? Faris S. J. 2024. All rights reserved.


    Chapter three : A World Apart


    A distant voice echoed as though emerging from the depths of an unfamiliar void.


    ''Wake up… Are you all right? … Can you hear me? … Try to wake up!''


    Gradually, I opened my eyes, finding a young man with striking blue eyes leaning over me, gently shaking my shoulders in an attempt to rouse me. Pain coursed through my body like a searing current, as if I had just escaped from a nightmare that had gripped my very flesh. For a moment, I thought he might be a paramedic who had rushed to my aid, yet his attire was oddly unfamiliar, unlike anything I knew.


    He spoke in a worried tone.


    ''Can you sit up?''


    I nodded, and he offered his hand to help me sit before continuing,


    ''What happened to you? I found you lying by the lakeshore and thought you were dead.''


    I stared at him in astonishment, unable to discern where I was or how I had ended up here. His accent was peculiar, reminiscent of some rural English dialects I once encountered. Steadying myself, I asked,


    ''What about the taxi driver?''


    He appeared confused, then said,


    ''I don’t know what you mean. There was no one else by the lake, just you. By the way, my name is Luca… and you are?''


    I looked at him for a moment before answering coolly,


    ''Bradley.''


    Luca offered to help me stand, but I refused sharply, saying,


    ''No, no… just call the paramedics; they know how to handle this sort of thing.''


    He gave me a startled look and replied hesitantly,


    ''Paramedics? … All right, I’ll try.''


    He turned towards the lake and called out loudly,


    ''Paramedics… your friend is here!''


    No one answered. He returned, looking baffled, and said,


    ''Bradley… it seems your companions have either drowned or left. But don’t worry, my village is nearby. You can spend the night at my home, and I’ll arrange a place for you to rest.''


    I could not contain my anger and shouted into his face,


    ''You fool! Is this your first day on the job?''


    He surprised me with a calm reply:


    ''How did you know that? Indeed, I’ve only just returned from the master builder, who gave me his guidance and advice… I spent the night at an inn so I could return early this morning.''


    I felt even more bewildered. Builders? He was not a paramedic at all, and his strange clothing now seemed to confirm a different understanding of my predicament. Trying to regain my composure, I said,


    ''Never mind, just ring the emergency services on 999, and they’ll handle the rest.''


    He looked more confused and said,


    ''I don’t know what this service is, or these numbers you’re mentioning. You seem deeply affected by what you’ve been through. Don’t worry, I’ll help you stand, though you’re heavier than I expected!''


    Fury flared within me, and I shouted,


    ''Idiot! Is this how you treat someone my age, with such insolence? Is this the upbringing you received from your parents and school? Are you mocking me because I’m an old man? If I had my walking stick, I wouldn’t need your help, you ill-mannered wretch!''


    Luca stepped closer, his voice steady.


    ''It seems you’re hurt, and that’s why you’re speaking this way. It’s all right; I’ll support you until you regain your strength. I can’t accept leaving someone who needs help behind.''


    I felt his arm slip beneath my right shoulder to help me stand. Suddenly, a strange and overwhelming sensation took hold of me. I stood up without pain—my back straight, head held high. I realised with sudden astonishment that I was taller than Luca, and I no longer felt my chronic back aches. My hand rose instinctively to my face, feeling smooth, wrinkle-free skin.


    I asked, incredulous,


    ''Am I… dreaming? Or have I actually died?''


    I pushed past Luca and rushed towards the lake, ignoring his urgent shouts. There, I gazed into the still waters; the reflection staring back at me was my old face—my younger face! It was the visage of Bradley in his youth, full of vitality and untouched by age.


    I turned to Luca, stunned.


    ''Where exactly am I?''


    He answered calmly,


    ''You are in the great Desilta Kingdom.''


    I had never heard of such a place, so I asked,


    ''Does that mean I’m… in heaven? Or perhaps in hell? Or am I somewhere outside all judgement and eternity?''


    Luca smiled reassuringly.


    ''Follow me and things will become clearer. We’ve wasted enough time here.''


    ? ? ?


    I followed in his footsteps, almost convinced I was dead or in a deep coma caused by the accident—that this was a nightmare playing out before my life slipped away. I moved slowly at first, stumbling, steadying myself against rocks and trees along the path. It felt as though I were a child learning to walk again. I had relied on a walking stick for so many years that maintaining balance without it became a new challenge. Yet, as time passed, I gradually regained confidence in my steps and managed to keep pace with Luca.


    Inside me churned a blend of awe, excitement, and lingering confusion. I pondered this strange place and how I had regained my youth. Questions crowded my mind about Desilta Kingdom. Ah, how I had missed this feeling—the freedom of walking unaided, without a stick or a frame, without stooping to ease my chronic back pain, without fear that each step might topple me. I had longed to move freely, to take long strides without dreading a fall or thinking of my worn hip joint. It felt as though I had entered another world entirely, granted a second chance at life.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As I followed Luca, my eyes roamed over the scenery in astonishment. Nature differed markedly from anything I knew in Liverpool. The trees were more vividly green and alive than any I had ever seen, and the air was so fresh I felt as though I were breathing freely for the very first time.


    I called out to the young man, panting slightly, unaccustomed to this sudden exertion:


    ''Young man, what are these marvellous trees? I’ve never seen anything like them before.''


    Luca turned to me with a smile.


    ''These are life trees, Bradley. They grow only here in Desilta. Their sap can cure any illness. Though we seldom need it, these trees are among our most precious treasures for trade with other kingdoms.''


    At that moment, I glimpsed a white city in the distance, gleaming under the sunlight. Its towering buildings had a unique architectural style, unlike anything familiar—more like something from a science fiction book.


    Pointing towards that shimmering city, I asked,


    ''What is that place?''


    Luca replied proudly.


    ''That is the capital, the White City. It’s the heart and soul of Desilta, home to sages and warriors, where the kingdom’s affairs are governed. But we’re not heading there now; my village lies in the opposite direction.''


    As we continued through forests and fields, I noticed some people we passed wore glowing, coloured bracelets—green, red, blue, yellow, and purple. The sight was strange, their bracelets glowing brightly in the daylight. Some carried oddly shaped swords, as if I’d wandered into a historical drama about Vikings, or something drawn from The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.


    I asked Luca, pointing to the glowing bracelets.


    ''What are these bracelets everyone’s wearing?''


    He paused a moment, hesitating before answering.


    ''They’re Life Path Bracelets. They reflect each person’s role in our community from the age of twenty. Green for builders, red for warriors, blue for sages, yellow for merchants, and purple for servants.''


    I detected a faint sadness in his voice as he mentioned builders. Glancing at his wrist, I saw a gently glowing green bracelet. I recalled his talk of training as a builder. I wanted to ask more about this system, but sensed it might be a sensitive topic for him, so I chose silence.


    ? ? ?


    We continued on until we reached a small village. Its houses, crafted from stone and wood, had a beautiful, traditional style—strange yet simple at once. Everything seemed meticulously built, each detail telling its own story. The villagers wore clothing similar to Luca’s, gazing at me curiously, as though I were someone from another world.


    Luca pointed to a small house.


    ''This is my home.''


    We stopped before a wooden door. Before Luca could open it, the door swung inward, and a young woman appeared. She had a gentle face and bright eyes, wearing a blue bracelet that glowed more intensely than Luca’s green one.


    She exclaimed happily, her eyes gleaming:


    ''Luca! You’ve finally returned!''


    Turning her gaze to me, she raised her eyebrows and asked with curious interest,


    ''And who is this with you, Luca?''


    He answered immediately,


    ''Mum, this is Bradley. I found him by the lake. It seems he… isn’t from here.''


    Mum? She was calling him her son, yet she looked barely older than twenty-five! How could she have a son Luca’s age? Doubts swelled within me. Was I still dreaming, or was I embarking on a strange adventure in a mysterious world?


    The woman studied me intently, as if trying to read my innermost thoughts, then offered a warm smile.


    ''Welcome, Bradley. I’m Elena, Luca’s mother and one of the village’s sages.''


    There was something unusual about her presence. With her gentle words, some of the disorientation within me seemed to lift, if only for a moment.


    Elena gestured invitingly inside.


    ''Come in, both of you. We have much to discuss. There’s a small celebration planned for Luca’s return from…''


    She broke off abruptly when her gaze fell upon Luca’s bracelet. The smile vanished from her lips. Something troubled her—something untold.


    ? ? ?


    I entered the house, feeling a strange mixture of fear, excitement, and curiosity. Questions swirled in my mind: Where exactly was I? Was this a dream or reality? I glanced around at the simple furnishings, reminiscent of medieval homes—no sign of modern technology. No television, no clocks, no familiar devices. It was as though I had stepped back into another era.


    Elena asked me to sit on a nearby wooden chair, then began placing food on the table before us. Silence fell, broken only by the quiet clink of dishes. Tension seeped into me. I longed to understand what was happening.


    After a few moments, we sat around the table. Elena finally broke the silence, her warm voice directed towards me.


    ''Bradley, tonight you are our guest. Tell us, where have you come from? I’ve not seen your face in Desilta before.''


    Tension tightened inside me. I wasn’t sure how much to reveal. I decided to be cautious.


    ''I… come from Liverpool.''


    Luca and Elena exchanged puzzled looks. Luca ventured:


    ''Liverpool? We’ve never heard that name before. Is it beyond Desilta’s borders?''


    I shook my head, striving to remain calm, and answered,


    ''Yes, it’s… a very distant place.''


    Elena regarded me with curious eyes and said,


    ''And how did you get here, Bradley?''


    Panic flickered inside me. How could I explain what I did not understand myself? I kept my answer vague:


    ''I don’t remember exactly… The last thing I recall was being in a taxi, then I woke up by the lakeshore.''


    Elena did not seem entirely convinced, but she didn’t press further. After a moment’s pause, she asked,


    ''Bradley… do you remember anything about your life? Have you ever heard of Desilta or the surrounding kingdoms before?''


    I answered plainly,


    ''I remember my life well from my childhood in Yorkshire. I’ve never heard of Desilta or any of these kingdoms. Your way of life—your clothes and daily living—differs completely from anything I’ve known.''


    Elena smiled gently.


    ''That’s all right, Bradley… It’s clear you’re a stranger to Desilta. I don’t mind where you came from, and I’m glad you’re no spy from The Ravens Kingdom or anywhere else.''


    Then, with a confident tone, she continued,


    ''You should know Desilta is unlike any other place. We have a unique system that grants each individual a defined role in life, one they must uphold for the glory and prosperity of the kingdom.''


    Elena cast a meaningful look at Luca, then went on,


    ''One of Desilta’s secrets is that we do not age, nor do we fall ill. Thanks to the life trees and the wisdom of our sages, we live long and healthy lives.''


    I stopped eating, stunned.


    ''That… that’s impossible! How can that be? Is it… magic?''


    Elena laughed, a cheerful sound.


    ''Not magic, but advanced knowledge and a deep harmony with nature’s powers. We’ve learned to harness the earth’s gifts to enhance our lives. This special ability of Desilta has long made it coveted by those around us.''


    Luca added in a heavy tone, as if bearing a weight of disappointment.


    ''This is the life we know.''


    Elena gently interrupted, as though easing a burden from her son’s shoulders,


    ''Luca has just completed his path selection ritual. It’s a pivotal moment in every young person’s life here in Desilta, determining the course of their existence forever.''


    Then Luca turned to me, curious.


    ''What about your country, Bradley? Do you have similar systems?''


    Nerves prickled within me again. How could I describe my world—its vehicles, phones, and digital networks—to them? It would sound more outlandish than anything I’d yet encountered. I chose my words carefully:


    ''In my country, things are a bit different. We… well, we do age, we can become ill, and we have other ways of working and living.''


    Elena and Luca exchanged thoughtful glances. Their curiosity had clearly grown, but I did not want to delve into details that might seem pure fantasy. A part of me still believed I might be dreaming, or that this was all a hallucination following my accident.


    I added, hoping to calm the atmosphere,


    ''It’s hard to explain everything now. Perhaps later I can tell you more.''


    Elena nodded with understanding.


    ''Of course. You must be tired from your journey. Let’s finish our meal, and then you can rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and perhaps then you’ll feel more inclined to talk.''


    I felt relieved they did not insist on more explanations. As we continued eating, I found myself lost in thought, wondering how I had arrived here and whether I could ever return to my own world. Or was I trapped in an endless dream, one that might evaporate at any moment? Questions surged through my mind, and I struggled to maintain the fa?ade of a simple traveller in this strange realm—a world I might never truly understand, nor know how to leave.


    ? Faris S. J. 2024. All rights reserved.