Zudratora - The Story of Fantasy

Chapter 1: Soul Guiding

      The fall has since passed, the trees leaving naked branches to the eye. Their frosted decomposing leaves of browns and greys laying upon the frosted forest floors. The sun was no longer bright, its rays there for the comfort of the soul. Perhaps it was better than darkness. But darkness would have been more truthful.

Rivers were meant to be beautiful, something free-flowing that survived all outcomes. They bared sustenance for the aquatic creatures, they provided water for the forest dwellers. They were a light of hope for those who no longer had it. For those who no longer had the shimmer in their glossed over eyes; the smile on their crestfallen lips, or the eagerness to prosper. It gave hope to the hopeless, it gave saving graces to the less fortunate. But not all rivers survive what they are forced through. Like all things... sometimes... they freeze.

His eyes were dark, a mysterious green, murky like a swamp, but dark like the trees. His lips were parted as if to say something, but no words ever found their mark. His lips were chapped, bitten, and torn, scabs crested over the soft light pinkness of them. His jawline was sharpened, but not because of genetics, his cheeks were sunken and his eyes as well. Perhaps he would survive, he always hoped when he was little. But now he had come to his senses, he no longer had hope, the shimmer was gone, his soul was depleting. He had given up. His eyes watched the river from the window of his hospital room, watching as the ice settled and froze the weeping waters in a place like his heart. His eyes watered but no tears escaped, he had no more left to give. Had he let it win?

"Raiden, my dear come from the window, it's too cold to be from the bed." The soft chirping of a voice called from behind his figure. His eyes were cast to the floor before finally, his head turned to the woman. Her eyes were kind, but filled with sadness, it was clear she too had given up hope though she would never say it. "Roe... will I ever leave this place...?" His soft voice carried, his brows turned upward in curiosity and fear. Her eyes cast down, hiding her emotions before she looked back at Raiden, her eyes beaming with false confidence. "Of course! My dear... just a few more treatments... it will all be alright..." She promised. But he could tell, he knew his time was limited. His eyes looked toward his hospital bed, and then down at his worn gown. He bit at his lip before turning to her. "Cancer always wins..." He said hushed. Tears swelled in her eyes before she rushed over to gather him in her arms. Holding him tight.

Roe knew that even if, he was to beat cancer, it would come back, he would be sick again, never be a normal kid. And not that she would tell him, but his parents also gave up. They had another baby boy to love and cherish while their firstborn suffered, alone, and afraid. With only the beeping of the equipment to entertain his lost thoughts.

As the night had passed on, he lay in his bed, wires connected at many places on his chest, his arms, and his hands. He had grown used to it, constantly being stuck by needles. Or asked what his pain was. It had been such a long time since he had eaten, liquid food, flakily telling his body that he was full. Though his stomach rumbled angrily every few minutes reminding him of his hunger that was never satisfied. Raiden was 17, he grew up a healthy kid until the age of 15 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had been in the hospital ever since. Seeing his parents once in a few months as of their infatuation with the new baby.

Watching the ceiling his eyes came heavy, breathing slowing to a few per moment.

Darkness clouded his eyelids, as black was all he could see. A light shimmering like a swirling portal to another dimension standing in front of his scared body. He shook gently. But it was just a dream... right?