Somewhere in the Hexum Realm, a lone figure approached a battered-looking door attached to a small hut in the middle of a forest. As the lone figure opened the door it creaked in, alerting the resident of the place.

"Who dares to dwell on my property?" Came an old ragged voice from inside. "It’s me Artins Drugh, I have come here to seek some answers." replied the lone figure.

"Ahhh, my dear Artins. Come in come in." The ragged voice was delighted to know about the visitors’ identity. Artins stepped inside and headed towards the voice. The hut was in shambles from the inside, cobwebs hung on the walls, utensils, and cabinets filled with glass jars containing all kinds of elixirs. The whole hut was made up of only one room, which acted as a kitchen, living room, sitting room and as well as bedroom.

In the centre of the room was a chabudai tattered with all kinds of candles, herbs, and potions. A tiny ceramic mortar and pestle lay at one side. While, a tiny, fragile old woman sat on the ground near the table with her hands placed on it. Her white hair was strewn all over while her wrinkled brown skin sagged like candle wax. Her eyes were open as they looked straight ahead, they were white from pupil to iris, giving her a haunting look.

She was wearing a dirty dark brown robe which had holes in about 3 different places. Artins got closer and sat down opposite her. He placed his hands on hers as a way of greeting and letting her know that he was there.

"What brings you to my humble abode, my child?" Her melodious voice swirled ever so softly as if she was singing.

"Something urgent and critical has brought me here today. But, I am ever so sad to see you living in this condition. My offer still stands that you should come live with us." Artins couldn’t contain himself seeing the battered conditions she was living in.

"My child, my failed eyesight renders me from seeing this mortal world and I can’t carry out my daily tasks but at the same time, it assists me in seeing far beyond these realms of ours. I draw my power from the nature around me so it’s mandatory for me to stay here. So tell me what is it that you seek?"

I came here to pursue some answers related to dreams someone is having and to know what they indicate.

"Did you bring anything related to that person? If you have then placed it under my hands and tell me in detail what the dreams are about." Artins took out a piece of paper with Serene’s handwriting and placed it under her hands, as he narrated her dreams in detail to the old woman.

"Hmm, very interesting. Seems like the dark power buried in Dark Realm has started to rise. It has been 500 years of peace for us in terms of that wretched being and the creatures of the dark. Seems like we are headed for war, Artins. Dark power lying dormant is no more dormant now. I had felt its presence too but I didn’t want to believe it. I guess I was wrong to not pay heed to it before. The girl in the white dress from these dreams is Sahala, the Fae whose powers made it possible to seal off the Dark Realm. She is trying to send a message to this person whose dreams I am seeing." The old woman continued in her beautiful voice.

"Serene is the girl’s name and she is a direct descendant of Sahala." Artins verified to her.

"Makes sense then, she wants Serene to fight the dark power and defeat it once and for all. Being her descendant makes Serene the perfect candidate for that." The woman explained Serene’s dreams.

"But, we can’t enter the Dark Realm. How will we defeat it when it’s inside the barrier plus it has been trying to pull Serene in? She will die if she touches the barrier." Artins voiced his concerns.

"Artins my boy, has Serene ever touched the barrier? I highly doubt that Serene will die if she will try to enter the barrier. I think she can pass right through it because of her shared bond with Sahala. Besides, the boundary spell will fall in future, it’s not going to hold forever. A war is coming my dear, prepare yourselves especially Serene. She is the key, don’t let her fail in the hands of the dark power, you know very well what it’s capable of." Her warnings sent a shiver through the calm demeanour of Artins. Were they really prepared for war? Serene was just a teenager, to have her shoulder such a responsibility. Will that be wise? Besides, there were so many but, if and why factors involved. They weren’t certain of anything for sure.

"Should I inform all the other realms as well? It seems like it is bound to happen at one point or the other." He asked with concern.

"Yes, you people should make preparations. I don’t know when or how it will happen but these dreams indicate that the power will get hold of Serene sometime in near future and that will break the spell holding the barrier. So, discuss with all the Realm heads and make necessary arrangements. And, keep Serene further away from Dark Realm. She should never be alone, even when sleeping." The Old woman gave him a fair amount of warnings, some of which he had already implemented.

"I will make sure to take all crucial steps for the peace to prevail. We can’t let darkness engulf our world again. Garion, our oneirocritic I am always and forever in your debt for all your insights. I have brought some food and gifts which I will stockpile after cleaning everything up. I wish you would let me give you a chambermaid who can help you with daily tasks." As he got up and started cleaning the room.

"My lovely boy you don’t have to do that and I don’t need a chambermaid, I enjoy my solitude. I can only wish you would understand this one day. The worldly possessions don’t interest me." Garion spoke with a satisfactory smile.

"I am still cleaning up and I will keep sending you food, no matter what you say." Artins was adamant on his stance too.

"How is your old man?"

"You know same old same old, his views won’t change and I fear it will cause us more harm than good. The times have changed, and we need to change with it or we will remain stuck in the past and die a futile death." Artins replied between gritted teeth, showing he didn’t agree with the way his father ran their realm and some of his decisions.

"It’s near impossible for the older generation to change, my dear. With each generation, the gap between them is becoming wider. Remember, he is your father and he is wiser and more mature. You may not agree with some of his ways but he has run this Realm and its people with great integrity. Now, the future is yours and one day this Realm will belong to you and then you will understand how hard it is to make some crucial choices and decisions. Be his support and guide, together you two can build a brighter future for coming generations."

"Indeed Garion, your wisdom is always my support. I will not let our people and our world down." Artins was very decisive on what he needed to do now.