Another dream
In the grandiose, ethereal temple of the gods, Jakinn materialized silently behind a radiant goddess. His presence was imposing as he broke the silence with a stern voice.
"Oria, I have fixed your laziness and mistake on Eldoria. I tested your new demon lord, and she is prepared for what lies ahead. But tell me one thing, how dare you force an otherworlder to become a hero to fix your errors? She wasn't meant to be here. She had her own path, and you bound her to this world. Are you foolish?"
Oria spun around in shock, her eyes wide with anger. "Who are you? How did you get here?" she demanded. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she calmed, her voice trembling. "You... you are Jakinn," she stammered. "Jakinn the Destroyer."
Jakinn scoffed at her reaction, his voice icy. "Yes, I am Jakinn. Though I might be known as the Destroyer, that is not my title. You should answer me, or I might destroy you and find a better deity to watch over this world."
Oria took a deep breath, steadying herself. "The hero I summoned long ago, Elara, she is special. Her soul is unique. When she fell into a trap in her realm, she needed help. Her soul called out and somehow connected to the ritual I was performing to summon a hero. Strangely, her soul cloned itself, creating another body that appeared here while her real body was freed from the trap. I know nothing else about her. The reason I bound her to this world is because of the balance. Two souls that are essentially the same being could harm the balance if they ever met."
Jakinn regarded her thoughtfully, a small smile playing on his lips. "At least you didn't hit her with a truck. So you are not completely useless, unlike the goddess of my own world. I suppose I don't have to train you as I did with her." With that, Jakinn vanished, leaving only a whisper in her ear. "I might return when Lilith finds the sapling, or perhaps I won't. Just do your job. Your world is on the right path. And Elara is still alive."
...
Lilith was fast asleep, nestled in her bedroll, when a vivid dream enveloped her. In the dream, she stood in an ethereal, mist-filled glade bathed in soft moonlight. Before her was Aurora, a majestic dragon with scales shimmering like stars. The dragon's eyes glowed with wisdom as she spoke in a resonant, soothing voice.
"Young one," Aurora began, "I am more or less awake now. I heard everything that Jakinn said, and I can sense the sapling. The signal is faint, so I can only point the way you must travel. I do not know the distance you will need to cover; it could be a month or it could be years. I cannot tell. I will be sleeping for some time, but you can whisper to me if you are in need, and I will lend you my power."
Lilith, feeling the weight of Aurora's words, looked up at the dragon with a mixture of awe and determination. "Do you wish for a new body?" she asked softly.
Aurora's eyes softened, a hint of longing flickering within them. "A new body... yes, that would be wonderful," she replied, her voice filled with a quiet hope. "But that is a journey for another time. For now, focus on your path and the tasks ahead. Seek the sapling and fulfill your destiny. When the time comes, we shall speak of my rebirth."
Lilith nodded, feeling a sense of purpose and connection with the dragon. She felt the dream begin to fade, the misty glade dissolving around her.
"Remember, Lilith," Aurora's voice echoed as the dreamscape blurred, "you are never alone. I am always with you, even in slumber."
With that, Lilith awoke, the morning sun casting gentle rays upon her tent. She sat up, feeling a renewed sense of resolve and a deep connection to Aurora. The dragon's words lingered in her mind, guiding her steps as she prepared for the journey ahead.
As Lilith stepped out of her tent, she felt the lingering effects of the previous night's indulgence. Her head spun slightly, and before she could steady herself, she stumbled and fell face-first onto the ground with a thud, her rear end comically raised in the air.
Elara and Ella, who were already awake and nearby, burst into laughter. "Just one drink and she would be back," Ella teased, her laughter ringing out. "Hahaha, I guess one became many," Elara chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.
Elara walked over and helped Lilith to her feet, her amusement tempered by concern. "Here, let me help," she said, chanting a small purification spell that sent a warm, cleansing sensation through Lilith's body. "You will still feel weak, but at least you shouldn't lose your balance now."
Lilith nodded gratefully, the dizziness receding but leaving her feeling a bit fragile. Ella chimed in cheerfully, "Let's go to the tavern and get some breakfast. Oh, by the way, Thorsten should be there too, waiting for us."
The trio made their way to the tavern, the morning sun casting long shadows on the road. The mining camp was slowly waking up, with miners readying themselves for the day's work and patrolling guards keeping watch. The rhythmic clinking of tools and the low murmur of morning conversations filled the air as they navigated through the bustling camp.
The tavern stood at the center of the mining camp, a sturdy wooden building with a sign that swung gently in the breeze. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the smell of hearty food filling the room. Thorsten, the burly foreman with a kind heart, was already seated at a large table near the fireplace, waving them over with a grin.
"Good morning, ladies," he greeted them as they approached. "I saved us a table. Sit down, and let's get some food into you, Lilith. You look like you could use it."
Lilith managed a weak smile as she took a seat, feeling grateful for the warm welcome. Elara and Ella settled in beside her, their spirits lifting at the prospect of a good meal. The tavern was lively, filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, creating a comforting backdrop to their morning.
Thorsten signaled the tavern keeper, a jovial man with a bushy beard, who promptly brought over plates of steaming food. The table was soon laden with eggs, bacon, freshly baked bread, and mugs of hot tea. The sight and smell of the food made Lilith's stomach rumble, and she eagerly dug in.
As they ate, the conversation turned to the plans for the day. Lilith told Thorsten that she and the others would be leaving camp and returning to Bez'eru, now that her subjugation quest was over. Thorsten responded with a sad smile, "Oh, already leaving? I guess it can't be helped. You are an adventurer, after all. Brumstone should be going back to the city too. His shift is over, and I'm here to take over for the next month. He would be happy to join you on the road back to the city, I'm sure. If you don't mind, that is."
They said their goodbyes to Thorsten, and after some talking, they agreed to find Brumstone and let him travel back with them. "Even though he is a little annoying and with that nickname," Lilith murmured.
As they found Brumstone ready to set off alone near the entrance to the mining camp, they greeted him. He greeted back with a jolly laugh. "Hello there, little missy! Are you going to Bez'eru too?"
Lilith's face changed a little before she answered, "Yes, I'm going there with my companions. Are you interested in joining us in our travels?"
"Oh, what a pleasure to be asked by little missy to join her. I would love to, Lilith," Brumstone said with a smile and a wink.
"Then that settles it," Elara spoke up. "We are happy to have you with us, Brumstone."
With their new travel companion, they set off on their journey toward the city. The trek was uneventful, and they reached the resting camp without any problems. As they settled down, Elara looked at Lilith and said, "Go set up our protection. You are getting really good at it."
Lilith nodded, feeling a sense of pride. She walked around the perimeter of their camp, carefully placing protective runes and ensuring their safe placement. The air was cool, and the sounds of the forest created a calming backdrop as she worked. Her companions began preparing the evening meal, chatting and laughing as the fire crackled to life. Brumstone, ever the jolly soul, shared amusing anecdotes from his time at the mining camp, filling the air with his hearty laughter.
When Lilith finished setting up the protections, she returned to the group. Elara gave her an approving nod. "Well done, Lilith. We can rest easy tonight."
They all settled around the fire, enjoying the warm meal and each other's company. The stars began to twinkle overhead, and for a moment, the worries of their quests and adventures seemed distant, replaced by the simple pleasure of camaraderie and the promise of a safe journey ahead.