I had fallen off a cliff. I thought I was okay, until I arrived in this town called Torukka and discovered that no one can see me. I could not even see my own reflection in the mirror.
I looked and saw this cross on top of a building; it must be a church. I immediately walked over to the church. I saw the priest standing behind the altar, dressed in his robe and miter. I was hoping that he can help me.
"Hello," I said. "Excuse me, I seem to be dead."
"Is that you, God?" asked the priest.
"who me?" I asked.
"I don't see anyone in front of me. Is that you, God?"
I walked out of the church. It seemed no one in this town could help me.
I looked around, as the people of Torukka went about their ways. I over heard some snippets of conversation, such as talk of a mafgical mirror of some sort; I wondered if I would be visible to such a mirror. I could not help but wonder what really did happen to people after they die. What if there was no Heaven? Or Hell? What if the dead simply wandered around like ghosts?
I saw two kids playing by the town's well.
"I'm tired of havin go to play around here," said this boy. "My mom is always making me study."
"I agree," said a girl. "Next time, we should go north and play by the Well of Dreams."
Well of Dreams? It sounded promising.
So I headed out of Torukka towards the north. At least my compass was working, despite my current condition.
After walking a few miles along the coastline, I saw this building in the distance, with tall mountains rising behind it. I walked up to it, and I took a closer look. It was a simple wooden structure; just foiur walls and a roof and there probably wasn't even a foundation. It looked primitive even for Lifecod.
I did notice a crude hand-painted wooden sign just a few feet before the door.
Danger - Do Not Enter
I decided to just open the door and walk inside. After all, I was dead, was I not?
The building had just one room. The floor was simply dirt. I could smell this musty smell. There was nothing in the room except a well.
There weas this sdtrange green glow.
I hesistated for a moment. What if I ended up trapped in Hell forever?
I took a look at the well. The light was drawing me in.
I felt weightless for just a brief moment before feeling the ground push against my feet again.
The first thing I noticed was a change in smell, like the air was cleaner. Even before I looked and saw the trees around me, I knew I was outdoors.
I was now in this clearing in the forest where this well stood.
I wondered where I was as I wandered through the woods. Was I visible again?
I came across a road, heading away from the setting sun. I then came across a road sign.
Shiena 5 miles
I followed the road for the next hour or so, retracing my steps, until I finnaly reached Shiena.
The bazaar was still as busy as ever, even though it was almost sundown. Merhcants were still at their booths, yelling about their goods for sale. I saw a woman standing at the item shop counter and approached her.
"Hi there," I said. "Can you see me?"
"What kind of pickup line is that?" she asked.
I was visible. I was alive!
Maybe I could pikc up a Spirit Crown. I headed for Bilte's in the northeast section of Shiena.
Inside I saw a man, the same men I saved from falling. That seemed like ages ago. He must have been Bilte.
"I'm making this crown in memory of the man who gave his life for me," said the scupltor.
"Hi there," I said.
Bilte turned and looked at me. His face suddenly paled.
"You're...you're a ghost," he said.
"No, I'm really here." I extended my hand to him. He grabbed it.
"You.. you're alive."
"For now."
"But how?"
"It is a very long story."
"He was here earlier today," said his daughter. "He was from Lifecod and he came here to pick up the Spirit Crown."
"Take this, then," Bilte said to me. "Thank you for saving my life."
He handed me something and I saw this finely-carved wooden crown.
"Thanks for making this for my village," I said. "And remember, try to watch your step next time."
"I will," replied Bilte.
As I walked outside, I saw people suddenly flying into the air. They must be using wings of wyvern, the fastest form of personal transportation anywhere in the world. Since I still had money left over, I decided to do some shopping. I waited in line for a while, and then I bought a World Map and a wing of wyvern. I glanced at the map, illuminated by the street lanterns which were just being lit, trying to find out where I had fallen into that strange world.
I then looked to the north. Even from here, I coiuld see the mountain on which sits Lifecod village. And I coukld see lights on top - the lamplighter must be lighting the lanterns now.
I threw the wing of wyvern into the air and I zoomed high into the sky. Less than a minute later, I found myself a few yards from Lifecod.
I immediately headed into the village and went to the Elder's house.
"Oh hi there," said the Elder. "Did you get it?"
"Yes, sir," I said. "Here's the Spirit Crown." I showed the wooden crown Bilte gave me.
"The festival's in an hour. And guess what? Tania will be the star in the procession."
"Really?" I asked. "That's great, Elder!"
"Were there any problems getting the Spirit Crown?"
"Not really, sir."
I walked back home. Tania was not there; she was probably with her friends getting ready for the festival. Girls did take quite a while to prepare for parties and stuff. Anyway, I waited inside as I prepared myself. I was sure I would know when the festival would start.