CHAPTER I
Mysterious radiance descended from the heavens, as if roused from an eternal slumber. Beneath it, the icy touch danced in the footsteps of distant observers, painting a vivid picture that enveloped the length of her form, a kaleidoscope of frosty tranquility where uniformity and ceaseless change intertwined. Amidst this frozen peace, questions dared not arise, for the ambience was close and sharp, akin to a single word devoid of meaning. It beckoned her to take flight, while a profound sensation permeated her frost-kissed soul. All would eventually slip into the depths of oblivion, as if erased from existence.
Yet Thea remained resolute, refusing to disrupt the harmony of her surroundings. She stood as one with the undisturbed world. A faint radiance continued its graceful descent from above, drifting with hushed serenity, until it fluttered half-silently, plunging into the verdant and sonorous abyss of the outstretched arms of the eternal, supplicating Day trees. The eyes of the forest continued to follow her, as she descended into the tranquil reverie of unspoken thoughts. These moments were fleeting, and amid the indefinable and enigmatic chorus of unnamed entities, their compelling presence demanded acknowledgment. Among them, amidst the undulating lines of a familiar portrait, she perceived a familiar essence.
In this place, the ordinary sounds of ringing bells and the delicate hum of ethereal melodies played in harmony, occasionally disrupted by the frenetic clamor of the portrait. The resounding wail filled her with a sense of unease, its unmistakable tone echoing relentlessly, compelling all to cower before its unrelenting presence, vanishing into the comfort of invisibility. Thea despised the brashness of the portrait, an obtrusive figure that expanded as everything else receded. Manifesting in its obscurity, it gradually cloaked her being without consent, merging her with the countless voices and identities that inhabited her.
A sudden shriek pierced through the luminous veil, snapping her back to reality, and the black raven, as anticipated, returned to her side. Thea closed her eyes, seeking unity with this familiar entity that enabled her to perceive the world through its unique understanding.
"What are you doing?" The voice, closer this time, demanded her attention.
The proximity startled her, and she struggled to part her lips. "Gaze out the window," she finally whispered, the words weighted with pain. The ice had fractured and the neglected question had wrestled her thoughts, reshaping the strange tableau she had brought forth.
"I was watching you," he responded, "but I must leave. I came to bid farewell. I will come back later." With those words, his voice drifted toward the door. Thea turned her head to observe his departure. His silhouette, like that of everyone else, faded into the obscurity, yet it held her gaze more fervently than the radiant glow from the window.
Comments