A Journey to Remember
Okay guys. I really want to know what you think about my story so far. Message me or something please! I could use some more ideas from anyone to make it better. Tanks for reading.
Anyways, here is another chapter for ya! Read on bros.
CH8
"Psst! Wake up."
Julia opened her eyes and she sat up. She shielded her eyes from a blinding light until she could make out what she was looking at. She was sitting on the floor but all around her was smoke.
"Where am I?" she asked herself.
She stood up and looked around but nobody was there. A slight twinkling noise came from behind her and she turned around. A small blue light was floating in front of her. She reached out to touch it but then flew farther away from her as if it wanted her to follow it. She looked down and couldn't see her feet but she crept forwards as if she was afraid of stepping off a cliff. After she was comfortable with walking without any hesitation, she followed the light to a silver gate.
"Am I in the clouds?" She said to herself as she reached out to touch the gate.
Just then the gate disappeared and she fell through the floor. Her eyes flew open and she sat up with a loss of breath.
"What the hell." She said running her fingers through her hair.
"Good you're up." Her mom said walking into her room with clothes in her hands.
"Just woke up." Julia said rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"You sleep good?"
"Fairly. I had an odd dream though."
"Huh." She said tossing the clothes on her bed. "Well, get dressed. Then we will go get some breakfast."
"okay."
Julia got up and fixed the bed then went to go get ready. She held up what looked like a dress and put it on. It was a nice mint color and was very flowy but light. Then she braided up her hair and headed out of the temple. There were decorations up already and people still running around getting ready for the big festival.
"Wow. How much prettier can this place get?" She said to herself.
Once she turned the street she entered the main square and her widened with amazement.
"Oh that much."
There were colors everywhere, banners hung up, tables with fancy cloth, and the perfect blue sky to go with it. She sat down at a table and started eating her breakfast. Her mother Joined a couple minutes later and enjoyed their company.
"This place just gets better and better." Julia admitted. "Who knew that a homecoming festival would be this big?"
"Well, it's not just a homecoming festival. You are going to be the new ruler of this Kingdom." Her mother said putting a hand on Julia's back. "That is why I said that you are going to have a big day last night."
Julia looked up at her mother with a surprised expression and no words came out of her mouth for the rest of the morning. When they finished, they both headed up to their temple and rested for a little. Her mother joined Julia on the balcony.
"Do I have to do any crazy ceremonies or anything?" Julia asked.
"well…" Her mother paused. "In this world. Yes."
"This world?"
"The tunnel you went through to get here was like a portal. A whole new world opened up as you walked through. Out there where we used to live, Princesses would just have to go through a coronation ceremony, whereas here, you have to go through a certain process to gain your right to rule."
"What do I have to do?"
"Claim the capital of your kingdom my running around the perimeter of the city, and climb Rintou's Rocks and drink from their falls. Here, the rulers of the kingdoms have to be strong and suitable for the throne."
Silence fell over them as they sat there in thought.
"Don't worry. You will not be doing this alone. One of the warriors will be with you."
"When will all of this start?"
"In not too long. We can start getting you ready right now."
She pulled Julia up to her feet and led her to the springs. There she got in and washed up.
"This is the best I have felt in the longest time. Like when dad was here." She said as she tilted her head back and laid in the water.
"That's good." Her mother said as she brushed through Julia's hair.
When they were done, they headed back to their home and got ready. Julia put on the clothes that her mother provided for her.
"You look very warrior like in those."
Julia stepped out in the middle of her room and inspected what she was wearing. She wore black leather pants that laced down the sides, and a black shirt that wrapped around her body perfectly. She sat down on the bed and her mother got up to go put it up.
"Are you ready?"
"I hope so." Julia said quietly.
When Danielle was done fixing Julia's hair, they both headed to the bottom of the moon temple. Everyone was already there waiting for the ceremony to start. Angel led Julia to a flag that seemed to touch the sky and introduced the warrior to her.
"Julia, this is Kenji. You are competing with him. You must run the entire capital without stopping and end up back here before he does." He smiled at them both. "(Good luck.)"
Julia nodded they both lined up on the steps of the temple and waited for the horn to blow.
"Alright Julia you can do this." She repeated to herself quietly.
When the horn blew, they both took off down the town path. Everyone was cheering throughout the city as they ran by. Once they reached the rainforest, the cheering was blocked out by the trees and vegetation. All she could hear were the birds and other animals as she ran by. They weaved in and out of trees, jumped over rocks, ran through mud, and swam through rivers that were in their way. Her panting got harder and harder and she started slowing down. As she lagged behind Kenji, her vision started to go blurry. She closed her eyes for a moment and heard a voice.
"Don't give up. You are Just around the corner." A soft voice said.
She opened her eyes and looked around. No one was there. She saw the path that Kenji took and sped up. As she kept going he seemed to slow down. Some of the people were visible in the distance and she could hear them yelling and clapping. When she heard them, she sped up and caught up with him. He was in her way so she passed him and continued down the path toward the city. As she ran by, more and more people were cheering and clapping. Kenji managed to catch up to her and stayed at her side. Just then, she saw the top of the temple through the canopy and started sprinting. She passed Luke and the group but she had no idea that they were watching.
"Where's Kenji?" Levi asked as he saw Julia pass by.
He peered around the people and saw him run up the trail behind her. As Julia continued down the path, she could see the top of the flag. Once she reached it, she collapsed to the ground and looked up at the sky. About five minutes later, Kenji made it back to the temple. When they both caught their breath, Kenji walked over to Julia and pulled out a knife. She hesitantly took a step back when he raised it up in the air. She looked at him and then he put it behind his head and cut off his hair. He went down to one knee and bowed. Everyone stood in silence and then Levi came up behind Julia and told her what had just happened.
"A warrior like Kenji cuts his hair to show that he had been defeated. Since you beat him, he bows down to you promising to serve you until he dies."
Kenji stood and walked to Julia and raised her arm. Everyone started cheering and celebrating. An hour later, they headed out of the city and to a vast open area.
"These people believe that humans with the blood of the great ancestors are the only ones able to make it to the top and drink from the falls." Levi said as he stood there with Julia.
They both peered up at the tall rocks that disappeared into the clouds.
"How high do these go?"
"To the heavens."
She turned around and looked at her mother. She was on her knees praying. Kenji walked up to Julia and started speaking to her.
"Levi. Do you know what he is saying?"
"No one has ever reached the top in over 300 years. He believes that you are the one who will make it."
She sighed and walked up to the wall. "Please don't die." She said to herself.
She reached out and set her hand on the rock and looked up at it then closed her eyes.
"What is she doing?" Sam asked.
"Praying." Luke replied moments later.
She opened her eyes and started climbing. Her hands felt around for places to grab and pull herself up with, and her feet felt for places to support her. As the evening went on, people started conversing and settled down in different groups. Julia's mother was still on her knees with her fingers interlocked. Levi walked over to her mother and put and hand on her back.
"Your daughter is doing great. The gods are surely pulling her up those rocks. Look…" He said in a comforting voice.
He pointed to a small figure about half way up the visible rock. All of a sudden the clouds parted and a sun beam shone on her. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the magnificent sight.
Julia reached up with her left hand and felt a good hole to grip. She managed to pull herself up onto a little ledge and rested her limbs. After a few minutes had passed, she started climbing again.
As the people watched from down below, a cloud was blowing in her direction. Once it was out of the way, Julia had disappeared from their sight.
"Where did she go?" Her mother called out.
Everyone looked at the rock and started panicking. Levi and Kenji ran to the base of the rock in search for her.
As Julia pulled herself onto another ledge, she could not see below her. Clouds surrounded her and all that was visible was the tips of the Rocks. She stood up and jumped a gap to the next tip. When she was just about to jump to another one, a figure emerged from the clouds. The cloud cleared and the figure that was standing there was a man that wore tan and gold robes.
"Julia. Daughter of Danielle and Ari Crassus. The chosen one."
"Who are you?"
"I have many names." He replied
He held a blue glowing orb in his hand and then disappeared. The orb moved to the next rock. She followed it until it stopped. She reached out to grab it but it slipped behind her. When she turned around, the man was standing there with it in his hand.
"They call me great Alder, Blue Spirit, Rintou…. Take your pick."
They stood there silent. He put the orb in her hand and then covered it. She looked down at the orb and a bright flash filled the sky. The man was gone and a silver key laid in her hand. She walked through the clouds that were in front of her and found a silver gate with a paradise behind it. She put the key in and opened the gate. When she stepped in, the gate closed and vanished. She looked behind her and found a different man standing behind her. She smiled and jumped into his arms.
Kenji started climbing the rock. As he was about a story up the rock, the rock crumbled underneath his foot and he fell to the ground.
"(Are you ok?)" Levi asked helping Kenji up to his feet.
They stood there looking up at the rock wondering if she was ok.
"I am so proud of you!" The man said holding her in his arms.
"I am so happy to see you!" She said burying her face in his chest.
They walked together talking about the things they have seen and done. Other figures joined in with them.
"Hey dad, how come you kept all of this a secret?" She asked
He let out a sight. "Long ago, I was visited by our ancestors in a dream. They told me that I was to raise a child who would unite this world's kingdoms. I needed you to become of age to understand. I couldn't have you running around in the other world telling secrets and exposing them."
"How am I going to unite these kingdoms when I know nothing of this world?"
"You will know in time." He replied.
They walked up to a waterfall that went down into the ground. Her father handed her a cup and filled it with the water. She drank it and the cup vanished. He handed her a water skin full of the water.
"You only use this water to help aid your progress. Think of a purpose for the water, and it will do what you tell it. I love you Julia. I will always be here for you."
She smiled and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was standing on top of the last rock.
"What do I do?" She called out.
"Step out to your faith." A soft voice said.
She looked down the hold and closed her eyes, then jumped. With her eyes still closed, she felt as though she were gliding on the clouds. Her eyes opened and she noticed that she was floating on the lake. She slung the water skin over her shoulder and swam to the shore.
A little girl was fetching water from the lake and saw Julia swimming to shore. She dropped her bowl and went running back to the people with a big smile on her face.
"(She's back! She's back!)" The little girl shouted.
Kenji, Luke, and Levi jumped up and ran to where the girl was pointing to.
Julia got out of the water and flopped on her back in relief.
As they got back to the city everyone celebrated and cheered. They entered a big round hut and all of the elders were gathered. Incense was burning and people were chatting. Angel entered with her mother.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I am fine mom." She said with a big smile. "I was in the heavens. I met our ancestors and," she paused. "Dad was there."
Tears fell down her mother's eyes. Julia wiped them away with a comforting smile on her face.
"They are always watching over us."
The rest of the night everyone ate and drank. The celebration went on and on.
"I'm going to get some fresh air. I will not be long." Julia said into her mother's ear.
She smiled and nodded her head. Julia left the hut and took in a deep breath. The night sky was filled with dozens of stars and the moon looked like a half-eaten cookie. She went back to the temple and changed into the nice mint colored dress that her mother gave her. She walked around the building and admired the home that her father once stayed at long ago. She passed the balcony and saw Luke sitting on the ledge looking out at the big city.
"Are you not enjoying the celebration?" Julia asked him as she walked onto the balcony.
"I'm not much of a drinker as Levi is. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the celebration." He said chuckling a little. "I just needed some fresh air."
"Same here." She said as she swung her legs over the ledge sitting to his left.
The city was full of lit torches and people dancing everywhere. Fire flew up into the air and exploded into thousands of tiny pieces making the sky filled with colorful embers. Happiness filled the city and everyone seemed to feel the best they ever had.
"I wonder how Levi knew about this world." Julia stated.
Luke stayed silent.
"What do you think is beyond that dark point way out there?" Luke said pointing out in the distance.
"I don't know."
They sat there for a while watching the city as the celebration continued.
"Where exactly are you from? Levi didn't really specify."
"I'm from Eldoran."
"I have no idea where that is."
"Do you see that bright area way over there?" He said pointing to the right. "I am from a place much more farther than that city over there."
"You are from this world? Why did you want to leave? This place is much better than out there."
"Things aren't what they seem here." He said looking down.
"I'm sorry."
"No don't be. I'm still surprised at the fact that you are a princess."
"Yeah so am I." She said laughing a little.
"I am glad I met you." He said looking at her. "I wouldn't have even been able to be in a place like this without you here."
"And I wouldn't have known of this place if you didn't bring me with you." She replied. "Thank you."
They both smiled at each other and then looked out at the city. Julia rested her head on his shoulder and he put an arm around her holding her close. They sat there watching the lights dance in the sky and listening to the joy of the city.
"I wonder how they do that." She said to herself.
"I have no idea."
"Whoa did you see that one?" She said with a smile on her face.
"No." he said.
She looked up at him only to seen light gray eyes looking at her. A small blush crawled to her cheeks as his face drew closer to hers. The world seemed to be running in slow motion as their lips touched. He caressed her cheek with his other hand and pulled her closer. Her arm snaked around his waist holding him close. Their lips parted only for a quick breath then were reconnected shortly after. The rest of the night, they enjoyed each other's company and talked about where they would want to visit next.
Things just happened! Keep reading bros. and give tips and feedback. Hope you liked it!