Adam wandered deep into the forest, walking aimlessly, unsure of his destination. Nightfall crept in, and fatigue weighed him down. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, thirst parched his throat, and even his horse, Maximus, was exhausted. Still, he trudged forward.
Suddenly, he stumbled upon a breath taking garden, lush with towering trees and vibrant flowers. At its centre stood a grand white tent, its fabric billowing gently in the night breeze. Adam dismounted, tied his horse, and cautiously peered inside. To his surprise, the tent was empty—except for a well-made iron bed adorned with soft cushions and pillows. Without hesitation, he lay down and surrendered to sleep.
Days passed. The first night came and went. Then the second. And the third. Adam remained in deep slumber.
On the third night, Maximus stirred uneasily. A strange, thunderous noise rumbled from the distance. The ground trembled as if an earthquake loomed. Trees swayed violently, some even crashing down. Rivers overflowed, surging wildly through the forest. Maximus neighed loudly, desperately trying to wake Adam.
Then, Adam jolted awake, startled. Maximus gestured urgently toward the incoming threat. It was Jonah—the very being Jonah had been warned never to confront.
A monstrous figure emerged, riding a colossal horse, its sheer size resembling a mountain. As Jonah dismounted at the tent's entrance, Adam, hidden in the shadows, observed him closely. The creature was unlike anything he had ever seen—immensely tall and broad, towering over even the trees.
Jonah reached behind his horse and pulled out a massive golden chest. Using a key of pure gold, he unlocked it. From within, a stunning woman emerged—her beauty so ethereal she seemed like an otherworldly being. She was draped in shimmering silk and adorned with golden jewellery encrusted with rare gems. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back, and her face gleamed like polished glass.
Hand in hand, Jonah and the woman entered the tent. She unpacked a lavish spread of food and drink, and together, they feasted until they were satisfied. Then, Jonah reclined on the bed, while she gently massaged him into a deep sleep.
Once she was certain he was fast asleep, she stepped outside, stretching her legs and humming a mesmerizing tune that seemed to cast a spell on anyone who heard it. As she wandered the garden, she suddenly looked up and spotted Adam perched on a tree.
"You, up there!" she whispered. "Come down."
Trembling, Adam climbed down. She took his hand and led him inside the tent, where Jonah remained fast asleep. With delicate precision, she unfastened Jonah's pocket and slipped Adam inside.
It felt like being swallowed by an endless chasm.
After some time, jonah stirred. Stretching and preparing for his journey, he picked up the woman, placed her back in the golden chest, locked it securely, and strapped it onto his horse. Then, he set off, heading toward the Sacred Mountains—an uncharted realm where no living being had ever dared to venture. It was the domain of Luca , jonah's formidable father.
Jonah's horse moved sluggishly, unlike its usual swift pace. Annoyed, Jonah struck it. The horse neighed in protest, saying, "Forgive me, my master, but my strength can only carry you and your wif not three beings."
Perplexed, Jonah checked his surroundings but saw nothing unusual. Then, he felt an unfamiliar weight in his pocket. Reaching inside, he pulled out Adams.
His eyes narrowed. "Mortal, how did you get here? How did you enter my pocket?"
Adam, ever fearless, looked Jonah straight in the eye and answered, "My lord, you can ask your wife who's inside the chest she placed me there."
Fury ignited within Jonah. Without hesitation, he grabbed the golden chest and hurled it onto the jagged rocks of a nearby river. The woman's voice echoed briefly before vanishing into the depths.
"Stay there forever, wretched sorceress!" Jonah growled. "Let this be your prison until the end of time."
Then, turning to Adam, Jonah pulled him up onto the horse and continued the journey. But as they travelled, Jonah's anger faded, replaced by curiosity.
He asked Adam about his homeland, his past, and his journey. In turn, Adam shared his entire story—from the very beginning.
By the time they neared their destination, a deep bond had formed between them.
The Meeting with Luca
Before they reached the palace, Jonah gave Adam a solemn warning:
"When we meet my father, Luca, he will extend his hand for a greeting. Do not take it. Instead, there is a blacksmith near the entrance—heat an iron rod until it glows red, and when he offers his hand, give him the hot iron instead."
Adam nodded in understanding.
Upon their arrival, Adam was struck by the grandeur of the palace, the massive white stone walls, intricate carvings, golden drapes, and crystal windows. Inside, the halls shimmered with countless lamps, luxurious carpets, and opulent thrones.
Luca emerged—a being even larger and more imposing than Jonah. Though ancient and blind, his presence exuded raw power.
"So, my son," Luca rumbled, "what news do you bring from the lands you have travelled?"
"I have returned from the East," Jonah replied. "And I have brought a companion."
Luca extended his hand. "Let me greet him."
As instructed, Adam grabbed the glowing iron and placed it in Luca's hand. The elder creature clenched it tightly as if shaking a person's hand, his skin unaffected by the heat. After a moment, he released it. The iron had cooled.
"You have found a worthy companion, Jonah my boy ," Luca said. "This one is strong."
The Final Trial
Later that evening, as they gazed upon the moonlit landscape, Adam spotted Maximum grazing nearby. Overcome with joy, he rushed forward and embraced his loyal steed.
Jonah, intrigued by the horse's resilience, ordered his men to feed and water it. That night, he and Adam rode together, basking in the cool wind, exchanging tales, and sharing laughter.
Eventually, they stumbled upon an ancient chest, inscribed with mystical words:
"He who opens shall meets his doom and never will be seeing the light of another day again."
Curious, Adam attempted to open, but the power and spells blew him away like he's nothing but a feather. Jonah, however, open it perfectly without being affected by the spells and power that the chest withholds .
A sudden realization struck him.
"This is my fate," he whispered.
Without warning, something started to appear like a smoke and it began to wrap itself on Jonah's entire body and start pulling him inside the box. With all his strength Jonah was completely overpowered and pulled into the chest, and the chest closed like nothing happened.
Panicked, Adam tried to pry it open. "I can't open it!" he cried.
"Strike it with my sword," Jonah instructed.
Adam lifted the blade but found it impossibly heavy.
"Step closer," Jonah said. "Let me give you strength."
With a deep breath, Jonah exhaled his essence into Adam. Power surged through him. Lifting the sword effortlessly, Adam struck the chest. Fire erupted. The sky roared. But instead of breaking, the chest tightened its seal.
Realizing there was no escape, Jonah gave Adam his final words:
"Tell my father what has become of me. May we meet again in the afterlife. And Adam use my strength wisely."
Tears welled in Adam's eyes. He wept for his friend, for the tragedy of fate, for the end of a mighty warrior.
Then, gathering his strength, he mounted Maximus.
And he rode away.