::...Paths of Zardainia...::
You travel fast through across the prarie, you mind filled with warnings of this area, called the Land of Light. Normally
you associate light with all things good, but here you are told the light brings terrible things...that a rainbow beam
from the sky transports you away and you are never seen again...a shiver goes down you spine and you lookup at
the clear sky apprehensively...but the sky isin't clear, a large dark cloud has appeared on the horizon. Fear fills you, you try to
push it down but it rises again. You look behind you, towards the forest, safety. But it is a long way away, and the cloud is
approacing fast. To the sides mountain rear their ugly heads, towering cliffs hundreds of meters high make this valley a
two-way track only. Infront of you is another, deeper valley. The Valley of Carli, where you wish to head. it is heard to be
a place where many can find shelter. Your eyes travel upwards and you legs move fast, you seem to fly across the ground
towards the Valley of Carli, but the cloud is flying, and you are not. It worries not about about leaping over small
streams, running around rocks and the small stunted trees. You are the only thing moving except the cloud, and now it is
almost overhead of you. You stumble, and stop, staring in amazement at the cloud, which is hovering over you - but there is
no shadow. A beam of light drifts down from the center of the turbulent mass, and a small cry of terror catches in your throat
- the beam is a rainbow of colours, and it's coming
towards you! The beam is all around you now, the colours mingly and changing. You hear music, a soft gentle sound. Should
you be so afraid? Yes, you decided when you see a dark steak coming down towards you. Run! Runrunrunrunrun!!!! You mind
screams, and your muscles scream as you order them to rip you free, but the rainbow light has frozen you, and now the darkglow is
touching you, pulling you, you feet start to leave the ground and you struggle wildly. But it's to no avail, you are pulled up,
up up. You can see now that the cloud is a portal, you can see a blue ske and trees and grass...you are being taken to another
world!!!
The rainbow light dims, you are
travelling through the cloud now, the darkness swirls around you, and ugly mosters glare at you, try to attack you - but
now the light holds you safe, the rainbow colours have melted and the light is silver. Suddenly,
the cloud, light and darkness all dissapear - and you find youself in the Land of Light. For a moment you are totally confused,
then you realise this land is different. The mountains ring all the way around you, and paths snake up them and over into
the distance. A voice whispers in you ear and you spin around to see the speaker.
::...do not be afraid. you have reached the Paths of Zardainia. Here, you may choose you future. Your past
is forgotten in our eyes...::
You hardly hear the words she...it...speaks. She is made up of the colours, all
changing and never seeming to be the same. If you thought this was amazing, suddenly her form changes...the most beautiful
arabian mare you have ever seen, then a huge she-wolf, a female human, a she-bear, a hawk, a horse, a lioness - her form
never stays for more than a few seconds, her colours always changing.
"Who are you?" you manage to stammer, staring in amazement at the apparation.
::...i am the goddess Oriana...::
You bow your head nervously, deciding manners would be
appropiate talking to a goddess who had just taken you from your life.
"What do you want with me? Why am I here?" you fidgit, hoping she wont be angry
for you questions, and desperately wishing you had followed advice and detoured around the Land of Light. Oriana chuckled
slightly
::...you are here because of yourself. You are a soul that was brave enough to travel the Land of Light,
or so the mortals below have called it. This is the Realms of Zardainia. You have chosen and been to live amoung us...if you wish. You can find a home, a mate,
love, magic. but there is a price...::
she adds, watching you carefully with eagle eyes. You nod, you half expected
there to be
::...there is war in our land, between the horses and wolves and humans. Life is dangerous and there
is nothing I can do, it is not how it once was. Still many find peace, but war is always in the background. Oneday it will
not be so, oneday there will be peace. But I cannot wait that long - war has made our numbers few, we need new blood, and
only the bravest. YOu have proven youself brave by traveling land proclaimed dangerous, and now you are here to choose your
destiny...::
Human now, she waves a soft pale pink hand to the mountains around you, motioning to the paths that dissapear.
::...to your right is the path that leads to the Ranges of Equus. There the horses find santuary.
To the left is the Forests of the Crimson Night, where the wolf packs reside. If you travel down this valley you will find
the path that leads to the sea, and a boat waits to take you to the Islands of Toranta, where the humans live. There is also
a legend that down that way is a hidden path that only those who wish can find, a path that will lead you to a land of peace
where any species may find a home, but I cannot reveal if that is real...or just a legend. it is called the Isle of God.
If i am wrong and you are afraid to live in this land, go back. There will be a path that will lead you back to where this started. Choose, now before the paths
dissapear to keep this land safe from unwanted intruders...::
Her voice turns hard at the last bit, and with she starts to fade. Looking up at the paths you see they are fading too, and when
they dissapear they will never re-appear for you. Even the path back home is fading. Where will you go? Who will you be? You
will not be judge by you past, you will be born afresh - horses, wolves, humans or home? Choose quickly, or you will become
the Messenger, the one who stays in this valley and directs others like the goddess Oriana has just done to you. A life where
you will never die and forever be trapped between worlds.
::...choose...::
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