Inner Alchemy by Adept

An alchemical journey begins, whether in the mind or in physical reality; or both. The adept begins with a single step, which is atimes the hardest, though at least he knows it. Unbeknownst to him is the rest of the journey or where reacheth he at the end thither. What certain is, the balance of the elements is wrong - it will not leave him in peace, therefore the voyage is imminent.

He first remembers the heroes of old, those whose shining example lights a fire throughout the ages; they are not the ones who sat idle. The Heroes of Yore are but shadows and specters now, yet their lives shine bright, in remembrance and in example. Their standard and inspiration beckons him on.

The adept then reaches a marble palace and enters the presence of the Righteous Emperor. Here is where light emanates as a standard of uncorrupted power, used for good, and in this light he is cleansed, seeing an example and a lesson.

Yet, the contrast between this righteousness and the adept's own current state, as well as his unchangable past brings him to a Bitter Regret over choices that cannot be unmade, as choices wont to do.

But one cannot lay still after beginning the voyage. Our traveller meets his mentor, a wise and cunning character who incarnates in every great story. He speaks to him, first softly, then forcefuly, reciting the Old Wizard's Exhortation, pushing the voyager on.

The journey goes on. The alchemist gazes upon a well at the edge of the forest and has to descend it. This is the Well of Memories, where he faces memories both of his own and collective, some bright, some buried and forgotten, yet all stand still in front of a gaze and clear upon understanding.

Crawling through the bottom of the Well, a cave opens up and brings the adept to a mighty forest. A Path Through Soulforest he must traverse, an endeavor deeper than mere memories; beasts, and trees and souls, all one entity, all separate. No mere words will convey, this is an esoteric and personal path.

Having left the forest behind, the weary traveler sees only what is in front of him: a mountain to climb, and the clearest of springs. His soul has already changed sixfold; here is the seventh part to seal the rebirth. By the cold of the water, and by secrets untold, the adept's journey forgoes a Transmutation at the Mountain Spring and yields to change, it's form restored, not totaly new, nor totaly different.

Breathing the clear air of understanding he wonders for a moment - was it all but in his mind? Or was it an external journey that conveyed the mind as well?
Yet, he would not have chosen to remain behind, at any length. For true alchemy deals not with transforming base metals, but with a transmutation of the soul.

No AI used