The Dreamscape - Part 4

As Ryder opened his eyes and realized he was no longer holding onto Alice, but instead, was floating amidst a sea of blue and gold flowers, their delicate petals shimmering with ethereal light. From each blue bloom, trails of magic spiraled upward, dissolving into the air like glowing wisps of smoke. The atmosphere was dense, almost tangible, saturated with what he could only describe as pure aether.

“Ryder," Alice called.

Ryder turned to find Alice standing with him amidst the field of flowers. Behind her, in the distance, loomed a colossal tree, its towering form stretching endlessly into the heavens. Streams of glowing blue magic coiled around its immense trunk, cascading like ethereal rivers and filling the air with an otherworldly radiance.

“Alice, you are-”

“Fine,” she interrupted. "Thank you for your help in rescuing me. I’m so proud of you.”

“As am I,” a deep voice spoke from behind.

Ryder spun around again to see a large elemental standing with them as well. The elemental from his dreams.

“So, it was you. Now everything makes sense,” Ryder began. “Those nightmares I had all that time ago, they were of you two. What you were going through.”

“Indeed,” the elemental spoke. “I am Bastian, your familiar. I have been in the recesses of your mind ever since the day you were created. You had just not brought me out. Alice, luckily for her, was the first to come to your aid. I am sorry I was unable to help you through so much of your life.”

Ryder shook his head and smiled, “It is very much alright. I do believe that we will all have that chance now.”

Alice nodded.

Bastian spoke again, “Ryder, we have little time to discuss, and we will be able to talk much more in the future. However, very soon you will finally be free enough of Erryd’s curse to awaken, and when you do, you have to be sure to do one thing.”

Ryder nodded and narrowed his eyes, paying as close attention to the elemental as he could. “What is it?”

“Summon Alice,” he started, “You need to focus every last bit of your energy, as you will not have much, into summoning her into existence within your bedroom utilizing these new powers. Imagine her standing next to your bed. Whatever you can do, as you will not have much time when you awaken.”

“What does that mean?”

“You will soon see. Now, awaken and save us all!”

Ryder felt a hand on his shoulder and as he turned to see Alice’s smiling face, he smiled too, his entire vision blurring to white.

Within a moment, he awoke within the confines of his casket underneath the floorboards in a fright. Though as he did, he knew what to do. He quickly closed his eyes, feeling the power leave his body, he did everything he could to imagine Alice standing within his bedroom. His hands were illuminated with a powerful green and violet hue of magic and suddenly, they fell to his sides as he fell unconscious once more.