Wanderer

The Start.

     To those who wander... we start on a planet with magical forests and creatures never before seen. We adventure through highs and dangerous lows. We swim through the clearest waters and in the darkest of seas. To those who wander... you will soon understand really quickly what this adventure is all about... This adventure isn't just for the destination! This adventure is for the lessons and the growth along the way. Enough of me...

      Let's begin...

      POV- Wanderer

      I had no shoes on this planet. No socks. I felt the soft, wet, drench vegetation beneath my feet. I heard the sounds of the birds chirping in the canopies above. I couldn't believe my eyes. What a wonderful sight to see. Today the forest was real foggy, so there wasn't much to be seen. The moment the fog clears, the beauty of the forest comes to life. I believe the forest is filled with many things. The forest teaches one lessons, failures, hopes, and indescribable dreams. That is one of the reasons I decided to start my adventure out here. There is magic in the beginning and not many negative sides yet. We get to be curious first, and that I believe is the magical part.

I dragged my feet onwards nonetheless. My clock dragged along the wet vegetation beneath my feet. Many hours had gone by before I ever spotted any light outside of the mist.

      There I had met my first friend.

      He stood there in the mist with the golden sun peaking through. I could see the outline. There were small horns and a short, brown tailcoat. His eyes looked like the woods; brown, green, and hints of gold.

      A guardian of sorts he was for sure. He reached out his hand as the mist disappeared.

      "Hello," he smiled at me.

      I didn't know what to say at first. I had multiple layers on, yet no shoes. I wore a mask with small slits to see out of and to keep my identity secret.

      "Greetings," I waved slightly back.

     "What brings you here? Are you just passing through?" He stepped forward.

     "Not necessarily," I shrugged and took a breath. "Just wandering per usual."

     "How long have you been wandering here?" He took another step.

     "Only a few rotations," I simply replied.

      "Am I allowed to show you this land?" He reached out his hand again for me to grab. "I would really love to show you."

      "I would be happy to," I smiled and grabbed his hand gently. "But first I'm going to need a name from you. Can't take tours from a stranger now can I?"

      "Would telling you my name make any difference?" He tilted his head in confusion. "You hardly know nothing of me. My name will only do so little."

      "Knowing your name is only the beginning of turning you from a stranger into a good friend," I replied.

      "You make a good point," he sighed and chuckled a little. "My name is Pax. Nice to meet you. Mind telling me your name?"

      "I don't mind at all!" I smiled behind the mask. "Just call me Wanderer. Yes... that should be just fine."

      He gave me a confusing look.

"Wanderer? Is that even a name?" He folded his arms.

"I would like to say it is," I smiled.

"Wanderer it is then," he sighed, turned his heel, and walked the other way.

I followed Pax through the clearing and up the hill. The air felt fresh, like the new beginnings we always take for granted. This time however, I wasn't going to take the new beginning for granted. I had already learned plenty of lessons and planned on learning more. One can only learn so many lessons until the individual dies.

I couldn't waste my time drinking up lies and wasting the truths. I had to take in the truths. Truth comes in all forms. Truth can be a blade or a comforting peace of moss. It was all a mystery. The same truth forms can be the same as lies.

Pax must've noticed my silence, because he began to make conversation.

"Where did you come from?" He cleared his throat.

"I'm not sure the answer to that question. I go from world to world, star to star, and lesson to lesson. I simply just formed consciousness somewhere along the way," I simply replied. "How about yourself?"

"That makes no sense at all," he sighed in slight annoyance. "I just came from this planet here. Simple as that."

"Interesting to hear," I replied back as I kept hiking.

     "Hey look," he paused and took a breath. "I have to go. Maybe I'll see you another time."

      "I understand. Time is beginning to pull you away I see?" I looked at him with a small smile.

      "Time has a way of doing that. Flying by without a word, yet sometimes taking forever. Time is always at the same pace. Interesting yeah?" He began to turn away from me.

     "You're right. I won't say any more now. Go along and we'll find each other sometime again." I waved at him as he began to walk away.

      "Yeah... Maybe another time."

      ***

     And that was that. I was alone to wander the wishing woods once again. Welcome to the start. The start is very simple, but soon to be complicated. The start lives forever, but the end nobody remembers. Everyone always sees the beginning. The end only you can see. You see your own life flashing before your very eyes. You see your failures, relationships, friendships, adventures, lessons, and many more. It all comes together and we finally realize something. The beginning must be simple in order for a dramatic ending. What ending will I come to? Will I come to an end? How will I ever know...

     You see... thats why I love time. Time is something we cherish and admire after it's gone, just like the people we love and care for on a universal basis.

      Right back to the start...

       Simple.