54. Heart Dream

Isabella fell and sat on the ground. The others came to rescue her. Caoilainn put the back of her hand on her forehead and said:
- "You have a strong fever! I will treat you right now." - Caoilainn got some herbs and prepared healing magic. She put a herb on Isabella's forehead and said - "she needs medical attention, we should leave."
- "No..." - Isabella said slowly - "you must press on."
- "No Isa, you must be treated."
- "Yes, but I have time. We do not know if we will ever be able to return here and the Duke is no more. Press on."
- "I will take care of her" - said Mazanlold. - "you and Richard try to find out what we need to do. If nothing works, we go back with Isabella."
- "Are you okay with that, Richard?" - Caoilainn asked and he consented. Caoilainn gave Mazanlold her materials and some instructions. Then, she got up with Richard and approached the altar.

The altar was square shaped, fixed on a pillar. On top of it, was an alchemic circle. It was the same circle used to create the Philosopher's Stone, the three pointed star, the octagon on the center and the four lines around the star. However it also had two two tears drawn on it, on both sides of the octagon. The octagon and one of the tears were also slots, and the other tear shape was covered by stone. Caoilainn said:
- "Richard, I suspect this will grant our wishes, but still I'm not sure how. There is a slot for the Philosopher's Stone, but also to some kind of tear. Do you have any idea what it might mean?" - Richard thought for some moments, before his eyes widened and he looked into his pocket. Suddenly, he grabbed and showed a purple tear shaped gem to Caoilainn.
- "Wait! Where did you get this beauty that you've never shown to me?"
- "I'm not sure actually" - he touched his glasses - "it showed up in a dream and then it was in my pocket as soon as I arrived at this world." - Caoilainn was amazed:
- "Wow! Maybe this is the key from another world!" - she stood out her hand - "may I?" - Richard gave her the tear and she set both the tear and the stone into their slots. Suddenly, the altar span a few turns and an orange aura emerged from it.

Caoilainn and Richard took a step back. From the orange aura, a voice said:
- "I am the guardian spirit of the key to Anima Mundi. If you are here, it means that you crave it. And here, you may be able to reach it. I was tasked with guarding the tear gem which allows connection to Anima Mundi, together with the Philosopher's Stone and a tear from another world. In order to help you, I am allowed to answer three questions if you have any." - Caoilainn and Richard looked at each other for a few moments, before Caoilainn said:
- "First, dear guardian, is Anima Mundi really able to grant wishes?"
- "Yes it is." - the guardian answered - "With alchemy in the altar circle using the stone and the tears, the alchemist or someone else can wish for whatever they want and it will be transmuted by Anima Mundi. One only needs to wish it clearly on his mind." - Richard was quick:
- "Are there any limitations to the wish?"
- "Yes, there are two limitations. The first is that the past cannot be changed and that includes bringing back the dead. The second is that only one wish may be made." - the four warriors felt that blow. The guardian continued - "the sacred tear is only capable of granting one wish, after that it might be able to do so in the future, but it may take years, decades or maybe even centuries."
- "Okay, give us some time" - said Caoilainn.
- "You have all the time you want, I only guard this place." - Caoilainn and Richard reapproached Isabella and Mazanlold.

Mazanlold said:
- "That is a bummer isn't it?"
- "It is" - Richard replied - "pretty disappointing, we will have to think on what to do." - Caoilainn said:
- "Yes, we will" - she turned to Isabella - "let's first take a look at you. How are you doing?"
- "It hurts a lot" - Isabella coughed - "but I think I will get by." - Caoilainn approached and saw Isabella's neck had a huge gray stain which seemed to be growing to the rest of her body. Caoilainn turned away from her and was visibly in shock.
- "What is the issue?" - asked Richard. Caoilainn signaled for him to keep it down but Isabella said:
- "I saw that, Caoi. I am in terrible shape am I not?"
- "Yes, you are" - Caoilainn said sighing - "you are victim of a demon curse. I have no idea how to cure that and without treatment you may have no more than a few hours left." - Richard raised his hands and said:
- "But is there a treatment?"
- "I don't know" - Caoilainn replied, looking down. They stayed in silence for a few minutes. Their heads were full with worry for Isabella, and an aching discomfort of only a single dream being able to be fulfilled.

Richard sighed. He touched his glasses and his nose. He stood up and said:
- "My friends, do you mind if I make another question to the guardian? It is our last one." - it took some moments, but all consented with their heads. Richard reapproached the altar and said:
- "Guardian, do you know about Isabella's condition? How can we cure her?"
- "Isabella is the victim of a demon's shadow curse, one that a powerful demon can only cast when it is about to die. Unfortunately, there is nothing a mage, an alchemist or a doctor can do to cure her, it means certain death." - Richard replied quickly:
- "So it means Anima Mundi can cure her."
- "I cannot answer another question specifically."
- "It is alright" - Richard turned back to his friends and said: - "you heard it. We can save Isabella through our wish."
- "I know, but it didn't give us certainty." - said Mazanlold. Caoilainn replied:
- "Actually it was very specific when it said that mages, alchemist and doctors cannot cure it. If Anima Mundi wasn't capable of this, it would have simply said 'there is no cure'."
- "Okay, I agree with that" - said Mazanlold. At this moment, Isabella started getting up, using her sword as support. She said:
- "Wait! I have a solution for you." - her face was terrible. Her chin was starting to get gray. Richard smiled:
- "Well, that is good, please tell us" - the three listened carefully while Isabella explained:
- "Richard can make the wish, wishing to to learn all the secrets of the world and to be able to pass then on. That way, Caoilainn will be able to learn every magic from him." - she looked at Caoilainn - "You are amazing. With all this knowledge and a great warrior like Mazanlold with you, you will be able to seize the kingdom. I can make you the official heir right now, as you were adopted by my father. Then, as queen, you will be able to pay official homage to Mazanlold's father and grandfather. You three will be able to run the kingdom, Richard a scholar, Caoilainn the queen and Mazanlold a great and renowned warrior." - they smiled at the possibility. However it took only a few moments for Caoilainn to say:
- "Something is missing here."
- "Yes" - replied Mazanlold.
- "What about you, Isabella?" - Richard asked. She coughed again before answering:
- "Well, my dream has already come true." - she lowered her eyes - "I thought I wanted respect or getting back at my family or even the kingdom" - she then looked at each of them - "but what I really wished for was to become a great leader and help people fulfill their dreams." - she paused, coughing - "I don't know if I became great, but it is clear that I succeeded in my mission to fulfill your dreams" - Caoilainn was dumbfounded:
- "And then we leave you to die here?!"
- "It is no issue. You already helped me achieve my dream. All I can do is sacrifice myself to make you fulfill your dreams." - Caoilainn got up turned around and crossed her arms. Richard didn't have words, but Mazanlold said:
- "I understand it. Leave us some time to think." - all got up to think, while Isabella sat down again, panting and in fever.

In the time they took to think, they didn't exchange words. Everyone realized how personal the feelings and decisions had to be. Isabella felt the time going slowly and her pain increased. She was not sad, but in great pain. Finally, Mazanlold said:
- "Well, I made up my mind, can I tell you my decision?"
- "Yes" - replied Caoilainn, the others also consented.
- "So, when I began our journey" - Mazanlold started - "my eyes were set on death and suffering. I remembered my family's suffering and dishonor and felt a mixture of sadness and fear. Sadness at what we suffered and fear of suffering the same fate. So, I strove to do my part being the best warrior I could and I wished deeply to either honor their memory or guarantee my honors. Despite that" - Mazanlold looked at each of them - "you my friends taught me valuable lessons on life and love. You taught me the true meaning of peuco." - he lowered his eyes and took a breath before continuing - "and you taught me that bigger than any honor is the gift of live and how you live. It is irrelevant what people think of you or what comes after your death if you live with true honor. So" - his look was strong - "I say we cure Isabella with our wish, giving her the gift of life. I will keep living honorably after that." - Mazanlold relaxed a bit before finishing - "I cannot force my decision on others, so let's hear what you have to say when you are ready."

It took only a few moments for Caoilainn to raise her hand and say:
- "Well, as I've made very clear, my dream is to became the greatest mage of all. Anima Mundi would give me that, I am certain" - Caoilainn looked at them and then looked down. - "but there is one thing I know and that I always knew" - she started crying but went on - "Isa is the best friend I've ever had, my adopted sister, the one saved me on the past and the one who has always supported me." - she looked up and cried - "I'd rather die! Than to fulfill my dreams at the cost of Isa's life! I'd rather die..." - Caoilainn broke down crying. Richard and Mazanlold offered to help, but she raised her hand and preferred to be alone. They gave her some time. When most tears had dried, Caoilainn said - "like Mazanlold I cannot force my decision on others. We have two solutions, saving Isa or fulfilling our dreams like Isa suggested. And the only one who can wish for both is Richard. In a way this decision is now his."
- "Indeed" - said Mazanlold.

It took a few minutes for Richard to say:
- "My decision is made."
- "Tell us" - Isabella replied coughing. In her heart, she had conflicting wishes for her life and for their dreams. Richard started, looking at each of them:
- "Well, my friends. I began this journey looking for knowledge, craving it. Now, I still love it, but I love my friends more. Now I feel life, I embrace life, I know love." - he turned to Isabella - "All of that is thanks to Isabella. It was she who opened my eyes to that. There are many tales about those who give their hearts to others. But does any of you know about a tale such as this one?" - he paused - "Isabella gave my own heart to me. Before this, my heart was not mine. How much do I owe her? I can never pay such a debt." - he shook his head - "There is one thing I can do, however. I can give her all I have, my entire life, and serve her." - he paused again - "If I have to choose between all the knowledge in the world and her, I'd choose her. **Every single time**." - he sighed and panted. - "AH! It's so hard opening up like this!" - tears were in his eyes as he smiled and looked at the others - "I am glad we all agree. If you were against saving Isabella, I would have to fight you, and I'm sorry for that."
- "Well, a warrior needs to stand their ground" - said Mazanlold - "Specially to defend their comrades. You are doing the right thing, like a true peuco."
- "We all agree Isa is amazing" - said Caoilainn, smiling and tearing up again - "And much more worth than our other wishes."
- "So, it's time" - said Richard, drying up his tears. Caoilainn approached the altar with him.

Caoilainn gave her right hand to Richard. They both stood their other hands to the altar. A light started to emanate from the stone and the tears, as Caoilainn started the incantation. Richard felt the mana flowing through him. On his mind, his memories showed in flashes. His mother, his school, his college, his work and the people he met there. Then, he saw images of his journey, the places, the transmutations, the fights. After that, he saw Caoilainn and Mazanlold, their conversations, the fights and the camaraderie. Finally, he saw images of Isabella. How she fought Goliath and stood out her hand to him. How she fought at so many battles. How she was by his side even when he was at his worse. He saw their conversations at the beach. He simply saw her, and he latched onto the image of Isabella smiling and well. With this image he wished with all of his heart that Isabella would be cured. His heart raced. Richard was worried. If he didn't have a heart, he wouldn't be able to make his wish. But with all he had, heart or not, he believed, he dreamed of Isabella's cure.

A powerful colorful light emanated from the altar and filled the entire room. Caoilainn and Richard held their hands with more strength while Mazanlold and Isabella watched in awe. Then, the light focused on Isabella and filled her body. Slowly, it receded from her and only remained in the altar, where it also slowly subsided. Richard and Caoilainn released their hands and almost fell, out of breath. When they recomposed and turned around, Isabella was running towards them and hugged them with all her strength. Mazanlold joined them and all cried.

A faint voice said:
- "My creator wished for that. For Anima Mundi to be used for love..." - the guardian spirit faded away.