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Author: Symirryl
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My awareness of reality returns and I find I am in foreign surroundings. In all of my countless experiences I have never witnessed such a place as this. Every surface moves-the floor is coated in an ankle-deep layer of fog I cannot see thru that is slowly revolving about the cylindrical room-the walls seem covered by some sort of ivy visibly growing upwards to an extremely high vaulted ceiling where some of it vanishes into billowing clouds overhead while other branches curl downwards and
interweave back into the vines. The whole place is rather huge, probably as large as a dragon lair-such as Lady Vox’s was back in the day that I and some good friends
paid her an epic visit. But this den is not nearly so ominous. There are even faint sounds of birds singing somewhere nearby.
I stand and look around for a way out but notice there is none. Close by I hear a rustling of leaves and then a tall figure passes through the vine wall into the room. I ready myself for possible attack but abruptly recognize her as Tunare herself! She turns her gaze upon me with such kindness in her eyes I am utterly thunderstruck and simultaneously bow my head while falling to my knees. Somehow my actions have lead me here before my goddess.
I have never been in her presence before and am unsure what I should do. I slowly raise my head to look at her and see she is at my side and looking upon me with great sympathy. She is utterly beautiful beyond description. I cower at her feet and plead for her to help me to purge the pain and anguish I have. “My most blessed god, Lady Tunare, please help me”, I cry, “I don’t know why I feel this way…but I cannot go on like this.”
She kneels down to comfort me and says, “My son, you are troubled. I sense in you a feeling I had not expected. You are one of my most courageous servants. Please tell me,
what is tormenting you so that your spirit would seek me out?”
I bow my head sobbing, “My wondrous Lord, I am unworthy of your presence. I beg your forgiveness for my sacrifice. I only wished to bring an end to my despair and what I
did seemed like my only hope. I imagine that I have died and am now before you for my judgement. I have forsaken you-please sentence me as harshly I as deserve.”
Tunare’s voice becomes louder and seems more concerned, “No one of my flock shall reside here by any means other than by true servitude. I cannot accept the relinquishment of your life as the actions you took were not sincere my son. It is not your time to rest here
alongside the honored ones in eternity.”
I look up at her lovely face, tears streaming from my eyes. She lays her hand upon my head, “Still your disquiet. I will not abandon you. But I also cannot forget what you have done. You must make a choice my son.” Tunare stands back up and spreads out her arms. Two doorways appear in the ivy walls opposite from each other. The left doorway is clear and shows familiar images of my hometown where people I know and love are going about their daily lives. However the other portal is dark and shrouded in a haze that obscures any witness to view what lies beyond. “You will choose now Symirryl where you will go. Back to the life you have known where you will forget our meeting ever took place and have to work out these feelings you have. Or if you wish, the other portal is there for you to enter.
But I must warn you that if you pass through the unknown, your life as you have known it-including your feelings of desperation-will cease to exist, and a new life for you will begin in a new world. Of this other world I cannot tell you, other than to say it will be a fresh start
for you. You will not remember anything of this world if you choose that path, however, your spirit is strong and so things you have learned in this world will be like second-nature so to speak for you there. If you wish to become my loyal servant in that world then we may see each other again. Whatever doorway you choose, I wish you well in your journey my blessed son. I know in your heart you are true. I leave you to your decision.” With these words Tunare slowly fades from sight.
The two doorways only remain and for what seems like the longest time I linger down on the floor deep in thought as to what I should choose to do. Finally, my decision is made and I stand and walk towards the misty portal. Stepping through I fall as if I had leapt off a cliff into a bottomless gorge. As I fall darkness engulfs me but instead of trepidation for this I feel a warm sense of calm prevail over me. The worries and dread I once had felt melt away like a candle losing itself to the flame. I fall and fall for the longest spell, though after a while I become so at peace I fall asleep. All of a sudden I awake crashing into a sea of open water and I fight my way to the surface coughing and gasping for air. I have no idea how I got here
but luckily the sailors on a small passing ship uncannily spot me in my predicament and help me aboard. Once on deck I begin to catch my breath and then one of the men asks, “well, who do we have here? A landlubber by the looks of you. What were you doing all the way out here? And without a boat!”
I take in a good look around and try to answer his questions, but I am at a loss to explain anything. I don’t even know who I am. “I…I’m sorry sir but I don’t know why I am here, nor even who I am. I guess I will have to figure it all out.”
The sailor looks a bit puzzled at first but then reassures me, “Well, no worries. I’m sure you will figure it out in time. You’re lucky to be alive I guess-there are sharks in these waters you should know-very terrible beasties they are-will bite your head off faster than you can blink an eye. We are headed to a safe island where we can drop you off. It’s called the Isle of Refuge. Have you heard of it? We’ve been taking a lot of people there lately-not exactly sure why. I just do my job and try to not ask too many questions. There are some people there who may be able to help you.” He goes back about his work on the ship and leaves me to my thoughts. The ship sails on towards the horizon. A shattered moon, apparently the victim of some galactic cataclysm, begins rising in the distance. Whatever adventures are awaiting me in this mysterious land, I feel hopeful that they will be prolific.
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