FOREWORD:
------------

A story about how the Wind and other Elemental Lords came to be, set in the time
after Dynara and Magnora left in search of the Nameless Son of Yudhe and before
the events of the Book of Dracnoris.

With Dynara absent, the Gods found themselves trying to imitate Her, by shaping
and filling the world of Lusternia with their creations. Unable to gift their
creations with a true soul, they found all their creations to be sadly vacant.
With the Gods almost abandoning the world, Xyl and Trillillial propose a concept
involving the Elemental planes and the dreamscape, to breathe life into a still
world.

CHAPTER 1:
-------------

Much work had been done in the recent months but still the First World seemed
lifeless, as if it was lacking something. The question plaguing the Gods was
what?

While they were present, things appeared to function as intended, their
creations drawing life from their essence. However if left alone for any time,
they would come back to find animals standing still, wearing glazed expressions;
silence where there should have been bird-song; still water where originally
there was a babbling brook. It was as if the whole world was waiting for
something.

The Artists of the Fourth Circle had quickly learned that vibrant colours did
not mean vibrancy. The Creators and Awakeners of the Sixth and Seventh Circles
had also realized that filling the World with their creations could not hide the
inherent emptiness. The experiments and discussions of the Thinkers and
Meditators of the Third and Fifth Circles had so far yielded naught. Those of
the First Circle had called a council to discuss the problem.

Fain of the First, was first to address the gathering:

"Welcome brothers and sisters. As you know, much work and essence has been
invested by each of us into this project and for it to be abandoned is a last
resort. We must face the facts however, despite some of our most exquisite work,
we have still not managed to imbue our creations with true life. Our creatures -
automatons, our landscapes - paintings. I am coming to believe that true life is
a gift only Lady Dynara could bestow. How to imbue our creations with a soul is
beyond our ken. It has been an amusing diversion but we must now move on to
other projects."

Several voices broke out among the gathering at these comments, some calling for
an immediate cessation of activities, others calling for continued
investigation.

Meridian the Wise stood and raised his hands, calling for silence.

"As sorry as I am to say this, I share Fain's belief that to gift our creations
with a soul is something we cannot do. While we have learned much, perhaps it is
time to abandon this experiment? To continue allowing our essence to be drained
in order to sustain this lifeless world will only weaken us further. Unless
there are other suggestions voiced here, I recommend that we end this experiment
and continue our search for Lady Dynara. Perhaps She will be able to teach us
how to imbue some life into our creations. We can always return here to continue
later, it is not as if our creations will go anywhere."

Once again, a susurration of voices spread out among the gathering as Meridian's
words sank in.

"Perhaps if we attach a small mechanism to our creations, we can give them
artificial life at least?" called a voice from the crowd, gadgets clinking as he
returned to his seat.

"We want to make them less like automatons, Agnomenon, not more so!" a laughing
Eventru responded.

"What if we tried to give them some motivation? I know that knowing some
delicious honey and a soft bed is waiting for me at the other end of the valley
makes me get there more quickly!" voiced Tae of the Seventh dreamily.

While most of the other Gods stifled a laugh, Bollikin tugged gently on Tae's
arm, urging him to retake his seat. Aslarn the Quick responded softly, "Thank
you, Tae, for that suggestion, however I do not believe we can provide our
creatures with motivation in their current state." Comprehension finally
flashing across Tae's face, he returned to his seat, happily helping himself to
some sweets Crumkane had just sent over.

Xyl of the Fifth, who had been quietly discussing the matter with the two
brothers, Lacostian of the Third and Elcyrion of the Fifth, since the beginning
of the gathering was next to speak.

In a cold, monotone voice he announced, "I believe we might have a solution."

CHAPTER 2:
-------------

Xyl moved to the central podium and studiously gazed out at the now hushed
gathering. A soft smile on the face of the beautiful Trillillial of the Skies,
caused a subdued flicker of warmth to run through his body. He could not let
himself become distracted however, it was time to explain.

"Since this venture began, we have been trying to imbue each of our creations
with a soul, something we have come to understand is a gift only our Mother
Dynara could bestow."

Nodding in the direction of Lacostian and Elcyrion he continued,

"Recently, myself and others have been investigating the potentialities of
existence without a soul. As we all know, existence is possible but without a
continual supply of essence these creations soon become vacant and senseless. In
any case, while it is not quite the 'life' we originally sought, our creations
do live. We must now consider means to wean them off this need for our essence.
To abandon our creations as they are now is irresponsible and an acceptance of
failure."

"Words, words, and more boring words... What is it with those of the Fifth? Can
you not just summarize what you propose so we can get on with it, Crystalcakes?"
bellowed Kalikai of the Second, taking a swig of firemead as she thunderously
interrupted.

At this rude interjection, Trillillial's immaculate wings flared in anger,
knocking the tankard from Kalikai's hand, her mellifluous voice announcing, "Oh
dear, pardon me. An accident I assure you!"

Shooting the slightest of smiles to the radiant Trillillial, Xyl continued, "If
I may continue, we propose that we use another of Lady
Dynara's creations as a substitute for our essence, the Elemental Planes
themselves."

His emerald eyes scanning over all those gathered, Xyl challenged,

"Who among you has not felt the force of Air's winds, the pull of Water's
currents, the heat of Fire's flames or the latent power of
Earth's tremors? Our mother, Dynara has left Her imprint on these planes, in a
way our inert landscapes have been unable to match. If we can manage to somehow
direct some of the Elemental Planes' essence onto the Prime Plane, we theorize
that the Prime plane will be imbued with some of the energies of the Elemental.
Perhaps this will be enough to give some semblance of true life into our
creations."

An excited hubbub spread out among the gathering, at long last a promising
theory. Raezon and Gheasia, both of the Fifth, grumbled
angrily before asking, "Why did you not choose to share this theory with the
rest of the Fifth Circle, Xyl? Secrecy does not become you."

Flickering shades of malachite with displeasure, Xyl replied, "Both Lacostian
and Elcyrion were involved in my research, so your
accusation of secrecy is erroneous. Just as you have your methods of
investigation, I have mine. I did not believe theoretical planar calculations
would be quite to your tastes."

Flashing a charming smile to both parties, Lady Mugowumpois, a fellow member of
the Fifth Circle, swept in to diffuse the rising tensions. "Really now, Raezon,
do you not recall the last time Xyl got us to do some so-called 'interesting'
calculations. By Yudhe, I never thought they would end. In any case, a very
interesting idea, Xyl, but just how do you propose going about forming a conduit
between the two planes?"

"Indeed, Lady Muggs, that is the question at hand. We have considered creating
some greater Elemental creatures on each plane who would
reflect the elemental energies onto the Prime plane, however we foresee that
they will have the same problems as our existing creations. We have surmised
that if our creations on the Prime plane draw from the energies of the Elemental
planes, the Elemental planes must be recompensed with energies from the Prime.
All our existing calculations have shown that there must be a balance, though
after the initial cost of setting up this exchange, it could be maintained
indefinitely. It is here that our studies have faltered however, we know not of
any energies on Prime that we could return to the Elemental planes," Xyl
answered.

"Dreams!" interposed an excited Trillillial, "We could give them dreams!"

CHAPTER 3:
-------------

Trillillial moved to the central podium, her wings quivering with a mix of
excitation and nerves. Not used to speaking to such large gatherings she began
slowly,

"Well it was really Isune and Maylea who gave me the idea...We were painting one
of Maylea's new flowers when Isune referred to how all our creations have been
like blank canvases, empty. Though they appeared quite senseless, Maylea
wondered if they had any imagination and what they would paint if they could, so
I first planted the ability to dream in one of dear Bollikin's little
creatures...Just for fun and to see what would happen of course. When it seemed
to spark the slightest of reactions, I continued to give the ability to others.
The more who could dream, the more vivid their dreams became. I didn't mean any
harm and really, some of their dreams were quite amusing."

"Why have you never informed us of this Trillillial? Any reaction would have
been a welcome and valuable avenue of investigation for those more suited to
such things," asked Eventru gently.

Her wings flittering anxiously, Trillillial murmured, "I thought I might get in
trouble."

A bright, citrine yellow flushing through his body, Xyl encouraged, "Not at all
dear one, in fact it could be just what we have been looking for. But explain
please, how did you give them the ability to dream?"

"Well, um..., I know I shouldn't have but I..., I gave them part of my voice,"
Trillillial whispered to a shocked audience. "But only so that they might be
able to express themselves!"

"Oh my dear, sweet Trillillial! I fear you may not have realized the import of
your generous act. To give away that which Dynara gave us, is not something to
have done so lightly. I only hope you may never come to regret your actions,"
soothed Aslarn.

Trillillial responded breezily, "Well, I have not noticed any ill effects, and
in any case at least these dreams can now have a purpose."

His crystalline body flickering a thoughtful, phosphorescent blue, Xyl pondered,

"If the dreamscape could be linked to the aether, we might form our Elemental
Lords from the perceptions of the dreaming. A perception-based reality if you
will. Do you think you could shape their dreams to such a purpose, soft
Trillillial?"

Trembling, Trillillial whispered, "I am...I am afraid of getting lost in the
dreamworld. It has become a mysterious realm. Light and dark, beauty and horror,
every eventuality made manifest. There are...There are dark places there."

Stroking her warm, delicate forearm with his cold, crystalline fingertips, Xyl's
eyes turned golden as they met Trillillial's,
"Do not be afraid, beautiful one, I will be with you."

Encouraged, Trillillial nodded slowly, "I am ready."

Dismissing the rest of the gathering, Eventru called on the hamadhi to form a
healing circle around Xyl and Trillillial as they prepared to enter the
dreamworld. Lying on a mound of soft moss, they faced each other and clasped
hands, a reassuring smile on Xyl's face.

"You can do this, my brave one!" was the last thing Trillillial heard before she
closed her eyes and began to dream.

CHAPTER 4:
-------------

Trillillial opened her eyes to find herself alone in a glade with hundreds of
archways stretching out in every direction, for as far as
she could see.

"Xyl! Xyl! Where are you? You lied to me! You said I would not be alone!" she
shouted.

Xyl's reassuring voice sounded in her mind, "I am here, however, I need some
time to bind this place to the aether. I need you to find your way to Air's
reflection here, we will begin there. Can you do that for me?"

"I will try. Please. Hurry!" Trillillial whispered. Steeling herself,
Trillillial began the search.

The scenes she saw through each archway were as varied as they were innumerable.
Through one archway, a dusty track snaking its way through a vast meadow.
Wafting from another, a beautiful keening melody, full of melancholy before
fading to silence. From another, maddening whispers promising her great power.
Through another, ominous roiling shadows appeared to reach out and attempt to
clasp her ankles, causing her to hurry past.

One scene in particular caused her great pain. Isune was calling to her, urging
her to come paint the skies with her. Whenever Trillillial tried to move on,
Isune would start screaming, writhing in pain, pleading with Trillillial not to
leave her alone. Eventually, tears streaming down her face, Trillillial covered
her ears and ran until she could no longer hear Isune's screams. Still sobbing,
Trillillial resumed her search.

Eventually, she came to it, the cloudy archway that led to Air's reflection in
the dream realm. Stepping through, she was immediately
caught up by a powerful gust of wind and blown off the cloud she had just
stepped onto.

"Xyl! Xyl! Please. Help me! I'm falling!" she screamed.

Trillillial felt a small tug in her chest as Xyl folded a pathway through the
aether to her. Trailing sparks as he emerged from the
newly-formed rift, Xyl took her hand and smiled, an amused jade coursing through
his body, "Don't tell me that Trillillial of the Skies forgot how to fly?"

Ever logical and collected, Xyl's presence was instantly soothing, as though he
radiated a calming aura. Stroking her blushing pink cheeks, Xyl asked gently,
"There is one more thing I must ask of you. We need you to plant the suggestion
of our greater elementals into the minds of the dreaming." Squeezing her hand,
Xyl promised, "I will be right here."

Acquiescing, Trillillial began to sing a soothing lullaby, her wings flaring as
she gently spiralled up into the air. At the spiral's zenith, she closed her
eyes, linking her consciousness with the dream realm.

Looking up, Xyl saw the signs of the horrors Trillillial was experiencing
expressed on her beautiful face. Four whirlwinds had formed
around her, growing more and more tempestuous. Each appeared to be forming
different personalities. It was working.

Suddenly Trillillial flared with an incandescent light before falling from the
sky. Xyl rushed forward and caught her, cradling her soft body in his
crystalline embrace.

A deep sadness in her eyes, she whispered weakly, "It is done."

EPILOGUE:
------------

Trillillial and Isune had just finished painting a sun-kissed mountain range and
were sitting by a clear mountain stream.

"Xyl said that what you did in the dream realm was rough on you?" Isune
questioned softly.

Trillillial nodded but did not speak.

"And that you wouldn't tell him what you saw?" Isune continued.

"It was...It was disturbing. I don't know what's real or not anymore,"
Trillillial replied.

Taking her hands in hers, Isune entreated, "Please tell me what you saw."

Tears welling in her eyes, Trillillial turned to her sister, "I saw a darkness
enveloping everything we have created. Nothing we did could prevent it. Nothing.
Something is out there and it will come for us."

Waving her hand dismissively, Isune replied, "Just a dream, sister, just a
dream! Look around at what you have done, nothing can undo it."

Wistfully, Trillillial looked around, "I hope so," was all she could reply.

"But for now at least, the Basin breathes."