I can’t quite grasp how long we wandered through these enchanted woods. No matter the dreary, no matter the wet discomfort whilst rushing through squishy moss, the security of holding onto the ethereal figure leading ahead washed everything away. Eventually, the gnarled branches and rustling leaves came to an end. Chirping birds and murmuring streams were but a distant echo as this new mesmerising landscape revealed itself.

Soft, ethereal light fell upon an opening in these thick dark woods. Common folk could have passed by without a second thought, but often the most valuable of treasures remain unseen by the naked eye. Tall pillars of stone - or possibly dead trees even? - stretched towards the Void through the vast skies. One could not necessarily view it, but no doubt felt it arching somewhere high above.

“It’s a gate,” words slipped through my widely gaped mouth whilst I still wondered if it was a statement or merely one of many questions circling in my - almost crazed - mind.

“You can sense it,” the high priest grinned, I could oddly tell he was a little - just a little - proud. “Many only ever use their eyes, but the greatest of priests see differently, Deidre. Oleander does bring hope indeed,” his grin turned into a kind smile.

As I pondered about the deeper meanings of my newly found name, we slowly walked up to the celestial gates. Up close they resembled elegant yet unbreakable needles, piercing the fabrics of starry skies. Or - who knows - maybe they were the pillars of Heaven, deeply rooted deep beneath our feet and meeting with their counterparts on the other side - Hell.

“Now listen carefully,” the seriousness in his deep voice woke me up from the maze of thought.

“When normal humans die, they cross a river,” the high krivi started explaining. “This journey washes away earthly pains and desires. When the soul is cleansed and memories are no longer a burden, a new journey will present itself,” the high priest made a meaningful pause.

“Previous memories might be gone, but the gods are omnipotent and thus sufferings or wrong-doings will never be truly forgotten. As the journey of Life begins yet again, one shall live according to the fabrics of their previous Life. Good shall be rewarded and malice will return tenfold. You see,” August chuckled, “gods are insatiable for Harmony.”

There was something bitter in his voice. Or maybe moonlight seeping in through the trees cast an odd shadow onto the high priest’s smile. It painted the scene in ominous, dark shades.

“How long does this cycle of death and rebirth continue?” I asked.

“Until the soul is cleansed and its properties are refined. It may take centuries or millennia - impurities in souls highly differ,” the high vaidila shrugged. “But once the unnecessary particles are vanquished, the spirit can move onto its new form of existence,” a subtle change of tone.

“Where exactly this may be - Heaven or the Underworld - might not be up to the individual. One’s essence pertains to their natural attributes. More frequently than not it is up to Fate,” August’s eyes suddenly pierced through me and once again I felt a sense of awakening - from the thoughts within.

“Can I ask you,” I started thinking out loud yet again. “Why did you describe this cycle of existence whilst attributing to normal people, normal souls?” I could not help but stare at him.

“Oh, dear Deidre,” the high priest walked up to me and as I was about to take a step back, gently - yet firmly - cupped my face.

“Because we’re all but normal,” blue eyes were staring deeply into my Void as golden ribbons of sunshine shimmered through his hair. I was cold, a sudden shiver ran through me, yet I could barely move. Or open my mouth even... I stared back at the high vaidila , hoping to see through his Void only to realise there was some sort of closeness and kinship.

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“Did you just?..” I gaped at him.

“Apologies, Deidre,” he smirked. “We have many things to do and unfortunately can not have your emotions running havoc.”

Deep breath. Long sigh. Three steps away from him.

The soothing touch of the ethereal gate. It’s powerful. I don’t know how, but I can feel it.

I look back at the high priest, “I suppose you will tell me everything when the time is right?.. And when you feel me ready.”

“I shall give you my word,” the high krivi stepped towards the gate and placed his palm on the remaining pillar.

“This is how it should be,” he whispered. “All things in the Universe need to have a balance,” August was looking at me.

“For now,” a new thread of thought started, “just know we are the same. And as like attracts like, others shall come,” the high priest continued talking,

“We are not human,” August looked lonely leaning towards the heaven-piercing gates. “Our existence walks a different path from that of a typical human. Yet, we’re not deities, angels or demons. We’re but unlucky travellers confined in between. We can indulge ourselves in the wholesomeness of all existences, yet can not truly walk any of the paths shown to us,” I could tell the high priest was once again gazing at the Void.

“The time has come,” August’s voice pierced through the night. “We shall pass through the gates - it’s midnight,” the high priest tilted his head and I could see a soft smile. I knew: more was coming. So, I kept quiet and patiently waited for him to explain further.

“You being at the Altar is proof of belonging to this realm. The likes of us use the Great Stone in order to enable earthly experiences. When the journey is completed - or sometimes unexpectedly disturbed,” I could tell by his glare that the high krivi wasn’t pleased with me, “the being awakens in the same spot they departed. All high-ranking priests and priestesses are able to sense both the Departure and the Awakening, but only the Awakening requires our presence,” August stopped for a breather.

“For the time being, you only need to understand that each of us senses a particular calling - it’s how we know that our time has come to oversee the Awakening and guide the being back to their realm,” the high priest was examining my face, making sure I followed.

“Some beings are easy existences to identify. One feels particularly cold or hot, full or empty, light or dark. Some smell of forests or water, some carry a musky weight to them, whilst others seem but a breeze. One could occasionally hear cogs of machinery, maybe the songs of birds, possibly people talking or maybe the magical psithurism of a forest at night,” I was grasping every word, but the exact meaning behind this detailed explanation was yet unknown to the confused mind. As if following the thread of my thoughts, August continued.

“All of the mentioned characteristics, amongst many others, of course, indicate the innate traits of a being. This is also reflected in one’s physical appearance,” he gave me a cheeky grin - awfully confusing, but here we are... The mind was too occupied by the matters at hand to give that odd grin a second thought.

“To sum it up, all these little details are incredibly important. This is how we know where to escort the being awaken,” yet another meaningful pause in this long perplexing monologue.

“However, some cases are special - those beings are either too full and carry the weight of many… Or completely empty and resonate to the Void. This is what makes them out of the ordinary,” the high priest was kindly smiling at me.

“I believe, and please correct me if I’m wrong, but this is why you said that both you and I are anything but normal?” I asked whilst more thoughts were knitting inside my head.

“Am I allowed to know…” I was thinking out loud. “...can I ask which being am I - am I completely full or too empty?” looking up to the blue eyes of the high priest made me feel - I swear I could sense it - it was a question or rather the answer of great importance to my being.

“You’re full of emptiness,” the high vaidila responded in a kind voice.

Once again, I felt the palm of his hand on my forehead as he extended a beam of warm light piercing through the depths that were left - or newly found - of me.

I could not fully - or at all - grasp the meaning of what was just revealed. I was sure it was of significant importance and pertained to the profound workings of my existence, yet it was all too much. I tucked my thoughts away and locked all unanswered or worrying questions in the hidden vault of emotions. At this point, my sole existence is a miracle. That is enough to keep my mind busy, everything else shall wait for the right moment.