#vrtra

"A surprise indeed. How do you yet still live, appearing the same as when we first met?" He knew some mortals had ways of expanding their lifespan, but he had no knowledge of what Zel had done.

"Come now, Vrtra, surely I look a little different." She responded with a playful lilt in her voice, but she knew what he meant. How did she still look so young?

"I thought you had returned to the star."

"I had a few obligations I needed to fulfill."

It always was her style to tease and be cryptic when confronted with questions. And he had many, many questions. They swirled through his mind, as if fighting for which one got to rise to the surface to be voiced first.

At that moment, he realized he was still cupping her face with his hand, which he now pulled away. Still, her gentle smile never left her face.

"This is a poor location for catching up. Shall we take a stroll?"

--

Vrtra hoped that his mannerisms did not belie his bewilderment, and endeavored to maintain poise and an air of dignity as he and Zel made their way through the colorful streets of Radz-at-han.

"So…you're wondering how I'm here, right?"

Zel trotted beside him, her gown nearly touching the paving stones. He had never know her to wear such finery before, as she usually opted for practical clothing suited to travel, most often the white and red robes of a healer. It looked to be made of fine silk, somehow exceeding the quality of the finest silk in Thavnair, a lovely shade of sky blue that complimented her eyes.

"I am." He said, his wandering thoughts brought back into focus. "I presume it is related to your wings."

"Yep!" Despite having not seen her for over a century, she maintained her playful demeanor. "Before I came to Thavnair, I was brought over to another shard. I think I've told you this before?"

"Yes, your time in the first, if I am not mistaken?"

"Yeah. While I was there, I made a pact with the fae to return when my journey was over. I kinda killed their previous king, so technically I was supposed to take the crown, but that wasn't really possible at the time."

"And so now you have taken up the mantle?" He asked. He didn't want to question why she killed her predecessor, but he assumed she had good reason.

"Yeah. So I'm the King of the fae now."

"Not the queen?"

"Well, the fae don't really have a concept of gender. They took the title of king from a nearby kingdom, and thought it was just the title for the person with the highest level of authority, which technically, they aren't wrong."

Vrtra nodded. He could relate to having a different concept of gender than mortals did.

"How have you been since I last saw you?" Zel inquired.

"Quite well, thank you. Trade with Tuliyolal is stronger than ever, especially with the exchange of spices, and Garlemald has sent many people here to train under my alchemists."

"That's not what I asked, Vrtra, how are you?" She added emphasis on the last part.

Vrtra took a pause to consider his words carefully. His first instinct was to talk about his city and his people, but he knew that wasn't what she wanted to know. It felt a little strange to think of himself as an entity separate from his precious city, at least until the Warriors of Light and their party came into his life many, many years ago. On top of that, how was he to really measure time? He knew from the calendar that a couple hundred years have passed, but it could be difficult to piece together a timeline in a way comprehensible to mortals.

But she wasn't really mortal anymore, was she.

"I have been well. My alchemists have improved the sensations of my simulacra, allowing them more nuanced senses, such as the ability to taste, and more tactile feel. They are, however, still mere vessels. I also have made a point to visit with my brother, who claims he is not lonely, having his companion Shiva with him, but all the same, he seems pleased to see that Azdaja is thriving."

He trailed off a bit, lost in thought. Zel waited patiently for him to continue.

"We could both feel the acute pain of his loss. Our losses. I may not have known Nidhogg very well, but Ratotoskr and Azdaja were close, and she visited me every so often, until tragedy befell her. To think that only four of us remain, it brings sorrow I would not be able to bear were I alone."

She reached over and touched his arm to comfort him, and he closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them, he finally realized something significant that he hadn't noticed. He was so focused on Zel that he had completely missed that there were no people around.

"The streets…they are empty." He choked out, a small pang of panic in his voice. He glanced down at Zel for reassurance, and was met again with her calming smile.

"We are in your dreamscape, Vrtra. You don't remember going to sleep?"

"I do. It has been so long for me, however, that it feels as though I barely remember how to dream."

Upon realizing he was dreaming he reached out to touch Zel's shoulder, uncertain.

"You…do not feel like a mere dream. Are you truly here, Zel?"

She stopped and turned to face him holding his hand in hers, gently rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. They were so different in size, his hand large and hers very small in comparison. The warmth helped comfort him.

"Well, that's related to my duties as the King of the Fae. My pixies take care of the realm of dreams, and I am not exempt from this duty. While they can only manipulate dreams in small ways, I am able to actually visit the people whose dreams I enter."

"And you are here, truly, within my dream? How did you come to know I had begun my slumber?"

"Your sire told me." There was that cheeky smirk she often had. He knew that his father had guided her in the past, but was she truly able to visit his dreams?

Somehow, he wasn't surprised. This was far from the most fantastical and wondrous thing she had done in her long history as an adventurer. Knowing she now had the power to travel through dreams seemed fitting for a wanderer like her.

"He wanted me to make sure you were adjusting well to your sleep, and I'm glad I came. I know you would have adapted, in time, but I thought you could do with a little jumpstart."

"I appreciate it." He said before looking around. "So then, can my dreams have my people?"

"Well, not their souls, but copies based on your memories, yes."

"You can create them?"

"Actually, you have to do that. Seeing your memories of your people is beyond my power."

He felt warmth and courage wash over his heart as she held his hand, still gently rubbing. He closed his eyes, and thought about the citizens of his beloved city, each of them a precious child to him. When he opened his eyes once again, there were crowds bustling about, living their lives, just as he had observed when he walked the city streets in one of his many simulacra that he used over the years. The sounds of life and music filled the air, and even the scents of incense and various food vendor stalls stirred on his tongue. He marveled at the replicas of his citizens, completely overcome with emotion.

"Lets take a rest for a little bit, give you some time to take it all in." Zel tugged at his hand, gently leading him towards a small bench.

Vrtra nodded, his Au Ra tail swaying back and forth with his barely contained joy.

---

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