Longing For A Forgotten Dream

Chapter 2: Welcome Back

A high pitched shriek cut through the nostalgic atmosphere. Jumping away from the book, Sarah lost her footing and fell off the bed with a painful whack. "Oof..." As her back connected with the floor, Sarah could feel the wind the knock out of her. She laid on the floor, simply staring at ceiling, motionless. It all seemed so surreal...

"Um... Sarah? Are you there?" The unknown female voice poured through the book once again.

Reality finally clicked into place, making the girl sit up sharply. She scrambled back up to the bed, picking the book up. The emblem medallion embedded into the cover of the book was glowing in an otherworldly manner.

'Okay. It's official. I, Sarah Williams, am going bat-crap crazy.', Sarah thought as her face crinkled in utter bewilderment. She laughed uncomfortably at the preposterous notion of a book talking. It wasn't possible. Sarah decided give up on making sense of what was currently happening. Finding her voice, she responded in a hushed tone, "Y-Yeah. I'm... I'm here. Who are you?"

The voice replied, it's source seemingly coming from the emblem. It spoke again, weariness coating it's words. "Sarah, you must listen closely. I don't have much time. I am the empress of Fantasia and everything you have read is true. You may think what happened before was a dream, but I implore you, believe me when I say-- It was much more than that." Sarah's eyes widened at the mysterious voice. "After you left, a witch performed a dark ritual and intercepted the bridges that connect our two worlds. Now, she couldn't destroy the bridges entirely but her barrier spell is extremely potent. It's taking an incredible amount of my power right now to hold open a tiny hole in the barrier for which I am speaking to you." Sarah nodded blankly, trying to take in the almost inconceivable information.

The empress took a deep breath before continuing. "Now... The world that I have spent my entire life trying to protect is decaying piece by piece, and my health along with it." The empress moved on to her explanation quickly, "That's why I need your help. I need you to come back to Fantasia, or else our world will die."

Sarah's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She wanted to question it, but she could tell the magic was waning from the book by the amulet's light flickering like a old light bulb. This was also indicated by the empress' voice breaking, "I can't hold open the barrier for much longer... I am begging you. Take the amulet from the book." Sarah hurried to obey, not wanting to take this for granted. She dug her fingers into the leather around the golden piece until it gave way, dislodging along with it's chain.

"Put it around your neck and wear it. The Auryn will do the rest, all you have to do is wish for it. Come back to Fantasia, Sarah. Please... Save us!"

The light inside of the amulet finally faded until it's glow no longer reflected off of Sarah's face. The Auryn.... Sarah concluded that the Auryn is the medallion. She gripped the golden carving dubiously and sat down on the bed. She understood in her heart that this was the fork in the road. The two paths were so clear to her now. One path is to throw away the book, and leave her dreams to be dreams. The other, was to accept the situation and put on the Auryn, granting the possibility of seeing her old friends- A chance she may never have again.

She might also be able to see.... She tried to wipe that thought away before it was formed. She was indecisive. She didn't know what she wanted. Her heart and her mind were in a blaze, both demanding that she take two different paths.

'Screw it.' She wanted to see her friends again. She wanted to experience the magic of her "dream", even if it was just once more.

After a few minutes, she made her decision, and lifted the chain over her head. Sarah closed her eyes, "I wish...."

'Well, no turning back now...", Sarah thought as she felt the medallion warm up and shine a bright light through her closed eyelids.

And before she knew it, closing her eyes proved futile, as blinding light infiltrated her vision. She resisted the urge to cover her eyes with her hands as the air around her changed, and became lighter. Sarah made no sound as her feet lifted up off the ground, letting gravity dissipate and the transition of worlds take it's course. The generally quiet nature of her room dwindled away as multiple hushed voices permeated the air. Surprised gasps then filled her ears as the medallion cooled down and the light dimmed. Sarah exhaled slowly when the ground reconnected with the soles of her feet.