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Encased in a simple shell I could hear nothing, not a single whisper, just silence that seems to eat my thoughts away. I was suspended between time and cosmos, my existence unheeded in this alternative universe. I felt so many emotions: fear, anticipation, hope, elation and terror, all mingled into one bittersweet notion. I lay with the murky darkness in sight, my silent, unfriendly companion. 4
I just waited, hovering in seeming air, inhaling the scented fragrance. I could not remember a single thing, for not a speck of past memory remains. It seemed I has been born. It seemed I had just been prepared to come into the cautious world, but no, I was still a man, mature and developed. I could not have just been born. 5
It seemed so hollow, the emptiness devouring my essence, engulfing me in darkness. I hope I could see light; it would make me feel better. I was in a void, a simple oblivion perhaps. I knew something was coming, I could sense it. I tried walking, but it seemed my feet and hands were tied. I could just stand there, devoid of movement. 6
At length, and after endless moments of impatience, the darkness lifted. Lucid radiance beamed into my eyes, as I squinted to see, trying to focus my vision. I made out a hall, gigantic and adorned in silver and gold. The pillars loomed all about me, embedded in gems and precious stones. It was beautiful. 7
I reached out for the stones, caressing the smooth surface. Something seized my hand, and led me away from the gleaming jewels. “From beginning to end, so materialistic!” a voice echoed through the hall. 8
“It is mortal nature,” said another voice, yet it seemed to be coming from the end of the hall. I looked beside me, my eyes widening in astonishment at the sight of another being. It seemed like an astral figure, almost translucent. It was inhumanly graceful, like a caricature of light. I walked behind it, as it glided along the floor. 9
It led me towards the end of the hall and I was enchanted by the great majesty of the place. A throne rested in the middle, its splendor mesmerizing in nature. Yet, it was not the adorned throne that I was awed to see; it was the being upon it. 10
I had never seen something like it, a luminous glow, and an unseen, indescribable essence. It seemed a bountiful store of beauty and charm and grace. A perfection unmarred. The Creator of the canvas. 11
It rose, and I fell to the floor, bowing my head and kissing the stone before its feet. “Such is the soul of man,” it said to the astral entity. “It speaks to gold and hordes of treasure, yet in Holy presence, its eyes never waver …” It spoke almost fondly, a soothing sound that echoed inside me. 12
As I looked upwards, I saw it had seated itself again. It motioned for me to look around, and I did. The scenes has shifted, I had emerged in a new place, a circular chamber with elegant chairs all around the walls. There were different people occupying them, some tall, other short, some beautiful and other hideous. 13
I found a little pouch before me and sat down. So, it spoke, the great luminosity behind me. “Before us, is a mortal, amidst such great entities. It seeks wisdom and it seeks judgments, so let us begin …” 14
“Peace, since I regard you in greatness, speak to me,” it said and a women arose, golden hair cascading down her shoulders. She clad in a white robe and upon her shoulder sat a dove, motionless and silent. 15
“He has been a nuisance, a careless mortal. He has broken countless ties and has evoked anger in many hearts.” As she finished, I pondered over her words, thinking about what she said. I wondered whom she was speaking about. 16
“Order, you hold me in pride, so speak,” it said and a simple man rose from his seat. He was trim and perfect, each hair smooth on his head. His head was high and there was elegance about him. 17
“Lord, has defied uncountable rules, both mortal and immortal. He has no heed for authority and therefore is placed amongst the worst.” 18
“Virtue, my dearest, speak to us.” 19
“He has not a speck of righteousness in his heart. He is blackened and his mind is wretched,” said a simple woman, her hand holding a white staff and her eyes softened by kindness. 20
“Honesty, closest to the human soul, speak now.” 21
A man arose, ancient and old. He wore a golden crown upon his forehead that glittered as he spoke. “From beginning of age, though youth and age, lie has been by his side, a companion to get him out of trouble.” 22
“Gratitude, my faithful servant, arise.” 23
A woman in a linen dress arose to her feet, petals falling all around. She spoke in a tender voice. “He has no heed to your gifts, he has spent his life in leisure and luxury, and yet, he has failed in opening the womb of the fruit.”24
“Lastly, Kindness, my sweetest, you may speak.” 25
Another woman arose, one that had been watching me with most interest. She had dark skin, and her face was exotic. She had a calm, composed nature and even through her features, one could see patience. She came closer to me, her feet gliding above the stone and held my hand.
“He caught an orphan stealing Lord, and though the crowd at hand demanded punishment with their racous calling of harsh names, he simply chuckled and forgave the boy, letting him go off …” 26
Behind me, there was silence. Forgiveness returned to her seat, leaving me rather blushing that a women would come and hold my hand. 27
I turned and faced the Lord, not purposefully, but instinctively, though I was inclined to meet the woman’s eye. The Lord spoke, its tone sweet and tender. 28
“You, man, have broken all immortal rules. You have stained the name of ‘humans’. You deserve the utmost punishment. Yet, unknowing and carefree though you are, you have saved another life from meeting the fires of the red void, and the Lord is pleased with those that are kind to his creation.” 29
I could sense affection in the voice and I sensed: I was blessed. The astral entity seized my hand leading me away from the Lord’s presence. I hoped I could have stayed there longer.30
I caught glances, just simple glimpses of places that I passed by, the visions coming into view then disappearing. There was the red void, a simple plain of crimson for the ungrateful of the Lord’s gifts. 31
I saw the black plane; just shadow that left the mind insane, but only for those that had no virtue. I saw the blue land, which mystified the mortal mind, and led him into thought of what he did. It was for those that lied.32
There was the purple plane, where royalties and luxury presented themselves to those that had been at least peaceful and abided by laws. Next came the green prairies that sang songs of nature, reserved for the ears that were virtuous. 33
Yet last came the white realm, and we stopped before it. It was beautiful and I found it reminded me of the luminous silhouette of my Lord. It was the greatest pleasure one could find. I was left there, the astral figure departing, leaving me to echo onwards, praising it that enlightened my soul with its radiance …
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Bronze trophy winner
Honorable mention
Gold trophy winner
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