Hetya, The Wise (2)

"Okay. I am DEFINITELY dreaming. I must be." She whispered to herself when a voice answered.

"I assure you, my dear, you are not dreaming."

"Who's there?!" startled, she continued to ask, "Can you explain to me what's happening, please? I don't think I can hold onto my calm any longer."

"You've been chosen Aurora Isla Mondragon."

When the voice didn't continue, Ara asked, "Chosen for what? I'm just an ordinary woman. Surely, there must have been a mistake. And how do you even know my name? Who are you? Is this even real?" she rattled on.

"I am Hetya. All will be explained when you arrive in this world. This world needs you. You must help it, if not, it will be destroyed."

"And dear one, you are no ordinary woman. You are my chosen. And I am NEVER wrong. Till next time."

"No! Please, don't leave! If I do help this world (which I highly doubt), will I be able to return to mine?"

"....."

"Please answer me." Ara begged.

"It depends upon you. Now, you must go. Be careful, my child. Pick whom to trust wisely."

"Wait! What do you mean it depends upon me? What do you mean?!" she asked looking around.

When no response was given, Ara knew that whoever this Hetya was, she was gone. Now, she was left suspended still with those lights.

She wondered if the voice meant that she would choose not to return to her world. That's just absurd. Why would she ever choose to stay in this strange world, which from the sound of it, is close to destruction?

Sighing and almost at her wit's end, she could only wait again. Suddenly, the chanting was back. And she was pulled downward. At last, she thought. I'll be able to get to the bottom of this and find a way home.

When she landed, she was atop a rock. And not just any rock. It was the gigantic one in the middle of the Arch of the Gods back during their tour.

"Am I back home? I mean, at Luchland?" she wondered. Even so, how in the world would she ever get down from there? Then, a tiny voice said to jump and assured her it would be okay.

She just arched her brow and pursed her lips at that. She might be taking this in stride, but she wouldn't jump off of a 5-story tall rock just because a voice in her head told her to.

Especially because a voice in her head told her so.

Then, something strange happened. She felt calm on top of that rock and actually contemplated jumping.

She realized she couldn't very well climb down since there were to ridges to hold onto so might as well. If that voice was as reassuring as it seemed, she just has to trust that. Since whoever is in-charge already put a lot of effort in dragging her everywhere, she thought he/she/it wouldn't let any harm come to her (yet).

Besides, she's still holding on to the fact that this was all just a dream. A REALLY VIVID DREAM. And no one gets hurt in their dreams, so might as well take the plunge, right?

"Talk about a literal leap of faith. I blame Sasha." Sighing, she straightened her spine and held her head up.

"Alright, then. Here goes." And down she went.

Ara expected to freefall fast, since you know, gravity and all. But she didn't. Again, she was floating. But instead of being suspended, she was slowly coming down to earth.

"This is just getting weirder and weirder" she mused.

Landing gracefully on her two feet, she felt giddy she didn't die just then because she imagined dying from that height is not a pretty sight. Even though this is just a dream, she added.

She was still musing this and didn't realize her surroundings. Looking up, she realized she wasn't alone. She was about to ask for help to get back to her hotel when she caught unto the atmosphere.

She was surrounded by people wearing garments that were worn by the priests and priestesses when they visited this area a few hours ago.

The strange thing was that it felt different. Very different. Aside from the fact that they're all kneeling, it seemed more realistic; more authentic. Like all these people live their lives like this.

Ara knew that she wasn't back in her own world yet. She didn't know how, but she knew. She started to talk when she realized that her outreached hand was glowing. Startled, she observed that it wasn't just her hand; her whole body was glowing.

Great. Just great. Now what? She thought.