The Truth Behind the Shadow – Zilphia (Episode 7)

Sometimes the greatest battles children face aren't the ones happening around them—they're the quiet battles happening within them.

A single hurtful moment can become a belief that quietly follows a child for years. Over time, those beliefs can begin to shape how they see themselves, even when the people who love them see something entirely different. Sometimes what children need most isn't someone to tell them they're enough... they need someone willing to help them believe it.

As Zilphia's journey through the Glimmerwood Kingdom continues, the mystery surrounding the crow finally begins to unfold. But the answers waiting inside an ancient cave reveal something far more important than why the crow appeared—they reveal why it chose them. As old insecurities come into the light, Zilphia, Eron, and Kyron discover that the strongest friendships don't simply help us face our fears... they help us see ourselves through kinder eyes.

 

“Do you see him?” Zilphia’s lips quivered as she asked the question.

“No, but I can hear his wings.”

“What does he want? And why is he following us?”

“I don’t know. But we’ve got to find shelter. These bushes aren’t thick enough.”

Zilphia and Eron turned when the sound of rustling leaves behind them came closer. In the dim light, they could only see the shadow of a dark figure moving towards them. Zilphia held her breath as Eron held her tighter.

“Hey guys, what’s up?”

“Kyron! You scared the star lights out of us.” Eron exhaled. “What are you doing here?”

“I noticed you were gone so I came looking for you. I figured you were heading for the creek, like you always do. Why were y’all hiding?”

“Didn’t you see it?” asked Zilphia.

“See what?”

“The huge crow flying above us.”

“No. I didn’t see anything.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” Eron scratched his head and looked up through the trees. “He was just there. I could hear his wings.”

“Well… if he was there, he’s gone now.”

Eron and Zilphia were very confused. They climbed over the bushes, still searching the skies for any signs of the crow.

“I just don’t understand it,” insisted Eron. “He was just here.”

“He’s gone now, so it doesn’t matter. What were you two doing out here anyway?”

“I wanted to talk to Zilphia...” Eron gave Kyron a side-eye. “…alone.”

Kyron looked at Zilphia and winked, making her blush.

“No, Kyron… it was nothing like that. I knew something was bothering her and I wanted to find out what it was.”

“What’s the big secret?”

Suddenly, the crow reappeared. His massive wings caused winds that made the treetops lean as though a storm were brewing.

“Caw!”

“See, we told you!” whimpered Zilphia.

“Follow me,” said Kyron as he ran through the trees, jumping limbs with the skill of an acrobat.

They ran until he led them to the opening of a small cave in a clearing near the creek. It was hidden behind a thicket. The green glow of the moon shined magically off the water as the trio rushed inside.

“We told you the crow was here.” Zilphia watched as Kyron took leaves and brushed them against the cave’s dirt walls. “What are you doing?”

“I found this cave the other day, but I didn’t have time to study these writings.”

“I can’t see them.” Eron strained to read the inscriptions in the dim light.

“I have an idea,” said Kyron grabbing his bag.

He placed a mirror outside the cave’s entrance and angled it towards a prism he placed inside the cave. Instantly, a rainbow of green, blue, and yellow light repelled the darkness.

“Can you see them now?” Kyron smirked.

Zilphia was mesmerized by the colors. She watched them bounce off the walls, and for a moment, she forgot where she was.

“Caw! Caw!”

“Yes,” muttered Eron as he glanced back at the entrance. “I can see them.”

Kyron ignored the sound of the crow. He was busy reading the inscriptions. Zilphia hid against the wall trying to stay out of sight in case the crow found them.

“These inscriptions are about the crows.”

“Really!?!” said Eron. He walked closer so he could read them too.

Zilphia didn’t move. Her eyes were focused on the entrance.

“According to this…” Kyron continued. “The crows were banished from Troll Land because they were taking advantage of the younger trolls.” He frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “They could sense the young trolls’ insecurities, so they persuaded them that their thoughts were true. This allowed them to control them.”

Kyron was silent as he kept reading to himself.

“Oh wow!” sighed Eron. “The crows were trying to take over Troll Land, and they planned to use the young trolls to do it.”

“How?” asked Zilphia.

“If they could convince them that trolls were inferior to the crows, their plan was to ultimately rule our kingdom.” Kyron explained.

“But why is this crow following us, and how did he get through the portal if the crows were banished?” asked Eron.

Zilphia walked beside him so she could hear Kyron’s answer.

“I’m going to ask you both an uncomfortable question. What were you talking about out there?” Kyron was no longer joking. His serious expression sent chills through Eron.

Eron looked at Zilphia questioning whether to answer the question truthfully. She gave him a slow nod.

“Caw!” The loud sound of the crow grew closer.

“I asked Zilphia about the conversation she had with you. She told me you asked her why she always wears her hair up.”

“What did she say?” asked Kyron as he looked into Zilphia’s wide eyes.

 “She told me it was because of a bad experience she had at school. I told her she was hiding.”

Zilphia wrapped her arms around herself. She felt uncomfortable again, but being by Eron gave her strength. 

“I see,” said Kyron. “That explains why the crow is following Zilphia. Just as the inscriptions say, the crow detected her insecurities.”

“But why is it following me?” asked Eron.

“Be honest.” Kyron said as he adjusted his bag. “You’re my best friend. I remember something you told me in confidence a long time ago when we were younger. Do you remember?”

“Yes.”

“Well, say it.”

Eron looked at Zilphia. He was embarrassed to admit what he was about to say.

“I’ve always wanted to be something other than a troll.”

“And…” insisted Kyron. “Why?”

Eron looked at the ground and made a circle in the dirt with his foot. “Because I’m an ugly troll.”

Silence filled the cave. The forest and even the sound of the crow ceased during that moment.

“You’re not an ugly troll,” said Zilphia compassionately. “I didn’t see you as a troll until you just said it. I see you as my friend. A friend with a big heart.”

“I told you, Eron. You’ve never seen yourself the way your friends see you. We see the real you. The heart within you… not just your outer appearance. Your appearance will change with time. Just look at our parents. They don’t look like they did when they were our age, but they are who they are because of the heart within them. You are who you are because of the heart within you. It is your heart that I love and that Zilphia has come to know and love.”

Eron fought back tears. He didn’t want his friends to see him cry, but he couldn’t hold back the warmth he felt inside knowing they loved him regardless of what he looked like. He looked at Zilphia who smiled and slowly took down her hair. It gently flowed down her shoulders and caressed her back.

“Caw!”

The crow was standing at the cave’s entrance. He blocked the light from the prism and the cave went dark.

“We’re not afraid of you!” yelled Kyron. “Neither of us.”

“No!” yelled Eron and Zilphia. “We’re not afraid of you either.”

“C-A-W!”

Zilphia turned her back, hiding her face because she was scared to see what would happen next.

The crow took a step closer. His yellow eyes peered at them before they turned red. His entire body turned red. Suddenly, the black crow changed into a million little fireflies that lit up the cave and flew away towards the moon.

“Zilphia,” whispered Eron.

She didn’t respond.

“Zilphia!” yelled Kyron. He gave Eron a puzzled look, then tapped Zilphia on the shoulder. “He’s gone.”

She turned and smiled at them. Eron hugged her and looked at Kyron over her shoulder. They both knew something was wrong.

 

Thank you for visiting the Glimmerwood Kingdom, one of the many magical places within the Starlight Realm, where every adventure helps courage, kindness, and imagination grow.

Join Zilphia one final time as her journey concludes next week in Episode 8, when Zilphia discovers that the greatest victory isn't defeating the darkness around us—but believing the light that has always been within us.

 — Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales