After having foraged for some exotic fruits I had eaten my fill and built a resting area in a tree I slept for the first time in what seemed like an age. My wounds were healing up faster than usual and my sense of fatigue had subsided to a point where my bones didn’t feel like they were going to crack with every next step. My intuition had guided me to the right plants, since I didn’t have any stomach pains – I’m pretty sure the fruit helped my body to heal. I felt great in comparison to before and I was glad I wasn’t disturbed by any animals during the night. I had a few fruits left and decided to enjoy their unfamiliar taste before I set off. The one had a sweet citrus flavour which gave me an energetic feeling and the other was creamy and filled me quickly – I was ready to carry on.

Jumping down from my perch the ground was soft; littered with leaves but not yet muddy. I had no idea where I was going so I followed the direction I was going yesterday – the shortest path away from that dreadful spire. It wasn’t long until I heard the sound of water running down some rock and falling into a pool – I decided to make my way towards it; a shower wasn’t a bad idea.

It took a while to cut my way through the brush but the effort was worth it – the waterfall was rejuvenating and I was happy to rinse my clothes of all the sweat. Standing there in the torrent of water I happened to notice a faint fairy like light shining on the other side of the pool – it was dancing around, flickering white and blue as to catch my attention. I jumped in and swam its way.

Getting out of the water I was now directly in front of it; it fluttered and flickered a few times more and then halted at about waist height and started to vibrate – with a sudden poof of white smoke no longer was a light in front of me but a green lizard being dressed blue and extremely humanoid. I sensed no danger so I dismissed the thought of running away and instead greeted the being with a lifted hand saying in a pleasantly surprised tone: Hi.

The being lifted his hand and said: You have come – I am glad. I am the keeper of the forest and I have a message for you.

Indeed? I replied; do tell.

You have lost your protectors – I shall have them returned to you, also I have information about your immediate future – but first let us see to your spherical friends.

He motioned to the pool to our right and let ripples originate from a space where the water was almost still; lifting his hands at the centre of the ripples now bubbles formed. The bubbles multiplied and the water became darker as if ink had been released at the bottom somewhere. The bubbles splashed to the surface slowly getting bigger and bigger as he went on with his spell. As they became the size of a fist I saw the orbs lights slowly fade into view from within the inky substance – yellow, blue and grey. They rose out of the water into view as if frozen in a picture and suddenly popped into existence as if a wormhole was suddenly closed. With a flurry they floated my way, circling my entire body in giddy vigour – I had no idea they missed me so; they must have been in the worst place imaginable.

“These orbs are your guides; they have always been around you – whether in ethereal form or in physical form – these three always make sure that your safe. I suspect they were captured by sorcerers from the dark tower and put under extremely torturous conditions as to find out your presence. Naturally they did not give up your position, but I recon they need a lot of rest before they may be of full service once again. At this time they will also take human form and will be able to help you in a more familiar way, but until you reach Izuh’goll keep them close to you in this satchel I have made for you – it binds to your body as to not become uncomfortable, just throw it over your shoulder and it will fasten by itself.

Thank you – it’s very practical. If I may ask how is it that you and the friends of yours can travel from one place to another in such angelic form? And is this one of the teachings that I shall learn in your stronghold which I assume is Izuh’goll?

Yes you are correct; Izuh’goll is our stronghold and we shall teach you thought travel as one of our ways. By focusing on our destination we – the higher beings of this world – open a wormhole in space which we travel through.  We may also send apparitions of ourselves or open these holes for our comrades – much like I did for your protectors – this is a natural ability one gains in the higher realms of consciousness. We as a folk harbour the knowledge of the higher dimensions and share it with all souls that are willing and ready.

The dark ones controlling this world are then of lower dimension I presume, for otherwise there would have been no escaping them.

This is correct – they rule the planes by imposing their negative energy on their subjects; forcing them below their own level of consciousness – making them subservient and docile; doing their every bidding and accomplishing their every command, much to their own dismay. It is a game of capturing souls they play – for no soul can be captured without its free will – you were strong, you did not falter when they tried to impose their will over your own. This is the secret – every experience received is only there through ones own choice. Intuitively you knew this and you fought to protect it.

You watch my every move?

It is part of our goal to make sure everyone on our side is taken care of on their journey through the dark worlds that need be crossed to get to our stronghold. This plane is one that ties many together yet has not the ability to be spawned to from the lower dimensions – that is partly why the dark has chosen this plane for its stronghold and because of them we have our own stronghold here. To battle for the good – this world of pain and misery has gone on long enough and even its inhabitants no longer wish its presence, yet they have taken it too far and no longer know the way back – that is why we are here – to lead the way.

So your original civilization is not of this world; you are from another?

Correct; we have monitored the darks actions over many an eternity to once be able to balance the scales when needed – see every world is intertwined with all others, so naturally each world has their binding factors – in this instance this binding factor is us. I personally have been this forests keeper for around 8000 years – the darks siege has gone on for almost 150 000 years. There is no doubt that the darks reign will go on – for no being can be stripped of its free will but in this world its reign is over. And by “us” I mean the Lumina; we are the keepers of the light. We have our feelers in every world and gladly offer our knowledge and help to those that need it. It is our calling; it is our purpose; it is what we like to do, for in reality All Are One.

Which means?

This means that in reality all beings and worlds are one world; one being – thus providing us with the opportunity to always help where needed. We travel planets and constellations in search of adventure and the application of our gifts, forever improving on ourselves and our abilities. To us life is a never ending sequence of fluctuating waves – we enter the dark only to enlighten it from within and do this over and over; lifetime after lifetime – for life is never ending; every death is followed by an incarnation and so we are all the energy of the one soul re-expressing itself in different forms and guises. We live the life of infinity and are the teachers of it; so that this soul life may carry on forever and ever.

What you say is truth – you have put words to insight I could not express and your way of life is honourable; I feel as if I may have been part of it in my past and I wish to be reunited with this life once more. I have fallen into deep confusion and I feel this life is lifting me beyond it. Each conscious battle and each encounter with beings such as yourself let me reconnect to my former self – a headstrong traveller of worlds that knows the difference between the good and the bad; a strong follower of the heart. This persona I wish to harbour once again.

And you shall, and do not feel afraid to slay your enemy for what you kill is the dark mask. Their guise will fall and what shall be left will be their former self – the innocent in all of us – the untouched by the dark. Violence on this plane is a saviour when reincarnation is on the side of the good. Kill the dark with righteous intent and their life will return to the light – kill with thoughts of the dark and your victims may fall back into their clutches. May this given information give you peace of mind over your actions. There will be imminent danger down the river – it is the only way – the forest will test you; and you shall succeed with a little help. From then on you must find a stagnant pool that will be a milestone in your journey to Izuh’goll.

Thank you greatly, may peace be our journey.

May light be the way.

And with a silent breeze the keeper of the forest was gone from sight.