14 - FOLKLORE: The Birthday that Bridged Realms in this Folklore

What happens when a magical birthday celebration takes a fantastical turn into the unknown? Join us on this whimsical episode of "Dr. Apples" as we navigate the enchanting yet eerie astral plane with Dr. Apples himself. He retreats to his room in his special birthday pajamas and steps into the astral plane, where he encounters a brilliant golden door adorned with a shimmering dragon. Faced with the choice between a luminous map and uncovering the truth behind the door, Dr. Apples chooses the latter, leading him into an ethereal yet ominous forest.
 
 As Dr. Apples ventures deeper into the astral forest, the once celestial light turns into an eerie shadow, heightening the tension and filling the air with an insidious dread. Each step becomes heavier, the darkness tightening around him like a suffocating cloak. Experience the raw and potent fear as Dr. Apples grapples with the overwhelming darkness and the chilling silence of the forest.  Don't miss this captivating and spine-tingling adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Transcript

14 - FOLKLORE: The Birthday that Bridged Realms in this Folklore

INTRO

Dr. Apples: 00:06

Hey, welcome. You're listening to the podcast Doctor Apples. The fun fictional fantasy folklore about me. The fun fictional fantasy folklore about me. The fun fictional fantasy folklore about me. Doctor Apples.

Lacie: 00:21

What are you doing?

Dr. Apples: 00:23

I'm podcasting.

Lacie: 00:25

No, you're not.

Dr. Apples: 00:27

Yes.

Lacie: 00:28

No, you're not.

Dr. Apples: 00:29

Yes.

Lacie: 00:31

No.

Dr. Apples: 00:31

Yes.

Lacie: 00:32

No.

Dr. Apples: 00:33

Yes.

Lacie: 00:34

No, you're not.

Dr. Apples: 00:35

Haha. Oh, yes, I am.

Lacie: 00:37

No. No. No. Give it.

Dr. Apples: 00:39

You Give me.

Lacie: 00:40

Give it.

Dr. Apples: 00:45

Fine. You podcast then. I'll go check on my pickled fairies.

Lacie: 00:52

Enjoy the show.

STORY

Miss Barule: 01:11

Happy birthday, sweetie.

Dr. Apples: 01:15

Thanks, mama.

Dr. Apples: 01:15

Thanks, mama.

Miss Barule: 01:19

So, did you change your mind on doing completely nothing?

Dr. Apples: 01:25

Well, I thought about it, and I'm going to go read a few books and astro project a bit.

Miss Barule: 01:32

Oh, I see. Dweeb.

Dr. Apples: 01:36

Hey.

Miss Barule: 01:37

Well, you are. Okay. How about I make some gumbo while you read egghead and I can tell you about the new neighbors. The husband moved in with his wife, but then his ex wife showed up with divorce papers.

Dr. Apples: 01:57

Ha, ha-ha. Oh, no.

Lacie: 02:02

On his birthday, after savoring the last bite of breakfast, he kissed his mother on the cheek. With a determined heart, he retreated to his room, dressed in his special birthday blue pajamas. As he lay down, he closed his eyes, feeling the familiar tug of the astral plane.

Dr. Apples: 02:56

Huh? There it is.

Lacie: 03:04

Once his body, astral projected, the golden door he was hoping to find materialized in front of him, more majestic and striking than ever before.

Dr. Apples: 03:15

Wow.

Lacie: 03:19

It stood imposing, a surface ancient and commanding, that was adorned with a massive, intricately carved dragon. The dragon's scales shimmered with sacred geometry, weaving through its form like mystical runes. The door pulsed with a mysterious energy, its presence both inviting and intimidating, beckoning him to come closer. Before he could reach the door, a floating, luminous map materialized before him.

Dr. Apples: 04:05

Whoa.

Lacie: 04:07

Unlike any map he'd ever seen, this one sparkled with a golden glow, his route twisting like rivers of light floating towards the focal point, a creek near his home. The map seemed alive, creating a warm, inviting light around him. It intensified, urging him to follow the map. It was clear a choice had to be made. Choose to follow this mysterious map, or open the door and finally uncover the truths he'd been waiting for. The thought of choosing between a new quest versus satisfying his curiosity frustrated him, his yearning for answers boiling over into anger.

Dr. Apples: 05:08

No. I want to go in there.

Lacie: 05:12

With a surge of determination, Doctor Apples reached through the map to grasp the oversized door knob. The map dissolved into nothingness. Surprisingly, the doorknob was soft to the touch. It twisted with a satisfying click. Pushing forward, he stepped through the threshold. The door vanished behind him as Doctor Apples found himself in an astral forest, each tree aglow with celestial light that made the leaves in branches gleam as if woven from strands of moonlight. 

The forest with an ethereal light skyline felt alive. Each tree pulsated with the soft luminescence and glowing sigils on their trunks. As he walked deeper into the forest, the sky above abruptly dimmed, casting everything into shadows as if the sun itself had been extinguished along with the light. The normal symphony of astral creatures fell silent, leaving a deafening quiet. The only sound was his footsteps away on the ground. Each step felt increasingly heavy, the darkness tightening around him like a suffocating cloak. Finally, it was black. So black he couldn't see his hands before him.

Dr. Apples: 07:23

Huh.

Lacie: 07:24

There was an insidious feeling crawling slowly through his veins. A cold, creeping dread that tightened his grip with each moment. There he stood there.

Dr. Apples: 07:41

Keep it together. I wanted to see what was in here.

Lacie: 07:46

But the words meant to bolster his spirits sounded hollow in the vast emptiness. The darkness seemed to laugh at his feeble attempts at courage. It was in this moment, isolated and uncertain, that Doctor Apples felt the real first sting of vulnerability.

Dr. Apples: 08:14

My chest. And, why does the air here feel so heavy, so hostile?

Lacie: 08:27

This was fear. Raw and potent. It was clawing its way into his soul. Until now, fear had been an abstract concept, something Doctor apples observed in others but never experienced firsthand.

Ghost 1  (softly): 08:47

I see you. Come to me. Come to me. Come to me.

Ghost 2  (softly): 08:52

Come to me. Come to me. Come to me.

Dr. Apples: 08:55

These whispers in my head, they're not mine. They speak of dangers. Why?

Lacie: 09:04

Why? Why not? Then, far in the distance, he saw it.

Dr. Apples: 09:16

I see light.

Lacie: 09:18

A flickering light. Small, barely more than a glimmer, but it radiated warmth and beauty, a stark contrast against the surrounding void.

Unknown (sings): 09:34

A flame.

Lacie: 09:38

Uncertain if his mind was playing tricks or if he had teetered on the edge of madness, Doctor Apples watched the light flicker invitingly.

Unknown (sings): 09:50

It's a flame. It's only a flame.

Lacie: 10:00

It was bright at the center, surrounded by a soft, glowing halo. It danced in the darkness. Bobbing gently with a mesmerizing fluidity that seemed almost conscious. The light danced seductively, its movements almost hypnotic. To Doctor Apples, it felt disturbingly familiar, like a story he had read a long time ago. A tale with a grim ending.

Dr. Apples: 10:34

Why does this light feel so safe?

Lacie: 10:38

The light played with him, drawing closer, then drifting away.

Dr. Apples: 10:44

There's something about this light. It feels almost like home.

Unknown (sings): 10:53

It’s only a flame…..

Lacie: 11:03

So beautiful. It hosts each beat, drawing him closer. He isn't afraid as he steps closer to it. Why not Doctor Apples?

Dr. Apples: 11:21

It's pulling me closer. Like, like...

Lacie: 11:26

Why not turn away from this enticing allure?

Dr. Apples: 11:30

It's amazing.

Lacie: 11:35

The light danced. Mesmerizing. Almost a lie.

Unknown (sings): 11:37

Come young soul…

Dr. Apples: 11:43

It's so inviting.

Lacie: 11:45

Breathtaking.

Dr. Apples: 11:47

Will I be safe in the light?

Lacie: 11:50

Sure.

Dr. Apples: 11:54

Yes. I'll follow. I must be safe with the light.

Unknown (sings): 11:59

A Flame.

Lacie: 12:00

Safe and serene. Each pulse. A step closer to peace.

Dr. Apples: 12:11

Each step feels lighter, like floating.

Lacie: 12:17

Each step a gentle float towards bliss.

Dr. Apples: 12:23

Am I floating towards heaven?

Lacie: 12:27

Closer.

Dr. Apples: 12:30

Just a little closer.

Lacie: 12:34

Another step.

Dr. Apples: 12:36

Almost there.

Lacie: 12:39

Nearly there.

Unknown: 12:43

Me. You are. You don't even know. Me? Beware the dancing. It's not a lie. It's just a game. At. Drive fast and make it. You've been tricked. It's done. See?

Dr. Apples: 13:22

Huh? Am I? Am I being tricked?

Miss BaRule[echoes] : 13:27

Yes. Wake up now.

Dr. Apples: 13:33

What? What? What?

END CREDITS

Unknown: 13:36

Beware. Beware. It's a flame. It's only a flame in the shadows deep. Where secrets lie. A flicker whispers. A light draws my young soul to the dance of night. Follow the flame. I'm entranced by its light. It's a flame. It's only a flame. Secrets like a flick away. Sparks a light rose night. Calm your soul. 

To the, the night follows. A flame, entranced by its love. A wanderer. Lost in astral dreams and despair. See how the fire sways in the air. It cost you? With a face on. Bring you where you don't belong. Are. Beware. Beware the dancing. It's not a lie. It's just a case. For the lost and me.  You've been tricked. It's darkness, you see. Sleep now. Sleep…..

OUTRO

Lacie: 16:02

The next thrilling chapter of Doctor Apple's tale is just around the corner. Or should I say just an episode away?

Dr. Apples: 16:11

Grab your magical gear and subscribe now so you're first in line for our next adventure.

Lacie: 16:19

Need more doctor apples in your life. Visit drapples.com for specific content. Until our next episode. Keep those apples fresh.

Dr. Apples: 16:31

And your dreams fantastical.