The legend of Aurora

Chapter 3: DREAMS

When they arrived at the centre of the forest, it had already stopped raining. Everything was very peaceful. No one said anything. Then, the biggest tree of the forest broke the silence. It was the first time in milenia since it had talked, so its voice didn't sound cranky.

– Greetings, Baransu of Balance of the world of Sebun, why have you come here? Is it knowledge you seek? – The Tree seemed to have something against knowledge – Because if so, I can not help you, as it is not for me to possess the knowledge of the universe. Ask the fountain, It will answer. – Then, the Tree noticed Stella – But if it isn't Stella, last Guardian of the Baransu, Last minstrel, alias the Juglaress, dragonkeeper of Dragonmaster Gisele, of old, Baransu, welcome again.

– Hi, Jenny – Answered Stella, almost smiling (almost).

– My name is Tree of Magic Jennifer – Replicated the Tree of Magic, offended.

– Don't sweat, we just want to go to Aurora – Said Dalia.

– Safe passage to Aurora you seek? Recite the password and we will see.

– Ongaku to mahō wa kesshite yurumanai, anata no mahō o surutameni – Recited Stella. The Magic Tree's trunk started to glow in a circle. And opened a portal. On the other side there was a blue tunnel where there was magic everywhere.

– The Great Gates of the Universe. – Admired Stella – The Trees of Magic are the only connection between the cosmos of the Mortal Realm, and the dimensions between them, and the cosmos and dimensions of the other Realms. In a way, they connect the entire universe. If you know the secret to magic, you know the secret of the universe. That is the password. Follow me. – Stella entered the glowing Portal, and dissolved in front of her friends.

– We don't have anything better to do, right? – Said Dalia, and followed Stella into the glowing Portal. She also disappeared.

– See you on the other side – Exclaimed Callie as she was blown away by the portal.

Howl looked back. He was the last one to cross the Portal. He breathed deeply. And then entered the tree. Behind him, the tree trunk stopped glowing, and went back to normal, to be awakened thousands of years later.

後

Inside the tunnel, Howl opened his eyes. He couldn't see anyone else. He had the impression that he travelled at the speed of light, which was close to the truth. He floated in the middle of the tunnel, but he couldn't see the exit. There were too many twists and turns. The walls of the tunnel were glowing blue, different shades of blue. Some blue stream floated around, and when Howl touched it, it was warm and pleasant. It was Efrimai magic, Sifu. When Howl touched it, he felt part of something more, as Sifu was the base of all magic. He had awakened magic inside him for the first time. A white light appeared, and he didn't remember anything else.

後

When he woke up, they were all still in front of the Tree. Everyone was looking at the Tree. But something did not feel right. Suddenly, the Portal sucked them all up, and Howl found himself falling at breakneck speed. Glowing roots like the ones on the temple dashed around him. Suddenly, he was all alone. He grabbed a root, and he ended up hanging over an endless abyss. He slowly climbed down the roots. But unexpectedly, his foot slipped and he fell again. Someone held his hand, and pulled him up. It was Stella. But she was different, and Howl couldn't understand why. Then he noticed. This Stella was smiling. Howl had never seen Stella smiling before. Never. But this Stella seemed happy. Despite this, Howl didn't suspect anything.

– I saved you – She said, and her voice was cheerful. She was so beautiful...

– That is good, but, where are the others? – Howl forced himself to think straight. There was something in that place that made it all so tiring, like he didn't have a care in the world... Their surroundings changed. They were on a beach. The waves lapped against the sand. The sun warmed his skin. He suddenly forgot all about Aurora, and his friends. He just wanted to stay there forever, with Stella.