The sky, was the same.
The sun still shone as brightly as ever.
The clouds, however, were nowhere to be seen.
Gone.
Not a single one could be seen at all within tens of miles.
Yet, that was not the only disparity I noticed, not at all, because, why am I so high up?
The scene could've been portrayed as something majestic, a setting of pure grandeur, if not for my utter confusion.
I appeared to be on a balcony, better yet, it was connected to a towering skyscraper tinted with windows all around, which fervently reflected the blue sky creating a subtle sheen as the sun bore intensely upon it.
There were three glass railings on each side of me, standing atop a silver marble surface elevated high up above the earths surface – only being connected to the building itself.
Behind me was a door, an open, sliding glass door, reaching into the building.
At first I stood rooted, shocked at the instantaneous switch in scenery, "!?"
No words could come out of my gaping mouth, and so, I began to more deeply analyse my situation.
'Sooo… I close my eyes for a couple of seconds, only to find myself in an unfamiliar place, without any explanation…'
I looked into the opening of the glass door, eyes narrowing as I saw the outline of some furniture and a large white wall. No, it wasn't just large, it was very tall. Too tall for a regular room.
'It looks safe, I guess. I don't think there's really any other choice but to go inside, not like I'd get anywhere if I kept standing here.'
And so, I entered. Steps cautious, slow and creeping.
I didn't know who's residence this was, I didn't know if anyone lived here at all, hell, I didn't even know if this was a house at all.
But, if someone did live here, I don't want to be the one to explain why im parading around their house making an unnecessary amount of noise…
'I don't think that's the only concern I should be worrying about,' I rebuked myself, feeling rather sheepish for that being the only worry I thought of rather than the classic;
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING INSIDE MY HOUSE!?!?"
BAM
WASTED
…
'What am I even thinking?' I chuckled at my own simplicity.
I continued walking with unhurried steps, my breathing now manual and quiet, my eyes scanning the room with vigilance.
Though, a thought subconsciously lingered in the back of my head, 'Why am I sneaking around like a thief in the night? I've done nothing wrong!'
["Hehe, watching you sneak around like a stranger in your own home is hilarious"]
'huh!?'
A voice, soft and simple, echoed in my mind.
Once again, I found myself rooted to the spot with a deep sense of confusion.
That's the second time, in less than two minutes as well.
"H-Hello…?" I said, unsure of whether that voice was a figment of my imagination, appearing because I was scare-
["No need to overthink, you heard me loud and clear, I'm real as can be, ya hear?"]
"yeah… I hear…", What on earth was happening today!
["You sound confused, why's that?"]
"hmm, I wonder", I said wryly.
'This thing appeared randomly, with the first thing it does being laugh at me for trying to play it safe, and now it's wondering why I'm confused about it's voice being heard in my mind? Gosh, the hint is in plain sight…'
["So you think I'm dumb, can't take a hint? Truly, you broke my heart and I don't think it could ever be fixed again!"] it proclaimed tragically, it's voice a mix of romantic agony and odd delight.
'This thing read my thoughts!?'
["yeah"]
"stop"
["Why?"]
"Huh, what do you mean 'why?', someone asks you to stop reading their thought, you stop, 'ya hear?'"
["Ouch! Ya used my own line against me… twice…"]
I don't know what it was, but conversing with this voice managed to calm me down slightly. It's simple voice carried a kinder undertone which lowered my guard, enough to let me think properly about what it said, and also who it was,
"Sooo, what's this I hear about this being 'own home'? Also, what or who are you?"
["Oh, come on, you're barraging me with questions! Calm down!"]
"I asked two."
["yeah, exactly. That's two too many"]
"That's too bad, could you answer them now?"
I was truly starting to get annoyed at this thing. Yes, at first it was like a nice cold bucket of ice and water dumped over my head, making me feel calmer and lighter in this strange environment. But now, I feel cold.
["Alright then, don't want you to hate me, I guess. 'specially since were gonna be together for pretty much forever now"]
Now that, that set me off, 'together','forever'? I was about to retort but before I could, it spoke up first.
["Lets start with who I am. My name is "The Effortless Equanimity System", and trust me, I despise it. I'm a digital entity sent here by '##########' to help you become more powerful, other than that, and some other things, I've got no idea what I am or was or will be beyond that. 'sigh', I live a truly mysterious life…"]
"Who- sent you here?"
["Oh yeah, you wouldn't be able to comprehend their name at this stage, well don't think too much about it."]
"kinda hard not to, especially when he's the one who sent you to help me."
At this point, I was just going with the flow. This system, some weird dude who sent it, wanting to make me more powerful, and also that detestable name, like gosh-damn, who on earth made that name?
["No need to rub it in, oh, and you're also no longer on earth."]
I stared at nowhere in particular, to be honest, I wanted to be sarcastic and give a completely unhelpful response, and yet, I felt like I should actually be serious now.
A subtle premonition gnawed at me like a toothless dog, it was like a divine invitation to a future I would one day own. It was scarily enticing, and I fell for it, fell for it deep.
Hearing this 'system' speak about helping me become more powerful…
It got my heart beating again like when I landed my first big gig as a photographer.
No, my heart wasn't just beating, it was punching with excitement.
Maybe, just maybe, I might truly reach the zenith.