Chapter 2A: Searching Between Dreams.

“So tomorrow is finally the day.” Eullina said quietly.

“Hell, it's about damn time.” Lilrim remarked, placing down another bowl of food in front of the two youngsters. It was late into the night, but not a soul could be seen at the Tel'naraa mess hall. “Three months went by pretty quickly didn’t it, Airen?”

Airen nodded his head, as he continued to gorge himself on the feast in front of him. Lilrim had prepared a hearty meal of various monster meat dishes. After Airen had asked Elder Duncan to guide him through the Dream Rites, he had shook his head and took him to Lilrim and told her to ‘generously’ feed him for the next three months. Compared to when he first arrived, Airen now nearly weighed the same as an adult man.

“Good, it is rather painful to watch him wolfing down food like that.” Eullina shook her head. “Brings back unwanted memories.”

“Hehe, you were a chubby little cherub when you underwent preparation for the trials.”

“Ughhh don’t remind me.” Eullina wrapped her arms around her head. “The ritual only took ten minutes for me, and I had to work so very hard to lose that weight afterwards.”

“Well, better safe than sorry. When Loys went to take the Dream Rite, he was gone for half a month… He came back almost like a skeleton.” Lilrim warned.

Airen listened into their conversation as he continued to force himself to eat. Tomorrow Duncan was finally going to teach him about the Dream Rites. He would have to fast for that week of training, and on the day before the actual ritual itself, he would gorge him one last time before Duncan took him to the ruins of that ancient civilization and leave Airen there, alone.

“Hey Lilrim, what do you remember about your Dream Rite?” Airen asked. It was supposed to be different for every person, and he was curious about the tales he had heard so far.

“Not much, it’s been twenty years.” Lilrim replied, repositioning her hair as she took off her cooking headband. “I remember a walking down a misty jungle road, and a voice asking me ‘is this the choice you have made? Or did you never have a choice in the first place?’ through the fog. Eullina, did anyone to talk to you as well?”

“Yes.” Eullina quietly replied. After a moment, she continued “It was the voice of my sister, who encouraged me and guided me through a maze of white and black stones.”

“Your… sister?” Airen asked apprehensively. “I thought she was-”

“Dead. Yes.” she affirmed. Lilrim gently placed her hand on Eullina’s shoulder to comfort her. After a moment, Eullina continued. “It was strange, the voice was both that of my sisters… yet at the same time I felt as if it was not.”

“Perhaps it was the ghost of your sister.” Lilrim said. “And that was her way of seeing you off before she moved on.”

Lilrim’s suggestion caused Airen’s mind to wander. A month ago, Loys had returned to Tel'naraa, and Airen had eagerly awaited news of his sister. But Loys had come bearing dark tidings, he had found several people fitting the description he had given, but none of them had answered to the name Yuli. Fearing the worst, he had checked through hundreds of logs of the recently deceased, but it was unlikely for a slave’s name to be listed. After a month of lying, bribing, and investigation, he only managed to find out that only one caravan had passed the borders of the Red Slate Republic, Airen’s.

Airen had drunk it all in, all the information that Loys provided for him. He was glad that Yuelei was not suffering through the life of a slave, but on the other hand, he had absolutely no clue where she was, or if she was still in this world.

“Airen, your sister is still alive.” The words shook him out of his dark thoughts. Lilrim was standing behind him, whispering the words into his ear. “You mustn’t lose hope. Good news travel slowly, bad news has wings. Fret not over the specters whispering in your mind.”

Airen nodded. “Thanks… Lilrim.”

“I ain’t going ta let my apprentice be brooding over dumb things.” Lilrim hollered. “If ya got the time to be wasting your energy on idle thoughts, keep eating so you can take the damn rite, and get back to working in the kitchen.”

Eullina smiled. Despite the fact that Duncan had exempted Airen from working in preparation to take the rite, he had insisted in working in the kitchen under Lilrim. All too often the inhabitants of Tel'naraa would hear the voice of Lilrim reprimanding Airen coming from the back of the mess hall. Nevertheless, he and the middle-aged women had grown relatively close. Either way, Eullina was quite pleased with how quickly he had fit in, and him working in the mess hall was a large factor to that.

“Maybe I should ask Duncan to give me more time to prepare.” Airen complained lightheartedly. “You’re just going to have me doing food prep again!”

“Wha- ya ungrateful lil- runt.” Lilrim put Airen in a headlock while using her knuckle to grate into his head. “Ya know darn well that prep is seventy-percent of cooking. This nice lady’s been generous enough to teach you the tricks of the trade, and here ya are, complaining about practice.”

“Lady? Lilrim, you are way past your prime. Isn’t it about time you let someone take over, like this dashing young man in your arms?”

Lilrim sighed dramatically and released him. “You were such a polite little boy when we first met. What has happened to you, Airen?”

Without missing a beat, Airen shot back. “I only learn from the best, Lilrim.” which caused a vein to pop up on Lilrim’s forehead.

Eullina couldn’t help but laugh at Airen’s predicament as he tried to escape from Lilrim’s crushing grasp.

“My boy, come in, come in.” Duncan gestured for him to enter and pointed towards a chair in front of him.

“Thank you.“Airen quickly took the seat offered, and patiently waited as Duncan finished writing in a small ledger. He glanced around the room, drinking in the sight of books and scrolls, and a worn banner hanging on the wall.

“Hmm, it seems like our underground plantations had a relative good harvest this month. Our hunting parties did not bring as much food compared to last month, but it’s still acceptable.” Duncan mused to himself, jotting down a few more notes before returning it to a shelf.

“So Airen. Are you sure you want to go through the Dream Rites? You’re still young, so you can take turn back now and take it later.”

“I’m sure.” Airen affirmed.

“Well then, let us begin then. I’ll first explain the Dream Rites and how we will try to prepare you this week. Pull black your sleeve and hold out your arm.” Airen did as bid while Duncan pulled out a small brush and a small inkwell.

“As you may have heard, we call it the Dream Rites because you are going to delve deep into your dreams.” Duncan explained while dipping the brush into the inkwell. “Nobody ever has the same experience, so we can only teach you some basics, such as learning to know when you are dreaming.”

Duncan lightly gripped Airen’s right arm and started to draw something. “The easiest way to realize you are in a dream is to notice something is to unconsciously realize something is off. That’s what this temporary tattoo is for.” They sat in silence for two hours as Duncan worked.

“May the goddess watch over you, Airen.” Duncan muttered a prayer when he finished, giving him a pat on the shoulder. “Go about your day as usual, and return to me once night has fallen.”

“Okay...” Airen replied, standing up and making for the door. This was simpler then he thought.

“Oh, one more thing.” Duncan added almost as an afterthought. “Your week of fasting begins now. Only liquids and nothing else.”

“I know , Thank you Elder Duncan.”

“Like I said, call me Duncan, or Father Duncan if you insist.” Duncan waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal, and he watched Airen’s retreating back as he left the building. After he left, he went to close the door before picking up the brush once more.

“Let me see...” Eullina shouted as soon as Airen appeared outside. Without waiting for his consent, she yanked his arm in front of her and studied it. “An angel…? Why did Duncan give you such a pretty one?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Airen shrugged as he tried not to move his forearm and let the ink dry in the warm air. “Is this really a tattoo? It seems like it would fade really fast. Plus, how would it let me know I’m dreaming?”

“It would last two to three days usually.” Eullina replied. “The idea is that while you are dreaming, the tattoo would not be there. Duncan can explain it better.”

“I see.” Airen gave a closer look at the valkyrie that adorned his arm. It was rather detailed, with a coat of arms on the armor along with a cloak. Even the sword that it bore in one arm had an elaborate hilt and several runes running down the blade. “This is… really well done.”

“It is. Almost better than the azure drake that I was given.”

“You had a dragon as your tattoo?”

“Mhmm.” Eullina nodded.. “...Where are you going off to now?”

“Probably… back to the mess hall. I was going to ask Lilrim to help me with this fasting.”

“Tsk, tsk, working in the mess hall knowing that you’ll be unable to eat. That sounds like torture.”

“It will be fine.” Airen said hopefully. “Duncan said liquids instead of water, so I should be able to consume things like soup or broth. Lilrim can probably help with that.”

Eullina just shrugged her shoulders. “Then I’ll return to training. I’ll see you later.”

“Oh it's Airen. Hey guys! Airen’s here!” a voice cried out as Airen stepped back into the mess hall. As it was noon, it was packed full of the day’s workers. The majority of the population in Tel’naraa were men and Airen had quickly found out what a crude and rambunctious bunch they were.

“Show us Airen!” a hunter shouted, and before long a chant started up.

“Show us! Show us! Show us!” It echoed across the room, and Airen embarrassingly raised his arm to show off the image of the armor-clad angel.

“Woo!” Whistles and cat-calls went around the room. “Where did you bring back to such a beautiful lady? Introduce us!”

“Enough Blake. Look at the poor boy’s face. He’s all red!” His companion reprimanded him.

“Come on brother, we have to be good examples for little Airen. Who else is fit to teach him the ways of adults?” the man named Blake chuckled.

“Enough of that, or ‘something’ might end up in your next meal.” Lilrim came out from the back, giving a nod to Airen. “Ah was wondering where Airen was picking up his attitude, but it was you rogues all along...”

Lilrim walked over and bonked each of the rapscallions on the head with her frying pan.

“Mercy great chef!” One of them over-dramatically dropped down into a begging pose. “Please do not feed us hard bread and tepid water!”

“Better change your ways friend, or you’ll be eating rations for the rest of your days!” A roaring laughter echoed through the hall. The man clutched his arm to his chest and feigning shock.

“Alright enough, enough. Airen come over here and help me ladle the portions.”

Airen, glad to be out of the spotlight, quickly scooted over behind the counter and started help pour out portions of stew into hole made on pieces of bread. His mouth watered at the appetizing aroma that poured forth.

“Easy now Airen, once the lunch rush is over, I’ll make you a vat of broth. It won't fill you, but it will ease the pangs.”

“Thanks.” Airen mumbled, tearing his eyes away from the food and just focused on working. Scoop out the soft portion of the bread. Ladle stew inside. Toast the soft portion. Serve with a spoon. Repeat.

Before long, midday meal was over, and the patrons returned to their work.

Airen unconsciously started to clear and rub the tables with a cloth, placing the dirty dishes into the washing bin.

“Sit down Airen. Conserve your energy.” Lilrim told him. After making sure that Airen heeded her directions, she quickly cleared away the dishes and wiped down the tables with expertise.

As she started to clean the dishes, she asked. “So Airen, what sort of soup or broth would you like? A meat based broth would be more filling, a grain and veggie one is easier on the stomach.”

“Either is fine.” Airen shrugged, his eyes constantly drawn to his arm. “This thing is… really distracting.”

“That’s part of the process.” Lilrim chuckled, tossing some dried roots and grains into a pot of boiling water and covering it with a lid. She then took a few aloe-like plants from a basket and started to skin them. Turning around she noticed Airen fidgeting around. She sighed and informed him “If you need something to do, why don’t you work on those dishes?”

Airen happily came over and started to wipe down the dishes with a rag and water. They worked in silence for a while, enjoying the mundane tasks. Before long, Airen had finished doing the dishes and picked up the wash basin with the dirty water inside.

“A moment, Airen.” Lilrim put her cleaver down and reached under the counter to pull out a medium sized bag. “Drop this off too will you? The broth will be done when you get back.”

Airen nodded and started the twenty-minute walk to the plantations.

“Well, if it isn’t Airen-boy.” A white-haired man greeted Airen as he entered the small cave. Almost immediately, the temperature dropped into a more tolerable state.

“Hello, Dullas.” Airen greeted the old man. “How was the harvest today?” he asked as Dullas took the washbasin off his hands.

“Good, good. The mushrooms are growing well.” Dullas replied as they walked deeper into the cave, guided by Dullas’ torch. They made a few turns passing several caverns and stopped in front of a large compost heap.

“Here we go...” Dullas poured the contents of the bag into the compost heap. Bits of old monster bones, rotten stems of plants, moldy bread, and assorted leftovers that was unfit to make broth with spilled into the smelly pile. “That Lilrim you told me about never ceases to amaze me. A chef with so little waste...”

“Lilrim said food should never be wasted.” Airen replied. “Most of the stuff here has been boiled for broth several times. I’m still amazed that you don’t eat at the mess hall like the others.”

“Aye, but I suppose that is a good thing. You’d do well to learn from her, Airen-boy. And there’s plenty of food down here, so there’s no need for me to go above ground. My skin’s a bit sensitive after all.”

Airen trailed behind Dullas as they traveled down the twisting cavern paths. Some of the caverns that were occupied with workers were illuminated by torches, but a majority of them were empty.

“It’s pleasantly cool down here.” Airen commented, uncomfortable with the silence.

“It is. There’s an underground lake deeper inside where water is drawn for the crops.” Dullas replied. “The fountain in the square is connected to it. Some of the workers prefer taking a dip in the cool waters of the lake then the nearby hot spring.”

They made a right turn at the next crossroads into a small cavern. Dullas used his torch to light up the ones hanging onto the wall, and handed Airen a small water scooper.

“Airen boy, are you preparing to take the Dream Rites?” Dullas said, leaning against the wall as Airen sprinkled the water onto the growing mushroom bed.

“Yes.” Airen replied. He did not hear Dullas replying to him, and he brushed his thoughts aside and continued working. Dullas was an ancient and eccentric man, but he was extremely knowledgeable. He had always came to meet him whenever Airen had some stuff to drop off at the caves. In half an hour Airen had finished his task and he looked up to find Dullas was gone.

“Dullas?” Airen whispered into the darkness, afraid that he would have to traverse the complex cave systems himself.

After a minute of Airen being left to his thoughts, the torches aligning the walls started to burst into flames, illuminating a passage outside the mushroom bed. Airen hesitantly stepped outside and followed the path of torches. When he looked back, the torch behind him had already flickered out of existence.

“Guess there’s no going back….” Airen continued to follow the trail of torches. Before long he came to a stone doorway. A giant stone slab blocked off the entrance, and no matter how hard he looked, there wasn’t a door or mechanism of any kind.

“What is this...” Airen ran his hand along the smooth, too smooth to be natural, stone surface.

“My room.” a voice spoke from behind him, and Airen jumped as a light hand placed itself on his shoulder.

“The trick to opening it...” Dullas said, reaching over and tracing a finger on the stone slab “is to draw a certain symbol on it”. Airen watched as Dullas traced a half circle, and then a cross below it, and blue veins lit up the magical stone tablet, and it sunk into the ground without a sound, dust falling from the ceiling.

“Wait here.” Dullas told him, walking inside with the torch. A few moments later he returned with a tiny glass bottle in his hand, and gestured for the two of them to leave. As they walked, Dullas passed the tiny bottle to Airen. In the torchlight, Airen saw that it was filled with a shimmering, silver powder.

“What is this..?”

“I have lived here for a long, long time, Airen-boy. What you have there, was locked away in an ancient stone safe. It is a ground up herb from a time long past, and the last of its kind in the world. “

“What is it for?” Jourmind had once told Airen that rare herbs could buy entire armies.

Dullas was quiet for a long time, and the silence was only broken by the crackling of the burning torch, and Airen’s footsteps on the stone. As they turned around the next corner, he slowly started to explain.

“The Dream Rites your leader performs is extremely similar to the ones conducted during by the ancient civilization. However, there are two things that are different. One is the age of the participants, it is most effective for young children, than adults. And the second one… is that powdered herb you have in your hands.”

Airen held up the tiny bottle the size of his thumb towards the light.

“That powder will make the communion much easier, as well as unlock the Dream Rite’s true purpose. I will be giving that to you.”

“…. why are you giving this to me?” Airen asked. “We’ve only met a few times...”

“You’re the only one in Tel'naraa that fits the age, Airen-boy. Plus my spirit is...” Dullas held the torch high into the air and let go. Airen waited for the torch to fall down, but instead it floated in the air besides them as they walked. “...the traveler’s torch. It is my duty to guide those that need guidance.”

“I will leave it up to you. If you do take it, then you will undergo a second trial. If you do not… then pour out its contents into the desert and let the wind carry it away. Something like that should not be kept in the hands of mankind.”

Airen could not say anything at Dullas’s anarchic words. He had only known the aged hermit for a week, but even this was out of the norm. Usually Airen would tell him about this day and occurrences around Tel'naraa, and he would quietly listen, while chipping in with explanations. Airen’s curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the strange cap on the bottle, and pinched a bit of the strange powder. It had no scent but when he tasted it, the flavor was unlike anything he ever had back at the Imperial Palace, a mixture of sweet flavors that brought a smile to his face. Without realizing it, he had poured the rest of the contents into his mouth. All of a sudden, his mind started to fog up and he started to feel sleepy.

“We’re here. Airen boy.” Dullas’s voice lured Airen back to reality, and they stood in front of the cave entrance, the light blinding his eyes for a moment. “You’d best be going Airen, isn’t there someone waiting for you?”

Airen nodded. “Thanks for… everything Dullas.” and he turned around and proceeded to leave.

Dullas’ voice stopped him. “It is I who should be thanking you. Farewell Airen, the next time we meet will be on different terms. Search for the door Airen boy. Search for the door.”

When Airen turned around to respond, Dullas had already disappeared, leaving him alone to ponder the lingering words.

“Good evening, my child.” Duncan waved Airen in, before nodding to Eullina. “I will handle it from here Eullina, you’d best go home and get some sleep.”

“As you wish, Duncan..” Eullina gave Airen a knowing nod and a reassuring squeeze, before vanishing into the darkness of the night.

Duncan steered Airen towards a bed laid onto the ground and gestured for him to sit.

“Tonight Airen, you will learn to be aware of when you are in a dream.”

“Is… such a thing even possible?” Airen asked.

“Indeed it is, This entire week before the rite itself is to train you to be aware of your dreams, as well as being able to navigate yourself in them.” Duncan explained. “I’m going to brew some tea that will both help you sleep, and let you dream.”

“Alright.” Airen nodded. As Duncan started boiling water for the tea. Airen decided to ask him something that was on his mind for a while.

“Hey Father Duncan?”

“What is it my child? If you have questions, do ask so I may relax your fears.”

“Err… It's about something else actually.”Airen hesitated.

“That’s alright Airen, ask away.” Duncan signaled with a hand. “Whatever makes you comfortable. ”

“Do you know a man called Dullas? He seems really old, are you older than him?” Airen questioned.

“Dullas..? There is nobody that goes by that name in Tel'naraa Airen.” Duncan turned around with his eyebrows raised. “Where did you meet this man?”

“In the caves behind the plantation.” Airen responded, uncomfortable under Duncan’s piercing gaze. “Is there something wrong-”

Duncan cut him off. “No Airen, my child. Everything is fine.” But Airen can feel the tension in the air. Time slowly passed as Duncan quietly grounded up some strange glowing white mushrooms and submerged them into the boiling kettle. A few minutes afterward, he checked the contents and declared. “It’s ready.”

Airen watched as Duncan poured a bit into a cup before handing the daffodil colored tea to him. As he raised the cups toward his lips, Duncan placed a hand between his lips and the liquid to stop him.

“Patience child, first let me explain what must be done.” Duncan chuckled. “This tea is distilled from a type of poisonous mushroom found in the caves underneath the city.”

Airen quickly moved the cup away and stared at it.

“It won’t kill you, but it will cause you to fall into a deep slumber.” Duncan laughed. “When you fall into that dream-like state, you must teach yourself to wake up within the dream, and not let the currents of the dream-river wash you away. “

“How do I do that?”

“You see the mark I have given you Airen?” Duncan said, pointing towards the valkyrie on Airen’s arm. “It has accompanied you for the entire day, but it will not accompany you in the dream. Within half an hour of falling asleep, you must realize that you that the tattoo is not there. That is when you will realize you are in the dream.”

“And then what do I do?” Airen questioned.

“One step at a time my child. This is perhaps by far the hardest step of learning to control your dreams. Drink the tea now, and I will wake you in a half-hour.“

Airen did as bid and drank the bland tasting liquid. As soon as he finished, he felt his vision dim and his mind cloud. Right before he lost consciousness, he felt Duncan’s on his head and his voice echo

“Airen my child, Look for the owl.”

A series of images drifted by.

His father holding him as a child in his arms and shedding tears.

Sparring with Yuelei in the courtyard while Jourmind watched.

The cold look from his mother-in-law, Xeina.

Laughing with Eullina at Loy’s jokes.

Learning to use a butchering knife.

“No, no that’s not right.” Lilrim’s voice seemed to echo around Airen. “To mince, you have to hold the knife closer towards the blade, and use your fingers to guide your cuts!”

Airen tried to focus on cutting the onion-like herb in front of him, but his arms felt sluggish and did not quite heed to his commands.

“What are ya doing, Airen? We’re not going to have lunch until you finish learning to mince! Chop, chop now!”

Airen sighed and raised the knife again. His eyes caught was drawn to his right arm, something… something was missing.

And as if a jolt of lightning hit Airen’s body, he realized that nothing was real.

Duncan put down the small ledger he was reading and watched as Airen pulled himself up.

“That was fast Airen. Did you have a nightmare?”

“That’s not it.” Airen shook his head. “I… realized it was a dream and woke up.”

“Did you know?” Duncan’s voice was doubtful. Even the fastest one to have finish their training had taken at least a day before they had passed this step. “Are you sure? Tell me about your dream.”

“I was in the mess hall, working with Lilrim.” Airen recounted with precise descriptions of the area and the tools. “It was before lunch, and she was trying to guide me through mincing techniques efficiently.”

Hearing Airen describe the dream with confidence, Duncan put the book down and sat up. The firelight from the cackling embers sent shadows dancing across the room. “Did you see the owl?”

Airen shook his head. “As soon as I realized it was a dream, it was as if my body was hit by something, and I woke up.”

“That’s… remarkable. Perhaps you are indeed blessed by the Goddess. Airen.” Duncan exclaimed. “If all goes well, you may be able to take the Dream Rites within a few days!”

Airen blushed at the praise. “No… it was just luck.”

“No matter” Duncan responded. “I’m going to give you more of the sleeping-mushroom tea. Next time you realize you are in a dream, do not try to deny that everything isn’t real. You must not fully waken your body, only guide it with your thoughts. Try to find the owl, Airen.”

Airen nodded and slipped into slumber again with the help of the tea. This time Duncan carefully observed him as he slept. Ten minutes passed, then twenty minutes, then thirty.

“Perhaps it was just a fluke...” Duncan sighed as he went to wake Airen. Just as his hands was about to touch the boy’s shoulder Airen’s hands grabbed his. Duncan’s eyes met with Airen’s as he slowly opened them, and gave a beaming smile.

“I found the owl.”

“You did what?” Eullina shouted, earning glances from others in the mess hall.

“Shh, Eullina.” Airen mumbled as he put a fingers to his lips. “It’s not that impressive...”

“It’s NOT impressive?” Eullina placed her palms on the tabletop. “It took me three days, three damn days of almost no sleep to find that damned owl! And even Duncan said that was the fastest!”

“Well, Duncan did say once that the younger ones seem to do it easily.” Loys shrugged, sitting down next to Airen with his plate of food after a curt nod to Eullina.

“Hello Loys, welcome back to Tel’naraa.” Airen greeted him, glad for a chance to change the conversation.

“Airen! You’ve gotten larger since I’ve last seen you!” Loys poked at Airen’s arm. “That’s some good meat you have there.”

“You say that Loys, but when you went to take your Dream Rites, you were at last the size of a bear.” Eullina huffed.

“Ah~ that was indeed a dark time. It’s hard to use my manly charms if it’s all hidden under a layer of fat, I feared that I wouldn’t be able to share my bed with someone else for the rest of my days!” Loys exaggerated, pretending to have a heartache.

Eullina shook her head. “You’re never going to learn are you?”

“Never until I learn the meaning of true love!” Loys sang, which elected a chorus of guffaws and snickers among the packed midday mess hall.

After the noise settled down, Loys placed an arm around Airen. “So, my dear little brother of another mother, is it true what Eullina said? That you managed to find the owl within one night?”

Airen looked down. “It’s true.” he said quietly.

“Ha!” Loys clapped Airen on the shoulder. “As expected from my little brother. When you find your spirit weapon, we must spar so elder brother Loys can teach you some tricks!”

“Psh, all you’re going to do is teach him foul ways to obtain victory. There is no glory in winning with trickery!” Eullina proclaimed.

“Tricks they may be, but if a trick can save you from dying on the battlefield, then all is well. Is it not?” Loys shrugged.

“Of course not! Only the weak needs to use tricks!” Eullina shot back.

“Eullina my dear. Are you calling me weak despite losing to me several times?” his voice whispered threateningly.

“You won only because you were older.“Eullina snarled back. “Things are different now.”

Airen tried to defuse the situation, but the argument only got more heated as the two hurled insults at each other. Finally Lilrim butted in.

“Git outta ma kitchen and go settle ya differences fair and square outside!”

The two of them quickly dashed outside, neither of them willing to lose to the other.

“Those children...” Lilrim sighed, and gestured for Airen to follow them.

As he made for the door he heard the patrons talk among themselves.

“And so the two of them went at it again...”

“My money’s on Loys, he hasn’t lost yet!”

“But Eullina has improved a lot lately, she even managed to beat me...”

“You’re just a horrible fighter man. Even I can beat you!”

“Big talk from a man that also lost to a little girl!”

Ignoring the conversation, Airen quickly ran off following the two individuals towards the training field.

Airen sighed as he watched the two of them take ten paces backwards while facing each other.

Loys twirled his scimitar in a half-moon lazily. “Are you ready Little Lina?”

Eullina held her arms straight out and a dagger materialized within each hand. “Whenever you are, Loser Loys.” She held the white dagger horizontally while the black one pointed towards Loys.

“Then come!” Loys taunted, pointing his scimitar at Eullina and gesturing for her to approach with his empty hand.

With a battle-cry, Eullina spun towards Loys in a storm of jabs, slashes, and feints.

On the onslaught, Loys smiled and slowly tread backwards, evading the attacks.

“Is this all you have, Eullina? My, and here I thought I would actually have to use my sword to block this time...”

Eullina continued the onslaught for another moment, before stepping back to catch her breath.

Loys took the opportunity and quickly closed the distance, flicking his blade at Eullina’s wrist.

“Not today Loys!” Eullina quickly caught the tip of the scimitar on the white dagger’s hilt and parried it. She attempted to thrust the black dagger at Loys, but he had already retreated out of range.

In that moment of respite, the two of them grinned at each other, before launching themselves into a flurry of exchanges. For a minute the stalemate continued, and then Eullina suddenly changed targets from disarming Loys to attacking the scimitar itself.

Loys, realizing too late of Eullina’s intentions, attempted to put some distance between them. There was no way his plain sword was going to survive a head on battle with Eullina’s spirit daggers, Hummingbird and Nightingale. However, Eullina realized what he was trying to do, and relentlessly pursued him. The next change of blows left Loys with a shattered blade.

“Ah, ah. You indeed have gotten better with those two little fangs of yours.” Loys admitted. “Kids grow so fast these days.”

Eullina grinned triumphantly. “This is my victory Loys! No more are you undefeated!”

“Tsk, tsk, you hear this, Airen?” Loys looked over at Airen who was watching from the sidelines. “Little Lina here seems to be pretty proud of herself, with those spirit weapons of hers.”

Eullina shrugged. “It just so happens that I have a weapon type spirit, there is nothing wrong with me using it.”

“Tut tut, Eullina my dear, this is why you don’t show your hand so early...” Loys extended his right arm in front of him. “Because then you’d be put at disadvantage when someone does this...” A strong wind started to blow from behind Loys. As it grew in intensity, both Airen and Eullina had to shield their eyes with an arm as they watched a spear appeared in Loys outstretched hand.

And as soon as the wind stopped blowing, the fight was over. Loys had disarmed Eullina’s weapons in two jabs. It was hard to tell who was more surprised, Airen who saw it happen within a second, or Eullina who did not even feel her daggers leaving her hands.

Nobody moved for a moment, each of them trying to comprehend what just happened. The silence was broken by the sound of Loys’ stomach growling.

“Ugh, see what you’ve gone and made me do.” Loys complained, throwing the spear above him where it promptly vanished. “My lunch is probably cold by now.”

Loys offered Eullina a hand, and after a second of hesitation, she took it and they shook hands, signalling that their argument was over.

“Ah, Airen. Welcome.” Duncan greeted as he answered the door.

“Hello Father Duncan. I’ve come for more training.”

“You say training…“ Duncan mused. “But you actually manage to apply theory to reality and make it work. There’s very little you need me to teach you, but I will try.”

Duncan ushered Airen inside and closed the door. After they were seated, Duncan started to explain the process for navigating dreams.

“The owl you found last night is my spirit. Or rather, it is a guide. “

“A… guide? Why do I need a guide in my own dreams when I can control it as I wish?” Airen asked.

“It is true… that lucid dreaming would allow you to have some semblance of control over your own dreams, but the Dream Rites require you to delve into the dreams of… something else.”

“….Something else?”

“On the day of the Dream Rites, I will take you to the entrance of the ruins. From there you must descend alone into the deep crevices of the ruins, until you come upon a large chamber, with pillars representing each of the elements. You shall slumber there, wherever of your choosing.”

“But what does that have to do with delving into a different dream?”

“I do not know why. All of your dreams consists of places, people, things that you may have seen, even if you do not remember. But the dreams of those that have taken the rites… are different, as if they have a mind of their own. Hence the reason I believe you are wandering within something’s dream.”

“What could it be?” The new information piqued Airen’s curiosity.

“Who knows, my child. Those ruins are from a time long, long past. If I had to guess, it would be an ancient, forgotten creature, sleeping until the end of time.”

“….are there any that do not survive the trial?”

Duncan realized what Airen was asking him. “Yes...” Duncan said quietly. “Some of them do not make it back. About twenty-percent of those that have taken the test, never returned. Perhaps they had disturbed the slumber of the ancient one. Perhaps they had lost their way in the darkness of the ruins.”

“How long?” Airen asked hesitantly.

“...A month. Most return within a week or two… but if the person doesn’t return for a month, we presume they are dead.” Duncan quietly mumbled.

Duncan placed a hand on Airen’s head and reassured him. “I am not too worried about you, Airen. You are quite gifted to master the art so quickly. I would not be surprised if your training finishes tomorrow. “

“What are we doing today?”

“We are going to have you practice tonight Airen. Simply follow the owl Airen, and do not let anything distract you from the path.”

Duncan poured Airen a cup of the sleeping-mushroom tea, and the night passed quietly.

“Eat up Airen.” Lilrim heaped another helping of grilled Dune Worm meat in front of Airen.

“Must I?” Airen complained, wiping the grease that dripped from the sides of his mouth and his hands on a wet rag. “Eullina, you agree with me that I don’t need to eat this much do you?”

Eullina shrugged. “I have no clue why Elder Duncan would let you take the Dream Rites today, even if you had finished the training yesterday. He should have given you a day to rest and recover...”

“I’m sure Duncan has his reasons.” Lilrim defended. Placing a basket of black bread on the table along with a bowl of stew. “Airen must either be a powerful mage, or have the right affinities.”

“Hmph.” Eullina snorted. “What are your elemental affinities Airen?”

“I don’t know.” Airen replied between bites. “I’ve never felt particularly drawn to any element...”

“The boy probably has fire affinity.” Lilrim noted. “Most chefs are of the fire element.”

Eullina shook her head. “His personality is way too timid for that. If anything, he has water affinity.”

Airen could sit back and amusingly watch the two of them bicker over what his elemental affinities were. Personally, he did not really care, he felt comfortable with any of them.

“Well, when he comes back in a few days, he can tell us, right Airen?” Lilrim’s voice shook him out of his thoughts.

“Uh.. yea!” he replied unconsciously, not quite following the conversation. He pretended to busy himself cutting bite-size pieces off the giant hunk of meat.

“ Now that I think of it, Airen doesn’t really have a weapon of choice does he?” Lilrim asked Eullina.

“He’s pretty nifty with that rapier of his, but I don’t think that it suits him at all.” Eullina noted. “I think he would be quite proficient with a scimitar, or a broadsword.”

“Really? I think he has the stature to use a lance or a halberd...”

“You got a point there… Airen doesn’t seem to like short weapons at all.”

“That’s because you traumatized him using those daggers of yours.” Lilrim teased. “Every few days ya would make him spar with you, and every time you would try some new move on him.”

“It’s not my fault that he keeps losing.” Eullina complained. “Every time we duel, he hardly ever seems to put any effort in it, except when I goad him. Isn’t that right Airen?”

“How rude. I do try.” Airen voiced out. When Eullina stared into his eyes, he shrugged and added. “I can’t stand against Eullina’s Hummingbird and Nightingale anyway, the few times I tried, the rapier would end up broken into bits.”

“Times?” Lilrim scolded Eullina. “Little girl, why would you bring out your spirit weapons in a casual spar?”

“But I can’t help it.” Eullina protested. “They feel and weigh different compared to the practice weapons made at the blacksmith!”

“What if you lose your weapon in the middle of battle? What then?” Lilrim pressed.

Eullina grinned, and brought out the black-bladed Nightingale. With a twist of her arm, the dagger flew out the mess hall door and embedded itself in the ground. Eullina then held her outstretched hand towards the distant dagger, and after a few a few seconds, the dagger flew back towards her.

“….I see.” Lilrim nodded. “You’re quite efficient with your spirit tool aren’t you?”

Eullina smiled, and made Nightingale disappear in a waft of black smoke. “It’s a simple bit of magic. But it should be a good surprise attack against Loys the next time we duel.”

Lilrim sighed. “Eullina, it is good that you see Loys as your rival. But after you defeat him, what then?”

“Simple. Airen will be my new rival.“ Airen did not like the twinkle in Eullina’s eyes as she said that. “I’ll train him so well until the time he can finally beat me.”

Lilrim sighed, and took a peek at Airen from the corner of her eye, who seemed resigned to his fate as the hot-spirited Eullina’s sparring partner… or punching bag.

“Airen, child, are you ready?” Duncan pushed open the door as soon as Airen had knocked. He glanced behind him to see Lilrim and Eullina behind him. They bowed their heads in greeting, and he responded in kind.

“Yes.” Airen replied. It was chilly that night and he decided to wear the scarf his sister had given him. Perhaps he had thought it would be a sort of charm as well.

“Good. Then let us go.” Duncan said, carrying a metal lantern and walking outside. The procession of people slowly made their way to the middle of the village square. In the middle of the night, the faint glow of the lantern was like a lone will-o-the-wisp dancing in the darkness.

“Here we are.” Duncan’s voice, albeit a whisper, echoed in the empty silence. He placed a hand on the rim of the fountain and chanted a few words of power. A blue line of light ran around the circumference of the fountain sides, before spiraling into the center and vanishing. With a shudder, the water started to drain away, revealing a square tablet on the bottom.

“Come along Airen.” Duncan stepped into the confines of the well, gesturing for Airen to follow him. He placed a hand on the stone tablet, and with a grunt, lifted one side, revealing a series of wet and trailing stairs descending in a spiral, straight down into who knows where.

“Remember my words, and the training.“ Duncan said, clapping Airen on the shoulder. He turned around and looked at Lilrim and Eullina, telling them it was time to say goodbyes.

“Airen, you make me proud you hear? I will expect nothing less of my apprentice!” Lilrim came forward wrapped Airen in a bear-crushing hug.

“I’m not going to forgive you if you fail.” Eullina shouted, without looking at Airen.

“Haha… thanks.” Airen said. “...it’s kinda hard to breathe Lilrim”

“Oh.” Lilrim abruptly let go and Airen landed on his feet. Airen accepted the lantern from Duncan and he stared at the path ahead of him.

“Well… I’ll see you guys soon.” Airen mumbled, feeling cold and wrapping the scarf closer around him..

“Take care, Airen.” Lilrim waved him off.

“May the goddess watch over you.” Duncan prayed.

Eullina said nothing, but right before Airen took the first step, she tackled him with a hug from behind. “I meant what I said Airen. So you better come back.” she whispered before letting go and returning to Lilrim.

Embarrassed, Airen awkwardly waved and started descending down the stairs. He took one final look behind him as the stone tablet came down and shut off the small traces of moonlight.

“Guess there’s no going back now...” Airen mumbled. Using a hand to steady himself, he carefully stepped down the moss-covered stone steps.

After an hour, the stone steps finally ended, and Airen found himself in a long, downward sloping hallway. Airen felt his feet bump into something, and as he held the light closer, he realized it was an empty lantern. Following Duncan’s directions, Airen started to slowly walk forward into the darkness.

“This.. must lead to the underground lake Dullas mentioned.” Airen thought aloud. The air was chilly, but it was not dry nor dusty. “Or perhaps the lake is just above us?” The thought of a cave-in scared him. Try as he might, he could not brush off the dark thoughts that filled his mind.

Airen felt his feet bump into something. When he brought the lantern closer, the face of a pale-white human skull smiled at him.

“Wa-” Airen shouted in shock, falling back onto his behind. He kicked at the skeleton out of fear and the old bones cracked under the pressure. After a few minutes of him staring at the skeleton, Airen tried to calm his rapidly beating heart.

“Breathe…“ Airen mumbled, remembering his training. This was something Duncan had expected and prepared him for, and before long Airen had gotten over his fear, and started feeling bad for destroying parts of the skeleton.

“I’m sorry, brother.” Airen apologized to his long-dead companion. “May you finally rest in peace now.” And he continued traversing down the slanting hallway, passing several more skeletal remains.

Before long he finally arrived at the chamber that Duncan had mentioned. Six tall pillars stood in a hexagonal pattern, one for each element. And in the center of it, Airen sat down and drank the bottle of tea Duncan had given him before. For a brief moment before he fell alseep, he thought he saw silver threads floating in front of him.

“So another one has come to be guided.” An unfamiliar voice echoed in Airen’s head. “Very well, then, prove yourself.”

Airen felt his consciousness jolt for a moment, and then he was holding his rapier and dueling with Jourmind.

“Hmph, you want to be a chef? If you had time for that, why don’t you actually try learning how to run this kingdom?” Jomin taunted him, his face twisted in a way Airen had never seen before. “You’re just a prince in name, yet you strut about without doing your duties...”

This is merely a dream. Airen thought to himself, nevertheless his old mentor’s words still wracked at his heart.

“Your sister would be a better ruler then you will ever be, Airen.” Jourmind snarled. “She’s younger than you but she fights and conducts herself better. You two should exchange genders and everyone would be happier!”

Airen quietly waited, as Jourmind continuously hurled his deepest fears at him.

“You won’t amount to anything!” Jourmind cried. “Your father was a great man, but you… you are NOTHING. Your friends, do you think they are actually your friends Airen?”

“They are.” Airen affirmed loudly.

“They’re using you! You’re the prince of a nation, yet you make friends with barbarians and scoundrels!” Jourmind howled. “You are a disgrace to the Casteya line!”

Suddenly Jourmind dropped down onto his feet. “Your mother died because of you.” he cried, shedding tears. “Your father died for your sake. Even I…. I... died for your sake.”

“You killed us.” Jourmind hissed out, as he got to his feet and pointed his rapier at Airen. “You killed us all.” he shouted as he dashed towards Airen, with the rapier pointed towards his heart.

Instead of dodging, Airen calmly waited for the apparition to approach him. He felt no pain as the rapier ran him through, and he gently wrapped his arms around the apparition’s waist.

“It’s all right.” he whispered and he pulled back and saw face to face with an image of himself. His clone gave him a sad smile as white light enveloped the area.

“Wake up, Airen. Wake up!” Airen felt someone pulling on his cheeks. He opened his eyes to see Yuelei standing before him with a bundle of clothes.

“Wha-”

“Get up, Airen, how long did you stay up last night? It’s mid-noon!” Yuelei half dragged him out of bed and tossed a bundle of clothes at him. “Change into these and quick!”

Confused, and feeling as he was forgetting something. Airen did as bid. As soon as he finished Yuelei returned and dragged his arm.

“Come on Airen. Lord Father and Lord Mother are waiting!”

Lord Mother? Airen wondered as he let Yuelei drag him around the palace into the courtyard, where two people were already seated under a blossoming tree. One of them was his father, Macha, who was laughing heartily with the woman next to him. As Airen arrived, the woman turned to him and gave him a sweet smile.

“Airen! We were waiting for you. Did you sleep in again?” the beautiful black haired woman laughed with a voice would make bards jealous.

Not quite sure who she was, Airen simply nodded and followed Yuelei as they sat on the wooden mat on the floor. He couldn’t help but gaze at the unfamiliar woman next to his father.

“Airen, why are you staring at your mother like that?” Macha chuckled, turning to the woman. “Aris, the boy must still be sleeping if he can’t recognize his own mother!”

“Well it has been a while since we’ve returned to the palace.” Aris replied. “You just like to go out wandering so much that we barely have time to come home!”

Macha shrugged and waved for a servant to start serving the food. The wooden mat soon filled up with all sorts of luxurious dishes. At the sight, Airen felt himself salivating, and Aris nodded at him, telling him it was alright to start eating. Airen dug in, enjoying the flavors that he had thought he would never experience again.

As they ate, Airen talked about the dream he had. Jourmind taking them outside the palace. Him being kidnapped. Meeting friends in Tel’naraa.

“You should be a writer, not a chef.” Yuelei teased. “That sounds so believable, and I’m sure it would make a great tale!”

“You should do it.” Macha told him. “Dreams are like revelations. You can learn a lot of things from them.”

And under their pressuring, Airen started to write a small book about his adventures in the dream. Every day he would show it to his family, who would help him edit it and pushed him for more.

Time passed quickly, and within a month, Airen had gotten to the part where he was writing about the Dream Rites.

“-and so I took the tea Elder Duncan had given me… and I fell asleep.” Airen mumbled aloud as he wrote the words down. Aris was sitting under the tree and was playing a harp for Yuelei while he worked.

“I think that’s enough, Airen.” Aris interrupted him. “Why don’t you take a break from writing and mother will teach you how to play ‘As the Leaves Fall?’ “

“OK!” Airen nodded enthusiastically. His mother had been teaching him how to play the harp in the evening, and Yuelei loved to watch him practice. As he put down the manuscript, he hesitated feeling as if he let go of it now, the would have lost something precious.

“What’s the matter Airen? You can always continue it tomorrow.” Aris said.

“I…. can’t seem to remember what happens next.” Airen tried to make an excuse, not wanting to put the book down.

“Does it really matter? It is just a story isn’t it?” Yuelei shrugged. “Get over here so we can continue!”

“….Continue…?” Airen mumbled the word. “Just a story….. Continue...”

He turned to face Yuelei who was smiling at her mother’s harp playing, then towards his mother. Their eyes met, and she gave him a gentle, gentle smile, before mouthing the word, ‘Go’.

And Airen Casteya finally woke up.

Airen gave a dry cough as he woke up. A layer of dust had covered him and some of it had gotten to his nose. He had no clue how long he had been sleeping, but it was more than two months, judging by how skinny he was. His bones creaked as he got up, and as he did, the pillars flared in pillars of colored light.

“Well done.” a voice echoed around the chamber. “Not only did you pass the test meant for outsiders, but you have passed the trial for one of our own.”

The dark chamber suddenly shook, and rays of blue lights ran along the walls, illuminating the dark chamber.

“You have been deemed worthy. Airen Casteya, and with that we shall bestow upon you two powerful spirits of your choosing.” the feminine voice oddly resembled Airen’s mothers’.

At the words, several magical creatures materialized in front of the pillars. In front of the pillar of flame, a gallant dragon with scales of gold, the pillar of water, an enormous sea leviathan whose length easily encompassed the room. The wind totem had a large thunderbird, the earth totem, a floating golem. The pillar of light had what appeared to be an angel with three swords floating behind it’s back, and the dark totem had shadows that crept outwards.

“Why do I get a choice?! Isn’t my spirit determined from birth?” Airen was confused.

The voice was silent for a moment. “Because you have passed the second test, you have been given the power to choose. Now decide!”

Still not convinced, Airen went around and spoke to each of the creatures. Most of them claimed themselves to be the strongest, or a legendary beast from times past. None of them felt right to Airen, and at last he arrived at the dragon, who was snoozing quietly and had ignored him outright from the beginning.

“Who are you?” Airen asked timidly.

The beast opened one of his eyes and a golden-orange eye peered at him. “So you still have not realized have you boy? My name is Sa’llud.”

“….that sounds familiar.” Airen said. “I must have read about you before.”

“I think not.” the dragon named Sa’llud huffed. The dragon reared up and watched Airen carefully. “Boy, have you decided yet?”

“No… I’m not sure why, but none of you feels right.” Airen apologized.

“Trust your instincts boy.” Sa’llud said before roaring. “If you must know, my full name is Sa’llud, Torchbearer of the First Flame! If that is not good enough for you, then the door outside is over yonder!”

At the dragon’s prideful declaration, the other magical beasts also started to express their titles, each one of them vying for Airen’s attention. But the Sa’llud’s words triggered Airen’s memory, and for a brief moment, he saw threads of silver all over the room like a web.

Airen started walking down the towards the end of the large cavern. As he passed, each of the beasts quieted and watched him. When he approached the wall, Airen placed the palm of his hand against it, and a wave of blue lines darted across the wall. He did not realize it, but they light was traveling along the barely visible silver threads.

He took a breath, and then traced the symbol he had seen Dullas did a few days ago, a half circle, and then a cross. When he finished, another wave of blue light covered the stone lit up and a doorway appeared as parts of the stone sunk into the ground.

Airen turned around to thank Dullas. But the pillars of light had already faded, and the legendary magical beasts were starting to fade as well. Airen shot a glance at Dullas, or Sa’llud, whichever was his real name, and mouthed a ‘Thank You.’

The dragon simply smiled at him and lifted a claw before vanishing away, and the cavern was filled with darkness again.

Airen dragged his weary body through the corridor, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He felt weak and exhausted, and it was no surprise as he had been in suspension for nearly three months, but he did not know that.

At least he arrived at the end of the chamber, and he was disappointed. In the small room illuminated by a glowing white orb, there was a single stone table, and a single stone chair. On top of the table was what appeared to be a large book with a black cover.

“What is this..?” Airen walked over, sitting down on the chair, and flipping through the book. The pages were blank, and the book was much heavier than it looked.

“How rude.” A female voice called out. “Is this how the people this era act? Walking into a room and touching things without permission?”

Airen dropped the book in shock. A strange girl materialized at him and shook her fingers at him. She was slightly shorter than he was, and wearing a strange outfit that he took to be a gown. Her attire was something Airen had never seen before, yet extremely simple at the same time. As he watched, it seemed to morph and change forms, until finally stopping as a one-piece dress Airen had seen nobles wear.

“I’m sorry” Airen tried to say, but his throat was too hoarse and dry and he started to cough.

“Here, drink.” a magical circle appeared around the girl’s wrist, and as she flicked it, a glass cup of water full of water appeared on the table.

Airen hesitantly reached for it, and took a sip. It seemed to be ordinary water and he quickly finished the glass.

“Thank you. And.. I’m sorry for intruding.” Airen meekly apologized.

“Good, that’s better. Perhaps we can come to an agreement then...” the girl brushed back her silver-lavender hair. “It has been a long time since anyone made it here, so I will be generous with the terms”

“Terms…?” Airen mumbled. “I’m not sure I quite follow...”

“Are you playing the fool?” the girl glared at him. “Do not test me, Airen Casteya.”

“How do you kno-”

“Your name? I had known as soon as you entered.”

“Who… what are you?” Airen asked.

“I have many names, but your kind calls me the History Eater in this era. From what I have grasped of your memories, your closest understanding would be to think of me as a ‘Divine Beast’ for now. You may call me Fieluri.” The girl spoke matter-of-factly. “I had been imprisoned here as a Keeper of Knowledge, but your help, that will soon change.”

“….with my help?”

“You will simply make a pact with me, and your life shall be intertwined with mine own. Ours will be a relationship of mutual benefit.”

At her words, Airen felt his exhaustion ebb away and be replaced by adrenaline. The power of a Divine Beast was nothing to scoff at.

Fieluri noticed the look on Airen’s face. “I know what you are thinking Airen Casteya, but unless my life is in the balance, I shall not engage in combat with humans. In return, I will give you all the knowledge you require, for a price.”

Airen was slightly disappointed, but having the incantations to spells should be extremely useful, or so he thought. Just as he was about to ask about this ‘price’ Fieluri continued.

“Furthermore, if you make a pact with me, you will no longer be able to use elemental magic.”

“What!” Airen shouted out. “First you tell me that you won’t help me, and now you say you’ll take away my ability to use magic? Why would anyone make a pact with you then?”

“All knowledge comes with a price.” Fieluri asserted, her finger an inch away from Airen’s face. “And nobody said I wasn’t going to offer you assistance. If you make a pact with me, the Archive of the Ancients will be available to you.”

“What is the-” Airen asked.

“It would be easier to show you.” Fieluri replied. She offered him a hand, and after a moment’s thought, he took it. Fieluri placed her other hand on a page in the book, and the surroundings around them was bathed in darkness. When Airen’s vision returned, he found himself in a great library, the shelves towered far into the sky and into the endless distance. There was no ceiling nor ground, or to be specific, even the ceiling and ground was an endless bookshelf.

“Welcome to the Archive of the Ancients.” Fieluri waved her hand. “All of the knowledge in the world, or at least the ones I have collected, is stored here. To access it, you would have to offer additions to it. That is the ‘price’ I mentioned.”

Before Airen can open his mouth, Fieluri had flipped to another page, and a magic circle encompassed the two of them. The two of them flew off into the distance before arriving at what appeared to be a giant circular door.

“This domain is my world, or… part of my ability.“Fieluri explained. “If you make a pact with me, I will allow you to traverse the gap between your world and mine, and even store things here within this room.” She put Airen’s hand and placed it onto the center of the door. Blue lightning flashed on its surface, before it opened, revealing the marble chamber inside.

“If you so wish, you may even remain in this world as long as you wish. You will not age, nor want for food.” Fieluri mentioned. “But you have other things to do, do you not? “

“I do.” Airen mumbled, awed by the vast power this person held. At his words, Fieluri gave him a smile for the first thing, revealing two small fangs, and clapped her hands. The area around them quickly distorted and Airen found himself in the stone chamber again.

“The reason you won’t be able to cast magic is because of your connection to my world, the Archive, prevents it. But that will allow you at the same time to use magic of my own creation.”

“You have your own… creation?”

“Six centuries of imprisonment tends to make one creative, especially if the entire world’s knowledge is available to you.” she shrugged. “But allow me to demonstrate.”

She waved her hands and the air in front of her ripped into two dark holes. As Airen watched, she put her hand over it and drew out a pale ivory sword. She smiled darkly at Airen, and dashed towards him, thrusting the blade through his body.

Or so Airen thought.

“What is going on?” When Airen looked down, a dark void was floating in front of his chest where the sword point should have been.

“Look behind you, Airen Casteya.”

“How is that possible?” Airen shook his head. Behind him was yet another dark void from which the sword point had emerged. And as he watched, Fieluri withdrew the blade and the two connecting portals vanished.

“It’s simply using soul power as a conduit. Perhaps in time, you will be able to learn to use it. Another way of using it is….”, she waved her hand above her and four dark voids opened. A split second later, tens of swords and spears flew from out of them, impaling the wall.

“Of course, in the case that you do need to use elemental magic, I will be glad to cast the spell for you… if you ask nicely. The magic of the spirits are not beyond me after all, even if it hinders the true progression of magica. So, what do you think about this agreement?” She quietly retrieved the swords and tossed them into the book on the table, which absorbed them.

“It seems too convenient...” Airen voiced his true thoughts. “But what if I say no?”

“You aren’t going to, so there’s no point in asking.” Fieluri laughed, as if she knew exactly how Airen thought. “After all, in your state, you would soon wither away. I am your only salvation. I have slept here for centuries. What more is another one or two? ”

“...Fine. I accept.” Airen hestitated but in the end felt like this would be the only choice.

“There is still two more things, and this will likely be the hardest thing for you.” Fieluri grinned mischievously.

“What…. What is it?”

“Nobody else can see me except you. My appearance would cause quite some problems, and bring you needless enemies.”

“That’s it…?” Airen replied, thinking that something like that would actually be beneficial. How would be explain this girl to the others?

“And you must feed me.” Fieluri replied.

“...Feed you?” Airen said,not quite convinced she was serious.

“How do we get out of here?” Airen asked. Fieluri was levitating behind him, carefully putting the piece of fabric from Airen’s scarf into the book. Apparently by feed, she had meant to give her knowledge of the world or quite literally ‘food for thought’. He had returned into the chamber with the pillars, but it was pitch black and he could hardly make heads or tails of the pathway.

“Just a moment… I need to digest this.” Fieluri mumbled. She was wearing some glasses and was carefully examining the cloth as it was being absorbed by the book. “The threads seem to be woven in a diamond like formation that helps retain warmth… but what are the threads made of..?” she mumbled. “My identification skills must be rusty after all these years…”

Airen shrugged as the girl continued to mumble to herself. He plopped down, leaning next to the wall as he watched her run several tests on the fabric that had not existed in her time. He was hungry, and exhausted.

After about ten minutes, Fieluri drifted down and patted Airen on the head.

“Airen, wake up. If you sleep now, you’ll drift into an eternal slumber.” Fieluri whispered into his ear.

“Wha- how can you say such a thing?” Airen quickly jolted awake.”Don’t joke with such seriousness.”

Fieluri’s face had no semblance of humor. “It was not a joke. I was the one that used magic to keep you alive the past few months. And when you made the pact with me by signing your name within my book, you and I were connected.“

“Huh… but I don’t feel anything from you...” Airen mumbled tiredly.

“Because you’re not even remotely close to my strength.” Fieluri’s words were starting to slur in Airen’s ears. “But no time for chit chat. Time for you go home, Airen.”

Fieluri clapped her hands together, and proceeded to tear a huge rift in the air in front of her, enough for a human to pass through. She then tapped the ground with her feet, and Airen felt himself being lifted in the air by an unnatural force, and then he was tossed through the portal.

And they were back in Airen’s house in Tel'naraa. The dim sunlight pouring through the windows signified that it was late noon, but that did not matter to Airen. His eyes were drawn to the supply of Teq-bread in the cabinet, which he promptly took down and started tearing into it, forcing it down with water. He never thought simple bread could be so good, and tears ran down his face as he gave thanks to everyone he can think of.

Fieluri quietly went around the room, looking at the things. Seeing Airen’s state however, she floated over and told him. “I’m going to sleep now and use a bit of my energy to help you recover. I’ll see you tomorrow. We shall create great things together.” She yawned as a dark rift opened behind her, and like falling backwards on a bed, she allowed her body to fall through it.

Airen nodded and watched as Fieluri disappeared. In his hunger he failed to notice someone sneaking up on him.

“Who are you? What are you doing in my house?” Eullina’s voice threateningly echoed as she held a dagger to his throat, another at his spine.

“Eullina..?” Airen choked out. “It’s me…. I’m back.”

The sound of daggers falling on the floor could be heard, as well as the sobs of a young woman as she embraced the back of someone who was presumed to be dead two months ago.

End of Chapter 2A: Searching Between Dreams