Same place. Same woman. Same silence.

I find myself here, yet again. She sits in the same position as always, dangling her feet at the edge of the cliff like she doesn't fear the fall.

As if the ocean below isn't waiting to swallow her whole.

Once again, I am helplessly drawn to her. The way her hair flies with the wind, as if tempting me to hold one of her short and wavy strands. 

Oh how I wish I were able to brush through her dark, silky hair. 

My eyes then fall to her expression. Eyes closed, she breathes in the salty air. Her eyebrows furrow as she holds back her tears, allowing only a few to fall. 

Leaning back on her hands, planted firmly in the grass, she exhales a strained sigh.

Shades of indigo and violet bleed into the sky as if mirroring her sorrow. She sits below the stars, her silent witnesses who gaze upon her beauty, just as I do.

Once again, I find myself longing for her to see me. 

For her to feel me touch her hand. 

For her to hear my voice. 

For me to hear her voice. 

And yet, as always, it's as if I'm a ghost in her moment. As if I'm only meant to observe her pain.

Slowly, the edges of my vision blur, carried away by the sounds of the crashing waves below. 

I shift quietly as my dream slips away. Stretching under my sheets, the sun peeks through my window.

I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling while the thought of her lingers in my mind.

Question upon question piles up in my head.

“Why does she plague my dreams?”

“Why can't I get her out of my mind?”

“Is this dark sorcery?”

“Why am I infatuated with this goddess-like woman?”

Pushing my thoughts aside, I groan into my pillow and rise from my bed. 

I drag myself from the warmth of my sheets and move through my regular routine: shower, neaten my hair, contemplate my life while staring in the mirror — you know, the basics. 

Soon enough, I make my way down the hallway to the front door, only to stop and greet my parents walking towards me.

“Don't forget you have a meeting this afternoon with the city ministers,” my mother ordered as she walked past me. 

She didn't even ask where I was heading to, she just assumed I was off to make mischief in the town. 

“Your coronation isn't far, son,” my father added. “Try to act like it.”

Ouch, now that one hurt my soul.

I nodded and moved out the front door, breathing in the fresh air I loved.

Making my way downtown, I moved swiftly through the city street before the traffic started. 

Merchants set out their products, children ran barefoot through the winding paths and the smell of breakfast was in the air.

Not gon’ lie, I was hungry, but aside from that, let's move on.

Moving towards my destination, I glanced up at the city barrier which could be seen from a distance. 

A shimmering blue wall which protected us from harm for many years.

I made my way up the rough stepping stones, climbing the path wrapped around the hill like a vine. 

As I reach the end of the path, I exhale a breath of exhaustion and push my way through the door of the little cabin.

“You’re late.”

I automatically smile as I hear the weathered voice.

“Were you waiting for me?”

I replied with a playful grin as she rolled her eyes.

Removing my coat, I walk over to hold her hand and guide her to her seat. Once she was seated I hung my coat on the rack and fixed my pitch-black tie neatly on my shirt.

“Did you see the girl in your dream again? I can tell by the glow on your face.”

I scoffed at the elder's statement and sat on the floor in front of her chair.

My bad, I forgot to introduce her. Granny, that's what i call her, is our city’s elder. 

A city elder is a key source of security as they are the wisest and most powerful mages ever known. 

Elders are responsible for naming babies through visions they get about the child's life when they hold them…

However, granny holds a greater deal of power than regular elders from around the world, she is the main source of magic which upkeeps the barrier around our city.

Even though she is an elder, I see her as a grandmother, as she raised me to be the man I am. 

I cherish her a lot and I'd like to believe that she cherishes me.

With her old age, I visit her much more than often to help ease the strain on her fragile body.

But my main drive is to gain her knowledge and wisdom, that's why I’m the second most powerful in the city, second to her of course.

At the beginning of the year, five months ago to be exact, I started getting dreams about my goddess and well, I told granny about it.

I thought maybe she could give me some answers as to why this woman plagues my dreams.

However, she refuses to give me answers and whispers the exact same lines whenever I ask her about it.

“The past is alive. Destiny is near. I will teach you all I know, my child.”

Sure, it gets frustrating, but I fear that I may not want to know the answer to her riddle.

Sitting across from granny, I scanned her face which was already observing mine. 

She looked… Different from normal.

A bit… troubled.

Before I could question her, she spoke up, “Child, allow this old woman to bore you for a while.” 

My eyes softened at her saddened expression. Something was wrong and I could feel it, but I let her talk.

And she began….

“My child….

Let me tell you a story that remains within my generation…

It's the story of the world, so listen carefully…

Long ago, before the walls and barriers, this world was free and peaceful. 

Our planet is called “Seren” for a reason, my child. 

It was named after serenity, the state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled.

Our world is split into five major continents and they each have a trait that makes them unique:

Sylvara, located in the North and known for its extremely cold temperatures, however, it's a precious land filled with many rare gems and gemstones.

Nivara, located in the South and known for its love for nature and the wilderness. On that continent, the plants grow freely and they produce many medicinal herbs. 

Thalvaran, located to the East and it's the toughest Continent of them all. There they are known for their weaponry and extreme knowledge in combat. Most weapons used by great warriors were made in Thalvaran.

Aurelan, located in the West and is known for its intense mystical power. This is where most go to learn the skill of prophecy. I went there when I was younger to learn from the elders, as it was my dream to become a powerful mage just like them.

Finally, Seravian. Now this continent is located in the middle of all the other continents, and it was used for the people of all the other continents to combine with one another. For this reason, it is called the Central or Capital of our planet.

Now, our city is located on one of the minor continents. The minor continents go as:

Sylvara Minor to the Northwest.

Nivara Minor to the Southeast.

Thalvaran Minor to the Northeast.

And Aurelan Minor to the Southwest. (This is where we are located)

Now, as I stated before, our planet was peaceful, however, when I was just a teenager, all the major and minor continents received a warning that our peace would soon be disrupted. 

A warrior, who looked to be in her mid twenties, showed up in our city demanding to speak to the rulers.

She was beautiful but she had sadness and fear in her eyes.

As soon as the rulers met with her, an urgent meeting was held with all the ministers. 

I remember it clearly.

I was the student of the Mystic Minister so I was allowed in. 

She sat at the head of the table and spoke in a serious tone. She stated that we were the first she visited. 

She wanted to ensure our safety and work with us to cast protection upon our continent. 

However, she needed a powerful mage to assist her in up keeping and casting the protection.

Everyone knew it would be a dangerous procedure to whoever took the role, and I believe that was why no one offered to help. 

She was frustrated and I was willing. So I offered myself.

A smile of relief spread across her face. I was so stunned at her expression.

From then on, for an exact week, she worked with me, teaching me all I needed to know to cast and upkeep a barrier around our continent.

It was a strenuous process and I knew it would take a serious toll on my body, but I was ready. 

After all, a minor continent is significantly smaller than a major continent, so I definitely knew I could do it.

After the week, we went through the process of casting the protection, and it was a success. 

I had finally gained my purpose and I gained a new friend as well.

Unfortunately, once her job was done, she was forced to leave to assist the other continents.

I wrote to her everyday, using magic to send her letters.

However, one fateful night, we felt it, the world felt it. Evil was unleashed for just a second, but then it died down. Its presence wasn't as strong.

We all knew it was thanks to her, our warrior, but she didn't stop the evil completely, she just weakened its power for a long time.

My child, after that fateful night, our warrior was never seen again. 

I still sent her letters in hopes of a reply, but my efforts were in vain.

However, I believe she is still alive, for she would not go through so much effort to die without completing her destiny.

My son, it's been one hundred years since that event. The time which I fear is closer than ever. Evil is regaining its power. And so, I say to you…

The past is alive, my child . With this, I have taught you all I know. Your destiny is near…”