The keeper of the golden key

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.

Yani was coming back from his late walk around the valley when he heard noise from falling objects inside his home, and his father rumbling around. He began to worry. Deep in the forest, his cottage was hidden among the big, wide oak’s roots, surrounded by bushes and twigs, away from the human eye. The front door was cracked open, and he saw swirling pots and books, and bundles of herbs up and down in the air.

Kikimora was furiously up to mischief again, darting around the house, knocking down everything on her way, and firing purple magic bolts from her hands.

Yani shut the door instantly, grabbed a lavender stick hanging upon the fireplace, and firmly cast a spell saying the words three times: “Ego te e vita DeLeo, non-tu mihi lites emis, Nulli laedes, festucam tibi.” (I banish you from my life, no more will you cost me strife, harm it none, so mote it be.). Kikimora stopped for a moment, grasped a breath, fired one last bolt of magic, and hid behind the stove. Then disappeared.

“She never gives up, does she?” said Yani to his father with a sigh.

Ivan kneeled next to the wounded deer and gently stroked her head. “I won’t let her harm you or any other of your kind.” Said Yani’s father and threw one last look at the stove.

The angry household spirit was gone to the otherworld... for now.

Thousands of lightning bolts and thunder strikes were rupturing the sky, reflecting the epic battle of the two powerful witches. Baba Yaga, an evil old witch, and guardian of the fountains of the water of life, was fiercely firing bolts of magic at Elena, riding on her broom. Elena, a powerful forest protector witch, was riding on her stag, shooting back poisonous, deadly arrows at the evil witch, but the encounter was fatal for her this time. Baba Yaga’s evil magic struck her down, turning her into a powerless deer, wandering around the river. Yani, ten years old at the time, witnessed in terror the witches’ clash that left him motherless, in the care of his father only.

“ Yani, son, wake up.” Ivan shook his son’s shoulder gently. Yani was shivering and mumbling in his sleep. That dream was haunting him over again about his mother, who was enchanted by the evil witch, and he and his father could do nothing to stop it. He was exhausted and crashed onto the rocking chair in front of the fireplace after a long day spent waiting for his father to prepare his favorite meal- stuffed peppers with beans and melted feta cheese on top. The delicious smell put a smile on his face again. “You always know how to indulge my appetite.” Said Yani, as he peacefully enjoyed dinner with his father.

“Is the river’s color still red? “Asked his dad with concern. “Yes, and he is back! I saw the villagers across the river making huge bonfires and volunteers patrolling around the portal.” His father became worried. Yani’s golden key he was wearing blinked. The two men knew Azhdaya was awake, ready to attack the village.

The demonic dragon was back after centuries of deep sleep, terrorizing the village at night, snatching cattle, and causing harm to the humans. His three heads were spitting fire while flying down the sky, causing the fire to spread around, burning the forest to ashes. Ivan and Yani could hear his roar, making every living thing tremble as far as the eye could see. Yani jumped out of his chair and put his palm in the handprint on the shelf above the fireplace—out came a golden box with an encrypted sign. He snapped his fingers, and Torry and Borry instantly appeared. The squirrel mixed the letters while Borry, the hedgehog, arranged them in a secret message that only Yani could read. He read the message, and a locker appeared on the box. Yani unlocked it promptly with his golden key. He then quickly grabbed his diamond sword and headed out. His father tossed him a bag with remedies he made to help cure wounded people and animals.

After all, he and his wife were powerful healers preparing portions out of special, magical recipes past by generations. Since Elena was placed under a spell, Ivan’s magical power weakened, and he was excruciated by the thought he wouldn’t be able to help his son anymore; so, too, was Elena. Her time as unwitched and mortal, was making her powerless, and she was getting old in that deer’s form and soon might die.

Yani hopped onto his horse, swooped Borry quickly and put him in the saddlebag. Torry jumped onto Yani’s shoulder and snatched tightly.

Ivan watched his son galloping away and, with a heavy heart, went inside. There were wet footprints on the floor, and he could feel her presence. Kikimora was back. She knew Ivan’s power was weak when Yani was away, and now she was ready to attack again. She wanted to kill the wounded deer that Ivan was sheltering and any other deer or forest creature helping him banish the spell cast on his wife.

Yani was furiously galloping through the dark forest to get to the river. All night creatures and monsters were wide awake, anticipating the call of his master.

“The river will soon turn gold,” said the deer with a human voice. Yani felt silent. He instantly recognized his mother, and his heart skipped a beam. She was the only one who could take him through the river.

Azhdaya burned down the villagers’ homes, making everyone scream and run in horror. The three-headed dragon was more violent than ever.

“It’s time, my child. Jump on my back.” Said Elena and entered the river. Big, frog-like eyes floated on the water surface. Bolotnik, the water monster, was already anticipating his prey, ready to drag Yani deep down to the bottom of the river.

Yani, too, was prepared for his first battle.