The trees dance as I walk along the dirt path. Leaves drop to the ground as wind brushes through their branches. Hugging the cloak, I pace myself towards the city. Occasionally, birds would dance around in the mid autumn air. A bird song here, and another over there. I hummed an unfamiliar tone to myself.
Taking a break, a coldness embraces my numb hands. I sat on a fallen log and inhaled a deep breath. I tried and recalled the feeling from before. Closing my eyes, I started to relax. The aches in my body pulsing from the long walk. With each passing breath, a weight pressed on my shoulders. Warmth emerged from the bellows of my lungs. The aches started to relax as I slowly drifted deeper and deeper into my consciousness…
My eyes opened into the familiar room. Sitting on a chair, I realize this is the same room from before. The curtains were closed, and a soft light glowed from the lamp. A stale air dulled the once lavish-looking room. Heading to the desk, I grab onto my notes, nonsense spewed over it. Soon words started to form,
“The second step of the process is to imagine yourself gathering energy. Walking the thin line of barely being conscious. Take advantage of your imagination. It is important … Control the energy flowing around and around … Morph it like clay … The third step is to Imagine yourself taking energy from the world into yourself.”
Blinking, I wondered about the power I held within myself. My eyes linger on the ceiling. Up on shadows that shift like the ocean waves as I closed my eyes one last time.
I lay sideways on the ground with dull pain scratching at my throat. Groaning, my eyes squinted towards the afternoon sunlight. The air started to get colder as the sun hung close to the horizon. I pushed myself up and clutched my cloak. Sniffling, I sigh at the long road ahead. It was going to be a long walk…
The stars in the sky dazzled its light as a couple of howlings were heard throughout the forest. I push forward trying to imagine warmth around me. The cloak was a half-assed barrier between me and the cold night. In the corner of my eye, I notice a light in the darkness. A campfire flickered off the side of the road. The dazzling flames pulled me in like a moth.
“Hey! What was that?”
The individual looked around in the darkness. His eyes locked on my silhouette. Proceeding nauseously towards the individual, I almost lose my footing on a hidden tree root. The individual lets out a laugh. I stumbled and waved as he beckoned me towards the flame.Slumping onto the ground, I sat and gazed at the flame. It’s warmth reinvigorating my hands. Amid the crackling silence, the individual spoke up,
“Hello, it seems ya are headin’ to Cornelius?”
I nod to his response, unable to vocalize any words,
“ Ya look quite dirty, have you fallen in mud or something?”
Again, I nodded.
“Well, rest here tonight. I don’t mind.”
I sat there in silence, gazing at the flame. The individual whistled an off sounding melody. He had a scruffy look to him. His clothes were filled with holes, and he wore a hat, sewn together with different patches of cloth. Prepping some water into a pot, he held it steadily above the campfire. The fire crackled as the silence grew. Both of us admired the fire as the water started to boil.
“My name is Lantern. How about you, fellow stranger?”
“Clover.”
Handing me a cup of water, I took a few scorching sips. Trying to bring up a conversation, Lantern lowered his cup of water,
“So, anyway. Why are you going to Cornelius?”
Awkwardly, I stared at the dirt below the flame
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“I have to deliver something important…”
Lantern face fills with curiosity,
“Like?”
“A bottle of wine, apparently.”
He looks at me with a confused face and shrugs,
“Anyways… go rest, the stars are rather fine tonight.”
Lantern stands up and walks off. Alone, I laid down and fell asleep to the crackling of the campfire…
I reached for a book on the bookshelf. The book had no title and was rough to the touch. Opening the book, the room around me started to collapse. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. A soft breeze brushes past my face as buildings stand around me. Soft, muted music echoes throughout the lonely street.
Weave the unending darkness,
Into colors beyond the eye.
Gone, the king,
who lived beyond time.
Beyond the fool’s dreams.
And beyond this endless pain.
We Wander the remains,
at the end of everything.
Forget, and remember,
forget, and remember,
O’ troublesome worries
Of this harrowing land.
I shudder at this haunting melody and start wandering around. Buildings of worn out colors stretched across the endless streets. Except for the song in the air, everything else was unnerving silent. Silhouettes floated around aimlessly as I darted past streetlamps and alleyways. My head swayed side to side those haunting lines repeated over and over. Plugging my ears, I crouched down and started weeping.
“Please, just stop…”
Suddenly, the sound disappeared as a hand fell on my shoulder. I turn around to see an old man. His peering eyes glared down as I quickly backed away.
“Who are you?”
I shouted out at him and expected an answer, only to receive silence. Closing my eyes, seconds felt like minutes before the old man spoke up,
“Go back. You don’t belong here.”
Blinking twice, the world around me became that familiar room once more. I let out a sigh and slump on the chair.
“What the hell was all of that?”
Shaking my head, my breath starts to thin. Pain digs its way into my skull as my world starts to spin…
Cold… the early morning of a late autumn dew layered on my cloak. My eyes watered as I pondered on the dream…. The sounds of footsteps and branches snapping broke me out of my daydreaming. I glance up to see Lantern walking towards the snuffed-out fire with wood in his hands. Taking a deep breath, I listen to the sharp wind howling between the trees. Shivering under the cloak, I watch Lantern strike a few sparks into life. After a few sparks wisping into the wind, A small flame held its brilliance on the kindling. After the fire started to grow, I asked,
“Are we near Cornelius?”
Lantern Replied
“It’s pretty close by. If you depart now, you'll make it at around 12 o'clock”
Giving off a confused look,
“How can you tell?””
He starts explaining,
“You see, I read the Sun’s position against zenith. When the Sun is directly overhead that means we are halfway through the day. It is pretty reliable sometimes.”
He poured some water into a pot and heated it up. Pouring us both a cup, we warmed up our hands. Taking a sip of water, Lantern let out a puff of air.
“ So, you know about the upcoming festival?”
I kept my head down and stared at my cup. Seeing this Lantern spoke,
“Be wary. It seems the people are stirring.”
Showing some interest, I ask,
“ Why would that relate to the festival?”
Lantern explained,
“Because of the recent disparities and issues going on. the people are on the line of rebelling.”
I shuddered as he continued,
“From what I’ve heard, it seems a revolution might happen during the day of the festival! Maybe it’s related to the war going on? Or cause of the taxes? Sources on this is a little strange.”
Lowering my head, I take a sip of water.
“Are you heading into the city?”
Lantern chuckles and stares off in the distance.
“I have to go, it’s part of my work, after all.”
“And what work might that be?”
Pondering, Lantern shakes his head, and shows me a scrap metal emblem. It held a symbol of a bird standing atop a lantern.
“I work with The Watchers. We’re more of a community and take care of poor folks like you and I. However, it’s not for free. Can I trust you?”
Nodding, I drink down the rest of the water in the cup.
“I trust you, you trust me, right? I owe you for this night anyways, so what's there to lose?”
Lantern laughs and tosses me the emblem.
"Fine, I'll trust you. Just don't go around flashing it openly, ok?"
Catching it from the air, I smiled and said my farewells.
