Prepare for war.

As you march through the streets of Castle Phoenix towards the inner castle itself, you feel a tingle down the back of your neck. When you turn, you see nothing present, though your Kitty Sense hasn't steered you wrong yet. You shrug, and turn back, though you're suddenly face-to-face with the night sky. Swiftly, you skip backwards in a needless dodge, as the one before you is not a threat. The etherite known as Aris has appeared once again not within your dreams. She floats a foot above the ground with an entire nebula flowing from her head off to the side as a breeze wafts by. Two glowing orbs radiate from her face as she locks her attention onto you.

Her voice reverberates through your mind. "Kyle," she says. "Don't worry. I'm not just a bunch of talk. In the final hour, I've come to join you. I said before that I'm not much of a combatant, but I do offer you something that may turn the battle in your favour."

"I'll take anything," you reply. "There's a lot we don't know, Aris, and my plan isn't perfect. Anything anyone offers, I'll accept it."

"All you must do is let me in." In a glitch of colours, she disappears as quickly as you can blink. Though a moment after she does, you feel her warm grasp over your shoulders. They slide affectionately over the fabric of your shirt, and as she leans in, you can feel her hair. There's nothing else like it. While incredibly soft, it also feels to be passing straight through you, like how one might imagine a cloud to feel. Despite her voice always being in your mind, now it sounds more like a whisper, as if right by your ear. "There is something quite unique I felt while inside your dreams. There is a connection there like I've never experienced. Imagine for a moment, my Trial of the Erotrain. If your mind is a room within the train, then picture a passage leading from that into many others. These other chambers belong to your allies. I can feel this link, and I believe I can traverse it, like a dungeon of love."

"So what does this mean?" you ask.

"Close your eyes. Imagine how we usually meet, in a void of nothing, without darkness nor light. Picture me in front of you, but don't fall asleep."

You nod and do as she instructs. After closing your eyes, you try and settle your mind. You feel a warm tingling in your head, as if you just had something to drink. As you look down, you're surprised by the sudden view of your hands. However, you're not outside Castle Phoenix anymore.

Looking around, you find yourself in that void she described. "Did I fall asleep by accident?" you ask. "What happened?"

You turn to see Aris floating to your left.

"Very impressive," she says. "What happened is that you followed my words. You allowed me to enter your mind, like a plane of its own, though I admit I did forget to tell you to sit somewhere safe first. You may be laying on the ground right now in reality. Anyway, I wish to explain to you what I'm offering at last."

"... I better not have broken something."

"I'm sure you're fine." Suddenly, she blinks out of existence. Her hand then touches your shoulder on the opposite side, shifting your attention that way. "So as I said, I believe I can use these strings you have between you and your allies. As long as I'm inside here, you may use me to utilize a sort of scrying magic. Not only will you be able to speak to anyone you share this link with, but see them as well. Surely this will prove invaluable in a large scale war."

"So it's like my Arcane Eye, but long-distance. And better."

"Perhaps. All tools have their uses. I admit that it will not be easy to multitask between scrying on your allies and doing whatever it is you're doing, but I will do all I can to aid you. I'll be here, within your subconscious. Think of me like a ghost, but I promise I don't have the ability to possess your body."

"Will you hear my thoughts?"

"Do you plan to think of impure things?"

"I'm just asking."

"Not exactly. If you wish to communicate with me while conscious, unlike now, you will still need to focus your mind. Speaking of which, you should awaken. You probably look very silly right now."

"Thanks. I can't really be mad at you after giving me such a powerful tool. So really, thank you for everything, Aris. We'll stop Breiah, Elok Daven, and your sister Nae."

"Just be careful. There's no telling what sort of shenanigans Nae has been up to. Now, wake up."