I Never Opened My Eyes

I ventured deep into the forests outside of Rivelgin and settled upon a stream where the Essence Weave hummed a little louder. This will do, I thought to myself. I followed the rites that my professors had taught me and attuned myself to the presence of the Essence Weave. Without opening my eyes, the mortal world slipped away and I could feel raw essence on my skin.

Suddenly, as if hearing my pondering, something answered.

It wasn't hostile, it wasn't cruel, it was curious.

The being introduced itself within my own mind, using my own thoughts to speak words I had never before heard yet understood. It answered questions before I ever considered them. I saw eons of history and wept for the fallen, yet saw the promise of the future. For a moment, I experienced eternity. I experienced godhood. And it was unimaginably wonderful.

My own thoughts returned to me. The spirit was still present, but it was soft and far away. I needed to record my experiences, and so I opened my eyes.

The forest was burning.

Jackelopes hopped through the undergrowth in no particular direction, the fire engulfing every path. I got up and began to run, attempting to weave water spells to clear a path out of the forest. I couldn't move fast enough. The flames caught my robes. Burns spread across my skin. Blisters bloomed.

In the distance, I saw my friends in the forest. Burning. Dying. Why are they here? I began to drown.

I was lost in a deep ocean far away from any light. Everything faded as a crushing silence and emptiness settled in. My thoughts slowed. Stopped. I was simply aware.

I awoke in a sickhall. I was freezing as I burned to death. One of my old professors looked over me, weaving her life healing magic over my broken body.

"You were found in a psychotic state just outside the forest, do you remember what happened?" she asked, "Was it an illusory demon?"

I vomited.

And when I looked up, I was at the stream again - sitting. A maniacal, crazed laugh came from nowhere and everywhere. I tried to stand but the earth began to swallow me as the demon began its game anew.