A Dreaming Myth Vol. 2: Cascading From Beyond The Border
By Brandon Benevides
Smashwords Edition
This book and series is a work of fiction. The characters and events described herein are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is coincidental and not done on purpose by the author.
Note: These works bring references to religion and history and some conspiratory elements that may offend some audiences now or in the future as the plot continues. This is purely for entertainment purposes only, and is not to be taken seriously.
Thank you.
Ch. 1: Escapism
BRANDON
Such a world I entered, and what a place that I would dare to never have imagined. There were so many things that I never could see, like a door locking me out from entering to see what’s on the other side. But I found the key, and it was magic. My life was void of anything, I had no feelings for many people and become left alone and void from their sight, isolating myself from them all and only keep to myself. Now, by sudden fate, I became the future’s hope for earth and its own existence of its denizens in a brand new world surrounded by fantastical lands and legendary races that were supposed to be non-existent in the world of reality. New Earth…A truly marvellous place to see with my own eyes, the will to see it beckons to me, and I will see it all one day just to see what it’s like after all these centuries with its many mysteries to solve. And there is another unique world; something that we all think is completely absurd, is the Nether Dream, an open space of sky and golden light decorated with countless floating islands. When I witnessed that grand view, I felt at peace, with the memory that I have to escape the former life that I have and start anew. Unfortunately, the thought of hate and disgust remains strong in my mind because of the one cult that will stop at nothing to attain my magical powers. This group called the Necros have been making relentless pursuit of me and my companions to take our special magical powers that have been blessed by the Elemental Spirits. They have become a growing factor to us, and I aim to stop them from doing so. As I continue to look on to the great sea of islands with my Dreamweaver accomplice, Lili, An odd looking creature who is also a denizen of the Nether Dream. The Nether Dream is some kind of imaginary world that was out of reach as time progressed, inhabited by Lili’s kind, if there are any others that is since I haven’t seen another Dreamweaver other than Lili herself. We got off on the wrong foot in our first meeting, but I eventually started to warm up to her at this moment with the view before me. She is quite the interesting character I should say, but this world that she resides in is a complete mystery to me, why have I not seen it before when I dream? Bah…does it really matter? I’m seeing it now, so that’s what counts. While very relaxed, I laid flat on the dirt, and closed my eyes, and slept within a dream for a time after looking to the view. When I opened them up again, it was dark out. Millions of stars turn the blue skies silver, and it illuminates the Nether Dream in an infinite number of glowing dots. There was a pinkish red light not as strong as the sun coming from the full moon showing the bright shade color of red on the earth. Lili was no longer beside me as I look both sides of me, seeing that I was left alone once again. This is where I continue my story…
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“Ugh…whoa, I must’ve slept but I didn’t realize it. It’s night time now? And…where’s Lili?” I said to myself as I move my head around.
Lili was gone, but there was quiet a trail of bread crumbs she left behind. There was a string of waving light starting from the spot where Lili was sitting. It leads back into the dark forest behind me.
“A trail…of light? Maybe Lili did this, but…why did she make this instead of waiting for me to wake up?” I asked myself. “Lili!” I called out to the forest but received no reply.
I stand up, and begin to follow the path of light that illuminates the wood as I follow it. It has taken me many turns through an everlasting travel in this special kind of night. The trail begins to grow dim as I continue; I must be getting close to wherever I’m being led. And I was right when I finally reached a new clearing; an astounding castle of glowing white crystal appears before my wide eyes. And there was Lili, walking toward the castle with her finger shooting a light laser as she walks towards the doors. She stops herself and the laser she was trailing behind her and turns around to me far away with crossed arms. The light trail fades away in thin air. “Have a look at this Brandon! Do you know what this is?” Lili said with the crystalline castle behind her.
I look at the marvel of a castle that was behind her. It radiates in my eyes strongly like a second sun, but I couldn’t look away from its powerful white glow. “What are you talking about? How the hell should I know?” I said as I run over to Lili while I block my eyes a little from the light.
When I get to Lili, she shows off her dagger smile again. “That right there…is a thing of beauty.” Lili comments while looking at the castle behind her.
“I don’t get, why did you show me this, and for what purpose?” I asked still looking at the castle.
Lili chuckles softly and puts an arm around me as we both look at the castle together. “Let me tell you something about the Nether Dream, cutie. People from your world actually come here.” Lili said.
“Oh really? How so?” I asked intrigued.
“The way you did, sleeping in the real world of course! But that’s not the point you see… the point is that it’s uncommon for your kind to be here…and that when they wake up…they won’t remember anything that went on in their sleep that night.” Lili said cryptically
“Where are you going with this…?” I asked as I turn to the Dreamweaver.
I suddenly began to feel a little of the shakes. The words of what Lili was releasing from her mouth are leaving me uneasy as I look to her and the castle multiple times.
“This is where we Dreamweavers come in. when one human enters the Nether Dream, one of us appear to them. Most of these humans were children, so Dreamweaver youth would go to them. Then, they would cast a special spell on the human child while they were still unaware of their surroundings, which make them forget about the Nether Dream when they wake up. And when they return here, they gain their memory back when they go in again.” Lili continued on with her prattling. “The minds of kids were pretty incredible of what they have locked inside within themselves…and just let it all out to existence, such as this castle here. This was made using imagination.” Lili said letting me go and paced back and forth behind me.
“You mean to tell me that a kid made this? I wonder why he or she would build such a thing…This is definitely a strange place.” I said wondering for myself.
Lili stopped pacing and stood right behind me. “I agree. For seven years’ worth of dreams, you would be on this very island every time you dream and create amazing things while we were together…” Lili said with her voice in monotone.
My mind snapped like a sniper rifle being shot. My mind begins to hurt for such a quick moment from Lili’s words. Something in Lili’s speech was familiar there, but I can’t make it out.“Arrgh...I got a pain...but what did you just say now? Seriously, what the hell did you just say?” I said as I rub one of my temples.
Lili slowly turned her eyes to the back of my head. “This does look familiar to you, doesn’t it?” Lili pressed.
I turn myself quickly to Lili’s face acting more serious. “What the hell are you talking about, Lili? You mean to tell me…that I…oh no, that isn’t possible!” I said denying of what I’m actually thinking as I turn to Lili.
“Feel that in your mind? That’s déjà vu, squirt. Your memories are breaking through now. Can you remember it? About who build this castle of crystal?” Lili said looking at me so creepy.
“No! Don’t pressure me forward, damn it! To think that you and I all these years together and being unaware of—Wait, what!?” I rambled so confused of my words.
Lili takes a few steps forward And I back away to keep distance.
“Let me shed some light on this. It’s time for me to remove that spell off of you now…” She said.
My mind feels like its hyperventilating. There is so much coming to me, so many memories that I never had…what is Lili doing to me!?“You first came to the Nether Dream exactly ten years ago. You and I were only eight at the time…” Lili started off.
I take some steps back feeling panicked while I try to keep my head straight. “Shut up! Don’t tell me anything! It’s too much, it hurts!” I said backing away to the doors with one hand on my head trying to bear stinging pain.
“…I did my job and casted the memory block spell on you while you were wandering aimlessly in this clearing. I introduced myself to you and told you everything about what you can do in the Nether Dream…we quickly became good friends, and you told me that I was your first one…You never cared what I looked like.” Lili continued.
More flashbacks and images come by so fast that detail of what Lili exactly said. My head pains even further as Lili continued with the restoration of my memories.
“Shut up Lili! Stop fucking with my head! You’re lying, I know you are! This isn’t a game!” I tried to pressure her.
“Easy, this will be over soon. You became so excited to begin exploring the entire island, but you wanted to do something for the both of us first. A huge castle with big towers, and made it completely out of crystal! The level of design and architecture was impressive for your age, but it was not liked I cared about it back then anyway. This became a place only you and I could be in and no one else…With the castle now existent, you gave it a name: You called it Shiver Rock!”
Images of me and Lili of younger age flash by of us standing in front of the castle. I back against the door of the same castle and grabbed my head with both hands in pain as more memories keep flooding in.
I squeeze my head as Lili went on. The pain of remembering is unbearable to me. “I…Can’t…Take…Much more of this…” I grunted.
“We keep meeting each other for many nights and played together and explore the island together, and even explore the other islands together, thanks to my magic. Others came by to see the castle, but none could enter it as it is protected by my special magic barrier. But then, a shock happened to me.” Lili continued on with her smile now a frown.
I feel like my brain could snap, but everything starts to be a little lighter now. Slowly by the second, the pain starts to fade.
“You stopped coming to the Nether Dream, and it was the last I saw of you… That was when I discovered that you had given up on dreams, and died off like the rest of other teens growing up in life. Until that memorable day for me, when Stamos showed me you’re grown up self with mine, face to face in reality, I felt like I could smile again, and hopefully one day to have the chance to remove that memory lock that you still had, just so you could remember me completely.” Lili finished with a smile again.
My pain stops completely, and I was feeling very tired from all that enduring. With my hands still on my head, I peek to Lili’s face and remember all the years of her growth. I…I remember her now.
“Do you understand now?” Lili asked innocently.
I only take a glimpse at the door behind me and then back to Lili. Feeling it too hard to take it all in now and not knowing what to say to her, I barged right inside the castle behind me and the door closed behind me, just to run away and be peaceful for a bit.
Lili lets out a big sigh of relief. “Phew…That was really intense. I’ll let him take his time…” She said as floated in the air.
Lili flew to the castle’s highest tower and lands on the balcony area, and walks around like a princess locked away in the tower. “Sigh…brings back a lot of memories…” Lili said blissfully.
Lili sees the great view from above, and a shooting star comes by. Her wish must have come true.
Ch. 2: Forgotten Times
BRANDON
I barged right in without thinking, and I felt no barrier in sight that Lili mentioned. Maybe it was invisible to the both of us. What Lili just did...Was so sudden for me. There were so many memories of me and Lili as kids growing up, out to the Nether Dream, and here in this large castle. When I finally got a good look around the foyer, it was so elegant and beautiful, and nicely carved. It was also a bit breezy in here, because when I was a kid, I used to think that crystal was also ice, which could explain the chill. I guess that’s why I called this place Shiver Rock. Lili hasn’t followed me yet, but after just now, I think I should take a moment to sink this in myself and look around the castle by myself. I was in between hallways to my left and right that could lead anywhere, so I start with the left hallway on the left side of the foyer. As I walk through it, there were rows of doors. I would check them all, but I was drawn to one particular door.
“Hey...I know where this leads!” I said to myself as I grab the door handle.
As I open up the door, it led to a rather claustrophobic passage of rock with a blinding light at the end. I knew what this was all about. These doors specific were portals to other islands in the Nether Dream to record my adventures in each and every one of them. Lili was the one that did it so we can come back again to the castle, simply by opening this door. I walk through unwillingly to the other side of the door, and walk down the passage. The light was still blinding, showing nothing of what was on the other side. I block my eyes to prevent from being blinded as I move to light of a thousand suns. As I reach the end, the light was gone, and everything was darker. I reopened my sight, and see the night sky, and on the horizon, an open wasteland of sand. My steps were soft on these millions of tiny rocks, and gusts of wind lift the sands to my eyes. It was a floating island of desert. “Okay...I know I had been here before, but what was that other thing that I did here?” I asked myself trying to think about it.
Then I remember. There was supposed to be some kind of underground temple underneath this desert. It was like exploring an ancient Egyptian tomb with all its wall sketches, strange puzzles, and hazards. Despite all that and my early age, I did manage to reach the deepest point...but I can’t remember what was there. “Good lord...I have a lot of catching up to do, don’t I?” I asked myself again.
I look onward to the distance, slightly to the North West of the wasteland. There was I very dim light dot far, far away from where I am. I immediately remember that that’s where the castle is. Pretty trippy since the way back is right behind me. Knowing I saw enough, I went back in the claustrophobic passage, and opened the way to the castle again, where the chills came back on my skin and bones. I wanted to find Lili for some reason, I don’t know why, but I just want to. “Okay, where would she be…?” I wondered.
I went back to the foyer, and climb the staircase leading up to the next floor which shows another door in front of me. Behind this door leads to the highest tower in the castle, which carries a view of almost the entire island as far as the eye can see. I do sense Lili up there, so I open the door that led to a long stair case going straight up. Even though there was no light, the glow of the castle rock lights it up no problem. I make a tiring run up the hundreds of steps to reach the door at the end, and as I grab the handle, I remember more things.
“This was my bedroom...right here.” I said to myself as I take a minute.
More memories were coming to me and spreading all over my conscious like a firestorm. I recall the last time I saw Lili here, when we were younger...
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The Nether Dream, three years ago...
It was on the balcony, we saw the fading light together one last time…
“I saw so much stuff Lili! But there are millions of those islands out there, right? But, if we do see them all, then, I would have no more adventures, wouldn’t I?”I asked as my younger self.
“No way, impossible! How can you see millions of these islands in only one lifetime?” Young Lili said.
“But you said millions, right? There is a limit still.” I inquired.
“But how can we see them all? What kind of ambition do you have to go through that?” Lili asked.
“I...uh...I...don’t know.” I answered hesitantly.
“Sigh...you have limits too ya know! Don’t do something impossible. You can think about it all you want, but there are some dreams that are just not worth coming true.” Lili said.
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My recall ends, and I open the door to see the familiar bedroom that I always hanged out in. It was a medium large, circular bedroom fit for royalty with drawers, windows, tables, a fire place being lit up, and a large bed right beside the door with see through curtains. Everything is so neat and untouched. Strangely, the crystal doesn’t glow up here; it was all dark but the fireplace giving light. The balcony was on the other side where I was standing, and I walk to see Lili there watching the sky. As I move closer to her, she turns to me with a blank face, carrying no smile.
“There are some dreams that are just not worth coming true...why did you say things like that?” I asked.
Lili lets out a sigh. “You wanted to see everything the Nether Dream has...even if there is a limit, you didn’t want to stop. But there are some things that you just can’t achieve. I kept saying that...and our last moment here made you realize that. You wanted things to last a lifetime, but at that moment, you finally accepted that it can’t.” she said as she leaned on the balcony edge while she crossed her arms. “Heh...I should have kept my big mouth shut.” she chuckled forcefully.
I walk very slowly around the bedroom, looking around what was here. “But why now? Why did I come back now, and not remember anything in the first place when I waltzed into this dream world? I should remember when I returned here, right?” I asked.
Lili shook her head and squeezed her arms. “You didn’t listen earlier... you never came back for three years, how the hell would you remember all of our times together during your years of growing up? You’re disbelief in dreams made the memory lock spell stronger by the year that passed.” Lili explained a tad upset.
Seeing her attitude change made me back off further from Lili. “So the reason why I gave up on dreams was not because I just started to ignore it...but it was your fault to begin with.” I said feeling distraught.
Lili kept silent, and instead kept looking at me with her glowing yellow eyes like the full moon. “Well, now I believe again. You changed a lot of things in me after all. I never forgot about dreams in general.” I said.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Lili asked.
I pause trying to think of a reason, but I’m thinking blank. Lili was waiting for an answer as she leans on the balcony with arms crossed. “Hmm... You got nothing, huh?” Lili asked.
“No...I have nothing…yet.” I answered.
Lili walks past me into the bedroom she opens a curtain and sits on the mattress. She keeps her head down. I follow her to the bed and looked down on her. “There‘s no longer a reason to put this on yourself anymore, I don’t care about that.” I said bringing up another topic and walked in front of Lili. “I knew you for seven years in my subconscious, and haven’t seen you for three, and you knew me for ten. But what I know now is this: our times and dreams are eternal.” I said calm and valiant. “You know the trio I’ve been travelling with? We’re in Berlin right now, and I learned that they all have dreams during my travels. Mia dreams to be with her friend again, Yumi dreams to be the strongest fighter, and Alex dreams for everlasting freedom! And don’t you see? The reason why they are chasing those dreams now is because I’m there with them! My despair of no longer chasing my dreams reveals a new dream of adventure to jump right in front of my face and come true to my eyes, and I got what I wanted at last. I was there for them to get what they wanted too...You became the first forerunner of all of their motives, and I was the power to make them on and work. Because of me, you helped changed lives; their dreams became their roadmap in life.” I beseeched to Lili trying to get through to her head.
Lili raises her head, showing her dagger smile again. I can sense her aura making a sudden jump and a wave of force came by.
“Well...you sure know how to cheer people up! You made great sense there too...I wonder if your friends will know about it too one day? Probably not!” Lili laughed.
It was great to see Lili smile again. There will be no more of living in a nightmare. A tiny beam of light is shunned through the balcony door and into the room. “Morning’s coming. You should lie down on this bed; I’ll wake you up for you.” Lili said getting off.
“Thanks Lili. And I’m glad you understand me now.” I said getting on the bed and lying down and while Lili got off.
The bed was perfectly soft. The silk of the sheets were completely satin white, and feels so smooth like a baby’s skin. “Before I wake up, let me ask you something...I drifted over a thousand years in time in reality, right? So, how old are you now? And will I still keep my memory?” I asked before if closed my eyes.
A stronger light comes through the balcony door, this time lighting up the whole room. “The Nether Dream is timeless squirt. It doesn’t follow in the waking world, so it’s just like when you enter this New Earth thing, the Nether Dream doesn’t follow. Even if it has been a thousand years or more or whatever, when you came back to the Nether Dream, it is still three years since I last saw of you, and three years’ worth of not seeing you. For the second question, I’m still eighteen just like you, and for the third…you don’t need to worry.” Lili answered while looking to the oncoming light.
I close my eyes peacefully. “I guess I was right. Dreams really are eternal after all no matter how long you spend in them.” I said.
“Yeah, I guess so. Perhaps it’s because...we were all connected somehow.” Lili said as she snapped her fingers.
As the snap is heard, my conscious went black, and my eyes open to the tavern’s stone roof, and found myself under my bed sheets. It is still dark in the room, and twilight is seen out the tiny window near the roof. Everyone is still asleep on their beds, and I can’t help hearing Yumi’s snoring filling my ears. Alex sleeps without his sheets over him entirely, and Mia just sleeps like a baby all curled up. And the little fairy Ellette sleeps right beside me on the pillow, where my head should be right now. Ah well…sweet dreams everyone…
Ch. 3: Old History
BRANDON
When I woke up that very early in the morning, I went back to sleep to past time, but for an hour I wouldn’t close my eyes again. I still recall the memories from the Nether Dream, so it seems that memory lock spell that was on me all this time is finally off. I still couldn’t believe it, ten long years and having no idea about it, and now I finally do. I also recall one of the diary passages that were in Latin before, and it seems the guy who wrote it saw the crystal castle I made. What’s even more intriguing is that he remembered it from his dream, so he must be unaware of the Dreamweavers. The Dreamstones are even more intriguing to study with, because of its magic properties. All this stuff about the Dreamstones and the Nether Dream has got me thinking for a while, and I want to do some research on them if I can. I should ask Mia if there is a library somewhere nearby in Berlin.
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“Come on, up and at ‘em!” I heard Ellette scream in my ear.
“Good lord, will you shut up bug? I need sleep!” I said getting a grip on Ellette from my ear and holding her up to my face as I sit up.
“And you got it, so…please get up? Everyone else is eating breakfast downstairs already!” Ellette said while trying to worm out of my grip.
“They left me!? Those sons of a…damn it, I need to eat, so bad! I can feel my ribcage right now!” I said letting go of the fairy and felt my stomach completely empty.
I hurryingly get out of bed and got on my captain’s coat, and left Ellette with slightly crumpled wings on her back, just chilling on my bed. “Ow…he should be easy on his grip…” Ellette groaned.
I hurried downstairs to the tavern where all the patrons were eating so they can start their day, but mine is starting off suckish. I see the little monsters at a booth table in the back so I hurried over to them while eyeballing at their meals. As I make it to them and took a seat next to Alex, they greet me. “Morning sleeping ugly, you slept well?” Yumi greeted with her dish clean in front of her.
“Save it, fur ball,” I hissed with arrogance, ”What was the big idea not waking me up to eat you selfish jerks!?” asked my cranky side.
“Well we didn’t want to disturb you in your sleep with Ellette.” Mia answered still eating.
“But you knew that I skipped a meal yesterday!” I remind the cat Lycan.
“Well, it never came to mind. Sorry.” Mia said trying to smile as she keeps digging in her meal.
“Oh just...never mind, just give me some of those bacon strips.” I said as my gut started to growl.
Alex, with a full mouth, lends me a plate full of steaming bacon. Oh man... I sure miss that morning smell. I take a loaf of bread and make an opening inside it by removing the dough and stuffed the bacon inside to make a bacon sandwich.
“I have no idea if that looks good, or dumb.” Yumi said eyeballing my bacon and bread.
“True. It’s so dumb, it’s smart!” I said biting down.
That was a perfect moment to say that. As I finish that sandwich quickly, I fix myself another one and finish that one quickly. I stand up so soon after I sat down in the booth. “Now that my tank is at full, I’m gonna go out for a while.” I said rubbing my mouth of any lingering crumbs.
“Where are you going?” Alex asked wiping his mouth as well.
“I’m gonna hit the library. There’s nothing to do today and I don’t wanna be bored all day.” I said stretching.
“Try the Templar tower nearby, they have a library. Anyone is welcome.” Mia pointed out.
I thank Mia for the tip and got on the move. Yumi takes a swig of her drink and sets it down. “He seems a little agitated don’t you think?” Yumi said about to take a swig again.
“Well...he does seem to be a little edgy. I can feel it a little that his aura is spreading all over us.” Alex said having some water.
“He just needs to relax a little, and I think he’s worried about me still about Falx’s encounter. I’m okay with it really and...sniff...Yumi, what are you drinking?” Mia asked moving in her nose close to Yumi.
Yumi flinches and sets her cup down from her long swig. “Uh...why do you ask?” Yumi asked back.
“It smells like booze.” Mia said crossly.
“Wha...what makes you say that? What kind of idiot wou-“
“I can smell your breath here Yumi. And it smells like ale.” Alex said leaning over for a whiff as he cut off Yumi’s stammering.
“Yumi, booze in the morning? Really!?” Mia asked angrily as she takes Yumi’s cup.
“Hey! Give that back!” Yumi whined.
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I leave the tavern and entered the misty morning streets where little of the sunlight shines as of this moment. I stroll around while keeping my eyes to the sky to search for the Templar tower. The streets were quite empty at this time of morning. The sky begins to illuminate from a dark blue to a brighter shade with hints of an orange glow appearing from the east, it made me wonder if anything was open at this time. “Man, its chilly...and September just started. Maybe I should find a warmer coat some time.” I said holding my arms, missing my captain’s coat back at the tavern inn.
I can literally see my frosty breath come into space from my warm body out of my mouth as I breathe the air, resembling itself like smoke. My button shirt and rough leather pants were not enough to keep me warm, but lucky for me, the Templar Tower is seen to my view as I turn right on the next intersection, detailing only a few minutes’ worth of walking. As I make it to the tower, I pass by the doors guarded by knights standing tall and strong like a statue in silver and red, and finally enter the warmth of the tower. Inside the tower’s ground floor was the lobby, resembling the one just like back at Perugia, but the library was on the ground floor. I ask a knight who guards the other side of the door where the library in this tower is.
“Which floor’s the library?” I asked the knight.
“On the second floor, stairs only.” The knight said in a German accent immediately after I asked.
I thank him and took my leave of his presence to take the stairs. The flight was long and seems to go in a spiral motion as I climb it, and I only wished that those teleporters back at Perugia were here. At the end at the flight led to the library, where the walls are replaced by shelves of books. Back in my time in Perugia, I saw that the Templar tower there has a library right on the first floor. But here, it’s on a different floor. I look around the place, trying to figure out where to start. I wander to the back during my browse, where a lot of books are old looking and tattered. “Hmm...I’ll start here.” I thought.
I started looking through. Many of these books were old documents of some research on special artefacts like my crystal sword for example, but it wasn’t detailed well enough to learn more. Some others have the town history, and history of Germania’s former name, but from what I read was totally inaccurate. I was pretty sure that Germany had a President at that time of the Old History, and not a PM. And…Ah, a history text, New History edition, the perfect pick as I smile to the large book and pick it out from the shelves of dark wood and set on a table that was behind me. “Alright, let’s have a little look see.” I said softly trying not to make noise in the library.
There are notes of nomadic civilizations in these pages as projected by the drawings. There were unique symbols, and… “What is this now, an ancient diary passage? Hmm…it says that there were underground temples built a short while after judgement day, a total of five, containing hidden artifacts that are to be passed down by generations of civilizations of old until rediscovery…in the time of coming chaos.” I read quietly.
This passage intrigues me very much and I sought more information. I flip through more pages to learn more of these ‘temples under the earth’, and dive into more secrets of the ancient New History.
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“Nothing, nothing…geez there isn’t anything worth knowing about the New History in this clunk of a book!” I said disappointed.
Most of the oldest records here only date back a few centuries and nothing else. This book could not offer any more knowledge I sought, so I place it back in regret. A sense of hope comes to me though as I put it away…a familiar hope, a hope that has saved my future once in my life.
“I hate to be your disappointment, but you find anything of the sort here, child.” Said a familiar woman’s voice walking by.
I turn to my side to see the white dress of the long gone blonde witch in my life. It was Anora, the very one who looked into the past to find my lineage in the Old History, and delivered me a thousand years across time with Mia as the delivery girl to reveal to me a spell book that revealed a spell that allows man to travel through time, the future unwritten. “What the hell…Anora!? Why are you here?” I asked in surprised.
Anora’s familiar white dress was there to be seen, just with sleeves, and as well as her golden hair. Her appearance changed a little than her old, plain one. She still has her usual white dress but now it has been added with some light color designs of glyphs, a golden scarf, and jewellery on her fingers and around her neck, and a silver circlet around her head. With all of this, and the red sash around her waist with the flat side showing off the Templar symbol, she gives off a more fantastical appearance.
“Yes, it’s good to see you again too, Brandon. I am only merely here on my own business. How goes your journey?” Anora asked.
“Just great, it helped me clear up a lot of things.” I answered right away as I stood up from my chair and tucked it in.
“That’s good to hear from you. Now, I actually have news that must be brought to your attention.” Anora said as we stand face to face in front of the book shelf and table. “You do? What is it?” I asked eagerly.
Anora bit her lip. “You know about the wanted poster that the tribal Lycans had issued for 5k, correct?” She started.
I have completely forgotten that I had a bounty on my head by those tribal Lycans. I perk up to hear what Anora would say next.
“The wolf Lycan group called the Lexons, the tribe that issued it, has gone out on a brutal, inner fight for supremacy two months ago…” Anora continued.
“Really? But why?” I asked.
“Here’s the important part: Nunal was found assassinated. Zunel, his daughter, was also dead, so the entire village went out on a killing spree on each other on who should take leadership. Because of this action, the Templar pacified them. Permanently.” Anora went on.
Damn…the Templar wiped them all out and Nunal is dead, but Zunel…something is not right here. Anora crosses her arms and went on. “And also, because of this, your bounty now remains obsolete with no contractor to pay for reward. You can thank Vespucci for that.” She finished
So it seems that I’m free of any bounty…that’s good to hear, but something in Anora’s story carries a contradiction, and I’m gonna to expose it.
“Thank you for the news…but I think some of what you just said is a lie.” I said with my fists on my hips.
Anora’s eyes slowly close. She doesn’t speak up to stop me.
“In a Drow town called Rarefax, I and Mia, excluding my friends who were unaware of her name, noticed Zunel come by us. We managed to steer clear of her so we wouldn’t cause a scene. Cedric was with her as well, the bastard who ratted out of Perugia and caused an invasion.” I explain the contradiction.
“Right now Anora, I want to hear from you about why you lied to me about Zunel being dead.” I demanded.
I sense Anora’s golden yellow aura of the light element make snaps and sparks. This witch and seer of the past, seems to have a problem ‘remembering’ the past. “Well? I wanna hear it.” I pressured the witch.
Anora lets out a sigh of defeat. “Very well then, I will tell you the real truth of what really happened.” She said at last.
That was when I learned it. Vespucci was on his way back to Perugia to organize a meeting with the Lexons chief Nunal until he was ambushed by them, slaughtering his men. He was then kidnapped and tortured to get my location for days, but that man was damn sturdy and was determined to keep quiet. After the Crotone incident, Anora had received a message that Vespucci went missing, and teleported out of Crotone to investigate. She went to the Lexons village, starting there until she had a knot to get loose around her neck when she was immediately attacked. She found Vespucci and Nunal holding him in knife’s edge to the neck. Anora killed Nunal with a fast, light magic dart to the head, with Zunel watching the whole thing, and left the village in tears for good. Then they got out of there with a teleport to Perugia. The Templar was ordered by Vespucci personally to completely eradicate the tribe for torturing a Grand Guard, falsely cooperated with the Templar order, and plotted the manhunt of myself for attacking one of their own. “Fucking hell…who told you about Vespucci being kidnapped?” I asked.
“It was Luna, Perugia’s ‘eyes’ if you would say. You remember her don’t you?” Anora asked.
“Of course I damn well know her, but what the hell is with Vespucci’s head!?” I said confused and angry.
Anora gives a twitch of surprise from my tone. She doesn’t understand me, so I enlighten her on some subjects.
“You said that the Templar killed all of the Lexons, right? Everyone!?” I asked as I build up anger.
Anora nods positively.
“Were you and the Templar ever aware that they were kids who fight them too? Children! And the Templar killed them, too?” I asked demanding an answer.
Anora doesn’t speak up. I drag her to a secluded spot in the library in the back so we can have a word in private where no one can hear us. “Answer me!” I pressed on.
“Yes, they were aware, but it was Nunal’s fault in particular who provoked-“
I stop her with a raised hand and said, “No, don’t bullshit me about that! The tribal Lycans are all heretics and the Templar won’t give a damn of who gets killed in that tribe. Either if it is men, women, or children…sigh…I guess nothing’s change much in the name of the Templar…” I said raving on about the Templar’s actions.
“Brandon…” Anora sighed.
“It’s just like in the Old History! Templars who roam in distant lands and kill any people who follow anything but God and say that it was a holy cause…I call that a trip to the bloody pits of hell for murdering people who have their own ways.” I said with a cold breath.
“Even if people have their own way life, they will still roam in Limbo with no hope without the light of God. Even if-“
“-the Templar kills more of them, they will have a good reason to, but they will still suffer a punishment far worse than wandering in Limbo with the rest of the ones who don’t follow God. That’s what the Templar does in a nutshell: kill a group of people because they don’t know Christianity and say that it was holy, then learn from that mistake with their entire afterlives. They don’t realize it now because they aren’t dead.” I ended my rant with a cut off from Anora.
Anora is stunned from my newfound opinions on the Templar, but she’s sags in a sad realization that I was right. I was right that nothing’s changed in the Templar’s name. “Don’t try to argue me further, Anora. I don’t care if you swore an oath in the name of your nomadic daughter; you will forever remember the one that threw the first stone at the Lexons.” I said as I walk away with a look of fury in my face.
I speed walk away in anger not feeling satisfied of my words, but it was all I could say before the Glimmering Witch, just telling her that history was repeating itself.
Ch. 4: Some Catching up
BRANDON
I was still feeling steamed as I storm through the sidewalks and streets of Berlin for learning the fate of the Lexons, I still couldn’t believe that Vespucci order an extermination, he was a noble man. I understand that he went through a lot, but he should only let Nunal be dead and let the Lexons fall apart themselves! Not kill them all at once! There were kids who fight…I remember when I had to stop them back at Perugia, but I couldn’t kill them…Perhaps when they were in custody they were executed too. “Son of a bitch Vespucci…I should fucking kill you for giving such an order…” I mumbled quietly among the noise in the streets.
I begin to realize about what the Lycan council would react if they knew about the extermination. I find a park area with children playing around; I should probably rest here for a while and just try to forget everything that Anora told me. “I need a bench to sit on…”I thought to myself looking around the green establishment.
The park was a green place with trees and brooks, standing out from the industrial city surrounding it. I found a stone bench to sit on, and became seated on it and relaxed myself. I begin to lose all positive thoughts on the Templar, and I’m glad they’ aren’t breathing down on my neck ever since I left Italy. All those Templars I knew…Vespucci, Rostam, Wanda, Gautier, Luna and Cedric…Are they all at this level of cruelty? No…some don’t bear cruel thoughts like that. Gautier was a refined man of nobility when he helped me get Morohtar under his custody, and Luna was only looking out for me. God, this is so messed up! “Man…I wish I can just forget about all of what I just heard from you, Anora...” I mumbled to myself.
“Or maybe you should do something about it.” Anora said walking up to me while my head was down.
I knew that she would follow me, but there is probably nothing Anora will say that would make me feel better. “Why did follow me? Leave me alone.” I said with my head still down.
Anora ignores my request and sits next to me. “I feel that you regret coming here…” Anora said not looking at me as she sat.
“I do…If I never showed up here in this world; neither of those Lycans would have been killed.” I acknowledged Anora’s feelings.
“Maybe. But there is just one…minor detail that you haven’t learned yet.” Anora said handing something to me.
I look to her hand to see a ripped page from something. It looked like it came from a book because of its ripped edge, most likely from the Templar library. She must have ripped it out for me to look at. “What is this? Lemme see.” I said taking the page.
I take a few glances of the sentences on the page, reading the words in my head. After the first few, I became ashamed of myself. I slap the page on my lap, refusing to look at more. “Templar checkpoint raided...tribal Lycans of the Lexons…many found dead or kidnapped…” I said saying some words from the page.
“The Lexons kept at it with things like this. Now they won’t anymore.” Anora said.
So the Lexons or tribal Lycans in general, are at constant skirmish with the Templar for quite some time. And I saw the date: 1290 N.E. “Even they won’t anymore; it doesn’t change my mind about the Templar.” I said putting my foot down. “What’s past is past.”
Anora shook her head, but then brought out a new topic, “Listen; do you remember what happened in Greece?” I asked looking to Anora finally.
“I do. It was an assault made by monsters wasn’t it? And you and your friends were there that stopped it, and it was history a day later when Stamos gave the mark of sixth of the Seven Twilight Kings to you, yes? Those news spread like wildfire throughout New Europe.” Anora answered.
Guess my fame is going places. But I still remained on the topic at hand. “And was there anything else detailed in those news?” I asked further on the topic.
Anora had no idea about more, other than Antarsía taking the throne in place of his father as king of Greece. “I’ll tell you what really happened down there. If you can see the past in me, can you see a man in black robes and light blue linen there? You can see him in my mind or something?” I asked.
“Actually... you’re right. There really is someone else involved. I can’t make out the image, but the aura is of light blue with a tint of red ribbons. A tainted aura...this man is of natural evil.” Anora said with her eyes closed while looking deep in my mind.
The image that Anora could make out was a human-like blob of darkness, bearing a light blue aura with red ribbons. It was supposed to be Aeger, the bastard who was behind the turmoil in Greece. “Brandon...who is this man?” Anora asked opening her eyes to me.
“That man you saw was Aeger, the guy who pulled the strings on everything going on in Greece. He controlled the late king Stamos like a puppet to drain the country of its resources to grow the power of a cult called the Necros. Do you know anything about that?” I asked diligently.
Anora takes a moment to sink this in. She became in the process of remembering something. I let her take her time to find the right words. “Necros...the Necros...ah, now I remember.” Anora said in a soft realization.
“What is it? Do you know something?” I asked right away, hoping it would be of benefit to me.
“I had an encounter of a man who carries the name of Necros on his back. It was ten years ago back in England...” Anora started to tell her story.
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Ten years ago, Northern England...
“...it was in a Common Elf seaside village, very far in the north of England, just off the coast to the Orkney Islands. The entire village was up in flames without warning, without reason, and a messenger was sent for help. The Templar alerted me when they heard, as I was the closest mage they had and requested me to investigate. I acknowledged this call and journeyed forth to search. As I appear in the village, it was too late. The village was gone, and its residents were nowhere to be found. All there is was one man, donning a black cloak with red linen, and a white pentagram on his back. His name was Estuan. He had the face and smile of a homicidal maniac, an energetic aura of fire surrounding him, and he comes at me with blind fury, oblivious to reason and sanity, and attacked me head on with a laugh that only the battle hungry would have. We fought a devastating battle in a burned wasteland of scorched earth until I took the first fall. My skin was burned severely from the monster’s brutal and corrupting fire magic and left me to die in the ruins of the elven village. But I managed to heal myself completely to the fullest with my light magic to restore my skin and wounds, and report to the Templar about my investigation. Soon, they dropped the case because there was no lead of the suspect at all.”
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“I never saw that same man again.” Anora finished.
“Did the Templar or any government at the time of the razing of the village launch any type of investigation that regards to this Estuan guy?” I asked.
Anora gave me no answer to satisfy my request. I slam my fists on my lap in anger. “Damn it...those bloody Necros! If one just shows up in the distance, just one, I’m gonna kill him, no questions asked!” I said pent up with anger with my face looking down on my clenched fists.
Anora knows that she can’t hold me back of what I’m feeling, being the one solely responsible for killing Nunal that eventually led to the complete destruction of the Lexons. As Anora watches me in the state that I am in, she hands me a copper coin close and next to me. “What’s that?” I asked taking the coin from Anora’s hand the first chance I got.
“Please listen to me closely here Brandon.” Anora said seriously.
I do as she says, and gave her my fullest attention with a serious look in my eyes. “My daughter, Cantatrix, may know a lot of things from her travels. She is an alchemist and a great magic user, and she has been everywhere in New Europe. She can help you in many ways if she can.” Anora suggested to me with her hand on my shoulder.
“Hey...is your daughter a witch too?” I asked out of the blue.
Anora bit her lip. “Well...yes, but in ways that do not relate to me.” Anora answered.
I don’t get what she means by that, other than being an alchemist, so I continue by asking why she and her daughter Cantatrix are different. “How are you different? You’re mother and daughter, and she must be quite young to take care of herself in this cesspool of a world.” I said.
“Why do you say that? Oh I understand...is it because I look so young?” Anora inquired.
“Yeah! Looking at you, your daughter must be like, a little kid!” I said trying to find out more.
“Haha...Child, my daughter’s only twenty one!” Anora said dropping the mind bomb.
Please insert total mind breaking here right now. I feel like I could go crazy after learning Anora’s daughter is twenty one. I mean, it can’t be possible in any way! Anora herself looks like she is in her early twenties! “Whoa now, stop right there! Your daughter’s already grown up!? But...but...look at yourself! You look like that you’re twenty one years old!” I stammered as I try to think this all through as I get up in surprise.
“Well you seem to be surprised about this.” Anora said still relaxed about this.
“Of course I- Wait a minute... How old are you!?” I asked Anora still freaking out a little.
“Forty nine.” Anora answered casually.
“God da- okay, you know what? I’m not even gonna try to argue about this. Forget it, I’m done.” I said sitting back down cross-legged on the stone bench frustrated.
“Well the reason I look like this is because of my healing light magic. Not only that it restores my wounds but also keeps my skin youthful. But it is only temporary for less than a year’s time. I may be young outside, but the inside of me still remains in old age.” Anora said taking some weight off of my head.
“What a bloody mind f...you know what? I should probably go back to the tavern now; I really need some lunch in my belly. About Cantatrix though…where can I find her?” I asked before I leave.
“North gate. There is a forest there if you go that way. Just follow a strong smell.” Anora replied.
“Ok, I’ll see her later on or tomorrow, and thanks.” I thanked Anora with a wave.
“And Brandon... Please take care of yourself, alright?” Anora warned me.
I just smile as my reply; she doesn’t need to worry about me. I will always make it through things alive and well, the only difference is that I will have life threatening injuries, but I’ll be alive. I walk out of the park, leaving Anora while the sun reaches its zenith. Probably with any luck, everyone must be having lunch now.
Ch. 5: Right and Wrong
It’s only been a few hours since I last ate and yet my stomach craves more. I suppose taking my time reading stuff in the library makes time go by faster. I walk through the streets of Berlin, retracing my steps from which the tavern was. I was never good at memorizing street directions, but do I have a great photographic memory, so I can just recall the places I’ve been. While I walk, I think about these twenty underground temples. What are they, what is their purpose, why underground, and what do they hide? I wonder if it is even possible to reach any of them in this day and age, as the thought of adventure circles around my brain like time, never wanting to stop. I think back to the night when I find the ruins, and I start to proclaim that when I made a hole there, it led me to an underground mosaic, and eventually found the crystal sword there. Maybe that was one of the underground temples that the book I read meant? Argh… maybe I’m thinking too hard.
“Excuse me!” Called a woman from behind me so closely.
That was Celia’s voice, and I turn to acknowledge the call. It was definitely the same vampire girl with the same dark parasol over her head, but she stomped her way up to me unhappily. “Err, good afternoon C-“
“That’s enough out of you sir! How could you forget?” Celia cut me off with her finger at my face.
“I…forgot? Forgot what?” I asked confused.
“Our agreement, you confounded virgin! We were supposed to meet in the Sanctum, remember!?” Celia said breaking up a little.
I raise both my hands. “Whoa, whoa, please settle down…people are starting to stare at us.” I said feeling embarrassed of people double taking.
Celia looks to me and calms herself, and stood up straight in an elegant posture. “Oui, oui…please my excuse my behaviour, it’s not every day I become stood up by a man such as you, and a virgin no less.” Celia said calmly.
I wish she would just knock off the whole virgin thing. I don’t get, with her as a vampire, how relevant it is to refer to me as such.
“Listen, I will have to make this arrangement another time when I am available to you. I’ll grant your wish sometime, alright?” I asked innocently.
Celia nods of approval without hesitation. She seems like she is quick to understand others rather than not believe. Maybe it’s a perk with being a vampire.
“Well…if you will keep your word, I’ll accept that then. I don’t have much time here right now, anyway.” Celia said.
“You’re going somewhere?” I asked.
“Oh yes, to France. My home is a castle to the north of the country side near Gaul hills. It’s very peaceful and breezy over at those lands.” Celia replied.
“And let me guess…you’re going to turn into a bat and fly there in the night, right?” I joked.
“Hah! I wish I could! You expect to become a bat and fly nonstop across Germania and into France? What a card!” Celia chuckled.
That’s pretty much what I expect. Shadows of buildings loom over our heads. Times’ a wasting right now, everyone back at the inn will be worried that I might have gotten lost! “I gotta move it, I’m starved.” I said feeling the rumble in my stomach.
“Very well then. But before you go, can you step into the alley for a quick moment?” Celia said walking to the nearest alley.
I wonder what for, but I follow her anyway without reason into the blackness in the alley. Then there was a sudden snip in my neck as he Celia moved in close to me, hugged me, and bit my neck. “Urk! I should have seen that coming…” I groaned as I was feeling the sting.
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