Aetheris

Chapter 9: Dream

Elara prepared for sleep, her heart racing with the lingering effects of adrenaline and exhaustion. Inside her tent, she changed into a simple sleeping dress—a light, comfortable garment that would help her unwind after the day’s harrowing events. She smoothed out her sleeping bag and laid her mat carefully, making sure the uneven surface was somewhat bearable.

Taking a calming breath, she focused her remaining energy, drawing on the faint reserves of her magic. With steady hands, she cast a small alert spell, shimmering faintly as it settled into place, ready to wake her if anything unusual occurred outside. Rhyke stood watch outside, allowing Elara to rest and remain safe.

As she lay down, her thoughts began to drift back to everything she had encountered since leaving Havenmoore. The events of the day replayed in her mind—her struggle with the ice spell, the collapsing staircase, Rhyke’s steady hand pulling her to safety. Drowsiness washed over her, and she felt the gravity of her eyelids surrender to the pull of sleep. One by one, her worries faded as she let herself drift away.

In her dream, Elara found herself in a serene landscape, a crystal-clear body of water stretching endlessly before her. The air was warm and inviting, and as she looked down, she noticed she was floating. The gentle lapping of the water caressed her bare skin, creating soft ripples around her.

She stared into the calm depths, her reflection shimmering hazily. Something shifted in the distance, catching her attention—a shadowy figure drifting toward her. It moved slowly, its outline indistinct and shimmering like a mirage. A strange feeling washed over her; it was simultaneously unsettling and captivating.

As it drew nearer, a sense of calm enveloped her, easing the remnants of confusion from her mind. The figure stopped, hovering in the water just a few feet away. It wasn’t threatening; instead, it felt like an invitation—an exploration of the unknown.

Elara sat up in the water, the coolness enveloping her as the gentle waves created soft ripples around her. At first, she didn’t recognize the creature advancing toward her, but its presence felt oddly familiar. She marveled at its haunting beauty—a swirling mass of shadows and glimmers, devoid of distinct features but radiant in its own way.

Tentatively, it reached out to her, brushing against her leg. A strange comfort surged through her at the contact, as though it were sharing something deeply significant. The sensation spread up her body, warm and alive, awakening sensations she hadn't realized were dormant.

She was drawn into its presence, the creature's energy flowing around her in soft, alluring waves. The connection was intoxicating, as though it wanted to envelop her completely, not to harm but to bond. A part of her hesitated, caught between curiosity and instinct, while the other part was intrigued, willing to embrace the change it offered.

Just then, a brilliant blue light erupted, breaking through the peaceful haze. It illuminated the dreamscape, forcing the creature to withdraw as if repelled by the brilliance. Elara felt a sharp jolt of energy, swirling through her as the light wrapped around her, offering protection.

Elara jolted awake, her chest heaving as though she'd been submerged underwater. Sweat clung to her skin, her sleeping dress damp and uncomfortable. Sitting up, she pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to shake off the remnants of the vivid dream.

Her heart raced, and she struggled to catch her breath as the feeling of the dream lingered in her mind—the warmth, the connection, the blue light. It had felt so real. What had the creature wanted? She felt a complex mix of emotions coursing through her, a longing to understand.

Taking a moment to gather herself, Elara swept her hair back and touched her face, trying to recall every detail. It wasn't just a bad dream; it felt as if it carried meaning. There was something in the creature’s actions, something it wanted to share, and the blue light had been her shield, protecting her from the unknown.

As she composed herself, Elara prepared to leave the sanctuary of her thoughts. She knew she needed food and rest to recover from the day's toll. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her racing heart and stepped out of her tent.

Rhyke looked up from the fire, surprise flickering in his eyes. "So you're finally awake! I was beginning to think you’d sleep all day."

Elara smirked, brushing off the concern. "Nothing to worry about, old man."

With a playful glint in his eye, Rhyke ladled out a bowl of soup and handed it to her, the warmth radiating through her fingers as she took it. The delicious scent filled her senses, stirring her appetite despite the lingering echoes of her earlier experience.

As she settled beside him, the heat of the fire blurred her recollections of the dream, but the questions still danced in her mind. She'd have to explore their meanings later. For now, they had a journey ahead, and it was time to refocus on the challenges that lay before them.

Chapter 9: Dream (Part 2)

Elara stretched, rolling her shoulders as she took a deep breath of the crisp, cold air. The exhaustion from the previous day had finally faded, leaving her refreshed and full of energy. Though the lingering unease from her dream still clung to her mind, she pushed it aside—there were more pressing matters ahead.

With a flick of her wrist, she cast a simple spell, summoning a floating orb of light. It hovered just above her shoulder, illuminating their path with a soft glow.

Rhyke, standing a few steps ahead, glanced upward. The faint flicker of lightning crackled in the distance, threading through the dark clouds above the kingdom. The sound, though present, was muffled, as if trapped in the high altitude.

“As if mages are up there, constantly throwing lightning left and right,” Rhyke muttered, his tone unreadable.

Elara smirked. “Yeah, or maybe the sky just decided to be dramatic.”

Though the kingdom floated high above the world, the stone-paved streets remained intact, untouched by time. The structures, though weathered, stood tall, their walls cracked but still holding their shape. The air was thick with an eerie stillness—not complete silence, but something heavier. A presence. Even in this underground-like space, where logic dictated that wind should not exist, a cold breeze still weaved through the ruins, carrying whispers of a long-forgotten past.

Then Rhyke stopped.

Scattered across the path before him were rusted swords, dented shields, and shattered maces—remnants of warriors long gone.

“Huh,” Rhyke mused, nudging a broken blade with the tip of his boot. “Think these would fetch a good price? Might be worth something to a collector.”

Elara glanced at him with a smirk, shaking her head.

“Relax, I’m joking,” Rhyke chuckled, waving off his own words.

Elara’s gaze drifted further ahead, catching sight of something else. Lying on the stone pavement, half-buried in dust, was an old sigil—an ancient flag, its fabric torn but the emblem still visible. A lion’s mane surrounded a five-pointed star, and within the star was a sword, pointing downward.

Her brow furrowed. “I’ve seen this before…”

She turned to Rhyke. “Have you?”

He hesitated, staring at the faded symbol. “Maybe. Maybe not. Can’t say for sure.”

Elara pulled out her journal from her satchel, flipping through pages filled with notes and sketches from her travels. She was meticulous, documenting every discovery, no matter how small. Kneeling down, she traced the sigil with her fingertips before sketching it carefully, adding a brief description beside it.

Once satisfied, she closed the book, slipping it back into her satchel. She rested her hands on her knees, pushing herself up to her feet. Even as they continued walking deeper into the ruined kingdom, her mind kept circling back—where had she seen that sigil before?

Then Rhyke stiffened. His posture shifted, tense.

“Elara,” he murmured, eyes narrowing. “Stop.”

She halted instantly, following his gaze.

There, ahead of them, was a figure.

It wore tattered, ragged clothing, its form slumped against the wall as if it had collapsed mid-step.

Elara’s orb of light floated forward at her silent command, illuminating the figure.

The moment the light touched it, Elara and Rhyke both inhaled sharply.

It was a person. Or rather—what remained of one.

The skin was shriveled and tight against the bones, dried and cracked like old parchment. The face was frozen in an expression of agony, the mouth slightly open, as if its final breath had never fully escaped. Its arms were outstretched, fingers curled like claws, as if trying to escape from something unseen.

The body was completely dried out, but it wasn’t decayed. It was as if the life had been sucked out of it, leaving only an empty husk.

“Elara,” Rhyke warned, his voice low. “Don’t touch it.”

But curiosity burned in her. Even as his words echoed in her mind, she took a slow step forward, reaching out.

Her fingertips barely grazed the cold, brittle skin.

“What happened to you?” she whispered.

A flicker of something—magic? She wasn’t sure. But there was a trace, faint but undeniable. It clung to the air around the corpse, lingering like an old wound that never fully healed.

She pulled her hand back, exhaling. “I hope your soul is at peace…”

Elara straightened, turning to Rhyke. “We need to move.”

He gave a curt nod.

But as they took their first steps forward—

She saw them.

More bodies.

At first, just one or two, barely noticeable among the ruins. Then, as the light from her orb rose higher—

Her breath caught in her throat.

A pile.

Dozens of corpses, all in the same state—dried husks, frozen in agony. Their limbs twisted, their faces locked in silent screams. Some were slumped against walls, others sprawled across the stone streets as if they had fallen while fleeing.

Elara’s stomach churned violently. She clamped a hand over her mouth, forcing herself to swallow back the urge to retch.

Rhyke stood beside her, his jaw tight. He didn’t speak, didn’t move. He only stared.

The light flickered slightly, casting long, warped shadows across the eerie scene. The silence felt heavier now.

Something terrible had happened here.

And whatever it was…

It wasn’t over yet.

© Eu Aria