The Winds of Fate Decide
A Visit to One of Nature's Masterpieces
Cresting the large hill, crisp, white snow crunched beneath their boots. The wind whipped their faces with biting cold, but it was invigorating rather than bitter. Puffs of warm air escaped from their lips, floating and mingling with the sharp, night air—their breathing the only sound breaking the surrounding silence. Eyes wide, they drank in the scenic sky before them. Lights danced overhead, greens swirling and twirling with wispy pinks and blues. Aurora Borealis: the Northern Lights; vivid colors twisted and whirled, spreading across the vast sky. It had been a long hike out in the cold, winter, Alaskan wilderness, but it was worth it. Whimsical, green lights reached across the night sky like marbling on canvas. Humans could create breathtaking works of art, but they paled in comparison to nature’s natural splendor. The sight before the two friends put all the famous art masterpieces to shame, each moment bringing a new myriad of colors to life in the expanse of the midnight sky. Breath caught in their throats, they stared in wonder. A hush blanketed the snowy landscape as they marveled at the exquisite sky lights.
“I’m so glad we came,” Serena whispered breathlessly.
Karissa hummed in agreement. They hadn’t been sure where to go for their trip, so many locations littering their bucket lists. Serena had suggested they perform a blind selection. Karissa agreed, thinking she meant pulling a piece of paper out of a hat, but no. That was apparently too plain for Serena. Instead, she had set up this elaborate dart board, featuring the various possible locations for them to choose from. Serena had broken out into a huge grin, declaring that wherever the dart landed would be their destination. Serena always went about life with her own unique flair. Tossing a dart at the board, fate selected their upcoming trip. The verdict: observing the Northern Lights in person.
“This is the best place we could visit—it’s perfect!” Serena raved.
Karissa shook her head; Serena would have proclaimed such regardless of which destination was picked in the end. Japan, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve in Colorado, Sedona, Hawaii, the Redwood forest—it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference. Serena would have been ecstatic wherever they ultimately traveled to and would then declare, “Anywhere with you will always be the best!” She would have then proceeded to expound upon how in life the journey mattered indefinitely more than the destination. Serena was quite easy to please. Stick her in a garden, a kitchen full of baked goods, anywhere with animals, an anime convention, the list went on and on—heck, she’d find a way to savor the experience of being stranded in the middle of the vast ocean or scorching desert. Somehow, someway, she’d find the bright side, the silver lining, and she’d be happy. Serena had a valid point, though. The vast starry sky lit up by the greens, blues, and pinks of the Aurora Borealis was a spectacular sight to behold. Absolutely stunning. Pictures and videos didn’t do it justice. They could never live up to the real deal.
A mitten reached for Karissa’s gloved hand, Serena grasping it tightly. “It feels like we’re in some kind of magical world, all our own. It’s so otherworldly,” Serena breathed. “It almost doesn’t feel real. It’s hard to believe sights like this happen every night out here… We’re so lucky,” Serena breathed.
Karissa returned Serena’s grip, nodding. The Northern Lights were magnificent. Nothing else could truly compare. It made the long, cold trek through the wilderness worthwhile. This kind of sight and quiet wasn’t something they could get back home. The Alaskan wilderness and Northern Lights had a special air, uniquely its own. Back home couldn’t come close even with the comforts and joys Karissa found at the dojo and with her cat, Mitsuki. The busy city life, with all its noise and chaos, paled in comparison to this serene spectacle. Its scenery was rather unremarkable and dreary, skies scattered with scarce stars, compared to the dazzling, impressive feats the night sky pulled off naturally with the assistance of solar winds interacting with the Earth’s magnetic fields. The actual cause may be rather scientific in nature, but that didn’t detract from the striking, phenomenal end result. Karissa sighed. The world was such a wonderful and charming place.
About the Creator
Jessica C.
I've always enjoyed creating, whether it be art or stories. I've enjoyed creating art from a young age and have worked in a variety of schools. I adore anime & cats. Over the summer we adopted baby Tsuki/Tsukihime, my moon princess kitten.
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