Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

The Realm

We curiously peek our heads through the little wooden door frame.

There are no shadows chasing us and nipping at our heels this time. We're just two children free to explore for as long as we like.

Naoko looks at me, and a wide smile crumples up her face, her eyes bright and full of joy. I know we're both thinking the same thing.

"Let's go," I say, and for a second time we enter the strange land.

A faint golden hue fills the tunnel. It's almost as if the seasons have changed, and a cold winter night is now a grey spring morning.

Following our previous path, I occasionally lean over to study our tracks, playing the ranger in our fantasy land. I once catch Naoko smiling warmly at me as I enjoy my adopted role. She blushes when our eyes meet.

"Do you think we'll be able to enter the cave again?" I ask Naoko.

She looks at me oddly, "why wouldn't we?"

"The shadows destroyed everything," I reply simply, returning her look.

"Oh, that," she pauses, "I guess we'll find out!"

A cluster of light up ahead excites and confuses me at the same time. If there is light that means the entrance to the waterfall cave probably still remains.

But how could that be when I saw everything, including this very tunnel, collapse around us?

Naoko starts humming when she sees it. Her smile never wavers, as if she knew it would be clear all along. The list of questions tumbling in my head continues to grow.

As we get closer I can make out the gaping cavern. There is no hint of what happened last night; no tumbled rocks, no blocked tunnel, no shattered stalagmites.

Stepping out into the cave, my eyes soak the sight in again as if seeing it all for the first time. A heavy grey fog rises from the water and rolls along the ground. Rays of light slice through it in many places like a dagger piercing darkness. There is no sense of danger, no shadows whispering to us.

Crickets and frogs call from the waters, and the pretty songs of small birds chirping surrounds us. There are at least a dozen down here nesting where they can.

The trees seem greener than last night, the new light giving them a greater sense of life. Small animals dart about; it almost seems as if they are playing tag. Subtle changes in their shape, markings or color only highlight the other-worldliness of this alien escape.

"This place is always so beautiful," Naoko whispers to herself.

I remain silent. We carefully look around when we reach the spot we were dragged away last time by the shadows. There is still no sign of any danger.

Alia pokes her head out from Naoko's backpack inquisitively, before jumping out and landing gracefully on the ground beside us. Immediately distracted by a red butterfly that darts between flowers, she pounces off to catch it, lightly hopping between large lily pads and mossy ground.

Laughing, we follow as both the butterfly and Alia dance between a maze of wild flowers and grass.

As we explore the area in its entirety we learn the cavern is more a mix of subterranean cave, lush swampland and secluded river. The water flora is as varied as the many small creatures we come across while chasing Alia. They dart out of our way and hide, but every now and then curiously peek out to watch us on our adventure.

Fortunately for the butterfly, and the sanctity of this place, Alia never manages to actually catch it. Even if she had I doubt she would have caused it any harm. After a solid chase, it bounces off behind one of the larger trees and follows the light upwards to fly outside. Following its path as it glides away, my eyes widen.