He woke up, but realized he was still dreaming. This time the dream was different. The light was behind him, and he was guarding it. He was successful in reaching it. The light he protected was hovering behind him, and he saw a doorway appear. When it opened, there was a male figure standing there. The stance was proud and honorable, as though he was someone of vast importance.
"I finally reached through to you!" the figure sighed with a melodious voice. It even had a regal tone to it to show he was royalty. The light behind him now moved to swirl around the figure with a form of joy, and Jericho paused with surprise at who the swirling light revealed.
"Aelfric!" Jericho whispered. Then he was shocked that he could speak.
"This is your dream, not mine, Jericho," Aelfric laughed. "I'm glad that you reached our betrothed before he could. There is much I need to tell you and not much time was granted to me."
"I'm all ears," he nodded with his new, deep tone of voice. It actually had a deep, noble ring to it that made it sound like he was a true ruler. It baffled him slightly, but he pushed the thought aside.
"Good. Sinlus is aware of everything you're doing. He knows about the sun crystals. He knows about the duplicate crowns. He. Knows. Everything," Aelfric growled. "But, there is a way past this. You can't tell anyone, or he'll find out. There is something you can do that will destroy the curse in full."
"Tell me."
"The duplicate crown being made for me is an exact copy and likeness, thanks to you. The technology used to make the crown is incredible! Only a Dwarven Master could give life to a crown, but only of original design. Hmm, I'm wasting time. Anyways, you need to swap out the sun crystals with fully charged moon crystals. Sinlus...well...he tarnished my crown. It's corrupted. He kept trying to force it on his head, and now my crown will accept no one. It will not aid you in any way. The duplicate crown can become my true crown. When you go to Ambrosia's desecrated home, you'll find my skeleton by the old altar. It should still be there. Place the duplicate crown with the moon crystals in place on my skull's brow! I cannot stress this enough! Once the crown is in place, I will personally acknowledge it as my true crown. The crown that Sinlus has is very special, you see. It's alive with a consciousness of its own. It knows what I plan to do. It wants to be free, too, and has already agreed to what I want to do.
"Once the spirit of the crown is free and safely in the duplicate crown, the one that Sinlus has will die of neglect as a regular crown would. Suggest to Ambrosia to wear her wedding gown. She may do so, anyways. She's smart and catches on quickly to various things. Keep her mother's crown on you after I accept the new crown. Hopefully, she will understand and will switch out her duplicate crown for her mother's true one. She can even throw the duplicate at Sinlus to stall him. I don't care. As long as she holds her mother's crown, and you hold the new crown and they touch...that is what matters. Once they touch, put her crown on her brow so she can put my crown on yours. In life, I was a very powerful Fae Mage. I still retain quite a bit of my power in death, since I was able to reach you. What strength I have left, I must save for the power transfer of the crowns."
"I see what you're saying," Jericho nodded. "I'll do exactly as you suggest."
"I would hope so," Aelfric smiled. "However, there is one other favor I would ask of you."
"Name it!"
"She will likely bear a son for you as her firstborn. An heir for the new Fae Realms of your clan with her. I want you to name him after me so that I can be reborn with the same likeness that you see me as now," he said with a hint of sorrow. "I may not be a part of my betrothed's life the way it was planned, but I can at least be a part of her life as a child and be able to grow up with her. I will not have any personal memories of my old life, but I will regain my powers as a powerful Fae Mage. If you would have me as your son..."
"I would be honored to call you my son, Aelfric," Jericho said with a sad smile.
"Then...I would be honored...to call you my Father," he said. They hugged as a father and son would and clasped hands before Aelfric was forced back to the doorway. "I need to leave now to set up my position by my skeleton and preserve my strength. Remember! Swap out the sun crystals for moon crystals so that the true crown can be claimed!"
"I will!" Jericho vowed. The light returned to hover near him and darkness surrounded him...