It had been some time since the birth of the Path of Reverie. Since the baptism that saw Uriah immolated by invisible flames, the flames have also spread across the world. It was a cleansing like no other, gentle yet extreme. It washed over everything, dying them in the unknowable glow of the invisible flame. The mausoleums that unendingly rose from the cold world's barren earth had since turned into the most sacred mountains, paying tribute and granting shelter to those who were laid to rest after a waking life fraught with nightmare.
Lombros, the silent Graven World had now become a hallowed ground completely different from what it was before. Even the Crucible that created it had freed it from its original affiliation. With its ties to Dreams having been severed, it now became the first step in the new path. Its former desolate and lifeless appearance had been completely replaced with something only the mind could conjure. Mystical woods that glimmered with a multitude of colours, snowy peaks that shared their vantage with fantastical creatures, and shimmering waters that soothed all.... Everything about this world had changed. It was no longer a Graven World.
In one area of this reborn landscape, Uriah paced forward with a patience unequaled. He was not at all hurried to do anything despite knowing there was a lot he must attend to. In his time exploring the changes of this world, he had come to realise that it was not Time that was relative, but people. Time would continue to flow accordingly. Only the people perceive it differently. They like to indulge in the delusion that they were their own masters and the world was their canvas, but oh how little do they truly understand.
They are a mere grain of sand among countless others that make the riverbed. The river would flow regardless of their presence. And it would flow according to its path. One might argue that the tributaries are what dictate the direction, but they forget that rivers may flood, spilling over the plains and drowning them in a merciless tragedy. Time is not for one to wield much less to lord over. Time may only be understood. And only once it is comprehended may one be given the opportunity to flow with it along the path of their choosing.
And thus, Uriah had decided to quell his anxieties and impatience. There would come naught of them but failure and tragedy. And he had faced tragedy enough. There was no need to tempt Fate any more. And so he walked, exploring this newly reborn world, understanding its new existence and its implications to him and his path. The more he saw of it, the more his smile grew gentler. This world was indeed a paradise. It welcomed all, not only those who thrived in waking, but also those who rested in the Final Slumber.
Indeed, Lombros had not abandoned its former purpose. Although it was no longer a Graven World, it had become so much more. It had become like a mother sheltering her children from the evils of the outside. Just the thought made Uriah almost break down in tears. He did not know how long ago he had been laid to rest. But he was certain that Time would have flowed without him. How did his abandoned family fare in his absence, he wondered. With their only reliance gone, they must have suffered, perhaps even cursed him. He wanted to go back, but there was something he must do here first.
He stepped into the heart of a mystical forest bordered by a few sacred mountains. It was very well hidden and would be nearly impossible for anyone to find. It was a beautiful clearing with such a wide are of nothing but silver grass and beautiful wildflowers. Despite all the multitude of colours now present in this world, this hidden garden seemed to retain the world's former roots, displaying a kind of muted yet elegant beauty that is scarcely found anywhere.
Uriah stood at the centre of the garden, admiring it. The world was no longer silent, but it was also not filled with noise. It was perfect for him. The ambient sounds of waking life and the soothing silence of rest brought him an inner peace that he did not realise he needed. Serenity, how difficult it was to achieve. Even with all his power, he knew that this world might well be the first and the last of its kind. For life, oftentimes, would opt for the bustling of Chaos to thrive. And there was no fault in that. Chaos was essential for growth. It is the only inconstancy that shall ever be constant. But when all is said and done, life too needs a moment of respite.
From the depths of his being, Uriah felt the invisible flame growing swiftly. But it too held no impatience. It reflected it creator's will and likewise took on his beliefs. How else could the invisible flame carry the authority of Reverie. And arriving now in this hidden garden, it was time to formally lay down their mark, the first milestone in the Path of Reverie. Uriah spread out his arms, letting his invisible flames to wash over him and spill into the garden around him. The flames seemed to wake the world, urging it to move according to Uriah's wishes.
"O Serenity, long have I waited."
The words came so naturally, yet Uriah did not utter them of his own volition. They came from the very depths his being, a reminder that even now, he knew so little about himself. Yulaiah and Uriah both were only barely scratching the surface of the Truth laid buried in the unfathomable depths of their existence. But it did not matter. Time will flow, and they will flow with it.
Uriah's body was lifted from the ground by a gentle force. As he rose into the air, he slowly curled up into a ball as the invisible flames thoroughly wreathed him, veiling him underneath their unknowable glow. Uriah's body could no longer be seen, but every few breaths, the ball of invisible flames would pulse with power, gently urging the world around it to move. And it did.
From the ground beneath him, a silver bud sprouted. It soon grew taller and taller, bigger and bigger. Its trunk raised high the ball of invisible flames, brandishing it at the zenith of the firmament. Its roots dug deep, coiling around the world, unwilling to let go. Its branches spread out, flourishing with silver leaves and flowers that twinkled like starlight. They covered the world with a calming and majestic beauty that made it a true home. And nestled upon its twin trunks was the ball of invisible flames that was now transforming.
The unknowable glow gave way to a softly glowing membrane that seemed both corporeal and ethereal. Within it, one would find an embryo painted silver with a drop of moonlight. Its eyes wide open, clearly awake and cognisant of the world around it. It watched everything with both innocent wonder and sharp intelligence. Upon the embryo's emergence, all waking life in Lombros gazed toward it and lowered their heads in worship. This was their creator, their father.
This was the ascended form of the Lord of Reverie.
[You have created a new world.]
[Your authority has risen.]
[The authority of Reverie has risen.]
[Lombros has been marked as the Origin World of Reverie. All Pathstriders of Reverie will know of its existence.]
[Lombros has become the Cradle of Reverie.]
Uriah did not mind the notifications he received. He was connected directly to the Crucible through Reverie. He had no need of such notifications to tell him the implications of what he had done here. The Cradle of Reverie was not meant to be anything special. It was just meant to house his ascended form and to protect this world that had become his starting point. Although he was not born on Lombros, it was here that he awoke from the Final Slumber, the only Graven Lord who ever awoke. Unlike him, all the others could only walk in their sleep, eyes closed.
From the embryos wide open silver eyes, invisible flames poured out, coalescing into a potent mass. It soon morphed into a humanoid form, gaining the appearance of Uriah himself. The only difference was that his raven black hair was now short and neatly combed. He wore a dark grey shirt and black pants. His shoes were black leather, looking rather formal. He had a black overcoat reaching up to his knees as well as a pair of black gloves. It was as though he was preparing for winter, but he had no need to fear the cold whatsoever.
This was not a simple clone. Unlike Yulaiah who would have to decide how much power and authority he would give a clone to allow it to become a vessel of the core of his existence, his Source, Uriah had no such limitations. At least for the moment, Uriah was stronger than Yulaiah. This clone he had created could be considered his main body, not even the tiniest bit different from his ascendant body nestled in the Cradle of Reverie. After creating his new body, he then turned around and walked toward the exit of the hidden garden. And as he walked, he spoke to the world itself.
"Open the Corridor."