Sunday, September 10th 2045.
As the sun grew in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape, Elias locked the door of his quaint cottage nestled within the lush greenery of the Cumbrian Coastline. The morning was bright, promising a pleasant day ahead. With a light pack slung over his shoulder, he stepped onto the familiar trail leading towards the coast, a pathway he had cherished for decades.
His destination was St Bees, a charming village perched at the edge of the world where the rugged cliffs met the sprawling sea. Although it would take him four to five hours to reach his goal, Elias felt a subtle exhilaration at the thought of the journey. As he walked, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to his thoughts.
Elias observed the vibrant world around him. The coastal path was alive with activity; flocks of sea birds swooped and soared overhead, their calls punctuating the peaceful sounds of nature. He stopped for a moment, lifting his gaze to take in their graceful dance against the azure sky.
At 65, Elias believed he was younger in spirit than his age might suggest. Years of hiking, climbing, and immersing himself in the natural world had kept him agile. In his youth, he had explored mountains, and forests, within his time in the armed forces, and those days of adventure forged a lasting love for the outdoors. Though his knees creaked now and his joints sometimes whispered of their wear, he bore the aches with a knowing smile. Every twinge reminded him that he had truly lived—a badge of honor for the many trails he had traversed.
The path wound along the cliffs, revealing breathtaking vistas that stretched far into the horizon. The sea glimmered under the sunlight, hues of turquoise and sapphire sparkling as wave upon wave rolled ashore. A light breeze caressed his face, carrying with it the briny scent of the sea mingled with the earthy aroma of wildflowers blooming along the path.
It wasn't long into his walk when Elias’ day to a turn. Far out over the Irish sea, an ominous dark cloud was forming, stopping Elias reached for his phone and checked the weather app,
Clear blue skies... No storms or bad weather were due today, Elias had remembered checking the app the night before and this morning. Although he had a rain coat he was traveling light as bad weather gear should not have been needed.
"That's Unusual"
After taking a moment to steady his nerves, Elias resolved to continue on his journey. Fleswick Bay was just a short fifteen minutes away, and with a touch of fortune, he might secure shelter before the anticipated downpour descended.
Gasping for breath, he finally reached the sanctuary of a cliff's overhang, right as the storm began to gather above him. Dark clouds swirled ominously across the sky, foretelling the chaos to come.
Crouched beneath the rocky shelter, Elias felt the first gentle drips of rain begin to kiss the thirsty earth. The soft patter was a stark contrast to the warmth that had enveloped him just moments before, and the sudden chill that crept into the air was a clear indication that the tempest was near. His heart raced from the physical strain of his trek but also from an eerie sense of foreboding that seemed to seep into his very bones.
A deep, resonant boom shattered the heavy silence, reverberating off the cliffs like a foreboding warning. Elias turned his gaze toward the ocean, which had transformed from a peaceful expanse into a tumultuous creature, thrashing and writhing in a wild frenzy. What had begun as a day filled with promise had shifted into a mesmerizing yet daunting display of nature's raw power, hues of grim gray and eerie green spilling across the once-calm waters.
A chilling tremor coursed down Elias's spine as a searing flash of golden lightning split the heavens. The brilliance was blinding, and the subsequent roar left him momentarily dazed.
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Fear gripped Elias; his heart raced as he fought to collect his thoughts. Memories of a painful chapter from his past rushed back, intertwining with the chaos around him and amplifying his unease.
Many years earlier, in the prime of his youth, Elias had served with distinction in the 40 Commando of the Royal Marines. At 28, holding the rank of Sergeant, he had faced unimaginable dangers. One fateful day, an IED exploded beside the vehicle he was traveling in, claiming his left eye and forever altering the course of his life.
The strong, steadfast young man he had once been lay shattered. He mourned the loss of a dear friend and found himself grappling with a new reality. With the familiarity of the Marines now behind him, Elias was compelled to reinvent himself. He returned to his hometown of Whitehaven, where he embarked on a journey of rebuilding. In time, he fell in love with a remarkable woman, marrying her and creating a life filled with purpose. With no living relatives left, his wife became his entire world, the anchor that kept him steady amid the storm of his past.
Elias met Helen in a charming village nestled beneath the rolling emerald hills of Ireland. With hair that blazed like the evening sky and eyes that twinkled like distant constellations, she was a whirlwind of vivacity and grace. Helen wasn’t merely a beauty admired by many; she was the beating heart of her community, radiating warmth and kindness that enveloped all who came near.
Indomitable and fiercely independent, Helen had a temper that could flare like a bonfire on a chilly night. When riled, her passion would resonate through the small cottages lining the cobbled pathways, echoing the fervor of her spirit. Yet it was this fire—from her protective love to her unwavering compassion—that rendered her utterly captivating. Her heart echoed with the strength of a lioness, fierce and nurturing, and her empathy provided solace to everyone who crossed her threshold.
Elias, battle-scarred by the trials of life, harbored a heavy heart and a dimmed spirit. It was during a visit to a friend that he was swept into Helen’s orbit. In her presence, he felt enveloped in warmth, as if wrapped in a treasured shawl on a frigid winter's eve. Slowly, the burdens of his past began to lift, buoyed by the melody of her laughter that danced through the air, vibrant and alive.
With each moment spent together, Helen became a soothing balm to Elias’s weary soul. Her unique gift was to draw forth the best qualities in others, listening with an attentive gaze that invited him to bare his heart, unmasking fears and aspirations alike. As they shared steaming cups of tea by the fireplace, she regaled him with tales of adventure and resilience, infusing his world with vibrant hues of hope and inspiration.
As their bond deepened, Elias unveiled the many facets of Helen beyond her gentle nature. She was a dreamer, harboring ambitious visions of creating a home—an oasis brimming with love and laughter. Moved by her unwavering spirit, Elias found himself joining her on this noble quest. Together, they forged a formidable partnership, devoted to breathing life into their dreams, rediscovering the joy nested in the simple act of uplifting others.
Twenty years—that was all the time they had, and it felt far too short. In those two decades, they explored the world and built a loving family, but their happiness was cut short when Helen fell ill and ultimately passed away.
Helen had left a strong flame in Eli's heart, but this time he was not going to break.
As Elias blinked and his vision cleared, he was taken aback—the gloomy sky and the dark green sea had vanished. In their place, the cove and ocean sparkled with the vibrant energy of a late summer's day.
“Did I just dream that?” he murmured to himself.
He pulled his hat from where it had slipped, feeling the dampness of its fabric beneath his fingers.
As he placed his hat on his head, he ventured outside, his gaze fixed on the vast sea before him. Not far off, on the sandy beach, he noticed a peculiar scorch mark. Curiosity piqued, he wondered if this was the very spot where lightning had struck. Intrigued, he made his way closer for a better inspection.
To his astonishment, at the heart of the small, charred circle lay a mysterious dark iron ring.
With a confidence that he later thought was unusual Elias reached into the hole and lifted the ring to the sky,
The ring was beautiful, Its dark metal band seemed to absorb the faint light of the setting sun, giving it an air of mystique. At its center, a rich, dark green almost black gemstone glimmered like a secret kept hidden for centuries.
"Wow," Elias breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
As he gazed deeper into the ring's depths, Elias felt an inexplicable connection to it, as if it was calling to him, drawing him in. Without a thought, he lowered the ring and slid it onto his right ring finger, feeling an unexpected sense of belonging wash over him. The ring seemed to fit perfectly. As if it had been crafted specifically for him. As he looked down at his hand, “blip” he was gone.