Here is an example of a partial epic written by one of Quest Academy’s seventh grade LA/SS students.

Smoke and Mirrors, an Epic

Chapter 1

Dearest creature in all of creation,
Please do intake this information
Vital to your understanding
Of the following clause.
Through the mirror in your dwelling
You shall discover a world, often expelling
Black smoke foul, breaching the light
But the Otherland shall bring the cause.

For through that smoky realm of dark
Comes a land where the heart
May duplicate the body’s print.
Otherland, the land of doubles.
The land is merry, but beware
Of the smoke in the air
Slowly crumbling, until its decay
Shall bring them all great troubles.

Yes, the Smoke, the passage through lands
Is fading, and the distant clans
Shall soften into endless dark
For the light is found on Earth.
Unfortunately, recognize, they must
That hope only lies in human’s trust.
But they lack the power, the Smoke’s blessing,
And are free from consequence of its dearth.

But there was one, who could save them from
The darkness soon to overcome.
Young and lost, frightened as well,
Discovered the key to its door.
Her eyes were clear as mirrors bright,
Smoky hair like sky of night.
The dark skinned beauty, curious was she,
And her common name was Eleanor.

Chapter 2

But very little did Eleanor know
Of her family’s heritage. Long ago
They lived on the other side,
A strong family, wealthy and fair.
But great crimes they did commit
And details did the files omit.
When discovered, quickly uncovered,
The house fell into despair.

Though unknown were their offense,
The public was driven to mass protest.
The family was driven out of Otherland,
Exiled to the Offworld.
They lost their power, and forgot
What their foul deeds had brought,
And their blood drained of all power,
Except for one lost girl.

Eleanor Nightfare lived in isolation,
Darkness and nightmares as compensation
For the loneliness she feeds upon
Is one no other could ever bear.
Her parents are distant, torn apart
By the aftermath of a broken heart.
They’d learnt her brother, 12 years of age
Was ill beyond repair.

In depression did Eleanor walk
Shrouded in moonlight, like powdered chalk,
Gracing her eyes with a glossy shine
To reflect her inner distress.
Snow falling softly on the pavement
Traced around the soft engravement
Of her mother’s initials, imprinted
On her beaten old dress.
She strode under street lamps, illuminating
Her slim figure, quickly fading
Into the darkness of an alley
Where she may sit and weep.
Her throat choked up with tears untold,
Filling her lungs, til she could not hold
The pain inside, and drowned through her
Sorrows, cutting deep.

Blake was known as Eleanor’s kin,
Born apart, but like a twin.
Their bond was strong, full of pride
And laughs for eternal safe-keeping.
His loyalty to her was grand:
When she was lost, he took her hand
And guided her to sweet relief
To prevent her from weeping.

Where was he now, did she ask herself.
Oh why couldn’t he be in better health,
Keeping her safe and warm
Against the bitter cold?
Was he not her only friend,
Trustworthy in the end,
Keeping secrets hidden deep,
Like stories, kept untold?

Eleanor sat against the wall,
Finding no comfort in her fall
To remembrance, seeking refuge
In the heart of a far away star.
She was not bold or brave,
Not like she was yesterday,
Telling herself that all was right.
Had she really fallen this far?

When tears ran dry, no longer did she wonder
And felt the cold, dead hand of slumber
Curl around her, whispering threats
Of exhaustion and frozen snow.
And so she let it drag her deep
Into the depths of unrestful sleep
Tormented with fire, nightmares horrible
And still never let go.