Chapter 42: Dark Shadows in Dreams

In her restless sleep, Aether was thrown back into her childhood. She remembered, at that time she was still small, being carried by her mother, Carnation. Carnation's golden blonde hair swayed gently in the wind, and her sweet smile radiated an irreplaceable warmth. Beside her, her father, Edelweiss MacArthur, a man with a strong stature and loving eyes, spoke of Aether's future with pride evident in his voice.

"You will become someone great, my child," Edelweiss said with a warm smile to his daughter. "This world is waiting for you to create wonders. Keep your heart pure and strong."

Everything felt so peaceful. The city they lived in sparkled under the sunlight, free from disaster, free from threats. The sounds of laughter and cheerful conversations filled the streets, and flowers bloomed along the roads. Everything felt perfect.

However, that happiness did not last long. Suddenly, the sound of explosions filled the air, and the beautiful blue sky turned dark. Young Aether watched with wide eyes as their city was destroyed, buildings collapsed, and chaos erupted everywhere. People ran in fear, and screams of suffering filled the air.

Aether saw her parents fall to the ground, covered in blood. Her mother, Carnation, smiled weakly at her despite her suffering. "Take care of yourself, my child...," she said, her voice hoarse and barely audible.

Her father, Edelweiss, tried to endure the pain, and behind them, Aether saw a terrifying figure—Dr. Mobius, the cause of all this. Mobius's cold, hate-filled eyes stared at Aether, as if saying that this was the fate that a child like her had to accept.

"You will never escape this, Aether," Mobius said in a horrifying, raspy voice.

Aether could only scream in despair and sorrow as she watched her parents lie lifeless.

"AETHER!"

Aether suddenly woke up, gasping for breath, sweat covering her face. Her eyes were still filled with tears from the nightmare she had just experienced. Beside her, Beatrice and Leona were trying to wake her, their faces full of concern.

"Aether, are you okay?" Leona asked in a serious tone, looking at Aether with sharp eyes. "You were screaming in your sleep and started crying. What happened?"

Beatrice hugged Aether gently, trying to calm her down. "It's okay, Aether. We're here," she said, her voice soft and caring.

Aether wiped her face with her hands, trying to shake off the trauma still lingering from the nightmare. "I... I had a bad dream," Aether said, still trying to control her rapid breathing. "The past... my parents..."

Leona nodded slowly, understanding that this was an old wound reopening. "We can talk about it later, Aether. What's important now is that you calm down first."

Beatrice smiled softly, still holding Aether tightly. "Yes, you're okay now. We're here with you."

Aether closed her eyes for a moment, trying to refocus her mind on reality. "Thank you... I'm okay now," she replied softly, although the pain from the dream still lingered.

After the atmosphere calmed down, they all went back to sleep, although Aether needed more time to fall into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the atmosphere was much lighter. After they woke up, Aether and her group decided to do some morning exercise to stretch their muscles and refresh their bodies after the long night. Aether felt her body growing stronger, and new energy seemed to flow within her after returning from the world of darkness.

Meanwhile, Aether tinkered with Vault Boy—a device similar to the Pip Boy from Fallout—that she had acquired after returning from the world of darkness. She played music on it, and soon the song "Forever Young" by Alphaville softly played through the small speakers on Vault Boy.

The music quickly filled the morning air, creating a pleasant atmosphere. One by one, the members of her group started singing along, especially Beatrice, who sang cheerfully, with Aiden and Finn harmonizing in the background.

"Forever young, I want to be forever young…"

Aether smiled faintly, getting carried away by the mood. Although the nightmare from last night still haunted her thoughts, this music managed to provide some relief. For a moment, they could all forget about the problems and threats that lay ahead.

After finishing singing, Beatrice and Leona decided to prepare breakfast. They started cooking French Onion Soup, a simple yet flavorful dish, the savory aroma of which filled the morning air.

They ate together, the atmosphere warm and familiar. As they began to enjoy the meal, Beatrice suddenly asked, "Aether, what actually happened in the world of darkness? You never really explained it to us."

All eyes turned to Aether, everyone listening intently. Aether took a deep breath before starting to tell the story. She explained about her encounter with The King in Yellow, an ancient entity that dwelled within the pages of the Necronomicon. About how she faced the horrors and confusion in a world that couldn't be described with words, and how she had to fight against madness to avoid being trapped forever within that book.

Aiden, who seemed the most serious in listening, interrupted after Aether finished telling the part about The King in Yellow. "I've read about entities like that," he said, furrowing his brow. "In some ancient rituals and magic books, they are called The Ancient Ones—entities that reside in the darkness, some of them dwelling beneath the oceans, waiting for the right time to rise and destroy the world."

Aether fell silent, remembering how close she had come to madness when facing The King in Yellow. Aiden continued, "And what you faced, The King in Yellow, is one of them. According to legend, he traps people within the Necronomicon, dragging them into the abyss of madness. Very few manage to escape from there with their sanity intact."

Beatrice smiled softly, not too concerned with the complicated explanation about The Ancient Ones. "What's important is that you returned safely, Aether. That's what matters most."

Leona, curious, added, "But no magic worked there, right? Why?"

Aether nodded. "Yes, the magic and equipment I brought before were useless there. It was as if they disappeared, absorbed by that place."

Aiden explained again, "That makes sense. The world of darkness probably takes one's soul and memories. Anything related to your power before you entered was absorbed into the book. Only when you found a way out did everything return."

Finn, who usually preferred to avoid serious conversations, asked curiously, "So... where are we going now?"

Heather, sitting near the fire, answered, "After we visit the Temple of Light, we'll return to our base first. We need to gather more information before deciding on our next move."

Chapter 10: Shadows of the Past and New Hopes

Part 2: Heading to the Temple of Light

After Heather mentioned the Temple of Light, Aether, sitting by the campfire, felt a little curious. She turned to Finn, who seemed to be boasting with a wide smile on his face.

"Temple of Light?" Aether asked, wanting to confirm what she had heard. "Have you been there before?"

Finn nodded proudly, puffing out his chest. "Of course! I even went there before you, Aether. The Temple of Light is an amazing place. Light radiates from the entire building, and you can feel a very strong magical power there. Not to mention, I managed to collect some rare and incredible items from that temple."

Leona, sitting next to Aether, rolled her eyes with her typical sarcasm. "Oh yeah, Finn? Do you remember how you almost dropped that sacred artifact? And how you almost got us all into big trouble with the temple guardians?"

Finn immediately fell silent, his face turning red while the other members of the group chuckled at Leona's jab. The atmosphere became a bit more relaxed after the serious discussion earlier, and the laughter from her friends brought a pleasant warmth to the morning.

Aether smiled faintly, not joining in the laughter, but feeling relieved to be among her old friends again. Although the nightmare and the heavy experience in the world of darkness still lingered, the laughter and camaraderie of the group were a powerful antidote.

"I'm sure the Temple of Light is indeed an amazing place," Aether finally said, glancing at Finn, who now looked calmer. "But why do we have to return to the base afterward?"

Heather, always the more rational one, answered calmly, "We need to gather more information before taking the next step. There's too much we don't know yet, and after everything you've been through, Aether, we need to understand what we're really facing."

Aether nodded in agreement. The experience in the world of darkness, the battle with The King in Yellow, and the threat of other ancient entities made her realize that this journey would only get harder. More complete information and the right strategy would be crucial if they wanted to survive.

"So after the Temple of Light," Aether continued, "we'll return to the base to prepare?"

Heather nodded. "Yes. The Temple of Light might give us clues or new powers, but our base is where we can regroup and plan everything."

Aether sat quietly for a moment, pondering. The Temple of Light sounded like a place full of mystery and possibly great power that could help her face the threats ahead. But there was something bigger looming in her mind—the threat of The Ancient Ones, and especially The King in Yellow, who still felt like a dark shadow in the back of her consciousness.

However, before she could think too deeply about that threat, Finn returned with his cheerful demeanor. "Ah, don't worry, Aether. I've already beaten the Temple of Light before, so this time it'll be easier for you!"

Leona snorted, still with her sarcasm. "Finn, do you remember who actually did most of the work there? You were just busy hiding behind us."

Finn retorted with his red face, "

The group laughed again, making Aether feel a little lighter. Although the reality was full of threats and mysteries, there was something comforting about their togetherness. Even in the midst of uncertainty, Aether knew that as long as she was with her friends, she could face whatever lay ahead.

After breakfast was finished and the laughter subsided, the group prepared to continue their journey. The fresh morning air and the sunlight slowly creeping through the leaves gave them new energy. Aiden, as the group's leader, directed them towards the Temple of Light, a place full of hope but also mysteries they didn't fully understand yet.

"Alright, everyone," Aiden said, tightening his sword belt. "Time to move. The Temple of Light isn't too far from here. If we move quickly, we can reach it before nightfall."

Aether, now more focused and ready, felt her spirits rise again. Although this journey would be full of challenges, she felt ready to face whatever came her way. Together with Aiden, Beatrice, Leona, Finn, Heather, and Madeline, they set off towards the Temple of Light, hoping that the place would bring new clues that could help them face the approaching darkness.

With steady steps, they embarked on a new journey. Aether's heart was filled with a mix of hope, anxiety, and curiosity. What awaited them at the Temple of Light? And how would it shape their future? Those answers were still hidden, but Aether knew one thing for sure: this adventure had only just begun.