1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Hello friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. I'd like 2 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: to say hello to Caden and Kaya Bassi a special 3 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: Happy belated birthday to Wolf from Orleans, Massachusetts on Cape 4 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: cod who turned six on November eighth. You're so bright 5 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: and special and we are all so proud of you. 6 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: Love Mom, Dad and Cole. Happy belated birthday to Lila 7 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: from dys Norfolk in England, who turned nine on November 8 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: twenty sixth. Happy belated birthday to Lane Wickland, who turned 9 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:50,319 Speaker 1: eleven on November twenty second. Happy birthday, Laney. We are 10 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 1: so lucky to be the parents of such an amazing girl. 11 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: Love Mom and Dad. Happy belated birthday to Sydney from 12 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: Boise Eyes, Idaho, who turned eight on November twenty fourth. Mom, 13 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: Dad and Odie love you. And Happy belated birthday to 14 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: Claire from Chelmsford, Massachusetts who turned seven on November twenty seventh. 15 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: Happy birthday to Freya from Olympia, Washington who is turning 16 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 1: six on December fifth. Happy birthday to Elia from Manchester, 17 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 1: UK who is turning eleven on December fifth, With love 18 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: from your little sister Rach and Mama. Happy birthday to 19 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,280 Speaker 1: Eli in Kentucky. Who is turning seven on December seventh. 20 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,039 Speaker 1: Your mommy loves you so much and is so proud 21 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: of all that you are. Thank you for being you. 22 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: Happy birthday to Ariana from the Bronx, New York, who 23 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: is turning eight on December eighth. From Mommy, Daddy, Bella, Mikey, 24 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: and Anthony. Happy birthday to Keiko Maya in Michigan, who 25 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 1: is turning seven on December ninth. Mommy, Daddy and Miles 26 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: love you to the moon and back. Have a wonderful 27 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: day and Happy birthday to Aggie from Minnesota, who was 28 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: turning six on December tenth. Happy birthday to you all. 29 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 1: I hope you have a wonderful day. Shout outs and 30 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 1: birthday wishes are one way we give thanks to our supporters. 31 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 1: If you would like to support us and receive more 32 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:31,080 Speaker 1: bedtime entertainment like this, all add free, please visit our 33 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 1: support page at sleep tightstories dot org slash support. Thank you. 34 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: Riyah and Esther have escaped from the scalics and chickalours 35 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 1: and reached a lake. After sliding down the cliff side, 36 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: Esther asks Aryah why the cree won't come near the lake. 37 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: Ariah doesn't know, But as they near the lake, the 38 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: map starts to glow again, and Esther sees something that 39 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: leaves her shore of what they need to do next. 40 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:26,919 Speaker 1: The Magical Book of Dreams, Part twenty two. Ariah had 41 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: convinced Esther that it was best they bed down for 42 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: the coming night and rest. Walking at night in the 43 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: unknown realm brought with it increased risk, not just due 44 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: to the creepy creatures that came out on the path, 45 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: but also because it was so difficult to see where 46 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: you were going. The sky often hid the light of 47 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: the planets above, and without good magic lighting the way, 48 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: you might find yourself falling into some deep holes or 49 00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: walking right into something harder than your head. Though she 50 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: protested the message she received from the lake had energized her, 51 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: but once she settled, it took her only a heartbeat 52 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: before she was fast asleep. Ariah slept with one eye 53 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: open in case the creatures decided to sneak up on 54 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 1: them while they were resting. Esther's sleep wasn't without its 55 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 1: own activity, with vivid dreams of her running back through 56 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:34,919 Speaker 1: the portal and back home, sitting in her kitchen listening 57 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: to her mother complain about her leaving. Another dream had 58 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: her in class, staring absently out the window while her 59 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: teacher told her to wake up or she would send 60 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 1: another note home for her mother. But the most vivid 61 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: was her dream about the Starlit Summit of Aldoria. In 62 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: Esther's dream, the Starlit Summit of Eldoria had a mysterious edge. 63 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: The mountain peak reached high into the night, surrounded by 64 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: stars that seemed to watch everything below. The air felt tense, 65 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 1: like a storm was about to break. The mists around 66 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: the summit were thick and eerie. Esther saw visions of 67 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: the realm, once full of life, now faded and suffering. 68 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: The once lush forests looked droopy and dull. Rivers were 69 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: dark and murky, and meadows were overrun with weeds. Esther 70 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 1: felt constantly in a rush, like time couldn't wait. Shadows 71 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 1: followed her and Rayah, hinting at danger. She assumed they 72 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: were the Scalics, always lurking just out of sight. She 73 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: saw glimpses of a guide, a figure, always just out 74 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 1: of reach. It was like she was racing against time 75 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: to save the realm. At the heart of the dream 76 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: was a huge tree at the summit. Its branches spread 77 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: wide under the stars, but the tree looked damaged. Its 78 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:26,720 Speaker 1: leaves had dark edges, and its trunk was scarred. It 79 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: might have once been a symbol of good, but now 80 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: showed symptoms of all that was affecting this once great kingdom. 81 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 1: In another fragment of her dream, Hester saw herself wearing 82 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: a crown, its golden color glowing with good magic. The 83 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: crown felt heavy upon her head. In the distance, she 84 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: heard scalks growling loudly, their guttural snarls reverberating through the air. 85 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: Their eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, reflecting their resentment 86 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: or perhaps fear of the authority she might symbolize. The 87 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: threatening presence of the Scalex in her dream was a 88 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: clear reminder that danger was always close, and every step 89 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: forward brought new risks. The growls intensified until Esther woke up, 90 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: her heart racing Scalex. Esther shouted, jumping up from her 91 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: prone position. Sh Ariah said, trying to comfort her, sit 92 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: back down. There are no scaleks here, or Chickalore, or 93 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 1: whatever that other creature was. They are howling in the distance, 94 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: trying to scare and remind you of their presence. Well 95 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: it worked, Esther said, sitting down, bringing her legs up 96 00:07:56,840 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: against her chest in an attempt to give herself a hug. 97 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: Did you get any good sleep, Ariyah asked, You were 98 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: making noises At one point. I thought I would have 99 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: to wake you up. You are so loud. I hope 100 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: I wasn't talking in my sleep, Esther said, but I 101 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 1: do feel better, almost rested, and I seem to be 102 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: getting used to the pain in my legs. That's good 103 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: because the mountain you spoke of is incredibly far from here. 104 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: I hope your map shows us a safe and quick root, 105 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: because I haven't traveled that way before, Ariah said, as 106 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:42,079 Speaker 1: she handed Esther a drink of water. After taking a drink, 107 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:45,320 Speaker 1: Esther said, ah, look, if you give me another taste 108 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: of that delicious food you gave me earlier. Esther was 109 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:55,559 Speaker 1: trying to be sarcastic like Ariyah, but was failing. Her 110 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: mother always told her no one liked sarcasm, but it 111 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: seemed okay when Riah talked like that. Esther reached into 112 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: her bag and brought out the map, which glowed to 113 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: her touch and illuminated the area around them with its 114 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: soft glow, almost bringing out the color that would have 115 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 1: once been there. Touching the spot where they were, a 116 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 1: root towards the summit revealed itself. Can you see the route? 117 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: Esther asked, No, Esther, only you can read the map, 118 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 1: Riah said, handing Esther something to eat. Esther tried to 119 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: take a bite, but remembered how hard the food was 120 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:45,560 Speaker 1: eating it would require both hands. The map shows a 121 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: sparkling line that indicates the root, which to my eyes 122 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: has us following the lake until we come to what 123 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: must be a small stream that winds through the forest. Yes, 124 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: I know that stream. Its water is still quite drinkable, 125 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 1: and we should be able to travel unbothered all around 126 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: the lake until we reach that part of the forest. 127 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: It's quite a distance, though it will take us time. 128 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: Tracing the route on the map with her finger, Estra continues. 129 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 1: Then it appears that the route leads to a place 130 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: called the Vale of miss I wish you could see this, 131 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 1: as the image depicts what it looks like. A thick 132 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:35,559 Speaker 1: fog blankets the ground, which might make going forward difficult. 133 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: Though my experience is pretty limited. I have not traveled 134 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,559 Speaker 1: on this route, but have read accounts from others who 135 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 1: have told of a disorienting terrain where shapes and shadows 136 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: shift unpredictably. We will have to be on the lookout 137 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: for scalex and other creatures. They would love to hide 138 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: in the fog, and I suppose we would have to 139 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: take our time, otherwise my next fall might be worse 140 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: than my last. Esther said, looking at the rip in 141 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 1: her pants and feeling the soreness in her knee. Continuing 142 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:18,479 Speaker 1: with her finger along the route, Esther said, after traversing 143 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: the veil of mists, the path ascends into the Echoing canyons. 144 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 1: This looks like a series of vast, rocky gorges. The 145 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: map does not say, however, how we will cross. The 146 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: canyons are known for their strange acoustics sounds, their echo 147 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: with unnatural clarity, making it difficult to find the source 148 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:43,839 Speaker 1: of noises. This used to be a place where people 149 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: would go to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. I 150 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 1: think Gimble might have written about it. The terrain is 151 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: rugged and challenging, though, with steep climbs and narrow ledges. 152 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,080 Speaker 1: We will want to be well rested before we at 153 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: tempt to journey through that area, especially with your skinny legs. 154 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: Ariah said, her serious tone. Returning, Esther put the map 155 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: away inside Gimbal's book that she carried in her bag. 156 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 1: With both hands, she took a bite of food, which 157 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: had the strange texture of dragon candy and chewy vegetables. 158 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: It gave her energy, so whatever it was, it had 159 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: the desired effect. Oh what would she give for some 160 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: of her mother's stew right now, even if she had 161 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:42,319 Speaker 1: to eat it with her stinky brother. Well, I guess 162 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 1: we should be going, then, Esther said, quickly rising to 163 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: her feet. Her legs only shook ever so slightly. An improvement, 164 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:56,199 Speaker 1: that's the spirit, Ariah said, throwing her bag on her back. 165 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: As they slowly walked around the water's edge. In the distance, 166 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: they could hear the noise and howls of the scalis 167 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:11,680 Speaker 1: and other menacing creatures. Looking at Esther, who had a 168 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: concerned look on her face, Ariah said, there are no guarantees, 169 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: but for this part of our journey, we should be 170 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: safe from those creatures. Those are sounds of frustration. I 171 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 1: hope they enjoy that feeling for the rest of our journey, 172 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: Esther said, picking up the pace just in case, as 173 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: do I, Ariah replied. For a long period of time, 174 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: Ariah and Esther walked in silence. Ariah had many questions 175 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,600 Speaker 1: about what Esther had seen, and Esther wanted to know 176 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:55,199 Speaker 1: more about the realm and its history. Esther mostly day 177 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: dreamed about what life would be like after she rescued 178 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 1: her father. Her father taught her to visualize positive outcomes 179 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: whenever she had to study something hard. She thought the 180 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 1: technique might also work in this case. Despite the grayness 181 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:17,440 Speaker 1: that had almost had them in their grasp up upon 182 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: the cliff, the lake waters were calm and clear. Unlike 183 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: much of the surrounding areas, where vibrant life had turned 184 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: to stone like statues, the lake retained a hint of 185 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: the realm's former magic. The gentle lap of the water 186 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 1: against the shore created a soothing rhythm that accompanied their steps. Otherwise, 187 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 1: the lake shores were quiet, the usual rustling of leaves 188 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: absent since the trees had solidified into stone. Yet there 189 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 1: was a certain stillness here that felt safe, a quietness 190 00:14:57,240 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: that was soothing in its own way. As they walked, Esther, 191 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: coming in and out of her daydream, occasionally glanced at 192 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: the water, noticing how it reflected the gray sky above, 193 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: the reminder of the realm's lost vibrancy. Ariyah remained alert 194 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: as they moved. This place is different, she said, looking 195 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: over the calm water. Even with everything changed, the lake 196 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: seems to hold on to a bit of what this 197 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 1: land used to be. Esther felt sadness. In Riah's words, 198 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: the tranquility of the lake was a brief respite in 199 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: their journey, a small pocket of calm from the chaos 200 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: that preceded their arrival. The silent trees stood as sentinels 201 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: along their path, and the gentle lapping of the water 202 00:15:55,040 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: against the shore was a soft, reassuring sound. Amidst the quiet. 203 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: Breaking the silence, Ariah asked, how are your skinny legs 204 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: still able to keep walking? Riah sure knows how to 205 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: start a conversation. Esther thought, I think my legs have 206 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: gone numb, so I should be able to keep walking, 207 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: if you don't mind me asking what did you see 208 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 1: in the lake? You seemed to stare off into the 209 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: waters for the longest time, Yet I didn't see much 210 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: of the change you must have. I saw images, swirling mists, 211 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: ancient symbols and cryptic patterns. I saw the realm as 212 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: it once was, full of color and magic, even more 213 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: beautiful than where I come from. It sparkled with color 214 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 1: all the way up into the clear blue sky. But 215 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 1: it's not so much what I saw as what I 216 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: felt and learned. It felt like I had received a 217 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 1: lifetime of learning. I can't even begin to understand. But 218 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:14,439 Speaker 1: one message kept repeating itself, and that was to be 219 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: patient and that I will grow in time. I don't 220 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: understand how I came to receive this knowledge or why 221 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: I was chosen, Esther said, noticing the change in scenery 222 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: in the distance. The elders would often talk of a 223 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:38,600 Speaker 1: young child who would come to help us, possess enormous 224 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,760 Speaker 1: amounts of good magic, and have a good heart and 225 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 1: noble purpose. The child would seem weak but have great 226 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: strength within. Gimbal thought that that might be you. I 227 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 1: didn't believe it, but now I am not so sure. 228 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: Me magic, a good heart. I find this all very overwhelming. 229 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: But my father used to tell me that whenever he 230 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:10,680 Speaker 1: felt the challenge of returning was too great, he simply 231 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 1: put one foot in front of the other. Maybe that's 232 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: all I can do. We are coming to the stream 233 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: up ahead, Riah said, as she pointed to where They 234 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: could see the stream that meandered into the expanse of 235 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 1: what used to be a forest, and which the map 236 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:33,479 Speaker 1: said would lead them towards the Veil of Mists. Beyond 237 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: the stream, they could see the skeletal remains of the forest. 238 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: The trees created a somber, almost eerie silhouette against the sky, 239 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 1: a forest of statues rather than a living, breathing ecosystem. 240 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 1: The beauty that once defined the area was replaced with 241 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: a haunting stillness, a stark reminder of the changes that 242 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 1: had befallen the realm. Further off, where the forests sinned, 243 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,640 Speaker 1: the beginnings of the Veil of Mysts were just visible. 244 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: Even from a distance, Esther and Riah could see the soft, 245 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:21,480 Speaker 1: swirling fog that perpetually cloaked the area. The mist seemed 246 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 1: to dance at the forest's edge, blurring the line between 247 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 1: the petrified woodlands and the mysterious terrain beyond. This ethereal 248 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: barrier marked the entrance to a place of legends and unknowns, 249 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: a threshold they would soon cross. Riah and Esther stopped 250 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 1: and stared at what awaited them, knowing their journey was 251 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:53,440 Speaker 1: about to take them into increasingly unfamiliar and treacherous territory. 252 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:58,199 Speaker 1: In the distance, they could hear the familiar howls and 253 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: other threatening sounds. Greened them excitedly, waiting for them to 254 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 1: come closer. Looking at each other, Ariah and Esther took 255 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: a deep breath and continued towards the next part of 256 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: their journey. And that is the end of this part. 257 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 1: Good night, sleep tight.