The world was changing in many different ways. Even now he could feel the great pull of battle, the sweet song of bloodshed. How it called to him every time his eyes closed, the horrible sights he witnessed that one fateful night. Oh the nightmares that waited him every time he rested, the call of his sword and the horrible creatures.

His first clash with the Val'Gaara had almost rendered him useless, the things he saw and heard. The massive beast known as Brobdingnag had haunted him, even the idea of it scared him. Those combatants that night were formidable, and it wasn't often he felt overshadowed. The horrible thing about it was the deep mental scars it left upon him.

He had been told it was lucidity, every time he fell asleep he was in complete control. Things he couldn't do in his dizziest daydreams he could accomplish. He saw a massive army, all with the banner of an owl hovering over some planet with a purple atmosphere. He witnessed an entire tournament, comprised of the multiverses strongest warriors. Ran was effectively everywhere, yet no where.

The complexity of Schrodinger's cat perplexed the samurai, oh how absurd it was. How can you deny it, when you are a living example of it? It was absolute torture to be considered a mathematical impossibility.

"Father?" A soft voice, one so sweet and filled with guileless intentions pulled him from his repugnant thoughts. "Are you alright?"

Ran's crimson eyes turned up to face the girl, wide stone gray eyes with black hair done up into a pony tail. She looked more like her mother, thankfully. There was definitely regal blood flowing through her veins, the way she carried herself and spoke very crisp and to the point.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. I'm fine." He said, giving her a reassuring smile that really didn't reach his eyes.

"I don't believe you," she said curtly, "You haven't moved an inch for the last few hours, and you didn't even notice you spilled your sake."

Looking down, he saw a stain that soaked into the wood. "You're right, sorry." He muttered, putting the sake dish down on the table at his side. "I was just lost in thought, that's all."

His daughter was sharp as the edge of his swords, and she wasn't fooled. "Anyway, why are you up so late? The moon is directly overhead, you should be asleep." Ran noted.

"I was reading that book Uncle Vanir brought from the Libraries of Estendale," Vanir wasn't really her uncle. He was an elf from the High Council that Ran had met many years ago. They stayed in touch, and he often stopped by to check on him after Ran had written him, telling him of his condition. "He also sent a bird, saying he'd be stopping in tonight. I wanted to see him when he got here."

"Is that so?" He said, standing and stretching to his full height. Joints stiff and cracking from hours of sitting on a basic wood stood in front of a fire that had started out blazing and dwindled into embers. "Where's your brother, anyway?"

"Last I saw him, he was down by the river trying to catch moonfish." Khairnai said with a hint of disdain. "I don't know why he bothers, they taste disgusting."

"Well, they do make good trophies and he can sell them. Maybe he'll move in with your Aunt Mira one of these days." Ah yes, Ran's sister. After he rescued her from her imprisonment at the hands of their elder brother, she went on to marry a shipbuilder in the eastern port cities. At least she was wealthy after everything she'd been through.

"Speaking of which, Father. I was hoping we could visit her one day soon, I rather miss her and Tommen." Her six year old cousin whom Khai absolutely doted upon.

"Maybe soon, if I start to show any signs of improvement. I'm hoping Vanir will be able to help again." He said, moving over to the thin glass windows, staring out into the dark forest that surrounded them. The peaks of the Iron Mountains poking up just beyond the horizon.

“Myself and Akihiko can go; you don’t have to go with us.”

“Absolutely not,” he said, the tone in his voice surprising the girl. “There is a war going on in the east, and bandits have been sighted nearby. I will be the one to escort you, or you don’t go at all.”

The sudden outburst left her a bit stunned- her father had never taken that tone with her before. “Yes, Father.” She mumbled quietly and retreated from the room, leaving Ran to his thoughts once more. Feeling disgusted with himself, he moved out into the yard. The tall trees looming around them, swaying in the sweet summer breeze. The forest was alive tonight, he could hear the cicadas chriping in the distance, the soft hoot of an owl, and the cry of a lonely frog. Moving over to one his hand made chairs, he sank down into its wooden seat, resting his elbows on his knees and waiting.

If he wasn’t mistaken, he caught a glimpse of movement through the trees. Sure enough, it was the elf. Loping gracefully betwixt the bushes and branches, moving with a grace befit one of his birth. The bright full moon fell down upon them, casting all in its whitewashed gaze, leaving the elf’s silver hair to seemingly glow. Tawny golden eyes stared at him, a bemused expression on Vanir’s face as he moved closer.

“Ran,”

“Vanir,”

They murmured as Vanir dropped into the chair across from him, the two having a silent exchange through eyes alone. After a few minutes, Vanir’s lips spoke”

“How have you been feeling?”

“Like everything is slipping away, bit by bit.” He answered quietly, running a hand through his hair.

“As expected. Have you made any progress with the meditation?”

“No, not at all. The meditation helps for a few hours, but it never goes away.” Said Ran.

“I think the true answer to your ailment lies within the one who severed the connection of your mind and body. Do you still have that blade, that one that absorbed that strange water?”

“Etai? Yes, although it feels to have been losing itself with every time I wield it. It has been locked away ever since, deep within the scroll.” He explained, remembering how the blade had gone from black to a sickly green.

“I would suggest starting there. You said they were… Val’Gaara you fought, yes?” Vanir asked, tracing his lips with one long finger.

“I think so. Although, the water, I think, didn’t belong to them. I’m pretty sure it belonged to some dinosaur-alien-thing.” Said Ran, a hint of a smile on his face.

“I shall send a few inquiries. But you need to get started on your journey as soon as you can, I will watch over your children for you.” Vanir promised.

“Can you take them east to stay with their Aunt Mira? She’s my sister, I’d prefer them to go with her. It’d be safest.” He said, standing.

Vanir stood too. “Consider it done, they will be safe in my hands and I will place a few protective spells. Your family has the world of Vanir of the Thirteenth House of Tel’Naeir.” He said, the two shook, and Vanir retreated to the house.

Ran turned, staring up towards the moon. It had been a while since he had been on any journey. He wondered, however faintly, where it would take him. He’d have to find the owner of the water first, and then maybe he’d find his answers.

“A cure… I can’t help but be hopeful.”