The City of Sparkling Gray

As you enter the light from the sun is replaced by a warm and comforting glow radiating from the walls of the chamber before you. Circular and bare except for 14 circles on the floor and 14 corresponding holes in the ceiling, it is composed of the lustrous gray stone of the mountain. You approach one of the circles on the floor that is outlined in black and feel an unseen force repelling you. Instead of fighting you move towards one of the circles outlined in white and feel a force pulling you inward. Stepping into the circle you suddenly feel lighter than air and begin to rise up into the hole above. You rightly assume that the white circles are for those ascending to the city, while the black are for those descending from the city. The shaft you find yourself in moves up in a gentle curve. Though the walls of the shaft are softly aglow with radiance, you cannot see the top due to the length of the shaft and its curving shape. The force lifts you up the shaft with increasing speed. As you near the top, you begin to see light above you and your momentum slackens.
You pop up through a hole in the floor of a medium sized, circular chapel. On the floor are 14 holes, 7 outlined in white, 7 in black. The chapel is made of Lapis Lazuli and is polished to a high gloss. A domed roof is supported by 12 columns spaced around the chapel. Steps that lead down wrap completely around the outside of the building.
Six pathways made of a smooth stone with swirling patterns of orange and purple radiate out from the chapel. Between each path, surrounded by thick and vivid grass, are three large pools of clear water. Some pools are empty while others are occupied by men, women and children of many races. Gratefully you walk to the nearest pool, desiring company and conversation along with cleansing. Removing your clothing, you step into water that is the perfect temperature on your skin. The beings in the pool, two elf maidens, a dwarf, three humans, one male two female and five female fae, smile in welcome. For a few minutes you simply lay back and bask in the incredible caress of the crystal water. When your stress and cares have melted away, you open conversation with the group before you. "I am new here" you say. All smile and one of the fae giggle, and you realize that your arrival was obvious. However, their calm and easy acceptance prevents you from feeling any embarrassment. "Can you tell me a little about this city?" you ask. "What would you like to know?" asks one of the elf maids, a beautiful creature with hair the color of a ravens feathers, perfect white teeth and lavender eyes. "Well, I see six large structures surrounding the chapel and pools. What are they?"
The dwarf speaks up, and his voice is not gruff and ragged like you had expected, but smooth and deep. "Those are the guest houses." he tells you. "That is where visitors stay when they come to the city. All who enter here stay in the guest houses for a time regardless of their purpose in visiting." He smiles, "Once a person makes the Commitment, they move on to their next abode"
"Commitment?" you ask. "Yes" answers one of the fae. A tiny creature, no more than four feet tall who would pass as a child were it not for the extremely womanly proportions of her body and the look of maturity on her face. She gives her head a little shake, flipping hair the color of fire behind her. "This city has, in truth, only one purpose...to train those who seek to become Mylem." "What are the Mylem?" One of the human women answers this time. Her hair, the color of dark chocolate, frames her face in a way that makes her look serious and severe...though the relaxed smile on her face and sparkling of her eyes show otherwise. "The Mylem are the embodiment of the Will of the Avatar." This, of course, only confuses you and the expression on your face prompts her to continue. "The Avatar is what you would call a chaotic neutral. He sits between the darkness and the light, keeping the two separate and constantly working to maintain balance. Balance is the nature of God, since Anu is everything, light and darkness together. The Mylem are beings that have achieved perfect or near perfect neutrality in their spiritual and mental growth. It is they that carry out the Will of the Avatar in Paradisian. They are the force that maintains balance. When a lord has become so powerful that he/she oppresses his/her subjects and interferes with free will, the Mylem act to reduce his/her power. When an area of Paradisian succumbs too far to law, the Mylem sow disorder. When an area is in disarray and too chaotic, the Mylem bring in law and order. Their purpose is to maintain the neutrality of Paradisian. The Avatar is also chaotic though, which means his will and actions are dictated by his needs, desires and understandings rather than a set of rules laid down and inscribed in stone. The Avatar will not interfere with any individuals path or growth. But when that individual begins to threaten the balance of our world, the Avatar will act...though for the most part, he will act through the services of the Mylem." "And this entire city is dedicated to the training of these Mylem?" you ask "Yes" answers another of the fae, a wondrous woman with hair the color of starlight. Her deep red eyes transfix you as she speaks. "Here is where all Mylem are trained. After a period of rest and reflection, using these pools and the guest houses, the trainee then begins the study of Magick in Paradisian
The school of magick has four levels, corresponding with the four elements. An apprentice first enters one of the four apprentice towers where he/she will learn all magicks associated with mother earth. These are the natural magicks. After that, the three towers of air become home for the apprentice. In these towers, all magicks pertaining to air and breath are learned.
After that comes the two pyramids of water. This is where magick in regards to liquid is learned, as well as emotion and emotional control. Finally, the apprentice enters the tower of Fire. It is here that fire is the subject, ambition, motivation etc. The three spires on the tower are where the apprentice learns to combine all magicks in regards to the three pillars of white, gray and black. When the apprentice finishes the school, he/she wears the gray robes of the magi." "How long does this training take?" you ask. The second elf maid speaks up, "For most beings it takes about 50 years according to their understanding and gifts." "And then?" you ask with raised eyebrows.
"Then the apprentice leaves the school of magick and comes to the school of mysticism. In the rain bowed crystal chambers of this school, the apprentice learns about connecting to Anu. About how all things come from Anu and all beings are a reflection of Anu. It is here where they learn to speak to God, channel, prophecy, healing and other miracles. This can last anywhere from 10 to 100 years for the apprentice...though there was one elf woman that came out in 7 years. When they come out of this school they wear the White robes of the priest."
"Then what happens?"
"Now comes the Mylem training." the human male replies. There are two buildings in the city for the Mylem, but both teach the same lessons. The being enters one of the buildings and begins to learn how to perceive the will of the Avatar. They learn about balance in the world and within themselves. It is here that they undergo what is called 'integration'. They learn to understand all 3 levels of their being and integrate them into a whole. They learn acceptance and surrender."
"And how long does that take?" "It can take as long as 250 years or happen as quickly as one year" he said. It all depends on the individual in question." "What about death and renewal" you say, looking at the fae. "Death and renewal are suspended while in the city. Mylem training is outside the normal rules of life and death. While in training, a Mylem does not age nor undergo reincarnation or renewal. Only after the training is complete and they emerge into the world as a fully trained Mylem do they become subject to the normal progression, though, it is somewhat different for a Mylem than other beings." "How so?" you ask "A Mylem's term of service is 500 years. During that time they will not age or renew. They can, however, be killed in the performance of their duty. Many are killed each year and replaced by new Mylem from the city. Those that are killed are given a period of rest and reflection for a time, then allowed to choose a return to service or re-enter the cycle of life/death/renewal." "So, after the school of the Mylem, they leave the city?" "No" the second elf maid speaks again. Her hair is as shining silver as polished chrome, she has eyes the color of a flawless aquamarine. "After the school of the Mylem, the person goes to the temple of Anu. There they enter into service for all other beings in the city. They see to feeding, clothing, waste removal, cleaning and all other day to day services required for those studying to become Mylem. They serve for exactly 13 years before they are allowed to take The Vow." "The Vow?"
"The Vow of service to Anu. They pledge their life and being to the will of Anu as it is expressed by the will of the Avatar. It is here that they truly learn that the Avatar is not a God, but a servant of Anu. Here they learn the focus and worship of the One. Only after they have taken The Vow, are they released from the city to begin their service as Mylem in Paradisian."
"Sounds like a difficult path to take, this training." you say while wondering if you could take something like this on. "It is" she replies. "But the rewards are great. A Mylem that successfully serves his/her 500 year term...whether in one run or several attempts...ascends to the peak of Mt. Adophael. There they enjoy a higher existence as they have moved a bit closer to the light. They directly serve the Avatar and Paradisian, and if they ascend far enough, they can ride the rainbow beam up out of Paradisian and move on to other realms in the Aeons. Realms that orientate more towards the light. They are in a position, once ascended to the peak, to begin earning the rewards of the Avatar: perfect physical and immortal form, freedom from sin and karma, and a direct and personal connection to Anu. It is a goal that most who reach true neutrality strive for." "What about the Peak?" you ask, "what is up there?" "The central temple of Anu in Paradisian. The heart home of the Avatar. None who have not seen it, can know what it is or looks like. Only the Avatar, who has not yet manifested here, can give it form and function." "What about the rest of Paradisian? What are the lands like?" "The lands of Paradisian are many and varied. All fantasy, magick etc. that you have read about is here. All creatures of myth. Each land is sovereign but subject to the will of the Avatar. No land may restrict the right of its inhabitants to travel to other lands. Nor may a land restrict entry. The seas themselves are wondrous, beautiful and perilous. Travel on the oceans is frequent, as is disaster, piracy and miracles. The Trollomai are the ship builders of this world, and supply every land, including Raethania, with vessels of any sort to sail the seas. The economy of the world is based on trade, barter and what you call the 'buddy system'. Precious metals, gems, objects or art, weapons, supplies and more are traded and bartered. There is no form of currency allowed on Paradisian. No banks, no credit agencies, no loan sharks. However, there is gambling and what you might call prostitution...though, without sexually transmitted diseases and control of ovulation, it does not have the negative consequences or connotations it does in your current reality. The men and women that engage in prostitution do so because they have a profound love of sensual pleasure and of other beings. They have a high degree of easily accessible love and affection...though it does not last more than a few years in even extreme cases. Even on this planet in this reality, most beings prefer to engage in sensual pleasure with those that they find physically attractive. The bonus here is that each individual's physical appearance directly reflects their inner nature. Those that are beautiful and loving inside....are beautiful and lovable on the outside. The types of government are many as well. From democracies to monarchies. The only forms of government that are not allowed by the avatar, are those that subjugate their populations in favor of the government. All governments on Paradisian exist to serve those they govern...and serve them according to the will of those governed. Any that deviate from this are dealt with by the Mylem." Satisfied, for the moment, you allow yourself to close your eyes and lean back in the pool. Relaxation spreads throughout you and you slowly close your eyes and go to sleep. When you wake, you are back in your present illusion reality, waiting for the Ascension to take place and the Gateway to the Aeons to be opened up.