Looking around in a daze, I notice several hidden figures around the ring of trees. Each of them wears an ornate, wooden mask with vibrant swirls and patterns of bright yet soothing colors. I look in their direction and they retreat back into the forest, disappearing into the foliage.
Well that’s kinda weird
I stand up and take in the surroundings more thoroughly, gasping in shock. There floating islands miles up into the air, dozens of them. Surrounded partially by clouds, with waterfalls cascading down the sides. The flowers in the clearing rock back and forth in gentle rhythmic motions, leaves twirling in currents of wind that seem to flit around at random.
“Hello?” I call out, “Who are you?”
No response. Whoever was wearing the masks must been gone, or in hiding.
“Please,” I beg, “Can someone tell me where I am? I’m a little lost,”
No response.
With a sigh, I begin walking through the forest. I hear rustling far deeper, but keep walking. Whoever they are, they must still be around, watching me. I keep walking and see another clearing up ahead.
Maybe there’s something over here?
I run over to the opening and hear rushing water nearby. My feet hit stone as I burst through the tree line. It’s a cliff. A massive, plummeting cliff that leads off the floating island i must be on. A waterfall pools off the lake in the clearing, and there’s a figure sitting in the water on its knees. I approach and see a slim woman in a flowing, white dress. Eyes closed, head down in peaceful meditation. Her maroon hair in a tight braid, centered perfectly and resting on her back. As I make it to the edge of the water, I accidentally dislodge a rock and caused a splash. She opens her eyes.
Sharp, vibrant, violet pupils take me in about ten feet away.
“So,” she begins, her voice as smooth as honey, “You’ve arrived.”
“What is this place,” I ask, still marveling at the islands in the sky.
“Your new home,” She replies. Rising to her feet she steps over to the cliff edge, where the water plummets off the island. She motions her hand, summoning me closer. I stand in the water beside her, the cool liquid rushing around me in a dash towards the cliff edge.
“It’s a world in between worlds. A place outside the boundaries of time and space.” As she says this two of the islands collide together. Instead of crumbling into pieces they pass right through each other, giving off a brilliant display of light and wisps of energy.
“How is this possible?” I ask. Perplexed by this dreamlike landscape.
“It isn’t possible,” she shrugs, “But yet here we are.”
A violent roar comes from below, like the core of a planet grinding and screaming in pain.
What the hell was that?
As if reading my mind the woman responds to my question.
“That is the wound, and it’s growing in strength.” she points down towards the surface of the planet, to a gaping sinkhole shrouded in plumes or smoke. Eruptions of fire explode from within the depths.
The woman shifts her face towards me, violet eyes radiant with hope. As if she’s been waiting for this moment for milennia.
“Welcome to the Rift.”
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