Inktober Begins

Crystal - Inktober Day One, 2021 

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It was a cold afternoon, and finally after hours of walking he saw the infamous blinding light in the distance. It almost looked like sun on the horizon. You would believe it is the sun if not for the one shining above. Upon seeing the destination, he started running. Motivated, desperate, and impatient, finally he could see beyond the rumours, nightmares, dreams, warnings, prophecies, what actually lies in that light. 

 

He slowed down after a while, realising he won't make it just by running. It felt like he was going to die if he kept at that pace. 

 

A small tree nearby gave him the area he needed to set up the tent for the day. He no longer wanted to push himself for now. As he now knows it exists, the area that he just heard of till now, he allowed himself to take rest, before he could explore and digest all there is to know about this place. 

 

After what felt like ages, suddenly he woke up in the middle of the night to the sounds of horses and group of people murmuring. He couldn't believe what was happening, as this area is supposed to be empty of any humanity. He was right, it was. This group of people were on horses, but they weren't humans. What they were talking in was not any human known language. Quickly someone from their group approached him and asked him in his language, "Do you follow the light?" 

 

What does that even mean? They do know our language? He replied, "I don't know what that means?" 

 

They all looked at each other and nodded among themselves. She asked him to follow them on a spare horse they brought with them. He was not sure, so he asked why, and they told him they can take him to the Light, as quickly as possible. As being in this area is not safe for normal humans. He didn't know what to do or say. He had his dagger and the protective blanket his mother gave, so he wrapped himself in that blanket and took upon their offer. 

 

As they traveled along, the group gave him water, but he refused. They tried to explain why, but he was suspicious. 

 

Near the Light, they offered him water, suggesting that it contains the substance required to keep people alive when they first enter the Light. He didn't want to believe them, as it seemed like an easy method to make him drink it. But the alternative was death, if they were right. 

 

Before he proceeded to drink the water, he asked them why they were helping him. The group said that they couldn't get what they needed in the Light, as it can only be touched by humans who come from a certain place. The water he was about to drink is from that place, as it contains the secret to protect the humans from whatever that's inside. They understand how the situation looks like, which is why they keep offering help to humans who come along this way despite the mistrust. At least half of them try to fight and get killed, as they leave no other choice. 

 

He was not really happy to learn any of this, but it was unnecessary now. He wanted to go in, and see anyway, so he didn't mind helping them, hoping they don't mean any harm. So, he took a gulp of that water. 

 

They all go into this massive entrance, the huge arch was made of some shiny rock, but it was covered in dust. 

 

As they kept walking, the light from the inside was too much to see properly, but they told him to keep walking, and suddenly he could see again and he saw a whole new world, a world of Crystals. The creepers, the walls, the grass, everything was made of this glassy material, it was a sight of fantasy. He suddenly remembered his aunt's words, 'if it looks like something someone would buy, sell it'. But little could she have imagined this, which even if they want to sell, no one can afford to buy even a tiny morsel of the rocks lying around. 

 

After they reached a parapet, the group insisted that he carry on, as they can't go beyond this point. They gave him a map and a sketch of what they wanted. The area beyond this point was so vast that there was something shining as far as he could see. He asked them of their plan. The group was going to camp there until he returns and make sure there's no threat to him from this side. To which he asked, what about the other sides? They chuckled, "Your dagger and blanket are with you, alright?" He wasn't satisfied with the answer, but he began his journey. 

 

As he kept walking, it felt like there was no life there, except him. Soon he reached a point according to the map, where he was supposed to just take a peek and confirm that some sounds are coming from the cavity in the wall. Which would signify that the treasure they wanted, was indeed available in the next point in the map. As he was listening to the sounds from the cavity, he also heard what could be described as human like, or life like sounds. But they weren't human made, and he couldn't identify the sounds either. 

 

He kept walking along the path, checking the map from time to time and finally he reached a point where he was supposed to spot some kind of plantation. But he couldn't find any. Walking along the path, looking confused, he came to a standstill. Suddenly the earth quaked and he fell into a void. As he came to his senses, he saw a huge land of plantation. Every last one of the plants were bearing Crystals, a sight of the imagination, might be a mirage, but he knew it was real. The sun was shining brighter than outside, it seemed to be amplified by the crystals. Astonished at the magnificent scenery, he thought to himself, 'This is the view of the divine.'