Was there… something there? Just now?
Shana turned, floating in Dreamworld, gazing out at the magenta, golden sky.
But…
“What is it?”
Shana turned at Shias’ question, startled for a moment. Then she looked aside.
“I thought… I saw something,” she said. “Out of the corner of my eye. Like…” She shook her head. “I’m not sure. When I turned to look at it properly, there was nothing there.”
“What did it look like?” Shias asked. “You got a sort of glimpse, right?”
“Yeah,” Shana said, nodding slowly. “It… I mean, this is why I don’t want to jump to conclusions. All I saw was some kind of… sliver of darkness.”
“Sliver of darkness?” Annabelle asked.
“It’s… hard to describe,” Shana said, shaking her head. “It was just a faint glance, but it looked like a dark, thin line. But like I said, when I turned to look, it was gone.” She turned to Heart, who was gazing into the distance where Shana had seen the strange sight with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
“If you ever see it again,” Heart said slowly, “do not hesitate to make it known. I have an eerie feeling about it.”
“Right,” Shana said, nodding.
“So we’re going to the Palette in the Clouds, right?” Kathryn asked, flying up in a blur to come to a stop right in front of Shana, leaning in close, her blue eyes bright with excitement. “Let’s go, then!”
Shana laughed. “Right,” she said with a nod. “Only…” She turned to Heart. “I’m… not entirely sure how to get there.”
“How’d you get there the first time?” Rae asked.
Shana shrugged. “Dunno. It was an accident, I think. I felt all warm, kind of feverish, actually. Then…” She made a pop! noise with her lips. “And I was there.”
“We’ve been there before,” Heart said, “so I believe I can find the way now. And we should be able to take everyone.”
“Won’t know unless we try,” Kathryn said. “Come on, come on, let’s go!”
Shana smiled, taking Heart’s hand. Altair floated up beside them and barked excitedly, doing a little flip. “Let’s go,” Shana said.
She and Heart reached out together. There it was — a faint sensation, a warmth like what had brought her to the Dreaming city the first time.
Follow that warmth. And don’t go alone. Take your friends with you.
She then felt her friends with her, their own presences warm in their own ways. Kathryn, bright and fiery like the sun. Rae, a ball of hopeful curiosity. Annabelle, subdued somewhat — she seemed worried about something. Ben, flickering every which way, a bundle of restless energy. And Shias — warm, steady, constant. As reliable and dependable as ever.
They were with her. And before her went Altair, with all his puppy-like energy but also a newly developed focus, maturity, and leadership. And Heart, a presence that seemed to meld into the Dreamworld itself — born of it, or perhaps she and Dreamworld were one and the same.
Shana had never asked her before. But she kept that question to herself for now.
There were so many other questions with precedence.
Warmth enveloped them, the Dreamer and her companions, and carried them along. The world around them blurred, faded, vanished, and for a moment, all was a white, shapeless void.
And then…
Pop!
Reality tore open, and Shana and her party spilled through, tumbling onto one of the fluffy, cloudy streets of the Palette in the Clouds.
“Ooh, it really lives up to its name,” Kathryn said, first to her feet, gazing around with a grin on her face.
Shana stood, and Altair leapt into her arms, so she happily carried him.
The last time I was here, I was here with…
…Fae.
That all-too brief memory brought a pang of longing to her heart. But it didn’t last.
She’ll get better. It won’t be the last time we see each other, and next time, she won’t just be herself in Dreamworld, but in the Waking World, too.
“Now that we’re here… I want to find the Key’s chamber,” Shana said.
“But didn’t you say the Artisan said it can’t be opened yet?” Shias asked.
“He did,” Shana said. “But I still want to see it. To know where it is, and to see what the chamber’s like from the outside. Maybe there are clues there, even slight ones. Anything helps!”
In truth, Shana had been struggling. She’d looked and seen Sal’s past, but despite seeing so much, she felt as if she knew even less than before.
He’d been a hero. Fighting alongside Blaise and the others to protect Grimoire when the Radiant — when Leon tried to take it over, to subjugate everyone under one rule. And he’d been heartbroken over the death of his mother, and knew exactly who was responsible, so he went to try and get revenge…
I can understand those things about him. But… not how drawn he was to the Darkness. And how easily he embraced it when it saved him from his fall.
Why did the Darkness save him in the first place? I just…
And even though it saved him, even though Jormungand found him, how did Sal become the Lord of Night? Jormungand must have taught him things about the Darkness, but if Jormungand knew everything that Sal needed, why wouldn’t he become the Lord of Night?
What is it about Sal that led him to who he is now?
She’d been struggling with those questions. Struggling with their mysterious foe.
And she’d been struggling, as before she’d gone seeking answers about Sal, with idleness. She’d just learned how to bring forth the Dream Sprites, how to purify Nightmares and rescue those suffering with deep-seated, inescapable fears. And doing that in Grimoire, saving children mostly, but even some adults, from their nightmares? That had been amazing. She’d felt like she was doing real, amazing work, and her heart had melted every time she helped a child sleep better.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
Those simple words that she’d uttered over and over again had turned into a pledge. And they’d come from the heart, from experience.
She’d faced her own fears. She’d been through so much that terrified and nearly broke her.
And she’d come out stronger.
Everything had felt connected. Everything had fit together, a journey, the line of which she could follow with the benefit of hindsight. Rescuing the Weavers — and learning from them about the Palette in the Clouds — had fit into that journey.
But now? Waiting in Alexandra’s mansion for others to complete their own tasks? Waiting for Delilah to activate the Key of the World so that she could help turn it with her?
She knew it was important. Vitally important. The most important thing in the world.
But it also felt like she’d been forced to put her own journey, her own really important work, on hold.
I don’t want to be selfish. But it’s not… really about me.
She kept thinking about all of those faces. The faces of children and adults suffering from Nightmares in Grimoire. Their faces after she’d saved them, purified their dreams and helped them sleep easy.
She kept thinking about the Weavers. The Weavers of Dreams, absolutely terrified, consumed by horror and guarded by the most vicious horde of Nightmyrn.
There are so many more who are suffering. And I know everyone will suffer far worse if the Endless Night comes to pass. But…
I’m the only one who can save them.
It felt strange, thinking that. Shana had often dreamed of being a hero, had loved imagining herself in the shoes of her favorite characters in fantasy stories and video games. And now she’d seen it firsthand — what it took to be a hero. It was terrifying. It hurt, frequently, and sometimes it felt like she didn’t know which way was up, and there had been so many victories that had left her feeling empty at the end, instead of triumphant.
But the biggest reason it felt strange knowing that she was the only one who could purify the Nightmares of so many…
She cast a sidelong glance at her twin brother.
There’s a real hero.
She’d watched Shias, all her life. Sure, she’d been there beside him for everything. And she’d often been the leader in playtime and recreational activities, or going on silly adventures. He was calm and patient, while she was energetic and active. It was natural that she’d take the lead.
But when it came to the real stuff, she’d always just been watching him. Watching him train with Caleb, watching him be so amazing, and yet seeing him be so humble, seeing him always downplay his own strengths.
Watching him be the voice of reason when she just wanted to take off running.
Watching him stand tall and defend everyone against a giant spider in a dark forest, when she was gripped by terror.
Watching him step in front of her and shield her with not just his magic, but his life if need be, when Dullan attacked her on the road to the Share House.
Watching him, over and over, step up. Without any pride. Without any fear.
And she hadn’t just been watching Shias. She’d watched Caleb fight Hollows alongside Chelsea. She’d watched Delilah field her Summons, watched Felix Feline Felinosis, First Swordmeowster of the Twelfth Circle, brought to life as a Summon and leap in to defend her and Fae from Weavers just hours before Delilah would disappear with Caleb, Chelsea, and Lorelei.
She’d watched Fae go from reclusive and distant to making the most amazing friends. And she’d watched her field tremendous courage against the Collapsed Nocta.
So who was Shana? Who was Shana to be chosen as the Dreamer, to be given powers that no one else had, powers that made her the only one who could help all those around the world suffering from terrible, paralyzing fear?
She was the most fearful. She’d fought her fears, faced them, and risen above them…
But it’s not like those fears don’t exist anymore.
“Why me?” That was the question, over and over. And Shana had never had the courage to ask Heart those two words.
One of the greatest problems with her current situation was that those two words became louder and louder in her mind. Why wouldn’t they? She didn’t have as much to focus on, she didn’t have the same great battles to fight, powerful villains to rise up against.
She was waiting. Waiting for other heroes to do their thing.
So she needed to ask questions about Sal’s past. And she needed to come to the Palette in the Clouds, to explore this beautiful city, to find clues, answers, anything at all.
If she kept moving, the questions in her mind weren’t so loud. If she kept moving, the waiting became a bit more bearable.
At least I’m doing something. Maybe it’ll be useful.
I hope it’ll be useful.
“Useful.” That was a fascinating word. Because Shana had realized, slowly, over time, just how much that word had defined her baby sister.
Not so much of a baby anymore. She’s still small, but she walks so tall.
Delilah’s driving goal, Shana had realized, was to be useful. To her family. To her city. To those she loved most.
Delilah had always been amazing. An overachiever. A perfect student. She’d never succumbed to the moody angst that had even gripped Shana for a brief period during puberty. The only hints of that had been with Delilah’s feelings towards Fae, but Shana could understand why she’d felt that way about their older sister at the time.
Delilah was so mature. Shana had always thought that. But now, after all that had happened, she realized that she’d never understood anywhere near how much.
Delilah Iris Greyson. Keybearer. Paladin — and Restorer — of Revue Palace.
Delilah was going to save the universe. Delilah, who’d been so much like Shias, downplaying her own abilities, never thinking she was good enough but not letting that prevent her from pushing forward and giving her all.
All so that she could be “useful” to the ones she loved most.
Can I be useful? Have I been useful?
Agh, I don’t know anything anymore!
Shana resisted grabbing at her hair in a fit of frustration. For one, that would mean dropping the lovable blue pup she cradled in her arms, and she wouldn’t dare do that to him — or to herself. She was loving his warmth and softness so close to her, the occasional licks he sent her way, the soft wag of his tail as he watched people passing by and listened to scattered conversation.
And for another, it would mean letting her entire group know just how much she was struggling.
I know I can trust them with it. I know I could tell them.
But I don’t wanna.
She almost laughed at her own childishness.
I just…
It’s stupid. And it’s not really a big deal. I’m just…
Stuck. I was on a very clear path, with a very clear mission, and now, it’s like I’m waiting. I’m so glad to be helping Delilah. And by extension, if we succeed at this — and we will! — I’ll be saving the entire universe. How much more important and useful does it get?
So I’m just… being weird. Again.
I’m sick of getting into my own head.
I’m sick of —
“Shana,” said Shias, steady and calm. He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Hmm?” Shana asked, turning her head —
Poke.
Shias extended his index finger, his hand still on her shoulder, and his index finger poked into Shana’s cheek when she turned her head to look at him.
An old trick. A silly, childish trick.
But effective. Especially when she saw Shias’ mouth quirk upwards in a small smile that he couldn’t quite hold back.
She laughed, acting as if to bite his finger, which he quickly pulled away. “You okay?” Shias asked, but in a light, friendly tone. He was letting his smile free now, not fighting it at all, and his eyes seemed so bright.
“Yeah,” Shana said, smiling. And she didn’t have to fake it.
I love you.
It was stupid, just a dumb little thing, that Shias had done. But it had been perfect. He’d pierced right through the gloom in her heart with that one simple action.
“Hey, they said the Key’s chamber is on the city’s lowest level,” Kathryn said, returning to their group with Rae and Annabelle. Only then did Shana learn that the trio had been mingling with the crowd, asking questions and sharing in conversation.
“Did you find out how to get there?” Ben asked, arching an eyebrow, as if issuing a challenge.
“Don’t be like that!” Kathryn said, punching at him, but Ben dodged away. Kathryn pursued, and Ben was on the run, losing the cool aura he’d been trying to project.
“We did,” Rae said, watching Kathryn and Ben with a smile. “Apparently, people don’t go down there very often. But it’s a well-marked path, so we won’t get lost.”
“Thank you!” Shana said, charging into Rae. Her arms were full of glowing blue pup, but Rae knew what Shana was going for and held out her arms, pulling girl and dog into a warm hug. Shana pressed her cheek against Rae’s, grinning as Rae’s hair tickled her nose. “The hair’s working really well for you.”
“Thanks,” Rae said, a little bit of her old self-consciousness creeping into her voice. Rae had always worn her hair super short, as long as Shana had known her. Only since they’d been on this long, winding journey had Rae started letting her hair grow out, and Shana thought it suited her really nicely.
Everyone’s changing. Everyone’s doing their best.
And so am I. I can’t get lost in my own head. Even if this is all I can do right now, I’m going to do it the best I can.
Rae and Annabelle — and Kathryn, once she got a few punches in on Ben’s arms — led the way, and the rest followed. Through crowds of artists they went, and Shana loved the crowd noise. There were actors and playwrights muttering lines under their breath and trying out different phrasings and wordings. Painters carried brushes in leather holsters or satchels, and the soft click-clack of wooden brush handles knocking against each other was somehow charming. Papers rustled, pencils and pens scritched and scratched, pottery wheels spun, hammers and chisels slowly chipped away at masterpieces in the making.
This is such a wonderful city.
And one day… when we’ve turned the Key of the World and stopped the Endless Night for good… it won’t be a secret city, trapped in Dreamworld.
Everyone’s going to wake up, one day. And then I can come here with Fae, and all of her new friends.
That was one of the most wonderful things about this journey. Shana had so many places she wanted to return to one day when the world was at peace and she could just explore and take in the sights properly. Starlight Spires, Cartographer’s Waystation, Eventide Archive, the Library of Solitude, and places she’d only heard about from her siblings — the Crimson Docks, Gold Heart Arcade, Revue Palace, and, most exciting of all…
The Wood of the Wisps.
One day I’ll see where Summons come from. See the Will Wisps with my own eyes.
Maybe I’ll even call another Summon. Give Altair a new friend.
Thoughts of the future warmed her heart. Dreams that waited to be fulfilled.
Dreams that relied on her and her siblings’ success.
We won’t fail.
Their path took them to a tall, stone archway, and stone stairs with pink clouds misting across them, leading down, down, down. Winding under the clouds, to a whole new layer of roads and houses, they continued onward, to yet another descending stair, which wound around, and around, and around in its descent…
To a place where no one else walked.
The bottom of the Palette in the Clouds. If they looked off the side of the cloudy walkway, there was just sky, bottomless sky, with no ground below. And this walkway ran around a wide chamber made of stone, and took them to a small landing, and a sealed stone door. Engraved on its surface was a key that Shana recognized, the same as the key that hung around Delilah’s neck, with its crescent moon design: the Key of the World.
“So this is the chamber,” Shana murmured, staring. It was suddenly so quiet, all the crowd noise a distant memory. Altair leapt down from her arms to stand by her side, and Shana reached out, pressing her palm against the sealed stone door. “It’s warm,” she murmured, taken aback. Not just warmth radiated from the stone — there was a soft, steady pulse. It felt… like a heartbeat.
“It’s like the stone is alive,” Shias said, joining Shana with his hand against the stone. “Or… the Key?”
“That’s my guess,” Shana said, nodding.
“I think so, too,” Annabelle said, pressing both hands against the stone. “It’s not the stone. It’s what’s within, radiating outward. Even though it’s sealed in by powerful magic, it still can’t fully be contained. It’s so powerful… and yet…”
“It’s warm,” Shana said, smiling. Annabelle nodded beside her.
The Key of the World. It can be used for evil — it has been, tragically — but it isn’t itself evil. It’s a force of good, and it’s the only power that can stop the Endless Night.
For some reason, it makes my heart feel so warm.
“Company,” Ben said softly, nudging Shana and then Shias. They both looked aside, to see some people coming around the walkway. It was a narrow walkway, only really able to accommodate three people side-by-side if they squeeze, and these people were squeezing. Not just three — three more behind, and three more behind them, and it seemed like more than that, around the side of the chamber.
“Both sides,” Shias said in a tense whisper, and Shana glanced over her shoulder to see that a crowd had formed on the other side, too.
They were boxed in, with nowhere to go.
“Hello,” Shana said, stepping out and smiling at the crowd.
No one smiled back.
“Can we, um… help you?” she asked. “Or maybe… oh, did we do something wrong? I’m sorry. We’re just visitors, so we don’t know all the rules, and —”
“You’re the Dreamer,” said the woman in front. She had a smock speckled with paint stains. Her dark hair, tied back in a tight ponytail, left her high, prominent cheekbones fully exposed. She spoke with a tense voice that simmered with a low, contained anger — an anger that was reflected in her stance and her eyes, too.
“I am,” Shana said with a nod. “Did you… need me for something, or…?”
“Leave now, Dreamer,” the woman said. “And never return.”