WE asked AI to create a scary Christmas story about Carlisle.

It gave us a tale featuring ghosts and supernatural phenomena at one of the city's most well-known landmarks.

AI technology has advanced hugely in recent years and there are signs it is set to transform a large number of industries. But should storytellers be worried?

Here's AI's tale of The Wraith of Carlisle Castle...

 

On a cold and stormy Christmas Eve, the ancient walls of Carlisle Castle stood tall against the howling wind. The townspeople of Carlisle were snug in their homes, unaware of the eerie events unfolding within the castle’s stone corridors.

Young William, a history enthusiast, had always been captivated by the legends of Carlisle Castle. Tales of ghostly apparitions and mysterious disappearances had intrigued him for years. This Christmas, he decided to explore the castle after dark, hoping to uncover some of its secrets.

As the clock struck midnight, William slipped through the castle gates. The air was icy, and the wind howled through the battlements. He wandered through the deserted halls, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Suddenly, he heard a faint, mournful cry.

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Following the sound, William found himself in the castle’s dungeon. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and decay. He saw a figure in the corner, shrouded in darkness. As he approached, the figure turned, revealing the ghostly visage of a knight in tattered armour.

“Who are you?” William asked, his voice trembling.

“I am Sir Edmund,” the ghost replied, his voice a whisper. “I was betrayed and murdered here centuries ago. My spirit has been trapped ever since, seeking justice.”

William felt a chill run down his spine. “Is there any way I can help you?” he asked.

Sir Edmund’s eyes glowed with a faint hope. “There is a hidden chamber beneath the castle, where my remains were buried in secret. If you can find it and give me a proper burial, my spirit will finally be at peace.”

Determined to help, William began his search. He explored every corner of the dungeon, guided by Sir Edmund’s whispers. Finally, he discovered a hidden passage behind a crumbling wall. The passage led to a small, dark chamber where he found a dusty coffin.

With great care, William carried the coffin out of the dungeon and into the moonlit courtyard. He dug a grave beneath an ancient oak tree and gently laid Sir Edmund’s remains to rest. As he finished, the ghostly figure appeared beside him, his face serene.

“Thank you,” Sir Edmund whispered. “You have freed me from my torment. May you be blessed for your kindness.”

With that, Sir Edmund’s spirit faded into the night, leaving William alone in the silent courtyard. The castle seemed less foreboding now, and William felt a sense of peace knowing he had helped a lost soul find rest.

From that night on, Carlisle Castle was no longer a place of fear, but a symbol of compassion and redemption. And every Christmas Eve, the townspeople would gather beneath the ancient oak tree to remember Sir Edmund and the brave young man who set him free.

*Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.