"When we found Haven, it was naught more than a cold and barren rock," Mepheia said, staring up at the illusory heavens from where she'd once come with an air of melancholy. "But it was teeming with magical potential, so we chose it as our new home. Truly, we were surprised even with ourselves by all the beautiful things that blossomed."

Marin listened with bated breath. There were many tales of the origin of the seven Titans, but there was nothing quite like hearing a story of this magnitude as a first-hand recount.

"Humanity, however... Was special," She hesitated with her choice of words. "Many species had come and gone by the time we took note of your kind. But yours was the first that could use magic. Our magic."

He could only wonder what sort of beings had lived before humans first walked the earth. Were they sentient? Were they intelligent like humans were, or perhaps even more so? They might never know for sure.

"Your souls are so little, but they can soak up the magic that we bestowed upon Haven like sponges. And when you work together, you can perform such miracles. Miracles that rival ours, even." She smiled warmly, honey-laced words filled with pride. But it all melted swiftly as the next beat of the story returned darker memories. "... It was Enohr that turned first. She said that humans would bring ruin, and that we should eradicate every last one before it would tear us asunder."

"But you wouldn't!" Marin interjected.

"Of course not," Mepheia's smile returned in comfort. "And back then, neither would the others. We all loved you deeply. And so we worked together to make sure Enohr would not touch you behind our backs. That was when we designed the planetarium – a prison that could seal away a Titan indefinitely, with their souls split between the heavens and the earth. But... in time the others twisted in their temptation. When they started to imagine what they could do if they used your powers for their own gain, they stopped seeing you as the miracle of life that you are, and started playing you as pawns."

That was when the war began. The war of Titans, the blood war, the 100 year war, it had many names. But all knew from a mere mention that it was about the single most catastrophic event in human history. Rivers of blood, piled bodies, a world on fire – gnarled artwork and gruesome recounts had survived and told of its horrors. Marin could hardly imagine what it was like to live in times such as that.

Mepheia in turn skipped over the gory details. "I couldn't stand it. I hated to turn against those whom I'd once considered my closest friends and confidants, but they were destroying the home we built, that I loved. And I realised that Enohr had been as right as she was wrong. It wasn't you who brought us ruin, but us onto ourselves. And by extension, onto you. So I did the thing I thought was just: I rallied humanity together, and promised them that should we defeat the other Titans, then I would surrender Haven into their hands. No longer would we hold countenance over your destinies, it would be yours to forge."

"And then you put them in the skies, too?" He added, eager for the tale to continue.

"Yes, Readros, Dhitrin, Nuenune, Zydara, Aaon... Once we stood triumphant, I bound them to the heavens as we once did Enohr. Now they dance around Haven in circles for all eternity."

"... Or, until..." He didn't finish his sentence, the mere thought that crossed his mind a heavy burden to bear.

"Don't fret, my dear," Mepheia cooed at him. "The next Eclipse won't happen for well over 5 decades. You have plenty of time to prepare."

The Eclipse. Two suns, two moons, two planets. Once every 100 years, they all align with one another, blotting out every particle of light that reached Haven. During that small window of time, they could draw upon each other's powers, and on that of their respective Dreamers to anchor them on Haven. It was their only opportunity to break free, and for the past 12 centuries none of them had shown the world any quarter. It was up to Mepheia's Dreamer to prevent the worst from coming to pass. Once the Eclipse drew near, they were expected to travel to Haven's heart where they may meet with the sleeping Titan and return the shard of her soul that they carried within. Reunited with her full strength, Mepheia would be more than powerful enough to shield the world from the Titans' invasion, enfeebled as they were. One day, it would be his turn to make the journey.

"... That said," Mepheia continued, "you have yet to seek out the Wardens of the Waking Woods. I don't mean to nag, but wouldn't it be wise to join them sooner rather than later?" She held a sheepish smile on her face, a coy gesture as if she wasn't trying to nudge him in the right direction.

"..." Marin thought for a moment, panic flaring up in his chest as the subject was breached once again. It had been the topic of discussion several times. He had recently turned 10, and as Mepheia so kindly kept reminding him, it was past the age all her Dreamers before had done so. "Dad is still sick. I want to wait until he gets better."

"Of course," An answer that placated her, albeit by tugging on her heartstrings.

Marin breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Although his father was one reason, there were many others that had him hesitant. Would they accept him for who he was, or would they try to mould him into the person they wanted him to be? They were questions ill suited for a child his age, and had kept him awake many a night with turbulent thoughts racing through his mind. "Will you tell me Rue's story next? Marin then finally asked. It was a story without conclusion as of yet. The fate of the dreamer before him remained yet unknown to all but Mepheia, whom would have seen her every move, right up until the last step. That was a story that he burned to hear, him and the rest of Haven. Each and every time they'd learn of Rue in school - tales of her heroic rescue of the then Duchess of Venshale, of her safeguarding a horde of refugees from a town devastated by chimaera attacks - they'd always be open ended, with the promise of hope that when Haven needed her most, she would return. But she never did, and never would. And every time he heard their prayers to the lost dreamer, Marin would feel so guilty.

The request seemed to take Mepheia by surprise, as her previous gentle smile made way for a tinge of trepidation. Even though it was hardly the first time he'd asked. "Perhaps when you're older." She concluded.

A diplomatic response, yet one that did not satisfy him. "You always say that," he pouted, "But if I go to the wardens and I tell them I'm your dreamer, what if they ask about her?" That was of course not the real reason for his curiosity, but it was the one he felt would bait Mepheia most strongly.

"Then we shall cross that bridge once we get to it." She nodded thoughtfully. "Besides, I believe it's almost time for you to wake up."

"I guess so," Marin said. "I can't be late for school."

"Then we shall see each other again another night, my dear," Mepheia's smile returned. "It has been a pleasure, as always."

"Sleep well," He said as he closed his eyes, awaiting the vertigo to shake him awake.

"Sweet dreams, Mariana."