After a couple days of travel, the group finally manages to cross the border from Alfheim into Midgard. The terrain has changed from deep woodlands to rolling grasslands. Crossing the Lanicoln Bridge over Lyria River, the group knows the general direction the caravan would take to reach the Coastal Coalition, but they are only able to find traces of the kidnappers passage every once in a while. This aggravates Nyx because of the loose trail, but at least confirms that they are on the right track. After travelling all day, they take a stop to rest for their first night in Midgard.

Setting up their campsite once more, Ari tries to reassure Nyx that they’ll catch up to the caravan soon. Vola cooks over the fire some rabbit that she had hunted, and Felix strums a few notes by her side.

“Hey Ari, do you ever pray to the gods?” Nyx asks quietly as they sit by the fire.

“Oh, I didn’t really think of you as the religious type.”

“I’m not, that’s why I asked you.”

“Well, I used to pray with my mother every night before going to bed.” Ari responds, clutching her necklace close. “The patron god of Crystalis is Nero, the father of the gods. But my mother always had a soft spot for Sanaa.”

“Hmm. We never really talked about the gods in my home.” Nyx says, staring into the fire.

“Isn’t your little brother’s name Zora? That’s one of the sons of Sanaa, Zora is the god of magic. Maybe your mom used to be religious.”

“She never told me that. Who is Sanaa anyways?” Nyx asks. Ari giggles a bit at Nyx’s naivete.

“Sanaa is the goddess of hope and hospitality, one of the three Trinity gods. The Trinity is a group of the oldest of all the gods, being Nero, Sanaa, and the youngest Azazel.”

“She also is the patron god of halflings!” Felix chimes in. “I’m sure she gets mad and curses you every time you whine at my songs.” Nyx rolls his eyes and laughs as the bard hums a tune.

“Well I’ll be sure to apologize to her next time we talk.” Nyx says with a smile. “What about the Azazel guy?” Ari’s face darkens.

“Azazel is the Lord of Darkness. He’s kind of taboo to talk about in the Empire, he’s the one commanding the kingdom in Helheim.” Ari responds.

“Oh, that’s nice to know.” Nyx gulps. “Well, on that note I think I’m going to go to sleep for the night. And thanks for the encouragement Ari. I know we’re close, I can feel it.” Nyx crawls into his blanket and looks up at the stars until he fades into a deep sleep.

♦♦♦

Opening his eyes, Nyx wakes from his sleep into total darkness. Looking around confused, Nyx calls out for his friends. Nobody responds. As he gets up from the ground, he starts to hear soft singing.

“Felix? We’re tired of your songs already. What’s going on?” Nyx asks. The singing continues and Nyx starts to see a faint glow appear from the darkness. He calls out again, with no answer. As the glow gets brighter, the singing voice starts to sound familiar.

“Mom? Mom is that you?” Nyx says as he starts to run through the darkness towards the light. The light then turns to an image that takes a bright yellow glowing form of his mother. The image reaches out and puts a hand on Nyx’s head.

“Hello child.” Nyx smiles and begins to tear up. “Mom I’ve been looking for you! Are you guys safe?!”

“I am sorry my child, I am not Rhea. I am only using the most comforting person in your memory to give you a message.” The image of Rhea begins to glimmer.

“Th-then who are you?” Nyx asks, confused.

“I am the mother of all. I think the girl mentioned me to you last night. I apologize for confusing you, but I am here to help.” The goddess says as she motions for Nyx to sit down beside her.

“Sanaa? How are you even talking to me, is this a dream?” Nyx says, still captivated by the sight of his mother.

“Do not worry child, you are safe. It is taking a lot of my power to speak to you directly like this, so I must be quick. Your mother and siblings are safe, and you are on the right path.” Nyx perks up at this comment.

“Really! Where are they?!”

“I cannot guide you directly to their location, however I can get you to someone who can help. Seek out the ‘Purple Mage’ in Redwater. They will be able to help you find your family.” Sanaa says as the image of Rhea starts to fade out.

“Wait! Redwater? Where’s that? How do I find the Purple Mage?” Nyx frantically asks as the presence of the goddess disappears. Nyx keeps calling out for his mother, and suddenly wakes up from the dream as Ari is leaning over him concerned.

“Nyx! Are you okay? You started calling out ‘Sanaa!’ and ‘Mom!’ in your sleep and we couldn’t wake you up.” she asks with her hand holding a wet towel over his forehead.

“I-I’m okay. I just had a weird dream.” Nyx says as he sits up, covered in sweat.

“I knew it! She came to you didn’t she!” Felix says rushing up in his face. Vola stands up and picks the halfling up to set him down away from Nyx.

“Give him some space little one.”

“But that wasn’t just a dream Nyx! Sanaa talked to you right? Sometimes dreams can be messages or visions straight from the gods.” Felix explains.

“I think it was her. She looked like my mom though.”

“Well she is the goddess of hospitality. She probably wanted to come to you as someone you love. What did she say?” Ari says.

“She said that my family is ok, and that we’ll be able to find them if we look for some guy called the ‘Purple Mage’ in Redwater?” Nyx replies. Ari shows a look of disgust.

“Redwater? Why would the goddess of hospitality tell us to go to the most inhospitable town in all of Midgard?” Ari complains.

“What’s wrong with Redwater?” Nyx asks innocently.

“Redwater is filthy place run by a disgusting wine family called the Vulpes. The wine is amazing, but the town itself is terrible and full of thugs, drunkards, and thieves.” Ari says.

“Um you know I was a thief right…” Nyx says with a laugh causing Ari to blush.

“You’re a nice thief though.”

“Well, if we want to find this ‘Magenta Magician’ guy then we should probably pack up and go, we’re close to Redwater it’s only a couple miles away. I can smell the wine from here.” Vola says smelling the air.

“Ooo wine... I can’t wait!” Felix comments.

“We’re not going on a field trip guys.” Ari says as she collects the camp with her pendant and climbs into the cart. “Stick to the plan, find the Purple Mage, ask him to help find Nyx’s family. No funny business. I just hope this mage isn’t anything like the rest of the people that are supposed to live there.”