7/5/2997: Heading to Asura

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Ojtejk La'Aj ab Soqojnis, 2997

Is it strange to write about a dream as the first entry in a journal? I had gotten this to help myself work through Araja’s death, but a strange vision, that I can feel fading quickly, happened.

I had woken in the dark on a cot of sorts. The smell of smoke filled my nose and I heard the sound that a sword makes when it is unsheathed.

“Miss Malaney!” a creature cried. I looked up and saw a man- or woman, dressed in dark robes, bringing their sword up high. A silver streak crossed in front of me as the blade came down. I had barely dodged out of the way, but remember seeing a faerie dragon, halved, on my bed as I fled. It made the most gut wrenching feeling seeing the creature dead, knowing it had sacrificed itself for me. Why had it done that?

The person suddenly blocked the door to the room I was in, to which I sent a pulse of energy toward them. Honestly, it was a rather strange sensation. The magic felt like I was trying to put the person to sleep. I don’t know where that idea came from.

I made it past my attacker and into a corridor lined with doors. I met others who had a familiarity about them, but why I can’t say. There were three men, two tall, and one a little shorter than me. One was a Shifter, with tufts of orange hair sticking about wildly. Another was a much older man with a bald head and a very prominent mustache. The third was more scrawny and wore a vibrant, yellow coat. Then there was a young girl, who was literally the embodiment of the universe.

We all rushed out to a courtyard where the real fight was taking place. Skeleton hounds and more robed figures fought against many monks. I was ready to fight- everything within me was ready to fight, but someone whisked us away. “They have come for you!” the voice said, “The Order will kill you if you get involved!”

The person brought the five of us to a balcony that overlooked the mountain range. The sun was still hidden behind a peak, but the orange colors that painted the sky signified the new day. The beauty of the elevation was breathtaking, but I didn’t get long to linger. Whoever had guided us there pointed over the edge. A translucent vortex shimmered. It was a portal and we were instructed to jump. We were then left alone as the cries of battle echoed about us.

I watched as the girl, the Shifter, and the young man jump. They quickly vanished into the portal. I remember hesitating, looking back at the monks. They felt like family, or perhaps I felt guilty I wasn’t helping them. I then remembered the dragon and mourned as everything began to weigh upon me. It was as though all that was going on was connected back to me. My very existence had caused the strife.

The man, who remained, grabbed my shoulders. “Malaney,” he said, though I can’t remember who he was, “Everything will be okay.”

I shook my head, hot tears poured down my cheeks, and I replied, “How can it be okay when we can’t protect those who fight for us? Why can’t we protect them!?” I sobbed. The man took hold of my hands and after a long moment, with sorrowful eyes, said, “I can promise you, that you will be alright.”

He then lead me to the edge of the balcony and before jumping he added, “I’ll never forget you.”

As I leaped toward the vortex, I opened my arms, which turned out to be wings, and began to glide down to whatever laid unknown behind the portal.

Then there was a great flash of light and my eyes fluttered open. I looked about at all the heads in the circle, Rueben, my boss, was already awake and preparing food for the caravan (we are three days out of Lythmeir and have quite the journey ahead of us). With it still being rather early, I quietly stole away to get my thoughts down for there was a feeling as though I was- well, still am- forgetting something. I mean, it's like going to fetch an item you know should be where you think it is. Infact, you know the item is there because you put it there yourself, only when you go to the place, the item is nowhere in sight. I have searched my mind relentlessly trying to remember what it was I've forgotten. The dream feels like it holds answers or perhaps the vividness of it is what I'm latching onto, hoping it'll remind me of what I can't remember. It's all rather maddening.
The most I can dissect of the dream is that it played on how helpless I feel towards Araja’s death. Why wasn’t I able to save her? Why was there nothing anyone could do for her?

As I think about it, the final words that man said are very much how I feel about Araja. Wherever she might be now, I will never forget her. No matter the adventure ahead, she’s forever branded on my heart.

Anyways, I must get back to the group. Like I mentioned, we have quite a journey ahead of us. We're heading to the capital Asura, about 3 continents away. Here's hoping a fresh start can be had there. Perhaps I'll even find a set of bag pipes. I have a sudden interest in learning that instrument.

The End

Author's Note