There was a big rusty brass knocker in the middle of the door. As his fingers reached for it a voice spoke quietly.

  “What are you doing?”

  Quickly turning around to see its source, a bright blue twinkling shape surprised him with its glow.

  “Are you speaking to me? Is this a dream?” were his words as he tried clumsily to hide his shock.

  “I am a wisp and I asked a question first! So I deserve an answer!”

  His cheeks blushed and a feeling of shame and confusion stopped him from an adequate response. He managed to say:

  “Well I was on a bus and next thing I knew I was in this forest, I started walking and came to this door but all of this surely must be a dream, though it does feel quite real.”

  The wisp did some circles around him before its response.

  “And now you are talking to a ball of blue in front of a seemingly ancient doorway, you must be crazy, those are your thoughts, right?”

  Well it was spot on, those indeed were his thoughts at this moment. How could there be any chance of all this happening? And to him, why him? A change was what his hope had been aimed at for a very long time. But this was far too extreme for him to handle.

  The wisp continued:

  “Well don't worry about it, everything will fall back into place, just tell me what levels you have and we will pick it up from there.”

  He was taken aback by this. Levels? Yeah, why not. He was standing in front of a talking orb. What's next, stats and quests?

  “Excuse me but I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. First of all, how are you even able to talk and since when are wisps real, if I have not completely lost my mind. Second of all, is this a joke? Levels?”

  “I have a name! Call me Azure. It's nice to meet you and I should have known from your clothing that you were not from around here but I thought everyone knows about levels.”

  “I'm Howard Bright! It's nice to meet you too.. Wait! So you are serious about levels? And you are real? I am sorry for repeating myself but I will ask for the last time - is this a joke or not?”

  “I understand your confusion. I am very knowledgeable about many things. What you'd call a spirit guide. This definitely is not a joke and all you are experiencing is as real as I am. It might be hard for you to grasp, but you have me for all the explanation you need”

  Sweat started dripping from his forehead. He started pacing nervously back and forth as if he might find the logic lying somewhere on the ground.

  “But what you say sounds so unreal to me. You gave me your name and you are talking to me but none of it makes sense! Actually I have no knowledge of levels, wisps or of what is happening here! One thing is true, though. I am indeed profoundly and deeply buried into confusion, I gotta give you that!”

  Azure grinned at him. Even though there were no definite features, a somewhat human face looked at him from the hovering ball of blue light.

  “I am capable of many things but what fun is it to reveal them all at once. Everything has its right time and place. I am assigned as your companion.”

  Thoughts were running through his head as he tried to catch one without success. His expression slowly changed from a frown to an empty stare.

  “Do I have a choice then? Can I refuse your companionship?”

  Azure threw a bright smile at him. Its face was round with gentle features and a very well defined nose.

  “Yes, you can dismiss me, but you have to choose now. For better or for worse I will be unable to leave your side after an hour has passed. My soul gets intertwined with yours, that is how it all works. Don't worry, you still remain a complete individual. You will just have a deep connection established shall you choose me as your soulmate, so to speak. From your expression I gather that you think I mean something intimate and indeed that is what I want to emphasize. Our bond will be as intimate as it can be. Just not sexual, not at all. Everything except that.”

  All this took him by surprise. Such profound loneliness had been his companion for his entire life. He loved all his friends and family, don't get him wrong. It's just that his soul felt distant from himself, you know? Maybe you don't. How could he explain it? Imagine knowing all people except that you have no such knowledge of your own self. You meet others, but fail to do so when it comes to you. That was what was rooted in him. And now, a talking ball of blue light was offering him what appeared to be eternal companionship? But what if his personality pushed Azure away? Did he really deserve this? There were parts of him which even he did not understand. How was he to burden another living creature with them? Was it actually living or did Azure go even beyond that? This seemed so sudden. What if he ruined this, too. The song of the birds reached a culmination. Azure’s orb flickered as it hovered silently and his heartbeat matched its pace.

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  “I have decided. You are my soulmate from now on.”

  “Excellent! I will do my best to guide you into this world. I am both ancient and young for my species.”

  This decision left him with a sense of relief. He was presented with many choices that he was afraid to make. Why live in constant fear as he had done so far. Nothing could scare him more than the fact that he was suddenly teleported in the middle of nowhere. His inability to settle on a choice had been causing him trouble his entire life. He already liked Azure. Its will to help him was obvious. No idea why that was so, but it just was. The feeling within him was certain. He could trust it and let go for once. No control, no struggle, no resistance. Just a simple choice. They would connect their souls. Maybe now the loneliness would be less troublesome. Hopefully. Funny that his companion would be of totally different species than him. One would imagine a dog or a cat if that were the case. But no, a wisp. Fine by him.

  His inevitable question came forth.

  “So what do we do about this door, Azure?”

  “What of it? Surely you have doors where you come from, at least?”

  He sighed. Maybe regret already loomed over his choice of friendship. His wisp chuckled. Huh, already he referred to it as ‘my wisp’. His annoyance was less than the sensation of belonging and warmth this connection already brought him. There was indeed no room for regret, on the contrary, he was quite thankful.

  “Look, we could sit and jest about it all day. But a door is a door. You claim you have ancient knowledge and all that. I just arrived here, in this world. So I venture to say you have better understanding of this specific entrance, or perhaps an exit?”

  His wisp now went from a mild chuckle to a full-blown laughter.

  “Howard, you are too eager to advance. Slow down, enjoy the moment. You were staring at the elements engraved onto the door before I spoke and surprised you earlier. They are indeed the four Elements - Earth, Water, Air and Fire. To pass, you must make one simple gesture. Bow your head and ask politely ‘Vratsa, please grant me entrance. I come with no ill intent.’ - you should really mean it. If there is the slightest doubt in you, the door will sense it and refuse your request.”

  It could sense his intent? Of course his purpose for entering was of good nature. But was it? Was it pure enough? He hesitated for quite a while. But why should there be any room for indecision? A new lesson from that day guided him. He should act with his heart. Mistakes were always possible but if he dwelled on them there was no progress to be made. Meandering around choices and hesitation had been troubling him ever since he had had a memory! End it all! He bowed his head and asked his request word for word as he was told.

  Light started shining from the engraved elements on the door. It slowly started creaking as it opened. He noticed a guard peering at him.

  “This is the city guard! We are the second gateway. Vratsa grants you entrance but you must answer a question before I let you pass further. What is your purpose for coming in?”

  His head started aching. A tense feeling overcame his body. The palms of his hands dripped with sweat.

  “My purpose is to explore. I am a traveler from afar and me and my wisp wish to look around with no particular task in mind.”

  “The city can deal with a tourist. You may proceed.”

  The guard beckoned him forth. His shoulders relaxed as he witnessed a magnificent sight. The sun licked colourful rooftops as evenfall drew near. Different styles of buildings of wood and stone lay as far as the eye could see. A winding river split the town in two. Many people were strolling around the buzzing streets. There were also.. walking on two feet crocodiles and walking on four centaurs?! Amongst everyone else?! He threw a glance at Azure. He started laughing. ‘He’? Was his wisp a ‘he’ or an ‘it’? He was not sure how to approach the subject but shot anyway.

  “Hey, uhm, Azure? Can I refer to you as ‘he’ or do you prefer ‘it’? I mean no offense and exactly that is why my question rises. My thoughts are a mess and trying to sort them out is proving very difficult. Do you take yourself as a person or as an entity?”

  His companion smiled broadly.

  “Use a ‘he’. I guess from the way you look that ‘they’ gave rise to this subject, the crocodiles and the centaurs. You cannot hide your amazement. I assure you that ‘they’ also prefer ‘he’ or ‘she’ to ‘it’.”

  He started walking in desperate need to explore their options for food. Azure probably ate, too? Could not figure out what he possibly fancied, though.

  “So do wisps eat?”

  They exchanged glances.

  “No, we feed on the energy of the person who picks us. It sounds sinister but it does not cost you your own strength. Instead of leading to depletion, it becomes empowering for both of us due to the symbiotic nature of our connection.”

  “That means we are looking for food only for me, that's a relief. Still, it won't be an easy task. It is almost dark and I have no money, even if I did, I doubt it would be any good in this place.”

  The streets left him in awe. They were so busy that it was hard for them to walk in a straight line. Not all had wisps by their side.

  “I thought everyone would have a companion like you, Azure”.

  His new friend smiled at him gently.

  “Remember, you have a choice. I won't reveal more yet. Pacing is the art of life. Not everyone decides to bond eternally with a wisp. It is a serious commitment that must be made on the spot. That's just how it works.”

  After a while Azure stopped suddenly.

  “Howard, look. That is a very good place for food. The local tavern, The Cabbage.”

  His mind wandered around the idea of money again. So they decided to go in and an idea came suddenly as he crossed the doorway. The bartender instantly laid eyes on him. Understandable, it could not be more obvious that he was not from around.

  “Welcome, traveller. How may I help you?”

  He fumbled with the end of his shirt.

  “Uhm, this might sound stupid. Can I be the one offering help, in exchange for some food? And perhaps shelter, if I'm not asking for too much? I don't have any money.”

  The bartender burst into picturesque laughter. When he regained control he said:

  “It's been a long time since anyone has offered me help. Can you cook? My staff is short lately, and there is a place to fill in the kitchen”

  A sigh of relief mixed with slight panic was his first reaction to those words.

  “I cannot thank you enough but unfortunately I do not know how to cook. Can you teach me or do you know someone else who could?”

  The bartender leaned on the counter towards him and said in a whisper:

  “Your desire to help is enough. Leave the rest to me. My hospitality is in abundance to share.”

  What a day. So much to process. He had a new friend - a wisp who he could trust even though they had just met. But he felt his genuine desire to help. And now the bartender would also assist him in these strange times. Strange for him, ordinary for everyone else there, he supposed. His body relaxed. Then, hunger overwhelmed his existence. His stomach rumbled. His feet were barely holding him. What a day.