Secondary

Herothis and the Rescue of Celtic
By Raphael Sumbu

Once upon a time, in an unknown land far away, lived a courageous and powerful man named Herothis. He wasn’t just any ordinary man—he had the build of a warrior and the extraordinary ability to shapeshift into any creature known to humanity. He could also conjure any weapon he could imagine. However, Herothis had a son, Celtic, who was very different from his father. Unlike Herothis, Celtic had no special skills or powers.

One fateful evening, Herothis returned home after practicing his shapeshifting abilities. The air was unusually quiet, and the home felt empty. This was strange because Celtic always greeted him joyfully, filling the space with energy. Herothis searched everywhere but couldn’t find his son. That’s when he noticed a letter lying on his desk. It read:
"If you want your son back, come to the Congo Rainforest. You must find him without using any of your powers. If you disobey, Celtic will be fed to the Goblins."

Herothis was furious but also hesitant. How could he face such danger without his abilities? He felt helpless, on the verge of giving up, when he heard a voice from the heavens above.

It was his grandfather, who had once faced a similar challenge but had perished in the process. His voice was reassuring:
"Herothis, do not despair. I will guide and train you for this mission. Drink the blood of Hercules, and you will become invincible. Trust in yourself and use your mind."

With newfound courage, Herothis trained under his grandfather’s guidance and set off for the rainforest.

As he entered the Congo Rainforest, the atmosphere was eerie. Shadows danced between the trees, and pairs of glowing eyes watched his every move. The pungent smell of decay mingled with the sweet aroma of exotic plants. Adrenaline surged through Herothis as he pressed forward, determined to save his son.

But something was amiss. Herothis realized he was being followed. Suddenly, a twig snapped behind him, and he turned to face the kidnapper. It was a grotesque, ungodly creature, its face twisted with malice. The creature challenged Herothis to a battle for Celtic.

Though tempted to use his powers, Herothis remembered his grandfather’s words and chose to rely on his training. The fight was fierce, lasting hours, with Herothis using every ounce of strength and wit to hold his ground. But just as victory seemed within reach, Herothis slipped into a swampy pond, trapping his foot. The kidnapper loomed over him, sword in hand, ready to strike.

In that moment of despair, Herothis heard a voice in his mind:
"Do not be afraid to use your mind."

With calm precision, Herothis tripped the kidnapper, who fell into a deep, dark hole. Celtic suddenly appeared, freed from the creature’s clutches. Overjoyed, father and son returned home, their bond stronger than ever.

A few days later, Herothis heard his grandfather’s voice again:
"Well done, Herothis. You have proven your worth. As a reward, you will become a demi-god. Remember, never underestimate the power of your mind."

Herothis embraced his new role with humility and wisdom. However, his grandfather devised one final test to see if Herothis was truly ready for his new responsibilities.

One peaceful evening, as Herothis and Celtic enjoyed their dinner overlooking a serene valley, a loud bang shook the ground. A massive wave of water surged toward them. Without hesitation, Herothis used his newfound powers to divert the wave, saving them both.

With this act, Herothis proved himself worthy of his demi-god status. To ensure their safety and peace, he and Celtic moved to the tranquil valleys of Athens, where they lived happily ever after.

The End

Ms. Coley