Kaiden's sleep becomes troubled and restless, his body tossing and turning constantly on the bed. In his dreams, the same vision replays relentlessly, with Kaiden desperately attempting to break through the events and alter the outcome. No matter how hard he tries, however, the dream remains fixed, and he finds himself unable to change even the smallest detail within it.

Kaiden grows increasingly frustrated in his attempts to intervene in the dream, desperately trying to pull Molly away from the altar or push the scroll out of her grasp, only to find that the scene always snaps back to its original state. With mounting helplessness, he stands impotent and invisible as a spectating observer, unable to make any impact on the unfolding events.

As the dream shifts to Kaiden's own summoning ritual of Astrayln, he makes desperate attempts to prevent the same sequence of events from happening. He tries to toss the scroll away from himself, but to his horror, the paper sticks to his hand, as if magnetically attached. In addition, his feet feel as if they are glued to the ground, preventing him from fleeing even if he wanted to. In desperation, Kaiden screams at Wulfric and Loden, hoping they'll hear him and come to his aid. But to his horror, they remain completely motionless, seemingly unaware of his plea for help. The scene continues to play out as it did before, with Kaiden feeling powerless and trapped within the unfolding events.

Kaiden's panic and frustration reaches a fever pitch as he is compelled to speak the words from the scripture scroll repeatedly, his lips mouthing the syllables without him hearing them. It's a deeply unnerving feeling, as if he's nothing more than a puppet obeying someone else's commands, with no control over his own actions. The helplessness he continues to experience fills him with dread. As the summoning scene replays for what feels like the hundredth time, Kaiden begins to notice a subtle shift in the beginning. Despite the repeated cycle, he detects something different, as if there's a hint of divergence from the usual pattern.

Kaiden's movements once again disrupt the flow of the summoning, but this time, the rewind to reset the scene happens more slowly, as if the dream is struggling to reset itself to the original state. The divergence is significant enough that Kaiden notices the disturbance.

Once the dream transitions to Kaiden's summoning ritual, he seizes the opportunity presented by the slowed rewind to cause as much disruption as possible. With a surge of desperation, he tries to change the course of the events more forcefully, determined to break the repeated loop that has trapped him in this nightmare. Kaiden musters all his strength to break free from the immobilizing force, managing to twist himself and force his way out of the frozen state. With a defiant burst of determination, he tosses the scripture scroll into the fiery altar, followed by the pendant. A loud explosion erupts as the pendant makes contact with the flames, causing a significant disruption to the dream's progression.

As Kaiden’s sudden desperate actions have successfully interrupted the dream sequence, a chain reaction takes place. Ripples and tears begin to appear around him, and the dream environment starts to fray and unravel, giving the impression of wallpaper being torn down. The once orderly and repetitive dream is now succumbing to the chaos caused by Kaiden's defiant actions. As the dream starts to dissolve, Kaiden finds himself enveloped in a stark, white emptiness. The absence of sound and color creates a surreal and eerily calm atmosphere. He stands alone in this vacant space, a stark contrast to the chaotic dream scenarios he just experienced.

A voice suddenly cuts through the silence, reaching Kaiden's ears like a soft, airy whisper that he can't feel against his skin. The sound seems to come from all directions and yet nowhere at the same time, like a gentle breeze without any noticeable sensation.

Astryaln’s soothing voice resonates through the void, addressing Kaiden with a hint of concern. “Kaiden, I can sense your troubled mind. My dear Priestess, what is it that compelled you to summon me?” His form materializes out of thin air, appearing in the white landscape like a figure emerging from nowhere.

Kaiden turns his attention to Astryaln, a mix of shock, happiness, and frustration on his face. "I wanted to escape that recurring nightmare so badly. It was like I was in a loop that would go on forever, never ending until the day I die. Why did you plant that vision in my mind?" His voice carries a hint of desperation and weary resignation, seeking answers.

Astryaln raises his hands defensively, his gentle, angelic voice maintaining a reassuring tone. "I assure you, Kaiden; I had no hand in creating these visions. These are manifestations of your own mind, my Priestess. It was only when you discarded the pendant and shattered the illusion that I was able to intervene."

Kaiden vehemently shakes his head, refusing to accept Astryaln's words. "No, you're the one who planted those visions in my head. That's the only explanation that makes sense. How could I be seeing glimpses of the past otherwise?"

Astryaln responds with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It's actually quite simple. Your connection to the Priestess Molly is the source. Since she still exists in this world, her memories and experiences are being passed on to you because of your shared bloodline connection."

Kaiden's mind reels as he absorbs this revelation, his shock and confusion increasing. So, Molly is still here in this other world? Was she alive or dead? Where was she exactly? How could he find her? Questions race through his mind, creating a whirlwind of unease and uncertainty.

Kaiden's voice is filled with a mix of emotions as he poses his question. "If what you're saying is true, then why do I keep seeing the same scene play out, with myself repeating the same actions each time?"

Astryaln's expression becomes contemplative, as if trying to understand why Kaiden sees only a repetition of the same events. After a moment of contemplation, Astryaln appears to reach a conclusion. "It seems your own worry and fear are materializing this repeating scenario as a representation of your future path. It's a manifestation of your concerns and anxieties, playing out the same scene repeatedly in your mind."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kaiden's voice is laced with weariness and concern as he speaks, "I can't sleep with these visions tormenting me. I'm so scared that Loden will be hurt, just as I saw in the dream, and it's causing a rift between us. How do I make these nightmares stop?"

Astryaln considers his response for a moment and then nods. He points a finger at the pendant, directing a small burst of energy towards it. The energy is absorbed into the pendant, causing it to glow faintly for a moment before going dim. Astryaln instructs Kaiden, "Keep the pendant on at all times, as you have been. It will now function to shield your mind from dreams and visions that bring distress to your psyche." He brushes his hands together, despite there being no dirt present, the gesture seemingly an odd habit.

Kaiden runs his fingers lightly over the cool yet strangely warm surface of the pendant, a look of gratitude in his eyes. “Thank you, Astryaln,” he says, his voice quiet and sincere.

Astryaln inclines his head slightly in a subtle gesture of acknowledgment. "If there's nothing else you need, I shall take my leave, Priestess," he says with a hint of finality, preparing to withdraw from the conversation.

Kaiden extends his hand, seeking a moment more of Astryaln's attention. "Wait, I have a couple of questions I'd like some clarity on, if it's alright?" he asks, his voice betraying a touch of timidness.

Astryaln pauses at Kaiden's plea, his eyes meeting his. "Of course," he responds, his voice gentle and encouraging. "Ask your questions, and I will do my best to provide clarity."

Kaiden feeling awkward quickly asks, “Why did the wolf growl at the Elders in the council room after bowing to me?”

Astryaln's expression becomes contemplative once again as he responds to Kaiden's query. "The behavior of the wolf in the council room was indeed a curious one. You see, wolves are powerful and intelligent creatures. When the wolf bowed to you, it recognized your presence and accepted you as the Priestess. However, when it growled at the Elders, it was likely expressing its distrust or disapproval towards them. Perhaps it sensed their intentions or detected something that displeased it." Astryaln chuckles softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ah, the expressions on their faces must have been truly memorable," he admits. "And it seems they deserved a bit of a jolt for their audacity. The nerve of those Elders, whispering in the presence of my celestial messenger pet."

Kaiden tilts his head, confused. “I thought that you were appearing in the parchment. You have a pet wolf??”

Astryaln chuckles, realizing the source of Kaiden's confusion. "Ah, I see the misunderstanding. No, it was not me appearing in the parchment. The wolf you saw was a Celestial Messenger I have under my care, not a pet per se, but a messenger of the divine. It was the wolf who granted you the blessing of Astryaln in front of the Elder Council. To prove that you are the chosen Priestess.”

Kaiden shakes his head, confusion evident on his face. “Wait but you just said he was a pet a moment ago. So, he’s not a pet but is a pet? This is confusing.”

Astryaln laughs softly at Kaiden’s confusion. "Allow me to clarify my words, Priestess," he says with a smile. "Perhaps referring to the wolf as a ‘pet' was not the most accurate choice of words. I tend to jokingly refer to it as a pet because of the affectionate and loyal relationship I have with it. However, it’s more accurate to describe it as a Celestial Messenger, a divine being under my care. It serves as a medium through which my presence and blessings can be experienced by mortals." Astryaln gently interjects, "Is there anything else you wished to inquire about, my dear Priestess?" His voice is patient and gentle, ready to address any further questions or concerns Kaiden might have.

Kaiden nods his head, “I told the Elders about my dream, and they said they would look into it further, but I wanted to address it with you as well. In the vision when Molly is taken, I saw a fox above the fire. The Elders said that it could be Vespera, is that true??”

Astryaln's expression becomes more serious as he responds to Kaiden's question regarding the vision again. "Ah, the sighting of a fox above the fire in your dream. The Elders' suggestion of Vespera's involvement has some merit. In legends and myths, foxes are often associated with trickery, deception, and magic. If the vision you had is indeed prophetic, it might indicate that deception or sorcery is at play in the event you saw. However, it's important to remember that dreams can be symbolic and open to interpretation. The fox could also represent something else entirely."

“Is there any way to prove though if it was Vespera or even her celestial warriors who were involved?” Kaiden asks, “could you speak with Vespera maybe?”

Astryaln's expression becomes thoughtful, considering Kaiden's request. "It's a valid question, dear Priestess," he admits. "If the fox in your dream does indeed symbolize Vespera's involvement or that of her Celestial Warriors, there are ways to find out. I could attempt to communicate with Vespera directly, as you suggested. However, it is important to note that Vespera is a goddess and can be unpredictable. She may choose to disclose information, or she may not. Her actions are often shrouded in mystery."

Kaiden smiles feeling a slight ray of hope. He feels that if Astryaln confronts the other deity himself he could get better answers. Kaiden nods happily. “Thank you Astryaln. That was my last question.”

Astryaln responds with a warm smile, sensing Kaiden's optimism. "Very well, I will endeavor to reach out to Vespera and try to get more concrete answers," he affirms. "It may take some time, as celestial affairs are often complex, but I will do my best to find out more about the events in your vision."

As Astryaln steps away, his figure slowly disappearing into the whiteness around them. "May your dreams be pleasant for the rest of the night, dearest one," he says, his words carried in the air. Then, like a wisp of smoke, he vanishes entirely, blending seamlessly into the white landscape.

Turning away from the spot where Astryaln vanished, Kaiden sees only the empty white landscape, a pang of sadness washes over him at the unexpected departure of Astryaln. But his attention is quickly diverted as he finds himself standing in front of the tranquil pond in a familiar area of the palace. There on the grass, meticulously braiding flowers, is Margaretta, her movements gentle and slow. The air around them is filled with a sense of peace and serenity, while the soft sound of water in the background adds to the idyllic atmosphere.

Laying down beside Margaretta, Kaiden finds comfort and solace in her company as she continues to braid flowers. The gentle rhythm of her humming and the melodic flow of her voice bring a sense of tranquility, allowing Kaiden to drift into a peaceful sleep. With the sun rising in the distance, casting a warm glow over the landscape and signaling the approach of a new day, Kaiden remains undisturbed, finally able to find solace in deep and undisturbed rest.