Tick

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick… Anxiety and fear melted away from Fflewddur like winter ice melting at the start of spring. Memories of the shadowy creatures on the Pirate’s Skyhold and in the Tower of Thalivar dissolved into darkness. The half-elf felt at ease for the first time in weeks.
 
Wondering how long he’d been meditating with Amarille, Fflewddur listened for the sound of fire crackling but caught the faint sound of birds singing instead. A cool breeze brushed his right cheek ever so gently as he heard the rustle of leaves nearby. Was it morning already? And, how did he end up outside?
 
Fflewddur opened his eyes and found himself sitting in the middle of a small forest clearing. A bird flew above him and landed on a tree to his left. Heat from the sun above warmed his body. There was a strong smell of oak in the air. If this was a dream, it was the most vivid one he’s ever had.
 
Two figures approached in the distance. One of them noticed Fflewddur and started to head his way. Should he run? Hide? No, Fflewddur decided to find out what they wanted. He stood up and waited for them to come to him. “Hello there,” the figure said aloud. “My name is Adaon Moonshadow. Who might you be?”
 
Fflewddur’s brows furrowed as he struggled to make sense of what was happening. Seeing the puzzled look on Fflewddur’s face, Adaon added, “You are in a memory, my memory to be exact. Are you one of Angharad’s children?”
 
“No, she’s…she’s my grandmother,” Fflewddur said with eyes wide in disbelief. “My name is Fflewddur, Fflewddur Flynn. What am I doing in your memory?”
 
“Nice to meet you, Fflewddur Flynn,” Adaon said with a smile. He directed Fflewddur to a shaded area under a great oak. The two of them sat cross-legged on the damp moss beneath the tree. “Now, where to begin?”
 
Adaon spent what felt like an hour explaining what was going on. Fflewddur listened attentively and kept his interruptions to a minimum. When his great-grandfather finished, Fflewddur still had some unanswered questions.
 
“So, let me see if I understand this correctly. My powers come from this Primus being who foresaw you visiting their domain and thought Ebondeath was somehow linked to the chaos and darkness that would befall their realm and subjects.” Fflewddur bobbed his head as he went through a mental list of the things Adaon had told him. “Did I miss anything?”
 
“That’s the gist of it,” Adaon replied with a nod. “This memory and your powers were a boon from Primus. The three of us combined our magic, added bits of our essence and created memories that would unlock for Angharad, or one of her descendants, when the time was right.”
 
Still confused, Fflewddur asked, “But if Primus is so powerful and rules an entire plane, why couldn’t he have simply defeated Ebondeath himself? Or, if he needed help, why didn’t he use the ritual to empower you and great-grandmother?”
 
“Primus’ powers are tied to their plane. They have no direct influence on our plane.” Adaon paused and his face hardened a little before softening as he let out a small sigh. “As to your other question, we weren’t sure if we would be successful in defeating Ebondeath, even with Primus’ help.”
 
Although Fflewddur knew his great-grandparents were ultimately unsuccessful in defeating Ebondeath, the truth still stung. He was determined more than ever to ensure his ancestors didn’t die in vain. Learning more about the boon granted to him would help in that regard. “You mentioned there were other memories embedded in my mind. Can you elaborate on that?”
 
“Five memories were incorporated into the ritual. We hoped to provide brief counsel to Angharad, or one of her descendants, through infusing slivers of our essence into the spell. This is how I am able to talk to you in my most cherished memory. Arianllyn and Primus will be able to do the same once their memories surface.” Adaon paused to see if Fflewddur had any questions.
 
As Adaon talked, Fflewddur looked at the elven woman in the distance and studied her intently. He couldn’t make out her face but something about her attire seemed familiar. The more he thought about it, the more she looked like the woman he saw in his dreams. When Adaon finished speaking, Fflewddur turned back to him and asked, “So, the three of you live on inside memories embedded in my mind? Not just as memories but as fragments of your former selves?”
 
“Not quite. Our memories will remain with you but Arianllyn and I will move onto the afterlife after we’ve had the opportunity to speak with you.” There was a hint of sadness in Adaon’s voice but also a look of pride on his face as the elf looked upon his great-grandson’s face.
 
Before he could ask another question, Fflewddur heard the faint sound of clockwork gears turning. He could feel the memory “solidifying” for lack of a better description. “What’s happening?” Fflewddur asked with a mix of confusion and fear.
 
“It would appear my time on this plane draws near,” Adaon replied. “Before I go, I wanted to let you know a little more about the other three memories Arianllyn and I included in Primus’ boon.” A clock chime rang softly in the air. Adaon spent the next five chimes briefly describing and explaining the three other memories. At the seventh chime, the two clasped their hands and embraced.
 
“Goodbye Fflewddur. I am so very grateful and proud to have met you.” At the eighth chime, Fflewddur awoke and found himself sitting in a meditative pose with Amarille sitting across from him staring at him intently.