The Seeker in the Wasteland IV

Having walked through the forest for what feels like days, I begin to hear the sound of gulls in the distance. "I must be nearing the coast", I recall to myself. Further down the road the forest begins to weaken as the encroachment of the sand seeps in from the nearby coast. Now I can hear the waves crashing ashore, each one altering the shoreline, perceptable only over generations.

The path opens to a beach covered in grassy dunes, a mix of greens, yellows and purples. The air smells pleasant and rejuvenating, warm and dewy. I feel a strong emotion flow over me like the nearby ocean. It is a reminder that my journey is only just beginning, that I a nowhere near the end, but there is a strong pull to rest. I say to myself, "No, I must keeping going." Maybe this is home, or maybe this place is meant to show me what home is for me. Perhaps I'll be back here when I've completed my quest, or perhaps somewhere quite similar. But for now, this is not the time to end.

I press on, following the shore toward white limestone cliffs rising in the distance. High upon the grasslands topping the cliffs rests a chapel. It is an ancient chapel, standing for millenia, erected by my ancestors ancestors, and yet, it stands unaltered by weather or time.

As I approach the chapel the day begins to darken, my shadow now twice the height of myself. A beam of light shines from the chapel entrance. Inside I can see an altar, gilded with depictions of cows. A sword rests on the altar. I feel overwhelmingly tired in this moment as I've been traveling for what feels like days without rest. I pray at the altar for safe shelter for the night before laying myself down on some nearby hay.

As my eyes begin to close I think of the people I've met on my journey so far. I hope the Spear Maiden found the orchard and something to eat, and I pray the Sword Maiden's husband has been victorious in battle and returns to her soon.

Not long after, I drift to sleep.