PART 1

Chapter ONE: "Victory"

After they defeated Lord Zorom and the Dark Priest, in turn, preventing them from resurrecting the evil Ahriman-or so they thought-Talia Maurva, Devin Perry, Alicia Pendragon, and Frederick Le Mew exited the hidden castle.

"We did it! We did it!" Princess Alicia cheered loudly once they were out.

Frederick turned into a dragon to blow out puffs of smoke and fire to signal their triumphant victory.

Once they reached the opening to the mainland, Talia and Devin embraced each other playfully and began dancing merrily outside the ruined shrine. Alicia cut-in to dance with Devin, leaving Talia and Frederick to watch. Talia watched quietly as the two danced, finding herself feeling a bit jealous at Alicia taking away her dance (however, she did not notice that he was glancing at her with every turn), but she was too happy to complain.

After a few minutes of celebrating, Talia began to wonder what they were going to do now that they had completed their journey.

"Devin, Alicia, Frederick-friends, what are we to do now?" Talia asked as their excitement had become a quiet contentment, and they walked to Candar Kingdom to stay the night.

"I don't know, Talia..." Devin replied first as reality started to sink in again.

"Well, I know I have to return to Thais. Hopefully mother and father have not gotten too desperate to find me a husband," Alicia said reluctantly, sighing. They were in fact, eager as can be to give her hand away.

"I'm sure they will be patient," Talia said, feeling a little sorry for the princess. "Devin and I should probably go back to Elden soon. We have been away for so lon-"

"-No, Talia! I already told you I don't want to go back to that boring place!" he said annoyed, interrupting her.

"Hmph!…I suppose we can stay in Thais for now as well. We can keep renting that old room there," she went on, irritable, as she thought of other ways of convincing him later with better luck to travel back to Elden.

"...Devin, perhaps you can serve as the royal family's highest knight? I'm sure mother and father would agree that you would be a good candidate! Frederick and Talia, you can be...Mmm, we shall see," Alicia said, sounding a little haughty as usual.

"That would be wonderful, Alicia! I would love to serve as highest knight," Devin replied, glad to have an excuse to stay on the mainland a little longer, also touched and honored that the princess would extend the offer.

"Then it's settled! Tomorrow the four of us will go back to Thais," Alicia stated with finality in her tone.

"Actually...I think I should head back to Animalville. I miss my brother," Frederick interrupted. "Besides I want to show those pests my new shape-changing skills. But if you three ever need me, I would be honored to help you again. You know where to find me."

"Thank you, Frederick. We couldn't have done this without you," Devin said nobly.

As their futures seemed more certain now that the battle was over, the group fell silent to enjoy the sweetness and glory of the coming evening.

The party arrived at the inn in Candar where they rested. In the morning, Talia woke up before the others. She stepped outside and was surprised to find Gevolda, the high priestess from Mysten Far and another mysterious priestess, waiting outside.

"Hello, Gevolda...What brings you to Candar?" Talia asked, puzzled, thinking it odd that she would leave Mysten Far and travel all this way for anything less than urgent.

"The Oracle has told us of news that you have defeated Lord Zorom," Gevolda said sounding extremely pleased.

"Yes. Word spreads quickly, doesn't it? We were just going to visit Prince Edward to tell him the news that his brother is dead, before heading back to Thais," Talia said, thinking of the good, but bittersweet news her party had to give.

"No need to do that. We already informed the King of Candar. He is quite...heartbroken, to say the least," Gevolda said and bowed her head low. "...But we are not here for the prince. We are here to speak with you. Talia, this is Leana, the Moon Priestess. She is here to help select the next Dream Priestess."

"Um...Pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Talia said more confused than ever, still wondering why the two were here.

"No, no. The pleasure is mine, dear," the Moon Priestess said eagerly, lowering herself to a quick bow.

"Talia, after observing your great courage and extraordinary magical aptitude, we would like to invite you to come with us to Mysten Far. As I just told you, we need to find a new Dreamer to watch over the Dreamworld. We believe that you may be the one for the position," Gevolda revealed.

"What's wrong with the current Dreamer?" Talia asked, recalling part of their journey to the Dreamland.

"The Dreamer is ready to retire from her duties. She has been watching our dreams for nearly 10,000 years now. We have to replace her with a new Dreamer within a year, if not sooner."

"But I thought the Dreamer was immortal?" Talia asked, thinking how little she knew about the Dreamer.

"Yes, but one can only live for so long before growing tired of immortality. When a Dreamer steps down after serving for a very long time, she will become mortal again and live out her remaining years as she pleases."

"I don't know...if I should go..." Talia began as she tried making sense of everything and what it meant. Her heart stuck to one thought immediately: of having to leave Devin behind forever.

Just then, Devin walked out of the inn, door flinging open carelessly.

"Talia, where were you? We have to check out soon," Devin said as he became aware of Gevolda and the strange priestess' presence.

"Devin, this is Leana, the Moon Priestess. Gevolda and Leana have come to ask me to return to Mysten Far with them," Talia said forcing a polite smile, but hoping Devin would oppose them for even thinking of taking her away.

"You would have to serve a year as a novice priestess. After that, the choice is yours to drink from the Fountain of Immortality. If you choose to become the Dreamer, then you will be sent immediately to the High Priest Realm where you will train with the Moon Priestess, the Star Priestess, and the Sun Priest-Talia, you do not have to decide now, but a prompt answer is expected soon. The Oracle will have the final word after your training, I must warn.

"Take some time to think about all of this. We will be with Master Gerrith at the Collegium of War and Magick waiting for your answer tomorrow," Gevolda said, noticing Talia would not be leaving with them at this very moment as she appeared uncertain.

The two priestesses left the inn. Talia and Devin stood silent for a minute as they watched them converge with the throngs of morning villagers.

"Devin...what should I do?" Talia asked him after a brief silence. Only a day to make such a choice? she thought, grudgingly. Tomorrow did not seem to be enough time for such an important decision like this. It was too soon.

Alicia and Frederick suddenly pushed the inn door open ready to leave.

Devin pretended to ignore Talia's question. He could not bear to think of Talia leaving his side forever, but he knew that he would not be able to give her the life she deserved. He had nothing for her-and besides, they were only friends. How could he then ask her to give up the opportunity to become the next Dreamer?

"Home at last today!" Alicia announced to them grinning happily, ending the harsh silence.

"Yes... Home. Home to Thais!" Talia said as if she had already forgotten the priestesses visit.