Story Shorts: The Lighthouse of Lost Atlantis
The Lighthouse of Lost Atlantis
Cade had heard the tales from his grandfather, who had heard it from his, and so on. Stories of an ancient city of unparalleled beauty, riches, and wisdom, swallowed by the sea and forgotten by time. But there was one hope—the lighthouse. Built eons ago, it was said to hold the secret of the lost city's location.
As the blood moon's night approached, anticipation buzzed through the town. Many dismissed the legend as a mere fairy tale, while a few, like Cade, believed. He camped near the lighthouse, his heart racing with excitement and fear.
The night of the blood moon arrived. The sky was painted in deep hues of red and orange. As the moon reached its zenith, Cade noticed the lighthouse's usually brilliant white beam transforming into a radiant shade of gold.
The golden ray cut through the darkness, stretching far across the horizon. Cade, without a moment's hesitation, followed the luminescent trail, hiring a boat and sailing towards the beacon's end.
Hours seemed to pass, and just when doubt began to creep into Cade's mind, the boat shuddered. Rising from the depths was an awe-inspiring sight—a colossal gate adorned with sapphire and pearls. As it opened, an entire city, gleaming in gold and precious stones, revealed itself beneath the waves, its buildings and structures shimmering in the lighthouse's golden glow.
The legend was true! But as Cade prepared to dive and explore, he remembered another part of the legend: that the city would stay surfaced only till the break of dawn, after which it would vanish for another century.
Determined to document as much as he could, Cade dived in, exploring palaces, libraries, and courtyards. But time was running out. As the first light of dawn approached, Cade resurfaced, carrying with him artifacts and scrolls.
The city began its descent, but Cade had seen it. He'd touched its history and brought a piece of it back. With the evidence in hand, Cade's tales would no longer be dismissed as mere legends.