Waterfall - Blog Posts
The giant crab of waterfall
Oh shit, he does the crab dance
Art by @kyrylkogamer
Layers
(Art is by my friend soap)
Chapter 1: The Waterfall
Warnings: None
Genre: Fantasy/Short Story
The limestone rocks dig into my already peeling fingers as I grasp another hold, hauling myself up to the edge of the cliff. I’m greeted by the sight of lush green trees looming over me, shielding me from the sun’s rays. I look behind me, reveling in the view of the sparkling blue ocean.
“I’ll explore up here and abseil down in a bit!” I shout down at the person belaying me, taking a few steps into the cluster of trees before untying the rope from my harness.
I set my bag down next to a tree, collapsing down onto a soft bed of leaves, inhaling that sweet familiar forest smell I recognise from home. I sigh as I lean back against the tree, staring out at the islands clustered together around the one I’m at. It’s so much better than being in the city. There, the constant need for caution strangles me, but here, the freedom comforts me.
It’s been 10 years since my parents divorced. I think I’m coping well. At least, I hope so. Climbing’s the only thing that makes me feel alive.
I wish I could stay here forever.
I stuff my water bottle back into my bag, zipping it up and throwing it over my shoulders, before standing up and walking into the maze of trees that stands in front of me.
For a cliff, there’s a hefty number of trees up here. I keep walking for a few minutes, the thick canopy blocking most sunlight. Tree roots litter the ground, threatening to trip me every few steps.
I hear birds singing. Perhaps there’s a nest nearby, with eggs inside. I wonder if they’d taste good.
As I continue walking on, the singing of the birds starts to get drowned out by what sounds like a…waterfall? I don’t recall ever seeing a waterfall on the map. The leaves crunch under my footsteps. Until I realise they aren’t leaves anymore. They’re bones. Not human bones, but eerily similar.
I should probably head back.
I turn around to walk back to the cliff, but a little voice in my head tells me to keep going.
What do you have to lose anyways?
Besides my life and my money?
Could be fun. Don’t be a wimp.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I continue walking ahead. The bones staring from the ground sending shivers down my spine. The sound of the waterfall keeps getting louder. A few moments later, I stop in my tracks.
I’m greeted with a black frame with its interior glowing a dull blue. The waterfall sounds seem to be coming from inside. The frame is covered with vines which hang over the blue light of the portal. The pulsing portal seemed to emit a mysterious yet inviting aura, and I can’t help but unconsciously drift towards it.
Excuse me, what?! Um…I should probably go now before I get sucked in and die.
As I turn around and take my first step away from the portal, I feel a sharp tug at my core and I find myself plummeting down a waterfall, water splashing into my eyes and mouth and nose, barely any time to scream as I hit a pool of water feet-first, plunging into the dark depths. Yet it’s surprisingly warm.
I quickly swim up, hanging onto my bag as I break the surface, taking a gasp of air.
It smells sweet. Like rainwater. Glowing blue flowers float on the surface of the pool, seemingly undisturbed by the cascade of water just a few meters away. In fact, the whole pool seems undisturbed. Bag in hand, I swim over to land and haul myself up, scanning my surroundings, still shaken from the fall.
What…was that…?
The terrain is vibrant. Too vibrant. Layers of red and white and teal and blue form the cliffside that the waterfall flows down from.
Am I dreaming?
I pinch myself to check, my heart rate skyrocketing as I feel the pain.
No no no... This isn’t good. I need to get back.
I run a few steps backwards, hoping to get a good view of whatever I just feel through, but all I see is an empty black frame. It would be too risky to free climb back up, especially since this is unknown territory.
The ground looks a somewhat like a staircase. Layer after layer of vibrant-coloured rocks lead down to a little village in the distance. Trying to calm my nerves and failing miserably, I sling my bag over my shoulders and head down the “stairs”, towards the village.
The sky is painted yellow and orange and red, as if the sun is setting. But I see no sun. It will probably get dark soon. I start to pick up the pace as I worry about what may come out in the night, despite the seemingly peaceful surroundings.
The colourful gravel crunches beneath my feet. But soon, the ground starts to even out. The layers start to disappear, leaving flat ground for me to walk smoothly on. Night has fallen, the sky now a dark blue spreading as far as I can see.
The gravel slowly starts to turn into a tiled path. There are houses on both sides of the path, their lights giving off a warm yellow glow. I smell sugar donuts coming from a short building that has the words “Baked Stuff” on it.
My stomach growls.
I want donuts.
I head into the building, a little golden bell that’s connected to the door ringing as I walk in.
“Welcome!” a…human-shaped mass of stone says. Its arms and legs look exactly like the cliff with the waterfall. I blink, pinching myself again to make sure I’m not dreaming.
“Um…hi,” I wave awkwardly at the stone person.
“Prices are stated here,” the stone person says, pointing to the little pieces of paper with a number written on them.
“I’m sorry…but what is the currency here, and how do I get some?” I ask.
The stone person narrows its eyes. “You’re new here, aren’t you?”
It knows?!
I stand still, my eyes scanning the stone person up and down, looking out for any threats, body tensing up.
“...Yes…” I say with a strained voice.
The stone person bursts out laughing. “Look at your face!” It doubles over, clutching its abdomen, before regaining its composure and standing up straight. It’s slightly shorter than me with its short, stubby legs. It passes me a donut with some blue glowing cookie crumbs on it.
“Here. It’s on the house. Made from Waterfall Flowers,” it says, and I take the donut, hesitantly taking a bite.
The sweet yet sour flavour explodes on my tongue, and it reminds me of lemon sorbet.
“Good, isn’t it?” the stone person asks, the rocks on its face moving to form something resembling a smile. I nod, my mouth full.
“If you’re looking for a place to stay for the night, there’s an inn a few houses down. Tell the receptionist that you’re my friend and you should get a free room. Have a good night!” the stone person calls as I walk out of the shop, waving goodbye. “Thank you!”
I walk down the path, devouring the donut in a few bites, before reaching the inn. Another stone person stands at the reception, little blue glowing rocks embedded in its body.
“Hi…uh…I'm friends with the person at the bakery…she said I could get a free room here?” I walk up to the counter, avoiding eye contact.
“Oh? Sure! Yours is room 130,” the receptionist says, passing me a glowing blue flower.
I take the flower, unsure of what to do with it, but not daring to question the receptionist. Something feels off about these people. It probably doesn’t help that they’re made out of literal stone.
Soon, I reach room 130, finding a flower-shaped lock on the door. I press the flower into the lock, causing it to glow before the door swings open in front of me.
The room is carpeted, a single bed in the middle and a toilet near the entrance. Without hesitation, I throw my bag to the floor and fall onto the bed, letting the softness hug me to sleep.
When I wake up, I’m no longer in the room. Layers of rock press against my back. Glowing blue vines immobilise me. I hear the waterfall.
What’s going on?!
I struggle futilely against the vines. It smells sweet. Almost too sweet. Panic starts to set deep in my gut, rendering me frozen.
Some of the rocks on the walls slide down next to me, clinging to the vines almost as if trying not to fall. A few move to box me in against the cliff, forming a large humanoid shape. Little blue lights decorate its surface.
A collection of voices ring out simultaneously. I hear the shop owner and receptionist’s voice, along with a few others I don’t recognise.
“Hehe. You really are like the others.”
Caught a ride over to this Seven Tubs park in Pennsylvania. Forgot to count them to see if there were in fact seven tubs, but Ill take their word for it. It's just nice to go walk in nature. I've tired of the bullshit "things to do" in cities.
Hiked the Etiwanda Falls Trail north of Ranch Cucamongo, CA. I was not prepared for the sound of rushing water under foot or the hiss and chuff of air escaping from underground. Maybe there be dragons. The cost to park a car for a few hours is egregious, and the bus system could stand to make stops at the trailheads, but still, it was well worth a look.
No dragons, but I did find a critter and a paw print.
Title: Sanctuary of Onaya.
by JoLu Amaringo
In this visionary artwork we can see the shrine of the sublime master Onaya in this temple we can find the path to heavenly wisdom. The spirits encountered by the vegetalist in this journey are his masters, and from them he gets the entrance to the spiritual temple, which is composed of living pearls and precious gems. The columns of this sanctuary are made of flawless diamonds that can never be defiled.
Only the pure of heart enlightened by love, humility and wisdom can enter the magnificent and sacrosanct temple. In the water of the waterfall we see on the right side of the temple are the anguilamamas, who discharge electromagnetic rays that protect the sanctity of the temple. Also visible are the indigenous warriors who also act as guardians. The extraterrestrial ships at the top are from another galaxy and have traveled for thousands of years and visited many worlds to extract minerals and reach the Amazon jungle to receive vital energy.
The green patiquina in the lower right is used to represent a person's lungs; the different shades of green from the edge of the leaf to its center indicate the state of the person's lungs.
The hummingbird we see in this visionary work acts as a messenger. Its sweet trills are the most delicate and sublime icaros to sing to people seeking new strength or suffering from dreadful diseases. However, they must be sung with the utmost precision. These celestial spirits inhabit the palaces and temples at the top, where they gather to sing songs of worship.
Finally below is the sachamama (mother of the forest). She projects an electromagnetic rainbow symbolizing the elements that fertilize the plants. The healers in the ceremony are chanting the icaro of the sachamama to prevent the sorcerers from thwarting their work.
Artwork and description by JoLu Amaringo
by Felix Pinchi Aguirre
Tita Medicina
by Ruysen Flores
Waterfall Spirit
by Pablo Amaringo
https://rainforestmedicine.net/45-waterfall-spirit/
Jewel Changi Airport Singapore
The World's largest indoor waterfall. You guessed it, Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. SG +65
78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore.
The Waterfall is part of the Airport, the Jewel of the Neo Futuristic Architecture, altogether it is said to have cost 1.25 Billion in 2019.
Photo courtesy of Phyo Hein Kyaw at Pexels.
Watkins Glen, NY
Letchworth State Park near Portageville, NY
My best drawing
this is,, super sloppy but It’s Okay
Quake Lake Except Not Really Because I Didn’t Realize That It Was An Actual Lake When I Was Reading The Miseducation Of Cameron Post So Oops .png
Portland Fountain Patio Large trendy backyard patio fountain photo with decking and a roof extension
Waterfall Landscape in Calgary Image of a sizable, old-fashioned stone waterfall in a backyard.