by ArqtheLost
Eight-year-old Emi Prichozka lives in a cavern full of clever gnomes who love nothing more than inventing—which is a bit of a problem, because Emi doesn't. What Emi loves is exploring, and there's only one way to earn a trip to the fabled Lower Caves, where the Ancients are said to have left their art and their secrets behind: win a prize at the Youth Invention Exhibition. So with three weeks, a head full of questions, a grandfather who won't quite help, and her bat Pip riding in her hood, Emi sets out to build the most ridiculous invention the cavern has ever seen. She might even win. But the real discovery is waiting somewhere down in the dark—and it's Pip who finds the way. A warm, funny underground adventure for readers who'd rather find something wonderful than build something useful. Visit www.lostventures.com to see the first chapter showcased on The Written Work page prior to the June 10, 2026 submission deadline for the Royal Road Magazine Contest.
