Ananiel

The trees dance as I walk along the dirt path. Leaves drop as wind brushes through the branches. Hugging the cloak, I pace myself towards the city. The aftermath of the rain left a rather pleasant smell of earth along the journey. The birds danced around in the mid autumn air. The Sun started past high noon as I trekked through the leafy path. Taking a break, I sat on a log and felt the slight chill around me. Inhaling a deep breath, I remembered the dream. First, one must relax themselves and feel a slipping feeling. Closing my eyes, I started to relax. The aches in my body noticeably pulsing from the long walk. Sitting there, breathing in and out, the light of the Sun left a hazy red behind the eyes. I focused on my breath, the environment seemingly vanished and the cold no longer tickled my skin. I felt warmth emerging from the bellows of the lungs, in and out in a rhythmic pattern, stable and focused. The aches around my body 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 with the tea set, desk, and bed. The curtains closed, and the room lit with a lamp. I instinctively grab onto the pot of tea and pour a cup. After drinking a cup, I stood up on the creaky wooden panels. The stale air seemingly dulled the once lavish-looking room. Heading to the desk, I grab onto my notes, writing,

Day 4 - “I meditated today in the darkness, keeping my back against the light. I observed the shadows dancing against the movements of the flames. Wandering my mind and dancing with the shadows, I managed to personalize the shadows. A creation of my own imagination. With this discovery I am certain I can imbue my will to shadows. However, I do not know to what extent I should go. The book guides me towards this direction and I manage to achieve this much... “

Looking at the book, I saw a void contrasting the lamp light. The book stirred as I opened the book. Shifting and changing letters lingered on the line of coherency. Peering into the words, I opened the book to a familiar page and reviewed it again.

“The second step of the process is to imagine yourself gathering energy. Walking the thin line of barely being conscious, you have to take advantage of your imagination … you must develop your foundations and take control of your dreams while on the line of consciousness and unconsciousness… Control the dream to imagine energy flowing around and around … The brain will adjust and the energy will align with you… The third step is to Imagine yourself taking energy from the world into yourself … ”

Blinking, I wondered about the power I held within myself. Leaning back, my eyes linger on the ceiling. Admiring the shadows shifting 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 followed along the road with the cloak around me. Holding the sword, I propped myself up and went along the rest of my journey, pacing through the forest path while the night arose…

The stars in the sky dazzled its light as a couple of howlings were heard throughout the forest. I push forward, steadily breathing, trying to imagine warmth around me. The cloak acted as the barrier between the outside air as warmth flowed throughout my limbs. While walking, I notice a light in the darkness. A campfire flickered off the side of the road with a lone individual tending to the flames. The dazzling flames pulled me in like a moth. Alert, the individual scorned my direction. proceeding nauseously towards the individual, I almost lose my footing on a hidden tree root. The individual, still alert, let out a laugh. I stumbled and waved, and he gestured for me to come towards the flame. Dropping my sword and dagger onto the ground, I sat and gazed at the flame. Amid the silence, the individual spoke up,

“Hello stranger, it seems ya seem to be headin’ towards Cornelius?”

I nod to his response, unable to vocalize any words,

“ Ya look quite tired, have ya been walking the path all day?”

Again, I nodded.

“Well, rest here a night. However, you gotta at least donate.”

I sat there in silence, gazing at the flame.

“How about it, one coin a night. And just for today, I can heat up some water for ya.”

I pulled out one of the guards’ pouches and pulled out a random coin. The coin shined against the flame. A pale white coin that had silver properties to it. The individual stood up and grabbed the donation as I weakly composed myself. Gazing at the individual, he had a scruffy look to him. His clothes were filled with holes, and he wore a hat, sewn together with different cloth patches. Hastily 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.

“It seems ya gave me a very pretty coin. I owe ya some words. To start, my name is Lantern. I am part of an organization called The Watchers. As the name suggests, we take in knowledge, recent news and do research. Here, have some water.”

Reaching out a cup on the side of the log, he poured a cup of boiled water and handed it to me. I grabbed the cup, holding it in my hands. Lantern continued on,

“Cornelius, is known for its obsession with corn. It also promotes creativity and has a very powerful nobility. It’s people, proud on the outside but suffering within. Many of our birds have migrated to Cornelius due to upcoming events that will arise. “

After a few sips, I leaned forward towards the campfire. Watching the campfire dance along the slightest breeze. Absorbing the sounds of crackling wood. 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

“I have to deliver something important…”

Lantern face fills with curiosity,

“Like?”

I lean towards the fire and sip on the water,

“A bottle of wine.”

He looks at me with a confused face and shrugs,

“Anyways… go rest, the stars are rather fine tonight.”

I watch as Lantern stands up and walks off. Alone, I embrace the crackling flame that lulled me to sleep…

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 of air 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.

…

Beyond the fool’s dreams.

And beyond this endless agony.

Wandering whatever is out there,

at the end of all.

…

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 of pedestrians floated around aimlessly as I darted past streetlamps and alleyways. My head swayed side to side as the music repeated over and over. Plugging my ears, I crouched down and started weeping.

“Please, just stop…”

Suddenly, the sound vanished as a weight 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”

Blinking twice, the world around me became a familiar room. That room with that mock medieval appearance. I let out a sigh and slump on the chair.

“What was that world? And that song…”

Shaking my head, my breath starts to thin. Pain pulses my head and 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,” gazing at the sky above. “If you depart now, around 40 degrees from straight above is when you would arrive.”

I glanced at the position of the Sun, around 35 degrees from the horizon. Giving off a confused look,

“What do you mean by 40 degrees?”

He starts explaining,

“You see, out in the field, you do not have access to watches and time. We read the Sun’s position against straight overhead. I read in a book that this is referred to as Zenith. When the Sun is directly overhead that means we are halfway through the day. It is pretty reliable, especially traveling long distances.”

After ranting, he poured some water into a pot and heated up some water. The rather pleasant morning stood quietly as we both watched the water boil. Taking a sip of water, Lantern let out a puff of air.

“ So, have you heard of the upcoming festival?”

I kept my head down and stared at my cup. Seeing this Lantern spoke,

“Beware of this year’s festival. It seems the harvest this year was rather lackluster.”

Showing some interest, I ask,

“ Why does the harvest relate to the festival?”

Lantern explained,

“Because of the recent disparities and issues going on. the people are on the line of rebelling. When you can’t feed your kid then you will be mad.”

I shuddered as he continued,

“This year it seems the people are going to gather during the day of the festival to express their discontent with the current powers that reign over them. Maybe it’s related to the war going on.”

I reached for my things and checked to ensure they were all there. Counting and looking around, everything seemed fine. Relieved, I hear Lantern say,

“Don’t worry about your stuff, I did check and it seems you’re rather well off. However, with the coins in your pouch, I worry if you meant to give me such a pretty coin.”

I tilt my head, confused, but exclaimed,

“It’s just a coin, don’t worry about it.

laughing, Lantern handed me an emblem made of twigs and scrap metal

“This Emblem shows that you are in good standing with us Watchers. Show this to the ones who watch throughout the city, and they will at least acknowledge your goodwill.”

I take the Emblem. It holds a symbol of a bird standing atop a lantern. I smiled, said my farewells, and headed off to Cornelius.