Master of dreams

An indescribable feeling washed over me as I stepped out of the world barrier surrounding my realm, though I quickly adapted.

I felt the emptiness around me; it was like a sea in absolute silence, a silence that would be terrifying for any other being.

Nothingness is the primordial state of all; every being, every world, every multiverse is born from the void and returns to nothing. Concepts like time and space are irrelevant.

Leaving those thoughts behind, I vanished.

---

I swiftly passed through several small worlds, nothing I hadn't seen before, and I traveled until I encountered a world that made me stop.

It was strong; its worldly structure could contain divine beings, which meant there were gods, and where there are gods, interesting souls reside.

"Hmm, even so, its structure won't be able to hold me", I thought as I gazed at the world. Just as I was about to look for another world, I remembered something.

— Mm, I haven't used this in a long time — I said with a hint of nostalgia as a portal appeared beside me. A dreamlike ball of light emerged as the portal closed again.

I sent my consciousness to my Saint Graph and soon disappeared in a flash of light, leaving my true body to return to the world of dreams.

---

In a dense, lush forest, a low hum resonated. With a ripple in space, a man appeared on the shores of a lake.

He wore a black suit with white specks on it, and his white hair fell over his back. His most striking features were his androgynous yet vaguely masculine appearance.

Velzarion looked around; there were only trees and a lake beside him. Ignoring that fact, he inspected his body.

— All good, as always — I thought aloud.

The general history of this world was in my mind, saving me from asking many questions.

— Orario City... I suppose that's where I need to go — I murmured to myself. Making a clear decision, I began walking north to exit the forest.

On the way, I encountered several pesky monsters that I had to eliminate, from goblins to wolves, all weak.

After two and a half hours of travel, I exited the forest and noticed merchant caravans heading toward the walls of a city in the distance.

— So that's the entrance to Orario — I murmured as I followed the caravan from afar.

After another half hour of travel, I could better make out the city walls and approached one of the several lines waiting to enter.

— Excuse me, young lady, can you tell me if this is the line to enter the city? — I asked a girl standing in front of me.

The girl was dressed simply in a green dress, and her brown hair gave her a natural beauty.

She turned around and looked at me as if I had said something blasphemous.

— Mm, is something wrong? — I asked, confused by her gaze.

She quickly shook her head. — I'm sorry! It's just... no one has ever called me "young lady" before— she said quickly, shyly.

— It's not because you're pretty or anything like that, no, no! — she added, her face turning red.

I looked at her without showing much emotion. — Don't apologize; it's unnecessary. Just answer my question, please — I replied, dismissing her apology.

The girl visibly calmed down, avoiding my gaze. After recovering, she said, — Yes, this is the line to enter —.

I nodded in thanks and waited for my turn as the line moved. Not long after, the girl turned to me. — By the way, my name is Yara, Yara Bellemere. And you? —

— Yara... a rare name; it means "little butterfly" where I come from — I replied with a small smile. — Fitting for you, if you ask me. —

— And I'm Velzarion Nava — I introduced myself while giving a slight bow as a sign of courtesy.

Yara's face lit up upon hearing what I said about her name. — Isn't it? I think so too, but in my village, they said it was horrible; ignorant people! Hmph! — she huffed indignantly.

— Besides, your name is cute too, Velzar. Special, just like mine — her face changed to a genuine smile.

"Velzar?" Being called that reminded me of my younger sister. I sighed and nodded. — Humans are used to monotony; names like yours are strange to them, but that doesn't mean it's ugly.—

Yara nodded in agreement, and we spent several hours talking as the line progressed.

I looked around while Yara processed her entry. This world had a variety of races even greater than mine. "Leopard people, dogs, wolves, cats... how interesting. I hope they aren't as destructive as humans."

I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt someone touch my shoulder. Yara looked at me with annoyance as she stomped her foot.

— Velzar! I've been calling you for two minutes. Is something wrong? — she asked, somewhat worried.

—No, I just got lost in my thoughts — I said, downplaying it.

She looked at me with narrowed eyes for a moment. In the end, she huffed and said, — Then go; the guard has been waiting for you for quite a while. —

I nodded and walked toward the guard, who greeted me.

— What is your name? — he asked.

— Velzarion Nava — I replied, using my brother's surname.

The man looked at me for a few moments; I suppose the name was quite strange around here. — Very well, tell me your reason for traveling and how long you plan to stay in Orario.—

After answering the guard's questions and paying 500 valis for the toll, I entered the city with Yara by my side.

Turning to her, I raised an eyebrow. — Hey, are you not taking a different path, or are you going to follow me the whole way? —

Her face turned somewhat downcast at my words. Reluctantly, she said quietly, — I... have nowhere to stay; I have nothing left... — she said with a hint of shame.

— I was coming with my parents to Orario, but... some bandits attacked us on the way — her voice cracked little by little as she spoke.

— They protected me so I could flee. They told me they would come looking for me, but they never did... I only survived thanks to a caravan that passed by. — She couldn't hold it anymore as tears began to flow.

I stopped and turned to look at her. I glanced at the crowd on the busy street; several people turned to look at her. I waved my hand, and a translucent barrier enveloped us, making the people ignore us.

I walked beside her and, after hesitating a moment, gave her a hug. She tensed in my arms but quickly relaxed and cried for several minutes until she stopped.

She pulled away from me, and I offered her a handkerchief. Looking at the pristine white cloth, she hesitated for a moment but took it and began to wipe her face.

She looked at me with red eyes from crying and handed me back the snot-filled handkerchief. — Thank you — she whispered softly.

I grunted as I took the handkerchief and let it disappear into golden particles before her eyes. I gestured for her to walk as I dissolved the barrier.

— How long ago? — I asked after walking for a while.

— What? — she asked, confused. I looked at her for a moment and kept walking. — How long ago was it with your parents? —

She hesitated a bit and then relaxed. — A month ago, after leaving our village, — she paused, taking a deep breath.

— I almost died... but the caravan I came with picked me up and took care of me the whole way, — she finished explaining as she wiped her tears.

— You're strong, little one. Most wouldn't be able to fake a smile like you, much less act like everything is fine, — I said as we arrived at the guild building.

I stopped to look at her for a moment, her olive-green eyes clouded with sadness. I couldn't help but stroke her head and sigh as I did.

—Just for that, you've earned my appreciation.— I finished and entered the building.

Yara stared in astonishment at Velzarion, the words "you're strong" resonating in her mind.

She placed a hand on her head, where Velzarion had patted her, and felt a warm sensation in her chest. A smile blossomed on her sad face as she caught up to Velzarion.