Smral walked, his excitement about the possibilities eclipsing his surroundings. Could I own a realm? Be its master or have a symbiotic bond with it? He frowned, the thought of sentient realms—unconquerable—tempering his exhilaration. Yet, this realm, which should be non-sentient, felt unnervingly aware.
The potential for ownership thrilled something ancient within him. He had known since first sensing Rachel that she was the key to his next evolution. Initially, he expected her to aid his thrall form. When she took one of his soul crystals, consuming a large part of his identity, he had nearly given up.
But only for a second.
He was a fated ailment demon dragon before becoming a demon thrall wielding fate magics. He felt the threads of fate being pulled, recognizing the immense significance of an alliance. His instincts, always trustworthy, screamed for submission if necessary, for implicit trust in this moment. Those deep soul-twitches, resonating through his being like the musical notes of ancestral songs etched into his memory, commanded respect. Once he understood and accepted this truth, he wholeheartedly became Rachel's subordinate and cohort member—hers, then, now, and forever.
He paused. Not because of a command or an obstacle, but because his instincts screamed. He subtly scanned the area for the cause of his sudden halt, and then, a beautiful and terrifying being appeared before him, smiling with pure insanity.
It was a being like him and Rebecca—genderless, able to assume any form. It was over eight feet tall, with a pristine face that resembled sparkling sunshine. Diamond eyes twinkled and danced within its own radiance, and long, thick waves of white shining hair fell to its waist. Aside from small ears and thick, moist lips, its other features remained obscured.
'Ambruce,' Smral thought.
"You are a very interesting demon dragon. I know when you have thoughts, but I cannot hear them." The beautiful being tilted its head and smiled. "Can we be friends?"
Should I speak? How can I distract it if I don't?
"Hmm… another thought I can't hear. Are you thinking of me, or that other interesting being? She is quite beautiful. Intriguing. Perhaps if you are my friend, she will be too." Ambruce's smile was blindingly brilliant.
Meanwhile, a part of Rachel eavesdropped while another searched.
"How is he?" Rebecca asked.
"You can't tell?" Rachel ignored the internal pull of their connection. She felt both confused and understanding.
Rebecca shook her head. "No. The tethers are there, but everything is hazy. I can only clearly sense someone talking to him. This illusion is unlike anything I've ever seen."
"Yes, he is fine," Rachel confirmed. "The realm is speaking to him. He isn't sure if he should respond. I'm not interfering because the realm is sufficiently distracted for now." She paused, analyzing the construct. "The illusion is four layers deep, nested inside one another, each with different release triggers. The true danger is that all four are suspended within a churning storm of magic. The storm blocks outsiders, prevents escape from within, and feeds the illusions indefinitely."
"Are you saying this illusion can go on forever?" Cramnal asked.
To others, Cramnal always sounded devoid of emotion, but his cohort, due to their Antrunie bond, perceived the subtle emotion beneath the flat tone. His abilities had stripped away feeling, but the bond returned some of it.
Rachel nodded. "Yes. The magic storm feeds the illusions and itself in an unending loop. The only benefit is he has broken through two of the illusions, which has initiated some of his innate protections. Smral is crazy powerful."
Struns' eyes widened slightly. Rachel considers someone 'crazy powerful'?
"You can talk to me. I promise not to do you any harm."
Smral and Ambruce had begun walking together, the landscape around them in constant flux. Ambruce chattered about everything and nothing, yet Smral remained intrigued. He felt the inclination to speak returning, sensing he would soon regain the ability without side effects. So, I can't speak now, but something will happen to allow it again, without adverse side effects? He smiled inwardly.
"I have been here for a long time… though to my kind, it's been a short time. Your kind lives long years as well."
Smral frowned, ready to question. Is this a trap? The moment I feel I can speak is suddenly here? His natural instincts blurred with sudden paranoia.
'Speak. I am here with you. I will protect you. Do not eat anything here for now though.' The whisper flowed through his soul well in a soft, trusted echo.
He nodded imperceptibly. If Rachel said it was safe, it was not a trap.
"What exactly is it that you want?" Smral asked. "Are you merely bored, or do you actually want friends?"
Ambruce was taken aback by both the questions and Smral's voice. Its broad smile turned to confusion. "Isn't that the same thing? If I have a friend, I will no longer be bored."
Smral smiled openly. "No. A friend is someone you care for and respect. Something to alleviate boredom is a tool. You may respect it, but most see tools as expendable because they seem easy to obtain. Do you understand?"
Ambruce fell silent, looking off into the distance, deep in thought. "I would like a friend," its voice came back, distant and wistful. "Could we be friends?"
Smral waited, sensing more. "I don't know. I still don't want to be imprisoned here with you. I want to roam and see different things. Forgive me."
Ambruce smiled sadly. "So do I."
Smral became excited. "Will being friends with the other one help you to do that?"
"Yes, it will!"
Outside the illusion, Rachel, Rebecca, Cramnal, and Struns stood before a colossal tree. It stretched so high that its crown was invisible, its trunk the width of a small building, and its branches as thick as a male body builder's thighs. The leaves, a myriad of colors, were simultaneously bright and subdued.
The bark shone like it was coated in a thin layer of amber crystal, smooth and soft to the touch. It felt welcoming, its branches seemingly drooping closer to the ground as they watched, inviting them to approach and partake. Rachel knew she needed to act quickly, before the realm became fully aware of them, but she was frozen to the spot.