Almost real stories (The Portal)

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a silvery sheen upon the calm, dark waters of the vast ocean. On this particular night, a feeling of enchantment lingered in the air, as if the very sea itself held secrets untold.

Far from land, where the ocean depths concealed ancient mysteries, a lone fishing boat named "The Starlight" bobbed gently on the undulating waves. Its crew, a weathered fisherman named Captain Elias and his young apprentice, Lucinda, had ventured into these mystical waters in search of the elusive Midnight Silverfish, a creature said to bring fortune to those who dared to catch it.

As the clock struck midnight, a hushed excitement filled the boat. Captain Elias, his salt-and-pepper beard glistening with seawater, stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the inky horizon. Lucinda, her eyes wide with wonder, had been told tales of this very night by her grandfather—a night when the ocean itself would part the veil between realities.

Suddenly, a peculiar shimmering light began to dance upon the water's surface, casting ephemeral ripples in every direction. Captain Elias and Lucinda exchanged a knowing glance, recognizing the phenomenon from the tales of old. It was the night of the Sea's Embrace, when a portal to otherworldly realms could be found in the middle of the ocean.

With bated breath, they watched as the shimmering light coalesced into a circular gateway hovering above the water, emitting an ethereal, otherworldly hum. It was an iridescent portal, pulsating with colors unknown to the human eye, shifting between hues that defied description.

The temptation was irresistible. Captain Elias, a man of both pragmatism and curiosity, decided to sail The Starlight directly towards the mysterious portal. Lucinda's heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation as they approached the shimmering threshold.

As the boat glided into the portal, the world around them dissolved into a surreal dreamscape. The ocean turned into a sea of liquid glass, and the moon became a radiant pearl that hung in the sky. Exotic creatures with iridescent scales darted around the vessel, their melodies more enchanting than any sea shanty.

The duo realized they had entered a realm beyond their wildest imaginings—a realm where the boundaries of reality and myth were blurred. It was a world where time flowed differently, where dreams and legends intertwined.

They encountered merfolk who sang songs of forgotten civilizations, and luminous jellyfish that pulsed with wisdom. They witnessed the dance of celestial sea serpents among the stars and met beings of light who shared tales of love and loss from distant galaxies.

Hours passed like moments in this mystical realm, and Captain Elias and Lucinda felt a deep connection to the boundless wonders of the universe. But eventually, they knew they must return to their own world.

With heavy hearts and newfound knowledge, they navigated their way back to the portal, now glowing even more brilliantly. As The Starlight crossed the threshold, the fantastical dreamscape melted away like mist, leaving only the dark ocean and the silver moon once more.

Captain Elias and Lucinda looked at each other, forever changed by their voyage into the unknown. They had glimpsed the infinite possibilities that lay beyond the realm of ordinary existence. And as they sailed back towards the distant shore, they carried with them the knowledge that there was much more to the world—and the universe—than met the eye, waiting to be explored by those with the courage to venture into the mystical depths of the ocean and beyond.

Thank you for being a part of this amazing community. Until next time, farewell!
@honshu