As the sun rose, the orange sky became ever clearer.
Red dirt underfoot as people milled about their everyday life. Faraway screeches made some flinch and left others clutching at their sides for a way to defend themselves. The heat bounced off the stone buildings and walkways and became visible to everyone nearby. By the time the sun had reached the middle of the sky everyone was either at work or at home , all except Kasia. Today is her 20th birthday.
She was finally ,officially an adult, and could look for the love of her life.
Kasia is so excited to see what power she would receive from their almighty god. Whenever anyone turned 20 God would bestow a power upon them so they could help keep the planet alive and thriving. Kasia could barely contain her excitement. Nobody knew what they'd get before it was time. Each gift was unique to the individual and many people believe that their prayers help determine their gift and their fate, Kasia was no different.
Soon she made it to the house of worship and a man held out his large hand to her offering to guide her to the place one could only step foot once in their lives...
With much luck anyway.
"you seem excited, child. Make sure you offer up a nice prayer so you can show your sincerity" The old man said with a chuckle. It wasn't often people were this excited to come here, most were only happy when they found out they haven't been chosen as a traveler.
Kasia's long purple hair fell into her face as she knelt down and lowered her head to send her prayer.
" oh wise one.. I have arrived to receive your blessings today. I don't ask for much, just let me find love that is as true as the one my parents found in one another. That is all that I hope for. I'll be fine with any gift because I already have all I need to be happy. " A bright light appeared and surrounded Kasia and
a voice only the two of them could hear filled the room, a beautiful female voice rang in their ears.
"You have been chosen to go to a neighboring world in need of your assistance. You have 1 month to prepare for your departure. " A crystal book appeared in front of Kasia's face and slowly descended into her limp hands. " Come back when you understand your blessing and I will help you once more before your departure" Soon all the light vanished and all was quiet once again.
She sat there kneeling with that crystal book in her hands in total shock. She had been eagerly awaiting this day as long as she could remember. This crystal book within her grasp that she had so looked forward to, is now nothing but heavy weight in her hands. She couldn't feel any joy, just numbness. Nobody in her family had been chosen in 3 generations, they always joked that they were pardoned from it. Nobody in her family tagged along because nobody expected her to be chosen, Even as a joke. It was the furthest thing from their minds.
Kasia was shaken from her thoughts by the old man's words from next to her. "Go home and spend time with your family child. You know you won't be able to come back after you are taken, so enjoy it while you can.." He has seen this look of shock more times than he likes to admit. This is the job given to him by the goddess herself. To guide the young ones after their meeting, since they may not register everything he was given the ability to listen to the voice with them.
To guide them back home, and to help their loved ones understand.
She walked with this man back to her home, people eyed her with sorrow, for they knew what had happened. Many threw out smooth grey pebbles from their homes to give her strength knowing that she will be missed. That was the greatest show of respect, later someone would collect the pebbles and
deliver them to her home.
(Throwing smooth pebbles underfoot as you walk is a sign of respect and love, to give the newly chosen a safe path to walk on wherever they go and have a smooth transition into their new life)
Seeing all the pebbles let the tears finally break free and run down her face. She was really chosen after all. It wasn't a daydream.. The kind old man put his hand on her back as they walked and helped calm her down before she made it home. He gave her words of encouragement and strength.
Soon they reached her home and her mother came rushing up, you could hear her from halfway across their home." Did you get your power dear??"
but her smile dropped off the moment she saw the gods messenger with her daughter. "no.. not my baby... she was chosen?? No .. we haven't been chosen in generations.. " Her arms wrapped around her daughter as they cried together. She held her daughter tightly fearing she would slip away any second. After calming down they all went inside and he told them of what the Goddess had relayed to them.
Kasia read her book and learned about her power with the two people sitting across from her. All of them were gaining understanding of it together.
After he felt she understood it thoroughly, He had the task of bringing the book back with him and leaving them to process things on their own.
(Book )_______________________________________
On the palm of both hands only you will see a small mark on each of your fingers. Each one represents a spacial ability you can put a home within. Time no longer moves once in the space.
You must own said home, and once you want to put it into the space you think strongly about what mark you want to put it into.
The mark will turn into a key only visible to you.
The house can be placed anywhere you own.
No people can be placed in the space .
__________________________________________________
After he left Kasia's sister came home and said " hey guys someone was chosen today, crazy right? I saw the pebbles on my way home today... hey where are you guys?" Before she could go on looking around there was a knock at the door . Jia opened the door and was handed a stone box of pebbles, only then did she register that it was her sister that was chosen. Quickly putting the box down she ran around the house until she found her mom and sister both crying and hugging. Tears tugged at Jia's eyes as she walked up and asked "you... were chosen?"
That was when her dad and brother entered the house to hear Jia say that line. A huge silence hung around the house as Kasia confirmed their fears.
Gloominess surrounded all of them. Before long Kasia said she needed to sleep off this news.
It was hard to sleep but she took solace in the solitude at least for the moment, she needed the time to process things. Every so often she could hear mumbles throughout the house and she knew it was mostly about her. They kept their voices low and they kept walking up to her doorway before pacing away.
The sky turned dark and the sounds outside grew more quiet, sleep threatened to overtake her. As she laid there, she heard someone come up to her doorway again. She closed her eyes to pretend like she had fallen asleep already. It was her younger brother. He crawled into bed with her and held her hand, afraid she would disappear before he awoke in the morning. She took comfort in Gabriel's actions and fell asleep gripping his hand.