Boundless- Read this one instead of the other one!

NovaRose · 2005-01-06T13:25:12Z

I made a new topic because I posted the first one too much at once. Moderators can delete the old one (Boundless) if they want. Prologue It happened so long ago, I had almost forgotten all about it. Over the years, what was once a clear, branded impression left on my mind had become a dull scar of the past, a memory that, when thought of, was brushed aside and ignored. Just like every other dream, this dream, which had seemed almost real at the time, became discounted as another effect of an overactive imagination and an overworked mind. Ultimately, I had dismissed it as an interesting nighttime reverie, another story invented by my resting mind. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, that dream I had had as a child began to return to me, creeping up like a wolf or an owl would creep up on its prey, silently stalking the small, unsuspecting creature until, suddenly, it pounced. So it was with this dream. One night, the summer before my junior year, a faint sliver of the dream returned to me as another dream, or, perhaps, the same dream returned. It was a small memory by the morning, but it reminded me of the first dream, and the wonders of the dream’s detail came back in an ecstatic rush through my soul. It remained, however, only a dream to me. I had no suspicions that it might have been something more than just a dream. A vision, perhaps? Or maybe a calling? Yes, a calling would probably be the best way to describe this amazing dream. Over the next few days, the dream reverted back to its state of insignificance. But as soon as it had seemed gone once again, the dream came back, this time stronger, clearer, and leaving a longer impression in my mind. And so the dream proceeded, each time more intense, and soon these dreams became more and more frequent. Finally, the night before school began for the year, the fullness of the dream returned for the first time, and I doubt it will ever become such a distant memory again. For, this time, the dream held so much more for me than ever before. Experiencing this dream was like traveling to a whole other world. So detailed was its imagery, so real, that I could smell and touch and taste this world. It was a world of amazing nature, the giant forests and open fields long lost to the world I had seemingly left behind, a world of such great technology and power that nature took a back seat and Man took the wheel. But here, there was an immediate sense that Man and Nature worked together, harnessing the power of both to create an even higher state of existence in which there was no need for contention between the land and its inhabitants. This, indeed, was a land of magic. As I traveled this amazing world, I began to notice that I was being carried towards a specific point, a large village in the midst of a thick forest of colossal pines and other evergreens that seemed to touch the sky that I descended from. As I drew closer to this point, I remembered the first dream, and exhilaration filled my heart as I landed softly amidst a small clearing and I looked at the creatures around me. As soon as I saw these creatures, I knew I was in no dream, but in a vision of their world. These creatures were a mix of man and wolf, with sleek, hairless, copper bodies mounted by a noble lupine head with shining coats of fur. Their fur gave way to flowing manes of hair that reached down to their shoulders or beyond. Each one wore jewelry of feathers, bones, and precious stones, and wore tunics made of finely cured and tailored animal furs and skins, and sandals made of tough leather. The most amazing feature of these lupine creatures, however, was not lupine at all. Their eyes were strangely human, some seemingly more human than people I had associated with every day of my life from birth. There was a nobility and honor in those eyes that exceeded the selfishness of Man. The name of these wondrous creatures played on the tip of my tongue as I tried to recall it. Kwu-ghai, the word came to me at once, whispered as if by an ethereal observer that stood beside me. And then I was whisked away from these creatures to another place. Gone were the luscious evergreens, now replaced by the rich reds, yellows, and browns of autumn. Deep, blue rivulets of water flowed through finely cut cobblestone, creating a strange but peaceful sense of serenity from the unique mixture of architecture and nature. Trees grew everywhere, well cared for and untouched by any blade. As I looked around me, I gasped in delight at the amazing buildings I saw. Rounded and flowing, these houses were created out of the earth, built of fine jewels and stones, and some even with gold and silver. Many buildings seemed to be giant shells from the sea, and I realized that the ocean was not far away. In fact, the city was built right on the edge of the water, and boats formed in the same fashion as the houses filled up the docks down the shoreline. As I continued to walk slowly down the streets, I looked up and saw that a thin, bubble-like dome covered the city. I mused at first that it must have been made of fine glass, but was amazed to see a seagull fly straight through it, leaving no mark but a shimmer in the surface. I wondered at this phenomenon, and found my answer in front of me, in the faces of the inhabitants of this amazing port-town. Soft, delicate features and thin physiques met me, and I immediately recognized the creatures in front of me. The pointed ears gave me final witness that I stood in the presence of elves, and I knew then that the bubble was not made of glass or any earthly material, but of magic. I imagined that much of the wonder of the city was a result of elven magic. I smiled, and was suddenly taken up again, moved to another land. This time the journey was longer than the last. I traveled over the ocean, the vastness of the blue threatening to lose me in its endlessness. But end it did, and soon I was in a much less fantastic world. In fact, after the kwu-ghai village and the elven seaport, I was disappointed to see no more than a small hovel of shacks and cottages that, while nothing run-down or shoddy, was much less wondrous than the places I had just visited. I wondered who, in this world of such magic, would create such an isolated village of dirt pathways, medieval shops and businesses, and absolutely no sign of magic. It seemed that I had actually left the world of my dream and entered my own world, but centuries earlier than my time. This middle-age-style town was unimpressive, and I wondered whether its inhabitants were jealous of its neighbors. But as the people of this tiny village came out of their houses and went about their lives, they all seemed content with their small existence. It was a community of humans, as similar to Earth’s middle ages as I could imagine. They wore simple clothing; obviously these were the peasant folk. I wondered whether there was a king or a manor lord over these people, or whether this world held a more democratic type of government for Man. In any case, the people of this small town appeared happy, and that made it worth leaving the majestic forests of the kwu-ghai and the magical shore city of the elves. I smiled, and was transported, once again, to a new area of this magical world. This time, what I saw disturbed and haunted me. I stood in front of a huge door made of stone and steel. Statues and carvings spoke of the evil inside, their twisted and devilish faces a mockery of life and nature. Everything I had witnessed until this point seemed to find its counterpart on the walls of the huge castle that loomed in front of me. The sky, although blue and cloudless, seemed to take on a dark, grayish tone. Something inside me whispered that this was the last place in this world that I wanted to be. But it was a dream, and I had no control. The doors opened in front of me, and I was soon enveloped by a darkness so powerful I could feel it. What happened after that chilled me through, and made me feel as if I would never escape this dream. Shrieks and howls echoed through the invisible walls as I passed through the dark corridors. The horror continued, fear gripping at me with an iron grasp that would not let me breathe. It seemed like I was walking for hours, days, before I reached light once more. But the light was of little aid to my outlook. The dim fire lit on a pair of twin stone brackets carved into the shape of disfigured bat creatures was worse than the dark. Then, I could see nothing. Now, I could see a great door, more terrifying than the entrance of the castle, and could hear the screams and growls right beyond my vision, threatening, telling me that I could not escape. Above the door, I saw runes, ancient symbols I could not read. But something- or someone- seemed to be whispering, and I understood them. “Only the one who is Called from a world devoid of magic can destroy the one born of magic. With the Sword that was lost, the Called will rise from his shackles and face the darkness of all worlds. He will save us, but destroy himself. No other can take his place.” With all my heart, I hoped I was not this Called person, but somehow I knew that I was the one. Despair filled me, and the words repeated themselves in my head. A sense of hopelessness filled my soul, and then I knew I could not escape the castle. The door began to open, and the whole castle collapsed, crushing me. I was destroyed. No other could take my place. I knew I would never forget the dream, for this, the darkest of both worlds, had stolen my future, and I knew I could never get it back. This was my destiny. I could not forget it.

Bjorn

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Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:40 am

Bjorn says... · Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:40 am

(Hey Kay!) I read the first Chapter, and it is good yes, I again won't say much now, it being just the first chapter. I will continue reading it!

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NovaRose

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Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:41 pm

NovaRose says... · Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:41 pm

Don't bother reading the rest, lol. It's all gonna change soon enough. Maybe next time I'm here at the library I'll post new versions. I wish I had more time here...

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-KayJuran-

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Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:20 pm

-KayJuran- says... · Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:20 pm

i wish you had more time too... your stuff is amazing!!!

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Akisha

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Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:57 am

Akisha says... · Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:57 am

I read everything and I have to say Its quite good. I won't start pointing out grammar mistakes because you've already said that you're going to change it. I got a bit confused because Bob didn't know what Dhamphir meant, and then he did in the next chapter?

You need to develop Bob's character a little more. I'm guessing he's the most important character in the story so you need to have the readers experience his feelings at the moment a bit more. You did this really well in the prologue I have to say.

One last thing, the story is a slightly rushed. Try to slow it down a little bit and it should be perfect! This is a interesting story and I look forward to reading more!

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