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Shadows of Kalidar
Chapter 17: A Shared Vision

Chapter 17: A Shared Vision

The rain continued to fall steadily, its rhythm a soothing lullaby over the tents and the quiet murmurs of the group settling in for the night. The fire had long since sputtered out, leaving the companions cocooned in the sound of water and the cool embrace of the damp earth.

As sleep claimed them one by one, the threads of their dreams intertwined, pulling them into a shared vision.

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The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, the sun casting a golden glow over the valley. Kai found himself walking along a cobbled path he now recognized as the heart of Kali’dar in its prime. The air was warm, the world alive with vibrant colors and the hum of life.

Behind him, the joyful giggles of a child rang out, and he turned, a smile already forming on his face. A woman and a little girl walked toward him, their hands intertwined. The woman’s auburn hair glinted in the sunlight, and her expression was radiant, her gaze filled with love as it met his.

“We must hurry, my loves,” Kai said, pride lacing his tone. “The choosing ceremony is nearly at hand!”

The little girl, no older than three, let out another delighted giggle as she ran toward him. Her tiny feet stumbled on the uneven stones, but Kai caught her before she fell, lifting her into his arms and swinging her high into the air. Her laughter filled the air as she clung to him, her small hands gripping his tunic.

They continued down the path, the city opening before them with its bustling streets and towering structures. The little girl grew quiet in the crowd’s crush, hiding her face against Kai’s shoulder. He chuckled softly, patting her back in reassurance.

Ahead, a boy, perhaps eight or nine years old, dragged a younger girl by the hand toward the city center. The younger girl’s expression was a mix of defiance and curiosity, and her golden hair caught the sunlight in a way that made Kai pause. There was something familiar about her—her features, her fiery spirit. She looked so much like Lina.

Kai hesitated, watching as the little girl in his arms squirmed and wiggled, eager to join the retreating pair. He set her down, and with an impish grin, she ran after them, her tiny legs carrying her with surprising speed.

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“She has your fearless spirit, my love,” the woman beside him said, her voice warm. She looped an arm around his waist, her smile mirroring his own.

A loud gong reverberated through the city, cutting through the ambient chatter. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Kai’s chest swelled with pride as he caught sight of his daughter among a group of nearly two dozen children. They stood in a line, their ages ranging from toddlers to older children of eight or nine. The children shifted nervously, some trembling with fear, others vibrating with anticipation.

The sunlight caught the golden halo of his daughter’s hair, and Kai’s heart filled with a deep, protective pride.

At the far end of the square, a tall woman with unbound black hair cascading to her knees stepped forward. She leaned heavily on a staff carved with intricate designs, her commanding presence stilling the crowd.

“Welcome, parents of the chosen few,” the woman said, her voice clear and strong. “It is a great honor to receive the blessings bestowed upon our valley. Soon, the next generation of guardians will be chosen...”

The crowd fell silent, enraptured by the woman’s words. Despite her age, there was a vitality to her, a warrior’s spirit that shone through her commanding posture and eloquent speech.

Behind her stood a younger woman, shy and hesitant. She held herself stiffly, her attempts to hide her nerves betrayed by the way her hands fidgeted with the hem of her tunic. Something about her made Kai’s heart skip a beat.

He blinked, studying her more closely. Her dark hair framed a face that was undeniably familiar. It couldn’t be—could it?

“Sarlon?” Kai whispered, his voice a breath in the stillness of the dream. The young woman’s features were unmistakable, but she was so much younger, her scars absent, her eyes wide and filled with wonder.

The dream wavered, the edges of the scene beginning to blur. The sound of the gong echoed again, louder this time, shaking the foundations of the dream itself.

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The group awoke in unison, gasping for air as though the weight of the shared dream had followed them into reality. The rain had stopped, and the faint light of dawn painted the horizon.

Amaya sat up first, her voice cutting through the stillness. “That... was Kali’dar, wasn’t it? In its prime.”

“It was beautiful,” Lina whispered, her expression distant. “But... why did I see myself as a child? Or someone who looked just like me?”

Reya glanced at Kai, who looked shaken, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “That woman,” he said slowly, “the one with the staff... she was their leader. And the younger one... it was Sarlon. I’m sure of it.”

“But how?” Reya asked. “And why were we all there, seeing the same thing?”

No one had an answer, but the weight of the shared vision hung heavy between them. The past and present were colliding, and the secrets of Kali’dar were far from finished with them.