Not the only one

I jumped into the marsh where I thought I saw someone moving around. Without a thought, I pushed aside the reeds, deeper into the muddy puddles. And then I fell into a deep hole! I was surprised to find a room instead of the slimy bottom of the pond.

There was no one down in this tiny room. It seemed to be made from a hollowed log... I suspect some type of magic was keeping this room empty of water. The floating books and self-sweeping broom confirmed my suspicions. But I still didn't know who I'd seen or where they disappeared to. I checked the desks and paper for any evidence of why this room exists.

There on the desk was another shining gem. I'm no longer surprised by where these little things show up. They really are abundant in Willowvale. Under the gem was a note, which seemed to be written about its author. He or she appears to be in trouble and left this note to protect themselves and their findings... I won't reveal what was inside the note, for their safety of course. But I can say where it led me...

I found my way out of the hole in the marsh bottom.

And followed the trail this mysterious person left. It led me eventually to a glowing rune stone. I did not know what I would find on the other side of this seemingly ancient petroglyph...

So I braced myself, found my courage, and trudged past it.

I cannot begin to describe what I found, not in any language I know. It was truly one of the most beautiful physical space I've been, mostly because of the non-physical elements of it. It felt like pure joy and love and belongingness. And then I saw them...

Three bright figures, blooming and emitting, surrounding me in physical formation and in blanketing feelings.

I could only snap this one photo before my equipment malfunctioned. 

They are the Mothers of Willowvale. While I don't know much of mother figures, I know that these mothers are caring and wise and encouraging. They made me feel even more at home in this new land. And they were able to clear up some of those nagging questions I've been asking. But I can't reveal too much in this journal. They trusted me with information that is not for everyone.

One thing they told me became very apparent when I left that majestic place: I'm not the only one searching for gems anymore! And, Willowvale is coming to life!

Those weird signs that lined the path when I first got here are now covered with new tapestry and goods! Like in a market, there are booths with all sorts of things for sale. It was along the main path that I started running into people, purchasing items from these booths. I started observing them, asking them questions. They said they were called to Willovale! They said they felt it, the pull to come here. And now, they were staying to search for gems too!

There were people of all sorts and they were everywhere. 

They were coming and going and searching everywhere all day. And they still are.

Children, adults, humans, and not-so-human creatures. Everyone is here now to search.

 Realizing that all the gems they've been finding would be taken to the Sentinels, I went back to the Circle of Riches. The Sentinels had already transformed it! It was full of gifts from all sorts of creators around the galaxy.

I had a new found sense of relief slowly rush over me. My mission is now shared with many people. Dandelions-- that's what Enersi called them. People called to come to Willowvale to search for gems. People meant to help and be a part of this land. Willowvale is now filled with Dandelions, working together to fulfill its needs. 

I suppose its time to start cashing in all the gems I've been finding... I'll document all the loot I acquire next time! Until then.

The Search Begins

The Sentinels were clear about one thing: they need help finding these... gems. Everything else, though, is still so confusing. I have so many questions, but I know I'm here for a reason. I also know I can trust the creatures here, at least a little bit. So, I took off my disguise and came up with a plan.

I went back to the girl I met when I first mysteriously appeared here, in this land called Willowvale. She told me her name is Enersi. "I didn't know how much I could tell you. I figured Minnoh and the Sentinels would be the best ones to explain this place. Minnoh was the first creature the Mothers of Willowvale rescued. And you know, the Sentinels need help."

She gave me something I am not sure if I should discuss in this journal, in case it falls into the wrong hands... I'm still not sure if everyone here is good, although I feel strongly like everyone I've met is friendly. Anyway, the thing she gave me is a sort of talisman, an eye piece of strange technology. She called it the Eye of Willowvale.

What is it though? Where did you get it? What does it do?!

"Woah! Too many questions I don't know the answer to. All I know is that the gems the Sentinels need help finding, they have some sort of power that is hard to contain. This eye thingy helps you gather and store the gems' power."

Must be alien tech, or fairy... 

"Anyway, Orion. Are you listening? I have a gem for you." This pulled me out of examining the strange eye piece.  A gem!? You have one!?

"They've been appearing all over the land. Many of us have found one. Some of the creatures have been gathering them... not sure why. I don't like the way they make me feel. But there's something about them that make you want to protect them, keep them safe. Since the Sentinels have asked you to help them find the gems, you should take this one."

She gave me the gem she had found. She's right, they have a strange, conflicting feeling. She's also right that the Eye of Willowvale captures their power. It seems to activate when you hold a gem. I'm still unsure what it will mean as I gather more gems. And it was in that moment, when Enersi gave me my first gem that I knew what I would be doing in my time at Willowvale. So I set off back down the path. I visited my friend Minnoh first.

"MINNOH!" the thunderous voice echoed past me as I approached him. His toothy smile looked menacing at first, but his eyes sparkled joy. He put me on the wide horns on his head, thundering what seemed to be laughter. In my mind, I heard his voice, "I'm so glad you stayed, little one. I know this land and its brethren can seem scary and big, but you must feel its true spirit. We are a family, odd but united."

There is something about Minnoh that makes me want to be in his presence always. But he encouraged me to continue searching the land, only after giving me a gem he had already acquired before my arrival. This became a trend, which I imagine will continue. I greet a creature and they produce a shiny, glowing gem for me to take. Or they have hidden some away, or have seen one somewhere. And so I searched and continued to find them.

I stopped in the tavern I avoided on my first day in this land. It was bright and cheery, though there were no customers when I arrived. Only the barkeeper was there. She was very... green. And quite funny. She seemed up for chatting so I asked her about the gems.

Do you know where they come from? Why does every creature know about them but they don't know what they are? Why do they feel strange? Have more people like me just randomly appeared in Willowvale?

"Honey, honey! Calm down. I've got no answers about crazy cosmic gems. I try to keep my nose out of business about strange glowing things. I might be green, but I want nothing to do with them. I'll stick to what I know, drinks and talk."

Despite her lack of helpfulness on the subject of gems and the intricacies of this land, I liked talking with Laverna. She really does have a knack for listening. She sent me to see some other people in hopes of having my questions answered. The first was Joan, the Securrer.

"You must be SO curious about this place. I can't imagine just walking into Willowvale and trying to take it all in. It feels like I've been doing this my whole life, going after a new creature, bringing them here. That's what Securrers do."

She told me so much more... so much that I don't think would be safe written down-- for now of course. What was becoming very clear was that these gems are not in short supply. Everyone had at least one, except the Sentinels, that is. Even this little guy had a gem!

It felt like I could search this vast land for days and keep finding gems. But, I had too many questions, not enough answers, and very little guidance. So, after finding a half dozen gems, I made my way to the Sentinels. I needed to understand this mission a little better. First and foremost, just how many of these things do they need!?

"And who are you?!" one boomed down at me when I arrived.  I am Orion of the Stars, remember? You sent me to get your gems...

"The little furry creature!" interrupted the other when his counterpart was still not understanding.  "Although, he appears quite hairless today..."

Yes, yes. You thought I was a bear or something. I told you I wasn't! I'm back with some gems.

"Oh! wow! I can feel so many. But I am sure we will need much more."

How many do you need though?

"It is unknown at this time, how much gem power will be required to fuel our ship. Continue to collect and when you've collected what we need, we will reward you here, at the Circle of Riches."

The Circle of Riches glows brightly, which distracted me for a moment before I could follow up on what he had said.

But I need a goal... how will I know if I am collecting too little, or too much? 

"It is unknown at this time, how much gem power will be required to fuel our ship. Continue to collect and report back to us."

The conversation went on like this for a few more minutes before I realized my questions to them were futile. Does anyone really understand what is going on here!? The Sentinels explained that there are clever and wise creatures in Willowvale who may know more about the gems and the importance of the land itself. They believe that there are things beneath the water in the Mystic Marsh, that there are creatures hiding in the mountains. They do not venture too far for fear of being outnumbered or unprotected since most of their technology is faulty here. They are also afraid that the intensity of feelings in Willowvale and especially the gems will hinder their ability to experience reality correctly.

"Many worries," the second Sentinel interrupted, "but not much evidence to prove either safety or futility."

So, maybe the Sentinels are not the wisest or most logical creatures here... So, I said my farewells and made up my mind. I will find the mysterious beings the Sentinels have not pursued. Maybe I can find someone to take me to the Mothers of Willowvale.

Just as I had these determined thoughts, movement caught my eye on the path. In the marsh, something--someone?-- moved. There! The water rings from the splash were still spreading from a spot near a sunken log...

I couldn't help myself. Off I went into the Mystic Marsh.



(to be continued!)

Arrival in a new land... meant for me?

I found myself in a new land, appearing like in a dream. I remembered putting on my disguise--red panda, good choice--but not the reason why. Looking around, I saw I was standing on an old stone bridge and .. Oh! Surprised, I stumbled back. The skull of an ancient dragon was agape before me. A strange girl was perched silently in its jaw.

I didn't notice her at first. She stood so still, more like a vision than a real child. She wasn't surprised by me. It was as if she had expected me to appear, ready to tell me something...

"Take the path through the cave, dandelion," she said calmly, spreading her arms wide toward me. Uh, dandelion? But my name's Orion... I tried to ask her questions, but she just smiled and gestured behind me. She seemed so at peace. I looked up once more at the terrifying skeleton surrounding her and wondered if this really was a dream. Too weird, I thought. I had a feeling this would not be the last time I saw this strange girl, so I smiled and thanked her. Why am I thanking this girl when she might be sending me into a trap, I scolded myself.

I turned toward the cave anyway. I felt drawn to whatever was beyond it. There's something about this place that felt more like home and peace, despite its spooky facade.

The cave was shorter than I expected, maybe because I ran through it. Too many possibilities for spiders and other creatures. On the other side was an amazing view...

What is this place!? It glittered and glowed, lit by magic, I was sure. The path spread before me, down a hill. I took it, confident I was meant to be in this mysterious land.  I turned a corner...

A giant! or... a bull? He seemed as nervous to see me as I was scared to see him. Excuse me... I braved. Can you tell me where I am? He seemed shy. I asked him again with a sweeter tone. He looked at the ground, banged his chest with his fist and with a voice like thunder said, "MINNOH!" I was confused at first but then, I continued to hear the thunder... in my mind? The voice was softer though. "Willowvale," it said. "You are safe here.". It didn't feel dangerous or scary anymore. I waved. My name's Orion, from the stars. He nodded. "Welcome, Orion. I am Asterion. My friends have always called me Minnoh," the voice in my head responded. He stood taller then and looked further down the path. "You should meet the sentinels." Minnoh pointed to the path and let out a low encouraging rumble. I didn't know who they were but if they were anything like this creature, I wanted to meet them.  

The path was lined with signs... a strange symbol painted on them over and over. It looked like someone was preparing some kind of gathering. But no one is here, I thought.

I called out across the glowing bog, Anyone here!? Hellooooo! My voice echoed, but only the crickets responded. I felt a small breeze against my skin, a thunder in my mind. Keep going.

Finally the path was ending, and at its end I saw a glowing pool. Two towering figures stood at its entrance.

Statues? No, these creatures were breathing. I was studying their embellished armor when a voice came from one. "Small red bear, what are you staring at?" Oh, thats me! I'm not a bear. I'm Orion... And I'm sorry but you were so still, I... 

"Do not have fear," the other piped up. "We are taller, yes. But we also make excrement like bears." Uhhhh... I'm really not a bear. I took off my hood, so they would see my face and hair. "Ah, you are in fact NOT a bear. That was a good disguise. You must make us some so the foxes do not run away when we walk in these woods." Sure! But who are you?

"We are Sentinels of the Galaxy Andromeda. We have crash landed on this mysterious world. Our ship needs mending, and we need fuel so we may return to our post. However, the fuel we need is impossible to find. We are unable to see and capture the precious gems that power our technology." The other interrupted, "Perhaps this little bear can sense them." "No," the first responded, "he is too small and hairy."

Again, I am not a bear... This disguise isn't even a bear... Anyway, how would I know if I could sense them? What about Minnoh, maybe he could. "That great grunting beast? Surely he could not find what we need. He doesn't even know how to say more than those two syllables!" Ummm, he's been speaking to me... well, sort of... in my mind. 

When they heard this, they looked at each other and gave an approving sigh.

"You will find our gems to power our ship."

"And when you find enough gems to help us, we will reward you here at our pond." I splashed around in the glowing water wondering how they could reward me. "Will you search, Orion of the Stars? Will you find the power source?"

I looked around me at the vast and mysterious land. I didn't know where to start or what I would find. I will try but I've never been here before. I don't know what I'm looking for, and I have no help...

"Orion, Willowvale is a strange land, but do not be mistaken. It is full of wondrous creatures who call it home. They may be the key to finding the gems."

Is this why I'm here, I thought. Is this why I landed here suddenly? This place seemed to call me to it. And I knew then what I would have to do. But I'll never be able to do this alone...

Is anyone out there who can help me?