Chapter 79: The Dream Encounter - Part 2

Chapter 79: The Dream Encounter - Part 2 "Yes," Eren confirmed. "She calls herself the ’First Eternal.’ She claims to understand elements not as separate forces but aspects of a single power." The queen’s face drained of color. "The First Eternal... a being who existed before the Great Three, before the Sundering of the kingdoms. Those legends are so old they were already considered myths when I was a child." She stepped closer to Eren. "Tell me everything." "It’s not an alliance," he began, deciding to trust her. "It’s coercion. Kaida holds my mother, Queen Elysia, captive. She threatened to kill her if I don’t complete more TUNA rituals under her control." "TUNA rituals?" Elizabeth’s alarm was evident. "So she knows of the ancient ways." "She’s taken us to this place—this chamber with seven alcoves and pedestals—because she claims it will allow for a different kind of elemental transfer," Eren continued. "She has seven warriors, each possessing a different element. She wants me to perform TUNA with each of them, claiming that the energy will transfer to me without my notice." "That’s impossible," Elizabeth said sharply. "The TUNA ritual cannot be so easily manipulated." "That’s what I told her," Eren agreed. "But she claims the rules don’t apply to her—that as the ’First Eternal’ she understands the true nature of elements better than anyone." The queen looked deeply troubled now. "If she truly is the being from those legends, then we face a greater threat than I imagined." "What do you know of her?" Eren asked urgently. Elizabeth’s expression grew distant, as if retrieving ancient memories. "Only fragments. Stories of a being who understood elements as a unified force, who could wield multiple elements when such a thing was thought impossible." "That’s exactly how she described herself," Eren said, cold dread settling in his stomach. "And what does she intend after you’ve collected these elements from her warriors?" Elizabeth pressed. Eren took a deep breath. "She claims that after I perform TUNA with her seven warriors, I’ll perform a final TUNA with her. She says she already possesses multiple elements herself. After that, we’ll somehow use the combined power to seal the nexus points across the realms." "Seal the nexus points?" Elizabeth echoed, alarm evident in her voice. "Yes. She says it will prevent elemental energy from flowing freely between the natural world and elven vessels. Those who currently have elemental abilities will retain some diminished power, but no new elemental users will be born." As he spoke, recounting Kaida’s explanations, the dreamscape around them darkened, shadows lengthening across the once-peaceful clearing. "She says she’s doing this to bring peace—to end the elemental wars and conflicts. To create a world where people must rely on their wits and wisdom rather than inherited power." "What utter deception," Elizabeth said, her voice cold with anger. "This is not about peace—this is about control. By sealing the nexus points, she would not be eliminating elemental power; she would be consolidating it. Only those she chooses would wield even the diminished abilities that remain." Eren nodded slowly. "I suspected as much. The humic I carry seemed distressed when she explained her plan." "Trust that creature’s instincts," Elizabeth said firmly. "The humic is an ancient being with connections to the elemental world that even I don’t fully understand." "But there’s more to her plan," Eren continued. "She mentioned Vylonia specifically—said that your kingdom’s security was ’lax in comparison to your elemental wealth.’ That the remaining elements we need could be acquired from Vylonia easily." Elizabeth’s expression hardened. "So she intends to raid my kingdom for what she cannot gain through these perverted rituals." Her hands clenched into fists. "My people will not yield their elements without a fight." "I need to get a message to Queen Elena of Thornvale," Eren said urgently, stepping forward. "And find a way to free my mother. They need to know what’s happening here." Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. "You ask much of me, Veilwalker." ’I have no choice but to trust her,’ Eren thought. ’If there’s any chance she can get word to Elena and the others, I must take it.’ "I’m asking for help," Eren said plainly. "Not just for myself or my mother, but for everyone who would suffer if Kaida succeeds in sealing the nexus points and controlling who can access elemental power. Including your people of Vylonia—whose nature and sound elements would also be affected." The queen considered him for a long moment, the miniature landscape on her head shifting slightly with her movements. "I cannot deliver your message directly," she finally said. "The barriers around your prison are too strong even for my dream-magic to penetrate beyond this connection with you. But I will send my fastest riders to Thornvale with word of what I’ve learned." Relief washed through Eren. "Thank you." "Do not thank me yet," Elizabeth cautioned. "If what you say is true, I must also prepare my warriors for what is to come. Kaida will not find Vylonia as vulnerable as she believes." "But what about my mother? And how do I stop this ritual from proceeding as Kaida intends?" ’I still don’t understand why a queen from a kingdom I’ve never heard of would risk reaching out to me,’ Eren thought, studying her face for any sign of deception. ’But if what she says about Vylonia’s elements is true, they could be crucial allies.’ "My power wanes," the queen interrupted, looking around as the dreamscape began to flicker at the edges. The silver trees she had commanded earlier began to lose their luster, and the flowers started to wilt. "I cannot maintain this connection much longer. Reaching through the barriers around your prison taxes even my considerable abilities with nature’s dream-paths." She approached Eren, placing a cool hand on his shoulder. "Listen carefully, Veilwalker. The TUNA ritual is older than Kaida herself, older than the kingdoms, older perhaps than even the Great Three. It was designed with safeguards she cannot fully understand or overcome." The forest around them was fading now, the trees becoming transparent as the white walls of his prison began to bleed through. "The ritual responds to truth and intent as much as to physical union," Elizabeth’s voice echoed, growing fainter as her image began to dissolve. "When you perform these acts with her warriors, focus your mind not on what Kaida desires, but on your true purpose as Veilwalker. The elements will recognize their rightful vessel." As her form dispersed almost completely, she added with a mysterious smile, "Remember, Veilwalker—Kaida believes she understands the elements better than anyone, but there is one thing she has never mastered: connections between people. That is her weakness. Where her warriors see her as master, your companions see you as friend and ally. That difference may prove decisive." Her final words came as barely a whisper: "In Vylonia, the elements of nature and sound await your true touch, and our land holds secrets to decay and space elements as well. When the time comes, we shall perform our own TUNA as the ritual was meant to be done." Eren jolted awake, his heart racing. Beside him, Viva slept soundly, the humic nestled against her neck. The sterile white walls of their chamber were unchanged, the door still sealed. Yet something had shifted—not in his surroundings, but within himself. Queen Elizabeth’s words echoed in his mind: The ritual responds to truth and intent as much as to physical union. The elements will recognize their rightful vessel. For the first time since his capture, Eren felt a spark of hope ignite within him. If the TUNA ritual truly responded to intention—if it contained safeguards against exactly the kind of perversion Kaida was attempting—perhaps there was a way to ensure the elements flowed to him rather than being intercepted as she planned. And her other point struck him as equally important: The difference between Kaida’s relationship with her followers and his own connections to his companions. Where she commanded through fear and domination, he had built bonds of trust and mutual respect. Could that difference truly prove decisive in the coming conflict? He settled back onto the bed, mind racing with possibilities. Tomorrow, he would face Kaida and her warriors again—but with new purpose. No longer merely a prisoner, but a seeker of weaknesses in her design. And when he found them, he would be ready to ensure the elemental powers flowed where they were meant to go—to him, the Veilwalker, as the prophecy foretold. As he drifted back toward sleep, one last thought crossed his mind: Queen Elizabeth had spoken of sending riders to Thornvale. Perhaps help would come sooner than Kaida anticipated. And when it did, he would need to be ready to seize his chance. The humic stirred against Viva’s neck, as if sensing his resolve, and Eren allowed himself the faintest smile as he closed his eyes once more.