Chapter 51: The Bone-smith’s Prophecy

"Bone-smith, is your ability to walk through dreams powered by the Teneon Pathway?" Preyne asked.

Syll nodded at him. "Indeed, sir. So—Sassel, you needn't wonder how to freely walk through dreams. Humans cannot connect to the Teneon Pathway."

Sassel frowned, staring at the girl who may have lived for centuries. "I didn't even say anything. How did you know what I was thinking?"

"Shavazon told me you're insatiably curious, especially about Temas sorcery and weapons."

"Tch…"

That Shavazon really was a chatterbox.

"Why have you come here, Bone-smith?" Preyne asked. "If you're searching for Hood's priests, I can tell you—they're more like your sleepless warriors. They're cut off from the dreamscape and can't cross the great distances between realms just by falling asleep."

Syll shrugged. "Partly because this dreamscape interests me. Partly because I felt a calling. As for who called me—I won't know until I meet them. Perhaps the same is true for you."

"Who else is around here besides the two of us?" Sassel turned to Preyne.

"Astolfo is out wandering," Preyne replied.

Sassel paused, then glanced toward the door where Preyne was looking. He raised an eyebrow. "Bone-smiths are known for their foresight. Maybe that guy is some kind of future hero or chosen one, like in a knight's tale?"

There was a short silence. Preyne sighed. "Do you think that would be a good thing?"

"I don't. I think it would be a disaster," Sassel replied without hesitation. "But since it seems necessary, I'll take the Bone-smith to check him out. Want to come?"

"I need to speak with Shaya about something," Preyne declined.

Who knows what you're doing with that black mass of tentacles... exchanging fluids, maybe? Sassel thought, silently bitter.

"Then, this way, if the one you're seeking really is out there," he said.

Sassel opened the door and let the Bone-smith out of the bell tower. The scent of decay and desolation rushed to meet them.

He spread his wings and glided down the stairs, while Syll walked effortlessly through the air as if the air were solid ground. They passed through several pitch-black streets—long established but rarely walked. Paint had peeled off the walls, cobwebs clustered under the old streetlamps, and dust and leaves blew into houses through shattered windows.

Astolfo was in a gloomy garden surrounded by streets—the source of the fallen leaves.

Dim arc-lamps stood around the perimeter of the garden, casting a dull light over the elms, willows, and pines, all of which were brittle and desiccated like water-starved corpses. A once-functional fountain was now just a dry, mossy ornament. The flowerbeds were withered, overtaken by weeds.

Sassel stopped beneath a five-meter elm tree. Astolfo stood atop the tree—his feet planted on a branch, head pointed downward. He held his spear Argalia—its white shaft engraved with golden filigree. The weapon supposedly linked to an ancient ant-creature Pathway and could manipulate gravity.

Upon spotting Sassel, Astolfo cheerfully waved. To him, the world was currently upside-down: "up" was where Sassel stood, along with a strange girl and the ground; "down" was the branch beneath his feet and, meters above him, the underside of the street.

"Didn't you notice the Pathway's power is fading?" Sassel called, staring at him.

Astolfo looked at Sassel, then at his spear. He didn't seem to get the warning.

This guy really wasn't the brightest.

Sassel shook his head.

Gravity shifted abruptly. Astolfo let out a short yelp and plummeted.

Sassel watched calmly, unmoving.

"You could've caught her, you know?" Syll said, tapping his leg with her staff. "Be kind to women."

Damn it, who would want to catch a man?

Was this Levi-born Temas Bone-smith blind?

Sassel's face twitched as he grudgingly extended his arms. With a thud, Astolfo's back and knees slammed into them. Thanks to his demon-hardened bones, Sassel's arms didn't snap—but Astolfo didn't fare as well, colliding painfully with Sassel's thorn-armored arms.

"Is this the one you were looking for, Bone-smith?"

Sassel shifted Astolfo from a princess-carry into a standing position, setting his booted feet on the ground. The boy's face had gone pale, likely from whacking his back on that armor.

Syll stepped forward. "Thank you for the escort, Sassel." She studied Astolfo and nodded. "Yes. I see traces of Temas magic on him—and more than just traces."

At the word Temas, Astolfo staggered, nearly toppling. He only stayed upright by grabbing onto the demon-armored sorcerer beside him.

Syll approached him. "Listen, human. Your name is Astolfo. Your magic comes from the Temple of Light, but there is also another ancient Pathway flowing near you. These forces have given you rebirth and power, protecting you." She raised the staff that had just thwacked Sassel's leg, pointing it at Astolfo.

A beat of silence—then Astolfo forgot his fear. "Ehh? Are you declaring me the chosen one, the fated hero?!"

"Your child will lead the birth of a new Temas clan," Syll said, ignoring his outburst. "This world is the one you know. But your child will be your future. All shall converge. Another Bone-smith once cast a spell upon your mother. That spell now lingers in you. You carry this destiny. In time, allow me to assist you."

"Wait, wait—this isn't what I expected at all!"

Astolfo took a step back, stunned.

"So it seems you'll be a father, leading your child into the Temas legacy," Sassel said, throwing an arm around Astolfo like a buddy. For the sake of Temas magic, he was already pondering how to get closer to this unreliable man.

"I mean her child," Syll clarified. "The future I see is her giving birth. Do you understand?"

Astolfo's legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed.

Sassel caught him again—this time with a dangerous glint in his eye. Maybe when we get back, I should find a courtesan, drug this guy, and…

"Wait—he's a man," Sassel blurted out, snapping out of his fantasy.

"That's fine," Syll said with a smile. "Our Bone-smith magic takes many forms. And beings born of dreams are still children. Besides, that future is still far, far away."