Journey across Reality

Day and night, they would always fight for the control over the day, no matter what. And yet, they were fated to remain in unison for the sake of the entire world. The dark, night’s sky that was above the girl’s head right now, it was nothing short of beautiful. Many stars and even entire constellations were adorning it, along with the moon that would illuminate the world below. Sight like that was almost too good for the young white witch, or so she thought. But why would that be the case? Did she not deserve to see this just as much as everyone else? Her mind was filled with thoughts most strange these days. Was it because of what happened with Miss Aerwyna? It was mostly just a blur, but Seth said her power finally awakened. What exactly did they mean by that? Charlotte was unsure. She did feel slightly different, but she did not notice her power growing at all. Maybe the puppeteer was actually mistaken? No, surely not. There was not yet a single moment when Seth would give the girl incorrect information so that was out of the question. And yet, there was no confirmation at all. The higher power that controlled her entire life, the one that rendered her a human without free will, was completely silent and unresponsive.

Even if they were like this a lot, it was somewhat unusual to not get any kind if answer to a question said. So with a sigh, the young girl would simply decide to slide down the roof she was sitting atop and find herself in front of the door to her home. A simple building in Rose Garden that didn’t stand out at all. In fact, maybe it was one of the worse structures you could see in this magical place. But she did not mind in the slightest. After all, it was somewhere she belong. One of the two places that accepted her. With a smile, she entered and locked the door behind her. It appeared that everyone else in the house was already deep in their slumber too. Not wanting to wake anyone, she would tiptoe her way to the room at the end of the white hallway. Her room that was about as plain as it could get. White walls, white ceiling and white floor. There wasn’t even a rug to make this place feel warmer. Even in terms of furniture, there was nothing more than a single bed of simple design, one that was not very comfortable. The girl changed into her pajamas in a flash and covered her frail body with the thin white sheet of cloth, ready to visit Dreamland once more and enjoy it’s delights. She did not yet know what adventure was waiting for her. Night more special than any other.

When she opened her eyes again, she would find herself no longer in the bed she remembered jumping into mere moments ago. Instead, she was staring at the bare heavens, night’s sky still filled with shining stars as far as one could see. Below her, the comfort was bought by a bed of flowers instead of an old mattress as well. It was a quick realization, that she was no longer in her own home. Moving into a sitting position, she would look around to see that she was on a hill of some kind, it’s surface covered in lush grass and many white flowers. Some were similar to those found in Earthland, but many were also completely different and pleasant to look at. Gentle wind caressed the girl’s sensitive pale skin as she stood up, looking at the solitary tree that was adorning the edge of this cliff. Somehow, it felt very familiar. There was also no question about it’s magical nature, as that tree was filled with power that could be felt even from this distance. Question was, what exactly is this place? Then the girl realized something. She fell asleep in her bed, and then found herself here. Did that mean this was Dreamland? Mentions of vivid dreams that could even be controlled by the dreamer were common in some of the books that the girl owned. But a voice most familiar would disagree with that thought, even if it wasn’t said out loud.

Location:

Word Count - 721 / 2500

”This is not Dreamland, dear. However, it is a world that is different from the one you live in. This world’s name is ‘Garden of Eden’ and we are currently in it’s core. You traveled here using your power, albeit unconsciously. That is what I meant when I said you have awakened. Before, your potential was blocked by certain barriers inside of your mind. But even those were shattered when you died few times. And now, your blood can give you everything you desire, provided you are ready for the sacrifice it might bring about.”

That familiar, emotionless and perfect voice. Charlotte knew it very well. But there was one big difference. When inside of her head, Seth sounded both like a male and female at the same time. This voice was only female. Wondering why it was so, she turned around to see a reflection. Reflection of herself, as if she was looking into a mirror. There was another Charlotte right in front of her, her pupil-less eyes shining with golden color. Wasn’t this how she looked like when the puppeteer took full control over her body? What did this mean? The poor girl was rather confused by all of this.

”You’re… Seth, right?”

Her voice was shaking, as she grew somewhat scared of what could happen to her in this world. Even it’s serene nature would not help her if the reflection in front of her was dangerous. But instead, Seth only closed her eyes and sighed mildly before opening them again. That uncanny smile she was wearing, somehow, it felt completely natural.

”You already know the answer to that question, dear. With your awakening, your magical power became potent enough to create additional ‘real illusions’. I simply took advantage of that fact and projected myself into this world in form you know most, your own body. But even if you’re able to do this now, there is still much you have to learn about.”

As soon as she stopped talking, she was gone. Charlotte would turn her head to face the solitary tree to see that Seth was now there, one of her hands resting on it’s trunk. What was it about that tree that felt so familiar, yet distant? It was important somehow, but the girl did not know how. Her puppeteer who now looked exactly like her would have to answer for her.

”A goddess was once born here. She called herself Aurora Solaris, but that name is now gone along with who she was. In order to escape a terrible demon, she shattered her own soul which resulted in multiple versions of herself to be born. Eventually, one of those shards became the new core and absorbed the rest. Just like that, the goddess named Leila Vergious was born. Your paths will cross one day, but it is still too early for that. With your power, and mine, we are absolute. You need to learn, Charlotte. To control your power and not run away from it. I can answer any question you will give me, if you wish.”

The young white witch took a step forward and started thinking real hard about what she wanted to ask her puppeteer. But not much was on her mind right now. Though there was one cheeky question she wished to throw at Seth, test if they really know everything as they say.

Word Count - 1286 / 2500

”What is the meaning of life?”

She asked with a big grin on her face, believing that she got the being that controlled her fate. But oh, she was wrong in that. She did not get him, as the golden eyed girl turned around with that smile still on her face, speaking out.

”Answer to question like that will be incredibly dense with information. Putting something like that into your brain could be hazardous to your well being. Do you still wish me to answer?”

A loud gulp. But still, there was a chance she was merely joking when saying that, right? So Charlotte nodded. And in that moment, everything went blank. Not white, nor black. There was… nothing. She now had the answer to her question and because she knew precisely what was the meaning of life, everything became pointless. There was absolutely no need to do anything else at all. It was finished, complete. Humanity would no longer have to continue existing if they knew what the girl knew. That was inside of her mind. But on the outside? The young girl went into an incredible rage, shaking and moving around violently as she held her head in her hands tightly, even to the point where she was damaging herself. And inhuman screams would escape her throat, as well as chaotic magical power that took form of a beast, charging towards Seth. She merely sighed again and crushed the beast with a single wave of her head. She warned the girl, but she did not listen. This was exactly what she had to learn in this place… during this journey. Pointing one of her fingers at Charlotte, Seth would fire a small white needle that exploded into magical energy once it hit it’s target. Like that, a headless body of young girl hit the ground, staining the beautiful white flowers crimson red.

But she woke up once more. Only, she was in a different world again. The skies were orange with black clouds that were zipping across like racing cars. She lied on a bed of green grass that would stretch out until there was nothing more. A floating island. Charlotte quickly jumped up to look around, only to spot Seth looking exactly like her still. And this place too… it felt oddly familiar. But she was never here so why was she getting a feeling like that? So many questions, yet not many answers. So she just looked at her puppeteer with puppy eyes, begging for them to disclose at least some information.

”This world is simply called ‘Astral Realm’. We are on one of many floating Islands that form this dimension. It is a home to several spirits, as well as a goddess that was consumed by poison. Her story is still a short one, so there is not much point in talking about her. There is a long way ahead of you, Charlotte. Open the gate to another world.”

The girl nodded, but she wasn’t really sure how to do such a thing. She hopped between worlds when she fell asleep. Then she woke up in Gardens of Eden, so how did she get to this world? She only asked Seth one question and everything after that was completely blurred out. But she did not want to disappoint them. She wanted to do good, to open the gate between worlds as she was apparently capable of doing. Was she truly? Her magical talent seemed so weak, she had only couple of spells and they were not even useful to anyone. So how could she… it didn’t really matter, did it? She just had to try. And so, she closed her eyes and imagined a gate opening. And with the eyes still closed, she would try to walk through. It worked! Well, of course it did. After all, that was her own imagination. But how about when she opened her eyes? Did it work in reality that mattered? And so she opened those big pale eyes of hers to see what was in front of her and if it was any different from before.

Word Count - 1974 / 2500

And it was. In front of her was a bright world with clear blue sky and sun that was a giant ball of fire. The land was made out of solid iron and sounds of liquid meat would wash over her as she spotted the bloody red seas around her. Along with the iron, the ground was also made out of sugar that looked like a sand and tall, white simplistic skyscrapers adorned the horizont. She recognized this world too. She saw it briefly when Seth possessed her back on the Divide Island where she hunted down a treasure along with Miss Aerwyna. A strange, bizarre world that wasn’t like Earthland at all.

”You look surprised. Did you expect your magic to fail? Your blood is already awakened, all you need now is imagination and courage. You hold power greater than you realize Charlotte. And this is only portion of it, the ability to move through worlds. You even managed to bring others into this place back during your job. That is one of your potentials and you need to follow it.”

”What is this world?”

”It’s a peculiar one. People here were greedy and eventually mined their entire world out. Now they are forced to walk on their own creation, earth made out of forged iron. Even their oceans were depleted and now they are trying to return them by filling the shallows with meat. But the sugar you see… ah, that one is special. They found an interesting resource that when used as kindling, can burn human bodies into addictive sugar. It is the only way many can remain ‘sane’ in this place.”

The girl didn’t quite understand, but it all seemed very sad. This whole journey… it was most strange. And they would go on and on, visit different worlds. One that was engulfed in lava as the center of that world was a single exploding volcano. World that was beneath the ocean’s surface, filled with cute fishies and the most horrific sea life you could imagine. They travelled from star to star and from moon to moon. And in each world, Seth would try to explain things to Charlotte. And even though their journey was a long one, the girl did not feel tired no matter how much they did. She was so captivated by it all, she completely forgot all of her needs. And eventually, all she could hear were the words of her puppeteer.

She saw suffering and happiness in unison and in war. She saw worlds destroyed and born. She saw what hunger for power could do to living creatures, as well as dead ones. Eventually, they arrived to a world where they could walk on water’s surface, the only thing they could stand on for as far as they could see. And from the water, giant trees would grow and disappear into the clouds. Seth explained that these mighty trees were holding up another completely different world, one where another parallel humanity lived but was completely unaware of what was below their feet. They did not know, so they gave the trees no credit at all. But the trees did not ask for any credit, even though it was their hard work that made the world above fruitful and capable of existing at all. The girl saw it all on their journey and she came to understand many different aspects of life.

Location:

Word Count - 2544 / 2500 (WC achieved)

One gate after another, the young girl practiced with her new powers and eventually found herself back in the Gardens of Eden. She still had a long way until she would be capable of perfectly setting the destination, but it was still progress. And the lonely tree radiated with power even more than before. Somehow, that was alluring to Charlotte. And as she approached it, Seth spoke once more.

”This tree was now always here. It only grew after Aurora gave her life to the fragment that called herself Leila. Think of it as the last aspect of her life. Something like this is called Witchtree. It’s branches hold incredible power… take one. It will aid you in your journey of White.”

Charlotte grew somewhat unsure about that idea, but it almost felt as if the tree itself was asking her to do so. And so she approached it, firmly getting hold of the lowest branch. She didn’t even have to use any force as the tree itself separated that one piece for the girl, letting her have it. It’s wood quickly turned pale white and many shining blue orbs started illuminating the different pointy ends of her newly acquired staff. It resonated with power and was almost as tall as the girl’s body itself. Turning towards her puppeteer again, she smiled.

”Thank you for showing me all of this. And the fact that you can now appear in the real world looking like me, it’s amazing!”

But her reflection with golden eyes simply smiled and looked into the distance.

”Actually, this body is no longer yours. I had it remain the same, as this is something you are familiar and comfortable with. However, I suppose it’s only fair to show you.”

Charlotte was rather confused as to what he meant with those words. But even that soon came to an end as a mirror suddenly appeared from the ground, showing her an unfamiliar sight. Her clothes were in tatters from the worlds they traversed, that much she knew. But her entire body… it was slightly larger and more developed? She looked different! What in the world happened? All kinds of questions were swirling in her head.

”How long do you think this journey took, dear?”

She had no idea, no matter how hard she tried to think about it. At first, they have only spent mere minutes in each world. But that eventually grew into hours and then into so long that she completely lost track. There were definitely moments when she felt like they were walking forever, even though she never got really tired, hungry or thirsty. There was this one world that was completely made out of mountains and mountain roads where they did spend so much time that it might have as well been days! But even thinking like that did not quite prepare her for the actual answer.

”We have been walking through different worlds for three years now.”

Now that was shocking news. The girl’s heart stopped for a moment before she started flailing her arms in panic. What would she do now? Was this really happening? How… how was that three years worth of her life? Yes, they did visit many, many worlds. More than she could possibly count, and she learned many invaluable things as well. But was all of that worth three whole years of her life being completely lost?

”Worry not, dear. Time flows differently in many worlds. Even though it has been three years for your body, not even three hours passed in Earthland. No one missed you and you can easily return to the point where you left off, stronger and wiser. Explain your body however you may.”

”But...”

Seth was gone. Both the mirror and her golden eyed reflection were no longer present in this world. And Charlotte could only sigh and cast her gaze upon the ivory white staff in her hand, as well as her older body. With a single blink more, she was back in her room. But it was not a dream, it was all real. Her older form was the proof of that, as well as witchtree branch sitting next to the bed. And the morning’s sun caressing her body through the curtains was a welcoming sight of a world that she had not been in for a while.

Word Count - 3271 / 2500 (WC achieved)