We materialized in the night. The moon was bright, much like yesterday, but it shone brighter. Millions of sand grains held my weight up. The sand stretched out as far as the eye could see. It resembled a sandy beach, yet it was completely unlike one.
"Is this a desert?" I asked.
"Of course," Akios answered.
There was only one vast desert at the other end of the world, far away in the east. There wasn't much written information about it because it was too remote and inhospitable for people to visit. It wasn't even on my travel plan. I circled it as something I'd pass by if I found myself close.
"We're at the end of the world?" I asked.
Akios looked at me strangely before he spoke: "The world has no physical beginning or end; it all circles around. "
I imagined it, a giant ball that contained everything... but people usually expected an endless landscape stretching in all directions, never ending, too vast for a person or even a witch to explore... there were maps but it was said that the corners were incomplete since they couldn't cover and sea no human was ever meant to see.
A cool breeze carried the faint scent of moonflowers. They were unique on nights such as this one. Sadly, they weren't in sight, but if we explore around, we'd be bound to find some. As we walked, I noticed the dunes shimmered faintly, pulsing gently with magic light. I ran to inspect it, but by the time I got there, the light had disappeared.
"Magic appears and disappears on its own here," Akios said.
The magic had a strange feel because I couldn't detect its source. It simply existed.
"Explico," I tried to analyze it.
When I looked back, I noticed that Akios was standing behind me with a moonlit flower. I came closer to examine it since I could feel faint magic from it too. Its large, white, fragrant flowers opened completely and glowed in the night. The smell was mesmerizing, better than any perfume I've ever smelled.
When I took the delicate flower in my hands, a path filled with glowing flowers appeared. They shook in the wind, and leaves swirled around us. They all connected to Akios's tower. It was built from pure white stone with multiple pointed, slate-roofed spires that gave it a whimsical silhouette. Orange light spilt from arched windows, creating a cozy contrast.
Akios remained emotionless at the sight because he must have seen it at least a dozen times, but I was excited, so I rushed towards the immense door. The scenery changed a bit upon coming closer, but the air of mystery remained the same. Ancient runes swirled magically along the stone walls. Trees full of heavy leaves that made them twisted and overgrown vegetation appeared as decoration.
"Hello!" I yelled as I opened the door.
"I live alone," Akios quietly said from behind.
Darkness greeted me when I looked inside.
"Let me be the host," Akios walked into the darkness in front of me.
"adsjk" With his word's darkness dispersed and a cozy, warm atmosphere of a fancy guest room appeared.
Fluffy blankets on strange-looking giant chairs and beds meant for sitting made the room welcoming for relaxation. There were a lot of pillows one could use to support whatever body part they wanted. The dominant colour of brown leather perfectly contrasted the black wall paint. A tall spiral staircase led to the upper floors.
"Who designed this room?" I asked.
Akios looked at me, puzzled.
"That is the first thing you ask?"
YOU ARE READING
Calytrix's Journey
FantasyCalytrix is a young witch who just turned 20. As is customary for all witches of her age, she must leave her home village and explore the world. She journeys to find her own place within it and a purpose, but magic is declining and only a few witche...
