The Shaman leaned heavily on a wooden cane, but he had a regal stance. There were eagle feathers in his gray hair. A necklace of animal bones and beads adorned his neck. A black wolf like hide, including the ears was draped around him like a robe. Tufts of fur stood up in places around him making it seem like the animal the skin was made out of was hugging him. His face was painted with dye made from red berries in the plains. It looked like blood claw marks dug into his skull. In his other hand, he carried a wooden stick with small purple lavender flowers at the end.

He strode towards Miranda purposefully, shaking the lavender stick all around her, while he chanted in his language. Usually, Miranda was able to understand all the languages of the people of Mystica, but this time it eluded her.  This time, she was only able to grasp a few words here and there in his chant. She knew the Shaman meant no harm.  The scent of the lavender calmed her spirit, and seemed to be preparing her for something. As she wondered, what it might mean, the Shaman put the lavender stick down, and Walking Bear spoke.

“The Shaman says he has seen a vision, and has come to warn you and prepare you. The Darkness you defeated now stalks you. The darkness has your scent. It will not rest until it has you in its clutches.” Walking Bear points to the Shaman “He believes in you. He has seen you fight it. He says you must be strong. You must fight it again and banish it from your dreams forever.”

 “He will be watching from his Spirit Vision when he can. May the Spirits be with you and guide you” Walking Bear continued.

Miranda answered, nodding her head “It is a great honor you have given me. I go to the Temple to get answers to these dark visions, and to find what I must do to stop them, you journeyed with me before, Walking Bear, would you do the honor of doing so again?”  She hoped to have his steady warrior like company on her journey.

“Where you go, I cannot follow” Walking Bear answered, giving Miranda a foreboding feeling. “But, I hope our paths will cross again.”

Walking Bear and the Shaman turned around, leaving Miranda standing in her doorway, and headed back to the Plains.

It was a short walk from Miranda’s hut to the Temple of the Goddess. The Temple shone, reflecting the two sun’s rays. The gold bricks beamed. Flowers blossomed. Mini rainbows appeared in puddles around the grounds. A cobblestone path led from the gardens to the archway.  It arched with vines and yellow and gold flowers. The foliage covered most of the brown stone. Miranda was awed at the sight. She has visited her before, but still found it moving.  The chanting of the Priestess prayers reached her ears, sounding like a song. It soothed her. She had always enjoyed music. She stopped for a moment, listening, and steeled herself to find the answers she sought.

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She entered the Temple, and went straight. There were prayer rooms and blessing rooms to each side. They were little alcoves where people came and sought the Goddess blessing or said prayers. Ahead, was the center of the Temple.  In the center, was the statue of the Goddess of the Light. The statue depicted two suns rising above her. The Goddess had her hands raised, as if trying to catch them.  Long strands of hair were carved into the sides of her face and shoulders. There were no eyes, only two golden stones. Her form was hidden under a robe, only her hands and bare feet showed through. A bell was carved into the base of the statue, to depict her voice.

Miranda felt a little silly talking to a statue, but she didn’t know what else to do.

She started by turning around in her robe, letting the new designs catch the candlelight and cast their symbols on the walls. Flashes of lighting, silver, and stars floated through the room and illuminated the walls.

“What is the meaning of this?” Miranda asked, more angrily than she intended “I need answers, the Shaman came and said the darkness seeks me and my dreams”

“How am I to fight it if I don’t know what I’m fighting?” Miranda continued

The familiar ring of bells came to Miranda’s ears as she found herself no longer in the Temple but in the sky with the Goddess.

“Ah, my child, A truer Dream Walker I don’t think I’ve seen” the Goddess spoke. “He fights for you, and your dreams of course”

“Stop with the riddles! Who fights for me?” Miranda almost shouted with frustration.

“Why the God of Night, and his minion the Darkness, of course. He tasted you once before, did you really think he would let go of you after you defeated him?” The Goddess answered, almost chastising.

“How can I defeat him, and get the Darkness out of my dreams?” Miranda asked

“There’s my girl. There’s the fight in you. You must banish the Darkness once and for all. You must journey to the realm of dreams. It is the only place it can be defeated.” The Goddess continued “I cannot interfere, but the wizards have left some of their magic for you to aide you, may it be enough” the last part was said almost in a whisper, but Miranda heard.

“What do you mean, may it be enough?” “You don’t think I can do it?” Miranda asked almost insulted.

“The Realm of Dreams is a dangerous place, few people travel there, and fewer make it back, but if any of my Dream Walkers can traverse it, it would be you” The Goddess replied.

“And if I don’t succeed? Miranda asked, almost afraid to ask

“I cannot let the Darkness take over your magic or dreams, I would have to take away your magic, but let us not dwell on that” The Goddess replied.

“You would do that, after I’ll done?” Miranda asked

“To protect Mystica, to protect the Dream Magic, yes I’m afraid I would” The Goddess answered.

“Take heart, have courage, let the wizards help you when and if they can”, The Goddess said pointing to Miranda’s robe.

As they were talking, the Darkness started to sneak in on the Goddess’ domain. It was a small dark black cloud encroaching the white light of her province.

“Go now, It follows you even here, Go before it grows larger” The Goddess commanded, pushing Miranda forward.

The Goddess strode forward, blasting light from her hand, diminishing the black cloud and Darkness back to where it came.

Miranda was left to figure out how to start her journey to the Dream Realm. If anyone knew where to start, it would be the past Dream Walkers.