The night over Sunspear was still. Only the distant crash of waves and the chirping of crickets cut through the darkness. Mars slept — yet his mind found no rest.
He was carried away.
Before him stretched a path of pale sand, branching into six roads. Each one led into darkness, from which faint shapes and sounds emerged. Above the paths hung ghostly lights, their meaning slipping from his grasp.
"Strange… I don't know this place," Velyra whispered in his mind.
"What is this?"
"A vision? A place between worlds? No idea. But you should see it."
Mars took the first path. The air cooled, shallow pools shimmered, palms swayed. Laughter, voices. The Water Gardens.
"I know this one," Velyra said softly. "Home."
Then the scene changed. Ancient, towering trees, mist curling around the roots, whispered voices. Mars felt watched.
"Velyra?"
"Mmh… I don't like this. I don't know what this is."
Another path. Black stone, smoke in the air, heat beneath the earth.
"I've heard tales… of an old fortress… dragons… fire… perhaps."
A third path — storms, lightning, wind that nearly knocked him down. He could see little through the howling darkness.
"I've never been there. But even old ghosts remember wrath like this."
Next came ice. A frozen land, empty and silent. Nothing but snow and mist.
"This… is ancient. Older than I… far older."
Lastly, a place of rare beauty. Warm, fragrant air, butterflies in every color. Mars froze as a slender figure stepped from the shadows.
Silver hair. Violet eyes.
"Who…?"
"Wait," Velyra whispered, voice tense.
Another voice entered Mars's mind. Warm, old, achingly familiar.
"We are almost ready…"
Mars wanted to shout, but the figure vanished among the butterflies.
"What was that, Velyra?!"
"That… wasn't me. And I know that voice… or thought I did."
Mars jolted awake, sweat on his brow, the sweet scent still lingering in the air.