My head was spinning. My vision blurred as I fell into a foggy dream. I saw a blurry man who looked more like a sculpture or a painting than a real human. His vague figure gave off a terrifying aura—even more terrifying than Wyren’s. Something was off though, I had dreamed before and it didn’t feel like this. Everything felt too...real. Was this really a dream?

“This brings back memories,” the figure's voice was smooth and silky as it reverberated through the air with seemingly no end. Suddenly, searing hot pain enveloped all my limbs as it felt like a blazing hot iron was seemingly pressed against the very fiber of my being. My head turned numb and my vision went dark. The figure’s voice contained a hint of sadness as he spoke, “Remember them, remember everyone–for me."

“Stop touching me you weirdo,” I mumbled weakly as I attempted to try and sit up.

The man seemingly smiled, “You will be the greatest one, the greatest one of them all.”

A flash of blazing golden light erupted and the whole world went dark.

The rustle of the trees and the chirping of songbirds gently streamed into my ear.

I awoke. Panic laced my body and cold sweat flowed down my face as I quickly sat up. I checked all over for burns or injuries but nothing had happened to my body. So it was a dream..I felt no different either. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep near the back of the library on the street. I got up and started walking. Maybe I was sick since…dreams like these weren’t usually a good sign. I really need to find a better sleeping spot for the winter.

I also needed to tackle my goal of getting stronger. I needed to find liquor but I couldn’t steal it, and I didn’t know how to find it. I read that there were special schools that taught children how to use their abilities along with providing a normal education. However, those schools were in the wealthy regions of the empire. I didn’t have a horse nor did I have any money.

If I was to try and get to one of these schools it would make sense for me to go to the region of Bondas, as it was the biggest region. I could fit in much easier there, and the security was also more lax because of the bigger population. I would need to sneak into a transport boat that would take me down the main canal into Bondas. It would be very suspicious if a 12 year old child were to be on a ship alone so I would have to deal with that problem sooner or later.

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I sighed and headed north through the forest, ran over a couple boulders, ducked under a couple logs, shimmed past a few cliffs and finally darted through an opening in the forest. I was lucky the library was so close to the border because I was finally here. I was at the canal which connected the four regions of Taegan.

The canal was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. The massive man-made river could have fit hundreds of boats in its pathways. Lots of people were chattering amongst each other while others were rushing to get to their rides. This area was apparently a profitable spot for business since I saw just about every snack shop and food vender along the dock. I squirmed my way through the army of people--almost like I was wading through human bodies–while barely being able to see. It was the first time that I got to see people with clothes that didn’t resemble sackcloths. Most of the men wore simple, waist-length, robes with long pants and a cloth belt that held the robe together. The colors weren’t beautiful or embroidered with special patterns but they were much better than anything that I saw during my days at home.

I got in a long line that led to a simple sail boat which would fit just enough people to leave me waiting for the next boat. Funnily enough I could swear seeing some random kid stick his tongue out at me from the ship….

I saw the boat leave and it would be at least 30 minutes before I could board another boat again. I looked around and I saw a small child behind me. She looked to be about four years old and was holding onto the very bottom of her mother’s robes. Her hair was put into little pig tails and she had her very own robe as well. She looked up at me and slowly inched behind her mother. Am I scary? Maybe she’s just stupid…wait, I probably shouldn’t say that.

I looked back at the child. She was safe, but she seemed lonely and bored. Her mother seemed to be more occupied with managing her travels, and she was getting more scared and tired by the hour. I had no responsibility to keep children safe or entertained–I was a lost child myself. But I couldn’t just do nothing and I couldn’t leave this place with the knowledge that I hadn’t tried to help her either.

Picking up a little purple flower that was growing along a patch of grass near the edge of the dock, I looked towards the child. Holding out my hand I gave her the little flower. She looked a little surprised at first but gave me an innocent smile as she gladly took it.

“You looked sad and bored. I hope you get to where you need to go, ok?” I gave her a little smile as I crouched down to meet her at eye level.

“Thank you mister," she said in a small and happy voice. The sails of the next ships were slowly coming into view. The sun was beginning to set as there was an orange-red hue along the skyline--along with a small shade of pink.

“Yeah, no problem,” I smiled as I turned and boarded the ship. The many children left alone on the deck were left helpless. I couldn’t help them but at least I could help one child before I left. I looked on as the ship gently floated us down the canal. I would have a lot of time to make up my grand-plan, but I still couldn’t fathom how my plan would even start. I didn’t get enough quality sleep because of my little nightmare and I began to drift off as a result. I was too tired to think, I was too tired to plan ahead or even observe my surroundings. My eyes slowly closed and I let my worries slip away.