Tessa saw sand stretching out in every direction. A lone figure struggled through to lift each foot as they made their way across the landscape. When Tessa looked closer she saw that the figure was Dae. She called out to him but her voice died in the wind. In the midst of her useless attempts at communication, she saw Dae halt. She wanted to ask what he saw but before she could voice yet another silent question her view changed.
She stood atop a glassy pool, several yards out from Dae. The surface of the water was so still Tessa could see Dae reflected in the water. Interestingly, she herself had no reflection. Dae tapped a toe against the water and a ripple reached out across the otherwise serene pool. As the ripple washed over Dae's face it became younger. Younger than Tessa had ever seen him.
No scars marked his face and the wrinkles between his brows from his constant anxiety washed away. Tessa watched as Dae ran a hand over his mouth and neck. She could feel his voice in her chest. An extension of her power reserved for contact with objects that held Dae's essence.
Something's missing…
Tessa made no attempt to inform Dae of what exactly was missing, having finally given up on her quest to reach him.
In a flash Tessa was at his side. She watched in horror as a creature rose from the water. A nictitating membrane opened up revealing dark green eyes that locked with Dae's. Tessa couldn't help but find similarity in the color of those eyes. Scales and claws rested beneath the water. A large body stretched out past where Tessa could see.
Beside Tessa, Dae startled and fell back onto the loose sand. His body tensed as he hit the ground and he held his hands up to cover his face, as if they could do anything against such a creature. Tessa heard Dae take in a sharp panicked breath before going still in anticipation.
A rumbling noise rippled out from the reptile. Ice ran through Tessa's veins and she saw Dae trembling in fear. Dae began to frantically look at his surroundings.
I thought it was empty, why did I think it was empty?
Tessa sighed and tried to reach out a hand and pat Dae's head, only to discover she had no hand with which to pat. The reason Dae hadn't looked up was the same as the reason Tessa assumed she had corporeal form. Tessa finally realized she was in a dream. She hoped it wasn't precognitive.
In the distance the sand gave way to fields of grain. Seated in the heart of the field was a beautiful stone windmill. It turned lazily with the breeze rippling through the grain.
Why can't I feel the wind?
Motion in the corner of Tessa's vision brought her focus back to the pond and the crocodile within. The crocodile's terrifying maw was now open. A greyish white bird with sharp black markings perched inside. Fear once again seized Dae's muscles. Tessa watched as he drew in on himself. His face twisted into an expression of pure terror. One more absolute than the fear he'd shown when he first saw the crocodile.
Dae reached out a hand as if he could do anything to stop what was about to happen to the pitifully unaware creature. He stayed clearly afraid even speaking would hasten the bird's death. His fear was again unfounded.
The rumbling sound echoed out again and the bird chirped happily in response. Dae and Tessa watched curiously as the bird pecked around the crocodile's teeth gently. When the bird managed to unearth, Tessa didn't want to consider what, it would tilt its head back and happily swallow down the scraps. Finally, Tessa connected the scene before her as belonging to an old myth. The Egyptian plover, a bird believed to have a symbiotic relationship with alligators wherein they feed on meat stuck in the crocodile's jaw thus easing possible dental pain.
The strange display continued until the bird's wings lifted it up again. It hovered in the air as the crocodile closed its mouth then landed on the reptile's floating muzzle.
I thought reptile didn't experience emotions. But the way it looks at that bird… I must have been wrong.
The serene glow around the scene shattered as shadow darted across the pond's surface. A second bird, nearly twice the size as the first, dove down. Tessa recognized it as a kingfisher as she saw its blue and orange plumage. It descended on the plover and sunk its talons in. The plover squawked and writhed.
When the kingfisher began to lift the smaller bird into the sky the crocodile snapped up but only managed to bite off the plover's leg. Blood stained it's light feathers as its protests grew weaker and weaker.
Tessa could feel Dae trying to scream as panic washed over him.
I have to help! I have to! I have to! But I can't. If only- If only-
Dae cut himself off and his head snapped up. Tessa followed his gaze to a windmill rising from the field of grain in the distance. She watched it rattle and wobble as Dae pulled the metal fillings from it. They formed an arrow as they flew through the sky. Tessa watched somberly, already knowing the outcome.
It met its mark. The kingfisher and the plover tumbled down through the sky. Dae caught them both and stared in anguish. TThe arrow he'd created to liberate the plover pierced its fragile body the same as it had the kingfisher.
In the distance the blade of the windmill fell into the field of grain.
The crocodile emerged from the water. Its eyes locked on Dae with murderous intent. Dae stayed still as it approached. He didn't flinch when its powerful jaws clamped shut on his neck.
Tessa didn't need to hear Dae's thoughts to know what he was thinking.
She awoke to a dull ache in her cheek. She rubbed her hand over her face and discovered an indent of the coils of wire she'd been sleeping on.
Coils she'd borrowed from Dae.