The Magic Portal: Chapter Two

Once through the portal, the woman instinctively looked back to make sure it wouldn’t close behind her, as she’d seen in movies. It remained open and shining, showing the forest behind her. Relaxing a moment, she started to take in her new surroundings. It wasn’t some entire other world; it was seamlessly the same forest, just the other side of the oak tree. Although there was something different …

The raven call came again from above as she studied everything around her. The dew drops on the fern leaves were sparklier, the moss on the rocks was more vibrant; in fact, all the colors were brighter and more intense. She found herself noticing every tiny detail of bark, every small fungus, every bug, the smells of decay alongside the smells of fresh life. Leaves rustling above were not just background noise, but melodious music to her ears. The breeze came in with the dapplings of sunlight, and she could feel the entire forest breathing as one. 

Awestruck by the magic and beauty around her, she felt absolutely elated. It only took her a moment to find the little path of white leaves again, leading towards a clearing ahead. Likely a small meadow on the hillside. She diligently followed, excited to see more of this magical place. 

As she moved through the brush and trees, all the sounds of the forest filled her ears with tickling vibrations. She’d hiked in this area so many times; how had she been so blind to its magic? It was almost like she needed to fully feel the grief and heaviness of her reality to be open to this one. Odd how surrendering to her emotion and letting it pass through her was just as simple as how she passed through the portal: is that what it means to be truly present? 

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The trees parted as she approached the clearing. A gorgeous grassy meadow spread before her, buzzing with honeybees and wild mountain flowers. She could see farther out where the hills dipped, and cliff edges rippled with stones and moss. Wait a moment … 

“Is that a … CASTLE?!” she unknowingly said out loud. The raven called again, this time right above her in a nearby tree. 

“Why yes, child, it is indeed a castle. Abandoned long ago. Do you not remember?” The raven said in a smooth voice. She blinked in disbelief at a raven having just spoken to her. She quickly decided this day must be a dream, and she might as well commit; no need to waste time being confused or shocked at this point. 

“Remember? Why would I know anything about that?” she asked. 

“Because you built it, dear. The castle is everything you dreamed and imagined your life to be. But you abandoned it as an impractical whimsy. And so, here it stands, waiting to be claimed.”

“So, it’s not real, it’s just a representation of my silly childhood notions of what I thought life would be… Well, that’s cute, I guess.” 

“Not exactly. It may not exist in your current realm of existence now, but it represents your personal vision for your life, and therefore, it rests here, waiting for you to stake your claim.” The raven flapped his wings a bit to add some dramatic flair. 

The woman thought for a moment. “So how am I supposed to bring my dreams and the life I want to live back to my reality? Is there something that I can use to teleport it, or maybe some decision I need to make that would change everything?” 

“Oh no, it’s not that easy or simple, I’m afraid. Anything worth living for takes effort. You’ve become someone who follows a path because it already exists. You can’t get to your unique dreams by following someone else’s route. When you stop trusting your inner knowing, you stop progressing toward your visions. You hoped that someday, one of the beaten trails you decided to follow would somehow wind back in the direction you truly wished to go. And have they? Of course not! This castle only exists because of your unique vision, and only you can see it! All these other paths exist because someone else forged them toward something they wanted. Do you understand now?” She nodded slowly, watching small powder blue butterflies dance in the breeze above the tall meadow grass. 

“But it does sound fairly simple. I just have to walk in that direction. Forge my own path to get there. Boom, done.” She felt an intense and comforting warmth in her chest. Yes, this was what she wanted, what she always wanted. 

“It may sound simple, posited that way, but you will, without a doubt, find trials, obstacles, and naysayers blocking your way. Are you truly willing to sacrifice the peace and comfort of a well-worn trail?” The raven cocked its head to the side, studying her as she considered the words. 

“Well,” she concluded with a sigh, “I have to try. I’m tired of dreaming, wishing, and yearning for something different. I’m tired of feeling stuck, tired of watching others create beautifully unique ways of existing. I want to do the same, and yet, I’ve just been going through the motions on autopilot.” 

“And now you see. Magic is real; it’s all around us. You only need to look deeper. No one is forcing you to walk that main road. But you must know, it is not easy, and while the magic we see now, while we dream and visualize, is light and beautiful, there is a dark side, and it will swallow you whole if you let it.” 

She nodded solemnly, understanding what was at stake. If she returned home to her white, undecorated apartment and never changed her course, she’d have lived a life not of her choice, but of obligation. But obligation to what? Safety? Comfort? She honestly didn’t even know anymore. All she could see was that castle in the distance. The dreams she had growing up were abandoned when life threw her into survival mode. She pulled her hiking backpack tighter over her shoulders, waved farewell to the raven, and headed straight for the castle.