Dreamland 2
While Atlas's body was undergoing an incredible mutation, the small pendant around his neck started to shine.
The artifact was hidden by the thick dress wrapping around his body. Still, the light emanating from it was powerful enough to trespass it, brightening his surroundings.
What was hiding below was the Pearl of the Forgotten Abyss, the only direct connection with his past. It wasn't giving him external memories but helping him remember what happened on a specific day in the past.
It didn't take long, and soon, the artifact was bringing his soul to dreamland, where it would wander with memories of his past.
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"Young master, don't be naughty... we will be late..."
"Hehehe... Sybil... you can't catch me..."
"Young master... please."
Inside a grand bedroom, a young woman in her early thirties ran in a circle, trying to catch the little figure before her. The little figure was so fast and slippery that the young woman felt like crying.
"Young master... Her Highness will be angry at you... Please stop it."
"Hehehe... Sybil, the turtle... Sybil, the turtle... she can't catch me... Whew..."
The young boy was enjoying the moment, yet a figure appeared before him at some point, ruining his good mood.
"Ahhh..." The young boy tried to stop, but...
Bang...
His immature face slammed against something soft, and he fell to the ground, hitting the icy stone floor with his butt.
"Ahi... Sybil... you cheated... Sybil... Sybil..."
The poor young woman couldn't help but giggle at the funny expression on his face: "Hehe... Young master... No matter what, I catch you... so let's dress properly. It's almost time."
"Bah... big cheater, I will use my power too, next time." The young boy pouted but still moved closer to the wardrobe, sending one dress after the other flying inside the room.
"Naughty boy, dress up!"
...
After an indefinite period, the young boy and the young woman called Sybil stepped out of the room and started walking along a long hallway.
The young boy wore an elegant dress that perfectly fitted his tiny body. It was black with gold and ruby red ornaments, a suit fit for a prince.
The young woman was well dressed too, but it was clear they were cloth for servitude of high ranking.
As they walked forward, the young boy held hands with the young woman and looked around craftily.
"Hoi... hoi... Sybil... Sybil..."
"Yes... young master?"
"Sybil... where are we going? And why did I have to put on this dress? It's so uncomfortable..." the young boy asked, stretching the suit's collar with his free hand.
"Young master... Important guests are coming today... So, it's proper etiquette for the young master to dress nicely."
"Those old foggies..."
Undoubtedly, the young boy didn't like those events and expressed his disappointment: "Sybil... I hate these events... they are so boring... Why don't we go back?"
"No, young master... Her Highness is waiting for your arrival. We can't let her wait any longer..."
"Yeah... mother. I miss her so much."
Hearing that his mother would be there made the young boy jubilant, but then he became sad: "... Sybil... Why is Mother always away? Is she worried about Father?... Sybil... Where is Father?... hey... Sybil!!"
The young woman took a while to answer this time, and still, she didn't reply to his question: "Mhm... Young master... look there!"
The young boy looked up and saw something that made him happy: "Mom!!"
...
"Greetings, Her Majesty and Prince Solaris..."
"Greetings, Her Majesty and Prince Solaris..."
"Greetings, Her Majesty and Prince Solaris..."
This time, it was a great hall filled with people of various genders, ages, and races.
They were all impeccably and elegantly dressed.
Women and girls had precious jewels that enriched their beauty above common sense. On the other hand, the men and boys were well-dressed, and an aura of majesty surrounded them, characterizing their small but well-muscled figures.
Their voices reverberated in the grand hall a few times, paying proper respect to the rulers.
Ding!!
Suddenly, the sound of a bell dispelled all the sounds. Then, a woman's voice propagated from the throne, located in the highest position of the room: "Greeting everyone... and welcome to the capital..."
The Empress was a great beauty, especially in her elegant gown, which gave her a touch of majesty and regality that everyone else in the hall lacked.
She had long, curly black hair with a tinge of red on the tips. Her eyes were of the purest and rarer amber.
She looked young, in her early thirties, yet a mature aura was around her, enchanting her beauty.
"I invited you all here today because the millennial ritual will take place in three years..."
No one in the room reacted too strongly to her words except the youngest, those under ten years old.
Atlas was particularly intrigued and couldn't help but whisper to Sybil: "Sybil... What is this ritual?"
Sybil was in a terrible dilemma because they stood a few steps from the Empress. She certainly couldn't answer his question and motioned for him to remain silent.
"Hmm..." Atlas wanted to know it so badly yet followed her demand without further ado.
"... In three years, one of the children from our land will be chosen by Fate. His future will be unknown, but he will still be a hope for all of us."
Many thoughts passed inside everyone's mind, especially the oldest ones alive in the past rituals.
Some sighed, and some lowered their head to hide the tears flowing from their eyes.
Everyone in the hall had different thoughts, yet one appeared to be the same for everyone at some point. It was a terrible truth passed down since immemorial times, which caused everyone to hate this nonessential ritual.
They knew well that the chosen one wouldn't be a bearer of hope, just a poor child sacrificed for some unknown reason since they never returned alive from this so-called realm.
The Empress wasn't spared from those thoughts and held the hand of his only child caringly.
"Mom?!" Atlas could feel her mother's palm shake and looked back at her with his curious eyes.
"My dear... even if Fate leads us toward different paths, my love for you will be eternal. You will always find a way back, no matter the distance between us. I promise you that..."
The young boy could feel the love from her mother and gave her a simple but pure smile in response: "Of course, mom..."
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Atlas's dream ended abruptly, and the light from Pearl of the Forgotten Abyss died, too. He was still immersed in the process, yet his heart was beating crazily because his mother's words were the purest form of love from a woman to his child.