Waldemar, Kaelen, and Varaan — The Gaze of the Dreamers

More about Waldemar, Kaelen, and Varaan — The Gaze of the Dreamers

The colossal head beneath the worlds rose further from the golden stream. Black water flowed in broad torrents over ancient stone lines and vanished among the moving symbols that slowly moved across the vast surface like living writing. The golden eye now opened fully. Instantly, the entire hall beneath the paths trembled. Not just the floor. Reality itself began to quiver. The black pillars between the worlds flickered translucently for brief moments. Beyond them, other places appeared. Strange skies. Endless seas. Vast cities of light. Then the images disappeared again. Waldemar gasped for breath and clung desperately to the compendium. The book had become red-hot. The pages fluttered so fast that golden sparks swirled through the air. "It sees us," Kaelen whispered in alarm. Varaan immediately stepped further in front of them. The great wingless dragon tensed its entire body. The turquoise glow beneath its slate-colored skin brightened as the moss-covered horns on its head slowly emitted pulsed lines of light. "Don't look directly into the eye," it growled deeply. "The dreamers recognize memories." But Waldemar had already looked. For a single heartbeat, the hall vanished around him. Suddenly, he was in a completely different place. An endless forest of black trees stretched beneath a golden sky. Enormous, luminous spheres hung between the branches like sleeping suns. And everywhere, paths of light wound through the darkness. Thousands. Perhaps millions. Some connected entire stars. Others ended abruptly in nothingness. Then Waldemar noticed the figures. Gigantic beings moved slowly among the paths of light. So large that their bodies blurred among the golden mists. Some resembled walking towers. Others ancient dragons of stardust. And everywhere, those eyes opened. Golden eyes. Calm. Sleeping. Waiting. A deep voice suddenly filled the entire sky. "The paths are breaking once more." Waldemar jumped in alarm. Before him stood a colossal figure of black stone and golden lines. Larger than any tower. Its face was a single, luminous circle. The guardian of the First Path. Before Waldemar could speak, the figure slowly raised its arm. Instantly, images appeared in the golden mist. Waldemar saw ancient worlds shattering. Vast cities sank between black fissures. Entire star chambers plunged into golden abysses. And again and again, the same enormous eyes deep beneath everything. "The Dreamers do not sleep," the voice said muffledly. "They are waiting." Then the vision shattered. At the same time, Waldemar's eyes widened in shock in the hall. The compendium nearly flew from his paws. Kaelen immediately grabbed him. "What did you see?" But before he could answer, the gigantic head moved once more. Slowly, more golden eyes opened along the vast stone surface. Dozens.