I stood before the portal. Usually when Starling sent me somewhere I could see the destination. This time it was nothing but darkness.

“You sure you want to do this, Mum?”

I looked back at my boy. He was already full grown. I knew almost ever possible future. But why was it when I first held him in my arms that the moment after I stepped into this portal everything was blank. Not for just a moment either. Whole days even months were blank.

I’d have to do this without my future sight. A foreign concept. A risk. If I couldn’t be sure of the future then my goal would be harder to achieve. However the futures where I don’t step through the portal were very bleak. And not just for me.

I gave my son a smile. He was already going through so much trying to be a father to a girl he didn’t bear. Pining for a woman who hadn’t and now couldn’t return his affections. I was glad he had his friend at least to lighten the load.

“I’ll be fine, my child.”

“But your future vision-“

“Is not the only power I have.” I reached up to touch his cheek. “I will be fine. Save your care for the ones who need it.”

He nodded. I stepped back, taking one last look at him. Then I stepped through the portal.

Darkness enveloped me so completely that I knew the portal had shut on its own. I felt out with my senses. It was cold. But there was a wisp of something. Almost like mind. I couldn’t grab hold of it. I followed it as it slowly moved forward. And then I felt another mind ahead of that one. Then another. But as I moved forward I didn’t bump into anyone. There was only cold.

So this was Zerdan’s realm. And all of the minds… No, spirits. All of these spirits were his citizens. No wonder my future vision didn’t work here. The dead had no future.

A familiar mind brush past me. I froze. It couldn’t be. But of course it was.

“You shouldn’t be here.” The spirit whispered.

I grasped at the voice but there was nothing to hold on to. “You shouldn’t be here. You should’ve been reincarnated with the others long ago.”

“Zerdan said I was needed here.”

I opened my mouth wanting to say so much. To explain. But time was different here. And if I wasn’t careful I’d end up centuries too late when I returned.

“Will you take me to him?”

She didn’t say anything, just started drifting to the direction I’d come from. As we traveled there were less and less spirits. And it was growing warmer. There was even a light at the end of the tunnel. But the lighter it grew the more I could see of her. Or what had been of her before she’d died. My heart weighed with guilt.

Finally she stopped at the threshold to a large cavern. “I can’t enter without permission. You must see him alone.” And she turned away.

“I’m sorry.” I said, stopping her. “I could have saved you but…”

She turned. “Everyone else would have died, right? At least everyone who was at the castle.”

What could I say to that? That they didn’t matter? That I’d sacrifice them anyway just to have her next to me?

“I don’t blame you for what happened.” Then she gave a dimpled smile. “I’m just glad that you’re happy now.”

“It would have been better if you lived.”

“But then you wouldn’t have your son.” She giggled at my look. “Yes, I’m still watching over you. Just like you did for me all those years ago.”

“Thank you, Cynthia.”

She nodded and drifted back into the darkness. I turned to the light and stepped into the cavern. Before me lay an enormous black dragon. He took up half the space just lying down.

His head snaked away from the spirit he was talking to. And he sighed. “Finally.”

I couldn’t agree with him more. For the next moments would be crucial. And then I’d have my revenge on a certain little dragon. Then maybe Cynthia’s spirit would be able to move on.