Celestial Collision : The Awakening

Unfolding Dreams

I could hear my grandma's words echoing inside my head, "Have an open mind, dear." Her voice had always been a comforting presence, a reminder to embrace the unexpected and view life with curiosity and acceptance. But standing on the rooftop, I struggled to keep an open mind. I couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes: the live version of my dreams, playing out in front of me as if they had leapt straight from my subconscious into reality.

A tremor began beneath our feet, vibrating through the concrete and sending a jolt up my spine. Elijah grabbed me instinctively, pulling me into a protective embrace. I could feel the strength in his arms, a reassuring presence as the world seemed to tilt around us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jake clutching his ears and yelling to Elijah, "This is it!"

Before I could process what he meant, the sky transformed. It was as if someone had split the heavens into two opposing realms. On one side, the sun blazed with fierce light, casting a golden glow over half the city. On the other side, the moon loomed large, draping the remaining half in deep shadow. It was a surreal sight, a celestial dance that seemed to defy the laws of nature.

A deafening clash rang out like the sound of two swords colliding in battle, echoing through the air. Elijah pulled me closer, one arm shielding my head and the other his, as if to protect us from whatever cataclysmic event was unfolding. The noise reverberated in my bones, and I shut my eyes tight, bracing for impact.

Then, suddenly, silence descended—a silence so profound it was almost tangible. We stood there, unmoving, as if time itself had paused to take a breath. Elijah released his hold, shoving me aside gently as he turned to confront Jake.

"Jake, how the hell did we get here?" Elijah's voice was frantic, laced with confusion.

"We're back, baby!" Jake replied, his face alight with an unsettling thrill.

I looked around, trying to make sense of our surroundings. The bustling cityscape had vanished, replaced by wild grass and towering trees swaying gently in a warm breeze. Panic gripped me as I realized we were in the middle of a dense forest, far from the urban environment we had just left. This was the place from my other dream, the one where I walked through an endless expanse of wilderness.

I fumbled for my phone, hoping to get a signal and call my mom or grandma. But the device was dead, the screen refusing to light up no matter how many times I pressed the power button.

"I need to check on my mom and grandma," I said aloud, breaking the heavy silence.

Jake shook his head, his expression somber. "Not possible."

"I need more than 'not possible,'" I snapped, frustration bubbling over. "Where are we? How did we get here? We were on the rooftop just a few minutes ago. The sky had both the sun and the moon—what happened? Did the earth disappear?" My voice rose with each question as I paced in circles, trying to make sense of the impossible.

Elijah stepped forward, stopping me with a gentle yet firm grip on my shoulders. "Sarah, listen. Both Jake and I are aware of the situation, but we can't explain everything right now. We need to get to a safer place. Is that alright, umm, Sarah, was it?"

"Sarah Seerstone," I replied, attempting to calm my racing heart.

Elijah's eyes widened slightly, and he exchanged a meaningful glance with Jake. "A Seerstone," he murmured.

Jake nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting to me with a newfound intensity. "That makes so much sense now—the missing puzzle piece."

"Do you know the Seerstones?" I asked, bewildered.

"The people who dream of the future," Elijah said quietly, his words tinged with reverence.

I was taken aback. I had expected some connection to a distant relative or a namesake, not a cryptic remark about prophecy. "How do you know that?" I questioned, my shock evident.

Elijah's expression turned serious. "As I said, this isn't the place for discussions."

"We need to move before we're caught," Jake interjected, urgency in his voice. He sprinted ahead, followed closely by Elijah. I hesitated for a moment before chasing after them, my mind racing with questions.

As we ran, the scenery mirrored my dreams exactly. Every tree and every patch of grass seemed like a déjà vu moment, as though I had walked this path a thousand times in my sleep. I remembered the part in my dream where the ground gave way beneath me. We hadn't reached that point yet, and I hoped I could warn the boys in time.

"I saw this exact scene in my dreams!" I shouted, struggling to keep pace with their swift strides.

Jake glanced back, his brow furrowed. "And?"

"The ground opened up and swallowed me," I explained breathlessly. "I don't know what happens next."

Elijah glanced over his shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with a reassuring steadiness. "We won't let anything happen to you."

His words were like a balm, soothing my frayed nerves and helping me focus on the task at hand. I pushed myself to run faster, determined to stay close to them.

"Faster!" both boys urged, their voices filled with urgency.

As if on cue, the ground beneath us groaned ominously. Cracks appeared at my feet, widening with alarming speed. Just as I braced for the inevitable fall, Elijah was there, grabbing my arm and pulling me forward with a strength that defied gravity. I was no longer falling but soaring alongside him, propelled by sheer will.

"Just a bit more!" Jake called out encouragingly.

We reached a cliff, and I barely had time to register the precipice before Elijah and Jake signaled to each other. With synchronized precision, they leaped off the edge, pulling me along with them. My heart lurched as we plummeted, the wind roaring in my ears. I squeezed Elijah's hand, bracing for impact with the river or rocks below.

In a moment of sheer astonishment, Jake's body began to shimmer and transform. Feathers sprouted from his skin, and within seconds, he morphed into a magnificent bird—a creature unlike any I had ever seen. His wings spread wide, catching the air with powerful strokes, and he swooped beneath us, effortlessly supporting both Elijah and me.

I gasped at the sight, my fear momentarily forgotten in the awe of witnessing such a transformation. Jake's bird form was a stunning blend of colors, his feathers shimmering with iridescent hues that seemed to change with the light. His eyes retained their human intelligence, a knowing glint as he carried us through the sky.

The sensation of flight was exhilarating, the wind rushing past us as Jake soared gracefully. I clung to Elijah, my grip tight but not out of fear. Instead, it was a shared sense of wonder at the surreal turn of events. Elijah glanced at me, a smile tugging at his lips as if to say, "See? We've got you."

We glided over the landscape, the river below a ribbon of blue cutting through the dense greenery. The world spread out beneath us, breathtaking in its beauty and vastness. I had never imagined such a perspective was possible, a dreamlike experience that defied all logic.

As Jake carried us safely to the ground on the other side of the cliff, I marveled at his grace and strength. He landed smoothly, setting us down gently before shifting back into his human form. The transformation was seamless, a testament to the mystery that surrounded him and Elijah.

Elijah's expression was a mix of relief and excitement, his eyes alight with the thrill of what had just transpired. "You okay?" he asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.

I nodded, still catching my breath. "That was incredible."

Jake grinned, his usual playful demeanor shining through. "Told you we wouldn't let anything happen to you."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the day giving way to a sense of camaraderie. This strange journey, though fraught with danger and uncertainty, had revealed a world I never knew existed—a world where dreams and reality intertwined.

As we continued our journey, I felt a newfound resolve. The dreams that had haunted me were more than just glimpses of the future; they were a call to action, a path I was meant to follow. With Elijah and Jake by my side, I knew I could face whatever lay ahead.