#dimensional tides

Sykova sounded close to a nervous breakdown. "Is that good or bad?" It was a wonder Tahyrell still understood what she was talking about. "Good for now, because it gives us an advantage," Gavani explained hastily, "No seer is so powerful to perceive this change in such a short time. Even Sykova is surprised." "And the ripple effect? If this is already changing so much, what about the future?" With a questioning look, Bayeen looked back and forth between Gavani and Sykova. "That's exactly our advantage," Gavani chuckled, "The conspirators will act on what the seers have seen for decades." Casimerin pulled the last memory crystal out of the slot and looked around. "You're telling me that Miada has triggered a butterfly effect that will benefit us now because the future is uncertain again?" "That's exactly what they're saying." Fenor smirked with a shake of his head as Miada looked to him. "Has anything like this ever happened before?" Questioningly, she looked to Gavani, who looked up, thinking. "It happens all the time, but not on such a large scale, but that one is now because a huge number of people have been working toward the same goal....... Wait." Gavani's gaze went to Sykova, who just looked at her with wide eyes. "That's why they want us gone and have been working towards this moment to keep us together." "Does anyone else understand what's going on?" Bayeen had straightened up and looked around the room. The hum of the machines grew louder. Soon they were ready to use the portal. "Miada is an unstable variable. There are always people like that, but because of her proximity to the councils due to her family, that makes her a disruptive factor in the conspirators' plans. Because she is unpredictable, everything related to her eventually becomes unpredictable as well." "Then I should stay." Hands on hips, Miada stood there. Gavani just looked at her pleadingly. "Please, little one, not now. Even though right now it seems, and I do say seems, that's what our enemies want, it's also our only chance. You heard your grandfather." Fenor, Sykova and Bayeen hugged her from the side. "She's right. We are more help in the other dimension." Slowly, she turned to Sykova. "The moment we are back, whenever that will be, I will hunt down anyone involved in this knowingly." Sykova's look was as serious, grim, and cold as it looked inside her. "I will gladly help you in this, sinda." "All right, you four. We can." The way Casimerin looked at them, you would have thought they were his children, not his colleagues. "All right, then. Everyone, take your bags. Check again that everything is there and properly seated." Fenor had taken command without thinking about it. As the portal went into the final stages of preparation, everyone checked their backpacks and bags. Dressed in the most practical clothing they could find, they all stood there, ready to cross over into another dimension. Bayeen silently distributed the chains with the translator crystals. The soft sound of the portal sounded amplified many times in the silence. "Take care of yourselves," Gavani smiled. Then they stepped through.

The empty cake box caught fire as Miada became upset. Orshez and Gavani put their hands on her forearms and squeezed. On the screen, Zefika paused. You had to hand it to him, he could play the concerned councilman perfectly. "We have found the plant and will destroy it tomorrow morning. May the darkness be with us that they have not yet received outside help. All dragons still living in the towns and villages are under house arrest as of now. I ask every fox to report any violations to the authorities. Unfathomable Darkness be with us." Zefika disappeared from the screen, and a list of new laws appeared, but no one paid attention to it. Miada looked at Sykova, who only nodded. Bayeen and Fenor said goodbye to their parents. "Don't worry, little one. We were expecting something like this. You do what you have to do, and we'll get ourselves and the little ones to safety." Gavani smiled encouragingly, but there was clearly tension underneath. For a brief moment, Miada closed her eyes and took several deep breaths in and out. She had to keep her emotions under control now, or she would disrupt the portal. After everyone had said their goodbyes, the four of them set off. While their way led to the laboratory together with Gavani, Orshez guided the others on their way out of the city. This was not how she had imagined it. Something in Miada had hoped they would just use the portal surreptitiously because they didn't get permission, and not because three power-hungry families in their cross-generational plan left them no other choice. "I will make Zefika suffer for this." She had only spoken softly, or more like rolled, but Sykova had overheard. "No, that's what I'm going to do. He's my responsibility." "We'll worry about that when the time comes," Gavani reminded them, "Even though I want a piece of that traitor, too."

Bayeen's bewilderment only reflected how Miada felt. Only weeks had passed, barely more than three months. No one was that fast. "Because they've been preparing it for generations." Sykova's voice was strained and contempt almost dripped from his lips. "He's right. For as long as I can remember, Grandmother has spoken of the Great Day of Control. What we see now is what they let us see. Not long, and they will treat the foxes who oppose them the same way." "How can we leave now?" Miada had almost shouted. "Because you are our hope, my child." Orshez stood behind Fenor and looked at her with an unreadable mine. "What do you mean?" She pushed past Lavynara and Fenor to stand in front of Orshez. He just put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. "Lavynara and Gavani have told me what they see, what possible twists all this can take. I've asked around. Every seer says the same thing: You four are coming back and those who come with you will decide how it turns out. You are our SOS out into the dimensions. You have the most important job of all: Find allies." "But we should be here. Helping. Syo...." As if he had been waiting for the cue, Sykova put a hand on her head. "Mis, that's exactly what we're going to do." "We must plan and proceed as meticulously as our opponents," Orshez explained, this time with a slight smile. Miada looked over her shoulder at Lavynara and stared at her with narrowed eyes. "Tell me you'll be safe." "You can't ask her to do that," Bayeen interjected. "She's right, it's not fair," Fenor agreed. Miada broke away from her grandfather and Sykova and stood in front of Lavynara. "Tell me you'll be safe." There was something strange about the smile as Lavynara nodded. "We will, as long as something doesn't change seriously. We have already brought about change with this now. You've already caused changes that couldn't have been predicted. From what I see at the moment, I can tell you that we will be safe. Please focus on what lies ahead." For a moment, Miada wanted to flare up, but collected herself before her magic could begin to make itself known. She took a deep breath. A moment later, she collapsed. Fenor grabbed her and hugged her as tightly as he could, only to have that trigger a group hug. "We can do this. You heard her. We'll be back, and then we'll clean up with these brain-addled idiots." Bayeen's attempt to cheer everyone up sounded a little strange, but it served its purpose, making everyone giggle. A few moments later, the hug dissolved and one by one, everyone except Miada and Lavynara went back inside. Taking a deep breath, Miada turned to Lavynara again. "I'm sorry." "I understand. This is no easy knowledge." "No, it isn't." They both looked up at the sky, where the sun was slowly setting, bathing everything in warm colors. "Lavynara?" "Yes, Miada?" "We won't come back alone?" "No, you won't." "Good. I'm looking forward to the day when I can skin Zefika alive for all he's done. And then I'll move on to all the other foxes who helped start this madness." Lavynara just shook her head and looked to the side with a smile. "Let's get inside before all the cake is gone." "That sounds like the best plan today." "You haven't seen my siblings fighting over pie, have you?" It almost sounded like a warning to Miada's ears. Seconds later, she realized it was just that. The sight of the horde of puppies fighting with Sykova over who got which piece was something she would probably remember for a while. Especially because the biggest pieces were secretly given to the smallest ones.

"Don't be silly, Fen. Do you think we adults haven't noticed that the four of you have always stuck together? It's been obvious to me for a long time that there had to be something behind it. I never thought it would be this big, though." The other dragons just nodded in agreement. "How close are we?" It was Bayeen's father who had asked the question that was on everyone's mind. Sykova looked to Miada, Fenor, and Bayeen. Miada put a hand on his upper arm with a smile. "Today, right?" Sykova just closed her eyes. Automatically, all eyes went to Lavynara. Mutely, she nodded. "Today," ultimately confirmed Gavani, "After all I can put together, sometime tonight." "And then?" "That's no longer your concern," Orshez admonished, unusually sternly, "We're prepared." "We're not going to let some idiots with power fantasies have their way," Bayeen's father laughed. Slowly, Miada got a sense that Bayeen's optimism came from her father. "Damn, you're on time today, of all days?" blurted Vivalka. There were heavy bags on her hands. "What are you doing?" There was no mistaking the skepticism on Sykova's part. "Cake!" At the word cake, two hungry teenagers immediately stood in front of Vivalka. "We'll help." Miada had to laugh at the look Sykova gave his siblings, but slowly it became clear why he always took so long to choose something for himself. "Leave some over while you help, though," Lavynara joked.

"Basically, our boss is a big soft cookie." "Don't say that too loud," Bayeen chuckled and began to gather everything together. One by one, they all got ready for the necessary long end of the day. They were almost out of the lab when Sykova's phone went off. The initial confusion faded as he smiled. "This is Lavynara. She asked if we had any plans for tomorrow." "I think we are now." Curious, Bayeen stretched. "Who is meant by we?" "I think all of us, including you. Provided you feel like surviving overzealous fox cubs." "The pups can't be any worse than you." Only the amused twinkle in Fenor's eyes showed he was joking. "So we're all in. I think the more adults, the better." The questioning look from all three that Miada got in return made her laugh out loud. "What, we're still better than those hyperactive triplets that call themselves his siblings. Even for kids, they have too much energy." "Who has too much energy?" Vivalka had snuck up behind him and leaned on Miada's shoulder. "Syo's siblings." "Oh, the little whirlwinds. You were worse." "I was only one, though. That's three of a kind." "You're right again." Laughing, the group began to move. Without giving it a second thought, almost all the scientists collectively left the lab and strolled across the grounds of the institute. It was strange to see so few people on the road, but it happened. However, when they reached the street it became stranger and stranger. The question marks were almost visible overhead as everyone looked at each other in confusion. There were almost only fox demons to be seen, and many of them were looking at the group just as confused. "I forgot all about that..." muttered Cindarin thoughtfully. "The messages..." Sykova had added quietly, but he might as well have been shouting. The total of four days they had all been holed up in the lab had left visible marks on the company. Someone put his hands on Miada's shoulder. She leaned back a little to see who it was and looked at Gavani with a sullen look and compressed lips. "Soon." She didn't have to say more. Miada looked to Sykova. Judging from his stony look, he had the same thought. It was only a matter of days, if not hours, before they would leave everything behind. Even more than before, Miada was glad that they had prepared everything with Gavani and Casimerin on the side during the last days. If they had to, Miada, Sykova, Fenor and Bayeen could make the transition to the other dimension within an hour, and looking around her, there was a fear that that was exactly what was going to happen.

The people they saw through the drone clearly bore a resemblance to the representations labeled Vowiquima and Moikrahin. Only the group they saw second was nowhere to be found. "That means multiple species have mixed into this dimension?" someone asked behind them. "Probably through trade," Fenor mused aloud. "Wait a minute..." Miada walked closer. "Misrin, could you get down a little further?" Casimerin seemed to have seen it as well. A little bit the people came closer. The drone had to be hovering about ten feet above the group. "There are four of them. They're bashat. There are demons there!" Miada could not control her joy. If it was this dimension she had to visit to find her parents, some things would be easier. "Is this the hidden land, perhaps?" "What?" Everyone turned to Tahyrell, who looked at them in confusion. "There are always references in the history books that during the beginnings of the Interdimensional War, some retreated to a peaceful dimension because they didn't want to be part of what their peoples started. That right there could be as many different peoples as we see there." Fox's ears twitched nervously as Tahyrell explained, which was probably more because everyone was looking at him. "That would be the biggest find after the portals were developed." "That means I can get it back?" asked Misrin with a laugh. "Yes, you can. We have all the telemetry. It's going to take at least two days to evaluate all of that." Casimerin's enthusiasm was contagious. It wasn't as if everyone wasn't almost vibrating with anticipation of finally being allowed to re-enter the other dimensions and be the first to research it. Still, eyes remained fixed on the monitor as Misrin retrieved the drone. Elegantly, the little thing flew through the portal. Only a second later, Gavani closed the portal. For a long second there was absolute silence, so that only the hum of the apparatus could be heard, then cheers broke out. Casimerin rushed up to Misrin and took her in her arms effusively, which only caused the others to exchange amused glances. Whatever the next few days brought, they could be sure that they already had a historic breakthrough.

"I think so." "I'm sure of it," Sykova spoke seriously. Carefully, he set the bags down and pulled out his phone. A moment later, he showed an ancient representation of the dimensions they once traded with. All of them were arranged around them and connected with different colors. "This dimension map used to hang in the classroom back in the days when we had the pre-Barrier era as a study area, didn't it?" Miada stepped closer and pulled his hand with the phone toward her. "That's right, I remember it faintly." "You think it also showed the dimensional threads?" Even as Fenor asked the question, Sykova held it out to him. Silently, Fenor studied the illustration and nodded slowly. "Yes, it does show that. But why couldn't everyone see it?" Questioningly, the three looked at each other. "Maybe it's like the seers with the foxes?" suggested Miada at one point with a shrug. "That would make sense," Fenor agreed with her, "After all, it was always said that the most gifted portal mages were dragons. If they could see those connections, they always knew immediately when a portal wasn't safe." Sykova's amused giggle distracted Fenor and Miada. "Bayeen is going to hate that she's the only one who doesn't have a special ability." "I wouldn't say that. Her empathy is strong." It was cute how Fenor defended her, but Miada knew Sykova was right. Bayeen would want to smack Fenor silly for that. "But...", Miada began and then paused for a moment, unsure if she should say it. The looks on the other two's faces were wait-and-see. Sykova indicated with a wave of her hand that she should keep talking. "But now we know that there is a special talent even among dragons. It just wasn't needed all this time, or didn't have a chance to be needed? Which of the two, actually?" "In a way, both." Laughing, Fenor took her in a hug with one arm. "He's got a point there. We should go in, though. The food is getting warm and I think we could all use a pick-me-up." Sykova pranced past them both. Whether it was intentional that he stroked his foxtail around Fenor as he did so or not, Miada couldn't tell. She wouldn't be surprised if it was intentional.

A new kind of hum spread through Miada's body. The questioning looks of the others told her that they felt it too. Slowly, a kind of pressure came to it, as if someone was trying to push her away. "Stand your ground, that's the barrier's defense mechanism," Atryn warned her in a pressed voice. The pull for more magic came right after that. Miada had to concentrate that not too much was sucked out at once. It wouldn't do anyone any good if she toppled over. The portal entered its final phase. The great gate slowly began to erect the portal, as evidenced by the flickering of air in the space between. With a soft sound of running water, the portal stood all at once. Fenor and Casimerin took deep breaths at the sight, and Atryn also seemed surprised by something. "Do you see that too?" whispered Fenor strained. "What?" Bayeen had answered. "The threads..." Miada wanted to ask what strings, but there was a pop. It rang in her ears, but the pressure on her chest was gone. Looking at Atryn and Casimerin showed movements as if something was being put together. Somewhere deep in her memory, something from class came up again. Some scientists suggested that the dimensions were connected to a limited number of other dimensions by some kind of spider web. If she compared this with what she had just seen, it was obvious that there was some truth in it. The portal changed and sky, as blue as she had rarely seen it, appeared in the gateway. Satisfied, Atryn and Casimerin fell into the nearest office chairs. "We did it?" asked Cindarin, hopefully. "We did. This is the sky of another dimension." Orshez had stepped closer. His mouth was open in amazement. Miada could relate to him what it must be like after all these decades to finally witness the portal being successfully activated. Carefully and on shaky legs, she and Gavani stepped next to Orshez. Both placed a hand on his shoulders. "Now we will bring her home," Gavani determined with a certainty Miada could not relate to. At that moment, she could only trust that what Gavani saw all these years would come to pass, whatever it was. Sykova stood next to Miada and exhaled in relief. "That's better." "I know what you mean," Gavani commented. "Do we want to know what you mean?" The question sounded as uncertain as Miada felt. Sykova just shook her head and kissed her on the cheek. "Just know that this sky means we're on the right track," he whispered in her ear. She nodded, barely visible. They were on the right path. Nothing else mattered now.