Vision

It's bright. My eyes hurt. Everywhere I look there's color, light, and people. I don't understand what they are saying. Theirs is so much. It's all so confusing, but I think I know where I am.

I look around me. There is polished marble under my feet and bookshelves in every direction. The bindings on the books are colorful and not damaged. They look like Father has just finished fixing them. Yes! I know where I am! This is the library! This is Helia before everything became peaceful.

I can feel myself walking outside, but I don't know why I am going there. I look towards the ocean and my eyes ache. It's so bright. Why is it so bright? It hurts to look but I can't look away. Something is keeping my head pointed towards the harbor. There is a glint of metal. I recognize this procession! It's from the Chronicler's memory!

I think I blink. I don't know how, but suddenly, I am closer to the soldiers all lined up. Standing beside them I see Kalista with her feathery helmet. She looks worried. Someone is talking to her. He's really big and he's got a huge shield on his back.

Ledros?

Another big person comes over and speaks with them. I can't hear the words he is saying. He looks excited even through Kalista and Ledros do not. Something about him is familiar. I don't know why. I don't know his face and I can't feel his soul.

Before I can figure out who he is, all three of them go different directions. I watch as Kalista walks up a big board onto the ship in the harbor. It's such a big and pretty ship, much bigger than the one I sleep in. It's even bigger than Auntie's ship. Where did it come from?

When I see Kalista again, there is a new person walking in front of her. I think he's wearing a crown. Oh, a crown! He is! That must be the king! That must be her uncle. He. . . doesn't look well.

Where is her auntie?

I want to ask Kalista. I begin to walk forward but there is a loud cracking noise beneath my feet. I look down as I take another step. The stones! They are falling! The street is crumbling! Why doesn't anyone see this? I try to weave magic through myself. I need to levitate! I need to stop falling! But I can't do it. I fall.

In an instant, everything becomes darker than night. I can't tell if my eyes are open or not. I try to make my hands glow. Nothing. I still can't use my magic. I want Acheron. I want the light he gives. I open my mouth to call for him.

Acheron!

No sound comes out.

Acheron! ACHERON!

Why won't my mouth make noise? Where is Acheron? Where is anyone?

I keep looking around. Dark. Dark. Dark. Then I see a light in the distance. I feel relief tickle me as I look at the familiar green glow. I run towards it. I can hear footsteps echo down a hall. The light is moving away from me, but I am catching up. I don't hear my feet make any noise as I go.

The light is closer now. I think I see someone standing beside it. Who is that man? I open my mouth and try to say "hello" but I still can't say anything.

But I do hear something.

There are footsteps, lots of them. I think they are above me. The man by the light hears them too. He looks up and then starts moving away more quickly. I try to keep up but I can't.

Wait!

No sound. I'm losing him! The glow is getting dimmer and the sound of his footsteps gets quieter. He won't stop and soon I am in complete darkness again. No light, no magic, so sound. Where am I? Where is my Father?

Father!

Then I hear a woman scream and I know where I am. I am in the nightmare again, and the worst part is about to happen. I cover my ears and try to shut my eyes but it doesn't help. The thunder noise makes my body shake as it booms around me. There is a flash so bright. Everything goes from black to white.

When I can see again, I am stuck in the fast, confusing part of the nightmare. I see all the people in a room fall over at the same time. I see a horse rearing up on its hind legs as it instantly turns to balefire. I see a man with his hands on his head. His face looks like he is in pain. He rips something bright off of his neck before falling over. Another man is watching. He looks scared as he watches the first man's wraith rise up.

I want to tell him not to be afraid. It's just a wraith. But I'm scared too. I know what comes next.

My ankles feel like they are dunked into the cold ocean. I look down at them. The Black Mist! It's already on me! I need to run! I need to leave! Why is it attacking me? Why am I scared? Why?

I try to run but my limbs get so cold. I start shivering. I'm too slow. More Mist curls around me. It's so cold. I'm being buried! I can't move. It's so cold.

Father, help!

I hear crying. I don't know if it's me or not. I want to cry. I'm cold, scared, alone, and it's so dark. Then I see it, the strange glowing symbol. I know it's the end of the nightmare. I just need to get to it, then it can be over.

I reach out for it, straining against the heavy cold. I almost reach it.

Movement!

What was that?

Eyes!

Achlys lurched up in bed with a scream. She was shivering terribly, as though she were just pulled from freezing water. The tips of her fingers were alight with balefire that faded in moments. At once, Acheron was at her side and she reached out and grabbed him close.

"You're here Acheron," she whimpered, "which means the bad dream is over."

She rested her forehead against his cool, crystalline body, trying her best to steady her breathing as she whimpered into him.

"Thank you, Acheron," she whispered, "I know you'll be here for me."

She went to take a final, deep breath, but suddenly she felt as though her whole throated had been coated with frigid mucus. With a haggard cough, her head bowed over and something spilled from her lips and flowed over her fingers. Achlys looked down at her hands. A single, thin tendril of Black Mist curled down over her and dissipated before she had a moment to fully think.

Karthus opened the door to her room and glided in.

"Achlys, are you alright?"

"Yeah."

She let go of Acheron and stood from her bed. Karthus opened his arms and hugged her close as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You're going to be going away soon," she said, "I had the dream again. The nightmare that means there is a Harrowing coming. I don't want you to go, but I know you need to. You need to help people come here. I know that."

Karthus ran his hand down her hair and rubbed her back as she clung to him.

"You are a kind and understanding girl," he soothed, "Would you like me to stay with you until you fall back asleep?"

"Yes please."

Achlys gave her father a final squeeze before crawling back into bed. She grabbed Grimm, hugging him close, as Karthus pulled the blankets back over her. As soon as she was tucked in, Achlys became calm once more. She could feel her tired eyelids beginning to droop, ready to return to sleep, but she tried to stay awake a little longer.

"Father," she called out.

"Yes, Achlys?"

"There was something different about the dream this time."

"What was different?"

"You know how at the end I always see the strange mark?"

"I remember."

"I saw something else this time."

"What did you see?"

Karthus spoke slowly, trying not to betray his unease at her words.

"I don't know what I saw, but I think that when I'm alone in the dark, I'm not really alone. I think someone else is there."

"What makes you believe there is another?"

"I think I saw eyes."

"Eyes?"

"Yes, bright, glowing, and green. Just like mine."

"I do not believe you need to trouble your mind about what you saw. Many wraiths have glowing, green eyes."

"I don't think these were a wraith's eyes. They weren't balefire. They were like mine."

Achlys let out a deep sigh.

"Do you think there is someone else like me on the Isles?"

"Oh my dear," Karthus said, "there is nobody just like you on the Isles or anywhere. You are special."

"Is it because I am the only one still alive?"

Karthus nodded and held down his hand into the boat. She took it.

"Because you are my daughter, and it will be that way whether you are alive or dead. Now rest, my dear, and sleep without dreams."

"Okay," Achlys yawned, "good night."

"Good night."

And she surrendered herself to sleep.

Greetings Summoners,

Oh dear, coughing up the Black Mist can't be a sign of good health. Achlys's health aside, I am feeling great because for the first time in two years, I'm finally able to go to conventions again. The Wonderful Spouse and I will be attending PAX East this year. We will both be, appropriately enough, be cosplaying Shadow Isles characters. If any of you are going, I would love to meet my readers. Hope to see you there.

Best of luck on the Rift,

- Gwoo