Graced by Sophia Sharp

“How often do they see one another in the dream?”
    Rafael chuckled. “Not as often as you may think. The Vassiz are al a suspicious breed, and that fact does not change even when considering the elders. My belief is that they trust one another much less than they let on. They present a unified front to al of us, but behind the façade lies a web of betrayal and distrust. They al hold equal rein of power, but think! If one of them were to inexplicably suffer some sort of…
    malady … would the others come to their aid? I think not. For if their numbers grow smal er, wel , that just means more power for the surviving ones. Which means they have to watch their backs from each other as much as any other threat.”
    “But you didn’t answer my question,” Laura pressed. “How often do they meet?”
    “I did answer your question, girl, if you had the wits to listen.” Beside her, Laura felt Logan tense, and she put a hand on his leg to calm him down. “The answer, in simpler terms, laid out especial y for you, is that I don’t know . But I have given you what knowledge I can.”
    “Wel , thank you,” Laura said, starting to feel frustrated. It seemed that for every bit of information Rafael revealed, there were a dozen more mysteries hiding behind it.
    “There’s one more thing,” Rafael said, “that might aid you on your quest.”
    “Yes?” Laura asked. “We’re listening.”
    “In this sanctuary, I have come across… ancient artifacts. Magical remnants of an older time. I believe them to be made by the angels, before even the first Vassiz were created. These artifacts… they were taken from the dream world and brought here. I’d imagine that occurred within the vault you found – at the only place the dream and human worlds intersect.”
    “Artifacts?” Laura asked. “What type of artifacts? What are they for?”
    “They do different things,” Rafael answered cryptical y, “but I am certain if you find more, they wil help you in your fight against the elders. There are only a few here, but there should be more, spread throughout the world.”
    “What are you talking about, Rafael?” Alexander asked. “I have not heard of this before.”
    “Not many have,” Rafael sneered. “This is one thing perhaps even the elders are not aware of. Come with me – I’l show you.”

Chapter Eleven
    ~Artifacts~
    Rafael pushed himself up quickly, and set off towards the entrance leading deeper into the sanctuary. Laura looked to Logan briefly, who shrugged, and got up to go after him. Laura did the same thing.
    “As I told you,” Rafael said while leading them down a twisting path Laura did not remember from last time, “I discovered these artifacts only within the sanctuary. I have heard passing mention of them in books, long ago, but it was only when I saw them with my own eyes did I believe in their existence.”
    “Do you know what he’s talking about?” Laura whispered to Madison, who shook her head in reply.
    “There are many different types of these artifacts, and al do different things. I anticipate the use of many of them wil be entirely unclear. However . The ones that are in here, I have learned to make use of.”
    “Like what?” Alexander asked.
    Rafael looked back at him. “Think! How else do you think I knew when you just into the caves?” He looked back to Logan, and then to Laura. “And how do you think I knew your progression through the caves the first time, knew exactly where to greet you?”
    “Wait a minute,” Laura said, thinking. “Are you saying that these… artifacts… are like, cameras or something?”
    “Hah!” Rafael barked a laugh. “Just fol ow me and you’l see.”
    They kept after him as he took them down a side tunnel that broke off from the main one. It was much more cramped, and Laura was sure she had not been here before. Now that she could see past the darkness, the sheer immensity of the sanctuary began to dawn on her. Twisting and hiding pathways