Falling into Krystal

By Jenni Lynn

After failing a high school math test, Bella goes for a much-needed hike in the hills alongside her favourite beach. She hikes further than ever that day, dreading having to tell her Mom about the failed test. Bella ventures into a small cave along the trail to do some exploring and is suddenly caught in an earthquake. With the cave crumbling around her, Bella runs towards what she thinks is the exit, but she realizes too late that it’s the edge of a cliff. Falling, falling….THUMP….. she lands on the back of a huge black dragon. Where could she be that dragons exist and how will she ever get home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BooxAi
• Release date: Apr 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9789655779585

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Cave

The sun’s rays beat down on Bella as she explored the beach, searching for shells and tide pools. She was familiar with this beach, but today she walked further to the north than she ever had before. She needed this hike to try to clear her head after failing that last math test. How was she going to tell her Mom, knowing how much her Mom had helped her study? She could imagine the sad look on her Mom’s face. Bella continued to walk along the cliffside, deep in thought, when she saw an opening into a small cave. She checked her watch and was grateful that the tide would be low for several more hours. She had plenty of time to go inside before the waves would block her exit. As she walked inside, she was amazed at the beautiful rock formations. She continued to explore for about half an hour when she felt the earth around her begin to shudder. Stalactites began to fall from the ceiling of the cave, barely missing her and then Bella began to panic.

Earthquake! she screamed, but there was no one to hear her. Bella tried to run back towards the exit, but falling rocks prevented her. She was forced to run deeper into the cave, desperately trying to outrun the falling rocks. She thought she saw a glimmer of sunlight appear up ahead and ran towards it, hoping it would be a safe exit from the cave. Bella realized too late that the opening was high up a cliffside and as she emerged into the light, she felt her feet stumble as she plummeted off the edge. Down, down she fell with a silent scream stuck in her throat.

Her life started to flash before her eyes. At least she wouldn’t have to tell her Mom about her failed math test. That was one good thing. Then she remembered her sixteenth birthday party, and the cute boy with the friendly smile, her assignments that were due tomorrow at high school, and her loving family. She was really scared that she would never see any of her family or friends again. She closed her eyes and prepared for the worst.

Thump, Whoosh. She was suddenly going upwards. Bella opened her eyes and discovered to her amazement that she was flying on the back of what looked like a huge black dragon. She grabbed onto the dragon’s thick neck and held on with all her strength. This couldn’t be happening. Dragons were a myth. She was terrified and confused all at the same time. When she was finally brave enough to look around at the land below, she saw several small farms scattered across the landscape and a small village to her right. The black dragon began to descend towards one of the houses at the edge of the village. Bella held on tighter during the rapid descent. The wind was whipping at her hair. Down, down they flew, landing in front of a large man with a furrowed brow. Bella was both grateful to be alive and terrified of what lay ahead.

The man was tall and looked very strong. His long dark hair was pulled back with a leather tie and his dark beard was cut short. He was wearing a dark brown fur jacket and he had a large, glimmering knife tied around his waist. He stared directly at the girl before him and said in a deep, menacing voice, Who are you and where did you come from?

In a small shaky voice Bella replied, I’m sorry if I'm an intruder, there was a terrifying earthquake and I tried to get away, but I fell out of a cave and the next thing I remember is being on your dragon's back.

What is your name and where did you come from? asked the large man sternly for the second time.

My name is Bella and I'm from Canada, said Bella quietly.

The man looked confused and said, I’ve never heard of Canada. You are in the land of Dragons, called Krystal. I am the Chief of this land. You are very lucky my dragon caught you because you have no wings, and you also have no business here. The Chief scowled and then asked, What kind of magic do you have, Bella?

None, she said timidly.

You have no magic at all, Bella? asked the Chief.

I have no magic and no idea how to get home, sighed Bella holding back tears. What is your name, sir? Can you please help me get home?

Curtly, the man replied, Chief Tyee, and then, feeling badly for the girl, he expanded, My friends call me Tyee. You may also call me Tyee. I do not know how to help you get home. I thought you were sent here by our enemies, the people who are trying to steal our purple life crystal. If our crystal is stolen or destroyed, my people and our land will perish.

I'm sorry that there are people trying to steal your crystal, said Bella. I was not sent here by anyone; I fell through a crack in a cave because of an earthquake and ended up here. Bella paused, Is there anything I can do here to help you in exchange for meals and a place to stay? I don't know how to get home to Canada, and I feel like I am kind of stuck here. A tear slid down Bella’s cheek as she looked at Chief Tyee hopefully. Tyee looked at the young girl and started to smile as a plan began to formulate in his mind.

Chapter 2

The Magic Plan

Well, as long as you are here, there may be something you can do to help us. Tyee whistled and called out Warrior and the beautiful black dragon that had caught Bella appeared in an instant. Do not be afraid, said Tyee. Warrior is well trained, and he will only attack on my command. Tyee turned his attention to the powerful dragon, Warrior, I need you to go and bring Baed to me. The mighty Warrior understood his master and took to the sky with only two flaps of his powerful wings.

I think I have a plan, Tyee said to Bella, We will need to send out a message about you to everyone in our tribe. But before we do that, are you hungry or thirsty, Bella? asked the Chief kindly. I am very thirsty, said