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// Entry: 1 
// Story: The Twilight Temple 
// by Kentavritsa 
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A temple is a serene place, intended for contemplation and meditation.  A place; where one could study the inner and outer mysteries, of one's life.

I am walking along the street; and it is late, very late.  For some reason beyond my understanding; highly unearthly serenity is sinking over me and the surroundings, where I am walking. This may be twilight, but still.  The calm, before the storm.

While I had been walking on a fairly regular suburban street, I am finding myself stepping onto a path; laid with lavender, crystal stones.  Not something one is expecting, and certainly not in this part of town.  Maybe this is reflecting in my mood, but I should have found this change in scenery eerie and uncomfortable.

The road is surrounded with a tall stand of trees, in a highly unfamiliar forest. I can not identify the species of trees to the right and left; which I am finding highly curious and fascinating today.  Or, is it tonight?  Either way, I am following this path, nonetheless.  Curiosity peaked, I can not resist the pull; slowly walking down this path, to wherever it may take me.

I probably should have been in bed, by now; safely, and sound asleep.  The path is narrow, but I can easily follow it; through the forest around me, as the path continues to wriggle and twist, this way and that.  The trees stand too close, for me to even see where I came from, or where I am going.  There is a chill and frisky breeze, pulling me ever forwards; as if it had been calling my name. 

While the path seems to be twitching, like a worm on  the hook; time feels, as if it had been standing still.  I continue, no hurry; why should I worry, I am bound to reach the goal soon enough.  Maybe this is a dream?  It is the surrealistic unearthliness you could only experience in a dream.

Of course, there it is.  An octagonal temple; looking as if cur out of the very stone this path had been laid with, untold ages back.  Had I known better; maybe I could have pointed out, just what kind of a structure it is.  Though it is reminiscent of the Mayan step pyramids, for all I could see.  Aside from the octagonal structure being cut out of a purple crystal more reminiscent of Amethyst, or possibly Sapphire?

I am confused; yet I do continue, forwards.

Before me, an opening or a door is opening up; as if I had been invited, to enter this sanctum.  Naturally, I could not stop now; I continue, towards this marvelous building before me.  If this is a dream, I have to see where I had been lead.  If this is real, it is far too late; to turn back, and walk home.  Or, maybe I should have been running?  Twilight?

If not for the entrance, I could have continued to walk all the way to the top; then continue to walk, all the way down to the other side.  All assuming, there is another side; and that the path does indeed continue, on the other side of this structure.  I continue, up the stairs; ending up facing the entrance, I had been looking forwards to.

The door is indeed open, and I had been invited.  By whom, and why; I have no idea.  But, I would love to find out.

“Welcome!” I hear the unknown voice, belonging to Twilight Sparkle.

I step in, feeling secure in the warm welcome I had just received.  Maybe I should have been suspicious, but I can not help myself, I enter, and continue into the structure.

The door slams shut, behind me; I can't return, or escape.  Not now.  A torch is flickering into life.  The flame, warm, welcoming; leading me forwards, into the temple I had just entered.  I had after all been welcomed. Even if the voice of the person is unknown and unfamiliar to me.

I had understood her words, as well as the welcome she had just imparted me with.  I feel special.  I could not have turned back now, after she had so graciously invited me.  To wherever I had just entered.  To see, whatever I am about to see.  I have no idea.

While the room is ageless, as if lost in the mist of time; the floor is spotless, polished smooth and glossy.  It is, as if none had ever been here, almost as if the room had just been built.

“Take of your shoes, please; before you enter my temple!” the voice pronounces, in a quiet whisper; indicating where I could place my shoes.

“Where are my manners?” I respond; “Of course!” I add, as I step out of my shoes.

“There, much better!” she responds; “You do not wish to disturb the tranquil serenity?” she continues.

There is a momentary, distinct breeze; from her yet unseen tail, twitching in an equine manner.

“Please, slip into these!” she offers; indicating something I could wear, on my now bare feet.

“Thank you!” I respond.

I find what is passing for a pair of indoors shoes; looking like something between a pair of cotton socks, and a pair of rubber foot replicas in what appears to be my size.  Strangely enough; they fit comfortably, though I barely feel them on my skin.  Naturally, they are a vibrant lavender.  I guess these belongs to Twilight, so they had to be purple.

Had I looked down; I would have seen a pair of doll-like feet, in the rudimentary anime-like style.  Everything is there, and it feels comfortable; though it is strange, to see these where I am used to see my own feet.

“I hope these are your size; and comfortable enough, for you!” she offers.

“Yes, thank you!” I respond, careful to express my gratitude genuinely and honest.

“Then, by all means; let us continue!” she suggests.

A door, opposite the entrance is sliding up before me; presenting a passageway, further into the temple I had just entered.  As I step through, I do see a new torch on the wall.  I feel the floor under my feet.

“A torch!“ I ponder; “What had I been expecting; from a building, carved out of rock?” I consider.

At first, the hall seems to go on forever; but somehow, I know there is an end.  She is still by my side, even if she may be a shadow or a ghost.

My feet feel a bit squishy, with a slight hint of a squeak with each step I take; though the grip is unparalleled, and the floor under my feet is surprisingly comfortable to walk on.  I have a perfect grip, as if I had been wearing sneakers; walking on dry stone floor.  The floor feels more like smooth, wet ceramic tile; to me, though.

I could have counted the individual torches: one, two and three; but I did not, because it felt redundant and silly from the start.  I could have cast a side-glance, hoping to see the person guiding me through the hall; I did not, but I can always do that later.  Had I looked, I may have seen a hint of a shadow; of the owner of the voice, speaking to me.

“Clip, clop; clip, clop!” I hear, from the side where my companion is guiding me.

“Wait!” I ponder; “What is that?” I consider; “Why does it sound; as if I had a horse, beside me?” I conclude.

That is most certainly hooves, against the hard floor; even if I guess, it could be someone other than a horse?  Zebra and Donkey have identical hooves.  While I know a Pony is just a smaller Horse; but in this case, this Pony is not a Horse.

As I listen to the mare, beside me; I notice little signs, details that is pushing me of the original assumption.  Even if she may be a Ghost, but still.  Wait, is she actually a Ghost?

“Since you came to my Temple; it is in order, for me to show you the room you are looking for!” she offers.

“Thank you!” I respond; “That sounds delightful!” I add.

“This is the Twilight Temple!” she offers, seemingly out of the blue.

“I guess, that would make perfect sense!” I respond; “Is that, why you are here; guiding me, to the room?” I inquire, not grasping the width of what I had just said.

“You could say that, again!” she points out; “Even if I fear, you will never quit grasp the depth of where I just invited you!” she adds.

“Twilight, is the border-realm!” I suggest; “The border between where I came from, and where you are?” I point out.

“It is, in more ways; than you care to know, I am afraid!” she offers.

“Rumours has it, this place is haunted by a very special Ghost!” I mumble, somewhat embarrassed.

“That is one meaning, of the word; even if it may not be the place, you would want to go!” she points out.

“I was not looking for a Ghost, exactly; and I did not want to visit the hereafter, or the afterlife!” I put forth.

While it may have been late, as in twilight; but this is just that, a possible key to this place.

“Maybe the border, between what is possible; and what is not, is more appealing?” she inquires.

“If Twilight is not just a name, or a time of day; that is as good a reason, as any I ever heard!” I respond.

“It most certainly is not just a name!” she points out; “While the temple did need a name, but it is named after me: Twilight!” she explains.

In surprise, I look up.  As I do, I notice a new light; glowing from a point just before her forehead.  I may not know it is her head, but the light is glowing; leaving stark shadows around us.  A door appears before us, on her right; soon swinging up, wide open.  What is unmistakable, is the deep, purple hue of the steady glow.  I do not know, or understand the significance of what I see; and she is not forthcoming, explaining what it is.


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