I'm laying towards scenery that can only be described as a tropical rainforest. Sounds reminiscent of tropical birds surrounded me , as a dark blue tone cascaded through the canopy of the forest. The small cracks between the leaves of the forest gave path to the elegant light illuminating from the moon .As I lifted myself, feeling no pain despite my disoriented state, I noticed something strange. On the back of my left hand a symbol glows softly in a mesmerising shade of blue. It's unlike anything I've seen before, intricate and enigmatic. Confusion overtakes me. How did this symbol appear on my hand? What does it mean? I try to brush it away, but the symbol remains, almost as if it's a part of me. Where was I? What happened? Did it eat me? Where am I? An abundant amount of questions arise in me, but answers to them are scarce. The landscape is not of Japan; it's unmistakingly foreign. But it doesn't make sense. Nothing makes sense. Any plausible explanation that I can think of, gets debunked by the reality of the situation. One can only laugh in the confinement of absurdity.
Nothing in history gets solved by sitting and doing naught. I say to myself when my eyes notice a brighter patch of light piercing through the far ends of the collage of trees, which is led to by an uncarved path on a slope of a subtle gradient covered by roots and an abundant amount of greenery. And so, I embark. It's unusually bitter knowing the humid reputation of rainforests, however I decide not to think about it , as I steadily but with trouble - tread through and over the overgrown vines and roots of the trees. I pass across a vibrant array of flora, a delicate orchid, and other unusual vegetation. However, the light peeking out far ahead of me is more enticing, it feels like if I reach it - everything will become clear. A crack in the mystery, an explanation.
The wind blowing through the gap becomes more defined as I approach the light, yet ahead of me is still blurred. The vivid vegetation becomes more spread out and less explicit as I approach what seems like the top. The air is becoming more frigid, and I notice I am unusually out of breath. It's not as if I climbed a long distance in particular. It's like there is less oxygen available , it's certainly an unfamiliar sensation. I keep my balance by holding onto a tree that was just at the summit of the hill. I thrust into the blinding light, using the tree as a leverage. I close my eyes due to the intensity of the light. I feel the wind slamming into my hair and face for just a moment. However it was not long before it settled down, and just as it did - I opened my eyes.
The sight that I saw feels like it can only form in fluid dreams or the imagination. It is a city that can only be described as fantastical. A city whose islands are suspended in the air by an invisible force, the upper islands are a vibrant patchwork of lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and meticulously crafted castles. The grand castles, carved from dark wood , stand tall above a metropolis of some kind with unusual spires that reach even further in the sky. The metropolis itself stretches beyond the distance visible to me Upon observation the lower city is connected with the upper islands with metallic grey chains that blend in the distance . Giant birds are dashing across from island to island and airships are abundant in the sky. It is a sight too overwhelming for me to comprehend. I unexpectedly feel heavy rhythmic vibrations below me. With each few vibrations, the ones that follow get stronger and more distressing. Then they stopped abruptly , and I stepped back in confusion . Instantly, a surge of wind came from below - enough to push me back into the shadows of the trees. At what seems like the speed of light , a giant creature appeared infront of me. It has an uncountable amount of cerulean eyes and an annular upper body. I was still off from the ground from the gust of the lingering wind, when a sharp - red insect-like arm swerved just centimetres from my head from the creature.
The speed of what is happening defied comprehension, leaving me utterly incapable of processing the rapid sequence of events. All I saw was some sort of blue spark and before I could realise it , I was streaking through the forest at a great speed , the trees whipped by me in a frenzy, their branches tearing my skin as I put my hands over my head. In less than a second , I flew out of the forest section swirling sideways. The setting rapidly changed to a lake and I monumentally tried to brace for impact. I smashed into the lake arm first, gravity dragging me on the hard edged rocks of the lake shore abrading my body.
There, a squirrel bore witness to the agonising screams, the relentless throb, the fiery ache that consumed his senses - twisting and contorting his body, as more screams were let out. He passed out and woke up again multiple times. Eventually mustering the strength to stand up and walk aimlessly towards the river which led from the lake.
A step, another step. Each step brings agony , yet I continue without knowing what compels me too. Wherever it's all for naught , I struggle. Streams of blood drop down on the ground , my vision fades in and out from darkness. Quivering from the pulsating pain, I entered the encaving dome. The cave's surface is a sheet of pristine water that was the colour of the summer sky. Sunlight was flowing into the cave from the cracks and rebounding from the grey walls into the water - dissolving into an array of shards that illuminate the bottom of the lake. Amidst this extravagant pool, stood someone, someone's body as white as silk. Their skin is seemingly transparent, and yet , the hair is of the flames that come from a phoenix. Is it an angel, I see a splint of blue peak out on me. The world fades out , I fall down.
I see a faint glow on the white ceiling, and hear an ever so slightly crackling of a fire. I cant move at all - my body neither has strength or feeling of pain. I feel dry cloth wrapped around me, it's just as if I am in a cocoon. To my suprise, the traumatising pain which I experienced, almost entirely dissipated - like it never actually occurred. I swiftly decided to stop questioning things anymore, this is the third time I fainted in a day and it doesn't seem like any answers will conveniently arrive if I bash my head in confusion. My memory is foggy anyway, and I don't want to remember what happened before I arrived here. It feels like that the pain will revive itself. I try to snudge myself t0 the side, however it really is no use. My body wouldn't budge at all. All I am left with is the sound crackling of the fire and the nostalgic smell of burning wood. Someone opens the door, the fire flickers with the surge of cold win for a moment, before settling down after the door is shut. The footsteps resonated in the room, steady approaching me.