Just Another Day 4: The Light Within is a story set following the events of Just Another Day 3: The Gathering. As always, it is meant to inspire. It is, after all, a work of fiction. If you should find a few truths along the way, that is okay.
[NEW PRE-PROLOGUE GOES HERE]
YouTube Playlist:
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Table of Contents
- Prologue: Ville Lumière (City of Light)
- Chapter 1: The Dawn of a New Day
-- Part 0: Happy Little Trees
-- Part 1: Retrieval in the Dark
-- Part 2: Life After Life
-- Part 3: A Broken Spirit
-- Part 4: Akril's Art Gala
-- Part 5: Tenebrae Internae (The Darkness Within)
- Chapter 2: Фестиваль души (Festival of the Soul)
-- Part 1: Родина зимой (Motherland in the Winter)
-- Part 2: Вечер свидания (Date Night)
-- Part 3: это холодная война, В конце концов (It's a Cold War, After All)
-- Part 4: De Henry à Martha, Deuxième Partie (From Henry to Martha, Part II)
-- Part 5: Refael's Lamento (Refael's Lament)
- Chapter 3: Amigos Para Siempre Seremos (Amigos Forever We Will Be)
-- Part 1: Las Tierras Sombrías (The Shadowlands)
-- Part 2: El a el Abismo (Into the Abyss)
-- Part 3: El Secreto (The Secret)
-- Part 4: Hogar en el Aldea (Home in the Village)
-- Part 5: Does He Deserve Another Chance?
- Chapter 4: Facies Tenebrarum (The Face of Darkness)
-- Part 1: Bestia Redit (The Beast Returns)
-- Part 2: Pugna Saeculorum (Battle of the Ages)
-- Part 3: Tibi, Amor Mi. Nunc et in Aeternum (For You, My Love. Now and Forever)
-- Part 4: The Gathering, Part IV
-- Part 5: Cosmic Cohesion
-- Part 6: Light Above All Else
- Epilogue
As Just Another Day 4 begins, everyone needs something to believe in;
So turn around, turn around, it's on the other side;
Feel the sound, feel the sound, it's coming from deep inside;
It will fill you with emotion if you let it be your guide;
Prologue: Ville Lumière (City of Light)
Paris. La Ville Lumière. The City of Light. It was the evening of The Great Earth Awakening. On that fateful day, two software designers named Pōru and Isabella, one of which was from Japan and the other from North America, made their way to Paris at the request of a rather otherworldly guide. The city was all but deserted. A kind lady outside a Paris marketplace told them where they could find the missing populace. The people of Paris had ventured to the park beyond Avenue Paul Séramy.
The sun set over Paris as Pōru and Isabella came upon Avenue Paul Séramy. They spotted an array of lights gleaming in the distance. Along the way, they passed a virtually empty parking lot. It made Pōru wonder what they might find when they arrived at their destination. The avenue came to an abrupt end and they continued into a plaza-like area. Something was very familiar about the place. A few large scale shops appeared to their right. As they approached an unattended gate, Isabella shouted with glee, "Disneyland!"
Pōru and Isabella slid past the turnstile and made their way onto Main Street U.S.A. There was a strange aura about the place. The ragtime music was nowhere to be heard. Some of the street lights were flickering on and off. A light breeze carried trash particles about. The company Pōru and Isabella sought had gathered in the central plaza and surrounding areas of the park. There was so much chatter, it was difficult to make out a single conversation. Pōru decided to interject with a simple "bonjour!"
A bearded man turned to Pōru and said in plain English, "Are you looking for someone or trying to send them on their way?" Pōru took a brief step back. He was not certain how best to answer that question. Pōru had a feeling this would be a night for the ages. That bearded man knew more about Disneyland than Pōru would ever know. He wore a Walt Disney World cap. A mighty strange thing to find at Disneyland Paris. He seemed to have a very humble spirit about him. But above all else, he was a fun loving kind of guy. His charming energy certainly helped many lost adventurers that night.
Pōru took Isabella's hand, fearing he may lose her in the crowd, and began a march toward Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Known in France as Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant. Pōru managed to overhear a few things as they pressed through. One woman said with joy, "Remember the good times we spent together?" A man said enthusiastically, "I still have that scarf!" A young boy said in grief, "Why do you have to leave again?" An old lady, weary from a long life, said, "Please wait for me, will you?"
Pōru and Isabella ducked under the castle. As they stood against a wall, Pōru heard a French rendition of When You Wish Upon A Star being pumped out from a nearby speaker. Pōru once again took Isabella's hand, and together they pressed onward into Fantasyland - the happiest kingdom of them all. The crowds grew thicker the further into the park they ventured. Pōru tried to prepare himself mentally for whatever awaited them.
Electricity filled the air as Pōru and Isabella entered Fantasyland. Several of the attractions' lighting fixtures began to pulse brightly. A series of sparks rang out from the nearby lampposts. They quickly took shelter on a crowded Lancelot's Carrousel. While they spun around Fantasyland, Pōru held Isabella close to his chest. They did not share a single word. Their eyes were intensely drawn to the sight before them. It was as if the park suddenly came alive for a dazzling display of light.
The castle became more illuminated as a number of attractions went dim. In the back of Pōru's mind, he could hear a familiar voice say, "It's now or never, Pōru!" Pōru turned to face Isabella, took a deep breath, closed his eyes and planted a kiss on her lips. Sleeping Beauty's Castle went dark as the park transformers exploded. Lancelot's Carrousel came to a complete stop. In their moment of passion, Pōru lost the sensation of everything that which surrounded them. The rest of the park just slipped away. It was pure magic.
As Pōru opened his eyes, Isabella said with a smile, "And here I thought you didn't know anything about romance!" As they looked outward, they were stunned by what they saw. Disneyland Paris was illuminated with the energy of the departed. Their vibrant auras were visible to Pōru for the first time. Sparkles of light floated past Pōru and Isabella. It was a most mesmerizing sight to see. And yet, Pōru could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. His father loved this place. He was certain he would be here.
A most unusual set of circumstances had led to this fateful day. It was truly a strange yet wonderful shift in human consciousness. Pōru now stood on the verge of discovery. That of the universe and the many secrets within himself. On that eventful night, Pōru and Isabella fell into one another's embrace. Their love gave them the gift of second sight and they now had an amazing opportunity standing before them. In the court of a place so enchanting and magical. Pōru and Isabella resolved to help as many people as they could that night.
They ventured forward from the darkened Lancelot's Carrousel and made their way deeper into Fantasyland - with the light of the spirits as their guide. A young girl cried out for her grandmother. Isabella said with tenderness, "Where did you last see your grandmother?" The girl said with tears in her eyes, "Near Peter Pan's Flight!" Isabella picked up the girl and together they flew toward Neverland - metaphorically speaking. Pōru said with assurance, "I think this flight is cancelled. Do you see your grandmother?"
The girl said with a smile on her face, "There she is. There!" She pointed to one of the many auras illuminating the night. Their special bond drew them close. Pōru and Isabella came face to face with the girl's departed grandmother. Her name was Martha. She said with joy, "Ami! You know I don't like to see you run off like that!" Ami said happily, "I know... I'm sorry! Can we see the pirates now?" She took her grandmother's hand and they ventured into Adventureland.
Pōru briefly considered entering into the wilds of Adventureland, but there appeared to be quite a bit of commotion in the vicinity of Discoveryland. Disneyland Paris' rendition of Tomorrowland. Pōru and Isabella decided to take a closer look. As they entered the area, Pōru said in awe, "Is that what I think it is?" A few clever souls had managed to temporarily power one of the rides. Isabella said with a glow about her, "Space Mountain!" The Jules Verne inspired dome flickered. The music skipped a beat. Pōru said with just a hint of fear, "Should we?" Isabella took Pōru's hand and they entered the line for a very ghostly Space Mountain.
The tunnel leading to the loading area pulsed dimly, the displays were filled with static and the ambient music played in reverse. Before long, Pōru and Isabella found themselves next in line. Without a ride attendant, they quickly took a place in the first row. A twelve year old boy standing in the second row said in despair, "I wanted us to ride in the front!" His father, one of the departed, said with assurance, "It's okay, son. We will next time." Pōru said with a smile, "Take our spot. I used to ride Space Mountain all the time with my father."
Pōru and Isabella switched places with the father and son. As they boarded the ride, Pōru felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He thought to himself, "Was this really such a good idea?" The car suddenly pushed forward into the darkness ahead. It came to a stop on a lift hill surrounded by electricity. Pōru was almost certain that was not part of the ride experience. Everyone glued to their seats as the vehicle jettisoned into the mountain.
The air was spine-chillingly cold. Stars whizzed by at the speed of light. Asteroids came and went from view. There was the unmistakable sound of laughter throughout the dome. It was dark and most certainly eerie, but at least the music had a good beat. Riders careened past a tunnel of swirling neon lights filled with bright flashes. Upon returning to the terminal, Pōru happened to notice the twelve year old boy's departed father had vanished. The boy quietly exited the ride - leaving Pōru and Isabella feeling his sorrow.
Here they were in Paris - the city of light and love - on the most romantic night in history. Magic could be felt throughout the land. That which awaited our duet at the exit of Space Mountain was nothing short of astonishing. The crowds and their departed had begun a march toward the adjacent park's Galaxy's Edge. Pōru and Isabella joined them on their pilgrimage.
A second trip on Space Mountain was out of the question. The clever souls powering the attraction had also joined the march. It went completely dark as they made their way onto Main Street U.S.A. Isabella said to Pōru, "If you could go anywhere in the galaxy, where would you go?" Pōru paused for a moment and then said with a tear in his eye, "Wherever my father is." Everyone packed into the turnstiles and crossed the esplanade. The bearded man in the central plaza said with a heavy heart, "I'll see you guys on the other side. Until then, the vlog is over."
Much time has passed since that fateful day in Paris. Pōru and Isabella have themselves joined the departed in the worlds beyond. The larger spectrum of reality. A far grander reality than Pōru or Isabella could have ever imagined.
As The Prologue comes to a close, it's just another day. From a certain point of view.
Chapter 1: Ortus Diei Novi (The Dawn of a New Day)
Now with more park hopping!
Part 0: Happy Little Trees
The day began just like any other. Akril Matthews awoke to her personal studio in London. Her grandmother, Ami Travers, had left the large flat to her as one of her final wishes. She hoped that Akril could one day create the art studio of her dreams. That dream became a reality in 2136. With her eyes still heavy from her beauty sleep, Akril peered out the window of her flat. London appeared to be alive with the sounds of people in the streets exchanging kindnesses.
One chap said with a smile, "Thank you for the help with my fence. I brought you some apples from my garden." A lass said with immense gratitude, "That was so nice of you to carry my things for me. I baked you a pie." A young lad said with a hop and a skip, "Here's a heart-shaped rock I found. A little somepin for the new shoes you gave me. I wish I had more kindnesses to give, but that's all I got for now."
Akril glanced upward into the sky. There were a variety of birds. They were chirping and humming about. There was beauty all around. Akril just soaked it in for a few moments. These moments were a thing of splendor. At long last, it was time for Akril to make her way into her art studio.
She approached one of her latest paintings. Akril had covered it the night before to protect it from the elements. As she pulled the sheet from the canvas, it revealed a painting of a rather familiar bunch of characters. It was none other than Pōru. He was exploring a dense region of the subconscious world known as The Ether.
Akril's power of second sight had grown ever stronger with time. Contrary to everyone else in the post-awakened world, her ability manifested through her art. When she painted, events occurring in the grander realities became clear to her through her beautiful brush strokes. As Akril looked upon the magnificence of her work, she wondered what Pōru might be up to in those worlds far beyond.
Part 1: Retrieval in the Dark
The Ether was truly a dense region; a boundless region. It was populated in sole by oscillating soundwaves and auras of bright light. Often overpowering to newcomers. It would sometimes appear as if there was an endless fog. A cloud that could not be easily penetrated. The Ether was a place where weary travellers would occasionally become lost without the help of others. Sometimes, all they really needed was a guiding hand.
Having learned everything that he could about such a traveller from his celestial tracker, Pōru centered his thoughts on the dense, unending region. The wayward traveller's aura was easy enough to identify. A darkened blob. It appeared as if a black hole in deep space. Pōru felt himself being tugged inward. He held his composure and allowed his energy to merge with the traveller.
Inside which, Pōru discovered a dark, dank wooded area. There were no signs of consciousness, but there was a very muddy dirt path. Pōru had but one choice. To follow the dirt path. The dirt was like quicksand. Pōru stepped around it as best as he could. Suddenly, the sounds of a steam locomotive could be heard off in the distance. Pōru could just make out the smoke trail rising above the dried brush. He felt a strong connection to the traveller in that brief moment.
As Pōru approached the location in which he saw the smoke trail, he glimpsed a very dim light. It was the traveller. Pōru centered his thoughts on the dim light. He found himself standing in an abandoned train station. Unstamped tickets were flying everywhere. There, off in the distance, sat a scared man clinging to a single train ticket. Pōru said to the man, "Why do you sit here in the dark?" He looked Pōru in the eye and said, "I just wanted to go to the fair. I was going to meet someone special there."
Pōru looked around the man's self created landscape and said, "There's nothing fair about this place. If you don't mind me saying so, it's a dump." He let slip a light chuckle. In tears, he said simply, "You must love wordplay." Pōru said with enthusiasm, "If you follow me, I can unite you with many special someones!" The man began to radiate with light as Pōru extended his celestial hand and guided him away from the abandoned train station. The radiant being said with love, "I hope Susie waited for me."
The pair arrived in The Waystation. A collective consciousness state that often appeared in the form of a park or campus. It served the purpose of easing the traumas of those who had recently departed from physical reality. It was once known simply as The Park. Pōru bid farewell to the radiant being. His soul group was waiting for him there. Their energy manifested ever so brightly. It was a good retrieval. Easier than most. Pōru, having completed his assignment, returned to his personal sanctuary to rejuvenate.
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