Under the shimmering glow of the moon, the garden behind Haul Academy came alive with a soft, otherworldly light. Moonflowers opened their petals, casting a silver sheen that danced around Rossie and Eli. The delicate fragrance of jasmine filled the air as shadows whispered secrets from the corners of the garden where the light dared not reach.
Rossie stood with a sense of urgency that sparked in her core, gripping the glowing bracelet fashioned from moonflowers around her wrist. The cool night air wrapped around her like an unseen cloak, sending a shiver through her body. Her bright green eyes sparkled with an intensity fueled by concern and determination.
"Eli," she began, her voice steady but laced with a hint of desperation, "you have to help me find Mr. Harl. We haven't heard from him since he went after us into the Land of Wishes.
I can't shake the feeling that he's trapped there, lost and waiting for someone to find him."
Eli, a figure cloaked in shadows, regarded her with ancient eyes that mirrored the moon's soft glow. His presence was a well of wisdom, one that made the air feel heavy with understanding. He weighed her words carefully, a frown creasing his brow. Slowly, he nodded, his expression grave.
"I am certain he is still there, Rossie.
In that realm between illusion and reality, he roams lost - pulled into the endless labyrinth of dreams and desires."
Rossie's heart sank as the weight of his words settled upon her. The path ahead felt more treacherous than ever.
"So he is trapped?" She paused, her mind racing
"But… how long has he been in there? We searched endlessly but could find no trace of him."
Eli's voice was imbued with the solemnity of ages, each word echoing with quiet urgency.
"The Land of Wishes does not heed the tick of the clock as we know it. Time flows differently there, like a river twisting through enchanted lands.
"Those who enter may find themselves caught in a single day's illusion, while outside, mere hours tick by. Or it may feel as if weeks or even longer have passed. What is a fleeting moment here can stretch into a lifetime within that realm."
Rossie swallowed hard, grappling with the enormity of his revelation. Panic crept into her thoughts, tangling with her resolve.
"You mean to say… we could have already been in there for almost two days? Trapped in that warped time?"
The uncertainty gnawed at her. What would it mean for Mr. Harl if he was indeed lost in a void of endless daydreams?
Eli met her gaze with profound respect, understanding her fear.
"Indeed, child. If you wish to save him, you must act with urgency. You must locate him before the illusions fully bind his spirit to their web. You carry within you the light of this garden, a rare gift that can pierce the veils of darkness. Let your glowing bracelet be your compass, guiding you through the shifting mists that may obscure your path."
A flicker of hope ignited in Rossie's chest, mingling with the fear that gnawed at her resolve. She inhaled deeply as Eli continued, his tone adjusting to one of encouragement.....but also warning.
"You have accomplished more than I anticipated, Rossie. Your spirit is unyielding." His gaze turned piercing, and the shadows around them seemed to deepen.
"But tread carefully, for the Land of Wishes is treacherous. Mistura and the cult that clings to the shadows are searching for lost souls within these dreams. They are far from allies; their dark claws extend into the very fabric of the illusions they covet."
Rossie shifted on her feet, her heart racing. "So what do we know about them? What do they want?"
Eli's expression was grave. "Mistura seeks power and control, feasting on the dreams of unsuspecting souls. They lure those who wander into their realm with promises of what they desire most. Once ensnared, it becomes nearly impossible to break the spell.
"You must stay alert; they present themselves as friends but are the darkest of foes."
The moonflowers surrounding them shimmered brighter, a luminous warning echoing Eli's urgent words. Each pulse of light seemed to resonate with the threat that loomed ahead. Rossie could feel the temperature drop, her excitement mingling with dread.
"Will we be able to see him? Will he even recognize us in there?" she questioned, a knot tightening in her stomach. "What if he's… what if he's lost himself?"
Eli's face softened, but a shadow passed over his features.
"It is possible. The Land of Wishes has a way of altering perception. Those who have lingered too long may forget their true selves, consumed by the illusions spun around them."
She took a shaky breath, a cold fear quickening her heart.
"Then we have to get him out before it's too late.
Rossie felt a rising tide of defiance overwhelm her fear. "I won't let them win. I'll find Mr. Harl—I swear it! I'll do everything I can to bring him back."
Eli stepped closer, his voice turning low and urgent, almost a whisper.
"But you must remain vigilant. Illlusions designed to ensnare your heart and mind. Stay focused. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it is."
A shiver raced down her spine.
With that final piece of wisdom, the garden fell into an expectant silence, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the night air. Rossie lifted her chin, her green eyes aflame with purpose. The bracelet on her wrist radiated warmth, serving as a beacon against the uncertain path ahead.
"What will you do when you find him?" Eli asked, a keen intensity in his voice, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"I....I'll remind him of who he is. Of all the lives he's changed, of the hopes and dreams we both share. I'll bring him back, no matter what illusions they throw at me!"
"Go quickly, Rossie. Time is not your ally in that realm. And beyond that, keep a lookout for your own desires. They may manifest before you, testing your resolve at the most critical moments."
Tension crackled in the air as she nodded, determination solidifying within her.
"I won't fail him," she said, voice steady, almost fierce.
•••••••••••