“We’d put you to sleep with a spell, and you could stay asleep for upwards of centuries, although ideally no longer than 100 years; your body would not deteriorate or age, you would feel nothing at all. You might even dream that you’re awake, that you’re… back home. Or in some idealized, peaceful life.”

“And, when would I wake up?”

“When the spell is removed or otherwise broken. Spells like these do have the potential of causing amnesia, but hopefully you won’t be under for that long. The hope is that, once everyone settles, I’ll awaken all of you and you’ll join the population.”

“And my memories are important to that. Helping them.”

“To an extent. Less your memories and knowledge, and more what you can bring to them as a person. Because it’s that personality that will guide them in the direction they need to go. So I’ll ask again: are you certain you wish to be a part of this?”

“...I can help them bring about peace?”

“You all can. I don’t want them to remain separate from the other realms forever, but reconnecting relies on them being able to work together, and to be on, at least, a similar level to everyone else.”

“What sort of other people have you brought into this?”

“Teachers, mostly. Philosophers, wanderers, the curious, the loving…. All of you will remain asleep until the worst of the conflict passes.”

“And, if we’re asleep for too long, we might lose our memories?”

“Yes. But memory loss in this way can typically be regained with spellwork or time. I promise you, you will be well looked-after in your sleep. You will likely dream of a perfect life. And when you awake, if you have gaps in your memory, I will restore them, and you ‒ all of you ‒ will find a place here.”

“...What do you think I would be good for?”

“Hm. I think you’d be a good advisor. The hiding-in-plain sight kind. You, in a way, were already doing that.”

“I suppose that’s true. And, when I awake, my job will be to make things better?”

“Yes.”

“...Okay. I’ll do it. I’m honored.”

“Welcome to Esan, and welcome to the ForeverKeep Program.”

Meliorism

The belief that things will get better (with effort)