My Dream

A week has passed since Eiric left with Runa. In that time, he has attempted to contact Sigrun but barriers around Solgrad prevent communication.

“Would you like anything more to eat?” A maid cares for Eiric, though her role is to keep an eye on him at all times.

A concession Freydis was forced to make, Eiric is even watched as he sleeps. In exchange, his every need is met, from food to the books stacked high in front of him inside the great library of the Solgrad castle.

“I’m ok, thank you.” Eiric said.

“I’ll watch over him, get some rest.” Runa said as she sat next to Eiric, “Any luck?”

“You have a lot of information about them, but I’m not sure if anything will help stop a turn. Although, you all speculate a lot about memories of a past life.”

“Reincarnation is a well known path of life here, but no one other than the blessed have mentioned anything about memories of a past life. I always found it strange.”

“How so?”

“I wouldn’t want them. The joy of life comes from wonder, if you have already lived then great enjoyment would lost. At least I think so, there could be merit to have such memories, we just have no way of confirming if their memories are true. So, wonder boy, do you have memories of a past life?”

“Agh!” Freydis falls into a cloud made by Alvis to catch her, “Thank you.” She waves to him as she runs around the library in search of more books.

“That girl, she’s going to collapse if she doesn’t rest.” Alvis sits with Eiric as well, “Anything?”

“Nothing definitive. Have you considered my request?”

“Denied. Remember that you are still a hostage despite how well you’re living. We can only keep you safe for so long, make good use of this time. I came to toss an idea or two, what if there were a way to remove a blessing?”

“There have been many attempts already, Alvis, it’s impossible. Even taking a blessed weapon has no effect on their sanity.” Runa said.

Eiric closes the book he holds. “When I received my blessing, it was called a sacrifice to protect the world.”

Alvis and Runa straighten their posture. “A sacrifice? What do you mean you received it?” Alvis said.

“It was given to me, by an angel. She said it was the only way to protect this world, and that our sacrifice was to keep it safe.”

“From what?”

“I’m not sure. I, it’s been so long. I remember seeing Ygdrassil, it looked sick.”

“Ygdrassil?” Runa scratches her chin, “I have heard rumors of the great tree’s root losing strength, but we aren’t allowed near it. Its protector kills any who even tries.”

“She said the blessings came from Ygdrasil.”

“They do? Alvis, do you think we could find an answer there?”

“We’d need many of the great captains just to hold off the monster protecting it to give someone a moment to investigate the tree itself. Even then, we’re running only on hope here. Anything more, kid?”

“That is all, I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s something we’ve never heard before. We may have to risk our lives for the chance it seems. A sacrifice. Are we sacrificing your sanity to protect this world? How would that make sense?”

“What if they were to sacrifice something else?” Runa said.

“Can we?” Eiric said.

“I’m not sure, have you sacrificed anything?”

“I haven’t, nothing I can think of.”

“And we’d need to think of a way to do so. This is good, really good, Eiric. Not to scare you, but we have been running out of time here. The damn nobles are already at our throats.”

“Nobles?”

“I’ll tell him.” Runa looks for Freydis whose feet hang from the second floor balcony, “The king of Solgrad is dead.”

“What?”

“The queen went insane after their son turned, and the king committed suicide because of it. It left the princess with the responsibility of the throne at only 12. She’s done well to keep everyone safe, even if some decisions have been forced upon her. I hope your hate for her disappears one day; she has tried, but this has been hopeless until now.”

“Ahah!” Freydis runs down the stairs and to everyone sitting at the table, “See! Ahem, the condition of turning is considered irreversible, but there has been a case where a blessed maintained a level of sanity in which they do not seek to destroy. The immortal one.”

“The immortal one is still dangerous however, visiting them is a huge risk.” Alvis said.

“I’ll do it! We need more. There was the report of Eiric losing control but now he is fine. This blessed found a way to contain themselves, even if it affects the world around them. Together they may be the key. What if preventing a turn isn’t what we need, but a way to bring them back. Eiric, how did you come back?”

“How? Sigrun’s voice. She brought me back.”

“Ahh! The voice of lover! That’s the answer!”

“Princess, I doubt it is as simple as that, but it is a start at least. I also believe it is a huge risk to let you visit the immortal one, your safety is our priority.”

“I must go. We’ve run out of time already, even living proof is not enough for them. We need more, and if there is a chance then we must take it. Please, you two cannot go in my place. This is my dream after all.”

“Your dream?” Eiric said.

“It is. I dream of the five realms being reunited like I read in the stories of history long gone. But we must fix this first. A dream cannot be achieved without sacrifice, so I ask that you allow me.”

“Denied.” Alvis said.

“Oh please! Eiric, tell them! Don’t you have a dream as well? What would you do for it?”

“A dream? Mine has come true. I always dreamed of a family. I would protect it with everything I have. Even my life. But, now that I think about it, my dream has evolved. I want everyone to live a happy life.”

“Right! My life is a small price to pay, Alvis, Runa, we must use all we have. It is possible, Eiric is proof of it. But we need a way to make everyone resist the turn, or to cure it all together. I’m sorry, but there is only so much I can do here, the answers must be out there.”

Alvis sighs. “Well, we were already considering it. Eiric, Runa and I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Kidnap princess Freydis, take her to your people and find a way to cure the blessed. Your head has stopped the battle for a week, and I am grateful, but powers above are fighting for it once more; however, even they cannot force us to attack if the princess is in danger. The people will not allow it.”

“Alvis! Can I really go?!” Freydis said.

“Only because I agree that the answer is out there. Be it the immortal one to lead us in the right direction, or at the great tree Ygdrasil. Eventually you will have to leave, but you’ll suffer if the battle continues while you are gone. This is the only way.”

“Runa?”

“I agree, unfortunately. We’ll think of a plan to get you both out, but Eiric could be killed as you try and escape. We can only do so much before we are suspected as well.”

“I’ll do my best. Thank you.”

“Good.” Alvis stands, “Eiric, do take care of princess Freydis, or I’ll kill you.”

“Alvis! Don’t scare him!”

“It’s just a reasonable request, I have no doubt he will succeed, his conviction has already been proven.”

“I will protect her. And when we return, we will have a way to cure the blessed. I promise.”

“Good, I hope you enjoyed your time here. Prepare for an adventurous night.”

“We’re doing it tonight?”

“Of course, best to surprise them before they even have a chance to know what is going on.”