Because This World is Loved

Chapter 12: Hopes and Dreams

When Noel was able to see next, she found herself sprawled out on a rocky floor. Slowly, she pulled herself up; this space was much like the others with the crystal lighting, but it seemed to be an enclosed box, with no way in or out. When she got a better look at her surroundings, she saw that Fenne was waiting for her, sitting on a bench-like structure of rock. "Hi, Noel," she said.

"Fenne," Noel said. "Where are we?"

"In a cell, somewhere in Eldiel's laboratory," Fenne said. Sighing, she added, "Caleb fought for me to be put here and not immediately subjected to whatever Eldiel had in mind. He called me useless, saying I had no potential."

"That's awful." Noel went over to sit by Fenne. "Caleb must be in control of himself, if he's fighting to buy you time."

"Caleb is doing this because he believes that something good can come of this, even if Eldiel is involved. That much I'm sure about," Fenne said. "He has a goal in mind. He gets like this when there's something close to his grasp."

"I really hope he's got a way out of this in mind." Noel paused, then added, "Did you see what happened to Melia?"

"Yes." Fenne nodded gravely. "She took the bait completely, but I guess she was an easy target." She sighed again. "There's got to be something I can do. Just sitting here is driving me crazy."

"What could it be?" Noel asked.

"There might be one thing," Fenne said. "Do you remember when we talked about the Entity a long time ago? If the connection is really as two-way as I thought, I wonder if I can try to pull her to this world, somehow."

"That's as good an idea as any right now," Noel said. "What do you have to do?"

"I just have to focus my thoughts on contacting her. Maybe like... praying." Fenne clasped her hands tightly and began to mumble to herself. "I know you guided me to the Sealed World. Please, even if it's only one more time, give me guidance..."

Noel stared at Fenne, and found herself praying too. Several silent, tense minutes passed, and nothing happened. Fenne dropped her arms. "I thought I felt something, but... maybe not. I have to keep trying. I just have to." Noel wasn't about to tell her to stop, since it was their only hope of escape at this point.

This time, something did happen. There was a flash of green light. "What on earth-" The flash came again before Noel could finish her sentence, then several more times. A glowing orb of light descended from the ceiling, and when it hit the ground, a human shape began to fill in. Soon, there was a short, curvy woman standing in the cell, with a brown cape, a red shirt, and a brown overdress. In her hand was a puffy red bird. The woman's red eyes went wide. "I think we found her!"

Noel stood up, ready to make a fuss if needed. "Who are you?"

"My name is Sasha. I travel between worlds and gather stories. Nice to meet you!" Sasha's voice was dissonant in how chipper it was. "Agila, I think you ought to introduce yourself."

The red bird hopped out of Sasha's hand with a tweet; with a shimmering light, it transformed into a woman with orange hair parted to rest on her shoulders, wearing a red dress with a cape. "Are you Fenne?" she asked.

"Yes, I am," Fenne said, her voice growing hopeful. "Who are you?"

Suddenly, the orange-haired woman dove forward, wrapping Fenne in a tight embrace. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you in person! I'm Agila, but I think you know me best as your Entity."

"Really?" Fenne awkwardly returned the hug. "But... how?"

"My people have the ability to reach through to other worlds, kind of. We can influence people in those worlds, much like I did for you. It's kind of complicated." Agila finally released Fenne. "We're not gods, or anything like that, though sometimes we can channel them. We're just a race of people with a unique power."