Read The Fair Elf Princess Page 5

Chapter 6: The Dream Savior

 

 

  Throughout the rest of the week Elliot had all but abandoned playing Fantasy Lotus, his PC6 sitting undisturbed, as he used his map on his laptop to familiarize Rosewielder with the locations of the surrounding districts, becoming accustomed to her supernatural ability to recall them after studying them only a single time. He reasoned that they could use her teleportation to reach any location they needed instantly and shower the needy with the treasures from his dreams. Elliot practiced his lucid dreaming all of the following nights, slowly but surely building up a huge stash of pure gold and precious stones he'd conjured from his dreams, hiding it under his bed. He'd also retrieved other spirit potions which increased his own abilities. In addition to another goblet of Ox Wine potion, Elliot had acquired other magical goblets that were based off of Fantasy Lotus. Eagle's Blood potion was said to give the drinker the ability to fly whereas Frog's Skin potion would render him invisible to all.

  "Rosewielder, are you certain that you're able to teleport anywhere in the city?" asked Elliot nervously on Saturday morning, checking the mountain of shimmering riches underneath his bed.

  "Yes, I am," she said, twirling her sword before sheathing it.

  "Okay, I think I know where I want to begin our trip," said Elliot before grabbing a good thirty pounds of treasure that had been wrapped in small black bags, and shoving it into his backpack. "It's the 7-eleven on Grant Avenue."

  He took a tiny sip from one of each of the three magical goblets and offered them to Rosewielder who also drunk from them.

  They each saw the other disappear, but not before Elliot took hold of Rosewielder's shoulder.

  "Are you ready, Grandmaster Swordsman?" asked Rosewielder's voice.

  "Yes, Fair Elf Princess."

  A strange vibrating sensation took hold of Elliot before he loss all feeling in his body. The ensuing moments were filled with awe as he saw a flurry of many colors and objects whip pass his eyes in such short succession that he couldn't make anything out before he found himself standing in the parking lot of the 7-eleven he'd visited before his accident, two beggars hanging outside the store as usual, attempting to stop all of the ingoing and outgoing customers.

  "Alright, this is it," said Elliot as he approached them, still invisible. "Hello, townspeople!" he said in a regal voice.

  A large pot bellied short haired man with dirty jeans and a ripped t-shirt began looking around, trying to locate the source of the voice while a thin older black woman with missing teeth and a black coat turned her attention to two men walking towards the store.

  "I have come to give you riches from paradise!" continued Elliot.

  "What! Who's there?!" asked the man alarmed, his head spinning around profusely.

  "It's a ghost," said the woman matter-of-factly.

  "I'm no ghost," said Elliot, removing two small bags of treasure from his backpack before chucking them before the feet of the beggars.

  "Where did that come from?!" asked the man frantically. "They came out of thin air!"

  "It must be an angel," said the woman.

  "Those are my gifts to each of you," said Elliot. "Use them well. You have a large supply of what's inside."

  The man curiously bent down, picking up the bags, handing one to the women. After fiddling with golden lacings which held the bags closed, there was a distinct jingling sound as they both held up handfuls of gold and jewels, their eyes widening with disbelief.

  "Is this real?" asked the woman.

  "I assure you that those treasures are real," said Elliot.

  "You are an angel," said the woman. "I knew my prayers would be answered one day."

  "You mean that I'm rich!!" bellowed the man before bringing a golden coin up to his teeth and biting it.

  "You are now," said Elliot.

  "Does this angel have a name?" asked the woman, tears streaming down her face.

  "We are the dream saviors," said Elliot.

  "God bless you!" yelled the woman.

  "We must go," said Elliot before grabbing hold of Rosewielder's shoulder once again.

  "Grandmaster Swordsman, where should I teleport us to next?" asked Rosewielder.

  "Downtown Los Angeles. There are many people there who need us," answered Elliot, and within moments, the pair were teleported to a sparse sidewalk near a corner.

  Elliot spotted a bearded man laying on a group of trash bags outside a dumpster that was overlooked by a large apartment complex, scores of people walking by, talking on their cellphones, listening to their mp3 players, paying him no mind. Elliot navigated through the other pedestrians before coming within mere feet of the man.

  "The dream saviors have come to save you," said Elliot, causing the man to look around apprehensively.

  He grabbed another bag of treasure and sat it beside the man who simply stared at it for a few seconds, looking around curiously, before opening it, and emitting a low pitched groaning sound, his eyes watering.

  "Let's go, Fair Elf Princess," said Elliot, tapping on Rosewielder's shoulder.

  "Yes."

  Elliot and Rosewielder continued seeking out the poor throughout the city, providing them with the treasures from his dreams and, after about an hour, they delivered their last bag of treasures to a graying lady pushing around an old shopping cart filled with blankets and bags.

  "Fair Elf Princess, it's time to see what you're capable of," said Elliot. "You said that you have healing powers. Didn't you? It's part of your Fantasy Lotus skill set."

  "Yes, it is," answered Rosewielder boldly.

  "Then let's take a visit to the Masonville Hospital," said Elliot. "There are people in there that need you."

  "I will do all within my power to help them," said Rosewielder before they were both teleported into a hospital room.

  The room was filled with all sorts of equipment with a frail looking woman laying in a hospital bed, her head completely balled, and a cannula tube sitting inside her nose. He felt Rosewielder slip away.

  "Who's there?" asked the woman in a weak faint voice, hearing Rosewielder's footsteps.

  "We are the dream saviors," said Rosewielder just as a familiar warm breeze and radiant light dispersed not just through the one room, but through every part of the hospital that Elliot could see.

  "What's going on?" said the woman in a voice that was slightly louder but still very faint.

  "We have come to save you," said Elliot just as he heard frantic voices start to scream throughout the hospital.

  "It's aliens, I tell you!" yelled a man's voice.

  "It's armageddon!" yelled a raspy female voice before coughing loudly.

  " That light. This must be heaven! I know I'm dead!" yelled another man's voice just as the atmosphere steadily turned back to its previous state.

  "Grandmaster Swordsman," said Rosewielder feebly. "I feel weak."

  "Grab hold of me!" yelled Elliot. "Follow the sound of my voice!"

  Elliot held out his arms, moving them around ineffectively, searching for Rosewielder, until he felt a hand take hold of his shoulder. He placed his arms around her waist, walked towards the window, and, after opening it, took a deep breath before leaping out, Rosewielder still clutched tightly in his arms. The next second, he screamed in triumph as he sped through the air, looking down at the pulsating city below.

  "I'm actually flying just like in my dreams!" yelled Elliot.

  Rosewielder groaned loudly.

  "Fair Elf Princess, are you okay?"

  "Yes, I think so. I overused my magic," she said tiredly. "But I"ll be fine if I rest."

  "I'll find a place for you to recover," said Elliot assuredly, looking around until he spotted an extremely tall grayish skyscraper and flew towards it, carefully increasing his altitude until he came within twenty feet, and began to decrease his speed as he surpassed its height. Elliot slowed his flight pace an
d gently lowered himself until his feet touched the top of the building.

  "Fair Elf Princess, thanks a lot," said Elliot, softly helping her to her feet.

  "Did I do it right? I used my healing powers on the inhabitants of that fortress," she said, her breathing starting to slow down.

  "You what! You mean you healed everyone in the hospital?" asked Elliot, stunned.

  "Have I done something wrong, Grandmaster Swordsman?" she asked.

  "No, you did great, but please don't push yourself that far. I don't want to lose you," answered Elliot worriedly.

  "I will exercise greater caution next time," said Rosewielder apologetically.

  Elliot walked over to the edge of the building with surreal anticipation and gazed upon the wondrous metropolis that surrounded him, the city dwellers reminding him strangely of ants, the wind making his long hair dance without and audience due to his invisibility. He heard Rosewielder's footsteps languidly follow him.

  "Look at us! We're on top of the world!" screamed Elliot in ecstasy. Soon this place will be as glorious as my dreams thanks to us, the dream saviors!"

  "I am growing fond of being a dream savior. It feels great to use my magical powers to help humans," said Rosewielder enthusiastically.

  "We have much work to do but I think that we'll continue home. You need to rest," said Elliot.

  "Would you like me to teleport us back to your room?" asked Rosewielder.

  "No, I want to enjoy these powers before they wear off," said Elliot. "Now that my head's cooler I realize that I shouldn't have pushed you to teleport so many times. One of the basics of Fantasy Lotus is that teleportation uses a lot of magical energy," said Elliot, lightly touching Rosewielder's shoulder. "Please forgive me."

  "I'm not weak!" said Rosewielder with conviction. "I can handle it."

  "Right, well, let's see if you can beat me home, then, Fair Elf Princess!" yelled Elliot as he stepped off the roof of the skyscraper and flew as fast as he could.

  "How dare you cheat!" said Rosewielder.

  The pair sped through the resplendent sky, towards Rhodesia Paradies, Elliot admiring the clouds turned golden by the retreating sunlight which blanketed the bluish white atmosphere. They each adapted to seeking out the other based only on the sound of their voice as they were both still invisible. They flew freely for nearly ten minutes until Elliot lowered his altitude to improve his view of the city of Los Angeles, paying close attention to the passing infrastructure, determining that they'd nearly reached his house.

  "Here we are," said Elliot, landing on the grass in front of a large house composed of grayish and white bricks and a dark bluish roof which he knew was his own. "Looks like I won, Fair Elf Princess!" said Elliot, listening carefully for Rosewielder's voice. "Roseweilder?" he said, alarmed when no one answered. "No, she couldn't have gotten lost," said Elliot, realizing that his parents were still away.

  Elliot ran up to the front door, unlocking it, and strode towards the stairs and, within moments, he hurriedly pushed open his bedroom door and was surprised when an unseen force took hold of him.

  "Looks like I win, Elliot, you little cheater," said Rosewielder's voice playfully.

  "How did you-," he started before Rosewielder interrupted.

  "Teleportation. What else."

  "Oh, how could I forget," said Elliot just as Rosewielder began materializing before his eyes, the invisibility finally wearing off.

  "I'm glad to be able to see you again," said Rosewielder, smiling at him.

  "Likewise."

  "So, where will we journey to tomorrow, Elliot?" she asked excitedly.

  "I want to go to Beijing. It's in China," said Elliot as they finally released each other.

  "I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with such a place," said Rosewielder.

  "I'll show you," said Elliot, walking over to his desk and getting out his laptop, Rosewielder following him.

  "You see we are here," said Elliot, pointing to California on a virtual globe of the world.

  Rosewielder nodded.

  "We need to get here," said Elliot, moving the mouse, changing the position of the globe so that his finger was now on China. "Do you understand?"

  Rosewielder took hold of the mouse, studying the screen intensely for nearly a minute in silence.

  "I understand. I should be able to get you there," she said confidently. "This place is much farther than where we traveled to today. May I ask why you wish to go there?"

  Elliot shut down his laptop and clasped his fingers, staring into Rosewielder's eager eyes.

  "I want you to heal my Grandma Wu," he said. "She has a sickness with her brain."

  "You mean your grandmother?"

  Elliot nodded.

  "I can tell by the look in your eye that this woman means a lot to you," said Rosewielder. "I will heal Grandma Wu to the best of my ability."

  "You don't know how much that means to me, Rosewielder," said Elliot. "Thanks."

  "It's my duty as a dream savior," said Rosewielder.

  "Mom and dad will be home from the Power Bowl game soon."

  Elliot and Rosewielder spent a short time admiring the small fortune under his bed, Rosewielders' eyes in a nonstop state of fascination, viewing glistening precious stones of all manner of shape and color, snatching them up one after another, until a familiar stirring downstairs told Elliot that his parents had came home.

  "Rosewielder, mom and dad will be expecting me for dinner. Don't worry. I'll bring you back something. In the meantime, why don't you see what the newspeople are saying about us, the dream saviors," said Elliot, handing her a black remote.

  "Okay, I'll be here, waiting for you."

  Elliot made his way downstairs, seeing Mrs. Clementine in khaki shorts and a red jersey that had a logo of a roaring tiger, the symbol for the Terrible Tigers football team, her expression downcast. His father was sporting a casual dark blue cotton shirt and basic brown pants.

  "Hello, honey," said his mother as Elliot walked into the kitchen and retrieved a packet of green tea. "I hope your day was better than mine and your fathers. I don't know what the quarterback of our team was thinking."

  "Well, they are called the Terrible Tigers," said Elliot smugly, heating up some water on the stove.

  "Ha ha, honey," said his mother sarcastically, pulling out a bag of rice.

  "I could foresee our team's defeat based on their previous games," said Mr. Clementine, picking up the remote and switching the television on. "Faiga's lucky that she didn't have to bare to watch such a game."

  "It's good that she's spending time at Lisa's house," said Mrs. Clementine just as Elliot released his teabag into a glass hot water carafe.

  "I wonder what's going on," said his father, scratching his chin, his eyes on the television.

  His father turned the volume up.

  "We are confirming reports that an undisclosed number of people have been seen with bags of gold and diamonds," said a mousy faced brunette reporter on the television screen. "It is still unclear as to how many of these bags there are but authorities are trying to get to the bottom of this."

  The camera then changed to focus on a bony blonde haired man missing most of his front row of teeth.

  "It was an angel, man! My family has been touched by an angel! I'll finally be able to buy my daughter what she wants," said the man in a joyous voice.

  Elliot smirked, taking a seat at the dining room table.

  "All hail the dream saviors!" screamed a shorter gray haired woman. "They called themselves the dream saviors!"

  "And, as you can see, there is a growing number of reports on these individuals called the dream saviors," said the news lady, putting the mic back up to her lips. "Perhaps, what is most bizarre about this case is that no one seems to have seen these individuals. Many, in fact, firmly believe that these dream saviors are actually supernatural in nature. Our team is working around th
e clock to keep you posted on this breaking news. Jim, back to you."

  Elliot's mother suddenly stopped fiddling with a pot of rice, walked into the living room, and joined her husband at the couch.

  "Thanks, Joanna. We actually also have breaking news coming in from the Masonville Hospital in west Hollywood. Apparently, the hospital staff claims that all the patients are saying that they no longer feel ill. What's most bizarre is the apparent relationship between this case and another report with the connection being individuals calling themselves the dream saviors," said a black man with glasses and a goatee before the camera changed, depicting a large group of people standing outside of the Masonville Hospital.

  An attractive Asian reporter was holding a mic up to a pale woman with curly brownish hair.

  "I actually came here because I suspected I had pneumonia. I had just walked into the lobby when a bright light came out of nowhere. I know it sounds weird, but I felt a warm feeling take hold of me and, after this happened, the pain in my chest was gone."

  "You're saying it was gone, just like that?" asked the reporter.

  "Gone. It had to be God. What else could it be?" asked the woman. "It just wasn't my time."

  The news then went to a commercial break, Elliot's pride now inflated as he continued grinning cheek to cheek, fiddling with his teabag.

  The world knows who I am. They appreciate my work, my genius, my power.

  "Elliot, were you listening to the news?" asked his father from the couch, turning his head towards him.

  "Huh?" began Elliot, snapping out of his daydream. "Oh, yes, I did. How odd."

  "It's more than odd. It's crazy. With all of my years through school I still don't know what's going on. It's true what they say about some things just being unexplainable," said Mr. Clementine with incredulity.

  "It seems all fine and dandy now but we don't know the intentions of these dream saviors. They could be criminals that have access to technology we don't yet understand," said Mrs. Clementine disapprovingly.

  "Criminals? Didn't you see what the people were saying? They were helping people," said Elliot, offensively.

  "Honey, I know this sounds harsh but, it can be unwise to trust someone that doesn't reveal their identity. How can we trust anyone who doesn't show us who they are?" asked Mrs. Clementine warily.

  "Mom, people were calling them angels to show their appreciation," argued Elliot.

  "Satan was an angel and a demon."

  "I can't believe you're comparing the dream saviors to Satan," said Elliot in disgust. "I'd suddenly rather eat in my room."

  "Elliot, I'm sorry, honey," started Mrs. Clementine, but her son heatedly used some of the remaining hot water to make some ramen before storming off to his room.

  "You've returned," said Rosewielder, cozily laying on his bed, her remote pointed at the television as she flipped through different channels. "What yummies have you brought for me this time?" she asked excitedly, getting off his bed as Elliot walked over to his desk and sat down the bowl of noodles.

  Something in his expression must have exposed his emotions because she then asked, "Have I done something to upset you?"

  "No, it's not you," he answered assuredly. "My mother is just so paranoid sometimes."

  "Well, perhaps she just wants to make sure that her family is safe," said Rosewielder, grabbing some ramen with a pair of chopsticks.

  "Maybe," said Elliot, getting into his sleeping bag.

  "You're sleeping earlier than you normally do."

  "I'm tired, and we have a big day tomorrow," said Elliot, placing his head snuggly on his pillow. Elliot fell asleep much quicker than he normally did.

  That morning he woke up at 9:16 a.m. with a small pot of green jade in his hands, having retrieved it from his dreams. He placed it beside his sleeping bag. Elliot then got to his feet, brushing his hair out of his face, and looked over at the sleeping beauty upon his bed.

  "Rosewielder?" he said after walking over to the bed.

  Rosewielder stirred slightly, before opening her eyes and sitting up.

  "Did you have sweet dreams?" asked Elliot cheerfully.

  "Not really. I just dreamed of eating more of those noodles."

  Elliot laughed.

  "Come on. Let's get ready."

  The pair prepared themselves for their journey to Beijing with Elliot concealing the jade in his backpack after finishing with his morning hygiene routine. They both sipped from the magical goblets just as they had previously and watched each other disappear.

  "Are you ready, Fair Elf Princess?" asked Elliot.

  "I am, Grandmaster Swordsman."

  "Take us to the Crimson Dragon Nursing Home in Beijing. Grandma Wu is in room 116."

  "I understand."

  Elliot felt the same set of peculiar sensations grip him as he did the first time, the pair traveling at an incomprehensible speed before he found himself standing in a small light greenish room with a large television that sat atop a brown table in the corner. Pots of tall plants occupied the other corner while sunlight shined tranquilly through the white blinds of a window to the left, illuminating a burgundy carpet and a tan bed that was occupied by a very thin elderly woman laying peacefully, her small eyes, looking up at the ceiling, seemingly staring into space. A long haired Chinese woman who looked about three decades younger and dressed in a white nursing outfit was standing over the woman, looking worried. She retrieved a food tray with dirty dishes before saying, " Hen hao de xiuxi" and quietly exited through a yellowish metal door.

  "What was it that she said?" said Rosewielder curiously.

  "She told her to rest nicely," answered Elliot before walking over to the bed and looking down at his grandmother.

  He felt Rosewielder come stand beside him.

  Elliot sighed deeply.

  "Okay, Fair Elf Princess," said Elliot. "May you please heal Grandma Wu?"

  "I'll do my best, Grandmaster Swordsman," said Rosewielder just as a familiar warm light and breeze began radiating off of her body, creating arm-like luminous shapes that enclosed around his grandmother.

  Unlike the patients in the Masonville Hospital who'd expressed shock and anxiousness when touched by Rosewielder's magic, Grandma Wu simply continued smiling aimlessly up at the ceiling until an odd but alert expression unexpectedly appeared on her face. When the room had, at last, reverted back to its natural state Elliot's grandmother sat up with great agility and, to his horror, grabbed at where he was standing, her hand softly grazing his shirt.

  "Who's there?" she asked with a heavy accent.

  "We are the dream saviors," answered Elliot in a kingly fashion.

  "Elliot, my grandson, is that you? Is that your voice?" asked Grandma Wu, getting off the bed, spreading her hands out as if trying to grab the air.

  "We have come to free you of your illness," said Elliot, trying to avoid the clutches of his grandmother.

  "I know my grandson's voice. I know you're here, Elliot," she said as her arms seemed to lock around an invisible object and, with great dread, Elliot recognized that she had caught Rosewielder.

  "Are you some foul demon that is using my beloved grandson's voice? You don't feel like my grandson."

  "I'm the Fair Elf Princess," said Rosewielder nervously. "My partner is the Grandmaster Swordsman."

  "You don't sound like a demon," said Grandma Wu matter-of-factly.

  "I'm not."

  "Wait, a second," said Grandma Wu, releasing Rosewielder, starting to survey the place where she stood. "I sense otherworldly aura. Are you a…spirit?"

  "What! How did you know?!" asked Elliot tumultuously.

  "In my younger days I dated a man from Italy who left me to pursue the mystic arts. He was a lone conjurer before joining the Mystic Council of Conjurers. I have no idea how I remember that."

  "Well, now that the cat's out of the bag I guess there's no point hidin
g it. Yes, I am Elliot Clementine, your grandson. My spirit friend and I are also the dream saviors. Rosewielder restored your mind to its natural state."

  "It's natural state?" said Grandma Wu inquisitively.

  "You're in a nursing home. It's because you had alzheimer's disease until my partner, Rosewielder, rid you of your illness a few moments ago," explained Elliot.

  Elliot watched his grandmother's mouth open in shock, and then close.

  "Well, I am ninety five years old. Losing your mind is just one of the fine gifts of aging," she finally said.

  "Grandma Wu, now that you know our identities our destinies are in your hands," said Elliot. "We must remain anonymous if we continue our duties as dream saviors."

  "But why?" Why must we hide in the shadows like cowards? Why not let people see the dreams saviors as the heroic people we are?" asked Rosewielder.

  "The world isn't ready for it, Rosewielder. Just trust me."

  "I'm afraid I don't understand, Elliot," said Rosewielder compassionately.

  "I must agree with my grandson," said Grandma Wu. "Often times people fear what we don't understand."

  "But you didn't fear us," said Rosewielder.

  "I'm not all people," said Grandma Wu. "I also know a little about conjurers and spirits and that is why I will keep quiet about this."

  "Thank you, Grandma Wu."

  "Elliot, I must warn you that if you're not careful you could get into trouble with the council. Or even worse, other lone conjurers might try to challenge you and capture your spirit friend," said his grandmother earnestly.

  "There are other conjurers not a part of the council?" asked Elliot.

  "Not many, but yes."

  "What are you-," began Rosewielder before Grandma Wu interrupted her.

  "I believe the nurses are coming now. I love you, Elliot, and good luck to the Fair Elf Princess. Please go," said Grandma Wu.

  "I love you too," said Elliot. "Rosewielder, please take us back home."

  After a touch on his shoulder and the usual sensations of teleportation, Elliot and Rosewielder were back in his bedroom.

  "Elliot, what is this otherworldly aura that your grandmother mentioned?" asked Rosewielder. "It has something to do with us, spirits, doesn't it? Please tell me," said Rosewielder eagerly.

  "Okay, I'll tell you. However, as thanks for helping my grandmother I want you to take us to any place you desire," said Elliot graciously as they gradually became visible once again.

  "Anywhere?"

  Elliot nodded. "Our work is done for this weekend. We deserve a short vacation. Besides, I have school tomorrow."

  A thoughtful expression dispersed across Rosewielder's face before she walked over to Elliot, wrapped her arms tightly around him and, the next moment, the pair were suddenly transported beneath a single tree that occupied a grassy hill beneath a dazzlingly bright atmosphere. All Elliot could see on all sides was the vast alluring horizon, a beautiful concoction of the endless grassy plains on which they stood, and the slightly cloudy sky. It seemed that Elliot and Rosewielder were in total seclusion in a sublime natural setting completely removed from the world of suburbia.

  "Wow, Rosewielder. Where did you take us?" he asked, his hands around her waist.

  "It's a secret, Elliot," she said blushingly. "Look here, Elliot," added Rosewielder, turning to the tree behind them, walking over to a low branch, and removing an apple.

  She took a bite, and then handed it to Elliot. He hesitated before also putting it to his lips and allowing the sweetness to saturate his taste buds.

  "Not bad, Rosewielder," said Elliot before kneeling down tiredly.

  "Is something wrong?" asked Rosewielder, walking over and laying down comfortably on the grass.

  "I'm just a little exhausted but that won't stop me from telling you all I know about spirits."

  "I'm ready to listen."

  "Alright."

  Elliot divulged all the information to Rosewielder that Julie had told him regarding the spirits, how they were summoned, the otherworld, and about the Mystic Council of Conjurers, stopping every now and then to eat from the apple which he and Rosewielder had decided to share, passing it back and forth, taking a bite when the other either explained or inquired further. When he'd finished Rosewielder took the last bite from what was left of the fruit before tossing it down the hill.

  "So, you're saying that I am real? I'm just from, the otherworld, the world of spirits," said Rosewielder in awe.

  "According to Julie," said Elliot, brushing his hair behind his ear.

  "I wonder if my world has anything as beautiful as where we are now," said Rosewielder, turning from him, and gazing up at the sunlit sky.

  "Who knows," said Elliot, watching an august glow outline her faultless complexion.

  "But my family doesn't exist in that world if what you say is true," said Rosewielder dispiritedly.

  "That appears to be the case," said Elliot sympathetically. "Spirits take whatever shape their conjurers imagine them as so, unless another conjurer out there is also summoning spirits in the form of Fantasy Lotus characters then… Well, you see where I'm going."

  "Yes, I do."

  They both remained silent for some time until Elliot's hand found its way on top of Rosewielder's.

  "Rosewielder, you do know that I'm a conjurer? Do you want me to summon a spirit in the form of Elf King Methuselah? It is within my power."

  Rosewielder's hand grasped Elliot's. He relished its tender touch.

  "No, Elliot. Although my knowledge about my family seems so real, I would never bring another into this world for self satisfaction," she answered unwaveringly. "But I'll hold this day dear to my heart for as long as I live."

  Their eyes met, followed by their lips. Elliot and Rosewielder lay engrossed with each other's company for a great time, watching the sun set as the sky went from blue to pink, the light calmly fading, until Elliot felt it best that they get back home.

  "Thank you for telling me the truth," said Rosewielder once they were back in his room.

  "Thank you for giving me a taste of paradise."

  Spirit Sleepiness

  The following day Elliot reluctantly awoke at the sound of his alarm clock with a light weight on his chest. This time he'd managed to take from his dreams more Frog's Skin potion. He lazily got to his feet, feeling envious of Rosewielder as she continued resting soundly beneath the covers, appearing motionless and tranquil with the incorruptible innocence of an antique doll.

  After adding the potion to the other spirit items beneath is bed, he readied himself for breakfast. He yawned heavily as he made his way to the table.

  "Good morning, son," said his father as he studied the business section of the newspaper.

  "Huh? Oh, hey dad."

  "You look like a zombie, Elliot," said Mr. Clementine, folding up the newspaper and taking a sip of chai tea. "Have you been getting proper sleep?"

  "Yes, it's just because I've been really practicing for midterm exams," he answered just as Faiga came frolicking down the stairs.

  "Hello, mom. Hey dad," she said jubilantly as she sat across from Elliot. "What's with the bags under your eyes, big bro?"

  "School. What else?" answered Elliot just as his mother took her seat at the table across from his father.

  They commenced with breakfast, listening as Faiga spoke of her enjoyment at the Fallwood History Museum and her time over at Lisa's.

  "We practiced our instruments for a little while. Then we made gimp string designs," she said, holding up a piece of plastic made of patterned coils of different colored strings.

  "That's nice, sweetie," said Mrs. Clementine before putting scrambled eggs into her mouth.

  "We also had so much fun watching the news about the dream saviors," Faiga continued. "They're so awesome!"

  Elliot's and his mother's eyes met for a fraction of a second
before Elliot began concentrating intently on a piece of toast in his hand, feeling his mother's eyes still on him for another few moments before she looked away, taking a large gulp of orange juice.

  "It's still to early to tell, Faiga," said Mr. Clementine. "However, if the reports of patients of the Masonville Hospital are true then I'd say they seem like they have good intentions."

  Elliot felt a feeling of reassurance with both his sister and father in support of the dream saviors but, for his mother's sake, did not outwardly express his gratitude. They continued eating for a few more minutes before it came time for school. Elliot had just swung his backpack over his shoulder when he felt someone grab hold of him. He turned to see his mother standing behind him with a worried look on her face.

  "Elliot, I want you to be careful," she said. "I know we argued the other night but I just want you to stay safe. You also look like you need more rest."

  She planted a kiss on his forehead.

  "I'm fine, mom. You don't have to worry yourself."

  The family bid each other farewell and Elliot sleepily began his journey to school. The ride was a perilous one, Elliot finding himself nearly rear ending other motorists several times as he battled his heavy eyelids. Once he'd turned into the parking lot of High Prince High School he was cursed at as he nearly and unintentionally bumped a couple holding hands as they traveled by the crosswalk.

  What is happening to me? I can barely focus on anything. I'm so tired all the time.

  "Hey, buddy. Do you know that the newest expansion set for Fantasy Lotus allows you to upgrade your avatars with new abilities," said Cody as soon as he'd taken his seat in his AP chemistry class. "They're upgrading the Ice Elves and Crimson Vampires first and then they'll improve the other avatar types."

  "I haven't had time for that, Cody," said Elliot, opening up his class notes.

  "I understand, buddy. Knowing you, you were probably too busy doing the extra homework assignment," said Cody, removing from his textbook a thick stack of notebook papers with many chemistry equations on them.

  Elliot's heart felt like it just dropped into his stomach. He'd forgotten about the extra midterm homework assignments.

  "Are you okay, buddy?" asked Cody, watching Elliot with alarm.

  The bell rang. Elliot snapped his head towards his teacher, seeing Ms. Rosenberg walk to the front of the room as the class began settling down.

  "Okay, first thing's first. Hand up your homework, students," she said.

  The class did as they were told with Ms. Rosenberg checking the stacks for the names of each person in the row. By the time she reached Elliot's row he felt like he was going to vomit as he took the stack of homework from the person behind him before handing it to the teacher.

  "Good, good," she said before looking at Elliot with amazement.

  "Mr. Clementine, where is your homework?" she asked.

  Elliot felt the eyes of his classmates descend upon him.

  "Um, well, I was quite sick. I think I still have a fever," he said, putting his hand on his forehead.

  Several people giggled softly but Ms. Rosenberg shook her head disappointedly.

  "I expected better from you, Mr. Clementine. Please don't let this happen again," she said, turning from him and walking back to her desk.

  Elliot sunk in his chair, his ego damaged. He'd always prided himself on his academic performance.

  "It'll be okay, buddy," said Cody empathetically. "It happens."

  "Yeah, you're right. I just slipped up once," said Elliot calmly but he would soon discover how wrong he was as the school day progressed.

  In history class Elliot haphazardly put his head down over his textbook while Mr. Bennett was in the middle of reviewing notes on the overheard projector about the forty years war. He didn't realize when Mr. Bennett abruptly stopped, followed by a wave of heads turning in his direction.

  "Um, Mr. Clementine, I'm sorry to wake you from your nap but it would benefit your grade if you pay more attention," said Mr. Bennett, scratching what little hair he had.

  "Huh, what? I'm sorry," responded Elliot, his mind in a daze.

  Mr. Bennet continued with his speech but not before Elliot saw Julie give him a worried look before turning back around. Elliot endured a torturous struggle with the onset of sleepiness until the bell rang, signaling his victory.

  Only two more classes to go and then I can get home and sleep.

  He hastily chucked his books into his backpack and was ready to leave when Julie approached him, her expression very concerned.

  "Elliot, are you okay?" she asked.

  "Yeah, I'm just tired," said Elliot, walking slowly towards the door.

  She followed, surveying him closely.

  "Your aura is noticeably weaker since I last saw you," she said as they entered the hallway.

  "I'm fine," said Elliot immovably.

  "Elliot, please tell me you're not the one responsible for these strange occurrences lately," said Julie. "I'm referring to the people getting bags of gold and the incident at the Masonville Hospital."

  "What if I was?" he asked boldly.

  Julie brought her mouth to his ear so as to ensure no one around them could eavesdrop.

  "If you were the one who conjured all those things then your aura is probably dangerously low, right now," whispered Julie. "It's probably only a matter of time before the council gets involved and cleans up the damage you've done."

  Elliot pulled away from her, offended.

  "Damage?" he said, awestruck. "Julie, we gave to people in this world who don't have much of a chance. Our deeds were justified."

  "We!" whispered Julie loudly. You have an accomplice, another conjurer?" asked Julie in a grave voice.

  Elliot shook his head.

  Julie's expression turned to one of sheer terror.

  "You didn't. You conjured another spirit, didn't you? And what's worse is that it's a person, a girl," she said, shaking her head, backing away from him as if he was diseased.

  "How did-," he started before Julie retorted.

  "The pink hair in your car. At first, I thought I must have imagined it because the aura was so faint but now I know," said Julie, turning her back on him.

  "Julie, wait!" pleaded Elliot frantically but it was to no avail as Julie quickened her stride away from him.

  Elliot miserably made his way to his P.E. class, being greeted harshly by Mr. Martel once in the gym.

  "You're late, again, Mr. Clementine. This is your second time this month which means an extra lap," said Mr. Martel before blowing his whistle.

  Elliot reluctantly began his laps, finding all the other students overtaking him as he struggled to keep up, and, by the time he'd completed, his peers had left to the weight room a good six minutes prior. He saw Mr. Martel shake his head as he exhaustedly joined the rest of the class.

  "Come on," he said frustratedly as he struggled to push a hundred pounds with his legs.

  "Hey, man, you don't look so good," said a voice over his shoulder as he stood up.

  He turned to see Jason standing behind him, his hand still lightly bandaged.

  Elliot instinctively backed away but he was grabbed by the collar and slammed painfully against the wall.

  "What happened to all that strength my buds told me you had?" asked Jason tauntingly, his unpleasant breath smacking across Elliot's face.

  "Oh, I still have it," said Elliot, trying to think of something quick.

  "Where?"

  "It comes from anger," answered Elliot confidently.

  "Anger?"

  "Yes, I have this disease where my adrenaline surges and my strength goes insane. My parents have to keep me on meds so I don't hurt anyone. I would listen to your pals," fibbed Elliot, trying to keep a straight face, noticing Jason's hazel eyes betraying his concern. "You can beat the crap out of me today because I've had my meds but on days when I don't ta
ke my pills you better watch out, man."

  "You're a freak," said Jason, angrily before aggressively releasing his shirt collar. "Forget you, man."

  Elliot took a sigh of relief as he watched Jason disappear behind a group of lockers. With tremendous effort, Elliot completed his exercise log before changing and heading to his English class. He wasn't sure what happened between the time he took his seat and the time he heard a woman's voice repeatedly calling his name.

  "Mr. Clementine. Um, Mr. Clementine," called the voice repeatedly.

  "Huh. What's going on?" he said, removing his head from his desk to find old Mrs. Langway hunched over, holding a wooden cane, watching him.

  "The class is over, Mr. Clementine," said Mrs. Langway. "I hope you took good study notes."

  "Yes, sure I did," he said before quickly packing up and heading out the door.

  Grateful that school was over, Elliot embarked on his ride home, driving as slow as possible to avoid getting in any accidents despite the continuous honking of the motorists behind him.

  He made it home before either of his parents, reasoning that they had a late workday, and desperately made his way to his room.

  "Welcome back, Elliot," said Rosewielder gleefully as she practiced swinging her sword about.

  "Good evening, Rosewielder," he responded, dropping his backpack beside his desk and collapsing on his sleeping bag.

  "You don't look so good," said Rosewieder.

  She bent down, placing her weapon beneath his bed, and walked over to Elliot.

  "Do you want me to try to heal you?" she asked as he put his head on his pillow.

  "Yes, that would be much appreciated."

  Rosewielder followed through with her usual healing magic, Elliot eagerly awaiting the end to his chronic fatigue, but groaned after Rosewielder was left standing confused, scratching her head.

  "You don't seem to be sick," she said, at a lost.

  "Well, maybe it's my aura," said Elliot. "Julie said my aura could be low because of the spirit items I conjured."

  "So, humans have auras as well?" questioned Rosewielder.

  "Apparently," said Elliot. "I'll have to ruff it for now and do my homework."

  After getting his textbooks, Elliot slowly but surely toiled his way through his studies, stopping every now and then to stretch his eyes and yawn before going down to dinner, promising to bring Rosewielder back something. That night Elliot endured through his parent's repeated questions concerning him getting enough sleep which was only interrupted by the evening news report claiming that several cancer patients were proven to have miraculously recovered by doctors.

  "I'm simply grateful that my mother has been healed. Thank you very much to whomever is responsible," said a young brunette woman on the television before a blonde news lady put the mic up to her mouth.

  "We've confirmed reports from multiple sources that all of the patients have, in fact, been cured, but the question on everyone's mind is by who or what."

  "From what I've just seen, the dream saviors appear to be virtuous individuals," said Mr. Clementine, grabbing the remote and turning off the television at the end of dinner.

  Elliot couldn't help but to smile proudly at his father before retrieving an extra plate of food and making his way back to his bedroom. He watched as Rosewielder happily enjoyed a hefty helping of his mom's mashed potatoes before zipping himself up in his sleeping bag.

  "You wish to slumber already? Don't you want to partake in my victory in Pirate's Treasure?" asked Rosewielder, placing a disc into his PC6.

  "Not tonight. Tomorrow perhaps," answered Elliot before immediately dozing off.

  For a lengthy time Elliot's mind remained utterly unaware until he felt a slew of negative thoughts flood his brain as he tossed and turned uncomfortably. He opened his eyes, finding himself at school, standing in a hallway that was totally vacant except for himself and the school lockers. He knew he was dreaming and intended to take full advantage of it, pointing to a locker and imagining a bunch of money falling out.

  "Just concentrate," he told himself before the door of the locker opened with a loud clink. "Yes, I did it."

  However, what popped out of the locker wasn't money but Ms. Rosenberg's head. Elliot backed away, perplexed, but gasped as a snake-like tongue slithered out from his teacher's mouth.

  "Elliot-s-s Clementine, where is-s-s your homework?" she hissed.

  "I don't need to give you my homework. This is a dream," said Elliot defensively.

  "Is-s-s that s-s-so?"

  He gasped as Ms. Rosenberg's head slithered out from the locker followed by a long scaly black snake-like body. When the entirety of the half human half beast creature emerged he saw that it was nearly twenty feet long and a good two feet wide.

  "I'm the dreamer and you're just a figment of my imagination," said Elliot, placing his hand behind him and, after considerable focus, conjured a sword.

  He then charged for the snake, slicing the front half cleanly off.

  "You see. I can't lose here," he said egotistically, but yelled in shock as the stump which oozed thick greenish blood quickly morphed, gradually forming into long neck like appendages which branched off, displaying two heads, this time belonging to both Ms. Rosenberg and Mr. Bennett.

  "Ew, gross," said Elliot as he flew into the air and tried slicing the creature again, but failed as it dodged his strike, causing him to crash to the ground.

  "You were s-s-sleeping in my class-s-s-s, Elliot-s-s," hissed Mr. Bennett's head.

  "I was tired," said Elliot, getting to his feet.

  "You should get s-s-some more s-s-sleep then."

  "Okay, that's it," said Elliot, now focusing on the creature, imagining it shrinking. The creature shrunk slightly before lunging towards Elliot, knocking him cleanly off his feet, causing him to drop his sword.

  "We are in s-s-school, Elliot. We have the power now," said Ms. Rosenberg's head as the bottom half of the snake began coiling around Elliot's body.

  "It's time to s-s-say s-s-sweet dreams my s-s-sleepy s-s-student," said Mr. Bennet's head before opening its mouth, revealing long fangs, causing Elliot to yell in terror.

  The dreamscape around Elliot and the creature instantly vanished, having been changed into the inside of his bedroom. The pain was very real as he felt the bones in his torso aching under the tremendous pressure.

  "Rosewielder! A little help here!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

  Elliot saw Rosewielder bolt upright out of the corner of his eye before yelling, "Quick Sword of Light, come to me!"

  Rosewielder's sword flew into her hands and she appeared atop of the creature so swiftly that he was certain she'd teleported there. With a single strike she chopped off the two heads, causing the constrictive force around his body to loosen. She took hold of Elliot's arm and hoisted him from the creature's clutches with unnatural strength, causing him to collapse on the floor. However, the air was filled with Rosewielder's scream as she was smacked into the bedroom wall by its lower half, apparently working independently of its head. Elliot watched in horror as it grew four necks this time, each one being occupied by the head of a different teacher. Now Ms. Rosenberg's and Mr. Bennett's heads were accompanied by Mr. Martel's and Mrs. Langway's.

  "Why aren't you in s-s-school, young lady?" asked Mr. Martel's head, bearing its long teeth and thin tongue.

  "You need a s-s-suspension," said Mrs. Langway's head just as Rosewielder got to her feet.

  Elliot saw Rosewielder retrieve her sword from the corner just as a sound of shattering glass filled the room. He looked over and saw the creature slither right through his bedroom window, leaving its severed pieces behind.

  "Rosewielder! We must destroy the pieces in here first so they won't regenerate!" called Elliot just as Rosewielder made for the window.

  Rosewielder stopped in her tracks, raised her sword which emitted a familiar light, and
with a single swing, disposed with the hacked off pieces of the creature, still wriggling as their heads muttered indiscernible gibberish before they exploded in a hail of whitish sparkling lights.

  "Do you wish me to go and find the beast?" said Rosewielder, looking out the window at the twilight sky.

  "Yes, but drink from the goblets, first. We can't risk being spotted," said Elliot, pointing towards the spirit potions which sat under his bed. "I'll follow you."

  Rosewielder gave Elliot an annoyed expression before running to his bed and taking sips from each of the goblets before disappearing.

  "I think you should remain here, Elliot," said Rosewielder's concerned voice.

  "I'm fine," said Elliot.

  "No, you're not or this wouldn't have happened. Don't lie to me! Please just stay here and get some rest!" yelled Rosewielder's voice. "I'll deal with this monster."

  "Alright, but just promise me you'll come back safely," said Elliot defeatedly.

  "I will."

  A short while later he dropped to his knees, feeling he had no energy left, and then collapsed on his bedroom floor. When he'd awoken he was laying on his bed and the sound of Rosewielder's voice was calling his name, panic-stricken. He opened his eyes and saw her watching him from above, appearing like a grieving angel. Her eyes were somber and filled with tears.

  "You're alright," she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

  "Yes, I'm alive, at least," said Elliot, weakly sitting up. "I've no choice. If I don't improve I have to go to Julie's house to see if she can help. She knows about auras."

  "I agree," said Rosewielder. "My healing magic won't cure whatever it is that's wrong with you. I'm afraid I'm powerless to do anything."

  "Don't worry yourself. It's not your fault. Did you manage to destroy that thing?" asked Elliot.

  "No, I was unable to locate its whereabouts but I will continue my search while you're at school."

  "Sounds like a plan as long as no one sees you," said Elliot, looking over at the alarm clock which read 5:30 a.m., attempting to sit up, but Rosewielder placed her hand over him, preventing him from getting up.

  "What's the deal?" he asked, puzzled.

  "I want you to rest in the bed. I'll take the floor until morning," said Rosewielder sternly.

  "What? Why?" he asked.

  "Do you think exhausted conjurers should have to sleep on the hard floor?"

  "Well, alright, Fair Elf Princess, but I won't be sleeping. We can't afford for me to accidentally summon more monsters," said Elliot.

  Elliot staid awake as Rosewielder used her magic to fix the damage the creature had done to his window. For a little more than a half hour he watched her as she practiced wielding her sword, twirling it around, chopping the air, apparently preparing herself for the next time she'd meet the monster until the alarm clock bossily told him it was time for school.

  "Be careful," he said after getting dressed.

  "Same to you, Grandmaster Swordsman."

  After going to breakfast and enjoying two large servings of his mother's cheese filled grits, enduring the continued pestering of his parents about him not getting enough sleep, Elliot embarked on his way to school after ensuring that he had in his possession all of the assignments that were due that day. He arrived at High Prince High School, having ridden there at a snail's paste, and carefully pulled into a parking space. He slammed his door shut and noticed three of the school's security guards standing in a group around the exit, seemingly in deep discussion as the students flocked into the main entrance. He began his journey to his locker, and after retrieving all the books he'd needed, started going over in his head calculus problems for Mr. Fujita's class, evading bumping into his peers as he navigated through the halls. Elliot was pondering a particularly difficult problem when he found himself being pushed around rudely by other students, yelling fearfully as they ran in the opposite direction.

  "It's a monster!" roared a brown haired boy holding a girl's hand as they dashed towards him.

  A blonde haired girl repeatedly shouted, "Call the police!" as she sped past him with dozens of other students.

  It wasn't until the double doors at the middle of the hall swung violently open that Elliot understood the source of the commotion as he dropped his books at the horrendous scene before him.

  The spirit creature was slithering down the hall and, even more alarmingly, had two of its necks wrapped around Mr. Martel and Mrs. Langway as the pair dangled their feet and flailed their arms helplessly.

  "Get off of me!" roared Mr. Martel as the neck belonging to the fake Mr. Martel stuck out its snake tongue. "It's the Russians. I know it's the Russians!"

  "Escape while you can, boy!" yelled Mrs. Langway hopelessly.

  Elliot stood his ground.

  "Let them go!" yelled Elliot as the monster slithered quickly towards him.

  The next moment he was forced into a set of lockers after being smacked with its massive tail.

  He wiped his nose and saw that it was bleeding.

  Crap! What do I do? I"m done for!

  "We will first dis-s-spose with these impos-sters before dealing with you, shameful s-s-student," said the head of Ms. Rosenberg.

  Is this really it for me? I, the dream savior, destroyed by a spirit that I summoned?

  Elliot closed his eyes, waiting for the worst, just as a loud chopping sound followed by a thump echoed through the hall.

  He opened his eyes and saw both Mrs. Langway and Mr. Martel hovering in midair, carried by some invisible force, the snake heads squirming around on the floor, and then he realized…

  "I am one of the dream saviors and I've come to slay this horrid demon!" yelled Rosewielder's voice right before both of his teachers disappeared.

  Elliot immediately stood up and ran towards the front of the school as the creature began regenerating. He burst out of the front doors just as the security guards stormed inside. He took a sigh of relief, seeing Mr. Martel and Mrs. Langway being led away by a member of school security. Thinking there wasn't much he could do without his powers, he did as many other students did, and ran towards his car, putting his hope in Rosewielder's hands. The next moment, he saw a group of security guards springing out of the school, their faces mortified, as the snake creature slithered into the parking lot. He placed his hand on the door handle, ready to ride home and use the goblets to clean up the disaster he'd caused, when a long luminescent object appeared to slice through the beast like butter. He froze in awe as long pieces of light continually sliced at the monster until, after a long battle, it exploded, flicking pieces of light in all directions. It was finally over. Tired but relieved, Elliot got into his corvette, watching at least four police cars hurrying into the school parking lot. He placed his foot on the gas when a high pitched voice nearly made him lose control.

  "How did I do, Grandmaster Swordsman?" asked Rosewielder's voice proudly.

  "Rosewielder, it's you!" he said surprisedly. "Please don't scare me like that."

  "I apologize," she said, still invisible.

  "You were excellent, Rosewielder."

  The pair journeyed home, laughing relievedly as they feverishly discussed the highlights of Rosewielder's battle with the spirit monster. Happier but still very tired, Elliot parked his car in the garage just as a familiar popping sound told him that Rosewielder had teleported. He was fairly certain that she'd returned to his room. Elliot had just entered into the kitchen through the back door when he heard the phone loudly ring. He quickly dashed across the kitchen, snatching up a white cordless phone.

  "Hello, who is there?" he asked .

  "Elliot, is that you?" asked his father in a shaking voice. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine, dad," said Elliot.

  "Thank God that you're safe. They said that an incident occurred at your school and I just wanted to be certain that…"

  He paused for a few
seconds before continuing.

  "You wanted to be certain of what, dad?" asked Elliot curiously. "I assure you that I'm not hurt or anything."

  He heard his father make several unintelligible sounds and Elliot realized that his father was crying.

  "I wanted to be certain that I did not lose my son as payment for the blessing that has been bestowed upon your grandmother," said Mr. Clementine.

  For a few seconds, Elliot was speechless until he remembered how Rosewielder had healed Grandma Wu.

  "A blessing?" he said questioningly even though he knew what his father had meant.

  "I don't know how this happened. It's unexplainable," said Mr. Clementine, his voice still shaking.

  He heard his father take a deep breath.

  "Your grandmother is no longer showing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The nurses don't know how it happened but mother says that she was healed. She says that she was healed by the dream saviors," said Mr. Clementine.

  "I knew the dream saviors would heal her," said Elliot. "That's what they do. They save those who cannot save themselves."

  "Whoever the dream saviors are, I thank them from the very bottom of my heart. They are heroes who people like me aspire to emulate. " said Mr. Clementine.

  "You don't have to emulate anyone, dad," said Elliot proudly. "I like you for the hero that you already are."

 

  Reunion of the Royals

 

  The news of Grandma Wu's recovery put the entire Clementine household in high spirits. When not at work his father was often on the phone talking for hours to his brother, Chen, who was quite pleased that he and his mother could resume their in depth discussions about Chinese art and literature which they'd expressed great interest in whenever they arrived at the Clementine household during family gatherings.

  Classes at High Prince High School were cancelled for the rest of that week as the school was investigated. Elliot learned from news reports that the school security had initially suspected a group of rebellious teenagers were responsible for breaking into the building the night before the incident. An uneasy feeling of guilt crept upon him as he sat in his room, flipping through the news channels, knowing that old Mrs. Langway had been so traumatized by the incident that she'd decided to retire. However, he took consolation, reveling in the increased praise and support Rosewielder's performance had gained for the dream saviors. Some were even calling them superheroes. Elliot had heeded Julie's advice, taking a hiatus from conjuring to replenish his lost aura and, after a night of meditating on his anxieties about school, stopped himself from summoning more unwanted spirits from his dreams.

  "You're saying that if you conjure too many things too quickly then it drops your aura?" asked Rosewielder one Thursday evening that he was off from school.

  "That seems to be the case," answered Elliot, sitting with his legs crossed on his bed, turning to a gaming channel.

  "How will we continue our duties as the dream saviors?" asked Rosewielder, flipping attentively through his AP English book.

  Elliot thought long and hard before responding.

  "I'll summon more spirits to aid us in our mission," answered Elliot. "We'll use their magical powers to get more work done than we could with just the two of us. I wouldn't have to conjure more spirit items so frequently."

  Rosewielder ceased fiddling with the book, stood up,crossing her arms, and gave Elliot a displeased glance.

  "Elliot, why would you even think of doing such a thing? Have you forgotten the beast I just destroyed?" asked Rosewielder.

  "That's different. That thing wasn't loyal to me because I summoned it by accident. I know that if I bring more spirits to this world they'll join us," said Elliot, self assured.

  "I insist that you don't, Elliot," said Rosewielder, her eyes glaring at him.

  "Rosewielder, don't you remember what happened to you at the hospital? If we had more help then you wouldn't have to exhaust yourself."

  "I could never forget that! However, there must be another way," she said. "I have a very bad feeling about this, Elliot. I don't want to see you like that again."

  "What do you mean?" he asked, slipping off the bed and walking over to her.

  "When that monster had you the thought of losing you was the same as that feeling of not existing," she said, breathing heavily. "I felt that if you died then I, too, would die."

  "Rosewielder," he said, gently brushing her hair back. "I'm sorry, but I must use the power I have to do what I believe is right."

  "I'll stand by your side even though I don't support this decision," said Rosewielder firmly.

  "That's all I ask of you."

  Elliot continued watching the gaming channel, becoming increasingly intrigued by the enhanced abilities of the newer avatars for Fantasy Lotus, watching an enormous burly looking video game character called a berserker smack down twelve Ice Elves with a swing of his axe. He admired the life-like graphics and pondered on the identities of the next generation of dream saviors. Rosewielder continued feeding her hunger for knowledge as she copiously studied text book after text book of Elliot's before a loud scurrying downstairs told him that either his mother or father had arrived from work.

  "I have to go, Rosewielder," said Elliot.

  "Fine."

  Elliot traveled downstairs to see his mother and Faiga in the kitchen preparing dinner.

  "Hello, honey. Are you enjoying your time off from school?" asked Mrs. Clementine, spraying cooking spray on a pan.

  "Yes, although I'm upset about Mrs. Langway," said Elliot, pulling open the refrigerator and taking out a bottle of cranberry juice. "She didn't deserve that."

  "There are so many bizarre things happening lately that sometimes I wonder if this is all just a dream," said Mrs. Clementine, turning on the stovetop. "But your grandmother's Alzheimer's being healed is a bizarre blessing so I'm not complaining."

  "Mom's right. Either we're all going crazy or it's the alien invasion," said Faiga, opening a pack of noodles. "It's just too weird. Where did that snake monster come from and that giant stinkbug? So many students at your school said they saw it. It's not like they were all hallucinating or something."

  "Who knows, sweetie," said Mrs. Clementine merrily. "I'm just so happy for your father and his brother, Chen."

  "Well, witnesses say that the dream saviors brought the teachers to safety. They're also saying that the dream saviors destroyed that thing," said Elliot before taking a sip of juice. "Even Grandma Wu claimed it was the dream saviors that led to her recovery."

  "Perhaps I misjudged them," said Mrs. Clementine, placing her hands on her hips, giving Elliot a apologetic look.

  "It's okay, mom. It happens."

  She smiled warmly before turning her attention back to preparing dinner. Elliot helped his mother and sister with the meal preparations, stirring noodles, seasoning beef tips, and mixing in the vegetables so that when Mr. Clementine arrived home he was greeted by a finely decorated dinner table.

  "Good evening, dear," said Mrs. Clementine, affectionately kissing her husband as he took a seat at the table.

  "Good evening, everyone," said Mr. Clementine. "Work went well. A young man who had a traumatic head injury awoke from a coma, today."

  "That's awesome, dear," said Mrs. Clementine, picking up a pair of chopsticks. "I'm sure his parents are grateful to you."

  "Dad, you're a hero," said Faiga, picking up a large plate of rice and beef tips.

  "I agree," said Elliot.

  "Oh, I'm just a man doing his job," said his father before putting a large helping of vegetables and noodles in his mouth. "I believe the real heroes are the ones that saved my mother, your Grandma Wu."

  Elliot thought to himself.

  Healing the sick. Helping those who can't help themselves. My goals mirror my father's. That's why I need more followers. With the magic of more spirit warriors the
dream saviors could heal the world.

  "Yes, I know but they're right, dear," said Mrs. Clementine, grabbing his father's hand. "We'll be in need of more heroes if we continue seeing incidents like what happened at Elliot's school."

  "Maybe dad can team up with the dream saviors," said Faiga jokingly before picking up the remote and turning on the television.

  For the next half hour they dined on quality food and togetherness, watching the continuing reports of numerous witnesses from many of the visibly shaken students of High Prince High School to the security guards, the majority of whom still sporting the same looks of terror on their faces they had the night the school was attacked every time the reporters questioned them about the details. Even Mr. Martel, who normally exhibited a fearlessly obnoxious demeanor, was visibly sweating heavily as he explained what happened into the reporter's microphone. Before long, their supper came to an end, and Elliot helped his mother clean the table before taking a large plate of food and heading back to his room. When he'd arrived Rosewielder was standing in the center of the room, steadily holding her sword as it dispersed its light and warmth through his room, causing her glistening strands of rosy perfection to dance in the resulting breeze.

  "What is it that your doing?" he asked curiously, placing her meal on his desk.

  "I'm attempting to strengthen my sword attacks by raising my magical energy," she said, still gazing intently at her sword.

  "What makes you think you can do that?" he asked, at a lost, covering his eyes from the intense light.

  "I've been watching shows about meditation. Some humans claim they can use meditation and focus to raise their body's natural energy. I was testing to see if this applied to spirits like myself."

  "You really take initiative. It's like you were born for battle," said Elliot, deciding to use his time off to play a session of Fantasy Lotus.

  "You summoned me and based my design off of an Earth Elf warrior, therefore, I think it's only logical that I yearn for combat," she said, finally lowering her sword.

  "I can't argue with you there. Hey, Rosewielder, I know that I was too tired last time you asked to play a game with me. Do you want to now?" he asked, placing the Fantasy Lotus disc into his PC6.

  "Sure, I will right after I eat your mother's delicious meal," she said before taking a place at his desk and quickly consuming the entirety of the bowl's contents after a few minutes.

  When he logged in, after placing on his earpiece and microphone, he saw that only Cody was online and he was immediately messaged.

  "Hey, buddy. We need your help! The Ice Elf and Crimson Vampire alliance is kicking our butts pretty badly!" said Cody's voice. "Spawn your avatar to the Forest of the Forsaken as fast as you can!"

  "Ice Elves!" muttered Rosewielder irritably.

  "This will be no problem for a Grandmaster Swordsman," said Elliot cockily.

  He allowed Rosewielder to choose an avatar and she picked Elf King Methuselah whereas he, ironically, chose Rosewielder before the game loaded, spawning their avatars in the middle of a massive dark forest filled with at least thirty other avatars.

  "You ready, Fair Elf Princess?" asked Elliot.

  "I'm ready, Grandmaster Swordsman," she responded, her fingers on the buttons, her prepossessing eyes watching the screen unblinkingly.

  "Okay," he said as he began pushing buttons skillfully, attacking the first enemy avatar he saw.

  They both played relatively well for the first five minutes, each having managed to take down several opponents. He'd just defeated a Berserker when his character was attacked from behind by an avatar in the likeness of Prince Adam. Thrilled to face the new challenge, he pushed button after button strategically, attempting to hold an advantage, but his frustration increased as he saw his health bar drop and then, the unthinkable occurred… He had died.

  "Elliot! I hate watching myself die!" yelled Rosewielder angrily, seeing the avatar version of herself be impaled by Princess Lilith's claws.

  "I don't believe it! I've NEVER lost a duel in Fantasy Lotus!" roared Elliot, possessed by rage.

  He used an item called a healing rose to quickly revive his avatar and immediately went after the same person he'd fought earlier, fully determined to win. His heartbeat raised and his palms became sweaty as he tried his damnedest to defeat his opponent, only to lose again.

  "How can this be happening!" he yelled, waiting for his avatar to spawn again.

  "Oh, no, I've been killed for the third time by a tiny Prince Adam!" bellowed Rosewielder, pointing to a Adam avatar on the screen.

  "It's like the bastards kill us with two freaking hits," said Elliot angrily after his avatar was revived for the sixth time.

  "Have you had any luck, buddy?" asked Cody's voice after a good eight minutes.

  "What the heck is going on, Cody?! These avatars aren't normal! Their so strong!" yelled Elliot, palming himself in the forehead.

  "Well, the Prince Adam and Vampire Princess Lilith are newly released avatars with stronger attacks than their previous versions," explained Cody.

  Although Rosewielder and Elliot valiantly continued their struggle against the upgraded avatars, neither of them were able to land a single kill on Lilith or Adam, and when Rosewielder grew increasingly distraught after seeing the game versions of herself and Elf King Methuselah get killed for an untold number of times, Elliot shut the PC6 off and stormed to his laptop.

  "I told you that those two were evil!" screamed Rosewielder, following him.

  "They're not evil, Rosewielder. They aren't even real. However, their avatars are superior," said Elliot, turning on his laptop, visiting the Fantasy Lotus website, and studying the powers and abilities of Prince Adam and Vampire Princess Lilith.

  I believe that I've found the next generation of dream saviors. Once I summon spirits in their likenesses our group will be more powerful.

  Elliot studied their images and abilities for a good while, allowing them to sink into his mind, before turning the laptop off.

  "I'm tired, Rosewielder. I'm going to take a little nap," he said before getting into his sleeping bag.

  "You're going to sleep already? It's only 7 o'clock and you don't have school tomorrow," she said suspiciously. "You're going to summon more spirits. Aren't you?"

  "Yes."

  "I don't wish to ask this, Elliot, but the identities of these spirits wouldn't happen to be Prince Adam and Vampire Princess Lilith. Would they?" asked Rosewielder, folding her arms disapprovingly.

  "Yes."

  "I can't believe you. You're going to create two more monsters," said Rosewielder.

  "Rosewielder, can you please just trust me?" asked Elliot.

  She stayed silent, walking over to his bed, and laid down, her back facing away from him.

  Elliot allowed his body to relax, emptying his mind as he closed his eyes and began counting sheep.

  "One…two…," he began. "One hundred and one... One hundred and two…," he said some time later before finally losing consciousness.

  After an unknown amount of time Elliot opened his eyes. He was dreaming, finding himself in a glorious environment as he looked upon a group of towering splendid trees, their shadows rendered just as grand from the sunlight's raze. The forest was divided by the same diamond clad path he'd seen during his first visit. He was, again, standing at the entrance to the Fantasy Lotus location known as the Forest of the Forsaken, but, this time, he was lucid and ready to begin his quest for what he was looking for. Elliot began walking down the path, studying the sublime craftsmanship of his own imagination. He gazed in wonder at a group of luminous butterflies of many colors as they fluttered passed him, landing on a group of white flowers with tops the size of dinner plates. He continued traveling, listening to the soothing chirping of birds as they sped through the air. After a while the path gradually became quite steep. He reached the peak and spotted two individuals standing beneath
an apple tree, seemingly in a romantic embrace. He immediately recognized a tall and alluringly handsome youth with blonde shoulder length hair and pointed ears adorned in impeccable black medieval styled nut-brown pants and a light greenish shirt with golden lacing. On his feet he wore brownish boots while on his back there was a sword secured in a scabbard. It was the spitting image of Prince Adam from Fantasy Lotus, his godlike flawlessness an impossibility in the real world. He was directly facing a shorter, less robust, hooded figure dressed in robes of all black, their pale hands being held by Adam's. Elliot was certain it was Lilith. As he approached Lilith pulled an apple from the overhanging tree, placing it to her hood before handing it towards Adam who took it but froze as Elliot approached.

  "Hello, Adam and hello, Lilith," said Elliot, entering the shade of the apple tree and coming within feet of them.

  "How do you do, Elliot Clementine?" said Adam in a voice as regal as his appearance, turning his head and revealing electric blue eyes with a luster that made diamonds look like ordinary rocks.

  "I'm excellent now that I've found you two. Do you know why I'm here?" he asked.

  "Of course we know why you are here. We're in your imagination. This is your dream," said Lilith in a cool voice, turning towards him and revealing a set of sharp cheekbones, pale bluish eyes and turquoise lips.

  "Then you know that outside of this dream world I'm a conjurer?" said Elliot questioningly.

  "Yes, you possess the power to bring us to the real world as spirits," said Adam matter-of-factly.

  "That's correct. Anything that I touch or am touched by when I awaken gets to come back to the real world with me," said Elliot. "Do you wish to assist me as a dream savior?"

  "I don't rightfully know," said Adam.

  "What do you mean you don't know?" asked Elliot, appalled.

  "I say that we should help him, Adam," said Lilith with an odd smile. "We'd be freed from this dream world."

  Adam looked from Lilith to Elliot, appearing to think it over.

  "You know what will happen when he wakes up. We won't exist anymore," said Lilith abruptly, stepping towards Elliot. "We cannot let that happen! I wish to know what this real world is like!" yelled Lilith as she lunged towards Elliot, swiftly grabbing a hold of his wrist.

  Elliot tried to release his arm but was unable to contain his terror as she opened her mouth, revealing fang-like teeth, and emitted a blood curdling noise reminiscent of a combination of a scream and a roar, causing the dreamscape to vanish. The next thing he knew he was back in his bedroom with Lilith still clutching his wrist with unimaginable pressure, and standing calmly behind her was Adam. Lilith enclosed her free hand tightly around Elliot's neck, finally releasing his wrist, effortlessly lifted him off the floor, and backed him up against the wall. She laughed wickedly, unhooding herself and brushing her long hair out of her face.

  "You are a dream savior. You saved us from the dream world. Now we're as real as you are," she said. "What's more, you're pretty handsome. I'll give you a kiss," she said, lowering her teeth inches from his neck before she was pulled off by Adam.

  "Lilith, he's the one that summoned us. You can't turn him into one of your servants," said Adam defiantly, still holding the apple.

  "What's going on?" said Rosewielder's voice as she sat up quickly and momentarily studied the scene before zipping into action. "Quick sword of Light, come to your mistress!" she roared before there was a loud popping noise just as Rosewielder teleported above Lilith and took a swing.

  Lilith was fast. Lilith was very fast as Rosewielder's sword sliced through thin air, Lilith moving to the side, avoiding the Fair Elf Princess's attack with her vampire swiftness. Elliot grabbed his neck which was still painful from Lilith's assault, watching as Rosewielder skillfully but ineffectively teleported around the room, trying to slice Lilith into two. He then glanced up at Adam who was still clutching the apple, his expression unrevealing.

  "Who's side are you on?" he asked.

  "No one's," he said cooly, pocketing the apple at last, and bending down to pick up Elliot's AP English book. "If you recall, I never agreed to take anyone's side. Lilith brought me into this world along with herself."

  "Fine!" said Elliot angrily as he looked for an opening, Rosewielder and Lilith still locked in mortal combat.

  He crawled to his bed, trying to stop himself from becoming entangled between the pair, and reached for the Ox Wine potion, got to his feet, and brought the cup inches from his mouth.

  "What the-?" he began, nonplussed, noticing that the cup kept lowering every time he tried touching it to his lips.

  He studied the cup, and gasped, noticing that a long silver blade was sticking through the left handle. Adam was at the other end, holding a gorgeous golden handle, eyeing Elliot as though daring him to resist.

  "If you drink from that goblet be prepared to duel to the death, Elliot Clementine."

  "What?! I thought you said you weren't on anyone's side?!" he spat.

  "Lilith is battling Rosewielder. I will not stand for two on one combat. It's dishonorable. Therefore, I will be your opponent if you wish to fight."

  "I probably don't stand a chance against you…But that doesn't matter. I will protect Rosewielder!" yelled Elliot before sliding the goblet off of Adam's sword, bringing it to his lips, and…wham!

  Elliot was knocked bodily into his dresser by a large soft object, his landing accompanied with the cracking of expensive wood. He looked down to see Rosewielder laying on top of him,motionless, the hairs on his neck standing as Lilith's wicked laugh echoed through his room.

  "Rosewielder!" he screamed, distraught, grabbing both of her arms, attempting to sit her body up, her head hanging due to its own dead weight.

  "Let us leave, my love," said Lilith, grabbing hold of Adam's shoulder who then placed his sword back into its scabbard. "I'm sure there is an entire world out there for us to explore. I'm also quite hungry as well."

  "Lilith, I gave you passage to this world! If you hurt anyone I swear that I'll find a way to destroy you," said Elliot, a mixture of hatred and guilt coursing through him.

  "Elliot? What is going on, honey? Your father and I heard banging sounds coming from your room," sounded Elliot's mother's voice from the hall.

  Elliot froze, finding it hard to think.

  No, not mom. She can't be here. I cannot lose her.

  Both Adam and Lilith whipped their heads towards the door.

  "Elliot, please let me in, honey," said his mother's voice.

  "I'm fine mom! Just give me a second!" he said, finally finding his voice. He looked pleadingly into Lilith's malicious face, realizing his own powerlessness, shaking his head, hoping against all hope that she would not open the door.

  "That sounds like my lunch," whispered Lilith, taking a step towards the door, but again, her wickedness was halted by Adam who held out his arm, blocking her.

  "Elliot has lost enough already," said Adam in a bored tone. "It would be unjust of us to destroy two people whom I'm sure he cares deeply for. You can satisfy your appetite elsewhere, my love. The conjurer knows that he is not our master."

  "Elliot, honey, who is that? Who is in there with you? I insist that you open your door!" said Mrs. Clementine just as Lilith looked at Adam, the wickedness in her face evaporating, being transformed into infatuation.

  "Okay, my love, but only because you asked," she said before the pair vanished.

  "Was that a girl's voice I heard?" asked Mrs. Clementine from behind the door.

  "No, mom. I just left the television on. It's this late night romance," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.

  With extreme effort, he hoisted up Rosewielder's limp body and placed it upon the bed.

  Elliot quickly retrieved the Frog's Skin potion goblet from under his bed and splashed some on Rosewielder's face. To his relief, she made a soft moaning sound, turning her head from him.
<
br />   "Rosewielder, you have to drink this," he said, gently placing the goblet to her lips and pouring it into her mouth. She swallowed before coughing lightly.

  Elliot watched the magic take affect as she disappeared before him.

  "Please stay quiet, Fair Elf Princess," he said before sprinting over to his door and opening it.

  Mrs. Clementine was standing with her arms crossed, wearing a white sleeping gown and house shoes resembling teddy bears, her eyes suspiciously scanning the room.

  "Elliot, honey, what is it you're doing up here that's making such a racket. Your father and I have to go to work in the morning."

  "I'm sorry," he said as she walked towards the middle of the room, still searching as if to find someone.

  "You said you were watching something on TV but your television isn't even on," she said inquisitively.

  "I just turned it off. I decided to stay up later since I don't have school tomorrow," reasoned Elliot.

  "Well, please, honey, for our sakes, turn the volume down. Okay?" she said, beginning to walk out of the room before stopping abruptly, her head turned towards his dresser whose top shelf had split in half during the ordeal.

  "Honey, what happened to your dresser?" she said, pointing to it.

  "I had a bad day at school not to long ago and shut it a little to hard in anger. I'm sorry."

  "You need to be more careful, honey," she said before tiredly walking out his bedroom.

  "I will, mom. Good night."

  "Goodnight, honey."

  Elliot closed and locked the door behind, him and made his way over to his bed, still unable to see Rosewielder.

  He saw the bed sheets move slightly.

  "Rosewielder?" are you awake.

  "I hope so," she said sharply.

  "What do you mean?" he asked.

  "I hope that seeing Lilith nearly kill you was just a dream and I've simply woken up," she said harshly. "Elliot, tell me that was a dream. Tell me that we weren't just attacked by spirits that you, yourself, summoned."

  "I cannot lie to you. What just happened was no dream. I've made a mess…again," said Elliot in shame.

  "I want to believe that you're a virtuous person, Elliot," said Rosewielder. "But you are arrogant."

  "What if you're wrong? What if I'm just a menace to the world? What if I'm just an evil person who think's he's good?" said Elliot, looking down at his feet.

  The covers stirred, footsteps becoming audible, until they stopped, and Elliot felt warm arms close tightly around him. He did not hug Rosewielder, feeling undeserving of her.

  "I don't think you're evil, Elliot. "I think that you're arrogant, arrogant for believing that it's your duty to carry this world on your shoulders."

  "I should have listened to you," he said, his eyes watering. "You were nearly killed thanks to my lack of judgement."

  "Will you listen to me now when I say it's our duty to stop them at all costs?" asked Rosewielder.

  "Yes, I will."

  "We have work to do, Grandmaster Swordsman."

 

  The Shrine in the Sky

  That following day, after Elliot's parents had left for work and Faiga had gone to school, he and Rosewielder carefully studied the morning news channels, reasoning that they might reveal valuable clues as to the whereabouts of Adam and Lilith, but after only seeing continuing reports regarding the now infamous snake monster, they decided to travel to the same apple tree perched on a hill that Rosewielder had taken them to once before, its beauty just as radiant since last time. They hoped it would give them the peace of mind they needed to think clearly about Adam and Lilith's next move.

  "Let's go over this again," began Elliot, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight on his body. "If I was a vampire princess then I'd probably be out sucking someone's blood right about now."

  "I agree. Lilith needs blood to sustain herself. However, if that is true then why haven't we heard any reports about people being bitten, or worse, converted," said Rosewielder, closing one eye and holding up an apple, watching the sunlight reflect off the fruit.

  "Converted? You're saying that you think she can turn humans into her servants just as her character does in Fantasy Lotus?" asked Elliot, watching Rosewielder.

  "I believe so. Although I'm from the otherworld, my healing powers did work on the people of the Masonville Hospital. I'd only assume that the abilities of other spirits would also be affective on humans," said Rosewielder thoughtfully.

  "Crap!" said Elliot, quickly sitting up. "It would all be my fault. I brought Lilith and Adam to this world. If she converts other people into vampires, like herself then I would be responsible for all of it."

  "You're wrong, Elliot," said Rosewielder.

  "What? How so?" he asked curiously.

  "There is something that you're not grasping about us, spirits," said Rosewielder.

  "And what might that be?"

  "You may have summoned us here but we have our own free will. I follow you because I believe in you. It's not because your forcing me to. It's the same with Lilith and Adam. If they perform evil deeds and, I'm sure they will, it's out of their own free will."

  "I understand, but it was through me that they came into this world. We, conjurers, are the bridges between the otherworld and this world, remember? This power I have comes coupled with a certain responsibility," said Elliot.

  "And it's my responsibility to make sure that you don't mess up," said Rosewielder, planting a kiss on his forehead. "If you fail then I'd fail as well."

  "But how, Rosewielder? What if I slip up? What if I do good for weeks and then slip up? How would you stop me from accidentally summoning more spirits? It's only now that I realize that what I have isn't a blessing. It's a curse," said Elliot.

  "Am I apart of that curse, Elliot?" asked Rosewielder, her eyes resembling sparkling gems of lavender, seemingly piercing through the windows to his soul.

  "No, Rosewielder," he said, grabbing her hand. "You are a blessing. I might not be laying here right now without your help. You've saved me several times so I guess, in some strange way,… I also owe my existence to you," said Elliot.

  "I'm glad I didn't chop you to pieces when we first met," said Rosewielder humorously.

  "Very funny," he said dryly. "Hey, Rosewielder, something's been bugging me."

  "What is it?"

  "It was Prince Adam."

  "What about him?" asked Rosewielder, her voice suddenly sharp.

  "Well, he didn't seem that bad," answered Elliot. "In fact, it was because of him that I think my mother, my family is okay," explained Elliot.

  "That's preposterous," said Rosewielder in disbelief. "What leads you to make such a claim."

  "He stopped Lilith when she went after my mother. I know Lilith would have attacked her if he hadn't have stopped her."

  "Don't you realize that's an Ice Elf that you're talking about?" asked Rosewielder in disgust.

  "Are you saying that being an Ice Elf makes him evil?" asked Elliot.

  "Of course it does!" answered Rosewielder, unabashedly.

  "How so?"

  "It just does," said Rosewielder. "He's with Lilith, the woman who nearly killed you."

  "And why do you suppose that is?" asked Elliot, breathing deeply, before studying a flock of birds as they journeyed below a vast cloud.

  "I don't rightfully know."

  "Rosewielder, where would you be if you were not here with me? Who could you relate to?" asked Elliot.

  "I'm not sure where I'd be. Not many humans would share my experience of being an Earth Elf. But what does that have to do with that horrible duo?"

  "Exactly. What if they're together simply because they have no one else to relate to? I've never seen any other vampires or elves in this world. Neither of them have a family. What bonds them is that they've both been brought into a world which they know very little ab
out," explained Elliot, watching one bird speed up in order to catch up with the flock.

  "You're suggesting that being together is better than being alone?" asked Rosewielder.

  "Yes, that's why it's occurred to me that it might be extremely dangerous if Adam and Lilith were to go their separate ways," said Elliot worriedly. "I think that being with Adam keeps Lilith in check."

  Rosewielder glanced at him curiously before taking a large bite out of an apple.

  "Either way, we don't yet have any leads. Darn it. We can't really do anything if we have no idea where they are," said Elliot, pulling out several blades of grass and watching a light breeze blow them out of his hand.

  Rosewielder sighed and gazed up into the azure sky, squinting as the envious winds of mother nature blew her hair across her face as if to conceal the divine beauty of the Earth Elf.

  "You're correct. My teleportation only works when I know the precise location of whatever I'm looking for," said Rosewielder.

  "I figured as much. I am, however, becoming more aware of my conjuring limits so I won't cause my aura to drop dangerously low," explained Elliot.

  "We should still be able to do our work as dream saviors," said Rosewielder. "So, are we just going to wait until Adam and Lilith cause trouble? Is that when we'll strike?"

  "That seems like our only option right now," said Elliot resistantly. "However, this weekend I've decided that I wish to go to Tibet. We will perform our duties as dream saviors. There is another reason why I want to check that place out."

  "What is it?" asked Rosewielder in fascination.

  "Before I even knew what conjurers and spirits were someone told me that the first conjurer was from Tibet. Julie said that her grandmother was a conjurer. However, she and I are kind of having a rocky relationship right now."

  "You want to meet with other conjurers?" said Rosewielder, her beautiful eyes watching him intently.

  "Yes, because I want to know how to stop Adam and Lilith."

  "I thought that was my duty," said Rosewielder teasingly.

  "We're a team, Rosewielder. I won't let you fight them by yourself," he said, getting to his feet.

  "That we are," said Roswielder, taking Elliot's hand and also standing.

  The pair utilized the remainder of their time to enjoy the surreal combination of the effects of Eagle's Blood potion and the perfect weather, using their powers to fly so high off the grass that the apple tree appeared as a smidgen of green, taking in the superb quality of the landscape. They watched a small herd of bison as they grazed, holding each other's hands.

  "This place is so tranquil. I wish this would last forever said," Rosewielder just as Elliot turned, facing the sky, his hands held relaxedly behind his head.

  "That would be nice," said Elliot, closing his eyes.

  He felt a soft warm presence contact his lips a few seconds later, and upon opening his eyes, saw Rosewielder kissing him as she glided right above him, her hair fluttering in the breeze. It was serenely surreal, gazing upon the dazzlingly mauve windows of the her soul, as they floated in the boundlessness of the azure sky. Surely, he was in heaven.

  "It's good that we enjoy this day. I think we'll have many challenges ahead of us," said Elliot, looking at his watch. "Lets go home."

  When that Saturday finally arrived Elliot's parents spent most of their time juggling between addressing phone calls from work and politely correcting the often times unfounded gossip of his father's extended family with many cousins, aunts, and uncles coming up with their own outlandish tales regarding Grandma Wu's remarkable recovery. The Clementine household was quite crowded because Faiga's fellow orchestra members occupied the living and dining rooms as they practiced for an upcoming performance.

  Elliot and Rosewielder had spent Friday night as well as the first half of Saturday hectically combing the web for any piece of information they could find about spirits and conjurers, but after many hours, they'd only managed to locate a couple of disputed reports about Tibetan townspeople claiming that they'd seen strange creatures appearing in the sky, and a local legend about a floating shrine which many called the Lost Shrine of Tenzin.

  "Do you really think what these people say could be true?" asked Rosewielder.

  "There's only one way to find out," said Elliot, taking a sip of of lemon tea. "We should try to find this lost shrine. The reports indicate that it is above Lhasa so we'll go there. I'll have to pay Julie's grandmother a visit if we don't find it. We need answers."

  "I concur. I'll admit that I'm intrigued by these reports," said Rosewielder.

  "I think we've found all that we'll ever find," said Elliot, shutting down his laptop.

  After joining his family and Faiga's friends for lunch around noon, Elliot reasoned that it was time for him and Rosewielder to make their journey to Tibet, eager to find out more information about conjurers and spirits.

  "Ew, yuck!" said Rosewielder as she pulled a group of raw tomatoes off a German flatbread.

  "Those are good for you. You'll need your strength in case we run into one of those lone conjurers Grandma Wu was talking about," said Elliot, grabbing a sack of jade from beneath his bed and using a thick string to secure it to his back.

  "I cannot eat this. It is simply too revolting," said Rosewielder, sitting down the plate.

  "Then it's time for us to drink from the goblets," said Elliot, briskly walking beside his bed and reaching for the goblet of Ox Wine potion.

  They both drank from all three goblets and watched the other disappear, taking with them their own reflection in the other's eyes.

  "I take it that you're ready then. You know exactly where we're headed, right?" asked Elliot.

  "Yes, you wish to travel to Lhasa before we attempt to find the Lost Shrine of Tenzin."

  He placed his hand on Rosewielder's shoulder.

  "I'm ready, Fair Elf Princess," said Elliot.

  Elliot felt teleportation's affects take hold of him for a short time until he found himself standing on a dirt path, facing what appeared to be a small village, cows grazing nearby an austere house of grayish brick. He spotted an elderly man sitting on a wooden chair, wearing a gray shirt and black pants, eating a small bowl of white rice.

  "This is it, Fair Elf Princess," said Elliot as he approached the man, unseen.

  "Hello, townsperson. We are the dream saviors," said Elliot.

  The man dropped his bowl of rice, looking around, worriedly and then spoke frantically in Tibetan. Elliot retrieved a thick stack of jade coins and sat them on the ground, thinking how oddly it must have appeared to the man. The man slowly got up and hobbled over to the jade coins, staring at the treasure as though unsure whether to trust it. He then bent down to retrieve them when several things happened in short succession. Elliot saw a flash of light zoom seemingly out of nowhere just as an odd high pitched chiming sound filled his ears. He then noticed that the jade coins had vanished. The old man backed away fearfully before picking up his rice bowel and limping as fast as he could towards the house.

  What's going on? That's never happened before!

  "Fair Elf Princess, did you see what just-," he started but she responded before he could finish.

  "I did," she said, grabbing hold of his arm. "Your spirit items. They just disappeared into thin air."

  "What could have caused it?" asked Elliot, checking his bag and taking out a small jade figurine of Buddha.

  He held the figure up, examining it, but, within seconds, it, too, was hit with what looked like a small orb of white light before dematerializing in his hands.

  "Grandmaster Swordsman," she began in a terrified voice. "Will I end up vanishing too!"

  "No, Fair Elf Princess. Calm down," he said reassuringly. "If whatever or whomever is causing this wanted to make you vanish then I think they would have already."

  "That's really comforting," she said sarcastically.

&n
bsp; "What I mean to say is that only the spirit items that I was planning on giving to others are vanishing. That could only mean that someone or something around here doesn't want me giving away things from the otherworld," explained Elliot.

  "You're suggesting that someone around here knows about the otherworld and spirits?" said Rosewielder questioningly.

  "Exactly. And who do you suppose would know such things?" asked Elliot, watching a group of men carrying what looked like barley into a yellowish house.

  "A conjurer. Do you believe this could have anything to do with that shrine?" asked Rosewielder.

  "It's possible, but it's apparent that someone wants to stop the dream saviors in our tracks," said Elliot, taking hold of Rosewielder's hand.

  "What should we do?" asked Rosewielder.

  "We're going to search for the Lost Shrine of Tenzin and, if we don't find it, we'll make our little party pooper come to us," said Elliot.

  "Well, if you really think this shrine exists then okay," said Rosewielder.

  "According to the folklore the shrine is above Lhasa," said Elliot as his feet left the ground. "We need to go as high as we can so we can get a full view of the city."

  They continued ascending higher and higher into the atmosphere for about ten minutes, Lhasa becoming smaller and smaller until most of what surrounded them were clusters of large white clouds. After reaching a point were they could survey the whole city they flew horizontally. Elliot turned his head in every direction, attempting to locate any object that remotely looked like a shrine, reminding himself that the magic granted to him from the goblets was merely temporary. They flew around many clouds, circling Lhasa at least three times, looking as far as the snow covered mountains and enormous grasslands which surrounded the city.

  "I've yet to see anything so far," said Rosewielder after a while when Elliot was starting to feel a wind chill.

  "I don't understand it. Why won't any of the other conjurers show themselves?" asked Elliot in disbelief. "Maybe this was a stupid idea. I'm convinced now. This Lost Shrine of Tenzin probably doesn't even exist."

  "Do you want me to take us back home?" asked Rosewielder.

  Elliot, however, did not answer as he suddenly heard a sequence of strange noises.

  "Rosewielder, do you hear that?" he whispered.

  "It sounds like the breathing of some sort of beast," answered Rosewielder. "It's coming from behind us!"

  Elliot turned his head and gasped in horror as a massive greenish object was fast outpacing them from behind. He felt his stomach knot itself as he saw an enormous violet reptilian looking head with dark blue eyes open its mouth.

  "ROSEWIELDER! DRAGON! BEHIND US!" roared Elliot in terror. "IT CAN SEE US!"

  "TELEPORT US! NOW!" roared Elliot as the beast gradually revealed columns of sword-like teeth.

  "I can't!" yelled Rosewielder. "Something's disrupting my magic!"

  The next moment they both yelled as they gained their visibility, and Elliot screamed in horror as they began rapidly falling, the Eagle's Blood potion no longer working.

  "This is it for us!" yelled Elliot as he and Rosewielder held tightly on to one another.

  The pair fell right into the mouth of the dragon with Elliot convinced that he would never see daylight again.

  So, this is how I'll die? To be devoured by a monster? Well, at least I get to die by her side rather than live, and have my heart die. I guess all dreams must come to an end.

  "Elliot, I'm honored to have served by your side," said Rosewielder's voice.

  "Rosewielder, you're still alive?" asked Elliot, confused and looking around in pitch blackness. "I'm still alive?"

  "Yes, it is not yet time for you or your spirit friend to depart from this world," answered an unfamiliar woman's voice. "The master requests your presence."

  The surrounding darkness evaporated, being replaced by an extremely bright atmosphere. They were sitting on a sparkling golden floor, still clutching tightly to one another, and as they stood to their feet he discovered that they were in one of the strangest places he'd ever seen. The brightness was shining through large spaces created by enormous golden pillars that acted as the support system of the massive chamber whereas enormous statues depicting a long haired young Asian adult with his legs folded and his hands crossed in his lap, seemingly in meditation, occupied both ends. Even more bizarre about the statues was that they each possessed an otherworldly bluish light which seemed to hoover steadily in front of each of them.

  "It seems that Wisty wasn't too rough with you," said the woman's voice again, causing Elliot and Rosewielder to scan the chamber for its source until Rosewielder pointed towards one of the pillars.

  "I see her!" yelled Rosewielder.

  Elliot studied the pillar at which she pointed standing nearly fifty feet away from them, and saw a red haired woman surveying them, about half of her body concealed by the pillar, but, as she stepped away, Elliot noticed that she was wearing what appeared to be a white under tunic and a light greenish outer tunic which draped across her chest and brownish sandals, reminding him of an occasion in his AP history class in which they'd studied ancient Rome. She continued walking closer to them when Rosewielder did the imaginable, pulling out her sword.

  "Who are you?!" yelled Rosewielder combatively. "Tell us, now!"

  "Now, there's no need for that, young lady," she said, still approaching them undauntedly as she placed her hands together, and after only a second or two, an orb of light identical to the one that had destroyed his spirit items earlier had appeared in front of her.

  It sped towards Rosewielder who immediately gasped loudly and, within seconds, Elliot realized why as her weapon seemed to dematerialize before their very eyes.

  "What have you done?! Why you!" screamed Rosewielder, charging towards the woman.

  "Rosewielder, stop!" bellowed Elliot, fearing what might happen next. "I think she's a conjurer!"

  At these words Rosewielder halted, panting heavily.

  "Elliot, I believe she's the one who sent that dragon after us!" shouted Rosewielder.

  "Yes, you are correct," said the woman calmly, suddenly stopping about eight feet from Rosewielder. "And yet, here you stand in the Lost Shrine of Tenzin."

  "This is the lost shrine?" said Elliot with incredulity, gazing up at a rotunda shaped ceiling that showcased a magnificent display of what looked like people stylized in attire that went back through the ages, spanning across many cultures. Those who looked remotely human were joined by all manner of creatures which Elliot was certain were from folklore and legends.

  "Yes, that's what I said, dream savior. You have been brought to the headquarters of the Mystic Council of Conjurers," said the woman. "My name is Wisteria and I am a council conjurer."

  "Then you're exactly who I've been looking for," said Elliot, walking towards Rosewielder and placing his hand on her shoulder. "Calm down."

  "Please follow me," said the woman, turning her back on them and steadily walking towards the pillars.

  Elliot shrugged his shoulders at Rosewielder before hurriedly running to Wisteria's side. They started descending down a large flight of sparkling golden stairs, the all encompassing light revealing a dirt path at the end of the stairs which led into a forestry area.

  "I must admit that this place is…enchanting," said Rosewielder, gazing around as the singing of many birds became audible. "I feel strangely at home here. It's like the energy surrounding us feels... familiar."

  "That's because we are surrounded by otherworldly aura," said Wisteria as the group reached the dirt path. "This place is home to many spirits."

  "Rosewielder, look up!" screamed Elliot, unable to contain his excitement as he peered into the sky, seeing groups of winged figures in brightly colored clothing gracefully zooming through the air, seemingly playing a game of tag. "What are those!"

  "I've never seen such cre
atures. They don't seem to be from Fantasy Lotus," said Rosewielder, watching with interest as a pair flew into the forest ahead. "What exactly are they, Wisteria?"

  "They are spirits like you," answered Wisteria as they came closer to the forest. "However, in this world humans call them fairies."

  They, at last, reached the edge of the forest and proceeded forward, and it wasn't long before Elliot realized that this was no ordinary forest as he jumped in shock as a group of miniature bearded men wearing odd clothes, pointed hats, and brown boots came trudging towards them, carrying hammers, shovels, and other working equipment while others walked with wheelbarrows. They looked kindly up at Wisteria, coming within feet of them.

  "Good evening, Lady Wisteria," said the foremost of them who was slightly taller than the rest, still only coming up to Elliot's knees.

  "Good evening, Normandel," said Wisteria, stopping, her green eyes looking at Rosewielder and Elliot. "Elliot and Rosewielder, I would like you to meet the gnome people."

  "Uh, hello," said Elliot nervously, watching their pink cheeks and comparatively larger eyes looking brightly up at them.

  "It's nice to meet you," said Rosewielder, looking down at the short group.

  "Hello, to you both," said Normandel, beaming up at them. "Pardon me, missy, but you look like an elf. I take it that you're a spirit like us?"

  "Yes, I'm an Earth Elf and he's my conjurer," said Rosewielder, glancing smilingly at Elliot. "Who is your conjurer?" asked Rosewielder.

  Rosewielder's question had an immediate and potent impact on the group as several gnomes lowered their heads after despondent looks replaced their smiles.

  "Oh, missy, the one who brought us to this world, Joan Oakley of the Rhine, died many hundreds of years ago," answered Normandel sadly. "Humans, unfortunately, don't live as long as spirits."

  "Yes, it's true that spirits naturally long outlive their human friends," said Wisteria sadly. "However, we must continue. Master Tenzin is awaiting our arrival."

  The two groups bid each other farewell before resuming walk in opposite directions, Rosewielder looking worriedly towards Elliot.

  So is Rosewielder immortal or something? I don't understand. That giant bug and that snake monster were both spirits and they've been destroyed.

  "Wisteria, I have a question," said Elliot just as they came to a fork in the path .

  "Ask it," said Wisteria, leading them to the right.

  "You said that spirits live longer than humans. Why is that? Do they live forever?" asked Elliot, seeing Rosewielder turn her head towards him in his peripheral vision.

  "No, spirits are mortal just as we are unless the conjurer grants them immortality upon summoning them. However, spirits possess stronger auras than humans, even conjurers," began Wisteria as they strolled down a path that cut through a group of extremely large flowers as well as other plants. "Therefore, life doesn't deplete their auras as quickly as it does ours."

  "Then my aura will run out long before Rosewielder's does because I'm human and she's a spirit? That's what you're saying?" asked Elliot.

  "Naturally, yes."

  "Naturally," repeated Elliot, briefly glancing at dozens of cat sized hummingbirds as they perched on an enormous red flower. "You're suggesting that there's some unnatural way that I can prevent that?"

  Wisteria turned to look at Elliot, her thin attractive face carefully surveying him as though debating on whether to tell him any more.

  "By consuming youth elixirs from the otherworld, a human can substantially increase their lifespan," said Wisteria. For those of us who do this, our burden is heavy. However, it is now time for you to meet the master of this shrine."

  They came to a wooden door attached to a structure that was almost entirely engulfed in flora, long vines weaving decoratively around the brick while thick moss carpeted much of the base. They watched as Wisteria retrieved a large copper colored key from her tunic, placed it into a circular keyhole of a rusty doorknob, and turned it until there was a distinct click. Wisteria then pushed the door open, holding it as Rosewielder and Elliot entered into what appeared to be a massive grassy plain in which there stood about a hundred individuals and bizarre beasts he'd never seen before. They were standing in a crowd that was facing something that Elliot could not quite see. Some of the onlookers looked like ordinary people while he was sure that others could not have been from his world. As they approached he noticed a small group of tall extremely fair individuals with pointed ears like Rosewielder's while a group of beings resembling beautiful women with claw like feet and bird wings hovered nearby. As they came closer he discovered that a set of white beasts he'd mistaken for horses actually had horns, perfectly representing the unicorns of fairy tails. Elliot could best describe the scene as a spectacle of beings that normally only existed within Folklore, myths, and legends.

  "The otherworldly aura is so strong," said Rosewielder.

  "That's due to their being a large number of spirits here," explained Wisteria.

  Wisteria started leading them down an opening in the crowd and that's when Elliot saw it. Hovering in front of the crowd was an enormous red dragon which resembled the creatures of Chinese folklore, and sitting on its back was a person dressed in flowing white robes, their long hair floating on the wind. He knew it was the master of the Shrine. They came within five feet of the mouth of the dragon and Elliot gazed, dumbfounded at its magnificence. It's skin was composed of many diamond shaped scales while its nose was a golden color, complimenting its red skin and emerald eyes. Long pale horns sat atop of its head while whip like structures resembling whiskers moved in a rhythmic fashion, reminding Elliot of the dancing of a flame.

  "Master Tenzin, I have found the conjurer and spirit who call themselves the dream saviors," said Wisteria before backing away and joining the crowd.

  After affectionately petting the dragon behind one of its massive ears, Tenzin levitated off of the beast, coming to a standstill two feet before Rosewielder and Elliot. His gown-like robe concealed his feet. Tenzin looked not a day older than the statues of his likeness he'd seen back in the chamber. He smiled kindly, lowering his head to both Elliot and Rosewielder. Elliot returned the gesture while Rosewielder stared curiously at Tenzin.

  "Elliot, why did you come here?" asked Tenzin in a friendly tone, studying him closely.

  "I need to learn more about conjurers and spirits. I summoned two spirits that I think could be dangerous to humanity," admitted Elliot. "I gave them passage to this world. I need to learn how to destroy them if I'm forced to."

  "Why did you summon these spirits?" asked Tenzin, placing his hands behind his back.

  "I believed that they'd help me in my duty as the dream savior to make our world a better place," said Elliot.

  "How did you summon them? What methods did you use?" asked Tenzin inquisitively.

  "I actually have this ability to conjure things from my dreams," explained Elliot. "I accidentally-," he began, stopping as he watched the horrified expression on Tenzin's face. "Is there something wrong?" asked Elliot, alarmed.

  Tenzin looked sadly down at the grass.

  "It must have been hard for you to control your powers?" said Tenzin questioningly.

  "Yes, at times it is, but I've gotten better," said Elliot.

  "In the states, specifically, in California, there were reports of two unexplainable monsters. They were both spirits. The giant insect and the deplorable snake creature with four human heads were both spirits summoned by you? Correct?" asked Tenzin.

  "Yes, those were accidents but how do you know that?" asked Elliot surprisedly.

  "We wish to serve the world by protecting it from evil spirits and conjurers who abuse their powers, risking contamination of both our world and the otherworld. Therefore we, council members, ensure that we're aware of what's going on in the world by following worldly news that might divulge useful information. Also, whenev
er you summon anything it takes a small portion of your aura. I know the spirit beside you was summoned by you because I sense some of your aura in her. I'm saddened that you've been inflicted with such a burden, but proud that these evil spirits weren't intentionally summoned by you."

  "I don't think Elliot's powers are a burden," said Rosewielder staunchly. "He used them to bring me here. There are many wonderful experiences we've shared together that wouldn't be possible if he didn't have those powers."

  "That may be true, however, those experiences are not enough to make up for the havoc that might be unleashed if he unintentionally summons a spirit like Yama did," said Tenzin with resolve. "I wish for you both to come with me."