The Space Between Worlds

A short story written by Paula Orozco Newell with PlotWeaver: Cards of Creation, a storytelling game made by Mod Hob Cooperative.

This story uses a Frame Tale Plot Pattern, written in 15-minute timed acts with all story cards drawn at random. For more information, visit www.plotweavergame.com

Act 1: Outer Frame Introduction

Story Element Cards: The Young, The Dreamer, Place of Worship, and Fantasy

Beyond the jungle was an opening to a sacred temple. It was known as the Temple of Light. The temple was said to be the place where the sun itself once rested, where elders sought wisdom, answers, and healing.

Lorena was filled with excitement at being there. To her, the world was a place to be uncovered, touched, and explored, and the Temple of Light was her next great adventure. She stared at the temple, wondering what treasure or history might be waiting inside.

Beside her stood Qalo, the dreamer. His long dark hair fell loosely around his face as he gazed at the temple with reverence. Though they had walked together for weeks through the treacherous jungle, their reasons for coming were different. Lorena had come for answers and adventure. Qalo had come to listen.

He spoke softly. “This temple isn’t just a place. It’s magical. It’s a mirror, Lorena. It doesn’t give you what you want. It shows you what you need.”

Lorena raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Qalo opened his eyes and looked at her. “It’s not the treasure you seek. It’s you.”

Lorena laughed, though there was nervousness in her voice. “Right. Me. I’m the treasure. That’s rich.”

Qalo held her gaze. “Maybe not you per se, but your purpose. Your story. The path you’re meant to follow. What if it’s not about what you can hold in your hands? What if what you’re meant to find here is something deeper, something that has been waiting for you all along?”

Lorena fell silent. She didn’t fully understand, but she could feel a subtle shift in the air around them. Her restless energy felt out of place, as though the temple itself was already beginning to change her.

Act 2: The Inner Story Development

Story Element Cards: The Tempter, Space Station, and Decline or Entropy

As they stared at the temple doors, they saw them gently swing open.

“Welcome, travellers,” a voice called, soft yet enticing. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Who are you?” Lorena asked. She had not expected another soul to be here, not in a temple that had been forgotten by time.

“I am Vireo,” the voice replied. “A servant of the Light and the keeper of this space.”

As they entered, Lorena’s excitement grew. The inner chamber was vast. The temple opened into a great hall illuminated by windows into different dimensions. She could see space, the stars, distant mountains, and unexplored peoples. It felt like a space station with access to everything in the universe.

Vireo seemed to sense her thoughts.

“Yes,” he said. “You can have access to all this and more than you ever imagined. But there is a price.”

“A price?” Qalo asked cautiously. “Are you selling something here?”

Vireo laughed. “Not selling. Offering something to those who are worthy. And both of you are.”

Act 3: Return to the outer Frame

(Story Element Cards: Time Loop)

Lorena and Qalo understood what was happening. Vireo was not simply tempting them with visions of infinite possibility. He was testing them. Testing whether they believed they were worthy.

They looked at each other, silently acknowledging this shared realization.

Fear rose within Lorena. She was certain Qalo would be worthy of whatever the temple was offering. But was she? What would happen if she wasn’t? And what would happen if she was?

Vireo explained that although they were both worthy, they would only access the powers of the temple if they believed it themselves.

Lorena’s fear deepened.

Vireo guided them to separate portals. Each doorway led to a dimension that would act as a mirror, reflecting whatever they most needed to see.

Lorena stepped through her door.

She found herself inside a time loop.

She saw her past adventures repeating in cycles. Then she noticed something she had never seen so clearly before.

Her courage.

She saw how that courage had brought her here. How it would allow her to receive this gift. She understood that bravery was not only about pushing forward into new worlds. It was also about turning inward.

She saw that the stars, the mountains, the people were not separate from her.

And she was worthy.

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