23

Chandelier Ballroom

Morning sounds awakened Dylan from a fitful sleep. Tears had hardened in the corners of his eyes and sealed them partially shut. Slowly, he forced them open and stared up at the branches overhead. An immense sadness weighed down on him and pinned him to the ground. His excitement to see the ocean had disappeared, as had his desire to continue the journey. An hour passed. He did not move.

A whisper stopped his breathing. Your origins are dust, and your end is dust. Micro’s voice penetrated his mind. You never really die—you just transform. The words felt like a warm blanket.

Finally, with great effort, he forced himself to sit up. “I have to get going,” he said quietly. A hunger pang rumbled in his belly. “I’ll travel for a while before I eat. I need to preserve my rations.”

The trail he walked was flat and smooth. With every step, the river widened and appeared to slow down. Dylan wondered how many others had passed this way before him. Again, he felt a pang in his stomach, so he sat down and leaned up against a tree. The last of his provisions were stale and dry.

Dylan stared out over the river despondently. He thought about everything he had lost since he had begun his journey. Tears rolled down his face at the thought of giving up.

“This is too much for me,” he whispered. “What’s left to fight for anyway? My father is dead. My friends and family are gone. I’m alone. This entire mission is hopeless…pointless.”

Suddenly, a man appeared. Dylan gasped, and his tears stopped instantly. The tall, hairless man stood on a slow-moving raft on the river. His expressionless eyes locked on Dylan, who felt his very soul was being scrutinized, judged, by the disturbing, unmoving stranger. Slowly, the raft carried him away. Then he was gone. A chill ran down Dylan’s spine.

Dylan stood up, gripped a branch with one hand, and leaned out over the river. He spotted the boatman pushing himself away from the riverbank with a long pole. Then he saw it.

“The ocean! I’ve made it.” In the distance, a vast body of water displayed the curvature of the earth. Dylan exhaled the tension and sadness he had been feeling. “Never-ending water. Water with no end to see.”

He quickly gathered his things and headed downstream. The trees along the river began to thin and were replaced by flattened grass. Staying hidden in the shelter of the trees was no longer possible if he wanted to get near the shore. The lure of the ocean drew him nearer.

While standing on a low cliff, he swayed with the wind and looked across the great expanse. The powerful wind tossed his hair and coated his lips with salt. The churning surface of the water was mesmerizing. A shiver brought him out of his reverie. Scanning the shoreline, he spied what looked like a path down to the water’s edge. He jumped into a dugout that led to the path, and the wind stopped as soon as he landed in the hollow. Even though he was several hundred feet from the water, he felt the ocean spray on his skin. He sat in the protected shelter and continued to stare out to sea. Listening to the rhythm of the waves, he fell into a trance. His mind wandered.

He was soon overcome by an urge to touch the water, and just as he was about to proceed down the steep path, the boatman appeared near the shore. Dylan’s heart dropped, and he drew his sword. The tall, hairless man did not move or speak. Dylan saw that he was unarmed, so he let his guard down. The man slid down the path to the water’s edge and looked back up at Dylan from the beach. Dylan sensed that he was supposed to follow. He kept his sword drawn but carried it by his side as he followed several steps behind the boatman.

The sand ended at a red rock wall that reached to the sky. A small boat was tied to a wooden stake embedded in the sand. The man untied the boat and Dylan stepped in carefully. He made his way to the back, or the front—he wasn’t sure which—and the man pushed off the shore and jumped in.

As his new companion began paddling along the rock face, Dylan gazed out to sea and then up at the jagged, red rock. As they glided away from shore, Dylan noticed that the rock face no longer touched the water. The ocean was now under the cliff. As they proceeded, the gap between the water and the rock widened, and it wasn’t long before they moved beneath the cliff into a giant cave.

Water droplets formed on the sharp points of the rock above their heads. Dylan fell into a trance listening to the quiet dipping of the man’s oar and the plop of water droplets echoing off an unseen distant wall. As they moved through the water, the light began to dim, and for a moment, Dylan was blind. He searched the distance for light as the fear of being transported into a black void rose up in him.

A dim light in the distance calmed his fears but only slightly. The further they travelled, the more he could see. Then the ceiling that was previously within reach opened up and disappeared into the darkness. Giant stalactites hung above their heads. Some of the formations touched the water, and the boatman had to steer around them.

They continued rowing for what seemed like hours. Dylan twisted and turned, trying to take in all of the sights. They approached one stalactite that looked like a giant black shadow, and as they passed by, the light they were rowing toward reflected off the magnificent structure and revealed its brilliance. Dylan wondered how such beauty could be so well hidden. The man continued rowing, expressionless, silent.

Dylan was taken back to Stellar Hall for a moment. The structures, the colors, the air—it was all very similar here. He knew he should be afraid, sailing into the dark, foreign place, but he felt more relaxed and at ease than he had in a long time.

The light continued to grow as they travelled into the void. Hanging torches flickered and danced on a distant wall. Then Dylan spotted a shadow running along the rock face. The shadow’s source was slightly hunched but moved quickly. It soon disappeared over a ridge. A short time later, Dylan felt the boat come to a stop, and he was thrown off balance. The boat rested upon the sand. He glanced back at the hairless man, who lifted his head and looked to the direction the hunchback had run. Dylan understood the silent message and got out of the boat.

It felt good to be on solid ground again. He approached the wall and traced his fingertips over primitive drawings of stories that meant nothing to him. A scraping noise broke the silence, and he turned to see the hairless man digging his paddle into the sand and pushing away from the shore. The boat backed into the water and then turned and headed back the way it had come. Slowly, the boatman disappeared between the noble, graceful stalactites that sparkled in the torchlight.

Suddenly, Dylan sensed an observer, so he drew his sword and turned quickly. The hunched man cringed at the sight.

“You…you w-won’t need that, S-s-sir,” the man stuttered. “F-follow me.” He ran off.

Dylan followed him up a small hill of sand that led to a large tunnel. Torches lit the tunnel and brightened small rooms that extended from the passageway. Decrepit-looking people dressed in rags occupied many of the rooms. Some of them laughed hysterically as he passed while others squinted up at him without a sound.

The tunnel led to a large room, where several people were gathered about the feet of an ancient man. Dylan had difficulty looking at him, for he was a hideous sight. Flaking, wrinkled skin hung from his shriveled and misshapen body. He was folded up in a chair, and his head tilted back and to one side. Everyone stared at Dylan as he entered the room.

The old man spoke in a clear voice. “Welcome.”

Dylan remained silent and bowed low. The old man waved his hand, and everyone scattered. They were alone.

“You fear me. Why?”

“I fear no one.” Dylan’s voice cracked as he spoke.

“You fear no one?” The old man’s laugh echoed off the walls. “You don’t have to impress me, young man. We are all afraid. I know all about you. Come closer.”

Dylan approached, but he could not look at him directly. The old man sensed Dylan’s discomfort.

“I was as you are, and I am as you will be. Do not fear the future.” The old man stopped speaking and closed his eyes. “Growing old is a wonderful part of life. You and I are not so different. Before my eyes is beauty, and before your eyes is a beast, but we are more similar than we are different. We see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. This is your future; do not fear it­—just as you should not fear your past.”

Dylan forced himself to look at the man without averting his gaze.

“Ah, now you look at me. Am I really so ugly?”

Dylan did not know how to respond. He quickly said no, and the old man laughed again.

“I am Xander, and this is my home. Welcome.” Then he paused to catch his breath. “I have been waiting for you.”

“You have?”

“Ah, your journey is well known to those who need it.”

Dylan could not hide his confusion. “Hmm. Well, thank-you for your hospitality.” Xander laughed at Dylan’s expression. Dylan continued. “I sense that you have great wisdom, Sir.”

“How do you sense wisdom, my boy?”

“I can’t explain it. I just do.” Dylan paused. “May I ask you a question?”

Xander smiled and nodded. “You may ask me anything you like. I cannot promise to know the answer, but I’ll try my best. And if I don’t know the answer, I’ll fake it. Sometimes being wise means more than having the correct answer.”

“Who is Queen Gaia and where do I find her?”

Xander did not speak for a moment. He looked up at the ceiling. “I cannot say that I really know who she is, for I’ve never met her. I do know where to find her, though.”

“Please tell me! Where?”

“She is everywhere. She can be found in the sky and in the sea.”

Dylan put his head in his hands and grunted. “Not long ago I was told that she was in running animals and in the stones that litter the earth.” He paused for a moment. “These vague answers frustrate me.” Then he looked up at the ceiling and spoke to no one in particular. “Can no one give me a clear answer?”

Xander howled with laughter.

“You show your age, my son. Real questions only lead to more questions; there are no solutions. Fools convince themselves of ‘truths’ so that they can sleep at night. I rarely sleep.”

Dylan did not pay attention to Xander. He was deep in thought. Again he spoke, but more to himself than Xander. “I wish I had paid more attention to my father. He would have given me answers.” He stared at the ground.

Xander replied, “Fathers come in many forms. You are fortunate to have met many on your journey.”

Dylan looked up. “How do you know who I’ve met?”

“I no longer travel, Dylan, but I see beyond these walls.” Xander paused and examined his fingernails. “You do not need to inherit someone’s genes to consider him a father.”

Dylan moved closer to Xander and spoke to him directly. “What do I do now? I am on an aimless mission. Where should I go?”

“We aren’t always aware of where we’re heading. Sometimes we need to get there before we understand the path. Look inside and follow the path that’s in your heart.”

Dylan turned away from him. Tears of anger poured over his cheeks. He clenched his teeth. “Again, you respond to my question without an answer!”

“I cannot give you the answer. It needs to come from you.”

Dylan stood up but then he realized that he had nowhere to go.

“Enter the room behind me.”

Dylan furrowed his brow at the solid wall of rock. Xander laughed at his puzzled expression.

“Come,” Xander said with a giggle.

Dylan walked behind the old man, who lifted his cane and touched the wall. An entrance appeared. Dylan bent forward and looked inside. He took a step back out and was about to speak when Xander asked, “Does it look familiar?”

“It’s just like Stellar Hall, but without color.”

“Yes it is. This room and Stellar Hall are connected, even though they are very far apart. Welcome to the Chandelier Ballroom.”

Dylan stepped into the spectacular gallery. The beauty took his breath away. Delicate fingers of clear, frosted crystal extended from tall, white pillars. Beams of light shone through tiny holes in the ceiling and lit up the impressive white stalactites and stalagmites. Chandelier Ballroom was as white as Stellar Hall was colorful.

Dylan circled the room and took it all in. He wasn’t sure if the tinkling melody that filled his head was imaginary or real. He was in the moment and at ease. All of his troubles vanished.

Around a corner, he spotted a reservoir. He peered into the deep, crystal-clear pool. The water in his cupped hands seemed to magnify the medallion impressions on his palms. At this moment, he did not want to be reminded of his battles, so he closed his eyes and drank. The water was more refreshing than any he had had since leaving Stellar Hall.

He removed his clothes and dove into the pool. The water invigorated his spirit. Suddenly, a powerful light blinded him. His ancestors passed before his eyes, and he was pulled deep into the pool, which led to subterranean rivers that flowed into the ocean. Then his body shot to the surface and into the sky, and he flew above the earth at great speed. With each new terrain, people with various skin colors and unique features flashed before his eyes. It was at this moment that he realized just how small his world was.

He was now above Duffle, and he followed the path from Stellar Hall to Xander. Then he flew along the shore, crossed the mouth of the river that emptied into the ocean, and glided up the riverbank to a castle. Dylan was not sure whose castle it was, but he felt an evil spirit as he glided above it.

It must be Nero’s.

Dylan did not know if he was seeing the past, the present, or the future and wondered if time had any bearing on the vision. He hovered above the castle for a moment and then flew back over the land to Duffle.

He carried on past Duffle and over Gilmore Pond. The dim light of the Gnarled Oak caught his eye. Suddenly, his mind and body were connected again. The light that shone into his head slowly faded until it was gone. He floated for a moment and thought about what he had just seen. He was at ease. All tension had washed away. For some reason, his mission made sense. He was not certain why he felt better about it, but he was glad he did. He dressed quickly and left the ballroom, finding Xander in the exact same position.

“Thank-you, Xander.”

“Don’t thank me. This is your destiny.”

“What is?” Dylan tilted his head.

“Everything you have done since you left your home. What has felt like an aimless journey has been very purposeful. The path you have followed is the one you were supposed to take.” Xander smiled. “Continue to trust in Aarial.”

A man peered into the room. Xander nodded a silent message. A moment later, the man returned with two others, who brought trays of food.

“Let everything go, and eat. You have much to think about, but for now, enjoy your food and get a good night’s rest.”

An unappetizing aroma filled the room. The hunchback ladled a milky soup into a bowl. Unrecognizable objects floated in the liquid. Dylan did not want to know what they were, so he did not ask. The bread that went with it was stale and salty, but that did not matter to him. He was too hungry, and it filled a space in his stomach. As Dylan finished the meal, he started to drift.

“Now you may rest,” Xander whispered.

Dylan leaned back against the wall and shut his eyes. When he opened them a few minutes later, he saw someone leaving the room. On the ground, just in front of him, was a thin mattress with a pillow and blankets. He looked up at Xander, who smiled at him. Dylan lay down immediately. It felt good to lie on a bed. He could not remember the last time he had reclined on something soft.

“Sleep now, and in the morning, my boatman will take you where you want to go.”

Instantly, Dylan fell into a deep sleep.