Chapter 12 - Field of Dreams

"Are you fine now?" Ethan asked when he saw that Amira had calmed down

while wiping her tears she nodded "Mhmm, I think so..."

"Good." He said "We should go then."

"Go? go where? Amira asked, now looking a bit confused

"To the Field of Dreams of course." Ethan said with a smile "You wanted to see it didn't you?"

Suddenly the once gloomy expression on her face brightened.

Amira had nearly forgotten about their plans to go see field when Ms. B had rushed in and told her that Ethan was being questioned by a Kingdom Magistrate. Luckily, It seems that the plan devised by the Village Chief, Luka and the others sewed the seeds of their own demise.

"Ok, let's go!" Agreed Amira. Her sullen expression was gone, now replaced with one of overflowing excitement.

Ethan nodded and took her hand, causing Amira to blush. Soon the pair left the Inn after saying some parting words to Ms. B and headed toward the the north gate.

Half an hour later

"Whoa! It's so pretty!" Amira said enthusiastically "I've seen so many different flowers in one place before."

The Field of Dreams, which was actually a small hill, was indeed covered in wildflowers. Ranging from light yellow to blue, red, and even shades of purple. It was almost as if a rainbow had descended and planted itself in the earth. Truly it was a sight to behold. Even Ethan who usually wasn't fond of these sorts of things was quite impressed.

"It certainly is something..." he said taking in the scenery.

After some time passed, Ethan made his way up the hill towards the large oak tree while Amira picked a bouquet to bring back to Ms. B.

When he was only a few steps away

[Congratulations! you have discovered the 'Tree of Fate'

A mysterious power dwells deep within this ancient Oak

Make contact, and if fate deems you worthy, you will be rewarded!]

'The System activated? And it says this tree has a mysterious power?'

Ethan was surprised by this information. He had just figured that the story of the Field of Dreams was just a local legend, Probably no more than superstitious nonsense. But now the Imperial System, which he wouldn't have believed in either if he were told about it by someone else; was clearly indicating that there was something definitely to this place.

"What is it?" Amira asked as she suddenly appeared behind him "You've been staring at this tree pretty hard for a while."

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering if the legend about this tree was true." he replied

"You mean the one about seeing a vision of your soulmate?" she asked curiously

"Actually, I was thinking about the gift your supposed to receive if you come with your fated partner."

"You don't mean..."

"It's worth a shot. unless you're scared to find out...?"

Amira seemed nervous but steeled her resolve and agreed.

They both slightly hesitated before placing their right hand on the large, mysterious oak tree.

A few moments passed with nothing happening and Ethan was about to be disappointed when the wind picked up. However, unlike a normal breeze, this was practically a whirlwind that nearly lifted them off the ground.

When the wind calmed down, a faint golden light came out of the Oak tree and surrounded them both. The light grew in intensity until Both Ethan and Amira had to squint in order to bear it. But just like the wind before, the light was gone just as quickly as it had arrived.

What was left in the wake of these events left them both dumbfounded.

Floating before the two was a single rose. Though unlike a normal rose, this one was special. It seemed to be made of some type of clear gem or crystal. Its surface was glistening in the sunlight and casting an array of colors in all directions.

[Congratulations!

You and your fated one have been blessed by the Tree of Fate!

As a reward you have been given the Eternal Rose!]

"This...is this really real?" Amira gasped while taking the Crystal Rose in her shaking hands "I'm not imagining this right?" sounding full of disbelief

"If you are, then so am I." Ethan replied with a similar feeling

"Then...does this mean what I think it means?" she asked

"I'm not sure. But I can think of one person at least that might have an idea." he said

"You're right! We should ask Ms. B!" Amira shouted as she understood his line of thinking. After grabbing the bouquet she had picked for Ms. B she continued "Come on! We have to hurry back!"

Ethan followed as Amira rushed down the hill, determined to get back to the Blue Moon Inn as quickly as possible.

The two arrived back at Lorik sometime after lunchtime

Once back in the village it only took them about five minutes to reach the Inn

Ms. B was cleaning around the front desk when she saw Ethan and Amira enter

"Oh? Back already?" she said with a smile "I was sure you would spend at least a couple hours there."

"Ms. B!" Amira exclaimed as she leapt into the womans embrace "You have to see it! you just have to!"

Ms. B was startled but began laughing "Haha, silly girl, I won't be able to see anything if your holding me so close!"

Amira suddenly backed away and smiled brightly

"Look what we have!"

The first thing Ms. B noticed was the bouquet that Ethan was now holding

"Are those flowers for me?" She asked

"Yes...wait no...I mean they are but...Look at this!"

Just as Ms. B was going to ask what was going on, a shiny object in Amira's hands caught he attention.

"That...where did you get that?" she managed to get out

"It happened like this..."

Amira explained how they had spent some time at the Field of Dreams before approaching the large oak tree, and about the wind, golden light, and the appearance of the Crystal Rose after they both touched it.

With each passing word, Ms. B's legs became more unstable until she lost all strength to stand.

"My gods...It's true then..." she muttered while on her knees

"You know what it is?" Ethan asked while Amira helped Ms. B stand back up

"Yes. If I'm not mistaken, that Should be the 'Eternal Rose'." She explained.

"The Legend of the Field of Dreams is as old as the Kingdom of Syrena. It's said that if the Goddess of Love, Celestia, finds you worthy she grants you a rose that never wilt."

'Goddess of Love? Are gods real here?' thought Ethan

"That's amazing!" said Amira

Ms. B and Amira continued to talk about the rose and what it meant for quite a while until it was almost dinner.

"My goodness, look at the time! you two should go take a rest. I'll bring you something to eat shortly." Ms. B finally said "Oh, and thank you for the flowers!'

Ethan and Amira both nodded their heads and went up to their room. It had started out a pretty hectic day with the Magistrate but thanks to Ms. B's suggestion to go to the Field of Dreams, it had turned out quite amazing.

Once back in the room

"sigh...I'm beat" said Ethan as he sat down in the chair

"I'm glad we still decided to go. I can't believe we actually got something so amazing. It's like a miracle..." Amira said while laying on the bed. She was turning the magic crystal rose over in her hands and watching as the multitude of colors danced around the room.

Ethan watched her watch the rose and a thought accured to him

'Where are we going to put that? it's probably too fragile to put in the pack...'

Finally, he made a decision about something that had been plaguing his thoughts for days now.

"Amira." Ethan called, grabbing her attention from the rose

"Ethan? what is it?" she asked concerned by his tone

"What do you know about...magic?" he asked

"Magic? why do you-"

"I need to show you something. But I need the rose. and you need to promise you won't freak out."

Amira was frightened by his sudden seriousness. she had only seen him like this when he fought those guys or when he killed the Ratlings. However she trusted him immensely now that they had spent so much time together.

"Okay, I understand." she said nervously and she handed him the Eternal Rose

"Watch carefully." he told her

'System Storage'