10. Dan’thiel

ten

Dan'thiel

The steady ticking of a clock echoes in the far corners of my consciousness, its chimes a constant reminder of the passing time. I peer intently into the blue-tinged flames crackling in my open hearth, feeling the thick air press down on me like a heavy blanket. Beads of sweat form on my forehead, either from intense concentration or a touch of nerves.

This forbidden act of mine, watching the living realms from this place between worlds known as the Otherworld, brings a sense of both thrill and fear to my heart. Here, among the Guardians who have taken an unbreakable oath to protect the living from the demons of the Underworld yet never to interfere directly, I am breaking their rules with every gaze I steal at the world beyond. How they uphold their conflicting vows is a mystery that baffles me to no end.

But I am no scholar.

As I retreat from the searing heat of the flame, I can't help but feel frustrated and drained. I had a feeling that her encounter with the Second Shard wouldn't go smoothly, but I never imagined it would be like this.

Imprisoned deep underground near Zinyth City.

How do I push all the Shards together?

The realization of my powers to influence the living realm came as a shock both to myself and my only friend in this realm, Rynlin. It began with small gestures - a gentle breeze growing stronger to push a scent or topple a tree branch. But as the Shards and the Vessel drew closer, so did my connection with their world. Incredibly, I found I could even initiate Dreamshares.

I'll never forget when I channeled my magic through Mira during her confrontation with Yurghen. It was like she became a conduit for my Chroma, and I still can't explain how it all happened.

I cannot bring myself to confess to this blatant crime, not even to Rynlin. I fear that his duty as a Guardian would be compromised if he knew the truth. But I long to unburden myself and find understanding.

But what's even more astounding is that in that fleeting moment, it appears my Chroma has imprinted on Yurghen himself, despite his new physical form. As I watch the fires and catch glimpses of my mate, I am occasionally bombarded with images from someone else's mind. A frail body housing a dark and twisted mind. The paper-thin skin on his gnarled hands bears scars that seem to re-knit themselves. And this dark mage is not hiding away in a cave, biding his time. No, every image I receive from him shows him gathering followers, but for what purpose, I can only speculate.

The truth is, I can only handle what's in front of me. But deep down, I know that no matter what happens next, I will need Mira to bond all the Shards. I need her strong enough to handle what might come. A small ache twists in my chest, her sadness and anger seeping through the cracks in my mind as she paces in the darkness of her dungeon cell.

How can I convey her whereabouts to the First Shard through natural means? His intuition may not be strong enough to receive such messages. I could ignite a forest fire and manipulate their journey through the realm, but that would require burning down all Illuemera - a task beyond my abilities and willingness.

I noticed a subtle shift in the Second's demeanor as he seems to wrestle against his bargain with Malicryn, as if pushing against invisible barriers. And there was something else too - a glimmer in his eye when he speaks with Mira. My best chance of manipulating him is to bring him closer to her, somehow.

My fingers glide along the sharp angles of my jaw, a sign of my growing frustration. I peer into the crackling flames, seeking solace and answers. But I find Mira's mind, distant but true, as she lays her head down in exhaustion. Her thoughts race with a mixture of emotions, blood pumping through her veins. Yet amidst the anger towards Tairyn, there is something else lurking beneath the surface that I can't quite grasp. Could it be… intrigue? Curiosity, perhaps?

But no, that couldn't be right. He treated her like nothing more than a rag doll, dominating and overpowering her. I had felt her rage and humiliation so vividly before, but now…

The moment passes and the sting of those emotions fades away. And in its place blooms something new and unexpected…

The sound of creaking hinges forces me to snap out of my trance, my heart racing as I turn towards the door. My wild thoughts and secret experiments are quickly dismissed in the flames as a servant woman enters, pushing in a cart filled with afternoon tea.

I observe her closely, searching for any hint of suspicion or discovery on her face, but find none. As she quietly sets up the trays on my dining table, a knot in my stomach loosens. But alongside the relief comes a sense of unease. I know I need to be more careful if I want to continue my work in secret.

These close calls are becoming too frequent, and I can't afford any slip-ups, not when Mira is finally so close to merging the Shards of my soul back together.