The next morning Kiyora made her way downstairs to find breakfast being cooked. The smell of bacon and eggs was in the air. The sunlight through the white curtains by the kitchen table was nice and bright, especially with how it filtered by the trees outside her yard. Mom was wearing an unusual apron she liked, but nobody else did. Her green-dyed hair was tied behind her head in a ponytail, and Kiyora could smell bacon in the air. From the looks of things, some of the greases had spattered on the glove front.

Dad was just outside, looking super engrossed in a painting he was doing. His eyes looked oddly sad today, though.

"You're up earlier than is usual on the weekends, Kiyora," said Mom.

"Yeah, I've been a bit busy in my dreams lately," said Kiyora. "Figured I'd take a break and leave early."

"Ah, right," said Mom, "breakfast isn't done, so you'll have to wait a bit." She looked like she wanted to say something else.

"No problem," said Kiyora. "Is something wrong, Mom?"

"No. Nothing," said Mom. "Just my daughter communing with unholy spirits every night."

"Mom, they're not unholy," said Kiyora. "And I'm fighting that kind of spirit." Well, not really, but she didn't need to know that.

"That's almost worse," said Mom. "Kiyora, a few months ago, I thought your dreams were harmless. Something you saw without any bearing on the real world. Now I find out that the things you see in them are real and can reach into this world.

"And what's worse is that nobody notices. Nobody talks about when He possessed everyone. When I mention it, I get a blank look before anyone even remembers what I'm talking about. It's like the whole universe is working to make everyone forget."

"Mom, don't worry. Nobody got killed," said Kiyora.

"What about next time?" asked Mom. "And the time after that? I thought people talking about monsters stalking the streets were conspiracy theorists. Now I wonder if they are only some of the time. Maybe... maybe it could happen again.

"I almost killed you, Kiyora. I felt Him in my mind, and he twisted me around until my hands grasped your neck and squeezed."

"Mom, it's okay," said Kiyora. "I'll never let anything like that happen again. I promise."

"I should be saying that to you," said Mom. "You're still a kid. You shouldn't have to worry about things like this."

"Mom, I'm thirty-nine," said Kiyora. "I can make my own decisions. Besides, it isn't exactly real to me, anyway. I'm not as affected by things in that world as I am by things in this one. I think that is part of the Spirit World. It's always shifting, but this world is much more real."

Breakfast was finished, and they sat down to eat it. As they ate, Kiyora looked for some reason to get their minds off her dreams. "So, um, when do you think Dad will get back?"

"It all depends on how well people like his new paintings," said Mom. "They've all been much darker since He came here. Though he doesn't seem too affected."

"Right," said Kiyora. "Um, I've got to meet with some friends at Gisora's house today."

"Going to the arcade?" asked Mom in a tired voice.

"No, actually, we're doing some detective work," said Kiyora.

"Detective work?" Mom didn't sound surprised. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Laurus' conspiracy theories, would it?"

"To be fair, Laurus has already been proven right once," said Kiyora.

"That is why I don't want you looking into it!" snapped Mom. "What if you do find something?"

"We're not looking for a monster this time, Mom," said Kiyora. "Just a ship. See, we're trying to figure out where this mystical disappearing ship called the Black Star is. I mean, where it would land. If it was hovering unseen around Actovosh.

"Which it isn't." It sounded weak, even to Kiyora.

"And if you find anything?" asked Mom.

"We'll report it to the authorities. Honest," said Kiyora. "We did that last time too."

"Fine, I'll let you do this," said Mom. "But if this becomes another adventure, you'll be grounded for sixty years. Now eat your breakfast. It's getting cold."

"Have fun storming the castle, dear," said Dad suddenly, roused from his trance.

"Thank you, I will!" said Kiyora.

"Don't encourage her," said Mom.

The walk to Gisora's house could have been more exciting. As Kiyora walked, she saw people talking, window shopping, and laughing. One would never have guessed that the city had been possessed only a little while ago. Maybe she was spending too much time in her dreams. In dreams, things shifted all the time, always changing. But real life was constant.

Gisora's house was the largest of her friends. The roots had formed a mansion that was five stories high with more rooms than Kiyora could count. When she knocked on the door, it slid aside, and a servant answered.

"Kiyora Yagos?" said the woman.

"Yes, that's me," said Kiyora.

"Mistress Gisora is expecting you. Please come in."

Kiyora was led to a large indoor living room {one of many} where she found Laurus, Gisora, and Reya. Tenius was there too. Laurus sat on the floor looking through a series of old newspaper articles. Gisora and Reya were on the couch talking with Tenius while sipping soda.

"Hey, guys!" said Kiyora. "Sorry, I'm late!"

"No problem," said Gisora. "Come on, sit down; I've got some soda here if you want it."

"Right, thanks," said Kiyora. "Do you have any diet?"

"We ran out a minute ago," said Reya.

"Fine, I'll take sugared, I guess." mused Kiyora. She reached for the soda bottle, but Tenius quickly poured her a cup. She blinked as he handed it to her. "Thanks, I guess."

"Uh, no problem," said Tenius.

"Now, maybe we can get started," said Gisora. "Laurus, will you clean that up and sit down?"

"Some of it is relevant," said Laurus. But he complied. He reached for a cigarette.

"And no smoking," said Gisora, slapping his hand away without looking up. As Laurus sat down, she sighed and looked around. "So last night I pulled the files on my Mom's computer, and it turns out that the Black Star is high up there. All I could get on it was that the Department of Spiritual Defense was interested in it."

"The Department of Spiritual Defense?" said Laurus in surprise. "That's not their normal area of expertise. Shouldn't the military be the ones concerned?"

"Well, it turns out the military requested their expertise," said Gisora.

"The Black Star was designed to enhance the powers of Dream Sages," mused Reya. "Weren't they?"

"Yes, so, what of it?" asked Laurus.

"Well, maybe something went wrong," said Kiyora. "Maybe they opened a connection to the spirit world, which backfired." It had happened to her once or twice.

"Come to think of it, the Black Star looks pretty creepy," said Gisora. "Usually, Emperor Ictargo prefers things fancy. I doubt it was just a change of style."

"I can promise you it wasn't just for show," said Reya. "Tree Ships are sentient beings. The type of magic they use changes them intimately."

"Maybe the Black Star was using a darker enhancement method," suggested Laurus.

Tenius looked at the picture of the Black Star. He ran his eyes over it as if trying to take in every detail. Then he looked up. "I've seen a ship like this."

"What do you mean, Tenius?" asked Gisora.

"Well, I mean, I haven't seen a ship like this, but I've seen a picture of a ship like this," said Tenius quickly. "My grandpa fought the Dark Elves once and has a picture of a vessel he captured. They look just like this."

"Right, the Dark Elves use a different kind of tree ship, right?" said Laurus.

"They don't use tree ships at all," said Tenius "The details are classified. But I heard some stories from my grandpa. He boarded one of their vessels. He found hundreds of our people prisoners in stasis. They were always keeping a lot of prisoners."

"Maybe we could get a look at one of these ships?" suggested Gisora. "I could see if my mom could pull some strings..."

"I don't think that'll work," said Tenius. "After the Dreamer Empire took over, Narvan Emperor Ictargo ordered them all destroyed. Their schematics were all burned, and all knowledge regarding them was purged. Everyone who knew anything about them was sworn to secrecy."

"What was so horrible about these ships?" asked Reya. "It must be pretty bad for Emperor Ictargo to want all of them eradicated?"

"I don't know," admitted Tenius.

"They were kidnapping us," said Laurus suddenly.

Everyone looked at him in surprise. "Who? What are you talking about?" asked Kiyora.

"Don't you remember?" asked Laurus. "The war between Dark Elves and Dreamer Elves. It began because the Dark Elves started launching raids. They were taking people alive. Why would they do that to Dreamer Elves in particular?

"And why would they keep them on Dark Elven war vessels that were going into combat?"

"Grandpa has always said that we are connected to the spirit realm. One much stronger than other races," murmured Tenius. "Do you think that has something to do with it?"

"I don't know," admitted Laurus.

"It is too soon to make any kind of judgment," said Gisora. "We need more information. Reya, did you finish that report on possible refueling locations for the Black Star?"

"Yeah, um, nowhere," said Reya.

"What do you mean "nowhere?" asked Gisora.

"I mean nowhere," said Gisora. "Landing zones for tree ships are kept under a lot of security. So if the Black Star wanted to land, it would be swarmed immediately."

"Maybe the ship was never really lost," said Laurus.

"What do you mean?" asked Tenius.

"Maybe it disappeared off the map on some kind of secret mission," said Laurus. "It was just a thought."

"I don't see what kind of secret mission could take it to the capital city of the Dreamer Empire," said Tenius. "Emperor Ictargo doesn't have to be secretive here."

"Can we please just drop it?" asked Kiyora. "It seems like this is a dead-end, and I'm sure the government can handle this."

"You mean like they handled Laughing Wraith?" asked Laurus.

"I thought we were trying to forget that," said Gisora.

"That was a one-time mistake," said Kiyora. "And anyway, many people got fired for that fiasco."

"Whatever you say," said Laurus.

"Anyway, why don't we all go to the mall?" asked Gisora. "We could get something to eat there and window shop?"

"Sure, whatever."

"I actually can't come," said Reya. "Gisora and I were going to do some studying."

"Oh right," said Gisora. "Well, you three will have to go without me."

"Right, okay, I guess that leaves just the three of us," said Laurus. "Tenius, are you interested in any video games?"

"Uh, not really," said Tenius.

"Card games?" said Laurus.

"No," said Tenius.

"Model building?" said Laurus.

"No," said Tenius.

"Books on conspiracy theories?" asked Laurus.

"No," said Tenius.

"Do you have any defining characteristics at all?" asked Kiyora.

"That's a little harsh," said Laurus.

"Well, I mean, I like farming," said Tenius. "Back when I was living at my home I grew carrots and things. Although Grandpa trains me in swordplay and things like that as well."

"So what do you do with your royal allowance?" asked Gisora.

"Well, mostly, it has just been piling up," admitted Tenius. "No matter how much of it we give to charity, more always arrives."

"Right, I'm going to introduce you to civilized society at the hobby shop," said Laurus. "Come on; you have much to learn, my young apprentice."

"I'll come too," said Kiyora. Then she stopped herself. Why the hell did she volunteer? Well, it was too late to back out now.

The mall was different from most buildings in Actovosh. For one thing, it had been built in the way of humans. Not one bit of it had been constructed from the limbs of Actovosh. Escalators connected many floors. At any time, one could look down from the railing to see the very bottom level. Not that Kiyora liked looking down, the height made her feel dizzy.

There were also elevators and flowing fountains. And there were shops of all kinds. From clothes stores to books to hiking gear.

The hobby shop was Laurus' favorite place in the mall. It used to be a bookstore, but since people didn't buy as many books as they used to, the owners had branched out. Kiyora had never had much of an interest in books. She much preferred to listen to them in a book on tape. Instead, she went to the coffee shop, which had been made there. She got herself a drink and a snack and ate both hungrily. After finishing that and getting sick of waiting, she walked to find Tenius and Laurus.

She found them looking at some of the RPGs. Tenius was looking at them in bewilderment. "So, what is the deal with these books?"

"They're rule books," said Laurus. "See, you create a character from scratch and pretend to be that character with a party of other players. Then you have a GM who plays all the other characters that oppose that player."

"So you sort of insert yourself into a fictional world?" asked Tenius.

"Sure, let's go with that," said Laurus.

"Have you played this game?" asked Tenius, taking out a book.

"Actually, no," said Laurus. "Though I did buy it. No one else in my family is interested, so I haven't gotten the chance." He looked up to Kiyora, then to Laurus. "Hey, I just remembered I have to buy something."

"What?" said Tenius.

"Well, Dad wanted me to pick him up some wine on my way back," said Laurus. "I won't be a minute."

"Aren't you underage?" asked Tenius. "How are you even going to buy it?"

"Relax, man," said Laurus. "Nobody cares about those rules anyway." And he walked off. He lit a cigarette as soon as he was out of the store.

"So why does Laurus smoke so much?" asked Tenius.

"He has a lot of bad habits," said Kiyora. "See, uh, he kind of got possessed by a monster for years and years, and I think it affected him. Still, he's a pretty nice guy."

Tenius remained silent. "So, um, do you want to get some coffee."

Kiyora felt like her heart was beating a thousand miles an hour. Words could hardly be formed in her throat as she had to fight down a blush. "No," said Kiyora firmly, "Thank you."

The answer seemed to surprise Tenius. He remained silent as though having no idea how to react. "Oh, right; you already went to the shop earlier, didn't you?"

"Yes," said Kiyora. Why did Laurus have to bring Tenius into their circle of friends exactly? He didn't seem any more comfortable here than her. "Why don't we get out of here? I'm pretty much done looking at books."

"So, what do you like to look at?" asked Tenius.

Kiyora considered the question. "I'm a fan of art. My Dad is a painter."

"You want to look for a place where they sell paintings?" asked Tenius.

Her heart skipped a beat. This was getting irritating. "I'd much rather find Laurus, to be honest," said Kiyora.

Then suddenly, there was a scream. Soon other cries of dismay came from outside. Kiyora turned and rushed out of the bookshop. Above the ceiling were dozens of huge black spiders, one of them nearly six feet long and three feet high. They were scuttling down the walls. Others were lowering through a broken skylight by threads.

Kiyora saw a beautiful woman with red-dyed hair fleeing. Her foot caught on a thread of silk that had been laid, and she fell. She struggled to free herself, but the spider dragged her back towards it. Gripping her in its legs, it pulled her up. From there, it turned her round and round, covering her in silk threads. She screamed and screamed the entire time. The woman sobbed while the spider wrapped her up until she was utterly cocooned.

It wasn't a cocoon like a regular spider. It was not a bundle. Instead, it clung to her. Every curve and feature of the woman was visible. From the shape of her breasts to the look of horror on her face. Why was this fascinating? And why would she like to watch it? This was sick! Sick and wrong!

The woman was dragged away through the skylight, and Kiyora shuddered. Looking down, she realized that she could have helped her. No, she'd never have gotten there in time. And she'd been in shock.

"Kiyora, we have to go!" said Tenius.

Kiyora was startled. She felt something mustering within her. A power she had felt before, which was now welling up again. "We've got to help them!"

"Help how?" asked Tenius. "By getting webbed up too? Let's find Laurus and get out!"

"Well, well, well, if it isn't just the person I was looking for," said a cheerful voice.

Kiyora turned to see a spider. But this one was different and far larger. Instead of mandibles and eyes, the body led into a beautiful woman's upper body. She was slim, with pale, purplish skin. Her hands were clawed, her hair a dark purple, and she had three eyes.

"What do you want?" asked Kiyora.

"What do I want? My, how very nice of you to ask," said the spider creature. "I'm a collector of sorts. My name is Rioletta, the Weaver of Fates. I seize elves and bind them to drain their torment. A little hobby between weaving the strands of fate. Do try to make this interesting, both of you."

Then she cut with her hand, sending silk threads toward them. Tenius pushed Kiyora to one side and pulled her away. Kiyora tried to summon the power she had felt before, but it was strangely elusive now that she was looking for it.

Then she felt something catch her by the foot. She was dragged backward. The sensation of fear surged through her. She felt the same thing when she'd first seen Laughing Wraith years ago.

She forced herself past it and saw Rioletta drawing her gradually backward. Tenius grabbed her hand and tried to pull her back. Yet this only seemed to make Rioletta enjoy things. "Yes, please struggle! Struggle! It only makes it better!"

Kiyora found the power she had been looking for. The thread broke, and she felt her power surging through her. She stood and-

"Excuse me," said a voice.

And then a bottle spun out of nowhere and smashed against Rioletta's head. The thread fell from her hands as clear liquid covered her body. They looked up to see Laurus leaning against the side of the railing. A lit cigarette was clamped between his teeth.

Rioletta snarled as she felt the stuff all over her. "Wine, you little fly? I'll tear out your throat!"

And she rushed toward him to kill him. But even as she descended on him, Laurus rolled away, took the cigarette from his mouth, and threw it. The lit end hit the wine-soaking Rioletta, and she caught aflame. With a screech, she hit the railing, which bent and broke and fell downwards into the fountain below. There was a crash and a crash of rage as Rioletta pulled herself up.

"Feel free the try," said Laurus.

"Laurus, that was awesome!" said Kiyora.

"Less talking, more running," said Laurus.

They ran. But the spiders were now all scuttling toward them from every direction. Laurus led them down the stairs and out into an underground parking lock. Yet no sooner had they fled through than they found themselves facing three spiders.

Dozens of men and women were piled high around, bundled up. All of them had perfect expressions of horror on their faces. The spiders rushed at them at once. Kiyora raised a hand and felt her power rise.

There was a flash of blue light, and the creature screeched. They scuttled away in terror. Rushing down the parking lot, they found more and more of the spiders coming out around them. Kiyora used her powers again and again. But the bursts which she unleashed were hard. She'd only used them sparingly before. She felt sweat falling from her brow. Her hands were shaking, and it was all she could do to keep running.

Finally, they were surrounded by the creatures. And Kiyora could not manifest the power to summon anything more.

"What are these things?!" said Tenius.

"Spiders," said Laurus.

"I know that!" said Tenius.

The creatures rushed at them. Yet then they halted. A shield of orange light surrounded them. The closest of the creatures were burned and reduced to ashes in moments. Kiyora looked around. "Emperor Ictargo?"

"Has this happened before?" asked Laurus.

The creatures wailed at the shield in unison. There was power in that screech. It hurt just to listen to it. Tenius screamed while the shield flickered. Which meant it couldn't be Emperor Ictargo making it. Ictargo was not this weak. Kiyora looked and realized it was Tenius. Little by little, the shield was caving in. Any minute now, the shield would fail. Then they would be wrapped in those horrifying threads like everyone else.

Then a surge of green lights engulfed the entire parking garage. Kiyora had to shield her eyes as the creatures died in moments. Walking into sight was a plain woman with red hair. She was clad in white robes and holding a double-bladed sword. On either side of her were white armored soldiers.

"Lieutenant Escalus?" said Kiyora in surprise.

"You three, get back quickly," said Escalus. "Move."

Kiyora turned and saw dozens of spiders rushing into sight. They fled behind Escalus, who surged forward with her companions. They moved in a blur, seeming to be in many places simultaneously. Their blades sliced through the creatures with practiced ease. Whenever the beasts died, they were reduced to green blood. Five of them were slain by Escalus in moments, while her companions did just as well.

Finally, no more spiders came after them. Escalus spun her blade around in a flourish before looking at her companions. "Sarin, Oser, keep an eye on them; the rest of you move in. Let's move people."

People? Who else was here?

Then Kiyora noticed others emerging. It was not that they hadn't been visible. It was more like they had made themselves beneath notice. There were dozens of them.

"What do you think is going on?" asked Laurus.

"How should I know?!" asked Kiyora. "And why are you so calm?!"

"I spent years with Laughing Wraith in my head," said Laurus. "This kind of thing is tame.

"What I want to know is what Escalus was doing so near at hand."

"What do you mean?" asked Tenius.

"Those spiders came down here in like thirty seconds," said Laurus. "How could the DSD have mobilized and gotten here this quickly in this kind of force? I think they were aware something was going to happen."

"They probably just detected her coming ahead of time," said Tenius. "Maybe they've sent someone to watch me. Or you."

"Or both," noted Laurus, drawing out his lighter and another cigarette.

"Give it a rest, will you!" As Kiyora snatched both away, she realized that her problems were far from over. "Mom is going to kill me."

Another adventure.