In The Glass Of Saviour And Smoke - By Eithar Allaeldin Elmamoun

Written By: Eithar Allaeldin Elmamoun

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Eithar Allaeldin Elmamoun presents "In The Glass Of Saviour And Smoke," a poignant short story featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This narrative invites readers into a world of introspection and heroism, exploring the complex layers of identity and perception. Through the lens of Elias, a character caught between the roles of savior and self-doubter, Elmamoun crafts a story that resonates with the universal struggle of reconciling inner truths with outward appearances.

About the Work

"In The Glass Of Saviour And Smoke" delves into themes of heroism and self-reflection. The story paints a vivid picture of Elias, a man confronting his own fears and doubts amidst a backdrop of chaos and fire. The narrative employs rich imagery and a somber tone, capturing the duality of strength and vulnerability. Through Elias's journey, Elmamoun masterfully explores the tension between the perceived and the real, leaving readers to ponder the essence of true heroism.

In The Glass Of Saviour And Smoke

Original Submission by Eithar Allaeldin Elmamoun

Elias avoided mirrors. Not because they were rare in the city, but because they told the truth too easily. A flash, a heartbeat of stillness, and the mirror gave him back that pale, hollow face—gaunt, sorrowful, eyes sunken with too many sleepless nights. His reflection always looked weaker than he wanted, weaker than the mask he always showed the world. In glass, he wasn't the protector people whispered about in awe; he was just Elias, pitiful and hollow.

The boy never saw him that way.

He looked at Elias with unshaken trust, as if he were the strongest man alive. He was younger than most who followed—barely tall enough to reach Elias’s shoulder—yet he clung to him with quiet, stubborn devotion. Around his wrist, a red ribbon lay. Worn soft by small, trembling hands that refused to let memory go. It was the last touch his late sister ever gave him, a fragile relic of gentler days, and in moments of fear, his fingers sought it the way a drowning soul seeks light. The red glowed faintly against the soot-dark streets, a child’s hope tied to a single knot.

He never spoke much about why he stayed close to Elias. Perhaps he didn't need to. It was clear in the way his eyes followed Elias's every move: his small hope coiled itself around the nearest warmth, the nearest steadfast figure, akin to ivy reaching for the last standing wall.

That evening, the air itself seemed restless. The sun bled across the skyline, spilling crimson over the crooked rooftops and broken chimneys. The people in the streets paused as the sound of sirens pierced the air - sharp, metallic, urgent. Smoke rose from the far end of the city, where old factories loomed like giants with broken spines.

“Fire,” someone whispered.

“Children,” someone choked.

And before the crowd could scatter, Elias was already moving.

The boy chased after him, the ribbon streaking red through the gathering smoke, a lone thread of purity in a darkening world. His voice cracked with fear, but also something else: hope.

“Elias will save them!”

The factory groaned like a wounded beast as Elias forced his way inside, its walls trembling like decaying flesh. Heat pressed down on him, thick and suffocating. Flames clawed at the walls, their light turning every shard of broken glass into shards of fire. Ragged coughs reached his ears, small and desperate; tiny torsos trembling beneath the twisted timber, eyes wide with whispered worry.

Hesitation had no place here. One by one, Elias pulled them free, lifting the smallest into his arms, guiding the others with a steady hand. The fire bit at his clothes, the smoke stung his eyes, but Elias moved with the determination of a man who could not afford to fail. Outside, the crowd finally gathered, watching as he staggered out carrying life where only death had been.

To them, he looked divine; his figure outlined against the red-golden flames, his hair damp with sweat, his arms filled with trembling children. Mothers wept and fathers called his name, and the boy's ribbon blazed bright against the dark; his voice rising above all, bright and unshaken:

“He saved them all..!”

The people believed it. They always did.

Yet Elias…Elias saw something different.

When he set the last child down and turned back towards the factory, his gaze caught on the tall, shattered windows above. They reflected the setting sun, fractured and cruel. For a moment, he thought he saw himself in them - his body bathed in red light, his eyes hollow, his shape splintered by the broken panes into a dozen wavering silhouettes, a stranger wearing his face. Not a hero, not a savior. Something darker. Something the crowd would never understand.

He looked away quickly, though the image clung to the corner of his vision–like smoke refusing to rise, like a ghost trapped in time. The reflection held a moment too long, edges smudged where the sun caught them, a shape that moved just slightly out of step.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in literature. This competition showcases a wide array of talents across poetry, short stories, and creative writing, fostering a global community of writers. It serves as an opportunity for participants to share their unique stories with an international audience, encouraging creativity and literary excellence.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Eithar Allaeldin Elmamoun for sharing "In The Glass Of Saviour And Smoke" with us. This powerful narrative, part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, offers a profound exploration of identity and heroism. We are grateful for Elmamoun's contribution and look forward to seeing more of their compelling storytelling in the future.

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.