Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Just a little heads up guys the next few chapters will contain lots of dialogue.

"Are you ready?" the lady asks. I simply nod. Each takes my hand before tangling theirs together. They then look up. I'm not sure what to expect but I stand there waiting. I could feel the cells in my body lighten up as if they were being broken down one by one. It doesn't hurt, however I shut my eyes unsure of what's going to happen. My ears only catch the sound of birds, a calm breeze blowing calmly past my face.

I can smell the fresh mossy scent of the one place I once called home, the forest. The rhythmic sound of rushing water as it flowed in one direction crashing onto the rocks that stood in their way. My lids slid up and always my sight to take in the surroundings one would fall in an enchantment. This was part of the forest I had not been to, scenic and pure, with the sun shining high above us. Right in front of us was the river. Then I recalled.

"H...how?" I asked curiously not at all frightened, "All it took was a blink of the eye."

"you don't have to be afraid w-" the other lad says. I had not seen their faces yet since they were still covered by their veils.

"No..no, I'm not afraid, rather I am fascinated," I reply excitedly. "I am aware of my gifts I just want to lessen my burden. I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Trust us by the time you are done with your training you will be a new being," they assure.

I watch the two ladies raise their hands towards the river. I'm keen to see an invisible wall appear in a wave. They lead the way stepping into the water and walking across it to the other side. I follow behind them and get to the other side. As a normal human being would, I look behind, extra precaution, they call it. The most peculiar thing that happens next is my jaw-dropping. Looking behind has me seeing like I'm standing at the same spot I was initially. I look over my shoulder. I am within the same environment as I was. This was some amazing treachery.

"How is that possible?"

"This place was created to take after a mirror, it will seem as if you are going back to where you came from but in a real sense you are moving forward," one explains. "It's meant to confuse intruders who are not welcome thus making it hard to navigate us without proper guidance the spells used are enough to drive a man to insanity."

"What about the other people?"

"To normal people, once they cross the river they just get on with their business and head over to the southern boundaries ." the other explains, "The water which we stepped in acts as a purifier, a mark of us leaving the ugly side of the world. It also acts as a medium for enhancing the spell. To us that water is a treasure to any other normal person it's just plain water." I tagged behind them taking in the sight unfolding ahead of me.

We had tracked for a few miles through the forest, which had me lifting my dress to prevent it from being caught in the branches and tearing, till we came to a clearing filled with settlements. There were cottages well-built surrounded by enormous trees. We drew closer to the village which had people around my age sure little children were lying around and playing with a few middle-aged men and women.

"so what are the rules here?" I ask.

"Not getting into a relationship is the main rule for teenagers until they are twenty-five moons old, no stealing, we have a bell system, each has its meaning but you will get to know of them with time, some are just the obvious things."

Some males were tending to the farms, another bunch was chatting others playing around. I could see some steal glances our way as we walked past and whispered amongst themselves. Everyone who was in view was dressed in white. We halted in front of a house set aside from the others. One of the ladies knocked at the door. A middle-aged woman came forward once the door opened up dressed in black attire.