The Sea Journey

…

Illyria and Jinhua had passed through the torii gate only a day ago. Since then, they had forgotten completely about the world they once knew. It was no longer mundane this life they chose. They had found a large chunk of floating bark on the coast, hopped in, and pushed away from the shore, riding wherever the currents took them. So large and intricate a piece of bark it was that they could individually mark out and make a space their own. 

We’ve entered the belly of Great Ma, Jin would say in his sleep. The sky is a sea of darkness, he’d babble on. Illy would note down his sleepy sayings in her head. She could have written a whole novella for no one to read from the amount he said. Forever restless and generating noise. What an exhausting journey he's had in this new land. She would lay awake most nights on that sea voyage wondering what Jin's soul had looked like - not in that dragon's body. Had he flown down as a dragon or was the soul placed in that body upon landing? It seemed too far-fetched to wonder about but it kept those silent empty nights rocking along the dark waves a little less...silent. They left a section in the middle of the boat empty for the boat's soul to expand when needed. They were not sure why they did it, but it felt right. Ever since, the boat has kept its integrity and still wants to follow the currents. Sometimes when the two got bored they would talk with the boat as if she could hear, trying to guess where it was taking them. Forever silent and mysterious the bark boat was. It always surprised them with something new that would spring from the darkness. They both lost track of how long this sea journey took but it seemed like a couple of moons had passed. It was hard to tell as the planet circulated three moons and they all looked the same. Being cut off from their ancestral lines they no longer knew the stars and luminaries like the ancient Zuudiakus. 

They were in the open water long enough that they began observing their shared father’s work. Scratching marks onto the inner bark of the boat, the angles and lines of the bright points. Connecting the map above to the sea below. Slowly developing a language. It was a language that wasn't verbal but instead spoke through an internal rhythm and followed the deep currents of the ocean’s belly. The sea Journey sees into a greater seer.

Some time passes …

Dusk on the driftwood. Illyria was up again. Not alert or particularly awake but not asleep. Unlike Jin who had found a perfect dip in the bark where he curled up tight and slept peacefully in his light. There was something off in the horizon that Illy was watching as the driftwood found its own way through the never ending ocean. Although this hallowed bark had died long ago, it seemed to still have a magnetism that wanted to feel close to that object off in the distance. Slowly with each passing wave the boat was edged closer and closer to the silhouette of this strange object. Illyria had a full circle view of the great asiatic ocean when she leant up on the edge of the bark. Nothing. Baron blue. Perfection. Except for this object that protruded from the great ocean. The closer they drifted the more it came into clear view. It cast no shadow from the rising sun but their boat did. Which she checked as she ran to the other side of the boat. Jumping up slightly to the higher level ledge she rested her elbows flat on the wood and propped her chin in her arms cradle. She watched as the boat slowly rocked back and forth now from her movement. The changing shadow sparkling in the dusk light onto the water. A wind picked up and her long hair joined in the shadow dance on the ocean canvas. Her silk long garment joined in as well, lapping against the edge of the bark boat. When it started to whistle with the wind she checked behind her shoulder to see if Jin was still asleep. He was sound as ever. Climbing down from the ledge she checked back to the other side where the shadowless object stood. It was only a couple of boats away now and its forms even more apparent. Her mind wrangled trying to work out how she’d describe this to Jin. Instead of straining she chose to just stare at it, aquatically taking it in. No need to describe what you can't. Just take it in. 

An abysmal pit was its foundation. An opening in the water around the size of a well. The hole had no edges but the water poured in endlessly. You couldn’t see in it but all you could see was the lack of light. From the centre of the abyss sprouted a stalk of some kind that shot directly upwards. The material wasn’t one Illyria had seen before but it had a feeling of metal, chalk, and bamboo. It had a liquid personality. The boat drifted closer. Slightly to the right of the central stem another stalk rose from the abyss. This one took a less direct path upwards and coiled around the central stem. Other stems sprouting out their own unique forms along the way. The first branch curved off to the right about a hand's length up and bent to the curvature of the rising sun. Only a forearms distance it grew outwards then it finished with a flat platform disc the size of a pumpkin. From the centre of the disc grew this unfolding lotus pattern that seemed to balance between being naturally formed and being the work of a master crafter. The dusk light reflected off the disc and momentarily blurred her vision, returning her eyes back to the second stem. Working back up the stem her eyes followed the main path it took curving off to the left and then winding around the central stem. It became more and more interwoven with the central stem as it climbed up. About halfway up the second stem then suddenly jolts off to the left and grows directly outwards horizontally to the sea. Along this level path sprout these intervals of barbs and bars at varying lengths. Illyria grew a small smile as it reminded her of the antennas that used to exist on top of her house. It's been a while since I’d thought of that place. Centrally her attention returned, following it straight from the abyss to the heavens, through all the interwoven other stems. At the top of the object sprouted two leaf-like forms. It looked similar to the two young petals of a newly sprouted bud in spring. 

The driftwood was now only one boat's length away. The ocean was naturally chaotic in its own order. The occasional wave returning from its coastline conversation. However, around this object the water was completely still and flat in a full circle. As boat edges even closer the dusk light reverbs off the water's still surface, revealing a rectangular platform right next to the object. The driftwood boat knocked up against the platform and stopped instantly, making no sound, almost like it was held in place by a magnet. Naturally, Illyria hopped over the ledge using her favourite lazy vault and landed on the platform. When her feet landed on the platform it caught them effortlessly. The integrity of the platform revealed itself under her weight in the form of bamboo slats. They had a watery texture but she could feel the bamboo pressure responding to her skin. The still waters were marked momentarily from her landing. Ripples danced in conversation with the Object and then returned to the open sea. Using all fours, she swiftly shifted closer to the edge of the platform and Object. Placing both hands flat on the platform she knelt down right next to the flat disc that came out the second stem. Laying her shins in between the slats. For a few moments, simply sitting comfortably observing the intricate curves of the geometric lotus forms. Sitting up onto her heels she leans in even closer over the abyss. 

A few moments pass of complete serenity, breathing in and out in tune with the sea. She starts to notice that on each exhale the solid-liquid petals absorb the carbon she breathes out. As they take in more of Illy’s waste they start following the flow of her breathing rhythm. In and out the petals rise and fall. The water bearer jolts up to her feet, now slightly frightened, unsure of what she has just connected with. Maybe that was too much too soon. I don’t even know what this is, echoed in her mind. The object stops moving and returns to its still nearness with the great ocean. Illy steps back onto the farside of the platform leaning up against the boat. She breathes a little quieter, wanting to keep her oxygen to herself. This was unlike Illy, she thought she was a master in the ways of serenity and non-reactivity. She quickly checked over the edge of the boat to see if Jin had woken to see her husoul-ness. But there he lay still peaceful and asleep. Watching his belly rise slowly and heart-marks light up with his easy breathing. It brought her rampant mind back to the calm of the sea. She felt safe for a second lent against that wood. Even though it wasn’t alive it was their home for the time being and seemed to protect them. It was never theirs to begin with but they had found something special to call their own. Back in her natural state, unafraid of her oxygen being stolen, she gently leaned off the boat, walked back to the edge of the platform and knelt down. Instead of fearing the connection that she knew was about to bind so deep she remembered a spell her mother had taught her only to use in moments like these. She opened one of the small vials on her belt, pulled out the bamboo bound scroll, and held it closed in her right palm. Gripping it lightly she opened her left hand. There was a tattoo in the centre of her palm that spiralled outwards from a central point. Divina feminina. Breathing deeply in through her nose, her focus heightened as her attention was stolen by the spiral. She never knew if this actually happened but to her eyes it began to circulate and emanate a faint blue glow. She continued to breathe deeply and watch it spiral, then when she could feel the energy reach its zenith her eyes closed and she whispered in her mothers voice “The Light ahead is ready for you, take these words in your next steps”. The darkness behind her eyes continued for a few moments as the silence within and without harmonized. Then, a sigil formed in her mind. The magic was ready and she channelled the qi towards her right hand that held the scroll. Her body began shaking and vibrating intensely from her left to right palm, straight through the heart. The universal spiral gradually slowed down and gently her fingers, one by one opened, along with her eyes. She laid the scroll on her lap and unfolded it. Momma's handwriting. To her amazement and excitement every time, scripts appeared on the bamboo strips in faint brush strokes. 

Look in 

And you’ll find 

One single goblin 

Sat on a lotus leaf

Living a whole life 

Before your eyes 

Where he dies 

As you pluck the lapis 

From his throat  

As she read the words she could feel the warmth of a blue glowing light coming from above her gaze. Precariously she looked up to the dusk horizon and then down to the disc where the light was coming from. From the centre of the lotus pattern a small creature crawled out from the object as if it was soil. First reaching through with these tiny goblin-like hands, it pushed aside the metal soil. The creature's tiny bald head poked through next with drooped ears and a couple scraggly hairs poking out. At waist level it pushed itself all the way through, and waved into the hole that was now closing up. It brushed itself off and began tending to the petals as if it was their garden. Slowly walking round in a spiral inspecting each petal. Lifting it up to look underneath then brushing its hand across the edge of the leaf to feel its integrity. After a couple of leaves it looked up to Illyria unfazed and put its tiny goblin hands together as it bowed towards her. She returned the action making a tiny pyramid with her fingertips and bowed back. It giggled and hopped to the next petal to carry on its inspections. Illyria watched intently with a long expression curious as ever. On the outer edge of the disc it plucked a tiny piece from each petal. Illyria watched as the leaves instantly re-generated and the goblin fanned the plucked pieces artistically in its hand. It jumped from the outer ring back to the centre of the disk holding the plucked pieces of material above its head that acted as a chute to slowly float down to the central spot. It reached into the disc's heart and pulled out something that looked similar to the Object. It stabbed this smaller object into the centre of the lotus disc and then sat down in front of it. Without looking behind, it lifted its left hand and seemed to gesture Illyria in to look closer. She leaned in and watched as her breath connected with the object and it glowed gently. On this mini version of the Object the goblin layered the plucked petals on top of each other. It then lifted one finger and breathed in deeply from its belly. It lifted its other hand with one finger whilst taking in another deep breath. On the exhale its fingers moved over to the antenna stem and began plucking the barbs and pipes poking out as if it was an instrument. It didn't make any sounds but instead seemed to play with the dusk light reflecting off the sea. Creating a visual song on the lotus disc. The first shadows. It kept playing the antenna with its fingers and pointed to the plucked petals for Illyria to see that they were dissolving and disappearing into the smoky dusk light. When the last one vapourised the goblin played one more note strumming along all the barbs in a wave sequence. At the last pluck the central stem began to shake subtly and steam came from the top of the sapling shape. The creature stood up and pulled two cups from its tiny satchel. It leaned closer into the object and onto its tiptoes holding out the two cups under the tips of the sapling leaves. Steam and water droplets slowly rose out of the central stem, trickled up the two leaves and finally dropped right off the edge of the tips. Drop by drop the cups filled up. Every now and then the goblin would look back at Illyria, perfectly maintaining position whilst closing its eyes, seeming to gesture a smile. The boiling sound and steam came to a stop and it pulled the cups away, swirling the liquid in the cups. It placed one of them on the disc as her parents used to for the kami to enjoy. 

The creature turned to Illy, bowed again and walked to the opposite side of the disc. It leant down slowly and sat on the edge of the disc dangling its tiny legs over the ocean. It stared at the rising sun that seemed to move even slower now and lifted its cup into the air. Turning to Illy as if to say Cheers. Tipping the cup towards her before taking a cautious sip. Legs swinging like a child, staring directly at the dusky orange painting in front. It bopped its head to some silent song and swayed its shoulders back and forth as it sipped the liquid from the cup. 

After it had enjoyed a healthy amount of sips it leant on one of its knees and stood back up. Pouring the rest of the liquid out into the ocean it walked back over to Illy with the empty cup. Simply standing. Smiling at Illy for a few silent breeze filled moments. 

Suddenly swinging its arm out to point the cup directly at her. In one swift motion with full power it stabbed the cups open side into its throat and twisted it in one full rotation. Illy maintained focus but slightly jolted in shock. Pulling away the cup, now containing a circle of pale green skin, it revealed a tiny lapis looking gem shining from its throat. It was shaking but held its position upright with its arm firmly outwards, cup still firmly grasped. Seemingly gesturing Illy’s hands in the direction of the gem in its throat. She hesitated for a few moments catching a the breaths that tried to run away. Then leaning forward off her shins, with her right thumb and index fingernails plucked the lapis from the goblins throat. One last sparkle danced in the goblins' dark eyes. The second the gem left its home the creature collapsed to the ground. The cup made a dense thudding sound as it fell to the disc. The creature's body toppled to the side and it shrivelled up instantly under the dusklight. Growing a hundred years in a second. It dissolved. Disappearing into the disc material. Illy’s bottom lip had dropped and she sat there for a while, simply staring at the gem. Resting back on her shins she looked back and forth from the gem to the tiny object in the middle of the disc, to the larger Object, then back to the gem. Repeating this a few times in complete confusion, awe and appreciation. 

When half the sun had risen over the horizon, a new dusk light formed a tiny opening in the Object appeared in the middle of the central stem. Without question she placed the lapis gem in the hole and a tiny door swallowed it. Naturally she began repeating the process that she had witnessed moments before. Excitedly running back to the boat as the Object began to steam from the sapling top. Purple qi flowered off her and floated into the wind. She ripped off two protruding pieces of bark from the boat and bent them into shape. Skipping back she held the cups under the falling droplets and waited for it to fill up. 

In the silence of the sea, staring at the rising sun in between her outstretched arms. The steam rose and fell upon her arms. Cascading down the bends and turns of her body like the morning mist on an open valley. Goosebumps joined in with the dance and she enjoyed the shiver that rippled across her body.  

The cups filled up just under half way as the sky changed from dusk to morning light. The steam and boiling sound stopped. The perfect amount. Holding the cups in her hands like a newborn. Swirling the liquid around in a smooth motion. The image of the goblin moments before flashed in her mind as she did. She bowed to the memory and walked back to the boat. Illy hopped up and rolled over the boat ledge balancing the cups in her hands. The boat began rocking gently from her landing. Jinhua’s tail started scratching his eyes. Illyria came to sit down cross legged next to Jin, his eyes creakily started opening. Evening manu, he croaked. She smiled. He looked at her hands for a few moments, blinking through the mental fog. Stunned back into silence. Rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands, he then burst out laughing and fell backwards rolling around the boat. 

PHAHHAH AHHAH AHAHAHHA

Illy…..

You know what i'm not even gonna ask

Illyria smiled, bowed her head, then flicked away the hair that draped over her eyes. 

Well hand it over then

She passed Jinhua one of the cups. They both stood up and walked over to the boat's smaller ledge. Resting their arms on the edge. The warm cups protect their palms from the sea breeze. Illyria takes the first sip. Jinhua follows suit and then pulls away when it first touches his lips. Cosmic candy. They both gingerly sip away at their drinks in between moments of appreciating the rising sun and changing light. 

Jinhua stared into the horizon and leant his head on Illy’s shoulders. Illyria scanned the ocean, both hands clasping the cup with interlaced fingers. Empty again. Full again. The Object had disappeared back into the abyss and was nowhere to be seen. Whatever it was had closed up and all that remained was the stillness of the water surrounding. Instead of trying to explain what happened she simply let him enjoy the rising sun. 

She leant the soft of her temple on his liquidic scale-shoulders. Sipping tea slurp by slurp making that sound you do with hot tea. Giggling to each other. Blowing scoughs of air through their nose. She scratched along the grain of the wood floor with her foot to a rhythm which he knew to mean; 

If this isn't nice, 

I don't know what is