Hania & The Crystal of Eternity: A Magical Adventure Tale
Characters
Hania – A brave, curious, and adventurous 5-year-old girl destined to uncover the secrets of Eldoria.
Safia Ehtsham (Mother) – A loving and supportive mother who always encourages Hania to follow her dreams.
Ehtsham Ijaz Shami (Father) – A wise and protective father, guiding Hania with his knowledge and strength.
Zarbakht – Hania’s best friend, smart and witty, always ready for an adventure by her side.
Alvin – Hania’s loyal dog, playful yet courageous, standing by her in every challenge.
Prologue
“Not all who wander are lost, but some find more than they seek.”
Deep beneath the golden dunes of an ancient land, where secrets of the past whispered through the winds, lay the Lost City of Eldoria—a place of wonder, mystery, and forgotten magic. Many had searched for it, but none had returned to tell its tale. Until now…
This time, instead of an explorer or a researcher to unveil secrets about it—it would be that of a five-year-old girl named Hania, her closest friend Zarbakht, and a really interesting dog named Alvin.
They would now head to an unexpected adventure.
Part 1: The Mystery Map
Hania sat cross-legged on the floor of her father’s study, flipping through the pages of an old book she had found tucked away in the highest corner of a wooden shelf.
The air smelled of aged parchment and ink, and dust motes danced in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. She loved this room—it was full of secrets, old maps, and forgotten stories.
Her father, Ehtsham Ijaz Shami, was an archaeologist, always talking about lost civilizations and ancient wonders.
He had spent years searching for something called Eldoria, but every time she asked about it, he would smile and say, “One day, you’ll understand, my little explorer.”
That day had come.
As she turned a thick, yellowed page, something fluttered out and landed at her feet.
It was a map.
Not just any map—it was ancient, drawn on gold-tinged parchment, with symbols that glowed faintly as if whispering their forgotten language. The ink shimmered, shifting into shapes that Hania didn’t understand, but right in the middle of the map was something impossible.
Her name.
“Hania.”
Written in glowing letters, pulsing softly like a heartbeat.
Her chest tightened with excitement. How could her name be on a map this old?
Just in time, her father came into the room, his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose as he carried a stack of books under his arm. But the moment his eyes fell on the map, the books tumbled from his hands.
“Where did you find that?” he asked, his voice uncommonly serious.
Hania hesitated. “It was inside your book… Baba, what is this?”
Ehtsham knelt beside her, running his fingers over the parchment. His face was unreadable. “This… this is the map to Eldoria.”
The words ran down Hania’s spine like ice. Eldora. The lost city he had spent his life searching for.
At that moment, her mother, Safia Ehtsham, walked in, her gaze shifting from the map to Hania, then back to Ehtsham. “Eldoria is real, isn’t it?” she whispered.
Ehtsham took a deep breath. “It’s more than real. And if this map has found Hania…” he turned to his daughter, his voice full of wonder, “.then maybe she is meant to find Eldoria.”
Hania clutched the map, her heart pounding.
That night, she lay awake in bed, staring at the glowing parchment.
If Eldoria was real, then…
What other secrets lay hidden within its ancient ruins?
And why had the map chosen her?
Something was sure, though.
Before dawn, she would embark on an adventure.
Part 2: The Adventure Begins
Hania couldn’t sleep. Golden symbols on the old map, drawn in what looked like silver and gold thread, pulsed weakly under the dim light of the moon as if summoning her to a destiny yet unknown. She traced the glittering lines with her small fingers, her brain filled with questions.
Why is my name there?
Why was Dad so troubled?
And above all… What did Eldoria conceal?
Alvin, her dog, curled at her feet with his ears working as if catching the rhythm of her eagerness. She said to him quietly, “I think we should go, Alvin. The map needs us.”
Alvin wagged his tail in response.
The following morning, Hania rushed towards her best friend, Zarbakht, who was playing with dolls around the garden.
“Zarbakht! We have to go on an adventure!” Hania exclaimed, holding up the glowing map.
Zarbakht’s eyes widened as she looked at it. “Wait… where did you get that? Is this real?”
Hania nodded. “It’s the map to Eldoria. And I think it’s calling us.”
Zarbakht hesitated. She loved adventures, but she also knew that Hania’s ideas were never small ones. “Are you sure we should do this?”
Hania reached out and took her friend’s hand. “I don’t just think we should,” she said. “I know we have to.”
Just then, her parents walked into the garden. Ehtsham had a grave expression on his face, but Safia came beside her and brushed Hania’s hair out of her face.
“Hania, finding Eldoria isn’t a game,” her mother said gently. “It’s a dangerous journey. If you go, there may be no turning back.
Hania took a deep breath. “But Baba, what if I was meant to find it? What if this is my adventure?”
Ehtsham studied his daughter’s determined eyes before sighing deeply. “Then, at least let me prepare you.”
He led Hania, Zarbakht, and Alvin into his study. From a locked drawer, he pulled out a small, golden amulet.
“Take this,” he said, placing it around Hania’s neck. “This belonged to the last person who tried to find Eldoria. It may protect you.”
Safia hugged her daughter tightly. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Hania nodded. “I promise.”
With the ancient map in one hand, Zarbakht by her side, and Alvin wagging his tail, Hania stepped forward.
Her journey had begun.
Part 3: The Hidden Path and the First Test
Morning sun rays bathed the landscape with a golden hue as Hania, Zarbakht, and Alvin walked along the map’s glowing lines, leading them to an unknown destination. Air was filled with excitement as the adventure was finally unfolding before them.
“Where exactly are we going?” Zarbakht asked, smoothing her long hair behind her ear as she gazed at the ancient parchment.
Hania gripped the map tightly. “The markings lead beyond the river and into the Forgotten Forest. Baba said no one who went looking for Eldoria ever returned.”
Zarbakht raised an eyebrow. “Oh, great. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear before stepping into a mysterious, possibly haunted forest.”
Alvin barked excitedly, running ahead as if he already knew the way. His fluffy tail wagged in excitement, making both girls laugh.
The forest was unlike anything they’d ever seen. The trees were huge, twisted and massive, forming grandiose underground tunnels from the roots.
Eerie glowing blue mushrooms scattered the ground, casting ghoulish light across the forest floor. The further they walked, the quieter everything grew.
And then, without warning—
The map changed.
The glowing lines began to shift, reforming a new pattern. Symbols rearranged themselves, and the parchment grew warm in Hania’s hands.
“It’s moving,” Zarbakht whispered, her voice filled with awe.
“It’s guiding us,” Hania said, stepping forward.
But the moment her foot touched the moss-covered ground, the earth trembled.
A deep rumbling sound echoed through the trees. The ground beneath them split apart, revealing a hidden staircase leading downward.
Zarbakht gasped. “We’re really doing this, huh?”
Hania nodded, gripping her amulet tightly. “I think we’re meant to.”
Alvin was the first to descend, his little paws making no sound. The two girls followed, their hearts pounding as they stepped into the unknown.
The staircase led to an ancient underground chamber, its walls covered in glowing golden runes.
In the center of the room stood a massive stone door marked with a handprint.
Hania hesitated.
Zarbakht touched her shoulder. “I think it wants you to open it.”
Taking a deep breath, Hania placed her hand on the stone. The runes leaped to light and, with a loud click, began to slowly open the door.
Darkness and mystery awaited beyond.
Part 4: The Trial of Light
As the great stone door groaned open, a soft golden light spilled forth from the cavern beyond. Hania, Zarbakht, and Alvin stepped inside with trepidation.
The air felt heavy, brimming with mystery, scented with old stone, magic, and something unexplainable. Ancient symbols etched upon the walls seemed to shimmer faintly as if secrets whispered long ago were frozen in time.
“This place feels. Alive,” Zarbakht murmured, running her fingers over the carvings.
Alvin sniffed the air, letting out a low whimper before stepping closer to Hania. His ears twitched, sensing something the girls couldn’t yet see.
At the center of the chamber stood a raised stone altar with an inscription carved into it. Hania brushed the dust away to read it. The words pulsed with an eerie glow as she whispered:
“Only the one with the heart of light shall pass. Face the trial, or be lost in shadow.”
Zarbakht took a step back. “A trial? Why does it have to be a trial?”
Hania swallowed hard. “Maybe this is Eldoria’s way of testing if we’re worthy.”
Before she could say another word, the ground shifted beneath them. The glow from the walls flickered and faded into total darkness.
Then, light appeared.
But not from the walls.
From Hania.
Her talisman—the one her father had given her—glowed strongly, illuminating the room in a soft, ethereal light.
The second it spread its radiance throughout, three silhouettes detached from the obscurity. The figures were mists, awkwardly moving; their eyes emitted like burning ash.
Zarbakht hissed out a short breath. “Not friendly. Not friendly, that’s for sure.”
The shadows circled them, whispering in a language neither of the girls understood. Then, without warning, they lunged.
Hania instinctively threw up her hands, and the amulet’s light flared brighter. The moment the blue light touched the shadow creatures, they shrank back, hissing as if in pain.
“Hania, keep going! They hate the light!” Zarbakht shouted.
Hania took a deep breath and stepped forward. The light pulsed from her hands, pushing the shadows further and further back until—
With one final burst of light, the creatures vanished.
The chamber rumbled, and the inscription on the altar changed:
“You have passed the first trial. The path to Eldoria begins.”
The stone wall behind them shifted, revealing a new passage.
Hania turned to Zarbakht, her heart pounding. “We’re really doing this.”
Zarbakht smiled. “And I think we are just starting.”
Alvin wagged his tail beside them as they stepped forward—to the very heart of the lost city.
Part 5: The Bridge of Echoes
The newly opened passage lay before them, its walls covered in faint golden runes that pulsed as if they were breathing.
Hania, Zarbakht, and Alvin stepped inside with caution, their footsteps echoing down the narrow corridor. The air was heavy with the scent of ancient stone and forgotten magic.
Hania held onto her glowing amulet tightly; she was still reeling from the Trial of Light. She was beginning to understand what lay within her, but Eldoria required so much more from her.
“What do you think is next?” Zarbakht whispered.
“I don’t know,” Hania admitted, barely above a breath. “But we don’t have a choice. We have to keep going.
As they passed further into the tunnel, their light grew sharper until—
A tunnel ended before them.
Through the opening spread a vast gorge. The path continued across, but along it to the exit lay the long, long stone bridge now crumbling to powder.
Zarbakh peered over the rim and shivered. “Can’t see even the bottom
Alvin barked twice, wagging his tail as if he knew what he had just done. However, a loud gust of wind came crashing into the cavern and violently shook the bridge.
A deep booming voice filled the cavern.
“Only the brave shall cross. Doubt, and you shall fall.”
Hania and Zarbakht glanced at each other.
“Alright, creepy voice. That is not helping,” Zarbakht whispered.
Hania took a deep breath. “We can do this. We have to move carefully.”
They started crossing the bridge, moving inch by inch. The moment Hania placed her foot on the second stone slab, it vanished beneath her.
She yelped and grabbed onto Zarbakht.
“The bridge is disappearing!” Hania gasped.
“Then we better move faster!” Zarbakht shouted.
The two girls ran forward, jumping from stone to stone as the bridge collapsed behind them. Alvin ran ahead, barking wildly. The golden runes on the walls flashed faster, reacting to their movements.
They were almost there—
Then, a powerful gust of wind knocked Zarbakht off balance.
She slipped.
Hania lunged forward, grabbing her best friend’s arm just in time. Zarbakht dangled over the abyss, her feet kicking at empty air.
“Hania!” she cried.
“I’ve got you! Hold on!” Hania’s arms trembled under the weight, but she refused to let go.
Alvin barked frantically, running back toward them.
Hania squeezed her eyes shut. “Please… help us.”
The amulet flared with light, and suddenly—
A new stone platform appeared beneath them.
Zarbakht scrambled onto it, gasping. “That was too close.”
The bridge groaned again, and with a final bound, they leaped across just as the last stone crumbled into the abyss.
Panting, Hania helped Zarbakht to her feet.
“Okay,” Zarbakht said between deep breaths. “No more bridges. Ever.”
Hania laughed shakily. “Agreed.”
Ahead of them, the golden passage continued forward, leading deeper into Eldoria.
The real journey was beginning.
Part 6: The Gates of Eldora
The golden passageway led them deeper underground, the air thick with the scent of ancient stone and magic.
Hania, Zarbakht, and Alvin walked cautiously, their footsteps echoing through the tunnel. The further they went, the stronger the warmth from Hania’s amulet became, as if it were guiding them toward something powerful.
“We have to be close,” Hania whispered, feeling a strange pull deep inside her.
The tunnel opened into a vast underground cavern, and there, standing before them, were the legendary Gates of Eldoria.
The gates were massive, carved from pure gold and embedded with glowing blue symbols. Towering statues of ancient warriors flanked either side, their stone eyes watching as if they could come to life at any moment.
Vines and moss curled around the edges, showing that time had forgotten this place.
Zarbakht let out a breathless laugh. “We actually found it. The lost city of Eldora.”
Alvin barked excitedly, wagging his tail.
But as they stepped forward, the gates remained firmly shut.
Hania ran her hands over the smooth golden surface. “How do we open them?”
Zarbakht pointed to an inscription at the base of the door. “There’s a riddle.”
Hania knelt and read aloud:
“Only one with the heart of Eldoria may enter. Prove your worth, or be forever lost in shadow.”
The instant she finished speaking, the air shifted—and suddenly, the statues moved.
With a deep grinding sound, the stone warriors stepped forward, their hollow eyes glowing. Each carried a massive stone spear, blocking the entrance.
“Not this again,” Zarbakht muttered.
The largest warrior spoke, his voice like thunder rolling through the cavern.
“Who seeks the city of Eldoria?”
Hania took a deep breath and stepped forward. “I do. My name is Hania, and I am searching for the truth of this place.”
The statues exchanged glances, their stone bodies shifting.
“The truth is earned, not given,” the warrior rumbled. “You must prove yourself.”
Suddenly, the ground beneath them cracked.
A circle of blazing blue fire appeared around Hania, separating her from Zarbakht and Alvin.
Zarbakht crashed against the ethereal wall. “Hania!”
Alvin barked frenziedly, his paws scrabbling at the earth.
Hania’s heart thudded in her chest. She was alone.
The warrior lifted his spear. “Face your greatest fear, or the gates shall close.”
Darkness churned about her, and shadows began to coalesce.
She was soon to learn what Eldoria truly concealed.
Part 7: The Trial of Shadows
A bitter wind howled through the cave as the blue flames surrounding Hania flared higher, enveloping her within a circle of pulsating energy. The hollow eyes of the stone warrior glared down at her as if reading her very soul.
“Face your darkest fear, or be lost in the shadows.”
The words screamed in her head, and before she could think, the earth beneath her vanished.
Hania gasped as if she were falling through an endless abyss. Shapes swirled around her—dark, formless figures that whispered in voices she recognized.
Her father’s voice: “What if you’re not strong enough?”
Her mother’s voice: “What if you fail?”
Zarbakht’s voice: “What if you can’t save us?”
Hania clutched her chest, heart pounding. This wasn’t real. It was the magic of Eldoria testing her.
She squeezed her eyes shut, whispering to herself. “It’s just a test. It’s not real.”
But then—
A new voice echoed through the darkness.
“You are alone.”
The shadows twisted together, forming a towering, monstrous figure. It had no face, only a pair of glowing red eyes that burned into her.
“You will fail.”
A wave of cold fear washed over Hania, freezing her in place.
This was her greatest fear—aloneness. Losing everyone she loved. Helplessness.
She took a step back, breathing in shallow gasps. The figure reached out for her, its long-clawed hand reaching out for her.
“You will never be enough.”
Hania’s hands trembled as she clutched her amulet. She thought of her parents, Zarbakht and Alvin. They believed in her. They needed her.
And then, deep inside, she heard another voice—one she recognized.
Her voice.
“I am not alone.”
The amulet on her chest flashed with blinding gold light, warm and powerful. The darkness drew back, hissing in pain.
Hania was still afraid. But she held her head high.
“You have no power over me.”
With a fierce flash of light, the darkness exploded like a million pieces of glass. The void around her collapsed—
And then she was standing once again in the cavern.
The blue fire was gone. The stone warriors bowed their heads.
“You have passed.”
A low rumble shook the cavern. The golden gates of Eldoria creaked open.
Zarbakht rushed forward, pulling Hania into a tight hug. “I thought we lost you!”
Hania smiled, though her hands still trembled. “I thought I lost myself.”
Alvin barked happily, tail wagging.
Beyond the gates, the lost city of Eldoria awaited.
And their greatest adventure was only beginning.
Part 8: The Heart of Eldora
As the gates of gold creaked open, a spectacular view unfolded before Hania, Zarbakht, Alvin, and her parents.
They entered a forgotten world untouched by time—the fabled city of Eldoria.
Glowing waterfalls cascaded from the cliffs above, feeding into crystal-clear rivers that wove through the ruins.
The golden towers reached toward the sky, covered with ancient vines; floating lanterns bobbed in the air and cast a soft, ethereal glow.
At its center was a gigantic temple, in front of which there were mysterious carvings on the walls in the form of celestial beings. Magic resonated throughout the city as if waiting for someone to return.
Amulet Hania was pulsating inside, its glow now moving into an equilibrium with the city. She felt it-now-a deep connection as if Eldoria was calling her.
Her father, Ehtsham Ijaz Shami, touched her shoulder. “This place… it feels alive.”
Her mother, Safia Ehtsham, nodded. The golden light shining all around seemed to gleam in her eyes. “And it’s waiting for Hania.”
Zarbakht moved ahead and traced the outlines of her fingers on a nearby wall’s glowing symbols. “These writings… they are a story.”
Hania followed by her side when suddenly, the symbols changed to read what seemed to be a story.
It spoke of the tale of Eldora.
The Forgotten Past
Thousands of years have passed since the council of guardians ruled Eldoria, each possessing an amulet similar to Hania’s. They were custodians of balance, watching over the greatest secrets of the world.
And then, there was a day when a dark power emerged, a sorcerer consumed by avarice attempting to steal the magic of Eldoria for himself.
They thus sealed the city away, locking up its power behind enchanted gates until that glorious day some worthy soul may return and awaken Eldoria’s heart.
This was the final word of the legend that sent a shiver down Hania’s spine:
“The heir of Eldoria will return when the world needs them most.”
Zarbakht turned to Hania with eyes widened in surprise. “You’re the heir. That’s why the city responded to you.”
Hania gulped down her worst fear. “But… what am I supposed to do?
The Heart of Eldora
The ground beneath them shook.
From the temple entrance, a soft golden light spilled out, and from the shadows stepped a figure in shimmering robes.
An Eldorian guardian.
His voice was deep and ancient. “You have passed the trials. The city is yours to awaken.”
Hania’s heart pounded. “Awaken?“
The guardian gestured to the center of the temple, where a grand pedestal stood, holding a glowing crystal heart.
“You hold Eldoria’s last spark. Only you can restore it.”
Hania felt the weight of responsibility settles on her shoulders. She turned to her parents, uncertain.
Ehtsham knelt beside her. “You don’t have to be afraid. We’re with you.”
Safia smiled. “You were always meant for something great, Hania.”
Zarbakht nudged her. “And if you accidentally break it, we’ll run.”
Hania laughed, her nerves easing. She wasn’t alone.
She stepped forward, holding her amulet over the crystal heart. As the two lights merged, a burst of golden energy exploded outward, racing through the city like lightning.
The ruins repaired themselves, vines untangling, walls restored. The waterfalls glowed brighter, and the floating lanterns burst into a dazzling golden dance.
Eldora was alive again.
A New Beginning
The guardian bowed deeply. “The heir of Eldoria has returned.”
Hania turned to her parents, her best friend, and Alvin, feeling something she hadn’t before—belonging.
She hadn’t just found Eldoria.
She had found herself.
Zarbakht grinned. “So… does this mean we’re, like, official rulers of an ancient city now?”
Hania laughed. “I think it means we have a lot to learn.”
As they stepped into the heart of Eldoria, the golden lights surrounding them, Hania knew…
This was only the beginning.
Conclusion:
Hania, along with her parents, best friend Zarbakht, and her loyal dog Alvin, not only discovered the lost city of Eldoria but also uncovered the strength within herself. Through courage, friendship, and trust, she awakened the heart of Eldoria, proving that even the smallest among us can carry the greatest destinies.
Moral of the Story:
- Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to face it.
- True strength comes from believing in yourself and those who stand beside you.
- The greatest adventures begin when you dare to follow your heart.
Famous Quote:
“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
FAQs:
1. What is the story of ‘Hania and the Lost City of Eldoria’ about?
The story follows a brave 5-year-old girl, Hania, who embarks on a magical adventure with her parents, best friend Zarbakht, and her dog Alvin to uncover the secrets of the legendary city of Eldora.
2. Who are the main characters in the story?
- Hania – A curious and courageous girl with a heart full of adventure.
- Safia Ehtsham – Hania’s loving and supportive mother.
- Ehtsham Ijaz Shami – Hania’s wise and protective father.
- Zarbakht – Hania’s best friend and loyal companion in adventure.
- Alvin – Hania’s playful and brave dog.
3. What is the main message of the story?
The story teaches children about bravery, friendship, self-belief, and the magic of discovering one’s true potential.
4. Why is Hania chosen to awaken Eldoria?
Hania carries a magical amulet, the last spark of Eldoria’s heart, proving she is the rightful heir destined to restore the lost city.
5. Will there be more adventures in Eldoria?
Eldora has many more secrets waiting to be discovered. Perhaps Hania’s journey is just beginning…
💫 This marks the end of Hania’s magical adventure, but her story will live on forever! 🌟✨
Did you like this story then do check the other stories out too.
A Heartfelt Note from Rameen Pupo
My dearest Hania,
From the moment you came into this world, you filled our lives with endless joy, laughter, and love. I have watched you grow—from your tiny hands holding mine to the confident little girl you are today, full of dreams and magic. Every moment with you has been a blessing, a memory I will hold in my heart forever.
Now, as you embark on this new journey to Australia, my heart feels both proud and heavy. Proud because I know you will shine just as brightly there as you have here. Heavy because my little sunshine, my baby girl, will no longer be just a step away.
You will always be a part of me, no matter how many miles stretch between us. I will count the days until your visits, cherish every call, and hold onto every hug a little longer when you’re here. You may be far, but my love for you will never know the distance.
May you always be happy, surrounded by love, and filled with the same adventurous spirit that makes you so special. You are my heart, my Hania, my little star.
With all my love, forever and always,
Your Rameen Pupo ❤️
