The Beckoning

Journey Into the Mountain

Teens are teens, until they aren't anymore. Usually, this happens when they turn 22- a large storm cloud gathers, and they feel themselves beckoned to go on a journey, coming back as changed people, children no more.

Um. What kind of an intro is that?

No time for questions! The Beckoning, as it is called by the inhabitants of this peculiar world, is an age old ceremony during which a child becomes an adult. This transition is only possible by entering in communion with the Goddess of All That Is, whose voice can be heard singing from the Mountain.

The Mountain is the center of the world. All came from the Mountain, and all will be swallowed by it when their time comes. All that comes and goes in this world does so through the Mountain, who connects the heavens and the earth, the only place where change is possible.

Because children are not born from parents, but simply walk out of the mountain, it is hard to determine when their actual day of birth is, or when it is they should be "of age". And because time does not flow in a way we are used to, age is also an arbitrary number- 22 is more of a symbollic number than it is a real measure of time.

Wait. Children Walk Out of the Mountain, then Walk Back in When They "Turn" 22?

Spot on! The Children will one day wake up, hearing the song of She Who Is The World. Parents and Adults alike remember what this means, and will help all who hear the song to prepare for their journey. Once bags are packed and goodbyes are said, the Children will walk off towards the Mountain so that they may become.. more.

Mother, Mama, I think I can hear Her... She calls for me. I must go.

— A Child

IMPORTANT!!
This Article Contains Some Weird Implication - Horror Implied?

A Mysterious Journey

Fun fact! No one actually comes back from their journey remembering it. While all leave as Children, they come back as Adults- in a different, larger body, with often hard to recognise features. They remember nothing of where they went, what they've done- yet, they remember their lives as Children.

Deniers

As centuries have passed, some sects have grown suspicious of the Beckoning. Where does the voice come from? What happens within the Mountain, that none can seem to remember? How do the Children become Adults? These are just some of the many questions that plague the minds of Deniers.

Unfaithful

Another brand of troublemakers are the Unfaithful, those who would keep their Children from answering the Beckoning. But whatever tactics may be employed, the Beckoning never ceases until the Children join the Mountain, and She Who Rules will help her herd however she may.