The Path of Gates

[Sanada Tomo]

The Path of Gates is a large hall containing all of the doors/gates to every Realm. Made by the Shijin, it is a large sum of benevolent magic that reaches out almost as though it was alive, to connect itself to entrances of newly made or discovered Realms and locations.

It was through this hall that the Dragons were able to first contact the Shijin and travel to the Realms that the Shijin created.

Because it connected to all Realms, the Hall is literally a solid manifestation of all the different types of magic come together in a single form.

However, do not be fooled by the name. While it is called a Path, it is rather One visible corridor of gates wherein resides several more "doors" that cannot be seen. It functions as the "behind the scenes" portion of any and every location. Within the set of large doors that leads to a Realm's entrance, the many corridors act as the catalyst for appearing in different locations within that Realm. It is these invisible doors that those with the ability to"teleport" to different loacations, regardless of whether or not these doors are visible, must go through.

The Hall of Gates is accessible by any and every being, as the magic forming it is benign and will not harm anyone. However, this being said, each set of doors used as the main entrance at one point was--and some still are--guarded by a being of some sort. Because all doors were guarded at one time, the Hall of Gates was previously known as the Hall of Champions, for those elected to guard the gates of a Realm had bestowed on them a great power. Those who wish to enter the Path of Gates need only find a threshold of some sort and envision the Hall itself while walking across it. Again, do not be fooled; because of the guardians that protect the entrances, arriving in the Path of Gates does not guarantee that you will be able to enter the Realm that you seek to explore.

[Sanada Tomo]

The descriptions of the Gates, or Doors to each Realm, their guardians if any, and their location output are as follows:

• The Time Realm [Tokikai]--This Realm's doors are made out of a tree, with a door that is not visible carved into its trunk. It appears as the favorite species of tree for the visitor. For each second that passes, the Tree goes through the phases of the year. Buds begin to sprout, then grow until the tree is full of blossoms or fruit. Then the fruit grows ripe or leaves grow heavy and they fall until the tree is bear, and then the process begins all over again. At the base of the tree are two keyholes, one of which is already occupied by one key--which cannot be removed--and another that is empty. The guardian for this Realm is unknown, for there has never been anyone brutish enough to attempt to storm their way in without the second key.
  
  This door opens to a small river that leads into a wide lake, though this description is pure speculation because no one has ever directly testified as to the layout of the Realm.
  
  
• The Mortal Realm [Nigenkai]--When the Realm was first created, the Door was large and imposing, made from beautiful, polished oak that represented the lush natural life that the Mortal Realm had supported. Once protected by a magic lock of vines made by the Shijin, the Realm itself has strayed from magic to the point that the door is now rotting, and any creature can get past it to the Realm itself. Because it has been used by so many different types of creatures, the gates appear the size of whomever stands before it, or the tallest in a large party.
  
  The location that this door opens to is an Island in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle.
  
  
• Dream Realm [Yumekai]--This Realm's doors are shaped as a pair of translucent, color shifting fae's wings. In the folds of these wings flash the Dreams of Mortals--their aspirations and hopes. Originally protected by the Fae Queen herself--Na'ame--the essence of Dream is now so necessary for this layer that there is no need for a guardian. Anyone not of the Dream Element who enters the layer is threatened by degeneration, doomed for their body and spirit to become a part of the Realm if they dally too long. Many things in the Realm are connected to Na'ame, and any intruders with ill-intention are usually dealt with swiftly. These doors only stand at 5 feet, although usage of the Dream Element can stretch and widen it.
  
  This door opens at the location of the Queen's Palace.
  
  
• The Spirit Realm [Reikai]--These double doors are made of stone, with moving carvings that depict the lives of creatures roaming all across it as though the stone was alive. They are closed, and the doors never open. Those with the power of the element of Spirit pass through it as though it was intangible. Those who do not possess this power must confront the guardian of this Realm, Anubis, and your quest must be acceptable to her to gain entry. This gate, like the mortal realm's has been of use to spirits of many types of creatures, and appears the size of the visitor.
  
  This door, connected to the Mortal Realm, opens to a location that resembles the last place you visited in the Mortal Realm, only draped in the essence of Spirit.
  
  
• The Elemental Realm [Soshikai]--This door no longer exists. It once appeared as double doors cloaked in whatever element you wished to gain the power of when you reached it. However, because it was destroyed by its patrons it is now a 12 foot pile of stone rubble and debris, and every crevice has been cleverly blocked, as are all Elemental magics not of the Spirits themselves in raw form. This was a Realm whose door had no guardian.
  
  
• The Mythical Realm [Ryukai]--A gate that formed itself when the Dragons first contacted the Shijin, it is very large--large enough to accomodate a dragon. It is a simple arrangement of three large stones--two acting as lining borders on the sides and one across the top--and also has no guardian. The Dragons have their own system of enforcing peace in the Mythical Realm, and thus all are welcome. Those who damage the Realm are dealt with accordingly and without hesitation or consideration.
  
  This door opens to a vast plain of grass which has no name.
  
  
• Heaven [Joukai]--Once the gate for the entire Celestial Realm, they are doors of pure golden light that extends over 6 feet, with letters of earth-colored stone etched into them in the Old Angelic script that is visible in the language of the visitor, saying "May the unworthy not enter, for they shall impose upon themselves regret for their own creation". This door was guarded once by the fabeled Archangel Michael, who led the refugees of the Great Hunt from the Mortal Realm to safety in the Mythical Realm--hence his popularity in both locations. However, he was lost in the Kouma Sensou fighting the Maryuu-ou's spirit, which he swore was evil and refused to allow into the Realm to be used as a protective measure. This door can be manipulated by any Celestial into changing proportions.
  
  This door opens to the entrance to the First Layer of Heaven.
  
  
• Hell [Makai]--Double gates that manifested shortly after the creation of Hell, they resemble Iron gates commonly seen during the English Victorian age. These gates, contrary to Mortal lore, are not made of fire nor painted the deepest black. They are of the brightest silver, and they have no guardian as well. On each of the extending polls of the gates are written in Angelic language, "May those who do not regret their existence enter here; that they may find their dreams and not perish in vain". Written in the same manner as the words on the Heavenly Gates, all visitors see the words in their own language.
  
  This gate leads to the entrance of the First layer of Hell.