The Seven Candies of Power – The Story Begins

Long ago, in a world of brightness and colour, there was a land called Mirra. It was not just a single town, but a patchwork of many places, hills and meadows, tiny villages with lanterns swinging on every post, old stone bridges over gentle rivers, and crooked forests where the trees hummed softly in the night.

In Mirra, magic was as normal as breathing. People called it Flow, an energy that filled the air and made life sparkle in small, wonderful ways. Farmers used Flow to help their gardens grow fat red tomatoes and sweet golden melons. Bakers sprinkled a little magic in their bread so it stayed warm and soft, even on chilly mornings. If you listened closely, you could hear the chimes of Flow on the wind, like tiny bells or laughter from far away.

Every person in Mirra had their own kind of magic. Some could call rain with a song. Some glowed like lanterns when they were happy. Others, a rare few, could shape thunder or weave light in their hands. People with similar Flow often joined together in Guilds or Circles: the Water Circle for healers and fishers, the Iron Guild for builders, the Light Circle for scholars and rulers, and the famous Lightning Guild, the brave but strict protectors of Mirra, who kept watch when storms gathered on the hills.

Mirra was not a kingdom of grand castles or silver armies. It was a land of quiet power, where even the most ordinary day could hold a flicker of magic. Children played games with floating lights and whispered secrets to the talking river stones. In the evenings, families sat on porches and told stories about the old days, of lost candies, hidden treasures, and journeys that began with a single brave step past the edge of town.

But the greatest legend of all was about the Seven Candies of Power. Some said they were only fairy tales, but others, especially those with curious minds and restless hearts, believed the candies were real, waiting to be found by those clever and brave enough to seek them.

And so, in Mirra, adventure was always close. You only had to look out your window, or step beneath the lanterns at dawn, to feel the world waiting for you.

The sun hadn’t even lifted its head over the hills when three shapes crept down the winding lane, hearts thumping with excitement. All of Bubble Town was still asleep, except for Kio, Sela, and Gloop.

Kio led the way, boots untied and hair sticking up from where he’d tried to flatten it. His eyes flashed lightning-yellow, bright even in the half-light, and every so often a little spark popped on his fingers when he clenched them in excitement. He marched ahead with a grin, almost daring the world to stop him.

“Careful!” Sela whispered, tiptoeing behind him. Her long hair shimmered faintly, catching shades of pink and lavender in the early light. Sela’s eyes were sharp and clever, and even though she was the youngest, she had the look of someone who always knew what to do, except, maybe, how to stay out of trouble with Kio around. Her backpack was packed perfectly, of course. She clutched an old, yellowed map, rolled tight and tied with a piece of blue ribbon.

Behind them bounced Gloop, who had decided, for reasons only Gloop knew, to look like a blue jelly-bear with duck feet and a pointy wizard hat. Gloop’s giggle made the morning birds pause and listen. Every few steps, he shifted shape, into a bouncing ball, a spinning top, a frog with spectacles, each time snickering at his own joke.

“Gloop, shhh!” Sela hissed, but she couldn’t help giggling too.

“I can’t help it!” Gloop whispered, turning into a tiny mouse and running circles around Kio’s feet. “I’m too excited! Is this what adventure feels like? My insides feel like pudding!”

Kio stopped at the edge of the forest, looking out at the great green tangle of trees. “Ready?” he whispered, eyes blazing.

Sela nodded, holding up the map like it was the most precious thing in the world. “First stop: the old bridge, just past the Willow Pond.”

“Adventure!” Gloop cheered, now a balloon floating just above Sela’s head.

Kio took a deep breath. “Alright, let’s go before anyone wakes up and tries to stop us!”

With one last look back at their sleeping town, the three friends stepped into the big, wild world of Mirra, where magic danced in the air, secrets waited behind every tree, and nobody could guess what would happen next.

The path into the forest was soft and green, the kind of green that made you feel like you were walking through a dream. Sela was already pointing out every little thing she saw, her eyes wide and shining.

“Look at the shimmer-bark on that tree!” she whispered, tracing a finger along its silvery trunk. “And those, those are starlily flowers, they only open before sunrise! Oh, and see that moss? It’s blue, so this part of the forest must be near water, ”

Kio grinned and tried to look interested, but his stomach grumbled loud enough to scare a pair of chitter-mice back into their burrow. “Sela, do you know if any of these trees grow breakfast?” he said, rubbing his belly.

Gloop, who had decided to look like a tiny cloud with legs, bounced after them. “If you eat the blue moss, you’ll glow in the dark for a week,” he said, puffing up with importance. “Or turn into a frog! Or maybe both. I forget.”

Sela giggled. “Don’t listen to Gloop.”

Suddenly, Kio’s eyes lit up. “Wait, I see something!” He crouched, then, with a crackle of red lightning around his hands, leaped straight up the side of an enormous gumbo tree. Sparks danced behind him, flickering through the leaves.

He landed on a thick branch, balancing like he’d been climbing trees all his life. Three plump, golden Gumbo fruits dangled just above his head. With a quick zap of lightning, he snipped them loose. They dropped into his arms, their skins now striped with crispy, toasted patches where his power had tickled them a bit too much.

He jumped down with a thud, grinning wide. “Breakfast, delivered!”

Gloop snatched his fruit first, already turning into a Gumbo-shaped blob to eat it. Sela turned her toasted one over and over in her hands, then took a careful bite. “You know, Kio,” she said with a smile, “it actually tastes better with a little crunch.”

Kio puffed out his chest, sparks jumping from his fingertips. “Told you I was useful.”

Gloop burped, which sounded a lot like a tuba, and the adventure rolled on through the dappled light of the morning forest.

They strolled along the forest path, sticky with gumbo juice and grinning at the way the sunlight flickered through the tall leaves. The silence felt safe for a while, just the three of them and the strange music of Mirra’s woods.

After a moment, Kio glanced sideways at Sela. “Aren’t you worried?” he asked, wiping a bit of toasted fruit from his chin. “About the Magi finding out you’re gone? I mean, your family runs half the Light Circle. They’ll send every wizard in Bubble Town after you.”

Sela shrugged, swinging the map in her hand. “Let them try. I don’t want to be locked in a tower all day reading books and learning spells. That’s not real life. My grandpa used to say you can’t understand the world unless you’re out in it.” She looked up, her eyes shining softly pink. “I want to help people, not just study them.”

Kio nodded, something fierce flickering in his yellow eyes. “Yeah. I get that. I’m tired of everyone thinking I’m trouble just because of my lightning. If I can find all seven candies, become a real magic master, maybe I’ll prove I’m not a mistake. Maybe my dad would’ve been proud of me.”

Sela gave him a gentle smile, the kind that made the shadows in his chest feel lighter. “He would.”

Behind them, Gloop stretched into a tall, wobbly version of a Light Circle wizard, waving a stick like a wand. “No running in the halls! No fun after breakfast! You must write three hundred essays about glowing potatoes!” Then he turned himself into a potato, rolled off the path, and squeaked, “Help! I’m full of knowledge!”

Kio and Sela burst out laughing, the worries in their hearts fading a little as they marched deeper into the world.

They walked until the trees thinned and the sunlight brightened, spilling across their faces like a warm welcome. The hum and rustle of the forest faded behind them, replaced by the gentle rush of water and the far-off songs of bubble-birds.

Kio stopped first, pushing a low branch out of the way. “Whoa,” he breathed.

Before them stretched the oldest bridge in Bubble Town, a long, arched sweep of worn stones stretching over a sparkling river. Moss grew thick along the edges, and little blue flowers peeked out from cracks. Lanterns hung from crooked posts, each one glowing softly even in daylight, as if they remembered every adventure and secret whispered here over a hundred years.

For a moment, all three kids just stared. Sela’s eyes sparkled in the morning sun. “It’s even bigger than I thought,” she whispered, clutching her map. “That’s the only way out of Bubble Town without anyone seeing us.”

Gloop, who was now a pair of bouncing shoes, leapt ahead and spun in circles. “Bridges are for trolls!” he sang, “or goats, or wobbly jelly blobs!”

Kio grinned, nerves and excitement warring in his chest. “Ready?”

Sela nodded, and Gloop turned back into himself, looking up at the old bridge as if it might start talking at any moment.

They stepped forward, not knowing the funniest, and loudest, obstacle of their lives was waiting just ahead.

The three friends marched forward, their hearts beating with excitement. The bridge shimmered ahead, promising freedom and the start of something wonderful. Kio was already imagining the far side, Sela checked the map one last time, and Gloop tried to hop on one foot just to see if it made him bounce higher.

They were nearly at the first step when, 

BOOM!

With a thunderous crash, a gigantic frog, easily as tall as a carriage, landed right in front of them. His skin was bright green with golden warts, and he wore a crooked crown made of sticks, candy wrappers, and one glittering blue button. His eyes bulged and blinked in opposite directions, and his voice boomed across the river like a drum.

“BEHOLD! It is I, KING FREDERICK THE BRIDGE GOD!” he bellowed, puffing out his chest and sending little ripples through the water below. “Ruler of Rivers! Champion of Croaks! The Greatest Leaper in Seven Realms! My mighty tongue once knocked a dragon from the sky, and my hop is feared by mountains and men alike!”

He struck a pose, one arm flung wide, crown nearly falling off, waiting for applause.

The kids froze, mouths hanging open. Even Gloop was speechless for a moment, which was saying something.

King Frederick continued, his words echoing in the morning air. “No foot may cross this ancient bridge! Witness my glory! Feast your eyes, small mortals, upon my most magnificent jump!” He waggled his enormous fingers, then suddenly flipped into a backwards somersault, nearly landing on his own crown, before sliding back upright, puffing and wheezing.

He dusted himself off, then swept the trio with a glare (well, one eye glared, the other wandered off to look at a butterfly). “Remember this day, for you stand before greatness incarnate! I am the terror of travelers! The scourge of silly children! The, ” He paused, squinting at Gloop. “, what on Mirra are you?”

But before Gloop could answer, King Frederick raised his arms again. “None may cross this bridge, until I have finished telling you how truly wonderful I am!”

Kio, never one to be impressed for long, stepped forward with a spark of red lightning in his eyes. “Uh, we need to get past,” he said, standing tall, fists already fizzing.

King Frederick puffed up even bigger. With a sudden twist, he shot a great jet of water right at Kio, splash!, soaking him from head to toe and sending his sparks fizzling out with a sizzle.

Before anyone could react, the river exploded with movement. Dozens of tiny frogs, some wearing leaf hats, some painted bright as berries, leapt up from the water and started hopping, spinning, and somersaulting across the bridge. A few landed on King Frederick’s shoulders, croaking in tune while others formed a wobbly frog pyramid at his feet.

It was a performance like nothing the kids had ever seen. One mini-frog even twirled a flower in the air like a baton. The whole riverbank seemed to shake with ribbits and laughter.

King Frederick threw his arms wide and bellowed over the noise, “You three cannot pass! Not today, not tomorrow, not even if you bring me a cake the size of a whale! For I, King Frederick the Bridge God, have spoken!”

He glared down at them, waiting to see what they would do next.

The riverbank burst into chaos as the mini-frogs multiplied by the second. There were now hundreds, maybe thousands, hopping onto the bridge, up the railings, and even dangling from the lanterns. Some banged on tiny drums made of nutshells, others blew into reeds and sea shells, and the rest sang in a great, croaky choir.

King Frederick, beaming with pride, clapped his big hands. With a dramatic wiggle of his fingers, he summoned a shining, emerald lily pad, big as a wagon wheel, and plopped himself down on top. The lily pad lifted into the air like a flying throne, wobbling grandly over the middle of the bridge.

“Sing, my loyal frogs!” he shouted. “Play the anthem of King Frederick! Let these would-be crossers know true greatness!”

The parade swelled louder, frogs spinning in circles and tossing petals like confetti.

Gloop, never one to miss a show, instantly morphed into a bright purple frog, complete with a tiny crown and enormous googly eyes. He leapt right into the center of the parade, croaking and dancing, spinning on his head, and even attempting to juggle three pebbles with his tongue.

Sela giggled behind her hands. Kio just stared, half-soaked and half-impressed. The parade swirled all around them, with Gloop hamming it up for every mini-frog and bowing grandly to King Frederick as if he’d been a frog his whole life.

For a moment, it seemed like the parade might go on forever.

Kio shook off the last drops of water and muttered, “I’m not waiting all day for a frog concert.” He took a determined step onto the bridge.

Immediately, a squad of tiny frogs lined up in front of him, forming a wobbly, croaking wall. Two stood on each other’s shoulders, trying to look fierce but wobbling so much they toppled over with a squeak. One particularly plump frog blew a raspberry at Kio, another waved a tiny flag.

Sela tried to slip past on the other side, but the frogs were quick, some formed a living jump rope, leaping back and forth in front of her feet. A pair of frog twins linked arms and spun in dizzy circles, forcing her to step back, giggling.

Even Gloop, still in frog form, tried to sneak past with a goofy grin, but a crowd of mini-frogs suddenly swarmed him, tossing him into the air and catching him again like a bouncing ball.

King Frederick watched from his floating lily pad, grinning like a champion. “No one passes the parade of Frederick! Not even the clever, not even the sneaky, not even the hungry!”

Kio, Sela, and Gloop stood at the edge, blocked at every turn by hundreds of croaking, silly little guardians.

The three friends stood together at the edge of the bridge, arms folded, waiting.

Kio scowled at the wall of little frogs. Sela sighed, still clutching the map. Gloop, now back to his normal jelly self, slumped like a puddle beside them.

The parade played on, faster, wilder, croakier, until even the tiniest frogs were huffing and flopping, too tired to hop. Finally, the last drumbeat faded, and the frogs tumbled into silly heaps, catching their breath.

King Frederick, looking terribly pleased with himself, floated a little lower on his lily pad. He cleared his throat, making sure everyone was listening.

“No one may cross this bridge!” he announced, as grand and booming as ever.

The mini-frogs, suddenly full of energy again, jumped to their feet and chanted in perfect time:

“No one can pass! No one can pass! No one can pass!”

King Frederick folded his arms, daring anyone to try.

Kio glanced at Sela and Gloop, frustration bubbling in his chest. There had to be a way through…

Kio, Sela, and Gloop shared a long look. The parade was over, but the bridge was as blocked as ever.

Kio scowled. “Fine. Let’s go… for now.”

Sela tucked the map back into her bag and nodded. “We need a new plan.”

Gloop made a show of sighing, wobbling sadly back into his own shape, then giving the nearest mini-frog a dramatic little bow. “Best parade I’ve ever lost to.”

The three of them turned and marched back into the shadows of the forest, heads close together, already whispering ideas.

Behind them, King Frederick wiggled with pride on his floating lily pad, doing a little twirl in the air. The mini-frogs broke out into one last croaky cheer, tossing confetti petals in the air.

“Another day, another victory for King Frederick the Bridge God!” he boomed, not noticing the determined glint in Kio’s eyes as the trio disappeared among the trees.

They slipped quietly back into the forest, ducking behind thick trunks and leafy branches, peeking out to spy on the bridge.

King Frederick still floated proudly on his lily pad throne, humming to himself and practicing his “no one can pass” speech. His mini-frog guards sprawled across the bridge in every shape, some napping, some playing leapfrog, all of them watching for trouble.

Kio scowled. “He’s not moving an inch. Neither are those frog guards.”

Sela frowned, her clever eyes scanning every detail. “And there’s too many to sneak past. Even Gloop can’t juggle that many frogs.”

Gloop, now stretched into the shape of a spyglass, tried peering at the bridge upside-down. “No secret tunnels. No invisible stairs. Not even a hidden trampoline!”

With a sigh, Sela started gathering dry sticks and leaves. She arranged them into a perfect little teepee of wood. “We might as well think on full stomachs,” she said.

Kio grinned, kneeling beside her. He aimed a single, careful spark of red lightning at the pile, crackle!, and in an instant, the fire glowed warm and bright.

They sat in a circle, feet close to the fire, the smell of warm wood filling the air. For a moment, they just watched the flames, feeling safe and brave at the same time.

“So…” Kio said, glancing at his friends. “How do we get past a giant frog and a bridge full of little ones?”

Sela reached into her bag and pulled out three plump honey fruits, their golden skins already sticky and sweet. “Here,” she said, handing one to each of her friends. “They’re best toasted.”

She held hers over the fire, watching the skin bubble and drip. “According to Grandpa’s books, bridge frogs are famous for two things: loving parades, and being nearly impossible to move. Their skin is super rubbery, bounces away most magic, even lightning.”

Kio took a huge bite out of his honey fruit, then shrugged. “Let’s just blast them,” he said, sparks flickering at his fingertips.

Sela shook her head, a little smile tugging at her lips. “They’re too rubbery. Your lightning would just bounce right off.”

At that, Gloop sprang into action. He stretched up tall, turned bright red, and shaped himself into a wiggly lightning bolt, crackling with his own silly sound effects. He zapped toward an imaginary frog, bounced off with a loud “BOING!”, then turned into a giant red X with his tongue lolling out. “Didn’t work!” he squeaked, collapsing into a jelly puddle.

Kio laughed, spraying a bit of honey fruit juice. Sela grinned, licking the sticky sweetness off her fingers.

“So if we can’t blast them… what can we do?” Kio asked.

Sela’s eyes sparkled. “We outthink them.”

They sat around the fire, licking honey fruit juice from their fingers, thinking hard. Sela drew lines in the dirt, Kio tapped his fingers, and Gloop tried to balance his fruit on his nose.

“We can’t walk through them, and we can’t sneak around. The river’s too deep to wade, and those frogs would see us coming anyway,” Kio muttered.

Sela squinted up through the trees at the open sky above the bridge. “Maybe we don’t go through the bridge,” she whispered. “Maybe… we go over it.”

Kio’s eyes widened. “What, like climb?”

But Gloop was already one step ahead, he puffed up, stretched out, and turned into a bright blue balloon with a silly smiling face and wiggling arms. “Balloon express!” he squeaked, floating gently off the ground.

Sela laughed. “If we climb the tallest tree, we could ride Gloop across the bridge!”

“And I could give us a boost!” Kio said, sparks flashing at his knuckles. “One good zap, and we’ll fly right over King Frog’s head.”

“Adventure airways, next stop: freedom!” Gloop called, his voice squeaky with excitement.

The kids scrambled up the nearest tree, Sela nimble and focused, Kio powerful and quick. Gloop floated beside them, stretching to carry their weight, growing bigger and rounder with each breath.

At the very top, Sela climbed onto Gloop’s back and helped Kio climb on too. The three friends clung tight, hearts pounding, as Gloop hovered just above the leaves.

“Ready?” Kio grinned, lightning gathering in his palms.

“Ready!” Sela called.

Gloop gave a brave, wobbly salute.

With a zap of lightning, Kio sent a burst of energy into the balloon-Gloop, and with a whoosh, they shot up and out, soaring above the bridge, over King Frederick’s gaping mouth and the sea of croaking mini-frogs.

The sky rushed past, wind in their hair and laughter in their ears, as they sailed over the obstacle and toward the wild adventures waiting on the other side.

For a moment, the whole world seemed to hold its breath. The three friends soared out of the treetops, clinging to Gloop’s balloon shape as he bobbed and wobbled in the cool morning air.

The wind whipped through their hair, tugging at Kio’s shirt and sending Sela’s long braids streaming behind her. The sky above was the soft blue of new day, touched with streaks of pink and gold. From up here, everything looked magical and far away, the bridge stretched below like a ribbon, the river sparkled silver in the sun, and Bubble Town’s rooftops poked out from behind the forest, safe and small.

They could smell the sweet, fresh scent of leaves and flowers carried on the breeze, mixed with the sharp hint of river water and the smoky tang of the campfire they’d left behind. The air was cool on their cheeks, and the gentle whoosh of wind filled their ears, broken only by the creak of tree branches and the wild, joyous giggling of Gloop.

Sela felt weightless, her heart fluttering in her chest like a bird. Kio let out a whoop of laughter, his eyes shining brighter than ever. Even Gloop’s jelly body rippled with delight as he sailed higher, pulling them gently forward with every gust.

Below them, the bridge suddenly erupted in chaos.

King Frederick, still lounging on his lily pad, spotted the flying trio and let out a bellow so loud the river splashed. “What?! NO FLYING! ONLY CROAKING!” he croaked, leaping to his feet and shaking his crown in disbelief.

The mini-frogs jumped up and down, croaking and flapping their arms, some waving little flags, others tossing up their hats in confusion. A few tried to leap into the air after the balloon, but only managed to flop into a tangled heap.

King Frederick stamped his webbed foot and shouted, “That’s not fair! You can’t just, You’re supposed to march! Or hop! Or… oh, bother!”

But by then, the kids were drifting safely past, the wind carrying them out of reach, hearts racing, faces beaming, and laughter echoing across the magical world of Mirra.

The three friends floated on, soaring higher in their living hot air balloon, Gloop’s jelly-skin shining in the morning sun. Below, the bridge and King Frederick grew smaller and smaller until they looked like toys left beside a silver ribbon of river.

All around them, the world of Mirra unfurled in every direction. Rolling meadows gleamed with dew, patched with wildflowers in every color. Tiny villages dotted the land, their rooftops red and blue, smoke curling up from breakfast fires. Far off, forests shimmered, silver lakes glittered like jewels, and, just at the edge of sight, a great mountain rose, white-tipped and mysterious.

The air was cool and sweet up here, fresh with adventure. Kio leaned over the edge, mouth open in awe. Sela clung tight, her heart bouncing with excitement and just a little fear. Gloop hummed a silly song, proud and wobbly, floating them further than they had ever dreamed.

They could see it all now: the wide world of Mirra, strange and beautiful, waiting to be discovered. Every field, every shadow, every distant hill seemed to whisper of secrets, magic, and stories yet to come.

And somewhere out there, the path to the Seven Candies was waiting.

The End,

For Now…