Rioletta's spell was broken, and the demoness was gone. Unfortunately, the door was locked, and Kiyora didn't know how to open it. She didn't know the first thing about treeships. She wasn't like Reya and Tenius. So she waited, and boy, was it creepy. Outside she could see treeships surrounding the Black Star, but it wasn't much comfort.

The webs hanging from everywhere were bad. Just because the moans of the damned had faded away didn't make it a nice spot. She wished she hadn't sent William away so quickly and that Tenius hadn't ditched her.

Then the door slid aside, and into the room walked Lieutenant Escalus. She was holding her weapon in hand, which had spider blood on it. Behind her, Kiyora could see many soldiers. They were working to free those seized by Rioletta from their cocoons. None of them were conscious.

"Kiyora Yagos, what happened here?" said Escalus.

"Oh, this?" asked Kiyora. "I got captured but managed to break free and vanquish the demon responsibly. However, I did have a bit of help. It's kind of a long story."

"You'd better explain yourself," said Escalus. "And where is Emperor Ictargo? We received his transmission but haven't found any sign of him. He hasn't been heard in centuries." She paused and looked at soldiers flanking her. "You men, take charge of the machine. Set a course back for the capital." Then she looked back to Kiyora. "Where is the other?"

"Other?" asked Kiyora.

"The other who was with here with you," said Escalus. "We detected several other life forms. Two were immensely powerful, the demoness Rioletta and Ictargo, we presume. But there was a third unlike all the others.

"Where is he?"

"Oh, William's gone back to his world," said Kiyora. "As for Emperor Ictargo, I don't remember where he went."

"You don't remember?" asked Escalus incredulously.

"Oh, you know what, forget this secrecy nonsense," said Kiyora. "Emperor Ictargo helped us out. Turns out, he's actually in mortal form, but his mortal form becomes super powerful in his dreams. He is sleeping right now.

"The name of his mortal form is-"

"Quiet!" said Escalus. "I don't want to know."

"What?" said Kiyora.

"If he told you that it was an act of unparalleled trust!" said Escalus. "You aren't supposed to go around saying that!"

"Well, he didn't tell me that. I figured it out on my own. Besides, he's a real jerk," said Kiyora. Before Escalus could say anything, a soldier approached and bowed. This one was male. "Lieutenant Escalus, we've rooted out most of the remaining spiders on this deck."

"Good," said Escalus. "Move the sweeps downward. Free everyone you can."

"Yes, ma'am," said the soldier.

"One more thing," said Escalus. "Have we found any sign of the tree spirit?"

"No. Sorry, ma'am," said the man.

"Why..." came a voice, "why am I... alive..."

"Nevermind," said Escalus. "I appear to have found it. Tree spirit Black Star, report."

"Compromised... existence is... torment..." gasped Black Star, "wish... to die..."

"That is unacceptable," said Escalus. "We need you alive so we can find out what happened here. Assemble all documents and footage you've gathered over the past few years. I want to know where this ship has been.

"Have it ready as a report. When you've done that, you'll be allowed to rest."

"Understood..." said Black Star.

"You could have gone a little easier on him, couldn't you?" asked Kiyora.

"We all have our functions to fulfill," said Escalus. "Which brings me to you. You seem to have a knack for fighting monsters, don't you?"

"Well, I am kind of awesome like that," said Kiyora, though she hadn't really done anything.

"Modesty isn't your strong suit, is it?" asked Escalus. "No matter. We'll discuss this later." She raised a communicator. "Agrava, what is the status of the ship's controls?"

"This ship is a mess. I'm amazed it hasn't fallen to pieces by now," said a voice. "The demon didn't do a very good job of maintaining it. We're inbound to the nearest port. We've got clearance."

"Good," said Escalus.

She looked at Kiyora. "Kiyora Yagos, I've followed your career with a great deal of interest. I thought it an absolute waste to marry you off to Tenius."

"Gee, thanks," said Kiyora. "Not sure I saw you helping."

"I argued against it," said Escalus. "However, your grandmother, Hanora, insisted, and she has more influence than myself. May I ask you something?"

"Sure," said Kiyora.

"How did you get a divine order to break off the engagement?" asked Escalus.

"A friend of mine cut a deal," said Kiyora. "He gave Alchara something she really wanted. In exchange, she cut the arrangement."

"Who was this, friend?" asked Escalus.

"His name was William Gabriel," said Kiyora. "He's the one I just sent off."

"William?" asked Escalus. "That is a human name?"

"Oh, he's a human from the spirit world," said Kiyora, "Or another world. I'm not sure which it is; the whole thing is a bit fuzzy."

"So he's the unknown entity," murmured Escalus.

"Hmm?" said Kiyora.

"During Laughing Wraith's attack on Actovosh, our sensors detected something. An unworldly entity," said Escalus. "He assisted you in removing Laughing Wraith before disappearing without a trace. I was aware you were a powerful Dreamer. I didn't think you were strong enough to draw an entire being out of the spirit world."

"Shouldn't you have gotten a report on all this?" asked Kiyora.

"Unfortunately, no," admitted Escalus. "The Department of Spiritual Defense on a need-to-know basis. Everything regarding that incident is locked up. I've been learning more about the subject.

"Tell me, have you considered becoming a Dream Sage?"

"Eh, seems kind of like a lot of work," said Kiyora.

"You may want to put the work into it," said Escalus. "This is the second time that a spiritual enemy has targeted you specifically. I'm beginning to think your presence may endanger others."

"So what do you want, exactly?" asked Kiyora.

"I'd like you to become a part-time Dream Sage," said Escalus. "We need them to help deal with large and small spiritual threats. With a bit of training, you'd be safer against threats like this. And you would be paid, of course.

"It could be the start of a very lucrative career."

"Well, that does sound nice," mused Kiyora. "Wouldn't I have to miss school?"

"Well, of course," said Escalus. "But we've accounted for that. Dreamers are most effective when they start young, after all. So we arrange for them to make up their school days in other ways."

"Can I think about it for a bit?" asked Kiyora.

"Of course. I'm in no hurry," said Escalus. "Still, there is the matter of the cover story. We'll arrange a specific one in the future. At the moment, if anyone asks you any questions, reply with no comment."

"Couldn't we just tell them the truth?" asked Kiyora.

"Unfortunately, no," replied Escalus. "Alchara has set a deliberate policy of not telling anyone anything they do not need to know. This includes the general public. I don't know why. I just enforce it."

"Then why are you looking into things for yourself?" shot back Kiyora.

"I already knew everything I asked you about," said Escalus. "I merely wanted to hear your response."

Kiyora wasn't buying it. "Sure you did. Fine, whatever," Then she paused. "Can I get some new clothes? These are covered in silk."

The journey back home took a few hours. When it was over, Kiyora was escorted to the lowest levels of the tree ship. There she and Escalus were transported to the Department of Spiritual Defense. She got a thorough debriefing. That burned up a few more hours, and when she finally got out, she found herself mobbed by reporters.

"What are these doing here?" asked Kiyora.

"There was just a full-scale battle in Actovosh," said Escalus. "Even we can't cover it up that quickly. Just stay close and don't answer any questions."

"Lieutenant Escalus, do you have any comments on this situation?" asked one.

"Any statement for the press?" asked another.

"Lieutenant Escalus, people would like to know where this ship came from."

Escalus said nothing. She glanced at one of her soldiers. "Agrava, get these people out of here."

Kiyora got home late that night. She found the door unlocked and saw Mom sitting in the living room. Her eyes were empty, and she was drinking a glass of wine. She looked like she had been crying.

"Kiyora, you're back," said Mom. "I got a call about your return."

"Hey, Mom," said Kiyora, not really knowing what to say.

"I... is there anything you want to eat?" asked Mom. "Anything-"

"I'm fine, I just..." Kiyora stopped. "I'm really tired, is all."

Mom shook her head. "...This can't keep happening. There has to be something we can do about this."

"Mom, there was nothing the DSD could do about it," said Kiyora. "You couldn't have stopped Rioletta."

"I should have been able to!" said Mom. "You're just a child! I should be able to protect you, but... I'm going to buy security. I'll make this house so secure that nothing will be able to break in ever again. I promise you, Kiyora, this won't happen again."

"Mom, don't worry I...," began Kiyora.

But then Mom hugged her. She was shaking, and Kiyora realized she was crying. She hugged her back. "Mom, I'm going to become a Dream Sage."

"Why do you keep doing this?!" said Mom "Are you trying to worry me to death?!"

"I already get hounded by these things," said Kiyora. "But if I become a Dream Sage, I'll be trained to deal with them. We don't really lose anything. And it's a good career."

Mom separated and looked at her for a long moment. Finally, she sighed. "...I guess I should be glad you showing interest in something. Why don't we go out to eat? I don't feel like cooking."

"Is Dad coming back?" asked Kiyora.

"He's on his way," said Mom. "He should be in tomorrow."

They eat dinner out. It was good, but there wasn't much conversation between them. Kiyora didn't know what to say, and Mom didn't either. What did you mean when this kind of thing happened?

Eventually, they returned home even later. Kiyora went up to her bedroom and lay back in her bed to think. There were probably many things she had to check on in the dream world, like why the Nakmar had been taken over.

However, she found her spirit within that flowery field from before. Which meant Alchara was pretty close. Sure enough, the golden goddess made her appearance. "I did warn you," said Alchara.

"What do you want?" asked Kiyora.

"Merely to see how you are doing," said Alchara. "Despite your needless antagonism, I remain concerned for your well-being."

"Funny way of showing it," muttered Kiyora.

"You have coddled the Nakmar," said Alchara. "You intervene in every small problem they have."

"I seem to recall you being one of those problems," noted Kiyora.

"Stop it. I am quite serious," said Alchara. "By intervening in every problem they have, you have made them reliant on you. You have sabotaged their self-will. If you were neutralized or controlled, they would be quickly consumed.

"One of the duties of a god is to ensure that their subjects can stand on their own feet. And you have not done that."

"Elranor never had a problem with how I do things," said Kiyora.

"Elranor wants you to remain weak and easily manipulated," said Alchara. "I want the best for you, whatever you may believe."

"Fine, whatever," said Kiyora. "I'll stop helping people if it will shut you up. Now, unless you want to try invading me again, I'd like to be alone."

The flowers faded. Then Kiyora was standing in front of Bjorn. He and his priests were prostrated before a statue of her. They looked up as she approached. "Dreaming Goddess, what... what was it that just happened?" asked Bjorn. "We... for a moment, you were gone, and in your place, there was darkness. Our wills were dragged into it, and we could not escape. What devilry is this? Has Laughing Wraith-"

"I screwed up, okay," said Kiyora. "I've been doing too much for you, I guess. Or so I've been told. I... I won't be able to help you as much, okay? Not with all the minor things. So from now on, if I ask if I can help, only give me something vital."

"...I understand," said Bjorn, though he didn't sound like it.

"Now I've got to go," said Kiyora. "I've got to do one other thing."

It was something she had wanted to do for a while now. But recent events have made it urgent that it be carried out soon. She appeared in the throne room of Arraxia. The demoness was lounging in her seat and stood as Kiyora approached.

"Oh, the Dreaming Goddess," said Arraxia with a mocking bow. "How did that whole affair with Rioletta work out for you? I do hope you aren't-"

Kiyora punched her in the face. The demoness reeled beneath the blow and was sent off her feet to crash against a nearby pillar. Kiyora clutched her hand, which hurt.

"Just fine," Kiyora said. "Have a nice day."

She hoped William was having a better day than she was.