first half of chapter one of my story: The Awakening in Rosewood

A young girl awakens in a mystical realm. Guided by a masked woman, she learns of her hidden heritage and latent abilities.

Chapter One: The Awakening in Rosewood

“Where is this place?” the question echoed through this unknown land.

“I believe I'm floating…” The ringing and noise now calming, and the realization of

All the noise is just within the mind. Our flower lifts her head out of this shallow lake,

Her long brown hair followed. The young girl looked around and saw the lake surrounded by a blooming landscape of flowers, each standing out in their own way.

What looks like a woman appears, stepping into the lake, one leg at a time, careful not to startle the young girl. As the stranger gets closer, the girl notices their worn hands reaching out; their robe flows along a sturdy and graceful figure, an aura radiant as the flowers surrounding them�"one of clarity that inexplicably puts the girl at ease in this unfamiliar place.

“You don't know where you are, do you?” the woman asks, her voice as soothing as the lapping waters. She offers her hand, lifting the girl from the water. “Follow along now; this will be quite the trip ahead.”

The girl composes herself, becoming aware of her vulnerability in this strange new world. She takes the woman's hand, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution as they begin their journey together.

They walk from the lake to a dirt road, hand in hand. The young girl's eyes widen with wonder, admiring the sight of flowers and tall grass stretching as far as the eye can see. However, looking hard enough behind herself, she wonders why it's so dark. Unfazed, her gaze darts from one marvel to the next, then keeping her eyes to the front of them, seeing the best sight thus far: the trees ahead, nearly taller than she can see.

“Do you like the view?” the woman asks, a hint of a smile in her voice. “This place is called Rosewood. I am sure you will return here someday, but aren't you curious about it? Where you’ve now come from?”

The young girl focused away from the scenery, her gaze settling on the woman beside her. For the first time, she noticed the woman wearing a mask in the shape of a flower. She had not thought about it until now, but why was she here? She then nodded, looking for answers.

“My name is Lumira Rosewood. Your name is Thistlyn Rosewood,” the woman begins. “The name has been passed down through generations, all from these grounds in Rosewood. It is where our tribe of mask-bearing effigy come from.”

As they continue their walk through the valley of flowers, entering a forest of rose-colored trees, Thistlyn begins to understand why this place bears its name. The surrounding beauty is overwhelming, yet questions bubble up inside her.

“What is an effigy?” Thistlyn asks, breaking her silence for the first time since meeting Lumira.

Lumira looks down at Thistlyn, a little surprised by her forwardness. “The effigy is a part of you, a part of the very nature of being born from those waters you arose from. Look around you. Do you see anything altered or changed beyond its original form?”

Thistlyn then experienced quite the confusion. She had assumed that some of these lands must have been altered in some way, seeing Lumira here, but why? The question lingers in her mind as Lumira continues.

“These grounds are so precious for all of our people that we couldn't change a single thing. Keeping things true and preserving all that is good makes you, Thistlyn, an effigy.” 

Thistlyn's mind races with this new information as they walk deeper into the rose-colored forest. She feels a spark of pride, believing now that being an effigy is what she was meant to be. Yet uncertainty lingers. There is still much more she needs to learn. “Why does this all tie back to nature? And why am I so drawn to it… Can I trust this woman? But she feels so safe; am I missing something? No… I’m overthinking…”

Thistlyn's worries may have been thought of only by her, but her anxiety is made clear to Lumira, who not only senses her distress but also the constant fidgeting of her hands.

Lumira then devises a plan. “Thistlyn?” she begins. Thistlyn’s fidgeting subsides, as all her focus is on Lumira. “Watch my hands, okay, dear?” The uncertainty Thistlyn had before grew, but so did her curiosity. She then slowly looked up at Lumira's hands.

Lumira’s eyes glow through her mask, and the way her hands move is entrancing.

Each movement is intentional as if everything around them is under her control. The grass, the flowers, and the surrounding air sway in a harmony unlike any other.

But then something new is being created, something pure, made by someone who is just that. Thistlyn watches in awe as she sees each stem being made. It is the shape of a crown blooming with flowers and a hint of light glowing from it.

“Do you see now, Thistlyn? My abilities, strengths, and motives aren't for hurt.” Lumira then offers Thistlyn the crown of flowers. She hesitates but then lowers her head, accepting it, accepting Lumira. The crown of flowers then lies gently on Thistlyn's head, and Lumira kneels, preparing to speak again.

“Trust me, when I was your age, stepping out of that river for the first time, I can’t tell you how scared I was. But my guide, my protector, made me a crown just like this and told me to look at it whenever I felt they would use their power for evil. I would be safe if I could still see the light it was made from; however, If it is ever shrouded in darkness, I could find my own path and be better for it.”

Thistlyn's eyes widened, her eyes fixed on the glowing crown atop her head. She reached up, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals, feeling the warmth of the light emanating from within. A sense of calm washed over her, pushing back the tide of uncertainty that had threatened to overwhelm her.

“I… I understand,” Thistlyn can't seem to process, her tone barely audible above the gentle rustling of leaves. She looked up at Lumira, seeing the light reflect her mask. “But why me? Why am I here now?”

Lumira stood, offering her hand once more to Thistlyn. “Come, little one. There's more to see, and the answers you seek lie ahead.”

They continued their journey through the rose-colored forest, the trees seeming to lean in one direction, creating a path that hadn't existed moments before. Thistlyn looked down at the floor, the dancing shadows of the leaves making the most beautiful patterns.

Thistlyn felt a strange sensation as they walked as if the forest itself was alive and aware of their presence. She could swear she heard whispers in the wind, carrying fragments of ancient stories and forgotten songs.

“Lumira,” Thistlyn began, her voice stronger now, “you said I arose from the waters, just like you did. Does that mean… are you my mother?”

Lumira's steps faltered momentarily, and she turned to face Thistlyn. Through the flower-shaped mask, Thistlyn could see a mix of emotions in the woman's eyes �" love, sadness, and something else she couldn't quite name.

“In a way, dear Thistlyn, we are all mothers and children of Rosewood,” Lumira replied, her voice carrying a weight of generations. “But no, I am not who brought you into this world. I am your guide, your protector, just as someone once was for me.”

Thistlyn nodded in understanding as the forest began to thin as they walked, giving way to a clearing bathed in golden light. In the center stood an enormous tree, its trunk wider than anything the land had created, its branches reaching impossibly high into the sky. 

“This,” Lumira said, gesturing towards the tree, “is the Heart of Rosewood. Its roots had spread and gave life to the river where you came from.” She then touched the tree herself before looking back at Thistlyn and gesturing for her to do the same. 

As Thistlyn approached the tree, she felt an inexplicable force drawing her in. She placed her hand on its bark and a soft, comforting light covered her face. Bewildered, she asked, “What is this?” Lumira placed a comforting hand on Thistlyn's shoulder and reassured her, “It's okay. You'll see soon enough.” The light grew brighter and brighter before finally dimming, leaving a residual glow in Thistlyn's eyes as she closed them, and they returned to normal. 

“What just happened?” There was slight confusion in Thistlyn's voice before Lumira began, That was the beginning of your mask.” Lumira smiled, a sense of pride evident in her eyes, even behind her mask. “You have just experienced your first connection with the Heart of Rosewood. This tree is not just a symbol; it's a source of life and magic, the essence of our land. Your mask will be a part of you, manifesting your connection to Rosewood and its ancient magic.”

Thistlyn touched her face, half-expecting to find something different, but everything felt the same. “But what will it be? And when?” Lumira chuckled, a sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. “Patience, Thistlyn. Your journey has only just begun. Masks are as unique as the individuals who wear them. Yours will emerge when the time is right, shaped by your experiences, choices, and the depth of your connection to our world.”

They stepped away from the Heart of Rosewood, the golden light fading as they re-entered the dense forest thicket. Thistlyn felt a myriad of emotions swirling within her�"curiosity, fear, but most of all, a burgeoning sense of belonging. She glanced at Lumira, the enigmatic guide who had become her mentor and protector, and wondered what experiences had shaped the woman before her.

As they continue their walk, the tranquility is punctuated only by the occasional chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves underfoot. Each step Thistlyn takes feels lighter yet more significant as if she's starting to understand the deep connection Lumira spoke of. It's not just about walking through a forest; it's about becoming one with it, sensing every breath it takes and feeling every heartbeat.

As the sun began its descent, plunging the sky into an ominous palette of fiery reds and shadowy purples, Lumira's demeanor shifted dramatically. Her eyes darted frantically from East to West, a sense of dread washing over her face. Murmuring under her breath, she realized, “Oh no, I didn't think they’d find out so soon…our detour was far too long.”

With the approaching darkness, an eerie stillness took hold of the air around them, as if the very landscape whispered warnings of unseen dangers lurking in the encroaching night. The moment we were dissipated, replaced by a sudden urgency as Lumira's expression shifted. “We need to move�"quickly,” she said, urgency lacing her words.

Thistlyn, still adjusting to the crown's weight, felt a fresh wave of adrenaline. Without another word, they sprinted. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows that merged with the dimming light. Their steps were swift, barely touching the ground as they navigated through the dense forest. Branches whipped past, an orchestra of leaves rustling in their wake.

“Thank you, Thistlyn, I will try my best to explain when we’re there,” Lumira said, now rushing them both into a forest separate from Rosewood.

The cabin, a mere silhouette against the twilight sky, grew larger with every step. The forest seemed alive, aware of their plight, with the trees themselves urging them on. Lumira led, her movements sure and fast. Thistlyn was close behind, fueled by a mix of fear and trust.

They broke through the final barrier of trees, the cabin now in full view, its windows glowing warmly in the encroaching darkness. But their relief was short-lived as the ground beneath them trembled. A low, resonant sound filled the air, not quite a growl, more like the earth itself voicing disapproval.

Lumira glanced back, her eyes meeting Thistlyn's, but she saw a dark and distorted version of herself in the corner of her eye. She quickly looked back at Thistlyn’s. “Almost there,” she reassured, though her voice couldn't hide the terror she felt, wanting above all else to protect this young girl.

Their feet barely touched the porch before Lumira swung the door open. They stumbled inside, the warmth of the cabin enveloping them as Lumira secured the door behind them. The cabin, filled with relics of the past and the scent of aged wood, offered a stark contrast to the chaos they had fled. Lumira led Thistlyn to a sturdy, a wooden table at the center of the room. Maps and scrolls littered its surface, illuminated by the soft glow of candles in sight.

Author's Note

This is the beginning of a much bigger story. I mostly just want review on this first half of the chapter, rather that be pacing, any errors, or even small nitpicks. All feedback is appreciated. please enjoy!