Episode 3: Clues from the Other Side

Zara was still stunned by the recent events. She awoke on her bed, but her mind kept spinning with images of the spirit world—mysterious, threatening, and beyond comprehension. Her whole body felt exhausted, as if she had just fought an endless battle.

But one thing was clear—she could never return to her old life. The world she once knew was gone. What remained now was a journey filled with uncertainty.

The days passed quickly, and Zara delved deeper into the astral projection techniques she had learned from the book. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt herself drifting away from her physical body, traveling through unseen corridors of a hidden realm. Yet, the more she explored, the more questions arose.

One night, after meditating in silence, Zara felt something different. A new energy surrounded her—stronger, more commanding than before. Without realizing it, her body became weightless, and that familiar sensation returned, pulling her into another dimension.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a place that resembled an ancient forest, filled with towering trees. The air was fresh, but a sense of unease lingered. In front of her, a flickering light glowed, radiating a strange blue hue. Zara stepped toward it, mesmerized by its beauty and mystery.

Suddenly, a man emerged from the shadows, his figure wrapped in a faint glow. Zara froze, but the man only smiled, his face calm.

"Who… who are you?" Zara asked, her voice slightly trembling.

The man replied in a serene tone, "I am the guardian of this dimension. And you, Zara, have entered forbidden ground."

Zara stared at him, confused. "I… I don't understand. What do you mean?"

He nodded slowly. "This world is not what you think. You are part of a greater prophecy, a destiny that cannot be avoided. And to understand what lies ahead, you must first comprehend the forces at work around you."

Zara furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of his words. "Forces? Destiny? What am I supposed to do?"

The man looked at her with piercing eyes. "You must choose, Zara. Either accept your destiny and fight the dark forces invading this realm, or allow it to fall by their hands."

Every word he spoke felt heavy, like a burden she was meant to carry. Zara felt the weight of a responsibility she never asked for pressing down on her. But deep inside, she knew she had no other choice.

"Why me? Why was I chosen?" Zara asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The man only smiled, a sadness in his expression. "That is something you must discover on your own, Zara. But remember, the choice you make will decide the fate of not only the spirit world, but the real world as well."

And with that, he vanished, leaving Zara in the growing darkness. Only the flickering blue light remained, guiding her forward into a journey filled with mystery and danger.

Zara took a deep breath, and with heavy steps, began to move toward the blue light. She knew this journey was only just beginning.

The air in Zara's room still felt heavy, like the spirit realm had left behind a footprint. Even after waking up on her bed, the echoes of what she'd seen—those red eyes, the woman of light, the haunting mist—refused to fade. It was like she had left a part of herself in that strange dimension… or maybe, something had followed her back.

She sat up slowly, her body aching in places that didn't make sense. How could her soul leave her body and still make her feel like she'd been running for hours?

And yet, a part of her wanted to go back.

⸻

Over the next few days, she buried herself in the book again—Metaphysics: Unlocking Dimensional Gates. Every word seemed to carry more weight now. It wasn't just theory anymore. It was real. The chapter on energy resonance kept pulling her attention. It spoke of spirit pathways, vibrations of light, and the concept of echoes—residual spiritual imprints left in places with a heavy emotional past.

She read those words while lying under her blanket, flashlight in hand, as if the dim yellow glow could keep the spirits out. But deep inside, she knew she was already part of their world. And it was only a matter of time before the veil between dimensions thinned again.

She didn't tell anyone. How could she? What would she even say?

"Hey, by the way, I might be part of some ancient prophecy, and I think my soul traveled to another realm during meditation?"

Yeah. Not happening.

⸻

One night, when the world outside was asleep and the house was wrapped in silence, Zara sat cross-legged on the floor. The book was open in front of her, incense burning faintly at the corner of her desk. She closed her eyes and whispered a simple phrase she'd memorized from the text:

"Guide me through the echo. Show me the path that lies between the shadows and the light."

The words were soft, almost musical. At first, nothing happened. Then, like a soft wave, her body tingled. Her hands grew cold. Her heartbeat slowed.

And then—just like before—it happened.

Her body felt light. Detached. Like gravity had lost its grip on her.

She opened her eyes.

And she wasn't in her room anymore.

⸻

This time, she stood in what looked like an ancient forest. The trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their leaves glowing faintly with an ethereal light. There was no sun, yet everything was dimly lit—like a permanent twilight.

The air was cool and crisp, but there was something underneath it. Something… off.

Zara walked carefully, her bare feet brushing against mossy ground that pulsed slightly beneath her steps. She wasn't sure if it was alive… or if she was just feeling things differently in this place.

In the distance, a soft blue glow flickered between the trees. It called to her. Gentle. Persistent.

As she approached, the trees grew quieter. The silence became deeper. And then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward.

A man.

He wore a long cloak that shimmered like it was woven from moonlight. His eyes glowed faintly—one silver, the other gold. There was something timeless about him, like he didn't belong to any particular era.

Zara's breath caught in her throat.

He didn't look threatening. But something about him felt… heavy. Like he carried centuries of secrets.

"Who… are you?" she asked, taking a cautious step back.

He offered a soft smile. "I am the guardian of this dimension. And you, Zara, have crossed into a place few mortals ever reach."

His voice echoed a little, as if the forest itself was listening.

Zara narrowed her eyes. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was just… looking for answers."

"And you shall find them. But not all truths are kind." He tilted his head slightly. "You're not here by accident, Zara. You were drawn. Chosen. And now… tested."

Her heart skipped. "Tested?"

The guardian nodded slowly. "There are forces at work beyond your understanding. Light and darkness. Order and chaos. You are at the center of it—whether you want to be or not."

Zara folded her arms, more confused than ever. "Why me? I'm not special. I'm just… a girl with anxiety issues and a weird book."

He chuckled, but it wasn't mocking. "That's exactly why. The ones who question themselves are often the most powerful. You are a Seer, Zara. Your soul resonates with both realms."

Her breath caught. "A Seer?"

He stepped closer, but not threateningly. "You can see what others ignore. You sense the spirits. Feel the echoes of pain, sorrow… love. You've always known, haven't you? That there was more."

She thought about all the times she'd felt things she couldn't explain. All the whispers she'd heard at night. The dreams that came true.

She nodded. "Yeah. I guess I have."

The guardian's expression grew serious. "There is a war coming, Zara. The spirit realm is weakening. Shadows that were once locked away… they're stirring. And some of them are seeking a vessel."

"Vessel?" she echoed.

"Someone they can attach themselves to. Someone with a foot in both worlds."

Zara suddenly felt sick. "You mean—me?"

"Yes." His voice was soft now. "But you have a choice. You can train. Learn to protect yourself. Understand your gift. Or… you can ignore it. But if you do, the shadows won't."

She didn't respond. Her mind was spiraling.

"You said I was chosen. But by who?"

The guardian's eyes flickered. "That… you must discover for yourself."

Suddenly, the forest trembled. The blue light that had been flickering earlier began to pulse—stronger, brighter, as if warning them.

"They're close," the guardian whispered. "The corrupted spirits. They've sensed you."

Before Zara could react, a chilling shriek echoed through the trees. Something was coming. Fast.

The guardian looked at her one last time. "Remember this place. You'll return. But not now."

He raised his hand—and in a blink, the world vanished.

⸻

Zara shot up from her meditation, gasping.

Her heart was pounding like crazy. Sweat clung to her skin, even though the room was cold.

The book lay open in front of her, but the words seemed to glow faintly now. Like they'd been rewritten just for her.

She looked around.

Everything looked the same.

But she wasn't.

Not anymore.

She touched her chest, feeling her heartbeat slow down.

That man—the guardian—his words still echoed in her ears. A Seer. A vessel. A war between dimensions.

She didn't want this. She didn't ask for it.

But deep down… some part of her knew she had always been walking toward it.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time to stop running.