a broken down barrier

                                        

                                              
The essence of the landscape we were trekking through was near indescribable, nothing seemed quite real. I would spot a mountain in the distance and it would appear mammoth, truly colossal with fissures and rocks and I could count the crevasses and ridge lines but by the time we reached that spectacular up thrust, it was nothing more than a jumble of rocks ten feet tall. The grass as an iridescent, see through mirror of the sky so it was as confusing to look upwards as it was to look down, so if I looked at my feet for too long a sense of vertigo would hit me and I'd fall over. The weirdest sensation though hit me when we reached a forest path because the silvery green trees actually scuttled around. They never moved very far but it was disconcerting to know that they could move at all, and they too shimmered through all the gradients of green as they cavorted about. By the time we stopped for a long rest, I understood Nikka's comment about it feeling like a lifetime in here. There was no true light source; just the constant unending evening but the entire time we were walking we seemed to be heading towards a dark smudge on the horizon.
                              
"I'd ask what was causing the gloom we're walking towards but I have the feeling you wouldn't tell me." It felt weird to speak out loud; we'd all kept exceptionally silence thus far.
                              
Nikka gave me a soft smile. "The divisions of this Realm are clearly and unmistakably distinct. That darkness is the lighting for that division as the inhabitants want it that way, you'll see and comprehend in a while so for now sleep. I'll wake you when I deem you're properly rested for the next leg of the journey."
                              
"How in the name of the Mother do you figure you'll deem that?" I sounded disbelieving and incredulous. Apparently I have no trouble accepting permanent twilight overhead all day, but someone knowing when I'm ready to go is too much.
                              
"The charm I gave you allows many things. Although we can be separated it would not be for long, you are granted protection against many of this Realm's effects and I can monitor both your health and wellness. Also it helps me seem mystical and mysterious." Nikka added nonchalantly and I laughed at her sly humour.
                              
"Alright then Obi Wan, wake me when we're good to go." I could argue against how creepy I found being monitored or I could use the rest time so we could head out as soon as possible. My worry for my twin won over my ego so I curled up on the ground and felt Alex-as-tiger curl around me, against my back. He emanated warmth and once his rumbling breath settled I drifted off faster than a row boat in a tsunami.
                              
There was no sense of dawn to wake me, instead I felt something come close to me so I woke up with a jolt and then nearly threw up on Nikka as I had to readjust to the landscape once again. "Here eat this; it'll help settle your stomach. I'm going to go collect water; we can't drink what's in the next area without getting very ill. Now remember, this is the stretch where we're most likely to be attacked; if that occurs I will do my best to end the confrontation quickly. Cal, remember your promise to run and hide. If you can get out of this area entirely that would be for the best, even if it means finding you would be more difficult. Just focus on wanting to find north and follow your gut." Nikka instructed as she knelt down near me. I saw the air shimmer around her briefly before I was once again feeling the push to look away, but I fought against it ended up settling for looking at her out of my peripheral vision. It was driving me to distraction that I couldn't quite look at her; I don't like things messing with my mind because I've simply gone through too much of that lately. "Leave it be Cal, you know what I look like so staring at me won't help right now." she admonished. I reluctantly conceded and ate the food she passed to me; it was a weird combination of a bread roll and moss, which wasn't as weird tasting as it looked at least. When Nikka returned with the water, I couldn't help but stare; the water carriers were actual bubbles of water somehow suspended and attached to webbing that Nikka had pulled across her chest.