The frosty winds howled with a haunting ferocity, its icy tendrils cutting through the air like sharpened blades. Snow swirled violently, a blinding cascade of white that stretched endlessly in every direction.
Arthur was deep in the midst of this desolate snowfield, each step he took meeting resistance as the thick snow dragged at his legs, the frost trying to bite his skin.
The sound of the snow-storm was deafening, an endless, piercing whistle carried by the wind's gale, turning the very air into a weapon. Each breath he took crystalized in front of him, yet Arthur remained unbothered.
His brilliant eyes pierced through the chaos as he pressed forward. The more he walked, the more things changed however.
From a violent snowstorm one moment, to the ground beneath him hardening into a cracked earth as the oppressive heat of the desert replaced the biting cold. Sand dunes stretched out as far as they eye could see, lightning flickering ominously in the distance.
Arthur pressed on. He crossed through torrential thunderstorms, the rain soaking his fur as thunder rumbled in the skies above. He passed through dense forests, the thick canopy above shrouding him in shadow while glowing eyes peered at him from the underbrush.
Each step brought him closer to his destination, the fabric of reality warping and folding in his presence as if to acknowledge his mythical power.
Finally, the chaotic transitions ceased. Arthur stepped into a tranquil meadow bathed in ethereal light.
The Valley of Eternal Dreams stretched out before him, an expanse of otherworldly beauty. Vibrant flowers in shades of blue, violet, and gold swayed gently in a nonexistent breeze. The air was rich with the scent of blooming plants, and the soft hum of life resonated through the valley.
The Valley was a legend in the world, whispered in reverence, a tole that at this point, was deeply woven into the fabric of folklore and mythology.
First, it was said to be a place where eternal beauty and peace could be found, untouched by the ravages of time or the strife of mortal lives and manipulations.
Flowers of every hue blanketed the land, their petals shimmering as though kissed by starlight. Rivers of crystal-clear water sang soft, melodic tunes as they wound through the valley, and the air carried a warmth that soothed and refreshed even the most weary souls.
For those who believed, the valley was more than just a paradise, it was a sanctuary of answers. The legend claimed that within its borders, one's deepest dreams and wishes could be fulfilled, their burdens lifted by the valley's enigmatic owner.
This mysterious figure, cloaked in secrecy, was said to grant solace to those brave enough to find the valley.
Some believed the owner to be a benevolent deity; others whispered that it was a powerful spirit, ancient and wise, with the ability to weave Aether itself into miracles.
Yet, the Valley of Eternal Dreams was but a legend to most. Parents told the tale to children at bedtime as they described the beauty of a place untouched by the greed of men.
Bards wove its mystery into songs, their melodies carrying hope and inspiration to adventurers yearning for purpose.
However, it was still nothing more than a legend. No-one who had sought it had ever succeeded, and so the valley remained a dream passed down through the ages.
However, Arthur knew more than anyone that the Valley existed, in fact, he created this valley accidentally.
When he was born from nature as a Spirit, the overwhelming mythical power burst out, flooding the surrounding nature with beauty and peace, flowers, plants and even legendary creatures appeared in the surrounding area.
It altered reality and fractured time and space itself, creating the harsh environments needed to get close to the tower, and also created the beauty that was on display, continuously eternal.
After all that time, Arthur decided to make the Valley his true home base, building this his personal home there and thus, the legend of the Valley of Eternal Dreams was born into existence all those years ago.
As Arthur approached the center of the valley, he could see his home, his comfort spot. A massive, otherworldly tower that seemed to pierce the heavens.
Its intricate design shimmered with a faint, magical glow, its spires twisting in impossible geometries. This was his sanctuary, his creation.
The Tower of Aetherium.
The barrier surrounding the tower rippled as Arthur stepped through it, the illusion falling away to reveal the full grandeur of the space. Mystical creatures roamed freely in the field surrounding the tower.
A phoenix, its fiery plumage glowing like a second sun, soared overhead. Nearby, a unicorn with a silvery mane and crystalline horn grazed on a patch of luminous grass.
The phoenix landed nearby, tilting its head as it regarded him. He reached out, his hand brushing against its warm feathers. The unicorn trotted over next, nuzzling his arm affectionately.
"You've been well," Arthur murmured, his voice soft. He spent a few moments with the creatures before turning his attention to the tower itself.
Although he didn't truly feel the emotion of love regarding these creatures, they were still two of the beings he was truly closest to in this world after all his time living.
As he entered the tower, the interior came to life with a soft glow. The walls were adorned with countless artifacts collected over millennia. rare tomes, weapons, and treasures long forgotten from the world.
The air inside was cool and carried a faint, comforting scent of aged parchment and enchanted wood.
At the heart of the entrance hall, a figure awaited him. It was a doll, elegant and humanoid in form, with stitched joints and porcelain-like skin.
Her appearance was striking, her design intricate. She wore a black-and-blue dress with lace details, her eyes glowing softly with a magical light.
"Welcome back, Master Arthur," the doll said in a melodic voice, bowing slightly. This was Ellara, his helper and one of his oldest creations.
Arthur had crafted her long ago, imbuing her with life and a soul out of curiosity. He wanted to see if beings he created would come with his safe emotional deficiency.
However, Ellara was fully connected to the emotional spectrum, able to truly feel and experience love, happiness, sadness, excitement and the many more emotions, which only furthered the mystery of Arthur's emotional lacking.
However, instead of discarding this creation, Arthur had kept her, teaching her a large portion of his near limitless magic knowledge learned from his existence as a Spirit and learning over time.
Due to this, she had become an irreplaceable part of the tower, and another one of his greatest allies in this world.
"Ellara," Arthur greeted her with a faint nod, "I'll be working for the night. Could you prepare some cookies?"
Her expression brightened at the request. "Of course! I'll bring them to your study once they're ready."
Arthur continued deeper into the tower, his steps echoing faintly against the polished floor. He passed through grand halls and libraries filled with floating bookshelves, each tome humming with stored knowledge.
Finally, he arrived at a secluded room near the top of the tower, a place designed for focus and planning.
The room was circular, its walls covered in runes that pulsed faintly with light. In the center was a large, intricately carved table, its surface etched with maps of various dimensions and cities, including Redux City.
Arthur placed the vial of Morgana's blood on the table, the liquid inside glowing faintly as it resonated with the tower's energy.
Ellara entered quietly a short while later, a silver tray in her hands holding a plate of freshly baked cookies and a steaming cup of tea. She placed them on the table beside Arthur, her gaze lingering on him for a moment.
"Is there anything else you require, Master?" she asked softly.
"No, this will do," Arthur replied, his tone neutral but not unkind.
Ellara hesitated for a moment before nodding and retreating, leaving him to his work. Arthur took a single cookie, the faintest flicker of a memory crossing his mind as he bit into it. The taste was delicious as always.
Then, Arthur began studying the vial of Morgana's blood, his sharp gaze unwavering as he reached for an ornate silver quill on the table.
Dipping its tip into the faintly glowing liquid, he began tracing a complex array of runes onto the table's surface. Each stroke ignited the lines with an iridescent glow, a faint hum of energy resonating through the room.
The runes spiraled outward, linking to the intricate map etched into the table. Arthur's movements were precise, almost mechanical, as he infused his spell with raw Aether, pulling the tower's ancient magic into alignment with his intent.
The room pulsed with an otherworldly light, shadows flickering and stretching unnaturally. With the final rune complete, Arthur placed his hand over the array and uttered a single word in the ancient Spirit language, his voice low and commanding.
The Aether surged, the runes flaring to life as the tower responded to his call. The air crackled with power, and the wide board screen at the far end of the room flickered before stabilizing.
An image began to form, a cold, dimly lit room. Bars of reinforced metal encased a small cage, and within it, Morgana sat curled up, her golden hair disheveled and streaked with dirt.
Bruises marred her delicate features, and her wolf ears twitched faintly as if reacting to some unseen sound. Her breathing was shallow, and a faint shimmer of tears lined her striking green eyes, though she remained eerily silent, as if conserving every ounce of strength she had left.
As the screen zoomed out slightly, revealing more of the room, the map on the table reacted in tandem. The carved surface shifted and glowed, lines connecting and converging until a specific location was illuminated, a facility on the outskirts of Redux City.
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he memorized the coordinates. The light of the runes dimmed slightly, the energy within the room settling as the spell completed its purpose.
He stood, turning to the wide board screen for one last glance at Morgana's frail form. "Hold on, child," he murmured quietly.