Whims of a Quiet Dreamer

Chapter 25: A Growing Friendship

Sithu sat on a wooden bench near the school playground, her gaze drifting across the yard as children rushed past, their laughter filling the air. She was lost in thought, waiting for the next signal from Nymbrelis to begin her third trial. It had been days since her second challenge, and the anticipation gnawed at her. But here, in the Earth world, everything moved at its own pace. She had to be patient.

Her eyes landed on Finn and Ethan. They sat together on the steps leading to the school entrance, sharing a quiet moment as the day wound down. Finn looked different now—more confident, more sure of himself. He no longer shrank into the shadows, afraid to speak up. Instead, he stood a little taller, his back straighter, his voice louder when he laughed.

Ethan had only recently transferred to Finn's school, a change that surprised Sithu. The soulmate energy that connected Finn and Ethan was working quickly, pulling them closer. In a matter of weeks, Ethan had left his old school and joined Finn in the same grade. It wasn't something either of them could explain, but the invisible bond between them was undeniable. Sithu marveled at how swiftly destiny had orchestrated their paths to align.

Sithu watched them from her spot, quietly observing their growing friendship. Ethan had become more than just a friend to Finn—he had taken on the role of a mentor, helping Finn navigate the social landscape that once intimidated him.

Just then, a group of older boys approached, the kind who often loomed around the younger students like storm clouds ready to rain trouble. Sithu tensed, watching as they sauntered up to Finn and Ethan, sneers plastered across their faces. She'd seen them before—bullies who took pleasure in making others feel small.

One of them, the ringleader, smirked and crossed his arms. "Hey, Finn. What're you doing with your little babysitter here?"

Sithu felt a surge of protectiveness, but before she could move, Ethan calmly stood up, positioning himself in front of Finn. His voice was steady but firm. "Back off, Mason. We're just trying to enjoy the afternoon."

The bully scoffed, clearly not impressed. "Or what? You gonna stop us?"

To Sithu's surprise, it wasn't Ethan who responded—it was Finn. Slowly, Finn stood, moving beside Ethan. His voice, though quieter than Ethan's, was resolute. "Yeah. We are."

There was a flicker of surprise in the bully's eyes. Sithu could see it—the moment Mason realized that Finn wasn't the same timid kid he used to be. Ethan didn't need to step in because Finn had learned how to stand up for himself. Ethan had taught him well.

Mason muttered something under his breath and turned, his gang following reluctantly behind him. Sithu exhaled, her chest swelling with pride. Finn and Ethan exchanged a quick glance, then burst into laughter, the tension dissolving into the cool afternoon air.

Sithu rose from the bench, feeling a sense of contentment watching the two boys walk off together. Finn had grown so much since their paths first crossed, and Ethan had helped him discover his strength. The soulmate energy between them was working its magic, binding them together in ways neither of them fully understood.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the schoolyard, Sithu pulled her bag over her shoulder and headed toward the edge of the grounds. She could feel the pull of Nymbrelis beckoning her once more, a familiar hum of energy that vibrated in her core. It was time.

She reached the secluded corner behind the school where the veil between the worlds was thinnest. With a deep breath, she stepped through, and in an instant, the vibrant colors of Nymbrelis enveloped her once again.

The shift was always disorienting, moving between the mundane reality of Earth and the magic-soaked air of Nymbrelis. Sithu found herself standing at the edge of a grand forest, the familiar scents of pine and lavender swirling around her. The trees here were tall and ancient, their branches woven into the sky like intricate tapestries. A path lay ahead of her, winding through the forest and disappearing into the mist.

Her heart quickened. This was it—the beginning of her third trial.

The air around her seemed to hum, as if the forest itself were alive, watching, waiting for her next move. Sithu took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever challenges lay ahead. She knew this trial would be more difficult than the others. The Queen had warned her—each task would demand more of her, testing her sense of justice in ways she hadn't yet imagined.

As she took her first step onto the path, the forest grew quiet. The sounds of birds and wind in the trees faded, replaced by an almost eerie stillness. Sithu's hand instinctively moved to the small, glowing heartstone that hung from her neck, a reminder of her journey so far.

The path wound deeper into the forest, the mist thickening as she walked. The light seemed to bend and warp, casting strange shadows that danced across the trees. But Sithu didn't waver. Her sense of purpose, sharpened by the lessons she had learned in her previous trials, kept her moving forward.

In the distance, she heard a soft sound—footsteps, and the faint murmur of voices. Her pulse quickened. She knew, without a doubt, that this trial would not just test her—it would push her to confront the very heart of her sense of justice.

And so, with the courage she had learned to cultivate, Sithu pressed on, ready to face whatever the third trial had in store.