Chapter NINE: To Be Free

...

The sun loomed closely to the horizon. The priestesses accompanying Talia divided into two rows and lined up on opposite sides when they reached a green garden in the center of Mysten Far. A large bonfire that shined brightly different hues of white, red, and gold, had been started in front of the Goddess statue in the center of the garden square.Gevolda walked up to the statue's platform towards an old woman wearing an elegant blue dress and red scarf. Talia began to pace forward as well.

"Talia this is the Oracle, she rules over all priests and priestesses in the High Realm and the Druids of the world."

Talia attempted to smile at the old woman, but she only felt desperate, wishing to somehow get out of the overwhelming ceremony, as well as the uncertainty of what lay ahead. After all these months, she was only given a vague description of what was to come once she became the Dreamer.

"My dear, I have heard so much about you: how you found all the relics to bring Agea back and defeated Lord Zorom. It was absolutely noble of you to complete such a difficult prophecy. I am extremely confident that you will make an exceptional Dreamer," the Oracle assured Talia and gave her a light hug with her frail arms, then clasping her hands.

"I had help from my friends," Talia corrected the Oracle, not wanting to take all the credit.

The old woman and Gevolda then turned away from her to discuss some things before beginning.

By now Talia had given up her hopes of seeing Devin again. She glanced one last time over her shoulder and decided to comply with whatever lied ahead.

"We should begin the ceremony, the sun is rapidly setting." Gevolda said, ending her conversation with the Oracle, as she looked towards the west.

...

At this time also, after several hours of flying, Devin and Frederick finally reached the portal marker, then found themselves in the grassy haven of Mysten Far. Frederick changed his form again into a unicorn and the two raced towards the temples.

...

"Talia Maurva...do you pledge to protect and watch over the dreams of mortals as the Dream Priestess?"

"Yes...I do."

"Perform the duties necessary to serve the gods and goddesses of all creations."

"Yes, I do."

"Fight evil and darkness when it is present, till death, if necessary?"

"Yes."

"Sleep forever, as needed, to protect all dreams from demons and wicked creatures?"

"Yes," Talia said confused at what she had agreed to, but did not care anymore; her fate was sealed after each vow to the Oracle.

The Oracle then reached for a pearl-colored goblet resting on a pedestal nearby and placed into Talia's hands.

"As Dream Priestess now, you can live forever, if you wish, that is. But after you have served for a long time you can break your duties as Dream Priestess and you will be allowed to do as you please. Now that you have agreed to these terms you may drink this water from the Fountain of Immortality. Once you drink the water, and it has fully absorbed within, you will ascend to the Dreamworld as the new Dreamer."

Talia held onto the goblet cautiously. She heard the priestesses whispering behind her, awaiting for her to drink the solution. She gazed down into it and saw a clear fluid bubbling gently. It looked like nothing more than mineral water, she thought; but still opposed the idea of drinking it.

"Does this mean I am going to look seventeen forever?" she asked knowingly stalling the process, but she was also curious as well. The Oracle and the priestesses began to laugh.

"No, no dear. You can age as you please. You can become an old woman like me or stay your age if you wish," the Oracle replied and then signaled for her to drink it.

Talia knew that there was nothing more to be said; no more questions to be answered. The sun now set low into the horizon. It was now time.

Ignoring all reason, she held the goblet to her lips and tipped the contents down. The water did not taste as she thought it would. The flavor was of heavenly honey, so sweet and pleasant that she wished it would never end.

"Talia!" she heard her name being called from somewhere as she lowered the goblet. She turned half way to see who it was. Immediately, she dropped the goblet and it shattered into pieces.

"Devin?!...Devin!" she wailed as she saw him running towards her. She rushed to him and saw him holding her journal.

As if both had been waiting for this moment, they embraced each other. Devin's and Talia's lips met with a lasting kiss. After the few seconds of bliss, Talia suddenly felt every fiber in her body tighten reminding her of the terrible truth.

"I'm such a fool. I should have never let you come here. We can go back to Elden like you wanted. As long as we are together, I don't care what I have to do," Devin told her, smiling joyfully and happy to have her in his arms again.

He handed her journal back, but both their hands still held onto it.

"Devin..." Talia began, but started to cry uncontrollably.

"What's wrong my precious red apple lips," he called her, never having done so before; but now he wished to call her loving names for the rest of his life. Devin watched her green eyes glisten like brilliant emerald stones as the last of the sun rays caught her eyes.

"...You're too late...I am the Dreamer," she said sharply as she put her head on his chest, not wanting to let go. Devin looked at the broken goblet on the ground. He could taste "bitter" but sweet eternal water on his own lips.

"We can never be together. I will be leaving soon for the Dreamworld..." Talia whispered, unable to fully grasp their circumstances.

"No, Talia! We can leave now! We can just leave all of this behind us as if it never happened!"

"Devin, I will be leaving soon...You have to go on without me. I want you to be happy...To have love," Talia whimpered, raising her head to look into his eyes. Every second counted; she knew that she had to let Devin free. As painful and excruciating as it was, she would most likely never see him again, so she would have to let him go forever.

"...Talia I will come with you!"

"Devin you can't come with me. They would never let you..."

"Then I will wait for you! I don't care how long I have to wait as long as we can be together! Talia, I love you!" he said, kissing her again. "We will be together, Talia. I will not let you leave or anyone take you."

Talia caressed his face and blue hair affectionately with her free hand, but forced her tears to stop.

"No, Devin...I do not want you waiting for me. I want you to be happy and...free. Please, just do this for me! I will not be able to live with myself knowing you are miserable and alone. You have to go back to Thais and live your life without me... I will watch over your dreams, my love, as I promised."

"Talia..."

"Don't speak...I just what to hold onto this memory and hold onto you before we part. I love you Devin Perry and I always will," Talia whispered softly and began to recite the words from her journal to him, knowing she would be departing any second:

"Talia Maurva and Devin Perry together.

My soul mate at last and only true love,

Love will always be sweet with thee at my side..."

The two of them kissed at the end of the verse one last time. Talia kept her arms wrapped around him, now holding the journal in her hand tightly. Devin opened his eyes no longer able to feel her presence. In her place, thousands of tiny luminous lights ascended slowly into the dark and starry sky and disappeared into the night.

Immediately, Devin looked at the Oracle and priestesses all of whom were crying. Gevolda stood silent and watched Devin, waiting for him to react. Frederick had lowered his unicorn horn close to the ground, scuffing at the grass.

"I want to go with her!" Devin angrily shouted at them as he pulled out his sword.

"Calm down, Devin..." Gevolda stepped forward. The other priestesses began to shuffle away.

"Just take me to the Dreamlands and I will do no harm!"

Carefully, the Oracle stepped forward and walked up to him, unafraid of his weapon.

"Young man, it is impossible for you to go to the Dreamworld and stay there. You are not a druid or priest. It would be against all natural laws."

Devin let go of his sword. He felt somewhat foolish for threatening an elderly woman, especially the Oracle.

"I understand that you have had a terrible day, dear," the Oracle continued and grabbed hold of Devin's hands, rubbing them gently. "But you cannot go around trying to dictate yours and Talia's destinies."

"I just want her with me. I will do anything! I will become a priest if I have to!"

Gevolda then interrupted.

"Devin, not only are you qualified to be a priest, but I would even recommend you as a first choice. The problem with becoming a druid is normally long stretches of time go by before we must replace any of them. The last druid to willingly step down occurred several hundred years ago; and that is if they do not pass down their duties to someone of their preference. You would have to be extremely fortunate if there were any position available even a hundred years from now."

"Then I will wait a hundred years or more to be with her!" Devin murmured furiously as he turned to Frederick to leave.

The Oracle and Gevolda watched Devin furiously march off.

Frederick went with him as they walked back to the portal.

Devin did not know what he was ever going to do without her.

End of Part 1