Ermine rises feeling as if she is dreaming, but fully aware of the wind on her face and the heaviness of her weight on her feet. The sensation is similar to her sleep state that she fell into after placing the pendant around her neck, only then she felt panicked and now she feels calm.
Suddenly she can hear the Snoozemeister’s calm voice. “Prioress Ermine…you will find the dream guardian near the Watcher’s Tower. You must get him to speak to you.” Ermine looks toward the tower.
She gasps as she approaches. The once calm Watcher’s Tower is surrounded by skulls and in the center is a large rock with a glowing blue substance pulsating within like a heartbeat. “Do not be afraid. Turn and you will see the guardian,” the Snoozemeister continues to direct her.
Ermine turns, but does not immediately see anyone; only more stones and teddy bears arranged in what looks like an alter.
Suddenly she can see a small boy playing with one of the teddy bears. She is sure that he was not there moments before. “He is the dream guardian Gaius. The pendants are not enough to stop the demon again, but with the dream guardian’s help, you can.”
She remembers the Snoozemeister’s warning. She has to get the dream guardian to speak with her. Taking a cue from the fact that Gaius is playing with one of the teddy bears, she decides to grab one.
Ermine holds up the bear and begins to speak as if it is the bear speaking. “Hello Gaius.”
Gaius leans in and speaks only to the bear. “I am glad you are here,” he says in a tiny child’s voice.
“Gaius…how can we stop Xexys?” Ermine makes the bear ask.
Gaius closes his eyes as if he is ashamed. “Xexys grew too strong too fast. I could not stop him,” he says.
Suddenly Gaius opens his eyes as if he just got the best idea. Again he speaks directly to the bear. “Your friend has a strong connection to the Watcher. We can rely on her to stop the demon.”
Ermine places the bear on the ground. “Do you mean me, Gaius?”
“Yes Prioress. You can stop him.”
“But how? Where is he?” Ermine asks.
“There…behind you!” Gaius says, his eyes focused on someone behind her.
Ermine turns and spots the strange man from her dream. “Take this,” Gaius says, “It is the Dream Rune of Restful Slumber. It will help you defeat the demon.”
Ermine takes the relic and Gaius sits down and begins to play with the bear as if nothing is happening.
Ermine approaches the Watcher’s Tower and sees the demon. “How did you escape my grasp?” Xexys asks when he sees her. “You had the pendant on and I could see you, but you vanished.”
Ermine is afraid standing face to face with this demon, but she knows she has work to do. She begins praying.
“Your words and your god has no effect on me,” the demon snarls.
“Keep at it Ermine. Demons are liars,” Snoozemeister Elton’s voice appears behind her encouraging her.
“What?!” Xexys yells out as Ermine’s prayer begins to take effect.
“How can this be? YOU HAVE THE RUNE OF RESTFUL SLUMBER!” Xexy realizes as he is lifted off of his feet. The demon Xexy begins to grow into to his true form overwhelming the body in which he was encased.
Ermine stops praying as Xexy’s true demon form vanishes in a bright beam of light. The body falls back to the ground, held up only by the power of the Watcher.
Then, Xexy’s body falls to the ground.
Ermine stands in awe of the Watcher’s power; humbled yet again by the Watcher’s use of her as a servant.
Prioress Ermine’s help in defeating the demon Xexys has assured a strong ally in the Kingdom of Snordwich. As a reward, the Snords taught those in the kingdom an ancient relaxation technique.
