"How about we break it all?"
Kaelis was stunned—more by Elarion's words than his actions. She stood abruptly, shoved him away, and vanished into the shadows.
Elarion clapped mockingly, laughter echoing in the empty hall.
"Be a coward... until it breaks you too."
He slumped back into the golden throne, scanning the vacant chamber with a heavy sigh.
"At least let me see Mother... just once, even in this dream."
Suddenly, a figure appeared before him. His father—Nyxar—in human form. He looked exactly like Elarion. Disgust twisted Elarion's features.
"What is this supposed to mean, sister?" he shouted.
Before he could react further, Nyxar wrapped him in an embrace. Elarion's face darkened with fury as he tried to push him away, but the grip was unrelenting.
He collapsed to the floor, choking and vomiting as his vision blurred with tears. He slammed a fist to the ground, voice raw and shaking.
"Stop messing with me... he's the last person I want to see in a place like this!"
The figure sat beside him, gently pulling him close and rubbing his back like a father comforting a child.
"It's alright, son. You're safe here."
Elarion extended his hand, trying to dispel the illusion with a spell—but nothing happened.
"You're really twisted, sis..." he muttered.
He looked up into Nyxar's eyes.
"What do you want?"
Nyxar smiled faintly, taking Elarion's hand.
"I want to atone for my mistakes. I've put you through enough."
Reluctantly, Elarion took his hand and stood. Together, they left the castle. Outside, a majestic carriage drawn by winged horses awaited them. They climbed in and sat across from one another as the carriage took to the sky.
"Where are we going?" Elarion asked with a sigh.
Nyxar looked out at the clouds surrounding them, still holding Elarion's hand.
"We're heading to the Gods' Realm."
Elarion said nothing, staring out at the breathtaking sea of clouds. As they approached the golden city above, a strange ache twisted in his gut. He held his stomach tightly.
Nyxar leaned over, offering his shoulder for support. Elarion shoved him away.
"I know this isn't real, but don't ever touch me like that again."
Silence followed until the carriage landed at the gates. Nyxar opened the door for him. As Elarion stepped onto the clouds, a familiar voice rang out, washing away the pain and confusion.
"Elarion, I'm waiting for you at the Heavenly Castle."
Without hesitation, he ran. He ignored the familiar faces that appeared in the golden streets. He didn't care—he just kept running, tears streaming down his cheeks, a fragile smile forming as he reached the castle.
He flung the doors open.
"Mother..." he whispered—but then froze.
At the table sat his mother—and beside her, Vaelith.
Disgust washed over him. His smile shattered into bitter laughter as his knees nearly buckled.
"So that's what you meant by 'forgive and forget,' huh?"
He strode toward them and kicked the table over.
"I wouldn't even dream of it—not even in my worst nightmares."
He got in Vaelith's face, smiling coldly as he grabbed a fistful of his hair—then released him with a sigh. Familiar faces gathered around the hall.
"You're all illusions. None of this is real."
His mother rushed to him, hugging him from behind, weeping.
"Stop it, Elarion... he's changed..."
Elarion turned slowly—then did the unthinkable.
He slapped her.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do," he spat. "You're just another illusion. I wouldn't hit even a dream of you—but..."
"Stop it!" a voice cracked through the crowd.
Kaelis.
She stood trembling, fury and sorrow battling in her eyes.
Elarion clapped mockingly, his expression glowing with sarcasm.
"I'm just enjoying the dream you gave me."
She ran toward their mother, rage overtaking her.
"How dare you hit our mother!"
Elarion kicked her leg before she reached them, sending her crashing to the ground. He grabbed her hair and yanked until her eyes met his.
"Stop lying to yourself." His voice was cold, low. "Our mother is burning in hell while you waste time dreaming of things that will never happen."
He let go, walking away. Kaelis chased after him, voice cracking with emotion.
"Why did you hit her? I thought... I thought you wanted to see her again..."
At the edge of the cloud city, he turned to her, laughing wildly as he held his face.
"Do you know what happens when people die under a dreaming spell?"
Kaelis grabbed his hand in panic.
"You wouldn't dare..."
Elarion pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms like iron.
"They either die, lose their memories... or become hollow—emotionless."
She pulled back, eyes wide. Elarion's face turned still—emotionless.
"I can't die. I'm immortal. But if I lose the memory of revenge... you could trap me here forever, Kaelis."
With that, he stepped back—and fell.
Kaelis reached for him, but missed. Her scream was silent as he disappeared into the clouds.
Elarion smiled as he fell, tears streaming from his eyes, painting the sky.
"I really wanted to see Mother again... even if it was just a dream. But not like this..."
"Maybe I'm just like Kaelis. Maybe if I went through what she did, I'd have changed too. I can't blame her—not really..." he laughed softly.
Kaelis stood at the edge, trembling, her expression torn between rage and sadness.
"You always get what you want..." she whispered, but a faint smile touched her lips.
She snapped her fingers.
The dream collapsed like shattered glass.
Elarion opened his eyes, finding himself back in the tower room. Kaelis stood in front of him. He raised an eyebrow, teasingly.
Kaelis sighed and clapped her hands once.
"Dream's over. My younger brother wins. Happy now?"
Her eyelashes fluttered, and her once-blind white eyes were now fully healed—deep red, just like his. A mischievous smile spread across her face.
"I can see now. Don't I look more beautiful?"
Elarion groaned, slapping his hand against his forehead.
"At least take a shower before talking about beauty," he said, sticking out his tongue.
Kaelis pouted playfully, her cheeks flushing red.
"Always so mean to me... and here I was, thinking of changing my mind and going on that journey with you."
She suddenly chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"You're still holding her hand, you know... So cute and lovey-dovey."