“Enchanted Forest Kingdom: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Imagination"

In late November 2024, it is late afternoon on a gloomy and rainy day. A middle-aged deaf 32-year-old male, blended with Native American and Germanic European heritage, sits at his laptop desk in his dimly lit room, with a small lamp beside him. His fingers move deftly across the keyboard, translating his thoughts into words that will later become part of his latest novel. As a Deaf Narrator, Alex faces constant barriers in the publishing world, but his determination and passion for storytelling drive him forward.

Even when Alex steps away from his desk, he becomes "Talk with Hands," embodying the spirit of Two Spirits. Inspired by his powerful and silent storytelling, he navigates the complexities of his identity with grace and shares stories that resonate deeply with his life companion.

"Balance," Talk with Hands writes in his journal. It reflects on his journey and the dual aspects of his identity, within the Red Road.

Allow us to imagine being deep in the heart of the Quinault Rainforest, where a Native American nymph, known as Talon Greenleaf, kneels by a stream while the gentle flow of water mirrors his thoughts. He is the Seeker of Dreams, on a quest to understand his greater purpose and protect the nature he loves. The forest is his sanctuary when he feels most connected to his heritage and spirituality.

On the other side of his character, in a quiet room filled with books and scrolls, a Dreamweaver known as Xan Huxley sits crafting a new tale. He is the Master of Dreams because Xan's storytelling is both silent and profound. He weaves narratives that bridge the gaps between worlds. The challenge for him is to share his wisdom with a world that does not always listen.

All of a sudden, there is Alex’s inner spirit of Heyoka, a sacred Clown or Trickster, known as Kinta "Breeze" Windrider. Suddenly, Breeze hikes up a rugged trail with his photography camera slung over his shoulder. Each step he takes is a blend of his past and his dreams for the future. As a Heyoka brother, Breeze always feels deeply and sees keenly, capturing moments of profound beauty and complexity in nature, the home of Mother Earth. His journey is one of trust and vulnerability, learning to open himself up once again, especially after a lifetime of betrayal.

Back to Alex again, he thinks to himself, "Whoa! What a great idea for the next story!" But soon, the excitement wanes, and a strange sense of familiarity takes over. He wonders why these characters feel so intimately connected to him.

After a while, when he steps away from his typewriter, Alex suddenly notices a peculiar, worn-out book lying on his desk. He sits back down. He does not remember placing it there. The cover is adorned with intricate symbols and seems to glow faintly in the dim light. Hesitant but curious, he opens the book to find pages filled with cryptic clues and sketches that eerily resemble his characters and their world.

Later that night, Alex dreams vividly. In his dream, Talon Greenleaf wanders through the Quinault Rainforest, Xan Huxley deciphers ancient scrolls, and Breeze captures the essence of nature with his camera. These dreams feel more real than ever, as if they urge him to uncover a hidden truth. Each dream leaves behind a clue—a symbol, a phrase, a fragment of a map—that ties his waking world to the dreamscape.

Over the next few days, Alex becomes consumed by these dreams. He writes down the clues, trying to piece them together like a puzzle. He realizes his characters are more than just creations of his imagination—they are connected to him on a deeper, almost spiritual level. The dreams push him to seek out these connections and understand their significance.

Despite the barriers he faces as a Deaf Narrator, Alex's determination grows stronger. He understands these dreams are guiding him toward a greater purpose. Each step he takes in unraveling the mystery brings him closer to the heart of Breeze, where his characters come to life and their stories converge.

On the next night, as he deciphers a particularly perplexing clue, a sudden realization hits him—these dreams are a call to action. They are pushing him to break free from the constraints of reality and embrace the magic of his imagination. With renewed resolve, Alex returns to his typewriter and weaves his characters' destinies into a tapestry of adventure, discovery, and self-realization, all in one story.

Yet, imaginably, the luscious blue dream feather floats gently in front of him. Alex hesitates for more than a few minutes, then uses both hands to reach out and hold it. The blue feather finally glows with an intense light and causes Alex to scream as he is engulfed by the radiance. In an instant, he vanishes, leaving the feather to gently land on top of his typewriter. His room goes silent and becomes eerie.

Alex awakens to find himself in a world unlike any he has ever imagined—a place where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. The sky is a swirling tapestry of colors, and the air hums with an otherworldly energy.

“This place seems familiar. I mean, it may be too good to be true!” Alex mumbles to himself while he walks through the forest, studying the surroundings. “No way! It cannot be!”

Consequently, Alex realizes he has trapped himself within his own story with Blue Dream, a realm that feels both familiar and alien.

Alex knows now that he is in the Enchanted Forest Kingdom, where he first created the forest kingdom with his book, “Enchanted Forest Kingdom: Uncover the Enchantment of the Forest Kingdom”.

Still unable to believe his eyes, Alex begins to explore further.

After walking a few miles, Alex unexpectedly encounters Talon Greenleaf, who gets up from kneeling by a stream and looks at him, sensing Alex's presence. Talon smiles and signs, "Welcome, Alex. You have entered the heart of your imagination, from a long way."

“Damn, you are beautiful. Just like how I imagined,” Alex signs back.

Talon chuckles and signs, “Why, thank you. You have a creative mind, don't you?”

“Don't start,” Alex signs smaller, feeling shy and flattered.

They smile at each other, and then Alex follows Talon. In this situation, Alex is unsure where they are going but trusts the journey.

They arrive at a hollow, ancient treehouse with a door in the middle of the tree and a few candles lighting up the inside behind a square window. Talon encourages Alex to stumble upon Xan Huxley in a quiet library filled with ancient books and scrolls.

“Hmm...see who we have here?” Xan looks at Alex with a half-crooked smile.

Before Alex can sign and introduce himself, Xan raises his right hand and folds the book harshly. He signs, “I know who you are, Alex. We are best friends after all, aren't we? You exhaust me sometimes with a lot of your writing!”

Alex is unsure how to feel at this moment and waits for Xan to say something more. Xan laughs and stands up. “You are not dumb after all. Let us start this journey, shall we?”

Alex smiles and nods his head, signing yes.

Xan nods in acknowledgment, his eyes seeming full of wisdom. "Our stories are woven together, Alex. We can get you out of here and continue our story. Otherwise, things would not turn out good for you, as I am sure you already know, right?"

Alex says nothing but smiles bigger, showing his acknowledgment. As they leave the treehouse and wander along the path to the deeper forest, they head towards the heart of the Enchanted Forest Kingdom—Bear Claw’s Falls. The massive waterfall thunders ahead, its powerful cascade hiding a secret cave behind. A small lake sparkles at its base, surrounded by rocks shaped like mountains, creating a natural amphitheater of stone.

The air is thick with the scent of pine and the rhythmic sound of the waterfall. This place is perfect not only for weaving magic and meeting allies but also for soaking and swimming. Every corner of Bear Claw’s Falls holds a story, waiting to be told.

Talon Greenleaf leads Alex to a spot by the lake where the water is calm and reflective. “This is where the magic truly happens,” Talon signs with a serene smile. “Many gather here to share their stories, dreams, and visions, and to relax in the soothing waters.”

Xan Huxley joins them, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. “Before we proceed, Alex, look into the water and reflect on yourself,” Xan signs. “It’s important to understand the depths of your own heart.”

Alex kneels by the edge of the lake and gazes into the clear, reflective water. He sees his own face staring back at him, but as he looks deeper, he notices something shifting in the reflection. His features blur and morph into another face—one that is both familiar and startlingly different.

As Alex rises and turns around, he is met with the sight of his twin brother, Two Spirits, Talk with Hands.