Even surrounded by comfort without compromise, I tossed and turned. My mind slipped between dream terrors. It was hard to imagine everything transpired in a single day when it felt like a lifetime ago I saw Vector's smile. My blood stirred rife with anger. Sherwin was right, I needed to do this.

So, as my sleep cycle came to a close I was ever eager to begin my day. However, rituals will be rituals. The elders had me go through a mending treatment and another soak in the geothermal. My wounds were still apparent, but they were clean and on their way to recovery. When I finished, my white robe was replaced with a strange black tunic and dark blue leggings. The top was made of an unusual material, silky smooth appearance but wore like cotton, much like the harder fibered leggings that clung to my legs. Strange to wear two types of clothing, when the body was one. Only when we labored away did we ever wear more than one, as it were easier to clean what got dirty. But the Elder assured me that it would make sense in Terran's world.

As I followed Elder Wheldon, we traveled back to the auditorium. There were no crowds there this time, only Maester Purcell. She stood where my pedestal should have been, but now it was replaced with a dark glimmering lid. Was that the entrance? Had I stood on it that entire time?

My legs quivered a little as I approached. Reality sunk in. Soon, I would no longer be a part of Gaia.

"Are you nervous?" Elder Wheldon asked.

I shook my head and held my hands firm.

He laughed, "It's perfectly natural to hold some fear of the unknown. Where you're going, hardly anyone comes back to give us an account of what awaits. You're brave enough to face it, no doubt there, but always stay on your guard. Fear helps that."

Advice? I smirked, with how short on support I was, I seized it. "Thank you Elder."

He nodded and remained silent till we approached Maester. She leaned against her scepter for support. She was old, that much I knew. Still, seeing her so feeble, I wondered how much longer she would remain with us. Would I see her on my return?

"Greetings," she said and stood taller at my approach, perhaps attempting to hide any weakness.

"Greetings," I responded, and bowed.

Her mouth arched slightly into a smile. "You may leave, Wheldon." She remained silent as she watched him nod and walk away. As he vanished her gaze returned. "I'd ask if you're ready, but I see that fire in your eyes. I dare not waste any effort to sway you. However," she gestured around, "now that we're alone, I can speak to you in private. Do you care to hear the adage of an old sage?"

I perked up and smiled, "And what is that, Maester?"

"Not everything you heard of the Terrans are folklore. Things we take for granted, like shelter, health, food, and peace are sparse. They're a brutal savage lot fighting for whatever scraps they can get, and waste more than they need. Perhaps this is because they have a thousand tongues between them, making it hard to communicate and to find solutions to their problems. Certainly, you'll find harsh and dire times. But never forget what you're seeking. You can't change them if you lose yourself to them.

"Still, what you seek to do is a noble venture, and won't be easy. So, I shall instill in you the will of Gaia. With her protection, you'll be protected from the harsh electromagnetic radiation of their sun and withstand their animosity. With her wisdom, you will be able to speak any of their tongues fluently and learn their ways quickly. She will guide you if you listen hard enough."

"Thank you—"

She shook her finger. "Be warned, Ada, after a Terran year, her wisdom and protection will fade. Your skin will turn orange, your body will weaken, and your grasp of language will falter, along with your memory. So, it is important you return on time, lest you be left in such a state for all of time."

I nodded. "Thank you Maester, I understand."

She rubbed her temple and paused for a moment. "In time, you will understand. You will know of the sacrifices one must make for the greater good." Master Purcell smiled. "I do hope you succeed though. I don't know you well, but that fire in your eyes speak volume. I doubt many went to the other world with such determination. You remind me of myself in my youth, had I chosen a different path."

I studied her for a moment. Was she like me before? If so, that explained her warming sympathy. Would I grow to look like her if I fail? Or would my passion set me free of those worried lines? Either way, I embraced the sentiment. "Thank you. I hope not to disappoint."

"Disappoint?" She grunted. "Regardless, it'll be your only opportunity. So, don't waste it."

I nodded and she held out her arm.

"Now, would you help out this old lady to the portal?"

"Of course," I linked arms with her much like I did with Vector. I expected a similar warmth, but instead I met a distilled coldness. Her limbs were frail and weak in my grasp and I refrained from applying much pressure as we strolled toward the shining portal.

"Stand aside," she said once we stood in front of it.

I obeyed and fought the urge to support her as she swayed. Why aren't there any elders here to help? Despite her weakness though, she studied me with those pondering eyes. It invaded my mind with an intensity. Like the core burning against my soul. I could see why she was the Maester, there were no secrets in me that she would not know.

"Now then," she smiled as if satisfied, "there is no turning back. Once I open this portal, it will link our world with theirs. It'll only take one soul and will be your only chance to leave. In order to bind your soul here and grant you Gaia's gifts, you must make your pact with me. A pact to erase your memories in a years time. Will you do that, Ada?"

Through my sleep cycle, that thought spun in my head countless times. A Terran year was hundreds of sleep cycles. Everything between now and the end would vanish within a moment. Besides yesterday, there's never been a day I wish to be forgotten. Would it be a likely curse? Probably, but it could also prove as a blessing. No matter the hardships I go through, I wouldn't have to carry that burden. Neither would I worry about regrets for hard choices. That freedom would allow me to get done what I needed to, no matter what. A boon in the loss. "Yes," I said. "I swear my memories of a future Terran year to you, Maester Purcell."

"Then, so shall it be." She tapped my head with the scepter's diamond.

A glacial tingle pulsed through my body. I nearly collapsed from the lightheadedness and my vision darkened.

"Child, the path before you will be difficult. May Gaia bless you and protect you from harm, so you can return safely." She raised her scepter over her head. It wavered for a moment as her eyes locked with mine. Flint of madness struck those golden brown hues and lit a fire in the depths of her soul. That smile arched into a sickening chuckle.

A burning flash of desperation pained my head, yet my feet remained frozen. My limbs felt as if not mine. Did she daze me? What for?— My eyes lit up. Gaia's no! All my memories were to be erased, whatever happened would be forgotten. Who to say she could not knock me out and keep me tied up for a year. A despicable act I would not put pass a Terran, but not a Gaian. Their corruption already encroached in my mind. My nightmares churned the stories of their deceit and madness, but from her, I did not have to fear. I lowed my head to her in respect. My Elder would choose wisely for me.

"Gaia, except this child in my stay!" She screamed as she slammed the scepter toward me.

The tailwind of it whipped against my clothes, but I remained untouched as it screeched down. As the diamond pierced the portal a sharp ringing pierced my eardrums and a blinding white light flashed. The lid hummed and flickered to a soulless black.

A void into the Ethereal world.

"It awaits you," she rasped and collapsed to her knees. The gold in her hair faded to ash as she groaned and her skin changed to hues of rose quartz.

What was going on? Was she dying? "Maester Purcell!" My voice found strength, but my body hardly moved. Only my hands swayed to her, but she was out of my reach.

"Don't worry about me, my child. It is the price of the bounding. To send you... unharmed and protected.... One must make sacrifices.... Go! Now! Or it'll be for not!"

Madness! She was withering away and she expected me to do nothing? Vector's loss pained my heart. Once again I would have to experience that selflessness? Utter madness! This wasn't what I wanted.

I did my best to move toward her, but she collapsed. Her color continued to change and the void grew wider beneath us. Her feet dangled off the ledge. Soon, she would be sucked inside.

If I didn't go, would she take my place? Did Gaia need a soul, regardless who made the pact?

Now I could see why she was hesitant to let me go. Why this would be my only shoot, and why there was no one else around. Yet, I could not help but wonder, would this memory stay with me? Was this before the pact initiated? I hoped as it would stop me from taking the life of another if I return with failure.

I had to make this count then.

I thought of myself brave, but my legs still froze. She was right. I was foolish. I didn't want death on my hands. That's what made me a Gaian. As I gazed into the abyss, there were monsters there who didn't care about life. I would never let my soul become as corrupt as theirs, but my selfishness edged me toward it. I needed to change them, less I change myself.

I would not let Maester Purcell's efforts go in vain.

There was hardly any movement in her chest and her eyes rolled back. Death was imminent. Her legs dangled off and she slowly dragged down. Her scepter rolled and clanged to the side. If someone picked it up, would they gain her power?—

No, Ada, quit thinking so much!

I'm not Vector or Sherwin. I didn't need to think. My gut got me this far and I would listen to it once more.

My legs broke free from its restraints and I stepped toward the ledge. Eternal blackness awaited me. "Here goes," I said and looked at Purcell. She teetered on the edge of falling in. There was no sense pulling her free if it would only take one. I had to go now.

"Thanks."

I leaned forward and jumped in feet first.