Thalamus

Chapter 2

*****

"Are you the one?" its enigmatic words resonated.

A vortex of sensations overwhelmed me, and consciousness slipped away as I clung to the object, the world dissolving into darkness.

Amid my half-conscious state, I faintly perceived the Queen's concern and Valin's explanations. The concept of binding and its toll on the body swam through my senses. Valin's proposal to bring me to his dwelling, accompanied by Titan and an egg, lingered in the background. The Queen's acknowledgment of me as a variable, a harbinger of change, drifted through the haze. A deep and wise voice resonated, urging me to rest, and with that, the realm of dreams claimed me.

The passage of time felt elusive in the abyss of my thoughts. I was in constant motion, set down occasionally amidst the hum of distant voices. Their origin remained a puzzle as I struggled to discern their source. Days blurred together as I rested, unconscious and lost in this enigmatic existence.

Then, a new phenomenon emerged—voices flooded my mind, a racket. They clamored for my attention, their urgency bordering on frenzy. The noise swelled and surged, driving me to the brink of sanity. I yearned for their retreat, for silence, but they showed no mercy. Hours they have stretched agonizingly as the voices persisted.

Gradually, they relented, giving way to a singular voice—a plea, a beg for my selection. The reasons for their desire eluded me, their clamor fading into sporadic murmurs. Despite the loneliness that had gripped me for so long, I felt relief as the tumultuous din finally subsided.

Then, a distant and familiar voice reached out to me, a balm of reassurance in the sea of chaos.

"Find your calm, little one. Choose the path that resonates with you."

Perplexed, I questioned the purpose of this choice, to which the voice replied with a hint of contentment, "Why, the one, of course."

Confusion enveloped me as I grappled with my identity and purpose. The yearning for answers, for companionship, surged within me.

"Amidst the many voices, select the one that aligns with your being," the distant voice advised amid the shadows.

A blissful silence descended, ushering in a newfound ability to connect. Conversation, a lifeline to sanity, rekindled. Despite the lingering uncertainty, the notion of dialogue brought a profound sense of contentment.

Yet, the voices returned, an indistinct symphony that left me grappling with the impossible task of discerning the right path. Their words wove a complex tapestry that danced in and out of focus. Patterns emerged—moments of sound, followed by interludes of silence. This rhythm persisted, a cycle that seemed to mirror the ebb and flow of my internal turmoil.

At times, the cacophony intensified, battering my consciousness. Had I missed the voice I sought? Was I forever confined to this solitary darkness? Amid these uncertainties, the prevailing silence offered a semblance of respite, even if the persistent cadence of voices threatened its embrace.

I waited; the voices that had flooded my mind were absent now. Panic set in; had I missed my chance? Amidst the clamor of countless voices, the one I sought remained elusive. Stuck in this obscurity, I resolved to slumber until another voice reached me. And then, a single voice broke through, cutting through the darkness.

"Why do I feel this overwhelming pressure? What's happening to me?" a voice filled with fear reached out to me.

"Be at ease. You're not in danger," I reassured, offering solace. "I'm curious, though. Could you be the one?"

"I'm Sairu. Who are you?" the voice responded.

"I am me," I answered, but a name slowly formed in my mind—Ryuu. "I am Ryuu," I introduced myself, pouring my essence into this newfound connection.

"Ryuu? That's an unusual name. I can't say if I'm the one you seek, but meeting you is comforting. I'm an elf," Sairu's soft and curious voice resonated within me.

"Elf? What's an elf? Your name, strange elf, is Sairu," I responded, the exchange of questions and information feeling as urgent for him as it was for me. We were both driven by a relentless curiosity, a shared need for answers.

"Elves are a race of beings from a land called Thalamus," Sairu explained.

"Thalamus? How many other races exist?" I probed, eager for more insight.

"Thalamus is the splendid realm we find ourselves in. There are approximately five distinct races," Sairu answered, now more at ease with our discourse.

"And what am I?" I inquired, the intensity of my curiosity unyielding.

"I wish I knew. Perhaps when I awaken from my slumber, I'll have more information. All I can tell you is that you're inside a gray egg. I wish I could provide more clarity," Sairu's voice carried a tone of helplessness.

"Thank you, Sairu. I need to rest. I'm anxious about what awaits when I awaken. Our conversation has left me drained," I confessed before succumbing to sleep once again.