The Island of Light

The Strange Dream

Zainab was an ordinary girl living in a quiet neighborhood of Karachi. She loved books, had a small group of close friends, and lived a simple life. But for the past few weeks, she had been haunted by a recurring dream—one that refused to fade with morning light.

In the dream, she stood at the edge of an island, bathed in soft golden light. The trees shimmered, the ocean glowed like liquid stars, and in front of her stood a door made of crystal and vines. As the door slowly opened, a deep voice echoed:

> “We’ve been waiting for you, Zainab.”



She would always wake up at this point, her heart racing, her skin cold with sweat.

Her best friend Dua joked one day, “Maybe you're secretly a lost princess of some magical kingdom!” Zainab laughed, but a strange part of her didn’t completely dismiss the idea.

2. The Door Appears

One quiet evening, Zainab was sitting on the rooftop, watching the stars. The night air was unusually still. Suddenly, a streak of light flashed across the sky—brighter than any shooting star. As she followed it with her eyes, she saw something impossible.

In the far corner of the rooftop, a glowing outline began to form in midair. Within seconds, the shape of a tall, arched door appeared—just like the one from her dreams. It glowed with golden light, pulsating like it was alive.

Zainab froze. Her breath caught. She stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest.

The voice came again.

> “Zainab... it’s time.”


Without another thought, she reached out and touched the door.


3. The Island Beyond

In an instant, the world spun. Wind rushed past her ears, light surrounded her, and then—silence.

Zainab opened her eyes.

She was standing on the island from her dreams. The air smelled of wildflowers and rain. The trees sparkled, and small glowing orbs floated like fireflies. A river of pure light flowed nearby. Everything shimmered, as if reality had been touched by magic.

A figure approached her. A tall woman with silver hair, glowing eyes, and a crown made of starlight.

> “Welcome, Guardian,” she said softly.



> “Guardian?” Zainab whispered.


> “You were born for this. This island exists to protect the balance between worlds. Every generation, one is chosen to guard its light. You… are the chosen one.”

4. The Trial of Light

Zainab was overwhelmed. “I’m just… me. I’m not magical or special,” she said.

The woman smiled. “Every Guardian begins with doubt. But your light has always been within you.”

She was led to the center of the island, where a massive crystal floated above a pool of light. Around it stood three figures cloaked in shadows.

> “To claim your destiny,” one of them spoke, “you must pass the Trial of Light.”



One by one, the figures tested her.
The first showed her her deepest fears—failure, loss, loneliness.
The second tried to tempt her with illusions—power, beauty, fame.
The third asked her to give up everything she loved—her family, her world—for the sake of protecting the island.

Zainab stood firm.

“I’m afraid. But I won’t let fear rule me. I don’t want power. I want purpose. And I will protect this light—but not by leaving my world behind. I’ll carry the light back with me.”

The crystal pulsed brightly—and then, exploded into a million particles of glowing dust that swirled around her, sinking into her skin.

She had passed.



5. Return with the Light

Zainab awoke in her bed, unsure if it had all been a dream. But when she touched her palm, it glowed faintly.

That day, and every day after, she began to see the world differently. She helped people, stood up against wrong, and protected those who had no voice.

The island still appeared in her dreams, but not as a mystery anymore—as a part of her.

Because she was now a Guardian of Light—walking among shadows, but never swallowed by them.