As consciousness slowly filtered in, my vision began to clear. The throbbing in my skull was overwhelming, so much so that I immediately heaved onto my side to expel the water that had made its way into my throat. I lay on the coarse sand, propped up on one elbow, as saliva dripped from my parted lips. Rolling onto my back, my arms fell like dead weight to either side as I squinted at the bright sun above. The waves crashed nearby, but my body was too fatiguedl to react.
But my relief was short-lived as I heard someone clearing their throat above me. A large shadow creepts into my field of vision, and I blink rapidly, attempting to in an attempt to adjust my eyes. Bright white teeth flash me a wide smile, the rest of their figure still numb to my eyes.
"Welcome, dear wanderer, to my humble domain." The stranger says. I sit up, taking the hand offered to me, as I unsteadily rise to my feet.
"Poseidon nearly took you, but I haggle well. Let us get you inside to warm up and have a cup of tea. You must be exhausted. Follow me." He offered, before turning on his heel and starting off towards the treeline, if you could even call it that. I stood there for a moment, taking in what was before me.
This man, whoever he was, stood tall and proud, his ebony skin glinting against the sun. A large crown atop his head, with staggering spikes and jewels along the outer brim, the centre domed atop his head, a beautiful red velvet. Each spike had a jewel in different colours and shades. It was breathtaking, the sheer finery of it. The clothing he wore was simple, a loose white button down shirt, the first few buttons open, and simple black pants - a stark contrast to the elaborate ornaments that draped across his skin. Draped over his back is a long cloak, more like a robe. It was made from the same beautiful, striking red material as the top of his crown, lined with black and white fur that flowed behind him.
His shoulders jutted out like cliffs on either side of his neck, giving him a very large and broad appearance. His features were semi-youthful, deep cheekbones, a parrot-like nose, full lips, clear skin, sole for his eyes that were more sunken in. I would have guessed him no older than 40. A visceral sensation tugged at my chest, a realization.
What the hell is going on?
I didn't see my boat nearby, but the oar lay a few feet away. I rushed over to pick it up before following after the tall man into the trees, not wanting to be left alone on the beach that spanned on either side of me, farther than my eyes could see.
The treeline was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Massive, skeletal trunks twisted with vines gave the forest an eerie, spacious feel. Towering above even the pines back in Cobalt Springs, the trees stretched skyward, their branches splaying wide into a canopy of thick, vibrant foliage. From below, they resembled a tangled web of neurons, shifting gently in the breeze, as if alive. The sand beneath my shoes becomes dirt as I enter the forest, catching up with the large man. I walk behind him in silence, focusing on stepping over and around the numerous rocks and roots. He makes no such effort, his boots sloshing in the muddy puddles, splatting his robe and pants with stains of brown.
I glancedglance around, noting the blue moss that satsits along the bases of most of the trees. I'd never seen anything like that before. With each step, I felt a gentle vibration. A humming that sounded from below, the tone so low it was barely audible. The scent of the forest was intoxicating, a heavy fragrance in the air as we walked. The canopy above filtered in kaleidoscopic patterns of sunlight, casting dapples along the path ahead. Sounds drift down from overhead, caws and screeches that almost sounded prehistoric. The forest seemed to close in as we continued our ascent, the terrain becoming more rugged. The man still stalked ahead of me, showing no interest in whether I was actually following him or not. Above, I suddenly hear a bird similar to back home, a melodious trill. My eyes scan the branches, looking for the small brown body underneath a black and white head, but I see nothing. My eyes strain ast the light hits them, as it hits my eyes before I turn my head down and continue pacing.
The burning in my calves was becoming notable. The man turned around to face me,
"Behold, my dear wanderer, the jewel of my kingdom," he declared, his tone oozing pride.
"This bastion of splendour and opulence, where every stone holds a tale of grandeur and heroism."
As he steps aside, I behold the object of his description. A castle. With looming towers and large flags overhead. The stone walls around the castle are meters tall, with turrets on the corners, perfect for those overlooking the forest. I fall into step with the man as we enter the large archway and through the wide wooden front doors. The inside is a labyrinth of halls and corridors. Bright rugs cover the marble flooring, each one a different colour and pattern. The walls are littered with large tapestries and paintings, and as I walk down the corridor, I can't shake the feeling that I am being watched. Candles flicker in sconces along the walls, casting long shadows that dance and twist against the marble, even with the large windows pouring in warm light.
The man takes a sharp right before halting in the centre of the room. It was a narrow space with a single object against the far wall- a throne. The throne was golden atop the dais, topped with red quilted cushions. Behind the throne, the wall had been intricately carved into an archway, where the light from the far window shined in upon. I stepped further into the roomsoon, my shoes squelching on the pristine red carpet that led up the dais.
"Welcome to the heart of my kingdom," he says, his smile splaying wide, the first sign of emotion he had shown since the beach.
"My honoured title is King Taro, the keeper of this wondrous island for generations of time. How it thrills me so, this cherished haven. Come, let me guide you through my sanctuary, lest you wander astray in its enchanted forest. Hold your questions close, my dear wanderer. I shall indulge your curious mind when our grand tour concludes."
His eye twitches.
"Where are we?", I ask again. He stares at me, smiling deep and eyes deadpanned. He twists towards me frighteningly fast.
"As I said, girl. Questions at the end of our venture." His voice came out an octave lower than it had been. He gestured towards the entrance of the throne room, the wide smile once again displaying his perfect teeth. I simply bowed my head, following behind as he exited the room.
He started by showing me the grand hall, a vast chamber adorned with ornate tapestries and paintings, where he described various balls and meetings. Taro explained that he had since retired from dancing, as it took his attention away from his daily prayer. This led us to the room of worship, or so he called it. It was a small room, the walls layered with shapes that supposedly dulled the outside noise. "Only here, on my knees, do I let myself break open. I offer my spine, my pride, my very breath to the divine Udora. I thank her, I worship her, for the roof above me, the scraps that feed me, and the eternity burning in my veins." King Taro removed his crown before bowing his head, the wooden pew creaking beneath the sudden shift of his weight. As he turned to look at me, the whites of his eyes flashed against the sunlight that beamed in. He didn't squint. He didn't look away. He maintained eye contact with me, the sun burning against his irises as he smiled.
"Let us continue."
I followed him around for quite some time, and noticed there was not a single clock to be seen in the entire castle. We walked to the library, a dimly lit room lined with shelves of ancient scrolls and texts. King Taro opened one and offered it to me, placing the large manuscript into my palms. I didn't recognize the language, but the drawings were very detailed. It showed people in peril, frantically running for their lives while the earth collapsed beneath them. For an old text, the ink remained incredibly stark against the withered paper. I stared at it for a moment before large hands removed the book from my grasp, returning it to the shelf it came from. From there, we ventured through the observatory, where I was shown the 600-year-old telescope that was supposedly used to discover one of the first planets that was able to support basic forms of life. Each of the items King Taro owned were crested in beautiful jewels and sequins, glittering in every direction. They exuded riches. The texture of the telescope against my hand was bumpy as I made contact with the thousands of stones that covered it. I could not imagine the price for one of these stones, let alone this entire estate. As we continued on through the castle, I began to lose track of where we'd been. The castle looked like it folded in upon itself as we passed multiple paintings I thought we'd already seen, and took for more lefts than what made feasible sense.
The king spoke with animated gestures, eyes wild as he described things with such fervour. He held the door for me as we stepped back into the outside world.
"Behold, my dear wanderer, the Garden of Whispers." he mused in a hushed tone. "This sanctuary of secrets and wonders is dear to my heart. This magic delight holds secrets and wonder beyond your wildest of imaginations. Here, amidst the tangled vines and perfumed blossoms, you can lose yourself in dreams and desires." He continued, plucking one of the flowers off the vines and bringing it to his nose before inhaling deeply. He opened his grasp to let the flower fall into the grass before tilting his head back and bathing in the sunlight, eyes closed as his mouth hung open. His crown tipped against his dark, bushy brows. My eyes ventured around the garden as I stayed in one spot, unsure of how to react in this situation. His wide eyes and constant smile seemed like a torrent of enthusiasm. Even with his pupils on full display, the smile never quite seemed to reach them. The large gestures and tone influxes seemed borderline theatrical, and I couldn't quite place it, so I stood there, waiting for him to stop basking in the sun like a lizard.
—
Finally, we returned to the front of the palace. Standing in silence, I figured that questions were now appropriate. But before I could even take my next breath, King Taro was already speaking again. "There is one final room I wish for you to see. Burn this path into your mind, for failure means the only thing being devoured shall be you".
What? I-
His tone was light, even chipper.
With that, he again began wandering back into the castle, his dirt covered robe trailing behind him. I followed his footsteps before falling into place beside him, we took a couple turns before stopping in front of large red doors. He placed his large hand on the doorknob and turned to me.
"Prepare to feast your eyes upon the most delectable of rooms."
He swung the door open and a large wooden table quickly came into view, easily big enough to seat 50 people.
"The dining hall. Where dinner is served, crafted with love and magic. Serving delicacies that you will never find outside my kingdom," he boasts, though his posture was stiff and rigid. His hand extendeds into the room, offering me a glance to the head of the table, where a large red chair towered over the rest. I see movement in the corner, mostly hidden by the door. I step forward, my shoes squeaking against the marble. King Taro quickly yanks the door shut, only inches from my face.
"That is the final room for our tour. Let us be brought back to the front of my home for questions and further introductions," he gleams, staring directly into my eyes, unblinking.
As I follow behind him once again, I try to take note of the murals and tapestries on the walls. Some depicting wars perhaps fought here long ago, others displaying naked women draping themselves over various furniture. Walking through the entrance way, I come to a stop a few feet away from Taro, watching him wearily. He turns to me, "any questions?".
My mind races. "Where am I?" I start with.
"You're on my island, in my kingdom of dreams." he replies, matter-of-factly.
"No, but where am I? How far away are we from Gridlock?"
The closest city to Cobalt Springs. He maintains eye contact as he answers.
"You are on my island, the kingdom of dreams." I study him, furrowing my brow. Irritation nips at my heels.
"What time is it?", I ask.
"My dear wanderer, so many unnecessary questions. Time does not work here the way it does in your home, you humans are so obsessed with numerical categorization, knowledge, beauty, the list goes on. You are never simply able to enjoy what is. Driven by greed, you lot. It will damn you all. This is why the island is so crucial, it teaches humility. It teaches patience. It teaches you how to reform your feeble mind into something magnificent, into something greater."
The passion in his voice was unsettling, as he gestured to the island that surrounded us. I cut him off.
"What day is it?"
"A beautiful one."
"Who are you?"
"I am King Taro, ruler of this kingdom."
My skin felt hot. I was becoming very irritated!
"How did you find me?"
" I found your body washed up along the shore. You were pallid and unconscious, you're very lucky that I found you", his smile widened. I didn't feel lucky.
My frustration began to grow, a humming sensation within my skull. I take a deep breath,
calming myself, willing myself into an air of nonchalance. I raise my eyes to meet him once more.
"My mother is probably worried sick about me, and while I really have appreciated this tour and being on your beautiful island, I should really be getting back to her. So if you would please be so kind as to take me home, or point me in the direction of my home, I would be most appreciative."
I straightened my posture, lifting my chin. The king stared down at me for a moment, taking in my words. Suddenly, his entire demeanour changed. His smile twisted into a sneer, his brow tight with rage.
"Home?" he bellowed, his voice reverberating through the solid castle walls.
"You wish to return home? After everything I have done for you?" he shouted, the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling began to shake.
"You dare to speak of leaving this sanctuary. This sanctuary is my home, which I have graciously opened to you."
His words hit me like a physical blow and I staggered backwards, a clatter sounding as I dropped the oar. He was now so close I could feel his saliva spitting against my cheek. He raised a large hand into the air and I rushed backwards once again, backing into the wall. His fists slam down into the floor, his dark skin a contrast from the white marble. The blow was so strong that a crack snapped up the wall, into the ceiling. The chandelier that hung wobbled for a moment as deep cracks continued to form around it. It was released from the ceiling. Glass shattered around us.
I tried to reason with him, stumbling over my tongue but he shouted over me.
"I saved you from oblivion, and this is how you repay me?" I watch in horror as his indignation seems to be set ablaze in the foyer. Glass shatters again to my left as another light fixture smashes into the ground, and I throw my hands up to cover my face and neck. The sheer force causes me to fall, my side slamming into the marble floor. My ears are ringing so loudly that I can no longer hear his shouting. I scramble out of the corner, trying to get myself away from him, but I don't make it far before I am knocked back down as my knees buckle. I can see the saliva dripping from King Taro's mouth as he yells. A glint in the ceiling catches my eye, the chandelier is loosening from its chain as the crystals dance from the rumble of the king's anger. Does every grown man having a tantrum come with its own light show- or am I just so lucky?
I throw myself forward just as the chain releases, sending the entire light fixture into the ground where I was just sat. The shards shoot out in all directions, embedding themselves into my left calf. I howl in pain, my entire leg on fire.
This seemed to startle King Taro, because in an instant, he composedhe's composed himself. Wiping his forearm across his mouth, soaking his sleeve with excess spit, he straightened, brushing off the glass from his white shirt and dirtied train.
He turned to me, "Ah, dear wanderer, time dances to its own melody here. Your worries for your mother need not trouble you, for here, moments stretch and twist like threads in a tapestry. She will scarcely notice your absence, I can assure you." With a saccharine smile spreading across his chapped lips, he continued, "enough with such mundane concerns, let us turn our attention to something far more exciting". He ushered me out the door, hoisting me onto my feet with one hard pull. With a large hand against my shoulder, he shoves me out the front door.
"Allow me to unveil the sanctuary that awaits you in this fair kingdom." The pain in my leg begins to settle in, the adrenaline wearing down.
"Here, amidst the whispering trees and shimmering starlight, you shall find respite from the cares of the world", his voice dripped with false sincerity. We walked down a steep hill, the forest much darker as the sun began to set. I suppose time does get away from you.
We eventually stopped before a small wooden shack, the walk feeling ageless as I limped on my shredded leg. The king explained that this shall be my home and that he has left some important items inside. Before I can open the door, the king hands me a parchment.
"These are my decrees." He said, "follow them and harmony shall be maintained".
He leaned in close to me, so close that I could see the see amber specks in his eyes. "But heed my words, for disobedience carries dire consequences," his tone took on a chilling edge. With a flourish, he stood. His back let out a deep popping sound as he straightened.
"Before I leave today, sweet wanderer, I do wish to know your name" he finished. I examined him for a moment, avoiding his eyes.
"Eve". My name tasted salty against my tongue, though that was likely the water that nearly drowned me.
"Eve", he tested it out.
"Hm, that will not do", he glanced down at my leg, with little pieces of crystal still embedded in the red, raw skin. "Dahlia", he says.
"Have you ever gazed upon a pompom dahlia?" He questions, "beautiful, resilient ones, they are". He turns quickly before stalking off towards what I can assume is the castle. I once again stare off after him, the darkness making it difficult to see. I let go of the breath I'd been holding and unravel the parchment. The whole thing is written in beautiful calligraphy, the headline reading The Rules of King Taros Island. Beginning with rule #1, remain indoors after nightfall.