Nii continued. “The Királyes have pushed for technological advancement in order to find a way to keep the pathway open. They claim they want the world to evolve. Every time a new power source emerges, they use it to try and open the Dim. They capture a mystic and try to keep the path open. I was taken from my home. From my bed by a Királye lackey. They brought me here, bound me, bled me, and forced the pathway to open through me. It was so violating I welcomed death when the pathway collapsed. At least I drove one of them insane.” She spat.
Tahki’s head spun. “Dyraien would never do that. He’s… he’s intelligent. He’s logical. He would never believe in something like this. He’s not like his mother or grandmother or great-grandmother. He’s different.”
Nii’s mouth curved into a cruel smile. “Yes, he is different. But not for the reasons you think.”
Tahki felt cold.
“Ten years ago,” Nii said, “Dyraien’s mother opened the Dim. Dyraien was with her when it happened. She entered and the pathway collapsed. Her body returned to this world just like her predecessors. But this time was different. This time, something was taken from the Dim. The queen stole a piece of the Dim before the path fell. Something the gods want returned to them, because they fear what is to come. Tahki, are you listening?”
Tahki held his breath.
“This is why I am here, Tahki. This is why the gods allowed me to return. For the first time since this world was born, the gods are fearful. Fearful of Dyraien, for he is the first living human to lay eyes on the Dim and keep his sanity. He has witnessed the power the Dim holds, he has discovered its secrets, and he will find a way to bring back that power and use it for his own conquest.”
Tahki shook his head. “I’ve never heard Dyraien mention the Dim.” Nii had him all wrong. And yet, Dyraien had looked so obsessive when he saw Tahki’s design.
Nii raised an eye brow. “Tahki, what purpose did you think this castle, built over a sacred river in the middle of nowhere, would have? Dyraien wants a weapon. A weapon that will be used to keep the pathway open long enough for him to get what he wants.”
“It can’t be.”
The eels pecked at Nii’s side. A high-pitched screech filled the room.
“Tahki,” the eels screamed. “You must destroy the castle.”
He grabbed his ears.
“Listen to my words,” Nii said. “Ten years ago, the monks uncovered the Királyes’ plot. Dyraien closed the borders and silenced all who knew the truth.”
Tahki forced himself to look at her.
Her eyes swelled with rage. “Dyraien will find a mystic and use this castle to open the Dim. He will destroy both worlds. The Dim must not be opened! You must destroy this castle!”
“I can’t!” Tahki yelled.
The eels simmered, and a hush fell over them.
“The castle means everything to me,” Tahki said. “You tormented me. Tried to drown me. What if you’re just some evil spirit? How do I even know you’re my great-grandmother?”
“Because you feel my words are true,” Nii said. “Deep inside, you know something is wrong with this castle. The gods have brought you here for a reason.”
“My skills as an architect brought me here.” He stood a little straighter. “If you want the castle destroyed, why not just take the cat’s body and do it yourself?”
“I can’t do it alone, Tahki. The cat’s body is vulnerable, and illusions only work for so long. It takes a great deal of energy to possess something. If the cat is destroyed, my spirit won’t be strong enough to take another. And even if I did manage to kill Dyraien, there are others who know of his plan. So long as this castle stands, there is always a risk. More innocent people will be killed in the Királye conquest.”
“But I’ve worked so hard,” Tahki pleaded. “I finally proved myself.”
Nii looked suddenly tired. “I know you will do the right thing. I know you will become the man your mother says you are.”
Every inch of Tahki’s skin crawled. It only struck him now to ask the obvious question. “If you really are a spirit, and you have a connection to the Dim, then I want to see my mother.”
Nii looked down into the water. “It does not work like that.”
“Why not?” Tahki said. “Why are you here and not her?”
“Because the gods wish it so.”
“The gods.” Tahki laughed. “If they’re all-powerful, why not have them destroy the castle?”
At this, Nii hesitated. “The gods are not what you think. They need your help.”
“They took my mother from me. They burned her alive.”
Nii’s body appeared shorter. She sunk slowly into the pool. “Tahki.” Her voice sounded weak. “I know you are hurt and confused, but you must do what is right. You must push aside your doubt and find the courage to save your people, to honor your fallen ancestors. It is up to you now.” A faint black mist evaporated off her body. Tahki tried to ask more questions, but she fell into the pool with an unceremonious splash. The eels slithered beneath the surface. The water rippled for a minute and then stilled.
Only Tahki’s shallow breath filled the room. He approached the pool and stared into the black waters. Nii’s words bounced across his mind, but one sentence stood out: You must destroy the castle.
A grunting noise drew his eyes to the body of the black cat. Her paws twitched, then her whiskers, and then her tail swung outward, catching him in the gut, knocking him over. She rose, stretched, and yawned as though waking from a nap.
Tahki stood. “Nii?”
The black cat looked at him.
“Can you understand me?”
The cat didn’t move.
“Blink once if you can understand.”
The cat didn’t blink.
Tahki buried his face in his hands. “Gods, this isn’t happening. This can’t be happening.” They lived in such an advanced world. A world
