Year 77

  *Emma looks around. Her Vessel still leaks, but now it continues to fill as the cracks fill. The spaces missing stay agape, thus allowing leakage still. As she places her hand upon it and hears a familiar distorted voice. She can’t make out the words, but as she follows the voice, she finds a door. Emma swings the door open and finds the room she had struggled to remember. The chairs sit around the table, but now the room has become a house. To her left is a room, two steps lower than the rest of the house, the railing above made of ornate wood. Emma walks upstairs following the voice. She walks past two rooms, both locked. And void of color, as she reaches the third door, she can hear the voice, but can’t understand the language. As she knocks on the door, she hears footsteps rush toward the door.*

  Emma: Hello?

  *Emma hears a ringing sound; she holds her head until it passes.*

  Voice: Who are you?

  *Emma turns to see a human-looking shadow. *

  Emma thinking: She looks kinda like her.

  Voice: Who?

  Emma: *Shocked* Can you hear my thoughts?

  Voice: Hmm? Yeah. That’s how the rest of us talk normally.

  Emma: Rest?

  Voice: Speaking of. You haven’t seen a tallish-looking guy with short horns and hair, red eyes, and a bad attitude?

  *Emma thinks of the Devil. His conman-like smirk makes her nose wrinkle in irritation.*

  Voice: *Excited* YEAH, HIM!

  Emma: The Devil?

  Voice: Psh. *Waves arm.* As long as you’re a part of us, you’ll be safe.

  *Emma can’t see it, but she feels the figure is smiling.*

  Voice: So what is your story? What’s your true name, also?

  Emma: My true name?

  Voice: Yes. If you don’t establish a room, then He might see you as a threat.

  Emma: The only name I have is Emma.

  *As Emma starts to speak, the figure pulls out what appears to be an invisible writing utensil and sticks their other hand out as though holding onto something to write on. As they start to write, they finish the ‘E’. The letter appears magically with a golden glow, floating in front of her.*

  Voice: Em. *Distortion.* ma.

  *After a moment, the figure continues to write her name. As she places it in the space between rooms, another door appears. The door is made of a giant slice of a tree; the rings are filled with multiple little figures of different shapes and sizes. The handle is a small, extended branch with a single leaf. The figure steps back.*

  Voice: Okay, head inside.

  *Emma attempts to open the door, but it won’t budge. After a moment of struggling, she steps back.*

  Voice: I guess this is a *Distorted* problem.

  Emma: Who?

  Voice: You mean *Distorted*? He’s who we talked about.

  Emma: Okay.

  Voice: He should be back soon.

  *Emma looks around, the empty house is beyond silent.*

  Emma: Where is everyone else?

  Voice: If the name is glowing, then they’re inside their room. Otherwise, they’re out on a mission.

  *Emma follows the figure through the house, coming across a blue ornate door. A familiar red dragon wraps around a name plate: Doil. Emma freezes.*

  Emma: Doil?

  Voice: *Turns* Oh, that’s my little Bud. He’s really adorable. *Pause* Except when he’s grown up. Then he’s just an ass.

  *Emma makes an obvious look of confusion; she can’t see it, but she can feel the figure’s feeling of joy.*

  Voice: He can’t control it, but he can change from a child to an adult, and vice versa.

  Emma thinking: Why is it every time I try to change the conversation, my words are different? Tell me why, I can only see his name! You say there are all these people, but I only see proof of you and Doil. Assuming it is… He is Him. Wait. Does that mean his name is here!

  *Emma attempts to ask questions about the Devil and Doil, failing time and time again. The figure leads Emma to the main room, but the table and chairs have been replaced with a large U-shaped Sofa. They sit down in the center, and the voice continues to ramble.*

  Voice: And then *Distorted* told me how Doil was split from him. That was when sooo many things made sense.

  *As the figure laughs, it distorts slightly.*

  Emma: Where does he sleep?

  Voice: Hmm? His room is that one.

  *The figure sits on her knees, pointing behind Emma to a large double door, the crimson red, cushioned doors are adorned with clear gems throughout. All except for one near the top and one at the very bottom. Where a blue and green gem rests.

  Emma thinking: Why do those have color?

  Emma: I mean, yeah, they’re pretty, but why?

  Emma thinking: Finally!

  Voice: The one at the end is yours. When he accepts it, then you can pick another color if you’d prefer. But it picks the color of your *Distorted*

  Emma thinking: Which one is yours? Which one is his?

  Emma: Which one is Doil’s?

  Voice: This one. *Points to the blue gem.* It was Gold, but someone else was Yellow, so I convinced him to change it because Gold was a “Greedy” color.

  *Emma studies the door; atop rests a large black gem.*

  Emma: And that one?

  Voice: That’s *Distorted.* It’s only black when he is out. *Sighs* He’s probably out looking for everyone again. *Giggles*

  Emma thinking: I thought it took energy to speak?

  Voice: I just needed time to rest.

  *Emma jumps, forgetting that the figure can hear her thoughts.*

  Voice: It does use energy.

  Emma: That’s going to be hard to get used to.

  Voice: Why?

  *Emma looks at the voice with suspicion.*

  Emma: Are you the same one I met before?

  Voice: Have. Have we met before?

  *Emma goes to speak, but suddenly awakens to a nasty taste in her mouth. She sits up quickly, spitting out a spoonful of some thick liquid substance. She looks at both Rodney and his mother. Then she looks at a presumably human doctor sitting around her.*

  Rodney: Oh, thank goodness.

  Doctor?: That stuff could wake the dead if they still had taste buds. Told you she’d be fine.

  *The doctor takes his leave, and Rose follows, discussing with the man.*

  Rodney: I would’ve got a priest if I knew they wouldn’t have talked, but I found you passed out in the forest.

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  *Emma holds her head as if recovering from a long night of drinking.*

  Emma: Your timing is atrocious.

  Rodney: *Scoffs* And I could become a noble if I turned you in with the reward money.

  Emma: *Offended* Thank. You. I’ll be taking my leave. Where are my things?

  *Rodney pulls out Emma’s bag, and she pulls it from his hands forcefully, then pulls out Lily.*

  Rodney: I made sure to keep your bag safe. I might not understand, but I saw her in there.

  Emma: If you want money, I have no need for your kinds coin.

  *Rodney’s eye twitches in anger. Emma grabs her bag, then, with Lily in hand, she heads off.*

  Rodney: *Irritated* I was trying to be kind. I found you covered in a blanket of moss. I thought you were dead until I checked your pulse.

  *Emma pauses as she closes the door behind her.*

  Emma: *Sincere*Thank you.

  *Emma quickly leaves, using her stealth, and she makes it to the edge of town. With the smell of tea finally leaving her nose, Emma sits down and pets Lily. Her body twitches a little, and Emma gets excited.*

  Emma(TL): You can move?!

  Lily: Huh? Morning Mama.

  *Lily attempts to move, and some of her fur stiffens.*

  Lily: Nope.

  Emma(TL): But your fur moved.

  Lily: Well, you did sleep for most of the year. What happened anyway?

  Emma(TL): Most of the year? Now that you mention it, Rodney mentioned I was covered in a blanket of moss.

  Lily: Since our connection is weak, I wasn’t able to move us to safety, but I was able to maintain your body while it rested.

  Emma(TL): You can do that?

  Lily: Yeah, while I was asleep, I met Bubba, Shreiker, and Grace. They all taught me things.*Voice crack.* Grace showed me how to maintain the body in the event you became extremely ill.*Voice crack.* Bubba taught me how to store things, but I have to be able to move for that. And *Voice crack.* Shrieker taught me how to cast elemental shouts. *Sniff*

  Emma(TL): *Softly and concerned.* What about Lazarus?

  Lily: I didn’t see him.

  Emma(TL): *Smiles.* Then maybe they’re still safe.

  Lily: So… They’re dead?

  Emma(TL): Yes. Or I had a similar dream. Everyone was there except Keya. *Smiles.* Did they tell you the same thing?

  Lily: About the Glade?

  Emma(TL): Yeah.

  Lily: They told me, “Without the strength of the Glades branches, the sky will collapse. Making the return home near impossible.”

  Emma(TL): I didn’t hear the sky part, but they told me the name for the forest now. And to only return once the curse has been lifted. “The forest of MistMeld.”

  *The two sit in silence for a bit, until Emma stands up and starts walking.*

  Emma(TL): So, how long was I out for?

  Lily: Well. Look around. It’s spring already.

  Emma: Are you kidding me?!

  *The sound of birds flutters into the sky as Emma yells. As they walk, Emma goes through and removes anything that has spoiled.*

  Emma: It seems like something ate the dried rations. All I have is some rock salt, and it’s the size of my hand, so I can’t do much with it at the moment.*Sigh*

  Lily, can you help maintain my body while I’m awake?

  Lily: No. I can only do it when you’re asleep.

  *Emma’s stomach growls, and she holds her stomach.*

  Lily: If you weren’t in a hurry, we could’ve got something from Rodney.

  Emma: No!... Sorry. Lily. I haven’t fully explained everything. We can’t go anywhere. I pray that the Oasis is safe.

  *While walking, they reach a pond south of Kathaton. The city's flag can be seen in the distance, barely above the canopy. Emma notices a group of four humans: Three women and a man. Emma disguises herself to look like a human as well, before approaching them.*

  Woman1:*Human.* Oh, hi there! What brings you to the pond?

  Emma: *Poor human.* Need food.

  *Emma pretends to collapse, and they take her in, feeding her.*

  Man: *Human.* What accent is that?

  *Emma goes to answer, but holds her head in pain.*

  Woman2: *Human* She’s probably dehydrated. It’s hard to pronounce certain words when my lips are super dry.

  *The third woman watches Emma with her arms crossed.*

  Man: What’s wrong, Harper?

  Harper: *Common* Is common easier?

  *Emma pauses, noticing the staff beside Harper. She nods while keeping her eyes on her.*

  Harper: *Human.**Looking at her group.* We’re leaving in the morning, let’s bring her with us to see a doctor. *Looks back at Emma.* *Common.* I’ll take first watch and keep an eye on her.

  *After eating, Emma pretends to fall asleep, Harper approaches her as the last of the other fall asleep.*

  Harper: I won’t ask for anything in return, but take this.

  *Harper hands Emma a bag of rations.*

  Harper: Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like elves. But one cared for me when I was sick as a kid. See this as me returning a favor.

  Emma: Thank you.

  Harper: Don’t.

  *Emma nods before leaving. The next few days, while traveling north, Emma collects food and fresh water. On the first day of Summer, Emma finds a pack of Koyote. After capturing two Emma slowly works on befriending them. After a week, she wakes up to both of them wrapping around her as she sleeps. With a bond in place, she makes a makeshift harness for the koyote, she makes a small skiff out of wood to sit on, and she heads into the desert. The first night, she stops to rest as the two Koyote seem restless. Emma unharnesses them, and they get in a fight. As fast as the fight started, the two fled, leaving Emma and Lily stranded.*

  Emma: Well, Lily.

  Lily: I told you so.

  Emma: I know! Ugh.

  Voice: HEY!!!

  *Emma turns toward the sound of a faint voice.*

  Emma: And now I’m seeing things.

  Lily: Now who is being dramatic?

  *A figure starts to become more and more visible as a human runs toward it. When they catch up to her, they bend over, breathing heavily.*

  Human: Are you going to the Oasis?

  *Emma’s eyes pulse.*

  Emma: Why does a human? Want to go to a place full of halflings?

  Human: I heard it’s a safe place.

  Emma: *looks around.* Where is your group? It’s dangerous to go into the desert alone.

  Human: *Sad* I’m alone. I don’t have any friends or family…

  *Emma looks more the the Human, as she looks at their eyes, she sees an endless pool of deep blues.*

  Emma: *Confused* Are you?

  Human: I saw a Koyote come from this direction and came to investigate. I can’t cast much magic. But I can use magic to help me travel through the desert.

  Emma: Yes, I am going. I’d be more than happy to help, but as you can see. I’m a little lost.

  *Emma’s tone changes as she lets her guard down slightly. The half-elf creates two balls of water.*

  Emma: Emma, by the way.

  Human: You can call me Alex. My father was a green elf, so I know you won’t be able to cast water magic, but.

  Emma: Actually.

  *Emma creates a smaller ball of water. The ball of water starts to grow quickly until it pops like a bubble.*

  Emma: I’m a special case. I can cast most spells like a purple, but my main source is Green.

  Alex: That makes it easier. Can you hold it like mine?

  Emma:*Shakes head.* No. I can cast some earth magic just fine, but I can’t manage the water.

  Alex: I was told meditating near water helps.

  *The two look around.*

  Alex: But! If you can cast earth magic, then you can do something similar, maybe. I don’t know how it will feel, though.

  *Alex creates the balls of water again.*

  Alex: So make two balls of… Whatever. Then

  *Alex places them on their heels, and as they stand on them, they hover slightly. Then they release the spell and drop to the ground.*

  Alex: We used to use this technique to Ice skate. By using heated water, we could slide across the ice like a feather.

  Emma: Doesn’t that consume a lot of your magic?

  Alex: That’s why I have to break often. I’ve been coming out here to practice for a year now.

  *Emma creates two balls of dirt, then she applies some wind magic and makes them spin. They start to hum until they explode, shooting shards in all directions.*

  Emma: What happened?!

  Alex: I-I don’t know. I’ve never seen that before. Maybe try less power?

  *Emma practices for a while until the wheels can spin without shattering. Emma struggles to keep her balance with the skates, as the sunsets, the two rest around a small fire.*

  Alex: So now that you can skate, we should be able to leave tomorrow if you want.

  Emma: I need to get there as fast as possible. *Looks down.* Honestly, I’m only here out of respect for you teaching me.

  Alex: That’s fine. I only approached you when I saw you were an elf. I heard it was north. But no one travels this way, it seems.

  Emma: Because the only people who see halflings as an eyesore see the Oasis as a place to send them. I’ve heard enough humans discuss it; I learned most of my humans from just listening to the conversations over time. I can’t manage more than broken conversations, but I just wanted to understand what they’re saying. *Laughs* They find it so scary when an elf chimes back with *Human*“Really now?”

  Alex: I would too! That’s like talking to a pet, and it turns and…

  *Alex stops speaking as Emma glares at them.*

  Alex: I wasn’t insinuating. I apologize.

  Emma: *Sigh* It’s fine. It’s like when a small insect lands on your path, so you step on it.

  *Alex’s eyes widen, and he laughs nervously. The next morning, the two prepare to leave, reaching the Oasis by nightfall. As they reach the Oasis, Alex treats Emma to a meal at a tavern. While she recovers her magic by eating her “Mana Levels.” *

  Thomas: Emma? Is that you?!

  *Emma turns to see Thomas, who is wearing an apron.*

  Emma: *Squints* Is that…

  Thomas: Thomas Hopkins.

  *Emma freezes upon hearing the name. She leaps up and hugs Thomas.*

  Emma: Tommy!!!

  Thomas: *Uncomfortable.* Yes, hi Emma. It’s good to see you too. I get off in an hour. Can you wait?

  Emma: I’m offended you have to ask.

  *An hour passes, Thomas sits down with Emma and Alex.*

  Thomas: Where have you been? You stopped responding to letters.

  Emma: It’s a long story.

  *Pause*

  Thomas: Well?

  Emma: I was going to wait, but I guess you’ll have your own questions.

  *They spend the next couple of hours talking about Emma’s happenings. *

  Alex: Hey, Emma. I’m gonna head to bed.

  Thomas: It was nice meeting you, Alex.

  Alex: Yes, of course! I’m so glad I made it here finally. I’ve wanted to become a water dancer since I first heard of them.

  Thomas: Well, tomorrow night we can all go.

  Emma: *Smiles**Softly* Kimmy would like that.

  Alex: Will do. *Waves* See you two tomorrow. *Waves*

  Thomas: Well, I’m sure she is already worried about me. Shall we?

  Emma: Yes.

  *Emma and Thomas walk to the house. As Emma walks through the threshold, she remembers the last time she was able to visit.*