Drawn to You

The Zen Garden

LOCATION: ETHEREAL REALM

The Palace that falls asleep at dusk every night awakes every morning at dawn. The sun steadily climbs higher in the sky as the minutes tick by, slowly surrounding more of the palace in the flow of energy provided by its rays. One by one the bright warming light shines into rooms gently waking the occupants within. The gentle breeze is always present, it flows in through every window and out every door almost as If the rooms breathe on their own.  Life flows through every corridor and down every stairwell before it rushes out into the grounds. If you were to take a short stroll away from the main gates you will come across a faint trail of stones almost hidden to the naked eye, eventually you are lead to a narrow cobblestone path the twists and turns ahead of you seem to disappear in the distance unable to see the end from the beginning, as you follow the path moving closer to the heart of the forest the narrow path grows rugged and overgrown by clovers and buttercups that threaten to consume it completely. When you finally reach the end, it doesn’t lead to the forest at all, it leads down to a cool meadow nestled in a secluded corner of the grounds that most tend to ignore.

The meadow itself is covered by a sea of wildflowers that weave in between the tall wispy grass the striking hues of pinkish-orange snapdragons and dazzling powder blue forget-me-knots stand out amongst the pale greens and yellows. Sunbeams reflect of the water glistening in a nearby pond tucked hidden away on the far side from the meadows entrance. Across from the pond stands a tall dense forest of grand living wood trees, the enchanted wood as it is known emulates a sense of peril and the darkness it carries is unmistakable, barely any light can be seen amongst the mass of trees, only the faintest rays of sunshine pierce through the crowded canopy of leaves. It is all quite breathtaking however with all the beauty before you, you may miss one of the meadows most guarded secrets, concealed within the tall grass is divine little Zen Garden, a true site to behold. The circular border is carved from fallen living wood trunks found within the forest, the dark brown bark has been stripped away to reveal the golden wood from within, the floor within the circle has been filled with purest snow-white sand you may ever find, the grain is so fine when you walk through it feels as if you are floating on a cloud, a complex mandala pattern is laid out in the soft sand by smooth pitch-black river rocks and directly in the centre is a crimson velvet cushion for comfort while you meditate. The majesty of this place was intricately designed with one sole purpose in mind, calming the Goddess in the moments where scorching rage fills every fibre of her being when her mate is not around to stop her.

SELENE’S P.O.V

My extremities are slowly growing warm as the sun’s rays dance along my flesh, steading my breathing in and out to allow myself to feel the push and pull of life deep within my chest, my eyelids closed shut and feel remarkably heavy as my eyelashes tickle my cheeks attempting to block out the world around me. My heartbeat slowly calms in sync with rhythm of nature. The cool sand beneath my feet anchors me to the ground while I prepare for my internal journey across the heavens. Hidden by the tall grass I sit going atop of my meditation cushion in the Zen Garden made for me, collecting my thoughts with my eyes closed my mind opens. My consciousness searches through the countless stars and vast galaxies until it reaches the little planet of blue and green where many of my children call home. Sometimes distraction plagues me, although my purpose is clear I get lost in the scent of fresh meadows and raging seas of the place I once called home. The collective sounds of birds singing in harmony with the wind blowing through the trees and the waves crashing on the shore while the animals of the sea dance in the deep calls to me.  A peaceful smile sweeps across my face, I have missed this place so much, but I must refocus my energy on the task at hand, I search for them, all of them, my heart swims with pride while focus my energy on experiencing their lives with them. Just for a little while. 

My children will grow under the watchful eye and loving guidance of their parents, they learn all about the history of our world taught by those that came before them, they will learn to respect the many gifts and blessings I have bestowed upon them in my many years since leaving. Although it pained me to leave my home all those years ago, I take solace in the fact that I never abandoned any of them, or so I thought. Each child is created unique with many paths they made lead in the future and while they may be birthed by others as my descendants, I love them as if they were my own and pride myself on loving each one equally, or so I thought I did. I try to be present at all their big moments up until their happily ever after, even though most will not see me physically until they arrive at the palace gates I try to watch over as many moments as possible before they arrive.

I wait with bated breath to watch the day they are bought into this world surrounded by joy, welcomed by a community of loving family and friends. I attune my hearing while I anxiously wait for the moment their beautiful voice sings through their first words. I feel the delight deep within my sole when I feel their feet sink into the soft earth beneath them when they take their first steps, it is almost as if they are my own. I watch in envy of the day they fall madly in love with their chosen other at the age of eighteen, regrettably sometimes before they are meant to, how I wish I could go back to that day for myself. However, my favourite day is when they become one with their missing half, the wolf I destined them with. Their other half will guide them in many ways offering advice in times of trial. I feel the rush through my bones when they shift into their wolf for the first time. Even though I am the creator now, most of their wolves are more beautiful than I ever could have imagined, the way their fur blows in the wind and their eyes sparkle in the moon light never gets old. 

There are some difficult days, there are days I wish I did not have to experience, those days I hate. Rage fills my heart and soul, taking over every part of my body, quickly turning me into an irate force of nature hell bent on destruction. I destroy everything in my wake, the emotions are so all-consuming that no one in the Palace can calm me or bring me peace, except one. They are the days of great sorrow, something has gone so wrong in their lives that they are terrified and pray for resolution, the days my children beg for death to escape their pain, or when the young ones call to me in their dreams that have turned into nightmares reliving horrors of their past. I hate seeing any of them in pain, my love’s warm embrace and the comfort that with the many gifts I have given them I am never the cause of that pain calms me down. I thought I would never be the source of that pain. I thought wrong.

I travel physically and make my self-known on the planet of blue and green very often only in times of great importance, that is the one rule I have had to follow since taking over. The time when I see them most is in my home where they eternally rest once their lives are complete, when they finally reach the Palace. My main duty is travelling to a secluded celestial plane in the outer most regions of space and time, far from all you know in a place like no other, The Garden. It is hidden away from prying eyes of those who seek it, protected by the once great warriors of the past, sworn to stand guard at the gates for the remainder of time. The Garden serves as a doorway between worlds for lost souls, those who are chosen and those who choose are the only ones granted access. The chosen experience the garden as it was intended, a symbol of love and hope to contain their soul while their bodies heal. Most see meadows full of flowers, vast forests full of trees, fields of green grass and glistening ponds to frolic to their hearts content. A feast in their honour with all the food they could ever want welcomes them to The Garden, as they spend their days amongst the most beautiful of earths creatures. However, the few who choose The Garden do not choose knowingly, The Garden still holds their soul while their body heals but it is no longer a symbol of love and peace but one of torment and penance, resulting directly from pain they caused to those around them, due to poor decisions they made during their time on earth. The garden represents itself different each soul that chooses, it morphs into a place perfectly designed for them fabricated by their own subconscious, they are doomed to roam The Garden until they find their way. 

“My love,” the gentle melodic voice of my mate wakes me from my trance.

His tone is unusual, it is beautiful as always but hides something deep within. I gently open my eyes and glance towards my darling mate, I now understand the devastation in his tone, the pain spread across his face is evident enough that he is troubled. My face falls and a pit forms in my stomach, this cannot be good news, it will not be good news at all.

“What has happened, what is wrong my love?” my voice quivers and breaks while tears pool in the corners of my eyes threatening to fall.

“You are required to travel to The Garden,” his eyes peer off into the distance so he doesn’t have to look me in the eye. I am sure by now my expression is one of sadness, I cannot bring myself to say anything to him.

“The Garden grows dark” as much as he tried to speak in his normally calm tone it wavers and illudes to the emotions he is trying to keep hidden.

My world begins to crumble beneath me, a sole has entered The Garden, and this sole has not been chosen. There is only one person in recent history that has led a life that will cause her to enter the garden without being put there by myself.

“Please don’t tell me- “. I begin but I am quickly cut off.

“She has entered The Garden my love, I am so sorry.” His eyes finally reach mine just as my tears begin to fall. I cry not only tears of sadness but tears of rage as well.

“He has finally done it, his demons corrupted him so much his anger took hold.” I wipe my tears and start to stand. I know that despicable excuse for a wolf should have been brought to his knees by my wrath long ago, my anger is building, and my darling mate can sense it, he opens his mouth to speak but I continue before he can even attempt to calm me down as my screams fill the meadow.

“HE ALMOST KILLED HER!” rage fuelling me, I point directly at my mate, he tends to try and dance around these questions. “DIDN’T HE?” I question. His face looks sullen and paled, he hates seeing me like this. I hate being like this, but I have a duty to her and so does he. How can he remain so calm when everything we have worked so hard for is threatened?

“Yes,” He speaks so quietly, and he looks so broken. A tear rolls down his cheek. I move towards him and brush the tear away with my thumb. We lean to each other as I brace myself for his words that are yet to come.

“Her wolf has put her in a coma.”