I gripped my oar as I pushed it through the pristine water. It was clear and calm, and it spread out ahead as far as the eye could muster to see. Mountains lay out for miles beside me, coated with luscious forest. The silence was like a magical song that tickled my ears with its peaceful and soundless tune.

Before me, two Lanterns floated, each one a bright beacon, testaments to the stars twinkling in the dark above while the crescent moon hung amongst them, gazing down on the world below.

I paddled closer to the Lanterns, beaming a warm light onto the lily pads surrounding them, where the frogs and insects rested. Eventually, I carefully moved through them, using the boat’s narrowness as an advantage.

They revealed a huge temple, towering up to the snaking clouds, with a reflection that spread across the water and rippled with each stroke of the oar, making a strange illusion. Beautifully tiled roofs topped each tier, and reassuring lights glowed softly from within the building, which was mounted on a rock. Poking out of the gleaming water beside it was a crooked blossom tree, which was topped with wondrous shades of pink that were lit by the moon, revealing the bright and striking colour in all of its glory.

This was it. I had finally made it.