“Because of your unique disposition, I am bound to believe you are one of us - like me. Hence, we find ourselves at the Gates of Thunder,” the high priest looked up towards where the needles of these gates pierced the sky.

“You see,” August grinned, “these are the First Gates of Thunder. And only a few who are destined to serve our gods are able to cross them,” the high krivi was studying my reaction.

“What happens if someone who is not a priest steps through the gate?” I cautiously asked, tilting my head and suspiciously staring at him.

“Who knows?” a cheeky grin elevated August’s face. “Maybe they are simply sent to where they belong to… Or maybe a divine punishment befalls their audacity and they are bound to perish amongst the storms of thunder and lightning?..”

Great - I thought to myself, choking on the prospect of getting pulverised. Cold sweat - wait, is this even possible, I should be living no more - embraced my shoulders and ran wet fingertips through my forehead.

“Is this a test?” I asked.

“It might just be,” a nonchalant answer followed. “One where you have no such thing as a choice,” the high vaidila added.

Silence. My heartbeat. Silence. My breathing.

“Now now, dear Deidre, you might never know how far you could go if you never try,” I was not sure if he was trying to ridicule my confused self or if it was a unique way - his way - to comfort me.

“You are here now,” August spoke more softly. “So take a deep breath and let it go. Step into the gate - and mote it be,” I felt his hand on my shoulder. The high priest was indeed comforting me. Only that it wasn’t clear if his mixed approaches - or mixed way of being - was any good.

Or any good to me. Whatever or whomever I was in this time and space.

“Come, it’s time,” the high krivi gently pushed my being towards the pillars.

“Fear is for the fainthearted, Deidre. And we are anything but weak,” his strong, encouraging tone echoed through my ears. Or thoughts. I wasn’t sure anymore. But it was… Overpowering. Pushing forward.

“I’ll be right behind you,” August’s voice was sinking in the Void, or maybe time and space absorbed it as I felt my feet slowly moving towards - and through - the Gates of Thunder.

Was I cold or was I burning as the gates wrapped around my very core?.. Light and dark, distance and vicinity were all caressing my skin. Was it still skin or did this new form of existence change my anatomical, no, biological structure?.. What were these gates, exactly? And if they were marked as the first, there were bound to be more - second, third… How many? Dozens or hundreds?..

Thoughts spun the threads of my sewing machine. A kaleidoscope of life choices and proper, beautiful moments as well as those of sad significance. Shattering. No, maybe exploding. Yes, that’s it… Light.

Once again, I found myself floating in the Void - a feather of light and a mantle of shadow. It all came to me before I was completely abandoned yet again.

“Full of emptiness… You shall now awaken,” my eyes opened to the kindness of the high priest’s voice.

Bright sunshine blazed upon us. I couldn’t control the unconscious tremor as my body suffered through the shock of recent changes inflicted upon it.

“Breathe,” August said gently. “You made it.”

*

It was a contrast of sensations - Deidre could feel warm sun rays kissing her skin, yet the bones still carried a soft chill from before. The young woman could sniff the lingering scent of fresh pines soaked in her hair. Deidre’s dress still carried the starry breeze of the night.

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A dissonance of emotions, feelings and sensory stimuli overwhelmed her, yet it was a kind reminder: in some shape or form she was still here. Or there - anywhere. Her existence continued. And it was quite enough… The previous life she led - it can be put to rest now. Whatever this is, Lina, no, Deidre, will give her all. She was determined.

Rustling sounds - shimmering leaves, squeaking gravel as countless feet found their way towards the high priest and an unknown woman. A private moment of comfort lasted but a few seconds, though it was enough to come back to senses, take grasp of the situation and calm down a frightened heart.

Thunder Gates led to the centre of the Sun’s Square. From a bird’s flight, an omnipotent being could indulge in its intricate sunray-shaped patterns. These beautiful shapes took the form of healthy, thick green hedges. Tall impenetrable plant walls formed a natural fortress or, essentially, a labyrinth: one would need perceived knowledge to enter such a maze, much less leave it unscattered.

Of course, there were hidden doors, traps and underground passages. The Sun’s Square served both as an entrance-exit point, as well as a security measure ensuring that no unwelcome being could enter the realm. Who knows how many magical beasts and what other unknown poisonous plants or heavenly beings are hiding here? And who could tell what secrets are rattled deep into the soil of this ethereal maze?..

“Stomp”, “stomp”, “stomp” - the rushing feet were just around the corner. Moments later the field of green was flowing with Holy Knights.

The soldiers of Thunder wore heavy silver armour embedded with protection magic. Carefully engraved thunder crests pridefully glimmered in the golden sunshine adorning every shield and breastplate. Intricate details ran through the lengths of their swords and arrows which, of course, were infused with spells to enhance their offensive power. However, these seemed but mere decorations as the sole presence of each and every knight made the air flicker.

These men and women carried themselves with immense dignity and dominance. No doubt, their aura alone was more than enough to ward away your usual wrongdoer.

One needs guts to mess with those guys - I was thinking as I suddenly found myself standing. I was dedicated to keeping my head high, convincing myself - and, of course, everyone around me, - that this is not all that intimidating.

I heard August scoff and did my best not to blush, deeply focused, committed to ignoring him. I was fighting the urge not to kick that annoying priest.

A tall sturdy man took a step forth. It was impossible not to notice a slight difference in his armour - the shade seemed darker, and even the material might have been different. This well-built soldier had raven black hair and deep red - bloody? - eyes. Surprisingly, despite his frightening appearance, I could feel a sense of calmness and security emitting from his body.

“I welcome thy, August Evander, our holy Krivi Supreme,” a deep voice echoed through the Sun’s Square.

“Welcome back home, welcome back to Hiraeth,” both the articulation and the perfectly executed body language left me convinced: he was the commander of this extremely strong battalion of soldiers - the Thunder Knights.

“We’re finally back home,” August replied and a warm smile washed over the high priest’s face. “Our Deidre is finally back to Hiraeth,” blue eyes found my gaze and I realised myself walking towards the crow-looking soldier.

“Deidre Oleander,” the high priest introduced my hand to the tall figure before me. “Please kindly meet the chief commander of the Thunder Knights - Elijah Crimson. You are now under his direct protection.”

I gracefully - or I would like to believe so - curtseyed myself towards the commander. Strong yet slender fingers suddenly wrapped around my manual extremities. Unexpectedly, a kiss landed on the back of my hand.

“Enchanted, lady Deidre,” Elijah spoke in a softer tone. “Welcome back to Hiraeth,” an honest smile flashed at me.

*

Deidre was too lost in the maze of her thoughts (Why did everyone welcome her back to Hiraeth?) to register the happenings throughout the actual maze. The Sun’s Square was filled with heavily armed soldiers, all dutifully bowing heads and bending their knees whilst surrounding the actors at the centre of this ethereal scene.

The golden-haired man nonchalantly observed his surroundings, not a single care in the world was showing on his immaculate face. On the other hand, red eyes were glimmering with excitement as the black-haired figure took a stronger grip on the fragile wrist, carefully attempting to slip away. A confused woman stood in the centre of this scene, desperately weaving the cloth of her thoughts and trying not to lose it.

It’s too late to be scared, get cold feet and give myself up - she thought to herself. I shall prevail - a mantra was repeating in her mind.

Countless soldiers washed away in the background as birds chirped and warm breezes flew left and right between them. The Void was no longer there, but Deidre could still feel the missing parts of herself floating somewhere out there.

Through this trial, I shall prevail.