9 Years

"In time's elusive grasp, an illusion spun,

Not eternal, not as it's often won.

Know this, in this temporal flow so sheer,

I lingered, Vyrtalis, the Veilweaver, here."

They read aloud, their voices echoing through the dream realm.

Just as they did, a loud boom sounded, and the pristine door began to creak open.

A greenish mist slowly began to seep from the slightly ajar, creaking door. It opened just wide enough to admit Adrian and Emilie, and the ethereal mist wafted out, beckoning them to step inside.

Emilie, however, hesitated, her reservations palpable. She turned to Adrian, voicing her concerns: "Are you absolutely certain about this? Shouldn't we continue following the compass's guidance? What's the point of pausing at this place?" The tower's foreboding presence did little to inspire confidence in her, and the prospect of delving further into the dream realm with their limited abilities left her feeling uneasy.

Emilie, a 2-core bearer, possessed a moderate level of power in the dream realm, making her more capable than most. On the other hand, Adrian was a coreless individual, not entirely powerless but certainly lacking the strength to navigate the dream realm with ease.

The dream realm was a paradox, both coveted and feared by those who ventured into it. Its allure lay in its boundless possibilities, where thoughts took form and the extraordinary became reality.

Yet, this boundless potential came with a price, as the realm was also home to formidable challenges and enigmatic forces, demanding respect and caution from even the most gifted of core bearers.

Adrian's gaze met Emilie's, and in her unchanging, neutral stare, he found a sense of reassurance. The sight of the tower had ignited a spark of confidence within him, and he responded with a brilliant smile, nodding affirmatively.

Seeing Adrian's eager anticipation, Emilie released a soft sigh and joined him, her steps echoing through the pristine white tower. Within its walls, an aura of purity and serenity enveloped them. The structure was crafted from a glistening, pearlescent material, which cast a gentle, opalescent radiance over the entire space.

The architectural design exuded elegance and simplicity, adorned with clean lines and graceful curves. The floors, cool to the touch, reflected the gentle, silvery light that bathed the interior, creating an atmosphere of ethereal beauty.

.

The tower stretched wide, its expansive interior bathed in luminance from large, arched windows, each framing breathtaking panoramas of the dream realm's ethereal landscapes. Graceful pillars, tall and slender, graced the room, bestowing upon it an otherworldly charm.

The walls, adorned with intricate and delicate motifs, whispered tales of the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that had birthed this place.

In this pristine tower, serenity reigned supreme, beckoning those weary of the dream realm's chaos. The air was pure and bracing, tinged with the faint, unique scents of this realm. It stood as a sanctuary for those seeking solace, a place to pause, reflect, and find respite in its tranquil embrace.

"See, I told you it wouldn't be so bad. You ought to trust me more often."

Adrian chimed with a hint of triumph in his voice as he gazed around. He was still wrestling with the enigma of whose dream they had entered, but that was a puzzle for another moment. For now, he intended to savor the experience.

Emilie, observing Adrian as he marveled at the tower's beauty, couldn't help but share in his newfound calmness. It was her first journey into the dream realm as well, and together, they raced through the tower, their eyes hungrily drinking in every minute detail.

Their excitement led them to the third floor.

The third floor held a myriad of entertainments. At one end, a grand theater beckoned, adorned with plush velvet seats and a rich, deep-red curtain, ready for captivating performances. The stage was meticulously arranged for a wide range of spectacles, from enchanting plays to mesmerizing dance recitals.

Impeccable acoustics ensured that every note and spoken word reached the audience with crystal-clear precision.

In another corner of the floor, a symphony of musical instruments gleamed, extending an invitation for visitors to craft their own melodies. Pianos, violins, and a plethora of exotic instruments were available for impromptu jam sessions, transforming the space into a haven for spontaneous creativity.

As their exploration continued, they chanced upon a well-equipped artistic workshop. Easels stood proudly beside canvases, and an array of art supplies extended a warm invitation to the creatively inclined, offering a haven to bring their wildest imaginations to life.

They lingered for a while, truly awed by the abundance of creative resources at their fingertips. The selection seemed to encompass nearly every form of entertainment from ancient times—an astonishing treasure trove of possibilities.

Their eagerness to experience it all was palpable, but they were still too charged with excitement to fully investigate the other floors. From the outside, they could count nearly nine floors, and as they ascended to the fourth, their amazement only deepened.

Before them stretched a vast swimming pool, so expansive that it enveloped the entire floor. However, they couldn't linger here for too long. Their enthusiasm remained undiminished as they dashed towards the next floor, eager to discover the next astonishing surprise.

The fifth floor unfolded into a sumptuous culinary lounge, adorned with a bewildering array of delectable delights that catered to every imaginable craving.

Adrian couldn't help but jest, "Whoever dreamt this up must have been a true food aficionado, or maybe they were just so famished that they had to dream up a feast!" He settled down at one end of the table and began to indulge in the rich assortment of dishes with utter abandon.

Emilie joined him, her longing for chips matching his, and together, they indulged to their hearts' content. They devoured morsel after morsel, not realizing that minutes turned into hours, days into weeks, weeks into months, and then, astonishingly, months into years.

Nine days seamlessly transformed into nine weeks, and then into nine months, until an entire nine years had quietly slipped away in their newfound paradise. And yet food never ceased to exist.