LMS VII: The Gateway To The Kingdom

I had an idea what to write for some time, and I'm happy that I can bring her into this competition.

Time zone: Central European Summer Time (CEST)

I'm looking forward to your comments, impressions and constructive suggestions.


Good day/night to you all, arr me mates


SylvanusGrace

LMS VII - Week 1 (June 15-21, 2026); Word count: 1047 words

​I.

They've fallen down on their faces when the Great Birth has happened. It was mesmerizing and stirring moment, their beings were shaken to the core. It was a new beginning, for them and for the future. The moving of the soil, shaking of the rivers, seas and trees, bellowing of the animals. All of it, all of them, was part of the Great Birth. And they, they were the Ones Who Stood And Looked. Lights flashed, night and day were changing rapidly and Time stood still. They've felt it.

"This is beautiful," she said.

"I'm afraid," he added.

And both of them felt each other. They've felt amazement and fear. They also knew that there are not enough words for this majestic event, and yet, both of them were full of impression. Furthermore, they've been made The Oshakad Companions. He wanted them to be there, to see, to follow, to witness.

"Why us?" he asked her.

"Well, I don't know," she replied to him.

The Great Birth had its own rhythm. It moved silently, it spoke loudly, it gifted abundantly. Life was given abundantly. Trees danced, rivers sang, seas jumped, and animals were looking at the Great Sky. Stars shone in the night, and during the day waved to the animals, and the animals answered with joyful cries. One would say that birth is woven with pain, but the Great Birth was different. There wasn't any pain, no tears, only joy. Both of them knew that, not by mind but by heart, and yet, their minds were enlightened. Everything is participating in the Great Birth. Even Those Who Stood And Looked.

"Something is resonating inside of me," she said to him.

"Yes, I can feel it. I can feel its pulse." His hand was on his chest, right in the middle.

"Listen," she continued. And they both listened. Amid dancing and joy and joyful cries of the animals was something. Silence. And peace. It was spreading around like calm wind. With their eyes closed, they've dreamed and in that dream they saw their destiny and the destiny of those who will come after them. Destiny of sacrifice, of bravery and of change.

The Ones Who Stood And Looked will always move forward. The Oshakad Companions must walk on the way that is before them. These puzzling words were spoken to them not from the outside but from the inside. It left them perplexed and with certain unease. They sat and put their faces on the ground. In that position they remained for some time. The words they'd heard still resonated with them. Both of them decided to build a small hut on a place where they were witnesses to the Great Birth. This small hut was a place of remembrance, of Companions, of the new beginning. Behind the veil of their closed eyes remained a dream, a dream of moving forward, a dream of walking on the way that is before Companions.

Both of them knew, the Great Birth was not a bad thing, and it was not just a beginning for someone else or something else, it was also the beginning for them. But a certain feeling of lingering threat stood, and it was not caused by the animals, nature, stars or sun. There was something else, something that stirred up the hearts of both Companions.

"Why do I sense the constant thread of incoming danger?" she told him worriedly.

"I think of something else."

"What?"

"We're no longer just The Ones Who Stood And Look or just The Oshakad Companions, we've become The Verontos," he replied calmly.

"Verontos? The ones who are guarding children of the Great Birth?" she added, yet she was visibly surprised.

"Yes, I think so. I can feel it. Can you?" he said while holding her hand.

She stood there for a moment with him while he held her hand, trying hard to feel it. And it resonated within her quietly and continually. She had felt the calling. Both of them felt it like a fire that burnt them, and the sensation of burning pain spreadon the upper side of their left trapezius closer to the intersection of the neck and the spine. The pain lasted for some time and then, suddenly stopped. She saw on his left trapezius symbol: two v letters joined together in the shape of a rhombus and in the middle of it the great letter O.

"You have this strange symbol on you," she said.

"Where?""Here, let me show you," and she touched him on the place where the symbol was.

He thought he would feel pain, but there wasn't any. She turned her back to him and asked: "Do I have one also?"

"Yes." He gently touched her symbol and, with a slow slide, went over her symbol with his hand.

"We have the symbol on the same side, haven't we?" she concluded correctly.

"Yes."

"This, then, must mean something?" she continued.

"I don't know."

"Well, I intend to find out," she said confidently.

With dedication, they prepared themselves for the search for the answer. After all these marvelous happenings, after being witnesses to the Great Birth, they've become searchers, of answers, of destiny, of that path that was laid down before them. They've embarked on this journey not knowing what they will find or what it will ask of them to do. They did not know anything at all. And yet, the urge to find answers drove them forward. They must know the meaning of those mysterious inner words and the meaning of that symbol they carry on themselves.

"Do you know where we need to go?" he asked her curiously. It had been a few days since they'd left their hut. They have been walking for five days in the direction of her inner feeling, her inner navigation. She couldn't explain it rationally, and yet, somehow she knew and she was following it.

"I need to stop, I need to reach inside," she told him as she sat down on the forest ground covered with grass.

"Of course, do you need anything?" he asked caringly.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"I'll go and fetch us some more water."

"Alright, I'll be here."

And he went forward into the forest to find some stream with fresh water. She sat on the forest ground while listening to the soothing sound of nature around her, calming wind, whispering trees, joyful birds, buzzing bugs. Life was breathing abundantly in her and around her.

LMS VII - Week 2 (June 22-28, 2026); Word count: 1145 words


The stream was making a pleasant gurgling noise, and it was going forward on its course. He saw it and went to it. Something was special in this stream. Among its movement and its pleasant gurgling noise, there was something like a gentle whisper or more like a gentle whisper-greeting. At first, he couldn't hear it, but as time passed by, it became more clear.

"Hello and welcome, Verontos," it was said mellowly in a whispered tone.

He stood for a moment and was surprised by the events that had happened.

"Hello?" he asked with curiosity. The symbol on him was making a tingling sensation.

And there was a brief silence which mellow whispering voice broke.

"It is a honor to meet the Verontos, guardian of the children of The Great Birth," a mellow, whispering voice added.

"Who are you?"

"I am the stream, Agau, and you are looking at me." The movement of the stream became more lively, and the pleasantness of the gurgling noise became more appealing. It looked like a happy dance.

"Agau, it's my pleasure," and he bowed down deeply. "You wouldn't mind if I took some of your fresh water for my companion and myself?"

"Ahhh, yes, the great she. Of course, you can take fresh water. We are so happy that you two are with us. The great Verontos company is always welcome. And please send my greeting to her."

He took his wooden flask and put it in the body of Agau, taking some fresh water. First he drank the water and after that he refilled it again.

"Is this hurting you?" he asked with some worry in his voice.

The mellow, whispering voice of the Agau turned into laughter, but not into a mocking one. This laughter was one of joy when looking at someone's innocence.

"No, great Verontos, you are not hurting me. You are very kind. As you can see, I am always being renewed by the Great One," Agau continued. "Don't you worry."

He felt relief and some confusion mixed with amazement at the mention of the name "the Great One". He didn't want to ask who "the Great One" was.

"Thank you very much for your help." He bowed down deeply as a sign of gratitude to Agau.

"And please, be careful. Until our next meeting," said Agau playfully, yet in his voice there was something else mixed with playfulness and joy, it was a tone of vigilance, vigilance for danger. Both of them parted while he was waving to the Agau, who went on his way. He turned back and walked through the forest by the same way with which he found Agau. He was puzzled by so many things. Who is this "the Great One"? Careful of what? Isn't this a peaceful land, isn't this a paradise? Why did the symbol produced such a strange feeling while I was interacting with Agau?, his thoughts were jumping to and fro. He was trying to find an answer to these questions, which proved to be challenging.

His walk back to her was long, but it gave him more time to think about all these questions that were going through his mind. A gentle breeze was blowing, and he felt it on his face. It was refreshing because the day was hot. He could hear at some brief moments silent and mellow greetings: "Greetings to you, Verontos." All these greetings produced a tingling sensation which source was the symbol. It felt strange and yet, somehow, he understood that all of this, him, her — that all of it is in its rightful place. I cannot grasp it now with my mind. And what will the future bring? These thoughts were his comforting companions, little rays of hope from which he learned that some things can be answered, that some questions do not remain questions forever. At first, his steps after parting with Agau were faster, and with time they became slower. Mellow voice whispered again: "Full of care you must be, the enemy knows that you are here. Watch and beware." And the feeling of uncertainty jumped in this innocent heart of his. It made him scared, but he was able to control his fear and not give itself to it.

Instant silence enclosed the forest for it seemed that she was not free, free to be herself, to be friendly, to be joyful. This silence wasn't the silence that brings peace and rest, it was, rather, the other way around. Unease crept into her. He knew something was odd. Yet he remained composed, he stood and watched what would happen next. He moved slowly and carefully, watching his every step. Then, after intense silence, the twigs broke. And there was a noise of ethereal steps violently stepping on the twigs and beating loudly on the forest ground.

Growling sounds were being made: "Where is he, Sylvana?" and growling continued.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Sylvana replied.

"Do not play with me, Sylvana The Forest. I will burn you down," a growling voice replied exasperatedly. "Tell me, where is he!?" the voice howled furiously.

He saw a burning sword. It was burning with fire of malice, fire that destroys, fire that devours. An ethereal figure with a growling voice looked like a man, but his head wasn't human at all. It was a black and white flame, hollow eyes inside the fire with no visible mouth on its face.

The ethereal figure thrust the burning sword into the body of a tree, and it began to burn. Sylvana cried in pain. He felt the pain, the anger, the fear, and he knew that he must remain hidden because Sylvana was protecting him.

"Ryfren, you couldn't hear even if you wanted to," replied Sylvana, panting in pain.

"Oh, I can hear very well. You know I can," a mad look was being poured out through his hollow eyes while the flame was burning wildly. He pressed his sword more deeply into the tree. Sylvana cried in pain.

"Where is the Verontos, Sylvana?" he asked with maniacal calmness.

He was hidden, feeling fear and pain more than anything. The symbol burnt more and more.

Move forward, you are the Verontos. He heard it clearly inside himself. Move forward, become the Helper. He started to move. Twigs snapped and Ryfren and his group sensed him.

"Find him, he is near," said Ryfren. And the hunters began their search for him. Ryfren pulled out his flaming sword out of the tree. Sylvana felt deep relief.

"Do not disappoint me, for next time I will kill you," and he cut a big branch of a beautiful, tall and slender birch tree which was then set on fire by the sword. Sylvana wept, for her pain was great.

He started running towards her, he wanted to help Sylvana, and yet he felt an obligation to warn the other Verontos. I must do something, I cannot stand idle, he thought to himself while he was moving through the forest.

Liminality wrote:

Spoiler

Hi there! Oh these excerpts are super interesting. The narrative voice feels unique, and I like the idea of the stream and the forest being named characters. Best of luck with LMS!

Thank you for your kind comment @Liminality I wish you great upcoming week arr me mates

LMS VII - Week 3 (June 29 - July 5, 2026); Word count: 1057 words

His symbol radiated pain through his body. I must move forward, I must do what is right. His resolve became stronger as fatigue was fading away. Strength and speed flowed through him. He could hear Sylvana’s crying, but in a different way, he heard it inside himself. His sense of direction was so strong that he knew where he was going amid all those trees. He returned to the place where a slender birch tree was wounded heavily by Ryfren’s sword. Sylvana’s crying was heartbreaking. Birch was still burning. Touch birch’s body, pulsated in his mind along with the pain from the symbol. He extended his right arm and touched the body. His hand was resting inside the fire that consumed one great part of birch.

Sylvana’s crying had stopped, and she spoke to him: “Why have you returned? It is dangerous to be here.”

He remained silent. His right hand was still in the fire. This fire did not burn him.

“Please, please, hide. We will survive somehow. You are in danger,” she begged him.

He didn’t answer her. Something strange has begun happening. Fire had a different effect, reverse effect. It began to heal damaged birch. Her bark was renewing. From the bottom all the way up to the top. Sylvana watched in amazement. The branch that was cut was growing again, young, strong and beautiful. He didn’t know what happened, he just felt the need to act, to touch and it had made all the difference.

Sylvana was grateful to him for his noble deed as she began her song: “I will sing about the Verontos. Join me, ye habitants of the forest, sing with me. His hand was different, his touch was gentle. His thoughts were of peace, not of war. He did not abandon. Rather, he returned to mend what was hurt, renew what was destroyed.” And Sylvana sang this song joyfully in his honor. He felt peace. His calling pulsated in his being, his feelings were amazed by all these wonderful things that he is seeing. He took little rest in the shade of the renewed birch tree. Friendly crows brought him fresh fruit and some berries in their beaks. He ate and drank some water. He then stood up, bowed down deeply to Sylvana and the others, touched the ground and left in her direction.

Deep unease crept again around Sylvana as she sensed Ryfren returning to finish what he wanted to do in the first place.

“I’ve heard that you had a great celebration today. Isn’t there a cause for mourning?” Ryfren said sardonically as he approached Sylvana and the birch he hurt gravely.

Sylvana remained silent as she watched his eerie steps ignited a small fire on the ground. Ryfren stopped at one point of his walking. “Go and cut down that birch,” he said coldly to his subordinate. As his fellow companion moved toward the birch tree, at one point he was frozen in place. He couldn’t move or speak. “Ah, I see,” added Ryfren contently. “Who can now defeat the great and mighty protection of the Verontos?” he continued sarcastically. He then drew out his flaming sword. It was a dreadful sight. He then whispered some strange words to the sword and then threw it with great force towards the birch. It flew with great speed and then stuck at halfway to the birch in midair.

Ryfren’s flaming sword set the air on fire, and this fire started nibbling the invisible protective layer that was protecting Sylvana and the others.

“You think your evil magic can stop Them?” Sylvana spoke sharply to Ryfren.

“Give me your arrow,” he said to the other hunter who was there. Hunter pulled one arrow out of his quiver and gave it to Ryfren. He took the arrow in his flaming hands and started whispering evil magic to it. That arrow now became magically imbued with darkness and fire. He threw it in the same direction as before. Arrow struck the invisible protective layer and started to paint it darker so that it could be easily seen. Fire was now being spread by sword and arrow. Sylvana trembled with fear because she knew dangerous powers of evil magic.

“I will do what I’ve said. I will kill you,” Ryfren said coldly.

Sylvana panicked inside herself. This is the end, she thought to herself.

“When this protective layer falls down, kill them all,” Ryfren was looking with satisfaction the fear that permeated Sylvana and the others.

Help will come. These words resonated inside Sylvana and the others, and they fought a great battle with their fear and despair.

He sensed Ryfren and his darkness and felt the call for help. Move forward, become the Helper. Move forward, the Verontos. He started running in the direction of Ryfren’s darkness. His arrival was expected by the ones who plotted the destruction of Sylvana and the others.

“At last we meet, the Verontos,” Ryfren turned towards him. His ethereal figure was malevolent, his flames ready to devour the Verontos.

He stood firmly and watched, he didn’t answer.

“You’re not the talking type?” Ryfren continued.

“Let them go,” he answered Ryfren.

Ryfren put his flaming hand in the air and whispered words of dark magic. The flaming sword returned to his hand as he started to move towards him. Take water from your flask and put it into your hand. He opened his flask and did what he was instructed to do. Throw it in the direction of Ryfren and his hunter. As he made his throw, water split itself into small balls that flew at such high speed and with such strength, capable of destroying stone in a matter of moments. These balls hit Ryfren and the other hunters and did them great damage.

The symbol was pulsating during the battle. It somehow made him focused amid all his fears and his inexperience in battles. Shards of fire formed in Ryfren’s left hand. These shards had two sharp tip and edges, emitting fire. He threw them at the Verontos. The Verontos repeated the action from before and threw water at the shards. They collided and made such strong wave that threw both Ryfren and Verontos to the ground behind them.

LMS VII - Week 4 (July 6-12, 2026); Word count: 1097 words

Touch the soil beneath you, the inner voice instructed Verontos, which he obediently followed. He put his hand on the forest ground and, at that instant moment, the soil became a small dagger in his hand. The Verontos was now standing up and looking at Ryfren who was getting off the ground. The Verontos was full of dedication, ready to battle his dreadful foe. Ryfren was maliciously smiling at the Verontos. Ryfren’s flaming sword was ready for battle, emitting dark fire around him. Whispers of dark magic were told to the sword and a fast throw of the sword was being performed by Ryfren. Throw dagger multiple times, instructions were being continued. And Verontos did that, he threw a small soil dagger at Ryfren’s flying flaming sword. Dagger flew and ricocheted off the sword. The sword continued its flight towards him. He repeated multiple throws. All these daggers ricocheted off the sword again while the sword moved forward with great velocity. In the heat of the battle, he didn’t notice that in his hand was always a new dagger after his throw. All daggers that he threw were returning in his direction. I’m going to die for sure this time, he thought to himself. Sit on the ground, now. Instruction was clear and urgent and he did that. All these returning daggers now formed a protective line that blocked the straight path of the sword. Verontos looked at his hand where he held a soil dagger and there wasn’t one.

That protective line of daggers crashed with the sword. The force of that crash stopped the sword’s movement in midair. Protective line now entangled swords all around his handle and blade. There was great shaking of the sword and now the daggers morphed into some kind of hand that took the sword’s blade and slowly pointed it in the direction of Ryfren. Throw the water from the flask at the sword. As the small balls of water hit the sword, it flew right past Ryfren with great force and speed and pierced his magical pauldron on his left shoulder. The magical pauldron flew away and was disintegrated in mid-flight. Ryfren looked at his left shoulder and then back at the Verontos.

“Seize him now, would you!?” he barked at his subordinates. No answer or action came forward. “Where are you!?” Ryfren was furious. “You are not bad, young Verontos,” he continued composedly. “Such a waste of your talent,” he put up his hand in the air and the sword returned to its own master. He started to move really fast towards the Verontos in order to murder him. At halfway, he was flung back so hard that he froze in place for some time.

“You must warn the other Verontos, go now!” Sylvana urged him. He listened to her and went forward to find her. The battle was over. And Ryfren, he had just vanished into the unknown, planning revenge, planning a new hunt.

He did not hesitate, his running was now different as he felt fatigue from the battle and pain from the symbol that was being decreased as time went forward. Tiredness came over him. His running became sloppier. During the run, his right foot slipped on the forest ground, and he fell on his back. It was an unpleasant experience. Well, it’s not that bad. I need to rest, he thought to himself as his eyelids were slowly closing down due to his exhaustion from all these events before. At the edge of falling asleep, he was struck hard from inside. Inner blow to his being. Get up! Find her. Go now! These instructions gave him energy amid all that fatigue, and he got up and continued to move forward towards her.

Her breathing was slow as she was feeling the surrounding nature, all that vibrant life that was pulsating around her and inside her. She felt connection. Connection to the world, to herself, to the Verontos. In and out, out and in, her breaths were doing slow walks and dancing to her rhythm. Soft forest ground was touching the tips of her fingers as her relaxed hand rested on it. The world now seemed bigger as the vivid green eyes of Verontos looked at the tips of the forest trees. She was resting and feeling while lying on her back. The forest ground was a good place to rest, she felt no threat from it.

A slow feeling of sensation came from the symbol. At first, it was tingling. Small, almost pleasant tingling, but as time passed by she felt the pain that spread throughout her body. It stung her, and she couldn’t get up from the ground. She just laid there in pain, unable to move. All her efforts to move resulted in a spasm that made everything worse. One pain is shared between the two. These inner words left her confused. “Shared between the two”? “One pain”? What does that mean? Her connection to him was still a mystery to her, and yet, the feeling was there, the feeling of elusive truth, the feeling that connection is real. The words “pain” and “shared” occupied her mind and anxiety started to creep in. Is he all right? Is he hurt? This “one pain” must mean something? And this “sharing between the two”, if I’m feeling it, does that mean that something happened to him? Feeling of anxiety did not falter. If only I could move. I want to find him. Her resolve was fighting off the feeling of anxiety. I want to move. I WANT TO MOVE!!! Her will was making move doubled by her resolve. Inner strength was battling anxiety, pain and the effects of spasm. She felt the return of physical strength in her body. She, now, was able to sit on the ground, although it was not easy.

The pain was still there, crawling through her body. But her senses were getting better as they could feel more both from the outside and the inside. Only at that moment did she understand how crippling the pain was before. The sound of running was echoing in her ears and in her mind. Turning around her did not help her because she was limited by the position of her body and by the pain. She could not see much. Her focus shifted to hearing and on the inner sense. Loud running steps, this was the sound that she heard.

LMS VII - Week 5 (July 13-19, 2026); Word count: 1027 words

We will survive somehow... You are in danger... You must warn the other Verontos... These words she understood among other sounds of shouting, crying, blast, yelling and falling. It was for her a pretty chaotic inner experience. She could not understand what was happening, what was the meaning of all these sounds and words. Maybe it is somehow connected to him, to us. I don’t understand it at all. Who will survive? Who are they? Insecurity filled her heart. And with her recovery from the pain, it made everything slower and heavier. She tried to focus again, to find inside herself strength to move forward. That was the cost of calling, the cost of being the Verontos. Bravery and fear, pain and peace. They are mixed together, but Verontos can overcome fear, defeat pain. All the more, in a mysterious way, the Verontos can find direction towards the good and power to battle for it.

And yet again, the sound of loud running steps were ringing inside her. These running steps were like the herald of the news. She did not know what news they would bring. She was hoping for something good and yet, she understood that it could also be something bad. These moments for her were those long weighty moments, full of uncertainty. I need to focus, I cannot let my fear dictate the outcome of me. That resolve, which has helped her before in battling the pain, has gained momentum again. I cannot let my fear dictate the outcome of me. This thought was her strong jump forward in this inner battle of hers. She listened to her interior rhythm, her inner beating. Focus was pushing her towards clarity. She pushed and pushed...

I cannot let my fear dictate the outcome of me... These words were the last ones that she could remember. Now, before her was darkness and she felt still. She was there, in that darkness, waiting, resting, longing for something. Connection... connection... That word echoed in her being. She heard it clearly, wanting to extend herself to it. Stillness embraced her tightly, it filled her spirit, the spirit’s breath was clearer, uniformed. Different, in the difference, you will find... newness. In that stillness she found herself, in a mysterious way. And then... just silence. Her innerness was silent, and she was there, in her repose.

Many moments of silence were passing as she couldn’t move. That same place where she felt pain, there she was, now without conscience. From the outside perspective, she looked like someone who had suffered a terrible injury, that was the consequence of the pain that struck her intensely. On the inside, it was different, she was different. She did not run away from the pain, she fought it. She did not embrace fear, she threw it away. Her calling was making her better, and she somehow knew that. The children of the Great Birth are not separated from both of the Verontos. They participate in the sufferings of both of the Verontos and vice versa. A gentle breeze was trying to alleviate her pain, mending her hair by its gentle touch, giving refreshing help over her tired face.

Ravens were helping her in their own way as they took water in their beaks and gently splashed it on her hands, face and feet. It helped her body. Forest cats were guarding the area around her so that she could remain safe. Jackal brought her branch from the shrub of the blackcurrant so that she could eat. They all tended to her. They cared for her. The children can do what is in their power. And they tried and tried. They knew how valuable she was, how important she was and how important her duty as the Verontos was. Trees were making shade over her so that she could be protected against the heat of a day.

As the stillness was moving around her, amid darkness, she felt connection. With him, with ravens, fox, breeze and trees. That connection appeared to her as a small spark of light. Her inner eyes were focused on that little spark, following it up and down, left and right, in circle and its playful rhythm. Eyes on the light... find the connection... don’t give it away Thoughts were coming as instruction to her, and she obeyed them. Can I move? Can I move towards the light? Her inner dialogue with herself crystallized inner movement. As she continued to ask the same question about moving towards the light, she moved forward in its direction and with greater speed as time passed on. When she was at a distance that was less than her extended hand, she reached with her fingers for the light and suddenly everything stopped, including her.

The feeling of the breeze, splashing of water, croaking of ravens, all these sensations and sounds gave her reassurance that she was alive. As her eyes opened, she saw this marvelous scene where nature takes care of her, ravens and fox and branches of blackcurrant. Breeze was giving its gentle support and trees were doing their best to minimize heat. She was really surprised by all this happening. “What? What is this?” her voice carried a mixture of surprise and drowsiness which was a byproduct of her deep mysterious sleep. All the animals and trees and breeze were standing still before her. They did not make any sound. At one moment, they just bowed down to her. “What are you doing?” confusion was visible on her face. They just remained in their posture. “Please, please,” she made her move towards them. She gently touched the bark of the tree, the head of the fox, and the beaks of ravens. “Please, stand up, do not bow to me,” she continued calmly. “You are not servants, you are friends,” there was hidden joy behind these words as she seriously took all of them.

That touch, which she used as a sign of gratitude to them, was a breaking moment where her inner strength was poured out. She reached them with her spirit and a connection happened.

LMS VII - Week 6 (July 20-26, 2026); Word count: 1121 words

The connection, her outpour of strength, all these marvelous things had happened and, after that, she could not remember anything. As she reached for them, feelings and connection were clear, clear inside her, clear inside her mind. She was happy while feeling fulfillment from the connection she formed. Bringing her face down to the ground, her breathing was steady and slow. All these pictures, all these interactions, all of it made her different, she was not the same person as before. Maybe that is the price of the calling. Or the price of answering the call? Her thoughts were reaching for the answer she could not discover at that moment. What will the future bring, I wonder? I don’t know the answer and I wish I had it. Her bright mind was not naive, it was rather keen, but in the face of great mystery can any mind remain keen?

For some time, she was in the company of ravens, fox and trees in union with the gentle breeze. She was glad that she could spend time with them. Before all this, she couldn’t understand any of it. It remained a mystery. And now, new worlds have opened and she is looking at them. It was wonderful, it was amazing, it was full of awe. It inspired her to reach for more, to look more deeply inside herself. So many impressions, so many feelings, her mind and her heart were walking a great distance. She was hoping that both of them could survive all these feelings and impressions. Strength and courage were also the inspiration and all of that was hidden behind the veil of shyness.

She lifted her head up. Where is everybody? Her face was visibly confused. There weren’t any ravens nor fox nor gentle breeze. The trees were silent. Tapping into the connection did not help. Again alone. But that did not bother her. Peacefulness was embracing her being as she composed herself while waiting for him. Falling asleep was easier than before. That dream was different. She was walking on the shore of the beach. Her elegant figure in white toga was gracefully stepping through the hot sand. Smell of the sea, roughness of the sand, gentle breeze, her skin, sprinkling of water on her hair. All these sensations were so strong that she was enchanted by all of it. She closed her eyes while she was absorbing the moment. And that moment was blessed. She felt blessed.

Her steps became slower as her eyes opened. Her joyful look was looking at the vast sea and the long beach. In the distance she saw him. Both joy and excitement danced with her heart. He was moving towards her with slow and gracious steps. His upright stance and shy smile were tiny in comparison with her enthusiasm for seeing him. Nevertheless, she was shy in her own expression and this dream was no different. As she moved towards him, her steps became slower and heavier and her vision blurred. Somehow her senses became confused and all these joyful feelings faded away. Fear crept in. What is happening? What is this? No, no. Attempt to compose herself wasn’t successful. And then an instant change of scene happened... suddenly night appeared, and his body was struck by waves of the sea as it laid on the sand. She approached it and, to her horror, it was a lifeless corpse. Paralysis overcame her as she fell to her knees as her face looked at his body. Who can stop the pain? Who can conquer death? These questions pounded her mind. The connection has been made, can it ever end? Her dream abruptly ended and sweat was covering her whole body. The inner state of her heart and mind was scared. In the quiet night she sat there, trying to compose herself.

She was there alone with her thoughts, her fears and her hopes. Is there any person who is immune to the state of vulnerability? Serious question she asked herself. But sometimes it is more than. Sometimes, even those who are outside the Kingdom, outside the grand battles, outside the magical world, ask the same question. Sometimes, I wish I was different. Stronger, more decisive, less vulnerable. Her introspection continued. Do not blame yourself, young Verontos. You were not chosen because of your successes. You were chosen because of your pure heart. This thought was something else, something like inner speech directed towards her.

“What is happening to me?” she whispered to herself. Shivers were moving down her spine. Never forget who you are truly. What you carry inside can show you the way. Pure hearts see the light. They carry the joy of the Great Birth. They are its heralds. Remember who you are, Verontos. Inner speech continued its address to her. She focused and listened. Remember who you are, Verontos. Inner speech stopped as she was feeling some kind of relief to her pain. She returned to her sleep again. And she slept in peace.

She couldn’t remember her dream after that one on the beach. Her dream memory was a blank space in her mind. The first thing that she could remember after that dream was a silent greeting.

“I’m glad that you are OK.” His voice was calm.

“You? I thought... that...” She made short pauses along words as she tried to contain her inner surprise and joy. He smiled at her politely.

“Please, take this water. Please.” He gave her the flask of water. She took it and drank it, and then she gave it back to him.

“Thank you,” she said while feeling gratitude for the water and for the fact that he wasn’t gone.

He smiled at her unobtrusively. “Thank you,” he replied to her back.

“How are you? Are you feeling all right?” she asked him with a voice that was full of care. “I’ve felt...”

“The pain?” he added gently.

She remained silent while her look was pointed at his bright amber eyes that were visible during the moonlight. He returned the gaze at her beautiful green eyes. They were both silent for some time. Both of their looks were burdened by the responsibility and care they had for each other and for their calling.

“Yes,” his voice softly broke the silence. He took her right hand in his: “Thank you for everything.”

And they talked all night about everything, their calling, the connection, about Agau, Sylvana, Ryfren and the battle he was involved in. She listened to him as she felt that she was always there, with him and for him.

LMS VII - Week 7 (July 27 - August 2, 2026); Word count: 1085 words

There was a certain graveness that was inside them. That night both of them were restless but managed to get some sleep as they were exhausted from the experience of the connection and the battle. Graveness was produced from the fact, which both of them understood, that they are responsible for the other one and themselves also. There was this feeling of loss, sneaking inside their being, not of immediate loss but more as a consequence of it. The connection was a grave matter. Responsibility to protect it was of the greatest importance for them, because their lives depended on it. Their wills were getting stronger as they understood the significance of them both in all this longing they had been feeling. That longing wasn’t clear enough, as understanding of it they were going to discover through the time that was in front of them.

Moonlight was shining on them as they were lying on their improvised beds made from several small flat rocks that were covered with some fine and smooth wooden sticks in the shape of a grid combined with some dry grass they had found inside the forest. Grass was going on the top of the sticks. Over that they put linen cloth. Preparation of the beds took some time, and after they had done it, they were exhausted. Her green eyes were looking at the starry night sky while his amber eyes were catching the glimpse of the bright moon amid the treetops. What now? Can I ever tell him? Is that dream important anyway? Disturbance felt inside both of them share, although the other part somehow experienced it in a more foggy way. Can I ever ask her? About the pain? I feel her inside, but I’m afraid to ask her about that. Is it going to hurt her more? I don’t want that. I don’t want to hurt her. His fears about her being hurt were pursuing him as he was fighting some of them and running from all of them.

Both sky and moon seemed closer to them. Amid their fears and doubts, they felt joy and admiration as they watched the sky and moon. That joy was something else. It started as a little spark but then erupted into a fire of consolation. Their fears and doubts faded away step by step as moments moved along. Joy was there, standing and keeping watch around their hearts. Their connection was vibrating. In connection, their hearts reached for the sky and the moon. Both of them were giggling silently, acting like no one heard them. It was quite the opposite, but they did not mind if the other was giggling on this beautiful night.

“It’s good to have a little laugh,” he whispered to himself.

“Yup,” she replied to him in a whispering voice.

“Hey, are you awake?” his voice became more joyful under the impression of a whisper. “I was actually talking to myself, so please, would you mind?” and he started giggling.

She just giggled. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You could have just said that you are your best partner to talk with,” and she continued to giggle.

“Nice,” and he joined in giggling. “Thank you,” his smile was subtle, but she did not notice it.

“What for?”

He remained silent and smiled in the background.

And both of them went to sleep again. They had tried before, but it was without success and after this brief moment of joy and carelessness, they could find peace again. And dreams? Dreams were calm and still. This was a good sleep. It continued until the dawn of a new day. His brown hair was moistened by the dew, and little drops slid down his face giving him refreshment and, also, waking him up. He straightened himself up on the improvised bed. He gave himself some time so that he could slowly wake up. She was sleeping. He saw her and smiled and stood up on his feet to stretch out. After he finished his stretching, he sat on his bed and watched the surrounding forest.

Responsibility of the connection made him serious again. But he understood that he needs to be available for the incentive of the joy itself. Why do I always feel so serious when I become aware of the connection I have with her? Shouldn't that be a sign of joy rather than a sign of some serious graveness and responsibility? I do not understand it well. He sat there while his emotions and thoughts were intertwining between themselves. Examination of his thoughts and feelings made him more confused. And yet, he tried to find an explanation for it all. The meaning of it all was really important to him as he wanted to put everything of it in its right place. I should stop this process and take all the experience in. And he took a deep breath of fresh forest air in his lungs. It was a soothing experience for him. The moisture of the morning and fresh flavor of the air was an enriching sensation. He closed his eyes and breathed slowly. His mind was slowing down as the thoughts were waning in the space of his spirit. He felt still like the sea that feels no winds at its back. He felt still as the forest in the calm night. All his fears and anxieties were fading away as she stood there, although the road ahead of him was full of uncertainties.

He decided to fall to the ground with his face turned towards the forest ground. His fall wasn’t loud, it was more of a subtle type. He didn’t want to wake her up as she was still asleep. Smell of the ground awoke his connection and pulled him deeper inside. He was there, standing alone, surrounded by the trees and the forest. Gently breeze was blowing, the smell of nature was flowing around him and the sounds of the animals were filling the silence that came in first. Somehow, they were all alive in him, but he didn’t know how they got there. He just found them inside himself. They were communicating with him but not by the means of words. They communicated with by the sense of their existence, which was in a very puzzling and mysterious way. It was hard to understand. It just happened, it is continual as it, somehow, resides inside this connection he is feeling.

LMS VII - Week 8 (August 3-9, 2026); Word count: 1031 words

His slow steps moved forward as he tried to approach the animals that were before him. I’m feeling pulled towards them. And I want to approach them. I want to extend my arm to them... As these thoughts were going through him, he felt an inner craving for the connection. Is this act going to make me different, am I going to be someone else after this? I don’t know. Why did he want that connection, why did he long for it? Was that because of the feeling that inner loneliness can be grave and that sometimes he cannot carry it? If only I could... Sometimes, during his moments of calmness and meditation and during his self-reflection, he couldn’t find a way forward. He felt that he was stuck with nothingness inside of him which resembled more like confusion which would left him speechless. He couldn’t answer any of the challenges that were before him. And these challenges, what can he make out of them? He didn’t know what to do, what to feel, what to think. And amid all that, he was looking for connection, he was looking inside himself, he was trying to find answers. Can he find an answer inside the connection he has with her? Or maybe inside the Great Birth?

As he saw the animals and the trees in the forest, he felt coldness as an embrace which gradually became greater and stronger. What is happening? That feeling was familiar to him, and he tried to focus and to look forward, past the coldness, past the uncertainty behind it. He tried to move forward but instead they became more pale. They were losing their color. No, no, no, what is this? Why are the animals and the forest losing their color? No, what is happening? Confusion and fear shook him and gave him a strong feeling of sadness as if he is losing something. His steps were becoming heavier, animals and forest were moving away from him, and he couldn’t feel his connection. Something was wrong. He knew that. And yet, he could not overcome the feelings that were inside of him.

One of the greatest battles of the Verontos is not just against the darkness and its agents, it is the battle for the harmony between mind and heart. The Verontos and every other hero or heroine that led this battle must’ve fought valiantly. It was not an easy task. Nor was it ever an easy task. We are what we feel and, therefore... Cold hit was conducted to his spirit. Why do you even bother to run away from all this sadness and pain? You see, when you let yourself to them, you will definitely thrive. He was trying to fight those thoughts who had great persuading power. Their strength was so strong that it could pull him inside a vortex of despair in a matter of a moment. He resisted its persuasion. You are alone and that loneliness you feel, it is real. Embrace it, become stronger, forget about the connection. The connection isn’t real at all. The feeling of loneliness was becoming stronger and stronger, and it had more piercing power than one could anticipate. He didn’t want to throw away the connection as he felt that it was really precious. He continued his resistance towards the persuasion.

He tried to stop this experience, but it was a futile attempt as it was still happening and with more intense power. I must stop this. His inner resolution was becoming stronger and stronger as moments passed by. Perception of time to him seemed like an ages that had passed by. I want it to stop. Stop! STOP!!! His inner voice seemed like a tiny bird that was put up against a large predator. The inner noise and chaos and mockery was becoming more and more vicious. They were becoming large predators that were ready to devour him and his inner voice. It was a dreadful state to be in. Stop right now!! STOP!!! His inner voice became more authoritative. You cannot drive us away, we are your permanent residents. Instead, you should do what you are told to do. At that moment he felt paralysis in his legs and fell on the pale forest ground.

Stop right now! Stop it!! STOP!!! His determination to stop this experience was greater and greater. I will not give myself to sadness, pain and loneliness. I can overcome them. I can do this! I CAN!!! I BELIEVE I CAN!!! Encouragement was very much needed. Do not think that you are strong or brave. You cannot stop the danger, the loss, the pain. You cannot stop failure. You are doomed to fail. They were bent on destroying him from the inside. No. And he wrapped all his will into that “No.” Silence ensued. Everything froze at that moment. In that “No.” Chaos and mockery and inner noise, they suddenly stopped. No. His will was strongly focused on that attitude, which was his answer to them.

His inner strength was fighting the paralysis. That strength nullified it. He was standing again. He was moving towards the animals and forest. A figure similar to her was approaching him as he moved forward. Is that her? He wanted to call her out, but he couldn’t utter any word out of his mouth. The figure was steadily moving. He could see her figure from up close, and it was her, but she was somehow different. He tried to reach her via the connection, but she declined to connect, which shocked him. You cannot connect with me. You and I, we are two different worlds. Even if you wanted to. But it’s not possible. The figure spoke to him from the inside. What? I’ve always been connected to you. And I’m still. It is not the truth that we are different. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be connected to you. His reply to the figure, which he assumed that it was she, was firm as he tried to be reasonable. But what he was missing was the subtle notion that it was an inner illusion whose primary task was to deceive him.

LMS VII - Week 9 (August 10-16, 2026); Word count: 1030 words

You cannot connect with me. Look deep inside yourself, and you’ll know that I’m telling you the truth. The illusive figure was communicating in a calm manner with profound effect after every sentence it delivered. What do you mean “the truth”? You’ve never spoken in this kind of manner. You know that the connection we have is real. It is not a lie. That connection we have is not a lie. That is the real truth. His willingness to persuade the illusion was firm and focused while the illusion anticipated this move and continued with its deception. You were never free. Look, even now, your fears are following you. You cannot speak of truth while you are here deeply engulfed in fear and sadness. You cannot think clearly, which is evidently obvious. Give up. Give away the connection. Be free of this agony. The deception was wounding him deeply as he was losing his confidence in the face of the arguments of the illusive figure which he took that it was she. He thought she was hurting him with all this. His fear of loss and abandonment were weakening him as his willpower was losing its momentum.

Guilt was also present because there was one simple reason for that. All these negative emotions, as their carrier he felt guilt because they were residing in him. He’s the Verontos, the hero, the fighter and now, all these negative emotions were there in him. He ought to throw them out, dispose of them, destroy them. He hadn’t done that. Can he call himself strong enough? I cannot hold the connection. What is this? Can I even survive all the dangers that are before me? He self-doubted himself and at that moment it was a bad action to do. The plan of the whole deception was to destroy him from the inside using him as a weapon. The tip of the spear was sharpened and pointed in his direction ready to strike him down.

Maybe, she is right? Maybe it is all true? Maybe I’m that dangerous liability? I cannot risk putting all the animals and nature and her in danger. I must do something. He was going thoroughly through all the arguments, he was trying to justify his cause as he wanted to give up on the mission, on the connection, on her, on everything. If I go away, they’ll be safe. I am a danger to them and myself when I’m in this state. I should find my peace, alone, without all of this, and start again. That sounds good. To start again. Differently. And in peace. His reasoning was turned against him as he fell for the lies that were fed from within. Cunning deception was carrying out its mission successfully.

The illusive figure just stood there and watched him as his mind was ambushed by impelling thoughts of guilt, fear and sadness. He was on the edge of making the greatest mistakes of his life. His spirit and his mind were overworking themselves and were on the point of breaking. The illusive figure produced one small evil grin which he couldn’t see as he was entangled in himself. You must make the decision. You need to save yourself, us, everyone else. You know how great that decision is. Be the hero you always wanted to be. Her words he was swallowing so quickly he almost experienced inner choking as she was important to him, everything about her was important to him. The gravity she was carrying with herself was captivating. And that was also the catalyst of his overwork. He wanted to do the right thing. And he cared about her, and he wanted to listen to her, and he wanted to save her and the animals and nature, Sylvana, Agau and everything. His intentions were noble, but the lies were praying upon him and his kindness.

He was in pain and he felt it so intense. Great is the pain that comes from the inside. The figure was looking at him. It was showing a treacherous smile that was covered by its so-called “good intentions”. It extended its hand towards him. Do the right thing. For us. For everyone. She was so real to him. That illusion was so real to him. His feelings and his mind were in accord. He thought that the words of the illusion were her words. He thought it was the truth. His legs started to move in the direction of the figure as he started to extend his arm to it. Stop. The instruction was clear and he felt confused. The source is not coming from him but from somewhere outside of him. The instruction did not come from the figure. Do not move. Again clear and without confusion. He felt distrust of these instructions as he was influenced by the lies and their enchanting effect. No!! I will not stop!! I will do what I need to do!!! His answer to the instruction was fierce as he tried to prove his worth and boldness.

That source did not respond. And what resonated with him was the strength of the instructions that were given to him. They brought clarity. That clarity was pounding all that pain he was feeling, and it was hurting him even more to have it near him. No! NOO!! Leave me alone!! I know what I must do! LEAVE ME ALONE!!! He was furious. The pain was getting stronger. Touch your left arm. His rage was flaming up as he was hearing instructions. The last instruction was repeatedly heard inside his mind more and more. It made a clear and loud sound. The illusive figure still looked at him while extending its hand. It saw his hesitation. Do not hesitate. Its calling was tempting. Touch your left arm. Two voices, two instructions, one is tempting, and the other is painful. One part of him, the silent one, suddenly awoke and nudged him to touch his left arm. He was torn between two choices. But he must decide. I must do something. I MUST!!! And he extended his arm towards the figure while he approached it with fast steps.

LMS VII - Week 10 (August 17-23, 2026); Word count: 1096 words

Touch your left arm. He tried to resist the instruction as he moved forward while reaching for the hand of the illusive figure. Heaviness of the moment was slowing everything. His path was taking too long as he was getting slower and more and more distracted. Come, come to me. I can help you. I can give you peace. One part of his inner being has been satisfied at the sound of that proposal. Peace, yes, that would be very much welcome. Giving up on the path that he was walking wasn’t an option at all. Fatigue was catching up with him and coordination wasn’t on point. His arms were loose, and their movement was sloppy, and it looked like they were acting on their own. He steered his will to the offer of the figure. These loosely-based movements of his arms were draining his energy, as if his body was working against him. There was a disbalance between his mind, spirit and body. Don’t you worry. I can help you with your tiredness. I can bring you back into the balance. You just come to me. The figure didn’t stop with its convincing tactics.

I cannot. That little thought struck a small and insignificant blow which was drowned in the mixture of fatigue, lies and lack of his ability to hear himself or to see anything apart from the figure. Dark emotions were taking their hold over him as this inner battle continued. His right hand accidentally touched his left forearm as a result of loose movements of the hands in general. And then something exploded with a loud bang. He heard it intensely and was shocked by it. His look was again directed at the figure. What is this? Argh! It hurts!! Why is she so calm? She’s still smiling. He was confused even more than before. Is everything all right? The figure continued its twisted speech and “kindness” was more confusing as he regained clarity bit by bit. Touch your left arm. At this moment, instruction continued to bring peace, and it didn’t hurt him anymore as before. Please, hurry! Before everything is lost. Please, come with me. Save us all. He touched his left forearm with his right hand again.

The figure was still smiling, but it did not utter any word from that moment forward. A strange feeling was wrapping around him. He expected a loud bang but it did not come. Instead, something else was happening. What’s happening to her face? The face of the figure was twisting and the left side of her face was fading. He could see only one half of its face. He was in shock. The true form of the figure is being gradually revealed. As he was regaining clarity, his strength was coming back to him. I’m feeling like my senses are coming back to me? What has happened to me? What is all this? The limbs of the figure became withered, and its hair became white. The remaining half of its face interchanged between two modes. First, it twisted, which was a hideous experience to see, and second, it remained smiling and still.

The figure was still extending its hand to him, and he felt he is being pulled towards the figure. He felt horror inside him. Repulsion was overflowing his guts, and yet he moved forward. I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this. His will was shifting away from the figure, but his legs were still moving forward. Come to me. I will give you what you want. I will give you peace. Do not leave me. I know that you care for me. I can still be with you. And you with me. Come to me. His will was fighting his legs. He didn’t want to go to it. He wanted to move away. His steps became slower somehow and his legs were acting strangely as if they were malfunctioning. Come to me. The figure kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. That was happening for some time and then the figure started to move toward him. No, no! This is bad! I cannot escape it. Help me please! The face of the figure started twisting violently. Its extended arm became a sharp tip which was trying to kill him. Touch your left arm.Clarity and strength gave him enough momentum to repeat what he did before. Now his symbol radiated a fire shield which struck the figure and threw it away from him. The blow was so strong that the impact cast him away and he fell on the ground. The figure started shrieking loudly. He was thrown out of this meditative experience in which he was all this time. He was scared and the panting he produced woke her up.

“Are you okay?” she asked him as she woke up slowly from her sleep. He did not reply to her as he was still trying to compose himself from the experience which he had just a moment ago. His face was pale, and his breathing wasn’t normal.

“Do you want some water? You don’t look okay,” she extended the flask of water to him. He took the flask and drank water from it. She straightened herself up on the improvised bed. Her look was pointed at him as he wanted to reply to her. The words were not coming out of his mouth.

“Was it a nightmare or?” she asked caringly.

“I’m sorry,” he replied quietly.

“What for?” she continued. “You’re worrying me.”

He remained silent for some time. He finally decided to reply: “It was really bad.”

“Did something hurt you?”

“No.”

Her face was radiating worry.

“I was on the brink of losing something important.” His face became serious. “I do not intend to do that again.” Although he was sitting he was giving a firm posture. His decision was clear. Never again. I will not lose you, I will not lose myself. I will move forward.

“Did the symbol hurt you again?” she asked cautiously.

“No, it saved my life.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not now, I’m sorry. Don’t think that I’m trying to hide things from you. I’m not ready. Not yet, at least.” His voice was reassuring, and he didn’t want her to worry about him. He also wanted to be honest with her.

“Don’t you worry, I’ll be there for you,” she told him while holding his left hand with her left hand. The symbols were pulsating. The connection was radiating comfort to both of them.

Liminality wrote:

Spoiler

Hi again! Congrats on making it to week 10! The idea of a dagger made out of soil (several parts ago) is really interesting and highlights the focus on earth/nature in this story. I like the idea that the antagonists are trying to drive the Verontos apart, as being connected to one another and their surroundings helps give them their power. I wonder who the helpful voice is - whether it's their inner selves, something in nature, or some other entity we haven't met yet Best of luck!

Thanks for stopping by @Liminality and for your kind comments and wishes. All the best I wish you arr me mates arr