Recraft.ai
Genora looked at the sky and gently swayed her hands as if to move a patch of cloud. Unsurprisingly, the cloud realigned. Genora was starting to feel like it was more than a coincidence that every time she pretended to move the clouds, they did. She quickly dropped her hands when she noticed her grandmother adjusting in her seat.
“Grandma? Imagine the clouds moving shapes like this.” Genora twirled around lightly like the wind was holding the weight of her body. “Shape shifting and dancing like in waltz with a beautiful melody serenading the atmosphere.” She spiraled again, completely immersed in her little world.
Vira looked up from her book and fixed her crooked glasses below the bridge of her nose as if to see Genora properly. She closed her book and watched the young teenager in silence. “You know, I had thought that the spark of wonder, imagination, and childlike curiosity had completely vanished in this fast-paced world. Turns out, there is still hope in my lineage. Perhaps, the gates of Astralis will open again.” Vira muttered with a distant look in her eyes.
“Astralis? Another story Grandma?” Genora paused to catch her balance. “You know I'm too old for made-up stories now Grandma.”
“Says the girl with the dancing clouds.” Vira rolled her saggy eyes and they both laughed. “Come on now. I think we are going to have bad weather. I'll tell you about Astralis over a cuppa.”
Genora helped Vira up as they walked into the cozy dimly lit house. She started the stove and Vira settled into an old wide couch.
“Centuries ago, the world wasn't as fast as now. Humans slowed down. We dreamed, stopped to smell the flowers, and let our imaginations run wild. For some of us, our dreams and imaginations became so vivid that they began to manifest. There were shifters-people who could walk in and out of paintings and mirrors, star dancers, cloud weavers, and nature whisperers. The list was endless.” Vira's eyes lit up and the fold beneath her eyes almost shimmered. “But you know what? They still live, Genora! They exist,” she announced.
“In Astralis?” Genora raised an eyebrow. She handed her grandmother a steaming cup of freshly brewed cinnamon and ginger tea. Then she curled up in a blanket beside Vira.
“Umhmm!” Vira sipped from her cup and let the heat simmer down her insides. She gave Genora a long look. “I know you can weave clouds honey and it is no coincidence."
Genora adjusted uneasily, pretending not to hear Vira. “Ummh so why aren't you in Astralis, grandma? You are a believer of the old days you speak of aren't you?” Genora pouted.
“Some of us have dedicated our lives to guiding and nurturing beautiful souls like yours to Astralis. We can only nudge you but you have to find the path on your own.” Vira blinked and the look on her face stiffened.
“Are you being serious Granny?”
Vira gave a slight nod.
“Were my parents nurturers too?” Genora drew closer to Vira and searched her eyes.
Vira’s expression went blank then she nodded again. “That's not all of the story, Genora.” Vira rubbed Genora’s arm softly.
“Your parents didn't die in a car crash ten years ago. Before Astralis was created, the world had begun seeing special humans as a threat. They were labelled evil and dangerous to the extent that secret attacks began. Astralis was created as a sanctuary. A safe place for all the special people while the nurturers stayed back to guide beautiful souls to safety.
“One black October, there was a massive attack. Somehow, the enemies had gotten word of Astralis and its location. They wanted nothing more than to destroy it. Most of us were caught off guard and sadly, we lost your parents and many wonderful dreamers across the world. It was the goriest thing I had ever seen. Your parents gave their lives to protect you and Astralis.” Vira let tears trickle down her face. “I had promised to keep this truth until you are ready. Now listen to me Genora, I'm not going to be here much longer. I can feel it. You would do well to take care and find Astralis on your own. Remember, the enemies are still out there.”
Genora’s chest tightened. She felt a mix of pain, realization, and confusion as the news settled, unraveling feelings she had never felt before. For a long moment, Genora and Vira sat in still silence. The following days were filled with questions about Astralis and its inhabitants. Genora wanted to know everything and Vira was gracious with her words.
Genora lived her life shying away from the rest of the world because she felt different. She was homeschooled and barely had any friends. She always thought that her wild imagination, peculiar thoughts, and unconventional ways were greatly influenced by her grandmother's tales. She was only just discovering that every inch had been a part of her for the longest time and she was merely manifesting. She wasn’t so different after all. There were others like her that the world didn't recognize and it was okay to be different.
“This is all the help I can give. Astralis is the personal journey of a true dreamer,” Vira said one night. She retrieved a box from her dresser and handed it to Genora. Inside it was a carved-out tree bark. It had a strange inscription on it and it smelled of cinnamon and distant rain.
Two days later, Vira passed away peacefully in her sleep. Genora mourned alone for weeks. She had grief in her heart but the gentle kind. Genora knew that her grandma had lived a fulfilled life.
One night, Genora missed the old woman so much. She made herself a cup of Vira’s cinnamon tea recipe and went to her favorite spot behind the house. The air beneath the cinnamon tree gently brought scintillating memories of Vira. Genora closed her eyes and drifted into memory lane. When she finally opened them. She noticed a hollow in the tree. Genora moved closer and ran her hands around its rough edges.
Her heart raced. She ran back into the house and retrieved her grandma's box. Genora slowly fitted the piece of wood into the hollow space. She stepped back and gaped. “How did I never see this?” she whispered.
The air around her began to change. Genora started to hear whispers much like a low melodious tune. Then the trees began to move as if swaying to the melody. Suddenly, the tree crevice began to peel open like pages of a book revealing a world laced through seasons and time.
Genora felt an alluring pull that heightened her senses. She inhaled deeply witnessing scenes that only used to exist in her imagination. Genora saw moon threaders, candlelight birds, a boy playing chess with the clouds, a girl painting the sea, memories blooming like flowers, and gardens waking up to the melody of the wind.
Genora felt as though she was witnessing overlapping time, seasons, and people from different eras all at once. The wonder, dreams, and untold stories that mankind had forgotten had been tucked safely in Astralis. A feeling so surreal and exhilarating engulfed her. Genora stepped in without looking back. As she paced, the hearty cheers and warm smiles that greeted her made her heart bounce. She smiled.
“I am home now,” she whispered.
