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Amber eyes open to nothing but gold dancing around him. Long stalks of wheat swayed in the breeze. The fresh smell of a harvest hung in the wind.
It was an ocean all around him, peaceful and serene. Lying on his back, clear blue skies were hanging behind the plants, making it a perfect picturesque view.
••••Come on, sleepy head. Time to get up••••
A soft voice reached his ears, but as far as he could tell, there was no one around. He was alone.
Looking down at his clothes, he was in an outfit that reminded him of dark, turbulent waters, but made to fit his adult frame, noting that the usual regalia he wore was missing.
Standing up, the warrior looked around. There was nothing but golden scenery before him. Some trees were already prepped to shed their leaves. Others had already shaken theirs loose and stood barren before the world.
•••Gald to see you're up. Enjoy the fresh air•••
His warrior instincts were still looking for the voice creeping into his mind. Unless he was going crazy and the scarecrow was talking to him, not a soul could be seen or heard.
Walking forward, there was a sound of water. There was a light nudge on his back to go towards the sound. Following it took him to a small dock. Walking around its twists and turns, his feet finally stopped at the end of the pier.
The sun hung low in the sky, counting down its own hours until it could fall below the horizon and sleep until the next morning. Everything is pleasant, like time had forgotten it was here. Boats were off in the distance, waiting for that one final bite before heading home.
•••I wonder if they caught anything, maybe the fish are napping too•••
He couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was with him, being a guide to what they wanted him to see.
There was no denying this place was beautiful. One could almost live here without a care in the world. Life was on your time. The outside world ceased to exist.
His trip went down a winding path to a village square. A few houses lined the area around a statue that felt so familiar. Carts full of goods, stumps ready to help split logs, and little swords were ready for playing knights; this really was a life without worry.
A small wind chime took his gaze to a house on his right. It was a simple place, but something felt special about it. None of its features stood out against the others in the area; it almost gave him a feeling of… home. Pots of flowers were spread all around. Some were to the right on many racks, and others were beside a bench to catch your breath after a hard day's work.
•••I wonder if it was a good harvest this year•••
There was an ache in his heart; he didn't know where it came from. This was a place where he'd never been before, far away from all the splendor and machinery of his home. Every image was ingrained in his mind, feeling like they were very important.
At the same time, taking in the simplicity and joy that was offered, a small tear was forming in the corners of his amber eyes. There was a reason to be here. A reason to see a small village, frozen in time. The answer wasn't there.
The only solace was feeling a hand grab his, squeezing it lightly for reassurance. Something wanted him to see this house, this land, and be here in this moment, but still he was seeing it all alone.
•••The veil may cover this land, but will never cover my he..a…r..ts…lo….••••
~~~~~~~
A small blue and white bird landed on the end of his klínē, lightly chirping away.
“A dream??”
The images and feelings felt so real. Even in the grandiose city of Kremnos, his senses were filled with the brisk air of the sea and the fresh scent of wheat fields ready to be picked. None of these peaceful things existed in the warrior's city.
A hand brought to his face could feel the small tears still hanging in the corners of his amber eyes. These didn't feel like the kind that were just from resting; these felt like they sprung forth from a saddened heart.
Even his hand felt like another was holding onto him.
Everything was too real.
His feet couldn't carry him fast enough to the Garbaniphoro Grand Library. There were scholars in every corner of the room littered with books. No one found it weird to see the crowned prince there. Stopping at the head librarian's desk, he inquired about two different topics: Amphorous' geography and its history or mythology.
Luckily for him, both were around the same area. Both were nestled back in a small corner, not seen very often. There were many books he'd never seen before. This was a section he never visited. If there was a topic related to either of these things, the books were brought to him.
Many of the authors that lay before him on the table had artists do the imagery for their books. A large stack was gone through, trying to find any semblance of a picture that could match what he saw.
Nothing
There was a very thin book still hiding on the shelf. Walking over to it, he saw it was so old, having lost its royal blue splendor; many must not have known it existed, maybe like the place itself. Flipping through it, the rough images matched what his mind saw.
The vast sea, sprawling wheat fields, windmills trying to touch the clouds; it was all there.
“Aedes…. Elysiae…Why does that sound so familiar? Why is it important? Who wants me to see all this?”
Seeing as everyone had forgotten about this book, once all others were placed back in their original spots, the small blue one left the library with him.
Back in his room, he took a seat on the window bench. Looking up at the grand statue of world-bearing, he was looking there for answers and not his own god of strife.
Maybe some day he would find the answers to this dream.
~~~~~~
Oh, my dear sweet prince, I am sorry I couldn't keep our promise. I was able to fight for a new life for you without strife and conflict, but it ended up being one without me. You at least have no worries in your life now. You have the family and kingdom that strife had torn from you.
The sweet dream of my homeland is all I could give you while I still fight for our—no, Amphorous’—freedom. I don't know if it will be worth it, but I have to try. Every bit of life is too precious to not give it my all and fight the being of destruction.
Even if you do not know it, please keep my love for you in your heart. I have loved you for thirty-three million plus cycles, and I will love you till time meets its end. Even if you forget my name, never let my love fade. Carry it into battle and let it fuel your fight, like you do mine.
My love for you is eternal, Mydeimos. Always and forever.