I remember the sensation of weightlessness, of being pure energy, unencumbered by the burdens of the physical world.
I had grown accustomed to this feeling and took it for granted. But now, as I lay on the cold, hard ground, the crushing weight of mortality came rushing back to me.
My vision was blurry, and my senses dulled by the unfamiliar sensations of the mortal realm. I struggled to move, to free myself from the prison of flesh and bone that now encased me.
My limbs felt heavy and unresponsive, as if they were not a part of me. It was as if I were a celestial being bound to the earth, trapped.
Anger set in as I realized the true extent of my predicament.
I was no longer the being of light and energy that I once was. I was mortal, subject to the whims of fate and the frailties of the human form.
And yet, even as I struggled to come to terms with my new existence, I sensed something.
There was a presence, a power that seemed to emanate from a nearby source. It was a life force that seemed to beckon me towards it.
I knew that this was the key to my return. This was the power that would restore my celestial form and free me from this prison.
I had to find it, harness its energy, and reclaim my rightful place among the stars. But for now, I lay there, a fallen star, in a world that was both familiar and yet alien.
I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled within me. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, each one competing for attention as I struggled to make sense of my new surroundings.
The life force I had sensed earlier seemed to grow stronger, calling to me. I knew I had to find its source, but my body seemed reluctant to cooperate.
Every movement I made was a struggle, as if my limbs were heavy weights I couldn't quite lift.
My vision was still blurry, but I could make out the faint outlines of trees and some kind of structures in the distance.
The air was thick with the smells of the mortal realm - the sweet scent of blooming flowers, the acrid tang of smoke, and the musky smell of damp earth.
I gritted my teeth and focused all my energy on moving my right arm. It twitched, then jerked, before lifting off the ground.
I felt a surge of triumph, but it was short-lived. My arm wavered, then fell back to the ground with a thud.
I was completely drained, my body and mind depleted from that one exertion.
As I lay there, panting, I realized I had underestimated the difficulty of navigating the mortal realm.
Everything was so... fragile.
I, Astreal of the Astralis, one of the brightest and most revered beings in the celestial realm, cannot even navigate the mortal realm.
I am disgusted to my very core by how fragile everything is.
Laughable. It's all so fucking laughable.
My celestial form, a perfect embodiment of power, had been impervious to harm, but this mortal shell was vulnerable to every whim of fate.
I have never recalled feeling this weak, and it's making my head spin.
The life force was still calling to me, its power coursing through my veins like a siren's song. I knew I had to keep moving, no matter how difficult it seemed.
I have to go back — I have to get revenge.
I focused my energy on moving my arm once more. This time, it lifted more easily, and I was able to prop myself up on my elbow.
The world around me swam into focus, and I saw that I was lying in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my strength. My body ached, my muscles screaming in protest as I tried to move.
I knew I had to keep going. I slowly pushed myself up to a sitting position, my head spinning as I looked around.
The clearing was small and surrounded by dense foliage. I could see a faint trail leading into the trees, and I knew I had to follow it.
I struggled to my feet, my legs trembling beneath me. I took a few tentative steps forward, my eyes fixed on the trail ahead.
The life force was growing stronger; I knew I was getting close.
As I walked, the trees seemed to close in around me. The air grew thick with an eerie energy, and I could feel the weight of the mortal realm pressing down on me.
The trail twisted and turned, leading me deeper into the heart of the forest. I stumbled, my foot catching on a hidden root.
I fell hard, my body jarring as I hit the ground. I lay there, panting, my senses reeling.
I feel the hatred clawing its way up my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I curse at the thoughts of my last moments in the Celestial Realm.
How dare they cast me out? How dare they make a mockery of me?
Taking a deep breath, I slowly got to my feet, my eyes fixed on the trail ahead. I knew I had to keep going.
The life force was my only hope, my only chance to restore my powers and reclaim my rightful place among the stars.
I let out a little laugh, just thinking about how I would destroy those bastards.
The trail began to wind uphill, leading me to a small clearing. In the center of the clearing stood an ancient tree, its branches twisted with age.
The tree's life force emanated from it, its power pulsing through the air like a heartbeat.
I approached the tree cautiously, feeling the energy build inside me. I reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before touching the trunk of the tree.
As soon as I made contact, the life force surged through me, its power coursing through my veins like liquid fire. I felt my senses expand, my awareness growing as I tapped into the energy of the tree.
As I stood there, bathed in the energy of the ancient tree, I felt my senses begin to clear.
The fog that had clouded my mind since my fall began to lift, and I saw the world around me with newfound clarity.
The tree, once a twisted mass, now stood before me as a pillar of life, its branches reaching toward the sky like a ladder to the heavens.
Smriking at the sudden gain of energy, I made my way past the tree and back onto the trail, determined to make my return.