Orin and Lysandra returned from their arduous journey to the Hidden Caves and the realm of the Wood Dwarfs. The trials had left them both physically and mentally exhausted. The trials Orin had faced, from building a dam to constructing an invisible bridge, had tested his newfound earth magic to its limits. Now, back home, they needed rest and time to recover. For several days, they allowed themselves to relax, recharge, and reflect on what they had learned. Orin's connection with the earth had deepened, but there was still much he needed to understand about his abilities. He spent his days poring over Merlin's Grimoire, trying to unravel the mysteries it contained.

Merlin's Grimoire was a treasure trove of ancient knowledge. Orin was particularly intrigued by passages describing the ability to bend time and freeze it temporarily. According to the text, Merlin had been able to halt the flow of time with a mere thought, giving him unparalleled control over events. Orin attempted to follow the instructions laid out in the Grimoire. He focused intently, visualizing the world around him coming to a standstill. He felt a flicker of energy, a slight shift in the air, but the moment passed, and time continued unabated. Frustrated, Orin tried again and again, but the power eluded him. "I'm missing something," he muttered to himself. "I need a teacher, someone who truly understands this magic."

Lysandra, who had been observing his attempts, offered her support. "You're on the right path, Orin. Sometimes, the most profound abilities require guidance. We should find someone who can help you."

One evening, as Orin sat by the window, lost in thought, a sudden and powerful urge gripped him. He felt an almost magnetic pull towards his mother’s house, a feeling he couldn’t ignore. "Lysandra, I need to go to my mom’s place," Orin said, standing abruptly. "There's something there, something important."

Lysandra nodded. "I trust your instincts, Orin. Let’s go."

They arrived at his mother’s house as dusk settled, casting long shadows across the familiar landscape. The moment they stepped inside, Orin felt it—a heavy, oppressive energy that seemed to permeate the very walls. "Do you feel that?" Orin asked his voice tight with concern. Lysandra nodded, her eyes narrowing. "There's dark magic here, Orin. Something evil.” She moved her hands in intricate patterns, weaving through the air as she tapped into her own magical abilities. A soft glow enveloped her hands, illuminating the room in an otherworldly light. As she finished her spell, the walls around them shimmered, revealing dark runes etched into the surface, pulsing with an eerie, sinister energy.

"These runes," Lysandra said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They’re ancient and powerful. They’re designed to trap and contain.” Orin's heart pounded in his chest as he looked at the runes. "They're trapping my mother in her coma," he realized, horror dawning on him. "These runes are keeping her mind imprisoned.” Lysandra examined the runes closely. "Breaking these could be dangerous, Orin. The magic is intricate and could backfire, harming your mother."

Orin felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He had discovered so much about his abilities and his heritage, yet here he was, unable to help his own mother. "We need to find another way," he said resolutely. "We can’t risk breaking these runes without understanding their full power and potential consequences.” Lysandra placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way, Orin. We need to understand these runes better. There must be a way to neutralize them without causing harm."

They spent the next few hours studying the runes, documenting their patterns and the magic they exuded. Orin carefully sketched each symbol, hoping to find a clue in Merlin's Grimoire or other ancient texts that could help them decipher the dark magic. As the night wore on, Orin and Lysandra sat together, surrounded by books and scrolls. The oppressive energy of the runes still weighed heavily on them, but there was a glimmer of hope. "We'll find a way to reach your mother," Lysandra said firmly. "And we’ll find the teacher you need.” Orin nodded, determination burning in his eyes. He had faced many challenges and learned much on his journey, but this was the most personal and urgent quest yet. He needed to free his mother, not just to save her but also to unlock the full potential of his powers.

The journey was far from over, but with Lysandra by his side and the knowledge of his ancestors guiding him, Orin felt ready to face whatever came next. They would unravel the mystery of the dark runes, find the teacher he needed, and continue their fight against the darkness that threatened their world. Orin couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to see his mother immediately. He had to find a way to communicate with her, to understand the dark runes that imprisoned her. Without hesitation, he decided to go to the hospital. Lysandra, sensing his urgency, accompanied him. As they arrived, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the low hum of medical equipment. Orin's heart pounded as he approached his mother's room.

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To his surprise, Tio was there, sitting quietly by Edua's bedside, his hand gently resting on hers. Memories of summers spent together with Tio and his mother flooded Orin's mind—days of laughter and play in the garden, carefree and full of light. Orin and Lysandra’s magical barrier was still intact, a shimmering presence that kept any dark forces at bay. It was reassuring to see that no further intrusions had occurred, but something else caught Orin’s attention—a strange, astonishing feeling emanating from Tio. There was a depth to Tio's presence that Orin had never noticed before, an aura that seemed to vibrate with hidden power.

As Orin approached, Tio looked up, his eyes warm but serious. "Orin, it’s good to see you," he said softly. "I’ve been watching over your mother.” "Thank you, Tio," Orin replied, his voice thick with emotion. "But I have to ask—what is this feeling I get from you?” Tio sighed, glancing at Edua before meeting Orin's gaze. "There’s something I’ve kept from you, Orin. Something I should have told you long ago.” Orin felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "What is it, Tio?” "I’m a mind walker," Tio revealed. "I can walk into people’s minds, talk to them, even visit them in their dreams. It’s an ability that runs in my family, part of the Walkminders coven."

Orin stared at Tio, his mind reeling. "Why didn’t you ever tell me?” "It was Edua’s wish," Tio explained. "She wanted to protect you, to give you a chance at a normal life. She knew about my abilities and the coven. She thought it best to keep it a secret until the time was right.” Orin’s emotions churned—anger, betrayal, confusion. "So, all this time, you could have helped me understand what was happening to me?” Tio nodded, his expression filled with regret. "Yes. And there’s more. You have this ability too, Orin. You can walk minds, mostly as a Dreamvisitor. It’s one of Viviane’s powers, passed down through your bloodline."

Orin felt a spark of hope amidst the turmoil. "So, you’re saying I might be able to reach my mother, to talk to her in her mind?” Tio smiled, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Yes, Orin. I believe you can. It’s time you learned to harness this power.” Lysandra stepped forward, her eyes bright with determination. "We’ll help you, Orin. Together, we can find a way.” They spent the next few hours planning. Tio explained the intricacies of mind walking and dream visiting, teaching Orin the basics. They discussed the dangers and the importance of control and focus.

"Entering someone's mind is delicate," Tio cautioned. "You need to be gentle, to respect their consciousness. If you push too hard, you could cause harm.” Orin absorbed every word, determined to succeed. He practiced with Tio, learning to center his thoughts and project his consciousness. It was challenging, but he felt a natural affinity for the skill, a connection to his ancestral powers. That night, Orin decided to make his first attempt to reach his mother. Lysandra and Tio stayed close, offering their support. Orin sat by his mother’s bedside, holding her hand. He closed his eyes, took deep breaths, and focused on the bond they shared. Slowly, he felt his consciousness detach, drifting towards Edua's mind.

The transition was disorienting at first, but then he found himself in a dreamlike space, a place that felt both familiar and strange. He called out, "Mom? Can you hear me?” A soft voice responded, echoing through the ethereal space. "Orin? Is that you?” Relief washed over him. "Yes, Mom, it’s me. I’m here to help you.” Edua's presence grew stronger, her form appearing before him. "Orin, you’ve grown so much," she said, her voice filled with love and pride. "I’ve been trapped here, unable to wake."

"The dark runes," Orin said. "They’re keeping you imprisoned. We need to find a way to break them without harming you.” Edua shook her head gently. "It’s not just the runes, Orin. I’m also trapping myself in. I’ve placed a very ancient spell on myself—a timeless dream. It was the only way to contain the darkness and protect you.” Orin's eyes widened in shock and fury. "Mom, that’s insane! You’ve put yourself in a coma to protect me?” Edua nodded solemnly. "I did what I had to, Orin. Until you could master the elements and the Void, I couldn’t risk the darkness escaping.” Orin took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "I need your help, Mom. I’ve discovered I have more powers but don’t know how to control them. Merlin’s grimoire mentions bending time, freezing it temporarily. I’ve tried, but I failed.”

Edua’s eyes softened with understanding. "Time bending is one of the most challenging powers. It requires immense focus and belief. You’ve always had a logical mind, Orin, but to master this, you need to go beyond logic. You need to trust in the magic within you.” "Will you teach me?" Orin asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "Of course, my son. You’ll need to visit me in my dreams to learn. It will be difficult, but I believe in you.” Orin nodded, determination etched on his face. "I’ll come back, Mom. I’ll learn from you and fortify the barrier you built. I’ll save you, one way or another.” Edua smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I know you will, Orin. You have the heart and the strength to succeed."

Orin returned to his body, opening his eyes to see Tio and Lysandra watching him anxiously. "I spoke to her," he said, a mixture of pain and resolve in his voice. "She’s trapped herself to contain the darkness. She’s going to teach me how to bend time.” Lysandra placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We’re with you, Orin. We’ll help you every step of the way.” Tio nodded in agreement. "You’re not alone in this. Together, we can face whatever comes.” Orin took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his responsibilities and the strength of his allies. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but he was ready. He would master his powers, save his mother, and protect the world from the darkness. With each step, he grew more connected to his heritage and more certain of his destiny.