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“The solar eclipse... it’s nearly at its apex,” she said. “You must go.”
Tristan’s heart sank. Time seemed to slip through his fingers like grains of sand in an hourglass. His window of opportunity was rapidly closing, and a headlong hike up a treacherous mountain was impossible within the limited time he had.
Aurora placed a gentle hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “Don’t lose heart,” she said, her words carrying the weight of an unspoken promise. “I’ll get a head start, and you just meet me when you return.”
Tristan’s gaze met hers. “How will I find you?”
“Do you trust me?” she asked.
He nodded, acknowledging that if there was anyone he could rely on to complete the task swiftly and efficiently, it was Aurora.
“Here.” Aurora pressed a piece of jewelry into Tristan’s hand. It was a golden necklace, fashioned in the shape of a spinning wheel, glinting in the muted light. “Take this. It will create a tethered connection between us. Wear it when you next drink from the sundrop flower, and you will be transported to my location.”
Clasping the necklace around his neck, Tristan felt a surge of energy coursing through him, binding him to Aurora.
With one final look, Tristan watched as Aurora mounted her stallion, her figure silhouetted against the darkening sky. The majestic creature leaped forward, its hooves thundering against the stone as they raced back across the bridge.
Tristan took a deep breath, gathering courage. The necklace, Aurora’s precious gift, glimmered against his chest, a tangible reminder that she was real.
He propelled himself off the bridge, the Dreamworld swirling around him in a kaleidoscope of colors and sensations. As he descended through the veil of dreams, he could feel the pulse of the sundrop flower beckoning him back to the real world.
AURORA
Aurora immersed herself in the soothing waters of a secluded lake, delicately cleansing her long, golden locks as they gracefully flowed down her back. The sky above hung heavy with brooding clouds, casting a pall of solemnity around her.
“Strange,” she murmured, her voice barely audible against the backdrop of rustling leaves. She turned to Midnight. “Why do you think the sky isn’t dark today?” she asked. “Tristan isn’t here, yet there is light.”
Tristan’s absence should have dimmed the Dreamworld, but instead, it flickered with an eerie luminescence. A world draped in gloom and gray, yet ablaze with an enigmatic light.
Midnight, with his knowing eyes, turned his head toward her and nudged the bee ring adorning her finger—the gold ring she had stolen from Midas. Aurora considered Midnight’s gesture.
“What about my jewelry?” she asked.
As if understanding her question, Midnight gently prodded her chest where her spinning wheel necklace used to rest. Aurora’s eyes widened as the realization hit her. “You think it has something to do with Tristan having my necklace? Could it be that the weather is reflecting both of our emotions, even when he is not physically present?”
A soft neigh escaped Midnight’s lips, and Aurora sighed. “We uncover more about this realm with each passing day, don’t we?”
The horse neighed softly, as if in agreement, his warm breath mingling with the misty air. Aurora waded farther into the cool lakewater, feeling its embrace against her skin as she pondered the intricacies of the world.
Closing her eyes, she relished the tranquil moment, but her mind still churned with relentless questions. Would she have the strength to climb the treacherous mountain peak? Millie, the vengeful fairy, had deliberately chosen that remote location to ensure her solitude, knowing that the Dreamworld fed on the fears and insecurities of those who dared to enter. That made it almost impossible to reach the summit unscathed.
Aurora had attempted the hike numerous times before, only to be ensnared in Millie’s cunning traps. The negative energy that plagued Aurora had served as a magnet for disaster, thwarting her progress time and again. Frustrated and battered by failure, she had reluctantly accepted defeat, leaving the fairy to revel in her isolation as she wished.
But circumstances had changed, leaving Aurora with no other choice. Millie stole the parchment, the key to entering the golden tower. Aurora’s resolve hardened like steel. She would stop at nothing to retrieve what was rightfully hers.
Aurora also had Tristan, who radiated an aura of positivity and strength that bolstered her own spirit. With his unwavering determination to defeat Midas, perhaps they stood a chance of braving the mountain’s path, its dangers diminishing in the face of his optimism.
The stakes were high, and Aurora knew she would have to confront her fears head-on. The climb would demand every ounce of courage she possessed, but the reward—the retrieval of the parchment and defeating Midas—loomed like a beacon of victory in her mind.
Taking a deep breath, Aurora opened her eyes, her gaze steady toward the mountain peak. She should get going so that by the time Tristan came back, they didn’t waste his limited time hiking, but instead would arrive wherever Millie was. Perhaps Millie would grant them a fleeting audience, even if only to hear Tristan’s voice. The bright energy he brought with him had the potential to sway even the most hardened of hearts. Aurora pushed aside the doubts that threatened to creep in and clung to the possibility, however small.
Aurora dried herself, shedding the lingering droplets of her bath. She then slipped into her leather garment, ensuring that each piece clung to her form with a snug and secure fit. It was a race against time, and she refused to be slowed down by trivialities such as improper garments.
With a graceful stride, Aurora mounted Midnight. The horse seemed to sense the urgency in her movements, and together they set off toward the towering mountain. As they ascended, each breath mingled with the crisp, thin air. The sky overhead darkened, casting an eerie pallor over the landscape.
Unnerving sounds reverberated through the air, echoing from the depths of shadowed corners. At first, Aurora tried to dismiss them, to focus solely on the uneven terrain. But as the sound grew louder, her senses sharpened, and a chill settled over her like an invisible shroud. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
Aurora urged Midnight to quicken his pace. The horse’s muscles flexed beneath her as he broke into a gallop. The thunder of hooves against the rugged terrain echoed through the surrounding silence.
