Whims of a Quiet Dreamer

Chapter 20: The Gift of the Gemstone

Sithu returned to Nymbrelis, her heart lighter now that Finn had found his soulmate. It wasn't just a victory for Finn, but for her as well. She had completed her first quest, and while it seemed small in the grand scheme of things, she knew it was anything but insignificant.

As she walked through the verdant gardens toward the royal palace, the breeze carried the scent of the enchanted flowers, a reminder that this world held a beauty and magic unlike anything on Earth. The Queen awaited her in the grand hall, her regal presence as calming as ever. Aurelia and Seraphina stood beside her, their smiles warm and proud.

Sithu bowed her head in respect. "Your Majesty, I have completed the task you entrusted to me."

The Queen's eyes gleamed with approval. "You've done well, Avelia," she said, using Sithu's true Nymbrelis name. "You've helped Finn find the connection that will support him through his years on Earth. Ethan will be his guide, and when the time comes, Finn will be ready to embrace his Nymbrelis heritage."

Sithu felt a wave of relief wash over her, but there was also a sense of pride. She had done something meaningful, something that would impact Finn's life forever.

The Queen stepped forward, her gown shimmering in the ethereal light of the chamber. In her hand was a small, intricately carved purple gemstone, glowing faintly with a soft, magical light.

"This," the Queen said, holding the gemstone out to Sithu, "is your reward for completing your first quest." The gemstone was delicate, about the size of a small apple, and it pulsed with a life of its own. As Sithu took it in her hands, warmth radiated from it, filling her with a sense of accomplishment.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Sithu said, her voice full of gratitude.

The Queen smiled gently. "This gemstone is no ordinary gift, Sithu. It holds a piece of Nymbrelis within it. Through this, you will always be connected to this world, even when you are on Earth. Simply gaze into the gemstone, and it will show you the beauty of this realm. More than that, I am granting you the permission to share this with Jaren. He has stood by your side, and he deserves to know the truth of your journey."

Sithu's heart raced. She had wanted to share this part of herself with Jaren for so long, but now it was finally possible. She couldn't wait to tell him.

Later that evening, Sithu sat with Jaren at one of their favorite spots—an old park bench under the shade of a massive oak tree. The day was quiet, the soft rustling of the leaves adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Sithu could hardly contain her excitement, her fingers nervously clutching the purple gemstone in her pocket.

"Jaren," she began, her voice a little shaky, "there's something I need to show you. Something... extraordinary."

Jaren raised an eyebrow, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Extraordinary, huh? You've got my attention."

Sithu pulled the gemstone out of her pocket and held it in her palm, its soft purple glow immediately catching Jaren's eye. "This," she said, "is a gift from a world called Nymbrelis. It's where I've been going, and it's part of who I am."

Jaren stared at the gemstone, clearly intrigued. "Nymbrelis? You're serious, right? This isn't some fantasy world from one of your books?"

Sithu chuckled, the excitement bubbling up inside her. "No, it's real. Look." She held the gemstone closer to him, and as he leaned in, the surface of the stone shifted. Slowly, it revealed a breathtaking scene—lush forests, sparkling rivers, and the ethereal glow of Nymbrelis itself.

Jaren's eyes widened in amazement. "Whoa... that's—"

"Real," Sithu finished for him, her voice filled with wonder. "It's where I go when I'm not here. I'm not just Sithu. My real name is Avelia, and I've been given a purpose there."

Jaren shook his head in disbelief but couldn't take his eyes off the gemstone. "This is... incredible. I mean, I've always known you were different, but this... this is something else."

Sithu smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her as she saw Jaren's excitement. "The Queen of Nymbrelis gave me permission to share this with you. You've been there for me, and you deserve to know the truth."

Jaren reached out and touched the gemstone lightly, his fingers brushing the smooth surface. "So... this is where you've been? All those times you seemed distant or lost in thought?"

Sithu nodded. "Yes. Also, I've been helping someone. Finn—one of the kids in class—he's part of Nymbrelis too, even though he doesn't know it yet. I had to help him find his soulmate."

Jaren's face softened, a look of understanding crossing his features. "That's why you've been so focused on him lately. And the gemstone... you're connected to that world now."

Sithu smiled, nodding. "Exactly. This is just the beginning, Jaren. There are other quests waiting for me, but I wanted you to be a part of this—because you've always been a part of my journey."

Jaren leaned back, letting out a soft laugh. "Well, I've always known you were a bit of a dreamer, Sithu, but I never thought you'd bring me along to a whole other world."

Sithu laughed with him, the tension easing as they shared the moment. "Well, now you know. And who knows, maybe one day, you'll see it for yourself."

Jaren's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'll hold you to that."

As the sun began to set behind the trees, Sithu felt a deep sense of contentment. She had shared her secret with Jaren, her closest friend, and he had embraced it fully. For the first time, she felt the weight of her dual life lifting, and in its place was a stronger connection—to both worlds and to Jaren.

Together, they sat in the quiet, the gemstone glowing softly between them, a bridge between Earth and Nymbrelis, and between their two hearts.