Sixteen

I'll never forget the next couple of days after our journey to the Blue Mountains of Visu. Lennon and I were inseparable, our connection deepening with each passing moment. We found ourselves entwined in each other's arms every night upon our return, and I reveled in the comfort of it all. We spent the next few days in blissful seclusion at the cottage, our laughter ringing through the air as if we had been lifelong companions. Yet a pulsating electricity seemed to envelop us, begging us to savor every fleeting second we had left with each other. A deep sorrow bubbled beneath my skin, settling in my chest like a weight that refused to budge. The knowledge that I would soon depart for Anahate while he would remain in Visu was a constant torment, a reminder of our inevitable parting. But I refused to let it cloud the present. In this moment, I made a promise to cast aside the looming specter of our separation and cherish every fleeting second with him. As we set out towards the Temple of Truth, the only temple in The Dread, I felt a thrill of excitement. The temple was said to hold secrets and mysteries beyond my wildest imagination, and I couldn't wait to explore its ancient halls with Lennon by my side. The sun was high overhead, casting a divine radiance upon the temple ahead. The walls were a deep, rich blue that seemed to glow with an ethereal light, as if the very essence of the ocean had been distilled within its stones. The air was alive with the scent of pine and the sweet, crisp tang of ocean mist, transporting me to a place of wild beauty and untamed power. The sounds of the Visu choir, their haunting melodies and harmonies, seemed to echo from the temple walls, weaving a sonic tapestry that was both haunting and beautiful. Above the entrance, a simple yet elegant sign bore the temple's name: Veritas VIII, the letters etched into the stone with a precision that seemed almost otherworldly. The words seemed to shimmer in the soft light, as if infused with a power that was both ancient and timeless. I felt a surge of enchantment course through me as we approached. An aura of ancient, otherworldly magic emanated from the temple, seeping into my very bones and filling me with its power.I turned to Lennon, my eyes wide with wonder. "I can feel it," I whispered. "The magic, it's like it's calling to me."His gaze met mine, his eyes shining with a knowing light. "That's the magic of pure truth. It's a power that can only be wielded by those who are willing to confront the deepest, darkest corners of their own hearts."I swallowed hard, a flutter of nervousness taking up residence in my chest. "Is it fitting that I go in? I don't even remember the deepest, darkest corners of my heart."His expression turned serious. "We're about to find out. You need to be accepted by the temple. Our temples require a passage ritual to be passed once, and once you've completed it, you'll be able to enter the temple whenever you wish."My heart began to pound in my chest. A ritual? What kind of ritual? But before I could ask, he continued."Don't worry, Ace. I'll be right on the other side, waiting for you. You'll be fine."He reached into his pocket and pulled out his worn deck of cards, handing them to me. "Take these. If you feel unsure at any point during the ritual, just look at the cards. They'll guide you."I took the deck, feeling a sense of trepidation. "But I don't know what they mean," I admitted, flipping through the cards.He smiled, "Just go with your gut. Go with whatever you think it means. Trust your instincts. They won't steer you wrong."I nodded, tucking the deck into my pocket. Taking a deep breath, I turned towards the temple entrance. The massive stone doors loomed before me, their intricate carvings seeming to whisper secrets in the wind.His hand brushed against mine, a fleeting touch that sent a surge of confidence through me. "I'll be right here, waiting for you," he repeated.I nodded, bracing myself for what lay ahead. With a sense of determination, I stepped forward, the temple's entrance swallowing me whole. As I stepped into the temple, a maze lay before me, its intricate paths weaving like a serpent through the shadows. My heart raced with excitement and a hint of fear, the anticipation of what lay ahead coursing through my veins like a potent elixir. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, the walls humming with an ancient power that seemed to vibrate through every cell of my body. As I walked, the path split into three directions, each one shrouded in mystery and promise.A soft, whispery voice spoke in my ear, "Choose the path with the most flowers. It's the safest route."The words were gentle, yet commanding, and I felt a surge of trust in this unseen guide. I looked down each path, my eyes scanning the shadows and the light. The first path was dark and foreboding, the air around it heavy with an ominous energy. I could feel the weight of danger lurking in every step, and my instincts warned me away. The second path was narrow and winding, the ground uneven and treacherous. It seemed to lead into a labyrinth of twists and turns, each one promising uncertainty and risk. But the third path, the one with the most flowers, was different. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming roses and lilies, and the ground was smooth and inviting. The flowers seemed to glow in the dim light, their petals shimmering like tiny stars. It was as if nature itself was guiding me towards this path, promising safety and beauty. It almost seemed too easy. A pulsing sensation emanated from the deck of playing cards nestled in my jacket pocket, reminding me of the powerful magic coursing through them. I withdrew the cards and the 8 of spades immediately began to glow.*Just go with your gut. Go with whatever you think it means. Trust your instincts. They won't steer you wrong.*The only thing my gut was telling me was "uncertainty" leaving me unsure if the card was a warning about the flower path ahead, or simply a reflection of my own anxious energy. I stood there, torn between conflicting thoughts until the temple's enchanting voice magically replayed Lennon's voice.*Don't worry, Ace. I'll be right on the other side, waiting for you. You'll be fine.*I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. But the voice in my ear had been clear, and my instincts told me to trust it. With renewed determination, I pressed forward into the unknown, hopeful that I would emerge unscathed with Lennon's support guiding me every step of the way. The air on the path was sweet with the scent of roses and lillies, and the petals shimmered like tiny stars in the dim light of the temple. But as I walked, the flowers began to seem less like a gentle guide and more like a deceitful lure. I hesitated, the whispery voice echoing in my mind like a siren's call. It seemed so convincing, so reassuring, and there was no turning back now. The path twisted and turned, leading me deeper into a thorny thicket. The thorns reached out to snag at my clothes, tearing at my skin with a malevolent intent. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized my mistake. Each step I took seemed to lead me further into the heart of the thicket. The thorns closed in around me, their sharp tips piercing my skin like tiny knives. I tried to push through, but the more I struggled, the more entangled I became. The flowers seemed to writhe around me, their petals unfolding like tiny mouths that breathed poison into the air. My legs gave out and I reached for something, anything, to steady myself. But my hand latched onto a thorn-covered branch. Agony surged through my body, the pain unlike anything I had ever known, seeping towards my heart. Panic set in as I was trapped amidst a maze of twisted branches and withered flowers. The blossoms writhed with a life of their own, twisting and contorting as they advanced towards me with eerie determination, like a living nightmare. The poison threatened to overtake me, to drag me into its dark depths. Would this be my final breath, taken in this cursed place? The thorns relentlessly pierced my skin with each futile attempt to break free. There was no chance of escape. My fate was sealed and there was no hope of breaking free from this. But just when all hope seemed lost, the ancient temple came alive. An ethereal glow enveloped me, seeping into my very being and expelling all traces of the malevolent poison. The temple's potent magic banished the very darkness it had plagued me with and filled me with a mystical revitalizing warmth. I emerged from the tangled path, my head spinning and senses reeling. The thicket seemed to shrink back from me, its sharp claws hesitating as I stumbled out. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, my heart hammering with fear and confusion. And in a strange turn of events, the once lethal flowers now wilted in silent apology, begging for forgiveness for their previous treachery. As I stood there, a glowing ethereal orb figure emerged from the shadows, its presence emanating a serene calm that seemed to envelop me like a gentle embrace. The air was charged with an otherworldly energy, and I felt my heart slow its frantic pace, my mind clearing as if washed by a cool, crystal stream."You were misled by false information," the orb figure whispered, its voice like a soft breeze on a summer day. "A trickster, manipulating your perceptions. Remember, what you're told is not always what it seems."I nodded, my thoughts spinning with the revelation. How could I have been so foolish to blindly follow the beckoning call of a mysterious voice, in an unknown temple, in a magical realm? The blind faith I had placed in it now seemed like a childish simplicity. I suppressed the urge to internally berate myself for my gullibility.The orb figure continued, its words dripping with wisdom and ancient knowledge. "When someone lies to you, they're manipulating the information you have. This means you're making decisions based on false or incomplete information, which can lead to choices that aren't in your best interest. By controlling the information, the liar is controlling your actions."I felt a shiver run down my spine as the weight of these words settled upon me. Lying was not just a simple deception; it was a form of control, a theft of freedom. Experiencing it for myself, I began to fully understand the true weight and consequences of a simple lie. Blindly following such deceit could lead to dire outcomes, and that realization struck me like a dagger to the heart."Lying is controlling," it said, "and therefore, lying steals freedom." The words hung in the air, a solemn declaration that seemed to echo through every chamber of my heart. Suddenly, a mysterious pocket-sized book floated before me, radiating with otherworldly power. And with a soft, ethereal grace, the orb figure spoke again."Your gift," it whispered as I extended a hand towards the book. "Libertas est veritas, veritas est libertas. You may enter."The words were a mantra, a key that unlocked a door within me. I felt a surge of understanding, a sense of liberation and gratitude that came from knowing the truth. With those words, the shadows around us seemed to recede, and a path of light opened before me. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve and determination. I knew that I had been given a gift—a gift of knowledge and wisdom—and I was ready to walk the path that lay ahead, armed with the truth and the wisdom of the temple's words. Then my vision shifted, and the vibrant roses, glowing orb, and intricate maze vanished, replaced by Lennon's figure. He stood just a few steps away as if he had been there all along while I was trapped in that trance. His intense amber gaze drilled into me, filled with concern and worry.His voice was laced with apprehension as he asked, "Ace, are you okay?"But I was still reeling from the ordeal, my heart pounding in my chest. I scolded him, my voice sharp with frustration. "Why didn't you tell me about the roses? Why didn't you warn me?"His expression was apologetic, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "Everyone's passage is different," he explained. "The temple bases it off of each individual person and what they need to learn.""Well some sort of warning would have been nice." He apologized, and it was evident in the depths of his eyes, a silent plea for forgiveness. I couldn't blame him - perhaps a warning would have been enough to keep me from entering the temple altogether. But as I grasped the book tightly in my hand, my anger was replaced by an overwhelming curiosity.