#thegates

The Gates. Central Park

Photography by David Velez

#newyork #nyc #davidvelez #david6of7 #photo #originalcontent

#park #centralpark #exhibit #art

“Religions often talk of a ‘great reward’ awaiting one at the end of their lifetimes, that their maker shall reward their lifetime of accomplishment. I have the fortune of meeting my maker, and was not impressed. They were weak, unfulfilled, riddled with excuses. They were not worthy, and they fled. That was the least I could offer them.

Their actions showed us, exactly what this universe is. There is no ‘grand plan,’ no ‘higher power’ above watching us with eagerness. You were merely the fortunate egg to be born. That is all, nothing further. You were born, and one day you will cease to exist.

That simple fact, remains constant in all that I have witnessed. That is life. It’s purest form. Your time in this universe is limited and you are blessed to have it. 

Anyone familiar with Death would find this place a little disconcerting.

The band of adventurers awaken in a field- or what appears to be a field- a total of four strangers, only one of which is fully conscious.

Waking up, looking around at their surroundings, it seems to be somewhat similar to the surface layer of Aracanus, the place they call home, but... twisted, somehow, with chunks of earth floating high above their heads a ways off, globules of water in something reminiscent of bubbles hover around them. Flames lick from ravines in the earth.

For a month prior to waking up in the odd, unnatural location that they find themselves, the impromptu adventurers have been receiving some... odd sendings.

A message, pinned to a tree with an arrow fletched in raven feathers, reading simply, COME. A swarm of black birds thick enough to blot out the sun. Hundreds of letters flooding like a whirlwind into their homes, their trees, their caves, wherever they have deigned to rest.

Some chose to ignore these signs. Some made an attempt to follow. All to no avail- none of the party could figure out just what the letters were begging of them.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on their outlook- they no longer need to look.