7 [https://img.wattpad.com/4f723c5dacf54d226e3a74e2e5d1c3874c39c11d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6b586132456b4c79436b41465f773d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234636531633737373933353634383034353433383237342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
7. Fulfilling an old promise
"What are you talking about," asks the Seeker confused. "What promise? I didn't promise anything to you."
A flock of Thirty birds is flying through the sky, chirping a song of foreboding calmness. Their harmonious tune, like the prelude of a powerful symphony.
The mysterious stranger grins.
"Long, long time ago, there was a promise made. That after roaming around for centuries, being lost in the darkness, we will find a path. That we'll pave a way of love and light. That the old flame that has been burning in our eyes will be rekindled again. That the broken shall be pieced together, that the hidden shall be revealed, that the lost shall be found again.
A forgotten memory, hidden deep inside of you. Like a beautiful dream, which you can't remember. Like an itch in an unreachable area. Like the melody of a song you are trying to remember. You can't grasp it. You can't express it with words... But there's this knowing... Isn't there? Since your childhood you have been searching for it, haven't you?"
The orchestra of birds is singing their rising hymn in unison. Their song echoes through the forest, getting louder and louder, increasing in strength by each passing minute.
Their song echoes through the forest, getting louder and louder, increasing in strength by each passing minute [https://img.wattpad.com/5df13bd59d30cdf428b0d1b26cd01ac6430c2ea1/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4b305f7933435642374e504a6d513d3d2d313430373437353432362e3137613332346436373332643262316637373335343532383939312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"You are talking nonsense," shouts the Seeker nervously. "You don't know me. You don't know anything about me... So stop trying to get me confused!"
"Oh man," sighs the mysterious stranger . "Did you really forget everything? Come on, remember what I told you, when we met in your dreams."
The symphony of the birds is nearing its crescendo. The flock of bis spreads out, as each bird lands on a tree. Their rhythm, coming ever closer to its climax.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/ba8fca3a59780e90b637d6240a637efc529de8c8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7a624a4c646f4153697a305734773d3d2d313430373437353432362e3137613332346438643565303134323733353234313830383430362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Wha- In- In my Dreams?" the Seeker asks confused, shaking their head. "No... no this can't be. You are messing with me."
The mysterious stranger breathes in deeply. Suddenly all birds fall silent, observing the two on the bench, as the mysterious stranger begins humming a tune. The chorus of the symphony of birds. A melody that sounds familiar to the seeker.
A melody that sounds familiar to the seeker [https://img.wattpad.com/18781736d6fdef0560adafbcab186a7a5ffea469/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f516e425045734949306a582d65673d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234646530376336646237313339373330353433373633362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"We will meet again," sings the mysterious stranger in the most beautiful melody.
As the stranger sings the promised words, all the birds join in the chorus. The song reaches its peak. The birds fly from their trees, forming another flock, dancing through the sky in joy, as their powerful hymn reaches the furthest corners of the forest.
Suddenly the Seeker feels this strange wave of energy moving in their spine.
"Stop it," the Seeker demands, engulfed by fear. "Shut up!"
The stranger stops. Sudden silence. The quiet birds hide again within the trees. After the Seeker calms down, the Stranger opens his mouth again:
"I fully respect, if you don't want to go any further. I understand, if this frightens you. I mean it is weird after all, isn't it? As if I were speaking to you directly... It's up to you. If you are not interested, then ignore this and just continue as usual.
However, there is a reason that we are holding this conversation. There is a reason that we are here right now... You, hearing my words spoken to you... Is there really nothing more to this? If you are not ready to embark on this journey, it would be better if you go now."
image [https://img.wattpad.com/69b50d88fa242710a27a10aa5727f43388a0b1fa/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f747232756461473862764f6437413d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234653133666464623063373739303439343330373838392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker remains silent. They are thinking about how they were occupying the bench first.
"Ah, so you are still here," speaks the mysterious stranger joyfully after some time.
"I'm glad you have decided to stay. Someday you will understand the significance of this decision."
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Well...," comments the Seeker with a confused face. "This is my bench."
Some of the birds start chirping again, as they remain hidden in the trees. Slowly, one bird, after another, joins the song again.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/1cfbddcf154c9cca9b623c98007b3ce54cae0c65/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d6f4e4b44686e57566c584841773d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234653662303739633239633331343237333238373231332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Anyway," continues the stranger .
"You have heard it, haven't you? The great call. It might have reached you in your dreams, in your thoughts or in your feelings. I tell you this: You are not alone. Many have heard it... It resounded in our hearts, like a great wave of relief, of joy, of hope. Throughout the globe, many joined the orchestra of life. Adding their own unique voice to this amazing symphony.
I know that you have heard it. I know that you have felt it deep within. The dawn of something great. A new path has unfolded in front of us. Now we can walk together. We have made our choice. We have chosen love before selfishness, we have chosen light before darkness. Now it's up to each and everyone to do their part.
I know, the task seems impossible. I know that you are scared to stand up. You want to keep things as they are. You want to continue waiting here on this bench, all by yourself. You tell yourself, that this is normal, you tell yourself, that this is where you should be. This is what's expected of you. This is safe.
Stop telling yourself that you are content, if you aren't. Is this really what fulfills you? Ask yourself, if this is truly were you are supposed to be. Don't you know deep down, that there is more to life? Can't you hear this quiet voice, deep within your heart, calling for your name?"
The symphony of birds is rising again. Some leave their tree, flying freely through the open sky. Other birds are joining them, as the song of hope is rising once again.
The Seeker bursts into tears [https://img.wattpad.com/2cb991a69d803d03ca18a7e8f153144ebe05ce55/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f767837304773714c6b5934475a773d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234656461633734333164323932333134313236393833392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker bursts into tears. "I can't... No, no, no... I am not ready to make this step... What will people think of me? What if it leads to pain? What if I fail? I am too afraid to do this all alone..."
The stranger suddenly stands up.
"There is no need to be afraid," he speaks in a reassuring voice. "You don't need to walk this path alone. Because I will be with you. Let us walk together, side by side and find our way. Not as teacher and student, not as leader and follower, but as two old friends. As equals, with the common goal of reaching the top of the tallest mountain."
The stranger points with his index finger at a mountain in the far distance, so high, that it melts with the blue sky.
The stranger points with his index finger at a mountain in the far distance, so high, that it melts with the blue sky [https://img.wattpad.com/21785cfa0fbdd66c13266a928ba979c4fbbca871/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7937544e42387079443632674e413d3d2d313430373437353432362e3137613332346636376238653464303038363730313633313735322e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"There, dear Seeker, at Axis Mundi, the two of us will find together what we have been searching for. We will end the everlasting search once and for all."
The stranger stretches his hand towards the Seeker. The Seeker remains hesitant:
"I can't... no really, you expect too much from me. I mean... I don't even know you... Why should I trust you... How can I know for certain that you won't abuse my trust... my goodwill..."
"We are all in this together, my old friend," says the stranger with a big grin on his face. "If you may allow me... I would like to share something with you."
"Go ahead," says the Seeker with their head pointing downwards.
As the birds in the sky are increasing in numbers, their song reaching once again the chorus, the flock is forming beautiful patterns. From the depths of the forest, all animals appear, quietly listening to the wonderful melody. Squirrels, rabbits, foxes, deers, wolves and bears. All observing in silent expectation.
All observing in silent expectation [https://img.wattpad.com/49893e89515b7d721d1aacb19bd0d5dbe0db8206/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6d676353645868416f53763168673d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333234663733393765633138633438383634363733383535312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The mysterious stranger whispers secret words into the ear of the Seeker. Words that only the reader knows.
Deep within their minds, forgotten words rise again to the surface. Yes, it is what you are thinking.
Again the orchestra reaches its climax. All birds in unison sing the chorus of the sacred song:
"WE WILL MEET AGAIN."
Even the mammals join the chorus [https://img.wattpad.com/53ae0b40af1d4f11d9c199f94cebf99f40cca6bd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f346648745075347453532d4850413d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333235303365386634643164343530383233333636343033372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Even the mammals join the chorus. From behind the bushes, in the shadows of the trees and from within the long grass, they join the great symphony, adding with their unique voice and sound. Even the bear growls and the wolf howls the song of hope and liberation... All together, humming a melody, once forgotten, but deep within the heart always remembered.
As the Seeker listens, they again feel a wave of heat and energy moving through their body. Even more powerful than before. The Seeker raises their head upwards and for the first time, since the stranger sat himself beside them, they gaze directly into his eyes. Only now did they realize that the eyes of the stranger were burning, as if they were made of flames.
Only now did they realize that the eyes of the stranger were burning, as if they were made of flames [https://img.wattpad.com/6da94d7bac6d52a625ead8f746b6ce8021b9083c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5061587651306c713942453568673d3d2d313430373437353432362e3137613332353062363161386131396132323732303135393030352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Ok," says the Seeker after some tgime of considertion.
"For now... I'll let you walk by my side... But let this be clear: This does not mean I trust you... I am just curious, what will happen next."
" [https://img.wattpad.com/92ff1195f704ae39be44a3054d4001bef5425e6d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f55565f6565436e5a346f514753773d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333235313263323938323038613437353934303433303634352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Stranger chuckles.
"Frankly, I don't give a damn, whether you trust me or not. All that matters is that you are trusting yourself... I mean seriously, why are you so insecure? There is no need to be afraid. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You don't even see your own greatness. Why can't you see how wonderful you are?
I can see it so clearly... I don't even need to know you personally... Because no matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter when you are, the fire of humanity is burning deep within you. So don't be afraid. There's no need for fear. If you could see yourself, as I see you, you would understand."
The Seeker silently nods their head and takes a deep breath. They take their first step forward on a journey that would change their life forever. Side by Side, the Seeker and the Stranger are walking through the forest, leaving the bench behind.
Side by Side, the Seeker and the Stranger are walking through the forest, leaving the bench behind [https://img.wattpad.com/1546f1460ecd493611df579f544cfeea587da0fa/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f45464f564e70565f6457726552513d3d2d313430373437353432362e313761333235313464366264656238373939303539393837343234392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"So," the Seeker asks. "What's the matter with these eyes of yours?"
"Let me put it this way," the mysterious Stranger laughs. "One day, your eyes will burn as well."
Even though they couldn't imagine in a million years, where the path would lead them, the Seeker felt an emergence of new excitement and joy, deep inside their heart. As they traversed into the Unknown land ahead, the Seeker realized that this was the beginning of a great adventure.
TO BE CONTINUED