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The first rays of dawn crept through the dense canopy of the Northern Forest, casting dappled light on the mossy ground. I blinked away sleep, stretching my arms above my head. My long silver hair fell into my face, and I pushed it aside with a huff. I knew today was the day. Today, I would find my familiar. You see, every wizard worth their salt has a familiar, a creature that represents their spirit and assists in their magical endeavors. I’d been putting this off for too long. At nineteen, almost twenty, thank you very much and I was one of the few wizards in my village without a sidekick. I needed someone to help me with my spells, someone to make me look good at the annual wizard's convention, and most importantly, someone to share my snacks with. I grabbed my cloak, which was a rather dramatic shade of midnight blue, and slipped it on. It was slightly too big, but I thought it added to my mysterious wizard persona. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed what I already knew: I looked fabulous. I was practically drowning in that cloak, but the way my pale skin contrasted with the fabric was breathtaking if I do say so myself. I put my silky hair in a half up braided so it stays out of my face and with a final check of my bright yellow eyes—shining with determination! I stepped out of my hobbit house, which was snugly tucked away between two giant oaks.
Taking a deep breath the air was crisp and cool, the kind that made you want to hum a little tune. So, I did. “Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm,” I went, my voice echoing off the trees. I was no bard, but I had a certain charm about me. The forest responded with a cacophony of chirps and rustles, as if the critters were cheering me on. I strolled down the path, the leaves crunching underfoot. I had heard tales of various familiars hiding in the mountains, a sleek black cat, a wise old owl, a mischievous fox, and even stories of the most magical creatures. I had no clue what I was looking for, but I was determined to find something that would make me look cool. I mean, who wouldn’t want a dragon? But dragons were quite rare from what everyone says, and I didn't want to end up with a lizard that just looked like one.“Alright, Jinx,” I muttered to myself, “you can do this!” I take a large breath in and say, “Just remember, no fear!” After a while, I reached the base of the mountains. They loomed before me, jagged and majestic. A shiver of excitement raced down my spine. I could feel the magic in the air, tingling like static electricity. With a deep breath, I started my ascent, my boots slipping on the rocky terrain as I climbed higher and higher. I had barely made it a few hundred feet when I heard a loud “CRACK!” It sounded like a tree had fallen or perhaps a wizard had broken his wand. I glanced around, but the only thing I saw was a particularly bold squirrel staring at me. “What?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve never seen a wizard before!?” The squirrel chattered angrily and darted away. “Hey, wait! I’m just getting started!” I called after it, but it was already gone. As I continued my hike, I came across a small stream, bubbling and gurgling merrily. I knelt down to take a drink, and as I did, I heard a soft rustling in the bushes nearby. My heart raced. Could it be? I stood up, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, and leaned closer to the sound. “Hello?” I called out, my voice echoing slightly. “Is anyone there? It's safe to come out.” A moment later, to my utter surprise, a tiny creature emerged from the underbrush. It was a small, fluffy rabbit, but not just any rabbit. This one had shimmering fur that sparkled in the sunlight like freshly fallen snow. “Whoa,” I breathed, eyes wide. “Are you a familiar?” The rabbit tilted its head, as if considering my question. “Rabbit?” it replied, which I took as a yes. “Perfect!” I exclaimed, kneeling down to get a better look. “You’ll be my sidekick. Together, we’ll be the most magical duo the world has ever seen!” But just as I reached out to pet the creature, it darted away, surprisingly fast for such a fluffy little thing. “Wait! Come back!” I shouted, scrambling after it. The rabbit zigzagged through the trees, and I followed, slipping and sliding on the forest floor. “C’mon! I’m not going to hurt you!” I panted, determination fueling my every step. “I just want to be friends!” Rounding a corner, I skidded to a halt. The rabbit had stopped, its ears perked up as it sniffed the air. I was about to catch my breath when a loud “ROAR!” erupted from above. My heart leaped into my throat, and I instinctively ducked behind a large rock. The rabbit hopped back, wide-eyed, and then —“THUD!”— a massive creature landed nearby, shaking the ground. I peeked around the rock to see a colossal dragon, scales glistening in shades of green and gold. It had a long neck and fierce eyes, and I could see a glimmer of mischief in its gaze. It has these enormous but beautiful wings that were almost see through, except the pale blue veins you can see running all throughout them. “Oh no, oh no, oh no,” I whispered, my mind racing. “This is not how I envisioned my day going.”
The dragon looked around, clearly searching for something. I had no idea what, but I wasn’t about to stick around to find out. I glanced back at the rabbit, who seemed just as terrified as I was frozen and shaking. “Right, let’s get out of here!” I whispered urgently, grabbing the rabbit and sprinting in the opposite direction. We darted through the trees, my heart pounding in my chest. The dragon’s roar echoed behind us, and I could feel the ground tremble as it took off in pursuit. “Faster!” I urged, clutching the rabbit tightly. We weaved through the forest, branches scratching at my skin, but I didn’t care. The adrenaline coursing through me was electric, fueling my legs. The rabbit squeaked in protest, but I was past the point of reasonable discussion. I stumbled upon a narrow path that led deeper into the mountains. “This way!” I shouted, barely glancing back to see the massive creature gaining ground. The path twisted and turned, and I could hear the dragon's breath growing louder behind me. “How do I always end up in these situations?” I muttered through gritted teeth. Just when I thought I couldn’t run any longer, I spotted a cave up ahead. “In there!” I shouted, my voice rising above the chaos. I dashed inside, pulling the rabbit along with me. The cave was dark and damp, and I could hear the dragon’s footsteps getting closer. “We need to hide!” I said, finding a shadowy nook in the corner. We squeezed ourselves in, and I held my breath, praying the dragon wouldn’t notice us. The sound of its footsteps echoed through the cave, and I could feel my heart in my throat.Suddenly, the dragon skidded to a halt outside the cave, its massive form silhouetted against the entrance. It sniffed the air, and I could feel the tension radiating through the stone walls. “Please don’t eat me,” I whispered, squeezing the rabbit tighter.
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