Eclipse of divinity

Allies In Shadow

After months of rigorous training and exhaustive studying with Dr. Raphel and Juda, the culmination of our efforts reached a crescendo as he beckoned me toward a shimmering portal crackling with arcane energy. With a sense of anticipation coursing through my veins, I braced myself for what lay beyond, stealing my resolve for the journey ahead.

Without hesitation, I entered the portal that looked like a vortex surrendering to the unknown, with a mix of trepidation and exhilaration, the air crackling with the promise of adventure and discovery. As I emerged from the other side, the world around me pulsated with an intensity that left me breathless, a testament to the power of magic and the boundless potential of the realms beyond.

The lush green forests covered in a misty fog appeared out of nowhere. In a state of confusion, I looked around to see whether I was dreaming again. I pinched myself but couldn't feel anything on my arm; it was bizarre. I decided to move forward, leaving the thought of whether it was real or not behind, and moved forward. The breeze carried with it a unique scent that seemed more like an amalgamation of wildflowers, sending a chilling sensation through my body as I suddenly felt cold. I was wondering whether my newly discovered powers had the ability to teleport me to distant lands without my knowing, as I suddenly found myself surrounded by snow mountains and enormous trees.

Where am I? Is it just one of those lucid dreams where I cannot easily distinguish reality from a dream?

I moved forward to see if I could look for any sign that would indicate where I was at the moment. I walked past a small wooden bridge that looked a bit worn out due to moisture from the lake underneath it teeming with life. I walked without stopping for a few minutes to look for a clue, and suddenly, I came across felt leaf willows.

"I think I know where I might be," I said in a louder voice, this time as I held a willow in my hand. "It's Alaska."

I knew willows, a kind of moose, a widespread plant species in that region, and was able to instantly guess my location. The place looked hauntingly empty but somehow had a surreal feel to it as I walked across the lush green lands surrounded by snow mountains in the distance and teeming lakes. I quietly moved forward to confirm that I was actually in Alaska, as it seemed familiar. I had once gone to Anchorage, Alaska, with my dad when I was a boy, and I remember the landscapes looked similar to the ones I was witnessing.

After a few minutes, I was able to spot a signboard and a road that was still about two miles away from where I was standing and had no cars at this hour of the day. The spectral silence didn't bother me, and I felt calm and moved forward toward the board. I had to walk two miles before I could read what was written on it. For some reason, the signboard kept getting blurred, and I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't losing my sight. In a moment of panic, I walked steadily, and my intent to read the board immediately grew stronger.

Finally, I reached the road, and the signboard said, 'Anchorage 70- Alaska Highway.' I was right. I knew the place looked familiar when I first found myself amidst the mountains and the green valley. I waited for a moment there to see if any car was passing by so I could ask for a lift and see if they had a phone to call Juda and tell her about my whereabouts. I was still confused about whether it was real or merely a dream as I tried everything to wake myself up; nevertheless, it didn't seem to work anymore.

I decided to drop the idea of waiting for any car and moved along the road to find other ways to reach out to Juda. As I was walking, the blistering cold Alaskan weather started to show its true colors as the sun gradually set, and it seemed the new clouds on the icy mountains were in a concert to pour rain on my head while I had no warm clothes with me. I rushed to find shelter before it got darker and the temperature dropped even further.