Chapter 6

I awoke to a rumble of activity all around.  I sat up groggily.  I was in the bed in my room in the golden castle.  There was no one in my room, but I could hear people murmuring out in the hall.  I moved to slip out of bed, and I felt a stab of pain in my abdomen.  I gasped, lost my balance, and fell off the tall bed.  Someone's arms went under me.  I was cringing in pain so much that I couldn't open my eyes to see who had caught me.  

"Are you all right?" a boy asked.  

I hissed in pain, and opened my eyes.  It may have been that I was delirious from the pain, but I couldn't see who was holding me.  A pair of bright blue eyes materialized above me as they blinked.  I gasped and jerked out of his arms, knocking the breath out of me as I slammed onto the wooden floor.  I writhed.  Through my tear filled eyes, I could barely make out the boy as he moved to comfort me.  The more he moved, the more I could see him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he chanted.

I turned away from him, as much as I could without inflicting more pain.

"Are you feeling any better?"he asked in a scared tone.

"I just woke up, fell off the bed, and am in pain.  Compared to when I was asleep?" I hissed.  "Who are you anyway?"

"Etharnealis," he said.  "Or Ethan really.  Almost everyone calls me Ethan."

I nodded, then pushed myself into a sitting position, leaning against my bed.  The pain had subsided enough so I could think.  It all rushed back suddenly why I was here and in pain.  "Where's Love?"

Ethan became serious.  "She's in the infirmary.  The wound is worse than we thought.  The sword caught some of her internal organs."  I blinked.  He seemed to be evaporating into the background.  "Prince Valency bought her a little time with magic,"he continued.  "After they came here, he vanished.  No one can find him."

I sighed in distress.  I had to go see her.  I tried to stand, but the pain returned in force.  Ethan's hand shot out to help me.  It seemed clearer than the rest of him, until he moved to help me stand, and the rest of his body became clear.

"I must be delirious because--" I began.

Ethan cut in.  "You're not." He helped me onto the bed.  "Sit and watch."  He placed his hand on the pale blue comforter and became stone still.  I watched as his hand gradually disappeared into the blanket.  I looked up the barely noticeably arm to his eyes which appeared and disappeared quicker than the rest of him.

"You're a chameleon," I whispered.  This was cool.  I haven't met many imaginaries like this.  

Ethan smiled.  "Yes, my boy loved all sorts of lizards, and he gave some characteristics to me."

"That's lovely," I said, lowering myself to the floor with Ethan ready to help.  "Why does every part of me hurt so much?"

Ethan put a hand on my back.  "There is some nerve damage.  Valency's sword just skimmed the spine, so it is limited.  Please try to stay still.  Moving won't help you heal."

I glared at him.  "I don't have the time to heal.  I need to find the one who is supposed to save Love.  I can't just sit around!"

Ethan studied me for a moment as he evaporated.  He then shook his head, bringing his color back.  "I cannot stop you.  It would help if you weren't prone to pain when you move, but I can't do anything to prevent you from finding him.  Go for it."  He turned to leave, then looked over his shoulder.  "Change the bandages often," he ordered and then left.

I growled and leaned on the bed.  What was I supposed to do?  I had nowhere to go.  I had no clue where to start looking for I don't even know what.  I didn't even know where the infirmary was so I could go see Love.

The door opened again, and Mercy entered.  She was wearing pink today.  She nodded at me.

"Are you feeling better?"she asked as she rifled through my closet.

I laughed sourly.  "Not particularly."

"Isn't it wonderful that Mother is back?"  Mercy was grinning wide.  

"Is she everyone's mother?"

"No, we just call her that."

"So, does she call everyone her children?"

"Oh no, she wouldn't.  Her children are very dear to her."  Mercy pulled out a dress, glanced at it, and discarded it promptly.  "You're going to see her today, you know."

"Oh, I am?"  I didn't know this.

"Yes, you are.  Oh, where is Ethan?  Wasn't he supposed to watch over you?  He's a wonderful medic in training, you know.  He will replace Mr. Rockilan one day.  He'll be sent down under soon enough.  No room for crazies in medicine."  She decided on a dress and began to clothe me. 

I started to zone out.  Gossipy Mercy was too easy to not listen too.

"Aemy?"

"Hm?"I replied, when she broke me from my idle thoughts.

"Are you ready to meet Mother?"

I nodded and obediently followed her into the busy hallway.  It was filled with imaginaries going every which way.  

"Follow me close, Aemy," Mercy instructed.

I did as she told, until the crowd condensed, and I lost sight of her.  I called out for her, but I could hardly see through the many people, and I was shorter than most of the imaginaries there.  I was all by myself in an unfamiliar hall full of strangers trying to forget the stabbing pain in my stomach.

"What are you doing out here wandering the halls?" Ethan asked, putting a hand on my shoulder from behind me, surprising me.  I gasped, jumped, and fell against the wall, holding my stomach, trying not to cry because of the pain spasms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Ethan chanted.

I glared at him with clenched teeth.  "I'm supposed to be going to see Mother."

Ethan bit his lip.  He put his arm around me.  "I can't let you go all the way up there by yourself."

I pushed him away.  "Are you trying to put the moves on me?"

Ethan looked shocked.  "I wouldn't dare."

I tilted my head, and my wound spasmed again.  I bit my lip to hold back the pain.

"Don't bite your lip.  It will end up bloodier than your wound.  You can't make it up to Mother by yourself like this.  You wouldn't be able to make it to the end of the hall."

I glared at him.  "Don't you have drugs or something?"  I wasn't expecting him to say yes.  As an imaginary, even though I felt hunger or thirst, I've never been able to eat or drink real food, including medicine, except for when Love imagined things for me, but those weren't real food. I had hurt a little when Love and I played and it got rough, but I just had to ride it out since I couldn't take Love's human medicine.  She didn't know how to imagine the medicine so it work right for me, but she enjoyed taking care of me until I stopped hurting.

Ethan shook his head.  "We should get going.  It's a long way to Mother."  He put his arm around me and led me down the hall.  

The pain spasms came irregularly and sometimes without cause.  Each time, Ethan would force me to sit until the spasms weakened.  I was surprised we made it to Mother at all.  We came to a pair of double doors, and Ethan stopped.

"It's about time.  It wouldn't have been so long if you hadn't made me sit every time I spasmed.  I could have kept going," I hissed.

Ethan said nothing, so I knocked on the doors.  Ethan shook his head disapprovingly.

"What?" I scowled.

Ethan only shook his head again.  "These grand doors don't appreciate being knocked on.  They find it rude.  It will be a while now until these two let us in."

"Ethan?" an old grandfatherly voice rasped.  Two large carved eyes appeared in the left door.

Ethan put his hands parallel over each other and bowed.  "Grandfather Oak."

"My, my, it's been a while since that old Valency called for you, hasn't it?  And who is the lady?"

Ethan looked the door in the eyes, seemingly following some unspoken code of mannerisms to speaking to grand doors.  "This is Aemy.  She wants to see Mother."

I curtsied.

The door peered at me.  "Skinny one, ain't she?"

I looked down at myself.  I've always been skinny and sort of small.  That's just the way I am.  I didn't particularly like food, besides.  It made no sense to me.

"Mother is waiting for her," Ethan reminded.

Grandfather Oak nodded, well, as much as a door could:  The wood bowed out slightly, and Oak's eyes went up and down.

"Go on in, my boy."

Ethan repeated the bow and stepped aside to allow the door to open.  He motioned me to follow him.

The room was beautiful.  There were huge windows on the far wall.  The carpet was a deep rich green that reminded me of the days Love and I spent in the park.  In the middle of the large grand room, there was a cluster of furniture with several people sitting and talking there.  They looked at us as we entered.  One girl stood and dashed to me.  She looked at me for a moment, then gathered me into her arms.

"OW!  Owowowowow!"  My spasms acted up again.

"Oh!  I'm sorry.  I forgot."  The girl stepped back and studied me.  She had red brown hair that flopped over one side of her face.  The one eye I could see was shocking blue.  

I clutched my side.  "Do I know you?"

The girl, who must've been more of a teenager, looked put out.  She pouted towards the others, who had come over to us.  I smiled at Farad'n and Mother.

"Thank you, Ethan," Mother said with a nod.

Ethan made the bow again and turned to leave.

"I would appreciate if you stayed, Ethan," Mother said.  "You would prove to be valuable."

Ethan nodded with silent respectful obedience.  

Mother returned with Farad'n to the couch cluster, with the girl and me following, and Ethan stood politely on the outside of the cluster.  I plopped onto an empty couch and sunk into the cushion.

"Help!" I cried out.  "It's eating me!"  No, I was not overreacting.  I could feel a pillow attacking my backside.  Ethan jumped over the couch and pulled me from the carnivorous couch.  I clutched Ethan and stared at the couch, which looked to be licking its chops.  

The girl sighed.  "I should have warned you about Rufus.  He particularly likes skinny girls."

"He's a couch bear," Farad'n added.  He seemed so much younger.  He was such a little boy.

Ethan put his arms to his side, and I stepped away, letting go of him.  

"Are you okay?  No spasms?"  Ethan asked, playing the good doctor.

I shook my head.  I was surprised.  At times, I could move my pinky and my entire body would freak out.  "No spasms."

Rufus growled, and I jumped.  I gasped, holding my side.  "Spasms."

Ethan pointed to the seat next to Farad'n.  "Sit."

I obeyed and curled into the fetal position on the tame couch cushion.

Mother began to speak.  "My daughter, Dear Farad'n has told me of your valiant actions.  You have only been here for a short time.  Such a new imaginary with your drive, your ambition, is extremely valuable.  I find it a blessing that you are my daughter.  You have been here for such a short period of time that you must know nothing of the Realm of Nothing.  So we will teach you so that you can find him."

I sat up, my spasming muscles forgotten, causing me to shake subconsciously.  "Who is this that can save my girl?"

Mother smiled and shook her head.  "You are the youngest of my five children.  Then there is Dear Farad'n."  He smirked proudly when his name was said.  "Ellera," Mother nodded to the girl, "is older.  Valency is the second oldest, only to his twin."

I opened my mouth to ask who this was again because all of this explaining was explaining nothing.  

Mother held out her palm for me to wait.  "He is the most accomplished magic wielder in all of Nothing.  If anyone can save your Love, he can."

I sighed, annoyed.  "Did everyone forget his name too?"

Ellera laughed.  "No.  His name is Zerann.  No one could forget Zerann."

Ethan added, "he's hardly referred to by name.  He is far too revered."

I nodded.  This was taking forever to get the information I needed.  "So, where do I find Zerann?"

"You had better sit, Etharnealis:  My stories are quite long."  Mother motioned to the several couches.  Ethan nodded and took a seat on the edge of the empty couch opposite of Mother, Farad'n and me.  

"Mother," I protested as politely as I could.  "Love does not have time for stories.  I need to find Zerann as soon as I can."

Mother smiled as if a young child had just burst out with something ridiculous.  "She has time enough."

I sat back sulkily.

Mother sighed.  "Well then, this whole prophecy story started many years ago, shortly after you left to Humanity, Aemy."

"Humanity, that's the human world, you mean?"

"Yes, Aemy.  The human world where we all go to accompany our children.  Your father was called to his brother, the former Prince of the Morning."

"The former Prince of the Morning, so before Valency?"

"Before Valency and Zerann," Mother specified.  "They share the title and responsibilities.  Now, all will be explained if you would listen and stop interrupting."

"Yes, Mother," I said obediently.  As an Imaginary, I had never had a mother before.  Imaginaries are only subject to each Imaginaries own child.  Even so, it was completely natural to me to obey and submit to Mother.

"Your father was called to his brother, who was going senile and losing his perception of reality, and he was bound to go Down Under any day.  He was quite a prophet before his plants took control of his mind.  His last prophecy was the one of you children.  I'm sure you all know it."

"I don't," I said.

Mother nodded.  "Ellera, please."

Ellera stood.  "Yes, Mother," she said, and then she began to recite something I had heard before.  "A girl, young of vision, yet mature of heart, comes into nothing from a child of adoration to return the forgotten realm to glory.  Its sun will be placed on the plateau of all lost secrets.  Glory will be restored through the left and not the right with the lost key.  Darkness will be shunned from nothing and can only be defeated by the sun's brother and darkness's twin."

Ellera nodded her head, signifying she was done, and she reseated herself.  

"Valency quoted that when he met me," I stated.

Ellera was pouting again.

"What's wrong, El?" Farad'n asked.

Ellera sniffled.  "I'm not mentioned in it at all."

Mother stood and patted Ellera's shoulder.  "Dear Ellera, just because you have no preordained path today does not mean that you are not important in the era at hand."

Ellera shrugged and stood to leave.  "I must attend to my studies, Mother."

"Very good.  Enjoy yourself, Ellera," Mother told her.  She kissed Ellera's forehead and watched the sulking girl leave before she reseated herself.  She turned to me.  "So, you do know the prophecy.  Then, what does it mean to you, dear Aemy?"

I thought over the prophecy for a moment.  "The girl is me, obviously.  I look young but arrived later than many, so mature.  My girl is Love, or adoration.  The sun, Farad'n, was placed on the Plateau.  Glory, or the key, was returned with my left hand.  Darkness, Valency, is shunned, but he can only be defeated by Zerann, Valency's twin and Farad'n's brother.  Why is Farad'n called the sun?  And why is Valency called darkness?"  I asked.

Mother looked like she was trying to furrow her brow but her porcelain skin would not let her.  "There have been many who have philosophized about what this prophecy means, but few could be sure about the sure meaning that you know from living through it, let alone the specifics of the word use.  I wish that I could tell you why your uncle used those words, but I don't know any better than you do on this."  She grew sure then.  "I do know now though, that the only piece left to be fulfilled is to find Zerann."

I nodded, wishing that I could know the complete meaning of this prophecy.  "So where should I start?"

Mother frowned at me.  "I should finish the story:  It may help.  After the prophecy was declared, Zerann left to find the person who this prophecy was about, because at the very beginning, no one didn't really know what the prophecy meant.  He began by going Down Under, and he hasn't been heard of since.  Your father disappeared soon after.  We can assume that he was sent Down Under.  Sometimes, Imaginaries do snap suddenly occasionally, and no one thought much of it. I was running down, and Valency stole my key. I had been the one who had been keeping everything running, and then, Valency was left to rule unchecked.  After Valency stole the key, dear Farad'n returned, clueless and confused.  Valency found him wandering alone, and after a brief magical battle, Farad'n succeeded in stealing the key, but he also lost what little memory he had of who he was, although Imaginaries truly do not have an identity before they go to their child.  Their existence is little more than a shimmery blob of translucent clay ready to be molded by their child.  Your return to Imaginary, Aemy, has set everything into action."

I nodded, not clearly understanding what Mother was saying.  I was too preoccupied with what I had to do.  "So, where should I start looking for Zerann?"

"The last place anyone saw him."

"And that is?" I persisted.  I did not really know much of what Mother was speaking about, but I knew that I had to fin Zerann, because he was the one who could save my Love.  I just wanted a straight answer.  I did not care about the explanation.  Did it really matter how I saved her?

Mother shook her head.  "He left long ago to Down Under.  That will surely lead you nowhere though, because nearly everyone Down Under is insane."

I sighed.  This seemed like a doomed mission.  

"I have heard of your journey throughout the Realm of Nothingness.  Your actions are quite impressive.  You seem to not need magic.  You have a tremendous amount of control.  As for magic, I think you should know the basics, because magic is not truly learning words, but it is a journey of self-discovery.  Magic is instinct.  The rules of magic must be realized before trying to change the world around you.  You cannot kill anyone.  Imaginaries are forever, and that cannot be changed.  You cannot make something from nothing.  You cannot make something truly disappear.  It is impossible to simply create from nothing.  Even though it may seem like that your child molded you from nothing, thoughts and imagination are indeed not from nothing.  There must be a source of everything.  Whatever your child has ever seen, heard, or felt is inspiration and fuel for the child to create and imagine and suppose.  Something never comes from nothing."

"That makes enough sense," I said with a nod.

Mother rose from the couch.  "No, you are ready, as ready as I could prepare you in such short time.  Etharnealis, I'm putting you as Aemy's protector.  You know this world better than she does.  I believe you have some…useful powers?"

Ethan nodded.  "I will protect her.  She is safe with me."  He then blended back into the couch.  He had been so still, I had nearly forgotten that he was here.  

Mother nodded, then, she turned to me.  "Take care, dear Aemy.  I hope I shall see you soon."

I smiled to her and stood.  She hugged me and was quickly joined by Farad'n.  They let go and smiled at me.  "We'll see you soon," Mother said.

"Good luck!" Farad'n squeaked.  

I nodded and ruffled his hair.  "Thank you."  I knelt to speak to him.  "I am glad we found your name."

He grinned at me.  "Hurry back, Aemy."

I nodded and stood, wanting to get this quest over quickly.  I left the room with Ethan following me.  As soon as we were out of earshot of the grand doors, Ethan stepped in front of me. 

"Are you sure you want to go?"Ethan asked me seriously.  "There is no guarantee that we will find Zerann.  Love could die long before we do find him besides.  No one that we know of knows where he is.  Love could die from the loss of blood alone.  I am not even considering her internal wounds."

I looked up at him with determination.  "She has always been there for me.  She is the bravest person I know.  I can be brave for her.  I have to do this for her.  It's my only real choice.  You have no medicines because it is only pain and we never die.  Humans do die, and I will prevent that if  I can at all."

Ethan put a hand on my shoulder.  "But what if you can't?  She has a much higher chance of surviving if I am here to watch over her.  Few others are as experienced with healing as I am, but I still do not know nearly enough to be sure to save her.  I do not trust the others to be as diligent with this child, especially after their own children have deserted them long before now."

"Clearly no one has the magic powerful enough to save her!"  I insisted.  "I must find him.  I must find Zerann.  It is my only choice if I want to save her."  I pushed past him.