipes away. He opens his eyes and turn around and was surprise to see that it was Julie who was standing over him and not the guards. Part of him felt very relief and the other part was still angry at Julie for what she did. Joseph immediately turn away from her and pull his body away from her. “What are you doing here?” he asks her, “Did my brother sent you to finish the job and kill me too?” “Look I am sorry” Julie responded with tears in her eyes, “I only did it to save my father. Your brother has him and threaten to kill him if I don’t do what he asks.” Joseph did not response, part of him understand why she did it, but the other part of him still felt betray. Julie grab Joseph hand and told him they must leave now before the guards come back. Joseph hesitated for a while, but then got up and follow Julie. They both ran outside. Once they got outside and was at a safe distance, Julie stop and got on her knees, crying and begging Joseph to help save her father from his brother. Joseph felt sorry for Julie and he still care deeply for her as well. He could not bear to see her cry, so he decided to help her get her dad from his brother. He also knew his mother was on trial and he need to help get her out of prison as well. But to do that, he knew he will be going against his brother and all the guards, he needed a sword or any type of weapon. Julie reach into her bag and pull out a sword and hand it to Joseph. He opens it and saw that it was his dad special sword. Holding his Dad sword in his hands brought tears to his face. Julie could see the pain in his eyes, she leans in and embrace him, comforting him. Feeling her embrace made Joseph feel good and happy again. He did not want her to pull away, but he knew they had to go.

Joseph and Julie left and went to the town hall where his mother was on trial. The elders and everyone from the kingdom were there. His brother James was also there. When Joseph enter the hall, all the people were surprised to see him. James immediately order the guards to attack Joseph. The guards all grab their sword and went towards Joseph. One of the guards swing his sword and right before it could hit Joseph, he pulls out his father sword he was carrying and block it and then swing his elbow into the face of the guard knocking him out. Then another guard attack with his sword, Joseph was able to see it in time and dodge the sword, He then use the back of his sword to knock out the guard. One after one, each guard attack Joseph, he fought them all off with his dad's sword, knocking them all out cold. Everyone in the court looks frighten of Joseph. Joseph ignore them all and walked right over to his brother James, the king. Joseph grab his sword and put it to his brother head, telling him to give the stone he had taken. His brother refused. Before Joseph could realize it, James took out his sword and hit Joseph sword out of his hands and kick Joseph in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground. James then got out of the chair and started to approach Joseph, who got up quick and pick up his sword just in time to block James swinging sword. James then swing his left arm into Joseph face causing Joseph to almost fall to the floor. James then attack Joseph with his sword, Joseph move out of the way just in time. Joseph then swing his sword but James block it. The two men continue fighting, exchanging sword and punches and kick. James took a swing at Joseph with his sword but miss and had his sword stuck in one of the benches. Joseph then hit James with the back of his sword with a lot of force, causing James to drop to the floor. The stone James was carrying ` drop to the floor and Joseph pick it up. Once Joseph held the stone in his hands, it glows bright red, something James was never able to do with the stone. James got up and rush to attach Joseph, but Joseph struck him again with the back of his sword, knocking him down. Joseph then sat the stone down and it projected bright lights and an image was display. Everyone was surprised to see what was being display. The stone display an image of James and his mother plotting the King's death and blaming it on Joseph. Another image appears and it shows James attacking and killing his father. Everyone in the room was shock. The elders order the guards to arrest James. Before the guards could arrest James, he took out his sword from the bench and was about to stab Julie when Joseph jumps in the way. The sword went right into his stomach. The guards came rushing onto James and his mother and grab them both and took them away. Joseph was laying on the floor bleeding when Julie remembering the stone, grab it and rush over to Joseph, placing it over the wound. Joseph became to heal. Then Julie embrace Joseph.

The elders order the guards to free Joseph mother Rebecca. Then right in front of the people, the elders took the crown and made Joseph the new king. All the people got up and hail to their new King. James and his mother were put in prison but were ordered by Joseph not to be killed. He wanted them to suffer in prison for the rest of their lives. He thought that by killing them, it will mean their life is equal to that of his father, which he rejected. Joseph then order the guards to free Julie father. Joseph then asks Julie to be his queen. The two of then, with the help of his mother, carried out his dad legacy and rule the people. Joseph was respected by the people just like his father.

The End

Author's Note

Ignore Grammar problems, what do you think of the structure and ending.