Uriel loved the festivals. So did her three older sisters, named Elaine, Ilo, and Roshaun. Each of their names had something to do with light, and they were known as the Sisters of Light. It wasn't as exciting of a job as it sounded. During the Liht Festival, each of them would take part of the light from the city. They were the only ones in the entire city who could do it, as their daughters would be the only ones who could do it after them.

They would fly over their part of the city, singing a song and sprinkingling a special dust over it, then they would hover above the Light Tower (sort of like a clock tower, but instead of a clock, there is a giant white jewel on the top), close their eyes, and bring all of the light to them.

Once it was all collected, the city would be pitch black, and there would be no light whatsoever. Not even flashlights and candles could penetrate the darkness. It was just dark, all around them. Almost like an inky black wave.

But then they would go to the center of the city and stand above the main light tower. They would combine all the light they had and place it in the jewel, then they would take the jewel out and carry it throughout the city. That was the only hard part, because the jewel was so heavy, and they had to walk. Flying was not allowed because it would be easier to drop the jewel.

Other times, Uriel and her sisters were just normal. That is, until Orli was born. She was born in another city, one that celebrated darkness because they were hidden by mountains, and the sun couldn't reach their city. The city of Shameel. They were known for their excellent night vision and their hatred of light.

Orli's name meant "The Light is Mine", for everyone in Shameel knew that she would be the one to take the light from the Sisters and bring it to Shameel so that they would always have light.

It came time for the Light Festival again. Uriel and her sisters were dressed in their beautiful pink dresses and got their wings shined and their hair combed. Everything was going smoothly.

Uriel flew over her part of the town, sprinkling the special dust and singing the special song. She had done this since she was old enough to fly, and she once again enjoyed hearing everyone say "Hello Uriel!" from below her.

Orli watched from a distance, her black eyes shining as she saw the Sisters doing their job. She waited until they had all of the light stored in the jewel. Everything was pitch black. It was only this dark for ten minutes, so Orli had to hurry. With her excellent night vision, she could run as fast as lightning without disturbing anyone watching from the sidewalk.

She flew up the tower where the sisters were just starting to pick the jewel up. She knew it wouldn't light up until it was removed from the tower. She flew up inside the tower and got directly under the jewel, just as the sisters were lifting it up. She flew up and up and up and then she began heading towards Sameel.

The other sisters were dazed and afraid, but not Uriel. She was mad because this year she had a chance at being the Queen of Light (one of the smaller celebrations during the festival, but it was always nice to know you were in the running).

Uriel sat atop the jewel, Orli didn't know she was there. She closed her eyes and held her hands to her side, knowing that she had to do this perfectly. She absorbed all of the light from the jewel, every last bit of it. Orli felt the jewel becoming lighter as the contents were removed. She also noticed that the light was dimming. She bgan shouting, not knowing what to do.

Uriel flew down in front of Orli and opened her eyes, the brightest light shining from them. Orli winced because she had never seen such bright and pure light. In doing this, she dropped the jewel.

Uriel flew down and caught the jewel just before it was too late. She began flying towards Asign, with Orli right on her heels. She knew she had to fly faster or Orli would catch her. She needed help!

She looked ahead and saw Elaine, Ilo, and Roshaun. They had come to help! With four of them and just one of Orli, they got the jewel back to the city in no time.

Everyone cheered when they saw that the light had been returned. Uriel restored the light to the jewel and the processions proceeded as they should have been, and Uriel was declared Queen of the Light! It was the best Light Festival anyone had ever had.

Orli lurked in a dark shadow, staring as Uriel paraded down the street in her Crown of Light and Queen's gown. Orli glared at her, her eyes drawing into slits as she said, "There is always next year", and turned around to report back to Saleem, "And next year I will not be so outmatched." she said, a dark voice echoing inside of Uriel's head. She pretended not to hear anything, but deep inside she made a mental note, "Orli is coming back."

The End

Story by: Jesse, age 13, USA