Still, It Rains...

I died many years ago... but still I'm alive, left to wander the now abandoned Kingdom I once cherished. I'd had many memories in this place, memories that were precious to me, but now they are only bittersweet.

When I had died, it rained... still, it rains. An endless cascade of water, sometimes it will only be light, a mere drop here and there, other times it will be a storm. However no matter what it is, it's always there. Mocking my pitiful existence.

I turned my eyes to the river that once held small trading boats... that was not the case anymore... no one visits this place, for it has been wiped from existence... who would remember such a sad excuse for a Kingdom? My gaze moved towards the wooden port, I remember running up and down it, trying to guess what flag would adorned the next trading boat. Now however the port lies collapsed, moss eating away at whatever is left of it.

I turned my back on the river, that I had once wished to ride on, and use to explore the world... how stupid of me.

Before me, lies a Kingdom sat in ruin, it had been tucked into a crevice amongst the mountainous jungle. The walls had been collapsed from relentless attacks, originally the Castle walls had protected me... however there's not much that stone can do after years and years of constant attacks...

I walked the cobblestone streets, moss and plants had taken over the entirety of the small Kingdom, out of one house a large Magnolia tree, sits triumphantly, its roots winding their way into every crevice. Such a sight I would have thought to be beautiful, a strange contrast between nature and mankind... but now I feel empty.

I look down, there are small puddles collected in sunken cobblestone, the drops of water falling delicately with small plip-plops. My eyes look to the cloudy sky, although I'm in the open, I feel nothing. Not the drops of water that seem to hit every other surface, nor the cold cobblestone beneath my feet. I'm only a ghost, something that wanders without reason... why am I still here? I can still feel the cold metallic blade twisting in my gut, as that person smiled wickedly... betrayed by someone close to me. What a way to die.

As I made my way wistfully through the streets, towards the Castle I watched the light fade on the horizon, the rain clouds sat comfortably in the sky, continuing to sprinkle rain down as they wished. I felt so unbearably alone. I'd searched everywhere but there's no one else. No one even comes here because... why would they? There's nothing here anyway, just a lone ghost.

My arms reached out to grip loosely onto the handrail of the large stairs that would guide me to the Castle before me. It didn't matter if I fell, I wouldn't get hurt... what more could they do to me? I just felt a comfort within the small action. Like a sense of normality.

Slowly I made my way up all 158 stairs towards the Castle Gardens, before me a large Bodhi tree sits centered in the middle of the garden, what once had been vibrant green... now is dead. The flowers have wilted, the grass has died. It confused me at first, how could only this garden be dying when the plant life in the rest of the Kingdom remains freshly watered. However I'd spent many years pondering the question without an answer, so I just accepted it.

After passing the once symbolic tree of our Kingdom, I stood in front of two large doors, they were made of dark oak wood, engraved into the doors were ancient words, winding vines and branches.

Slowly I pushed my weight onto one of the large doors, after years of rain, the wood had soaked up all the moisture... only adding to its immense weight. With a groan I moved the door enough so I could squeeze through one of the gaps. Unfortunately I realised awhile ago, ghosts don't have to ability to walk through walls... so the normal route it was for me.

Finally after hours of winding in and out of corridor after corridor, I finally arrived at the smaller door now, that would lead to the back of the Kingdom. A place I adored, now though I only feel bitter, my bare feet moved forward slowly, as if I were wading through a tar like substance, every step was a struggle. Maybe it was all in my head. Maybe I just didn't want to face the absolute truth. Truth be told I hadn't stepped into the Castle gates since I died. It just felt wrong.