“Irene, I’ve brought you someone who needs your counsel,” Theresa spoke as she entered a magical tent of many secrets. There were crystal balls hovering above the ground, each an eye gazing at the two newcomers. They lined the path towards a wise woman in gold and blue garbs sitting behind a round table buried under heaps of cards.
“A fierce warrior with a brave heart.”
“He’s actually a boy. He has a problem you could help with.”
“Anything for you, my dear.”
“Yes, thanks. Now I should go.”
“Wait!” Ethan stopped her again.
“What is it?! I told you I have to be on my way,” she sounded annoyed.
“Just a question. How did you find me in that room?”
She grinned, staying silent for a second. “There’s a lot you have to learn about the alter-realm, kid. Bye.”
“So, Ethan,” Irene started their discussion, prompting him to face her and ignore Theresa vanishing.
“You know my name?”
“I know many things,” she replied mysteriously. “Sit down, young one. Rest your mind and breathe slowly so that I can read your spirit like an open book.”
He listened to her, but couldn’t do that. Doubts ravaged his thoughts. Could he ever break free from the shadow of death? Or would he have to live with it until the end? He wished to forget it completely, to purge that dismal truth out of his head. Yet it haunted him like a wailing ghost.
The gift given to him by Jane was priceless, but he had to ensure it wouldn’t be wasted on false hopes. The burden of knowledge that he could never repay the favour weighed down on him, making him wonder. Was there a way to show at least a portion of gratitude? He felt indebted to her, bound to search for and save her. An adventure designed for him. Real yet imaginary. Thrilling and suspenseful at the same time. But would he succeed?
“You have the mark of darkness!” she screamed suddenly, waking him from meditation.
“What do you mean?”
“Something bad is about to meet you. Or no, wait. It is already here. Shroud of crimson and black. Grim fate. Poison that corrodes the soil. Somebody must have cast a powerful curse upon you.”
“I know. My condition from reality haunts me.”
“Condition? From reality? But you are a young man. Your life lies before you. Take my advice. The alter-realm isn’t tailored for everyone. Return to the true world and enjoy it. This place holds no good things for you.”
“You don’t understand,” he spoke with heaviness, battling to break the barrier that prevented him from saying the truth. “I’m...”
“You’re what?”
“I’m terminally ill,” he let it out with a sigh of relief. “Cancer.”
“Oh dear, no. So young yet so... that changes things. I’m terribly sorry. This... take a deep breath. In and out... yes. Pardon me, it’s too much to bear.”
“Will you help me?” he asked, watching her wipe the tears rushing to her eyes.
“Help you? Of course, my dear. I... I will help you all I can. You wish to defend against its dark manifestation, correct? I’ll do my best to prepare you. Just broaden your thoughts, spread them like endless sea waves that flow through the oceans.”
He listened to her carefully, sensing her words reach into his soul and calm the restless spirit. His eyelids grew heavier with each second and in a moment, he couldn’t control his roving mind any longer, slipping out of consciousness.
YOU ARE READING
Intensive Dream Unit
Science FictionEthan, a boy living his last days under the ravenous shadow of cancer, finds solace in the alter-realm, a world of unparalleled fantasies. Yet the darkness will never give him reprieve, determined to hound him to the deepest edges of the world. Howe...
