Ayeden made his way to the centre of the circle.
He kicked the cigarette butt to the side and took his place on the stones.
The path still had many green roads, but this time, there was a larger golden path.
Ryan saw Ayeden choose that path, but after a moment, the connection was broken.
All of the men stared at the Elf, and Grizzly was the first to move toward Ayeden.
"What happened?"
Ayeden looked at the stones before he made eye contact with Grizzly.
"I do not know. That has never happened before."
The news made Ryan turn and walk toward Ayeden.
"What do you mean? Does this mean we came all this way for nothing?"
Ayeden looked at Ryan; he looked like he wanted to speak, but remained silent.
Grizzly put his hand on Ryan's shoulder and led him away.
When they were a good distance away from Ayeden, he whispered into Ryan's ear.
"Kid, how about we try again tomorrow. You open the path, and if it works, we cut him loose."
Ryan nodded, but the trembling in his knees told him he needed rest.
Before he could answer, Eragon stood between Ryan and Grizzly.
"Ryan needs some rest. How about we talk about this later?"
Ryan let out a sigh of relief as he walked away from the circle.
The Twilight Path took a lot out of him, and his eyelids became heavier after each step.
Eragon's warnings about the overuse of magic filled his mind.
Using too much could kill him.
With that warning in his mind, he was a little excited to walk the path again.
He was so tired that he decided to skip eating in favour of sleeping.
When he fell asleep, he was back in the dark dimension he shared with Aeriath.
This time, it was Ayeden who was sitting at the table.
"Please sit down."
Ryan stood next to the chair.
"Why did you bring me here?"
The Elf took a sip of tea.
"I wanted to speak with you privately. I could tell that you see me as an enemy."
Ryan rolled his eye.
"You haven't given me a reason to see you as anything other than an enemy."
Ayeden stood up and pointed at the chair again.
"Please sit down, and I will share my story with you."
Ryan took his seat, and a scene started playing.
It was Ayeden next to many other Elves in long purple robes.
"We come from a different realm, as you probably know. In this realm, we all have our fate, and we are bound."
The scene changed to Ayeden sitting in a row with many other Elves.
"I was fated to be a scribe. Back then, it wasn't possible for me to consider another path."
The scene changed to how spherical portals opened and grabbed him and many of his people.
"Here, the world is different. I could feel discontent with my life, and I wanted more."
Next was Ayeden learning swordplay; the sweat and dirt on his face couldn't hide the smile.
"I wanted to be a Knight like in human stories of old. I wanted…"
His voice trailed off as scenes of a younger Grizzly and a woman with similar brown hair and eyes fought alongside a human-looking Ayeden.
"I wanted to be a hero, but I wasn't allowed to share my heritage with them."
As the scene of him running away while Grizzly held a bleeding Olivia played, tears were streaming down Ayeden's face.
"When I went back home, my father wanted me to continue being a scribe. I couldn't go back to that life."
The scene changed to Ayeden fighting with his father.
"I never learned his identity, but my father contacted a powerful undead to build my prison."
The scene changed to Ayeden waking up in his prison.
"I do not know if it was a cruel joke or a true punishment, but my wife was chosen to act as my warden."
Ryan's eyes widened as he remembered Aeriath.
Ayeden took a sip of his tea as the memories faded.
"All I know is that you managed to unlock my prison and set me free."
Ryan took a sip of his tea.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Ayeden sighed.
"I wish to speak with my father. I want to apologise before I go back, and I wish to help you as thanks for giving me the chance."
Ryan frowned at these words.
"Why now?"
Ayeden put his cup down.
"After my failure today, I fear David will not allow me to continue the journey. Your Draconian friend can help you on the path, but so can I."
"Is that why you kept trying to help me and give me false hope? Just to get close to your father."
Ayeden nodded.
"I am sorry for misleading you. My goal was to have my father speak to the Farsteps on your behalf."
Ryan was quiet for a while before he spoke.
"What would they say if your father spoke to them?"
"My father isn't just the leader of the Flyleaf clan. He is the Clanmaster of all Elves; they won't be able to defy him."
The resolve in his heart cracked a little as Ryan stood up.
"How can you help me tomorrow?"
Ayeden stood up, and the table disappeared.
"I shall share my magic with you. I will give you enough power to walk the Sunset Path."
Ryan nodded.
"What can I expect when we get to the other side?"
Ayeden took a step forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Expect to see your heritage, but the choice of belonging belongs to you."
Through clenched teeth, Ryan spoke.
"Please release me from this dream. I have a lot to think about."
Without warning, Ryan opened his eyes.
Everyone else was sleeping, and he made his way to the circle.
He paced around the circle.
Was he being honest, or was that a lie?
Ayeden was too good with words, and that bothered him.
If all the other Elves were like him, he didn't want to be around them.
On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know them.
They wouldn't be his family, but the opportunity to see the Elves isn't something that ever happens.
He took a deep breath and made his way back to his bed.
Helping Ayeden was a small price to pay to save the world.