The Gate of Wandering🔊

Once upon a time, in a town frosted over by the gentle touch of winter, a strange gate stood tall. It was a mysterious object that was said to have been there for as long as the town itself. A woven pattern of ancient symbols etched into its iron body, it was something out of a fairy tale. Wondrous yet terrifyingly cryptic - the town named it, 'The Gate of Wandering', derived from a local myth that whoever dared pass through it would disappear eternally. No one knew what lied beyond it, for no one had ever returned upon crossing its threshold. It invoked a peculiar mix of curiosity, fear, and dread within the townsfolk.

Among them, lived a young lass named Lydia. She was an avid reader, often losing herself in the folklore and far-fetched tales that danced across the pages of her worn-out books. Intrigued by the Gate of Wandering, she spent countless nights imagining the world beyond it. Her dreams were filled with fanciful skies carved with the aurora's shimmer, meadows blooming with unearthly fauna, cities glistening with structures of intricate crystal - an undiscovered world awaiting her arrival.

One snowy day, mustering her courage, Lydia decided to cross the gate. With every crunching step towards the gate, her heart pulsated with an adrenaline-rushed rhythm. As she tiptoed through, she didn't disappear, instead, she was greeted by another dimension; a realm of magic, a kingdom fabled in her books.

This world was painted with colors she had never seen, resounding with sounds she had never heard. It was awash in a perpetual twilight, a field of stars flickering as if whispering stories. Exotic creatures roamed the plains; cities floated in the endless sky. Lydia felt an overwhelming exhilaration; it was everything she'd ever dreamed of, a living, breathing fairy tale.

Lydia found herself welcomed by the inhabitants. These creatures, the 'Celeste', were ethereal beings, shimmering in the twilight, with wisdom spanning epochs and souls resonating tranquility. They taught her their language, shared their knowledge and welcomed her in their floating cities. The Celeste explained that they lived harmoniously with nature, embodying peace and wisdom. Their life cores resonated with the elements around them, granting them extraordinary abilities.

In time, Lydia learned to access this mystical energy. She could manipulate light, create illusions, and heal the wounded; she had become part of their world. The young girl lived as a Celeste, weaving an irreplaceable bond with their world, cherishing her new family. However, her human heart yearned for her old world, the familiar sights and sounds of her town, and her family.

The Celeste, understanding her pain, presented Lydia with a choice. She could return home, but once she crossed the gate again, she would forget all about this realm, the knowledge, the magic, the Celeste. Or she could stay, surrendering her mortal shell, becoming a full-fledged Celeste.

After a heart-wrenching delay, Lydia chose to return home. She crossed back through the Gate of Wandering with a heavy heart. As she reached the other side, all memories of the magical world faded, leaving only a void, an unexplainable sense of loss. As she walked back towards her town, the gate vanished behind her, disappearing into the morning mist.

All she remembered was the folklore about a gate that no one crossed. The vague feeling of loss and sadness echoed within her, but she brushed them off as the whims of an overactive imagination. She resumed her old life, every so often finding herself daydreaming about a place she could only describe as a forgotten dream, a half-read book. But within her soul, despite the forgetfulness, glowed a mystic core - the only testament of her extraordinary journey into the Gate of Wandering.