The Temple's Call

  This is WATW for May and June. Here you go Voronda *cough*. Yep, I kept my part of the promise and didn't include anything about himmm <3
This is how I feel about Star Wars, more or less. So, dedicated to it. The picture is below. May the Force be with you!

That temple.

The pyramid-like temple with majestic stairs had stood proudly over the years. It had been the home of the best warriors and the wisest men. The magic of the building had been felt for years.

Now it was nothing more than a ruin. An abandoned temple with stones statues guarding it from the unworthy. That was how everyone felt it was like.

Well, everyone except for me, that is.

I can still feel the magic that held it together for years after the Mayans fall. The ruin still stood proudly, even without its best warriors and wisest men. The skilled artists that built that thing made a wonder that seemed to touch the heaven. When the sun shines on the beautiful stones, the place lit up and glowed like it was alive.

Ever since I was a small kid I wanted to touch go there and climb to the highest of it, touching the clouds and feeling the heavens. I dream big.

Often my mother would scold me for dreaming about something she thinks is useless and not finishing my work. My father would shake his head in disappointment and say, “Imene, do your work”.

Imene. They named me “dreamer”.

When I finally got old enough to start my own life, I worked hard. The money went to my parents, who raised me up and gave me a chance to climb that temple whether they like it or not. It also goes to learning whatever it takes to reach that temple.

I did not know when I would be ready to climb, but I believed it would give me a call. And it did.

One miraculous day I stared outside my window. Day was murky, but the clouds separated for the sun to shine down the temple. Everywhere was dark except for the magnificent building. It’s like the Mayans came back to life. There was a blue line that shot down from the skies to the temple.

That day, I knew what I must do.

I brought everything I need for the journey as fast as I can. The temple could be seen from my house, but it was pretty far away, and there was a lake separating us. No one crossed the lake before. Everyone believed that the lake was enchanted to keep people off. People used the lake’s water all the time, but they didn’t swim away very far.

That didn’t stop me from trying.

I told my friends that I’m going for a short trip to the mountains. They had a suspicion that I was going there, and they don’t like it. They say I could die if I cross the lake.

I assured them that I was going to the mountains. When they were pretty sure, I set off- to the mountains of course.

Don’t get me wrong. Most people mistook the mountains for being south of our village. But actually, there are also mountains north- where the temple lies. They just don’t know it.

At night the stars shined down on the temple, the brightest of all. That was when everyone was sleeping, so I got ready then. They won’t see me going north. Right before sunrise, I set off. When morning came, the clouds parted for the sun to shine on the temple. The blue line is always there- maybe not visible to everyone, but it was everything to me.

I reached the lake. It was not a long journey, since most people usually walk here for water. It was only about an hour and a half here and back. Now- it was the lake that is the problem,

A few days ago I was so sure I was going to make it. But what if my friends are right? There may be enchantments in there.

I thought about turning back. But that would be like turning your back onto the thing that held you up since childhood. At least I need to thank it for the dreams it gave me- because that’s what made my life happy. I don’t know who I’ll be without that temple.

I took a deep breath and went in. Nothing happened.

I was half expecting for me to be thrown out, but most people came here to wash themselves. So maybe the enchantment didn’t start here yet.

On the other hand, no one had the intention of going to the temple.

I was scared. Not just ordinarily scared- scared until it freezes your bones. That has nothing to do with the cold water too.

It would be so easy to just turn back. To give up. To lead a happy life.

But then, as I’ve said, that would be turning your back to the thing that held you up. And it held me up for my whole life. I should give it some credit, at least. I don’t think I can live with the guilt of no guts.

Anyway, I would die sooner or later- might be now if I go on or as an old woman if I turn back. But if I don’t go on I don’t think I’ll get that happy life. I have to live with the guilt of failing that. Even if it is nothing to everyone, it is everything to me. I will be trapped in the prison of guilt.

A life without freedom is worse than no life at all. So with that, and the blue line shining brighter than ever, I continued on.

After swimming awhile, I shut my eyes. If I’m going to die, then I don’t want to see it. But so far I was okay. I swam on and on until I lost track of time.

My hands hit something hard. Startled, I opened my eyes. I could see the walls of the temple right there in front of me.

Oh. So the lake wasn’t enchanted, I thought as I hauled myself out of the water and stared at the steps.

The temple may turn out to be nothing at all, but I don’t regret my journey here. Sometimes the battle doesn’t take place on the outside against spells and cold water, but inside your heart with fear and doubt. So inside the temple may just be ruins, but it has taught me that you can go far for something you believe in. It may be rubbish to others, but it will always be magical to me.

Enough thinking. I still got a journey to finish.

The Light of your Dreams

This is my WATW story for this month. The picture I'm writing about, down here, can be shown in greater detail if you click it.

The door creaked open.

Seven year old boy Jacob stepped in the attic. It was dark and dusty, full of cobwebs and spiders. No one came here in a long while. No one wanted to. Things too valuable to be thrown out and yet too useless to be set downstairs were put here, where they lay forgotten.

Yet Jacob loved this place.

He feels the magic that surrounds the place, all the memories he had since he was a baby. It consoled him to be in this place ever since his father disappeared. They used to spend nights here, where they talked and laughed about everything.

He came here when he felt lonely, when there was no one there for him. This place always has been here.

Efforts of trying to rid this place of dust have been long gone, but Jacob didn’t mind. He cleared a space for himself and sat down, watching the spiders climb around. He smiled. This is where he belonged.

He did not know when he had gotten up again, but when he did, there was light shining through something covered with cloth. Thinking that his mother might be behind it and looking for him with a flashlight, he crawled over and took the cloth off.

He did not expect such a sight. It was not his mother, but however a painting that glowed off from another place… another world. He blinked. This was something that only happened in fairy tales. Apparently, it’s true.

He crawled closer and tentatively put his hand on the surface. To his astonishment, however, his hand went right through. Voices whispered to him. But he was not afraid. He knew what to do.

He took a ball of string and wrapped one end to a post, another to his body. He took the not-so-sharp sword his father made for him, grabbed a backpack full of food and water, and dived right into the picture.

He glanced backwards. There was his attic all right, and his string was still there. It’s like Alice in Wonderland. More like Jacob in Wonderland. Anyway, better get going.

He walked and walked, trying to reach the city with the mountains. He thought of his mom, who may be worried sick when he came back. He thought of his dad, encouraging him to move on. That motivated him.

Soon he reached the city. It seemed to be carved out of diamonds itself. It seemed majestic with its towering buildings and graceful arches. It was paradise, Jacob thought.

He did not know how right he was. It was paradise. The heavens opened the gates for him when he reached it, and he looked around wondrously. He wanted to get his mom here. He wanted to live here, and have a happily ever after.

Unexpectedly, he was pulled into a hug. Startled, he turned around… only to have his father’s smiling face looking at him.

“I’m so proud of you, son… you reached here…”

“I missed you so, father…”

Jacob’s father took him to where he lived. Outside there were smiling children playing happily and asking if Jacob could join them. Jacob’s father politely refused and stated that he may be able to next time.

When he was inside, Jacob was struck with how similar the house is to the one he just came from. His father noted this and nodded.

“Your mom may find her own way here, Jacob. You can’t go back. It’s paradise. I thought we could, but I was wrong.”

Jacob ignored that. “I will lead her here,” he said tenaciously, “I will show her the way to the attic and to this.”

Jacob’s father shook his head sadly. “She won’t see the light from the picture. It is not her time.”

“Does that mean… I’m dead? And I have to wait for my mother to come here? She’ll think I’ve disappeared like you?”

Jacob’s father tried to choose his words carefully. But none came out.

Jacob stood up. “There’s no way I’m leaving her, dad. I will come back here, somehow.”

His dad smiled at him. “You aren’t the first to say that, and won’t be the last. Everyone said that, and still they can’t go.”

Jacob was still determined. “I will go; I will get back. Nothing can stop me.”

His father sighed. “I’ve raised a boy to become so determined. You’re like your mother. All right, give it a try.”

Jacob’s face split into a smile. “I will be back, dad. I promise.”

With that he departed. He found his ways through the streets. The gates can’t open for him because it can’t let anyone out. But he was small enough to wedge through a hole and set off on his way.

He went back on the path and walked on and on, but he never found the portrait. It was at the end of the path that he stopped. What did his dad say to him so long ago?

You may not see your dreams, because they’re so small they’re nothing more than a tiny speck of dust. But it is so powerful it can create a new universe. Like God created the point that caused the Big Bang. Don’t worry; destiny is a string that will lead you there as long as you walk.

He stopped. His dream was to find his mother and take her here. It was so small. Destiny is a string that will lead you there.

The yarn.

He looked for it on his body, and it sure was there. It was just… small and almost invisible. It was the string of destiny.

He followed it and found where it was. The portrait was there all right, just so small. He stretched it until it was big enough to climb through.

He stumbled back into his attic, and he imagined his dad’s smile. He did not take the yarn off the portrait for fear that he might not be able to enter the place again. It turned out his mom just got home and was calling for him.

He woke up. The painting didn’t glow and it was still covered with cloth, and the ball of yarn was just where it was. It had all been a dream. But it didn’t matter, because it was a great dream. Now he had two choices- to go to sleep again and continue the dream, or to get up and chase it.

He got up.

*****

That's it... 1,077! May the Force be with you!

A Bright Center to the Universe

This is my Worth A Thousand Words story, and idea that began by Voronda Elda-Aranel. (Actually, it is 1,006, but I guess it'll do. Voronda's is 1,002.) I always had this idea in mind, but never got the chance to form it until now. "A Bright Center to the Universe" is, as you all know, a quote of Luke that got me thinking. So here we are. The picture of the month, which I will be writing about, it below. Hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to check out Voronda's in A Believer's Journey!

It all began with my birthday. I am sure of it... as sure as I can be. Everything was so extraordinary, I thought I needed to write it down, in hopes that someone will read it someday. Everyone has a story, a story that's the bright center of the universe. Their universe.

My name is Sirita. This is my story. The bright center of my universe.

As I said, it all began with my birthday. My fifteenth birthday, to be exact. It was the best birthday of my life. My friends knew exactly what to give me, and I knew exactly what to do. It was like I lived this moment before.

I am a Star Wars fan. Always been, as long as I can remember. I recall my first birthday, where I heard the sounds of zooming ships streaking to hypersapace. Of course, it was in a movie, but a magical one that got me into another galaxy. My parents named my Sirita, unknowingly that it was like Siri Tachi, my favorite Jedi. Even before I knew her, my favorite color was violet. Her blade color was violet. My hair is blond like hers. My personality, as I've been told, is like her. It's like I'm not pretending to be Siri Tachi, but I am Siri Tachi. In a world called Earth.

So. Back to my birthday. I had a very good day, just as every other time I celebrated my birthday. My gifts, of course, were things of Star Wars. I got an awesome new poster, Chewie Cake, Princess Leia's costume, a "lightsaber", Jedi Robes, Revenge of the Sith novelization by Mathew Stover, and many other things. Strangest among my gifts, though, was a black box about the size of my palms, covered in Star Wars style ribbons. I couldn't get it open, nor could I tell what's inside. There was no note. Not even a Happy Birthday wish. Nevertheless, all of this was truly marvelous. But I only knew the true meaning of "marvelous" when I thought my day was over, even though it was just beginning.

I hopped onto bed, replaying the events in my head. Wherever my mind goes, though, it always came back to the box. I tossed and turned, and then finally stayed still. I felt something... not just the box, but a connection. A bond. It stretched out for millions of miles, yet it was so small... and so big at the same time.

 I could hear the trees rustling outside my window... feel the texture of the carpet beneath my feet... see the waves crashing in the oceans on the other side of the world... smell the left over soup downstairs, and taste the sweet Chewie Cake finished an hour ago, and hear my own cheerful cry echoing in my bedroom walls. Time doesn't matter to me anymore... nor does distance or size... because I was nothing and everything. I was the trees, the carpet, the waves, the cake, and the walls. I was light and dark. I feel like I was one of them, yet I was dwarfed by them. I couldn't grasp it completely. I was a part of them, yet apart from them.

After all, I was me. Taking comfort in that fact, I let myself be guided by the flow. It all centers around... the box?! I wanted to go get it, open it, see what's in it, and use it. The temptation was overwhelming. Yet I allowed myself to quiet down, and sink deeper and deeper into the bond and flow. Closing my eyes, I reached out my hand, feeling its smooth surface and coolness against my skin. I opened it. It was in my hand.

Right now I thought I would have panicked, but oddly I felt strangely calm. I felt rather than see myself open the box as I flowed with the invisible waves. Inside... was a ball. Reaching deeper and deeper into the flow, I was no longer guiding my hands but let everything take over. The ball cracked and light spilled, swirling around and around until it formed a galaxy in my hands.

We are one.

Clunk. Sunk deep into the Force, Siri could hardly hear the sound of the metal opponent falling against the hard floor. She was one with everything. With the Force. The Force guided her legs into a kick- no, the Force was her legs kicking. It was her lightsaber buzzing and her sweat rolling, and also her droid opponent. Soon, though, the Force took away the Force, or rather, Siri took away the droids. Slowly coming back to her conscious self, she put her blindfold down and allowed the sun to bathe her face with sunlight for a moment before she adjusted her eyes. She found Yoda smiling at her, definitely impressed, knowing that this was her first time on this exercise. She could be a legend. Allowing Yoda's silent praise to fill her for a moment, she breathed it out and let it go like a Jedi she was. The Force was to be thanked.

She recalled the lightsaber construction ceremony. Put plainly,  the lightsaber in her hand was intertwined with everything through the Force- because it was the Force. We are one.

I blinked. It felt just like I dived into the bright center- the Capital of the Republic, where the Jedi Temple was. I felt like I was there. Oh right, of course I was there... I was the Force, and I was everywhere. I was Siri. Wait... I was the Force. I was the Force. It took a few moments to sink in. I blinked again.

I woke up. It had all been a dream. A really good dream. Sunlight was pouring in my windows, just as it had in the Jedi Temple. I looked up and saw the black box just where I left it yesterday night. I smiled. I knew that it wasn't just a dream, but it was the first time I had touched the Force.

**********

Whew! That took a long time! May the Force be with you!