Where Light Reigns. An inspirational fantasy. Short Story

 

Where Light Reigns

Neo shouldered his pack and stiffened his shoulders. He locked the door of his childhood home and wondered whether he would ever return. It was unlikely. He'd grown up on the nourishing stories his father and mother had told him about the City of Light which lay at the centre of the world. If he could somehow make it to that city, he might  never return to the Gray Kingdom.

But first, he'd need to travel through the Gray Kingdom and on to the borders of the Kingdom of Darkness. His only hope of survival would be to find the secret ways which led to the centre of the world. To journey through the neighbouring empire of evil would mean certain death.

Neo shuddered. The thought of traveling so far only to be viciously murdered by thugs or thieves was more than he could bear. His steps faltered.

"Neo! Neo! Wait for me!" The familiar silky voice brought him to a complete stop. Mira. How like her to turn up just when he was feeling weak. "Hi Mira." Neo kept his voice neutral and turned his eyes away from Mira's lovely face. He took another step towards the bus stop, but Mira grabbed his arm. "I've been thinking, I could go with you. It will be more fun to travel together." For a moment, Neo felt as though he could drown in Mira's eyes which were like two velvety pools. He knew exactly what she meant by 'fun.'

Neo felt as though his resolve was hanging by a thread as Mira seated herself too close beside him at the bus shelter. "Or, you could just stay here with me. I'm sure your boss would take you back. There's always work at the factory, and I can help you keep house. Two are better than one." She looked up at him with a look that was half puppy, half feline, and Neo wished once more that he hadn't given in and kissed her at the park. It had been her birthday. Her laughter and the sunny freedom of a day off had been his undoing. But he knew Mira. Had known her since he'd started at the local school. It was all a game to her. Chase and conquer: then leave as soon as things got a bit dull.

"No, Mira." He pushed her away as a brother might. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but I need to go. Alone. There's no us. And there never will be."

Mira pouted but bounced back quickly. "I still want to go. I've been longing to see what lies beyond The Gray Kingdom. Besides, who knows how many handsome heroes I may find." Mira looked at him slyly and Neo knew she hoped to make him jealous. He stood his ground. "Sorry Mira. It won't work. This is a journey I must take alone." He could see the bus making its way towards them, and he made his way to the kerb. "Goodbye Mira. Take care. Maybe you'll make your own journey one day."

Mira's laugh sounded jaded and cynical. "You go enjoy your little adventure Neo. It won't be long before you come back to your old life. And I'll be here if you change your mind."

***

For old time's sake, he waved to the defiant figure on the pavement as the bus rolled away. Mira had after all, been the only one to see him off. There was no one who really cared either way whether he left or stayed. His mother had passed on when he was eight: a crippling disease had stolen her from them. His father had been Neo's world until he'd passed on a year previously. Neo's parents had belonged to a dwindling group of people who knew the Great King. The Great King whose Son ruled in the Kingdom of Light at the centre of the world. Once he'd asked his father the obvious question. "But why did you come back? Why didn't you and Mama stay in that glorious place?"

His father's voice had been sure and strong. "It's simple, Neo. Your mother and I were given a task by the Great King. It was very glorious there, and leaving was one of the hardest things I have done in my life, aside from saying goodbye to your mama. But more than anything, we wanted to obey the King. His orders were to go back to the Gray Kingdom and to share His light and love. We did it gladly."

The words warmed Neo's heart. One day, he would be reunited with his parents in the Eternal Realm. Right now though, it was his turn to make the journey. He would finally see the Kingdom where light reigned, and  meet the King who had the power to transform him and fill him with light. Strengthened by the wisdom his parents had instilled in him since his birth, he set his sights on the city at the centre of the world.

Rafael Garcin. Unsplash

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Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

[13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

https://bible.com/bible/59/col.1.13-14.ESV

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