Dreamer.

Irin had already realized that that word probably didn’t carry the same weight for Elena, an outsider to this place. Even so, he couldn’t help but be shaken up. 

Nine people.

Only nine were ever acknowledged as Dreamers within the Outer Realms. Two of those were the very ones that crossed the First Frontier and were never heard of again, while the other seven were unanimously acknowledged as the strongest living beings in the Outer Realms.

However, those nine all had one thing in common: Not a single one had declared themselves a Dreamer. That title could not be chosen, only acknowledged by the world itself.

Irin suddenly realized Elena had been calling his name.

“Hey, why do you look so distraught?”

“You called yourself a Dreamer— That’s not something anyone’s done before.”

“That’s kind of sad, don’t you think?”

Irin stared at her, blank faced.

“Wait, wait, wait— What does that word mean to you on Earth?”

“Pff—haha,” Elena blinked, then let out a small, stifled laugh.

“A dreamer? You really don’t know? You’re using the word right now, though.”

His face only grew more and more perplexed.

“Just tell me.”

“Well, alright then. To me, a dreamer is someone who chases their dreams, but everyone’s different. Even the concept of ‘dreams’ can mean different things. It can be an ideal for yourself or the world, or a heartfelt wish, or even just a goal you refuse to give up on.”

She paused.

“That’s why I like dreaming. No two dreams are the same.”

“You… really are something else…”

The two continued walking in silence for some time before Elena posed a question.

“What are dreams to you then?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Who else would I be talking to?”

“Dreaming… If it’s the way you put it, then… I don’t get to do that yet. I don’t have that kind of power yet. I live in the present—in reality. That’s why I want to reach the First Frontier.”

“The First Frontier again, huh? Well, let me ask you something else then. Where do you see yourself at the end of your journey?”

Even Irin had never asked himself that before. He wanted power, strength, meaning—but why did he want those things? He had already decided what his purpose would be, but with Elena having forced him to acknowledge this conundrum face to face, he wondered: “Is my purpose my desire?”

“I… don’t know…”

Elena smiled, almost knowingly.

“Hah, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I made you think, didn’t I? For a moment, you probably tried to envision your future self. That fleeting imagination that you’re already running towards—even that attempt at imagining—if you were able to do that, then you’ve already dreamed.”

Irin now found Elena’s smile somewhat contagious.

“You’ve… got an interesting outlook on life, but… it’s nice.”

“Thanks.”

He couldn’t explain the feeling, but being here, side by side with Elena, he felt himself wanting to talk more and more about his dreams.

“They say that beyond the First Frontier, there’s a place called the Central Realms.”

“Oh?”

“And supposedly, if you climb one of the towers there, you’ll gain the power to realize whatever Possibilities you want.”

“Possibilities… huh. I’m assuming the Central Realms are where you’re headed, then?”

“Yeah. Anyways, we’ve reached our destination for now.”

Up ahead, the trees opened up into another clearing, this one neighboring a rocky cliff wall. That stone face seemed to extend endlessly in both directions.

Directly before them stood what seemed to be a massive doorframe, only instead of a door, there was a radiance from which a misty haze spilled forth.

Irin walked towards the portal and stretched out his palm.

“I might not be much of a Shaper, but I can still do this.”

Only, Elena couldn’t see him actually doing anything. To her, his eyes seemed to be scanning, or maybe reading, something in front of him—something that wasn’t there.

“There we go. Now it should take us back to the Confluence.”

“Confluence?”

“It’s—hmm…” Irin hesitated, wondering how to explain what exactly that place was to someone unfamiliar with the Outer Realms. “Actually, it’ll be easier to show you. Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything else you’ll need to know about the Outer Realms as well.”

Overall, such a task of explanation didn’t seem too difficult. After all, even within the Outer Realms, there existed worlds that remained mostly, or even entirely, isolated from the others. For the frequently traveling adventurer, coming across people from such worlds wasn’t too uncommon.

“C’mon, let’s go,” Irin beckoned Elena as he vanished into the light.

She quickly followed after.

Passing through to the other side, the sight that greeted them was a sprawling city featuring buildings of all forms and styles, nestled snugly within a valley that they now stood on the edge of.

Elena could only stare, her eyes seeming to sparkle and her mouth slightly agape.

“I guess it’s official now. Welcome to the Outer Realms’ Confluence, the heart of the ‘base’ of the Realm of Possibility.”

“Realm of Possibility…” she muttered, her eyes still shining. “I knew it…”

For the first time since their meeting, Irin saw Elena genuinely smile from the depths of all she was.