Читать книгу Beyond the Veil - C. N. Dudek - Страница 7

“At the culmination of time,” a voice said.

Nicholas turned. A man stood there. Nicholas saw a man, but there was something more to him than mere flesh, Nicholas could only think of the word gravitas. The man was an embodiment of that word.

“Who are you?”

“I am Rigel. I was told to come to your aid, and so I have.”

“Rigel . . . Who told you?”

“Why, the king of this place of course. And yes, you do recognize my name correctly. I am he.”

Nicholas had studied astronomy as a novice for many years. He would gaze into the heavens pointing out the constellations, finding the stars he knew by name. Rigel was one of them. The foot of Orion.

“I have always dreamed that stars would be more than what they were made of. Their unseen being a true reality. How wonderful to meet you,” Nicholas said. “Who is the king of this place? I would think someone numinous and benevolent or a great tyrant. But I don’t think this world seems oppressed, though I have only been here quite brief.”

“You would be correct that this king is other, but he is not a tyrant, yet to be feared as one is in awe of majesty. But come, let us explore what your heart seeks: truth, healing, life, peace, and love.”

Rigel led Nicholas upon a rolling hill of green. The breeze swept across the fields, swaying the green like wind on water, changing hues, a dazzling to the eye. The sun was warm, yet Nicholas looked to the sky and saw no solar disc, yet light lit the land, but somehow the light was luminous and soothing, the way a lazy afternoon feels, restful, at ease, having no particular place to be, content. Nicholas could only dredge up feelings to describe what he saw.

They traveled through the fields of green to a wooded glade where beeches and pine trees stood in rows. As Nicholas walked through the woods, images and feelings of his childhood swept through his imagination. A place of serenity, of peace, of joy. Nicholas’ heart was about to burst in joy, he almost felt like weeping. He looked at each tree in wonder, at each fern that grew. At the pine needles that blanketed the ground. His eyes were opened to a childlike wonder that he had long forgotten. The silence was a balm to his soul, yet not empty. The silence was pregnant with hope, joy, something Nicholas could not fully describe.

As they continued walking, they came upon a man kneeling amongst the trees and light, his eyes closed; a smile on his face.

“What is this man doing? Is he okay?” Nicholas said.

“He is. In his life, he never had a second to spare to enjoy the created natural beauty surrounding him. He has chosen to spend some amount of time to satisfy this deficiency within him. Then he will move on and journey further in, reaching his destination. Just as you must,” said Rigel.

“Is this paradise but a staging point?”

“In a way, yes. There is much within you that must be healed, that you must let go of,” Rigel said.

“Purgation, huh,” said Nicholas.

With that Rigel smiled and turned. “Come, over this hill, we reach the first stage. Let us go swiftly.” Rigel started running, almost gliding, dancing over the ferns and pine needles. The trees swayed toward him in his wake. Nicholas ran too. He felt light. As though a burden had been lifted. He ran, much like in a dream, without fatigue, without heaviness of breath.

They ran for what seemed several miles, stopping at a breathtaking scene. Below them lay a valley covered in mist, a stream running through it. Nicholas traced the stream with his eye upward, all the way to a mountainside that stood what seemed miles high. A rushing waterfall crashed over its side.

“We must climb the mountain, my friend,” Rigel said. “It will not be easy, but it will transform you.” With that, Rigel ran ahead; Nicholas following.