Illusions of Truth

By Jessica Rehll

In a world where realms collide and ancient prophecies whisper through the veils, Luna, a lourdes with mysterious dreams, and Ryker, an amnesiac construction worker, are drawn together by an unexplainable force. Haunted by dreams featuring a faceless figure, they yearn to uncover the deeper meaning behind their connection. As the fragile veils b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Rehll
• Release date: Jun 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088148945

Jessica Rehll

Jessica Rehll, the captivating entrepreneur from the enchanting city Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, embodies the essence of creative brilliance. As an avid writer, candle business owner, and transformative hypnotherapist, she weaves enchanting tales, crafts amazing candles, and guides individuals on profound journeys of self-discovery with her hypnosis audios. With her words, candles, and magical touch, Jessica lights up the world, leaving a lasting mark on the hearts and minds of all.

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Jessica Rehll

Illusions of Truth

Guardian of Realms: Book One

Copyright © 2021 by Jessica Rehll

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

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Contents

1. Luna: A Tale Begins

2. Ryker: A Path Unfolding

3. The Fractured Veil

4. A Divine Connection

5. The Silent Abduction

6. Reunion in the Shadows

7. Unmasking Truths

8. What Was Once Lost, Is Now Found

9. The Power Within

10. Embracing the Spirit Realm

11. The Enchanted Forest

12. Invasion of the Celestial Realm

13. Shadows of the Mystical Caverns

14. Reflections at Home

15. The Psychic Call

16. Threads of Destiny

17. Veiled Confinement

18. Sacred Trials, Sacred Passages

19. Chaos Unleashed

1

Luna: A Tale Begins

There was darkness surrounding me, but a sense of familiarity washed over me. I had been here before. I squinted my eyes, trying to focus on my surroundings, but I couldn’t see more than a foot in front of me. A milky, slow-moving fog enveloped everything.

I looked down at my bare feet, recognizing the stone path that led from my home to Lake Kenoah, a quarter mile away. I knew I was still at home.

Taking a few soft steps forward, a sudden chill ran down my spine, causing my skin to tingle. I could feel someone watching me.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. My palms grew sweaty and my hands began to shake. I scanned the area searching for the person whose gaze seemed to burn through me, but there was no one there.

Gathering my courage, I continued walking towards the lake, this time at a faster pace. Where is he? I muttered.

As I approached the lake, the fog grew denser, obscuring my vision and muffling all sounds, even the usual high-pitched whirring and chirping of insects. Why is he not here? A deep ache began to form in my chest as I desperately continued searching.

Suddenly, I heard a noise beside me. I quickly turned my attention towards the sound as I come to face his chest. My eyes focused on his broad shoulders and chiseled chest.

His red shirt, seemingly soft to the touch, rose and fell steadily with each breath he took. I tilted my head upward, trying to see his face, but his features remained blurred. I rubbed my eyes, attempting to bring them into focus, but it was as if I was looking through an old-school camera that no longer came into focus.

Abruptly, my feet began to shake as the ground beneath me started to vanish. No, not yet. I pleaded quietly. I looked back to where he stood, but he had already vanished. Darkness was slowly engulfing everything around me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a low whimper escaped my lips, Come back to me.

Luna, wake up. Are you okay? I half opened my eyes to see Rayna standing in front of me, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. You were mumbling in your sleep and seemed upset, she explained without averting her dark green eyes from me. I’m fine, I answered softly, wiping the fresh tears from my cheeks. Rayna looked at me with furrowed brows, but she didn’t pry further into the shimmering trails of liquid staining my face.

Rayna was my sister, two years younger than me at twenty two. She was quite stunning, with sleek blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and reaching the middle of her back. Her eyes sparkled in the sun, the boldest shade of emerald, and her eyelashes fluttered with enchanting vulnerability, revealing her gentle soul. Sharp cheekbones sculpted her face into a perfectly symmetrical apple.

With a slender frame and a height of 5 feet 7 inches, she bore a striking resemblance to me, although my hair was a few shades lighter. Both of us inherited our looks from our mother.

We were raised in a small family of lourdes, a species unique to our realm. Although lourdes were scattered throughout the realm, we remained tightly knit, caring for one another. Our family now consisted of five, including Rayna and me.

Aunt Rhea, my mother’s sister, had dark blonde hair that fell just below her chin. She played the role of the mother hen in our family, looking after us all. Then there was Caleb and his baby brother Jake. Caleb, now tall and lanky, possessed midnight black hair and honey gold eyes. At sixteen, he had recently experienced a growth spurt, shooting up six inches. He now stood a whole head taller than Rayna and me.

Jake, the youngest in our family, would be turning four in less than two weeks. Like Caleb, Jake had hair as black as coal, but his eyes were a deeper shade of amber. Caleb and Jake’s parents had left them with our family when Jake was just a few days old and hadn’t returned since.

The dream I had earlier had occupied every crevice of my mind. I never saw the man’s face, but the dreams occurred regularly. They had become more intense, and after each dream, I was left with an unexplainable emptiness.

They weren’t like any other dreams I had ever experienced. They were different. I could feel the fine wisps of grass on the soles of my feet. The breeze blew the long strands of my blonde hair into my face, tickling my nose. But above all, I could feel him. My heart raced, and my hands trembled. I felt exhilarated and euphoric as I waited to see him, yet filled with rage and despair when he inevitably disappeared once again.

Every dream began and ended with him, yet I didn’t even know who he was. But I did know him. I recognized the sweet smell of sandalwood and mint, and the freckle shaped like a lemon on his left forearm. I longed to touch him, to place my hands on the soft fabric covering his chest and feel his heart pulsating beneath my fingertips. The ache of missing this faceless man came in waves.

Let’s take a walk, Rayna interrupted my thoughts as she grabbed my hand and led me towards the forest. The gravel beneath our feet soon turned into grass, which then narrowed into a dirt path that began underneath a large willow tree. Its branches drooped low and hung all around us as we entered the forest. My eyes grew wide as the towering trees surrounded us, standing higher than skyscrapers. Each tree, unique in its own way, was adorned with deep green leaves, creating a dome-like canopy above us.

Rayna and I found a spot beside our favorite giant sequoia. This tree must have been thousands of years old and stood at least 200 feet high. We sat down and leaned against the ancient tree.

Luna, do you ever miss Mom? Rayna asked, looking down and fiddling her fingers through the grass beneath us. All the time, I answered, reaching down to take Rayna’s hand in my own. Remember, no one is ever really gone, Rayna. What about Dad? Rayna’s voice turned cold, and her face grew red. No, Rayna, I don’t miss that monster, I responded with a clenched jaw. I wish things were different. Rayna hung her head low, and tears began to escape her eyes.

I found our mother and father dead in their bedroom three years ago. Our mother had been stabbed seven times, and our father had a fatal wound through his heart. It was our mother who had used magic to kill him. We were never taught to use our magic, our father forbid it. I never even knew my mother possessed the ability."

One of my earliest memories dates back to when I was three years old. Late one night, I awoke to the sound of my mother’s screams, followed by a loud crash emanating from their bedroom down the hall from where Rayna and I slept.

I crawled out from under my blankets and tiptoed into the hallway. The house was shrouded in darkness, and the corridor seemed longer and scarier than it did during the day. I stood frozen for a moment, but another loud crash snapped my attention, directing my gaze to my parents’ bedroom door. The door was slightly ajar, and light spilled out into the hallway.

I heard my mother sobbing as my father slurred out a loud growl, You looked like a whore. You wanted every man at the party to want you. You’re worthless! Those men would never love a whore like you. His words were followed by the sound of my father’s hand forcefully striking my mother’s face, causing her to cry out in pain.

Without a moment’s hesitation, my little legs propelled me down the hall towards my parents’ bedroom. I burst through the door, squinting my eyes and with flushed cheeks, I screamed with all the strength my little lungs could muster, Leave my momma alone!

My father’s bloodshot eyes quickly shifted towards me. His face was as red as a tomato, and his forehead creased with sweat trickling down into his eyes. He lunged in my direction, huffing deeply, fists clenched, and aggressively scooped me up. His large, sweaty hand gripped my face, squeezing my cheeks together, causing my lips to part vertically. His face came within an inch of mine, and in a low, menacing rumble, he said, Your mother is a whore, Luna. She’s an unworthy woman. She’s a bad girl.

Leave her alone, Jack. She’s just a baby, my mother fiercely interrupted. My father shot her a burning glare and growled, Shut up, Fiona. Our daughters will know respect. He redirected his attention to me, saying, Go back to bed before I show you what happens to bad girls. He placed my feet on the floor, and I hurried into my mother’s protective embrace. She held me tightly, shielding me from my father’s wrath as I sobbed into her chest.

I said go back to bed, Luna! my father bellowed loudly as he advanced toward us. My mother positioned herself in front of me, raising her hand to halt him from coming any closer. I’ll take her back to bed, Jack. She’s scared, my mother declared.

My memory becomes hazy from that point on, but I vaguely recall looking up at my mother’s bruised and bloodied face as she tucked me back into bed that night.

Rayna? I must have spaced out for a while. I think we should head back. It’s getting dark, I muttered, using the large sequoia tree to brace myself as I stood up, my legs tingling with pins and needles. Come on, little sister. I extended my hand out to Rayna and helped pull her to her feet. We were both lost in thought on our walk home, remaining silent as we traveled.

Emerging from the forest, we saw Caleb and Jake kicking a soccer ball in the front yard of our large home, built of red sandstone. A white porch wrapped around the front our home, and wrapped around the sides. Aunt Rhea sat in a large, wooden rocking chair next to our front door, big enough to accommodate a family of giraffes.

We walked past her, offering a whimsical smile as we entered through the door leading into the foyer. Inside, polished wood floors and a gracefully curving banister greeted us, leading up to the second story of our home.

I’m starving! Rayna exclaimed, skipping toward the kitchen. What are you in the mood for?

Miso soup and sourdough would be amazing, I replied, following behind her and sitting on a stool at the island in the middle of our kitchen. Mm, yes, that does sound good, Rayna agreed, gathering the ingredients needed to make our favorite dish. Mom made this the best, but I think I’ve mastered it, she said with wide eyes and a smile from ear to ear.

You make it just as good as Mom, Rayna, I assured her. Once Rayna finished cooking, we sat together, ready to indulge in the comforting warmth of the miso soup and sourdough that she had prepared. The aroma filled the air, bringing back memories of our mother’s culinary creations.

As we savored each spoonful, the flavors danced on our tongues, a harmonious blend of familiarity and nostalgia. The soup was rich and savory, the sourdough bread perfectly crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. It was a taste that reminded us of home, of the love and care that our mother had poured into every dish she made.

Between bites, we exchanged smiles and shared stories, finding solace in each other’s presence. The weight of the dreams and the longing in my heart slowly faded into the background as the simple joys of the present moment took center stage.

The clinking of utensils against bowls filled the air, accompanied by laughter and the warmth of family. We sat there, immersed in the comfort of each other’s company, finding solace in the familiarity of our shared experiences.

As we finished our soup and bread, our bellies satisfied and our hearts full, I looked at Rayna and felt a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for our shared memories, for the love that bound us together, and for the strength we found in each other.

We cleared the table, washed the dishes, and I carried with me the warmth of that meal and the love of my sister. A yawn escaped my mouth. Well, I think that’s my cue. I’m going to head to bed. See you in the morning, little sister. I got up from the table and made my way upstairs to get some sleep. As I walked into my room, my body felt heavy. I crashed onto my bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

Once again, I found myself surrounded by the familiar darkness. Lowering my head, I glanced at the stone path I had walked many times before and stepped lightly towards the lake. The fog wasn’t as heavy now, and I could see the shadows of trees off in the distance.

As I neared the lake, the world around me grew silent, and the quietness became nerve-racking. I approached the place where I had met him in every dream before, but this time something felt different. I couldn’t feel his gaze upon me. Frantically scanning the environment, I searched for any signs of movement, but there was none. I felt frightened and alone.

Just breathe, Luna, I whispered to myself, my heart racing as tears streamed hot down my cheeks. My breaths were hard and fast, and I couldn’t seem to control the trembling of my legs. Pull yourself together. I whispered to myself.

Inhaling deeply, I filled my lungs with as much air as they could take, holding my breath as I counted to five, then blowing the air out slowly. Taking control of my breathing, I focused on the light breeze whirling across my cheeks. My heart rate began to slow, and my legs calmed. I turned back around and stepped gently onto the stone path that led me home.

As I approached the old oak tree in my front yard, a glimpse of movement caught my eye. What was that? I uttered. As I was getting closer, I saw a figure walking out from beside the tree. There he was. My face grew hot, and I felt like I was going to burst into tiny pieces.

A grin began to spread across my face, and my eyes lit up like the morning sun. We walked closer to each other, stopping only a breath away. His face was a blur, but I focused on the steady movement of his chest when I heard his raspy, all-too-familiar voice whisper, Who are you?

The world around us quickly began to crumble once again. The trees vanished, replaced by an empty void. I’m Luna, I replied, my voice trembling with a mix of anticipation and desperation. But my words seemed to dissipate into the darkness, lost and unheard.

I reached my arms out, trying to grasp onto something, anything, to hold onto this fleeting moment. Please, come back to me, I whispered, my plea echoing into the abyss. But there was no response, only the haunting silence that enveloped me.

With a heavy heart, I felt myself fading into the blackness, the connection slipping away like sand through my fingertips. The dream was slipping from my grasp, leaving me with an ache and a longing that lingered even as I awoke.

As I opened my eyes, tears still glistening on my cheeks, I couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness that clung to me. Yet, I held onto a glimmer of hope, a belief that somehow, someday, our paths would cross again, and the dreams would no longer be mere illusions.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself to cherish the present and the love that surrounded me. Though my heart yearned for the figure in my dreams, I knew that I had to find solace in the everyday moments, in the warmth of my family and the strength we shared.

.

2

Ryker: A Path Unfolding

I was standing next to a large body of water, shrouded in darkness and surrounded by a heavy mist. This place was strangely familiar, though I couldn’t recall if I had ever been here in my waking life. The silence hung in the air, devoid of the usual nocturnal sounds of crickets and frogs. It felt unnerving, the quietness echoing in my ears.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. I spun around, hope and anticipation coursing through me. Could it be her? I whispered to myself.

The stone path stretched into the darkness, and a slender figure emerged, steadily making her way towards me. It was her, the one I had longed to see. She halted a few feet away, and my palms grew sweaty while my heart pounded in my chest.

Her long blonde hair cascaded down to her hips, and she wore a flowing white dress that accentuated her gentle curves. Though I couldn’t discern her face, an inexplicable familiarity enveloped her presence. I knew her, even without seeing her face in these dreams. It felt as if I had known her for an eternity.

But as our meeting unfolded, the ground beneath us began to tremble, disrupting our connection. The ache in my chest intensified, and my vision started to fade, slipping away into the darkness.

The pain of separation tugged at my heart, leaving me with a bittersweet longing. I yearned to stay with her, to unravel the mysteries that bound us, but the dream would not allow it.

As the darkness swallowed me whole, I couldn’t shake the heaviness in my chest. Yet, I held onto the hope that someday, somehow, our paths would align in the waking world, if she even existed.

The dreams may be fleeting, but the feelings they evoked were real, and I carried them with me as a reminder of a connection that transcended time and space.

I couldn’t dwell solely in the realm of dreams; I had to face the tangible reality that surrounded me. But deep within, I nurtured a flicker of belief, knowing that our encounter in the misty waters wasn’t merely an illusion.

I was jolted out of my bed by a loud knocking at the door, accompanied by James’ voice booming from the porch of my cabin. Come on, slacker! It’s time to work! I groggily checked the time, and my clock read 7:42 AM. I had overslept, completely missing