CURSED FOREST - THE QUEENS OF LAVA & ICE; - By Janine Bessie Payet

Written By: Janine Bessie Payet

Category: Fictional

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the thrilling narrative "CURSED FOREST - THE QUEENS OF LAVA & ICE;" Janine Bessie Payet invites readers into a world where myth and reality intertwine. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this creative writing piece explores the adventures of two daring friends, Shimmery and Savana, who embark on a journey into a forest shrouded in legend. Payet's work delves into themes of friendship, courage, and the power of belief, captivating readers with its imaginative storytelling.

About the Work

Janine Bessie Payet's "CURSED FOREST - THE QUEENS OF LAVA & ICE;" is a masterful blend of fantasy and adventure. The narrative is rich with vivid imagery and suspenseful moments as Shimmery and Savana navigate the challenges of a forest that defies reality. With magical creatures and perilous quests, Payet crafts a tale of determination and camaraderie. The story's heart lies in the unyielding bond between the protagonists as they face mythical queens and unravel the forest's secrets.

CURSED FOREST - THE QUEENS OF LAVA & ICE;

Original Submission by Janine Bessie Payet

Cursed forest : Queens of Lava and Ice!!

A Fictional By Janine Bessie Payet.

Is it a cursed forest?

In a busy city , two friends named Shimmery and Savana went on a hike to the forest which was claimed to be a cursed forest, which every hiker that went there never returned.

As for those two , they wanted to prove that the myth was just a lie and that whatever was inside there was something important and those lost hikers were just hired people by the government to scare people from entering the forest.

They really don’t know what's coming , here it goes…

They were live streaming, to prove that it was a lie, they promised their viewers that they are not hired by the government, 50% of viewers actually believed them, the other actually believed it was cursed!

They went in deeper and stumbled into a sign that said “GO BACK“.

They thought it was another decoy , so they continued but the 50% on their side turned to 25% in a second .

But Shimmery and Savana thought the viewers were just worried and scared.

Then things turned more unusual when the path started turning into ice and the trees turned to towers of lava.

Savana and Shimmery started to process what they were actually seeing if it was a decoy or actually they were in a cursed forest.

Volcanic lava & glaziers of ice???

They turned to leave but then two magical creatures appeared , they looked like queens of ice and lava , a figure walked up to them .

“ Who , who are you? “ Stuttered Shimmery .

“I am the guardian of this forest , anyone who enters this forest and makes it this far will become cursed“ explained the guardian.

Then two portals appeared beside them.

“ You two are surrounded by the queens of lava and ice! “ said the guardian.

“ If you don’t!! find the stone which captures the queens before midnight they will turn you into statues of charcoal and ice “ guardian warned.

Then the queen spirits entered them knocking them into the portals.

“ Time starts now!!! “ Said the witch .

They are more than just best friends.

Shimmery and Savana were woken up in a place full of glaziers of ice and hot magma after being knocked out by the queen's spirits.

“Aaaaaaaaa” both of them screamed.

Shimmery looked like the queen of ice , Savana looked like a ruler of volcanic lava.

“ Shimmery , things are making sense now ”said Savana.

“Yes , I know,” said Shimmery.

“We were so foolish at the beginning,” said Savana.

“We did not take the warning seriously,”said Savana.

“Don’t think it like that,” said Shimmery.

“All those warnings , we thought it was a decoy , all of them” Said Savana.

“Savana , Listen!” Said Shimmery,

“This is the end for us,” said Savana.

“I won’t leave you to rot in your thoughts , we need to find the stone, capture the spirits , save ourselves , and save everyone who entered here” Explained Shimmery.

“I came because of you , I know when things get hard , most people give up , but you know why we are alive today , because someone a long time ago didn’t give up” Said shimmery.

“Fine , Shimmery , I will come , I don't want to turn into stone”Said Savana.

They walk down the path , leading to a door with a riddle , it says “We share our secrets , our laughter , and tears , growing closer together through all the years. What are we?”

“What are we? What are we?” Repeated Shimmery.

“Wait… what are we!! What are we!! , we!! Who are we!! , all those years together , sharing almost everything , who are we!!!” Hinted Savana.

“We are best friends," answered Shimmery.

They got it correct!!! They walked through the door, a challenge : “beat the first boss!!” A voice said.

“Ok , we got this!!” Said Savana.

The boss was an ice boss , Shimmery stepped up , her eyes turned bright blue , she formed magical balls of ice , she starts glides across the ice , icicles start surrounding the boss , boss is trapped but he easily breaks the icicles and starts running to Savana who is solving the next riddle.

“No , not her!” Shimmery shouted.

She rushed in front of the boss , using all her power to stop the boss!!

“ Hurry up Savana! "said Shimmery.

“Okay” Replied Savana.

The riddle says “I don’t have a beginning , middle nor end. What am I?”

“I can hold on forever , Savana , hurry!!!” Said Shimmery.

“ That's right… The answer is forever” Answered Savana.

Shimmery gave out knocking both of them to the next challenge!!! , the voice appeared again “Welcome to the Lava challenge , cross the pool of lava” , Then Savana and Shimmery were teleported to different sides with a glass wall separating them from each other.

“Okay , this must be a simple challenge right?” Savana asked.

The voice appeared again “ It is complicated , You guys have to cross the pool of lava without using your power for yourself but your friend , and the glass will be blurred so you can’t see where you friend is going so good luck”

“That’s so simple.

Shimmery imagine, a straight line on my side and I will give Shimmery fire resistance for this round” , explained Savana.

They made it across the lava pool .

“I don’t know what I could have done , if I left you behind,” said Shimmery.

“We are best friends, we stay together.” Said Savana.

The door opened without them solving the riddle!!!

“How did it open without the answer to the riddle?” Savana asked.

The voice appeared “You said it , stay together!”.

We are home!!!

They walked down a path leading to the stone , it was 5 minutes to midnight, they hurried , They placed one of their hands of on the stone , the guardian appeared .

“ Well , well… you made it all the way , it is time to capture the ice and lava queen to save all the lost hikers and yourselves, all you have to say is… The queens of ice and lava who cursed this forest , be captured in this stone“ Said the guardian.

“Okay… The queens of lava and ice , who made this forest cursed and froze and burnt innocents may be captured in this stone!!” Said both Savana and Shimmery.

The ground began to shake , the queens of lava and ice were sucked into the stone , the floor began to break , the guardian said “Thank you for freeing me” and gave them each a necklace, one with a ball of lava and the other with a ball of ice.

They ran back to the portals , took one last look at their powers which lasted a day , then entered the portals , they had made it to the normal world , they picked their camera and ran , they told the whole story to everyone while running.

“It is official , it was cursed but now it is back to a normal forest.” Said Savana.

They made it out , their parents , friends , teachers , the police and news reporters were waiting.

When they saw them , they yelled “ We are home!!!”.

That's the story of how two best friends became the new holders of the lava and ice powers.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating diverse voices in literature. The competition showcases a wide array of genres, offering writers a platform to share their unique perspectives and stories with a global audience. Participants engage in a dynamic exchange of creativity and innovation, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our warmest thanks to Janine Bessie Payet for her captivating submission, "CURSED FOREST - THE QUEENS OF LAVA & ICE;". Her story enriches the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with its imaginative exploration of friendship and adventure. We celebrate her contribution to the literary world and look forward to seeing more of her creative endeavors.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.