Emma lived in Helion, a city made entirely of glass. The streets, the towers, even the gardens — everything shined in the bright sun. People said the city was perfect. But Emma knew a secret: the city was slowly cracking.

Every morning, workers fixed tiny fractures in the glass walls. They told everyone, “It’s normal.” But Emma saw new cracks appear faster each day.

One afternoon, Emma visited her grandfather, who worked in the Archives, the oldest part of Helion. The glass there was cloudy and scratched by time. Her grandfather looked worried.

“Emma,” he said quietly, “the city is alive.”

Emma frowned. “Alive? How can glass be alive?”

Her grandfather pointed at the largest tower in the centre of the city — the Heart Tower.

“That tower isn’t just a building. It’s a creature. It protects us, but it is dying.”

Emma felt a cold fear in her stomach. “What can we do?”

Her grandfather opened a hidden drawer and revealed a small metal cube.

“This is the Seed Core. If you take it to the top of the Heart Tower, the city can grow strong again. But be careful. The tower will test you.”

Emma didn’t hesitate. She loved Helion and everyone in it. She ran to the tower and stepped inside. The doors closed behind her.

Inside, the walls changed shape like flowing water. A deep voice echoed:

“Why do you enter me?”

Emma held up the cube. “I want to save the city.”

The tower rumbled. The floor turned into a staircase that stretched upwards. Emma climbed, but the steps began to crack. Sharp pieces of glass fell around her. She covered her face and kept going.

Halfway up, she reached a wide room. A figure made of glass stepped forward. It looked like Emma, but colder.

“You don’t deserve to save anyone,” the figure said. “You are afraid.”

Emma trembled but replied, “Being afraid doesn’t mean giving up.”

The figure shattered into dust, and the stairs returned. Emma climbed until she reached the top, her legs shaking. She stood before a shining crystal heart, beating slowly, like it was struggling to survive.

She placed the Seed Core into a small opening. The heart lit up with a brilliant white glow. Immediately, the cracks in the tower healed. The whole city sparkled as if reborn.

The voice spoke again, softer this time:
“Thank you, Emma. Helion will live … and so will you.”

The doors opened, and Emma stepped outside. People gathered in the streets, amazed at the fresh, perfect glass around them.

Her grandfather hugged her tightly. “The city knew you were brave.”

Emma looked up at the Heart Tower, now shining with new life. For the first time, she felt truly safe in the Glass City.

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Vocabulary Notes

Fracture
Meaning: A small break or crack in something hard.
Example: “Every morning, workers fixed tiny fractures in the glass walls.”
Similar words: crack, split, break, chip
Example sentence: The earthquake caused fractures to appear in the road.

Hesitate
Meaning: To stop or pause before doing something because you are unsure or nervous.
Example: “Ema didn’t hesitate. She loved Helion…”
Similar words: pause, delay, hold back, waver
Example sentence: He hesitated before jumping into the cold water.

Shattered
Meaning: Broken suddenly into many small pieces.
Example: “The figure shattered into dust…”
Similar words: smashed, crushed, destroyed, cracked apart
Example sentence: The window shattered when the ball hit it.

Trembled
Meaning: Shook slightly because of fear, cold, or excitement.
Example: “Ema trembled but replied…”
Similar words: shook, quivered, shivered
Example sentence: She trembled when she heard the loud noise.

Reborn
Meaning: Given new life; made fresh or alive again.
Example: “The whole city sparkled as if reborn.”
Similar words: renewed, restored, revived, refreshed
Example sentence: After the rain, the garden looked reborn.

Story written by ChatGPT AI.

Image created by ChatGPT AI.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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