61 - Fifth dimension

[Author's POV].

"It feels like my heart is breaking. I'm afraid."

Rowan emphasized, "There is nothing to be afraid of." Gently putting his arms around her, he started to console her. "You are safe from harm. It's only a dream."

Her voice was tremulous as she questioned gently, "Why is it happening to me? This nightmare is becoming very intense. I believe it's having a bodily impact on me."

He said, "It might be," while she kept trembling and sobbing incoherently. "Do you still feel sick?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a little lightheaded," was her quiet reply.

He assisted her in lying down. "Now go ahead and relax. We're all here for you, so everything will work out fine." He brushed back her hair while seeing her close her eyes and let go. She felt much more at ease and her breathing evened out as she stopped arguing with him. "Go to bed now. You're done for today." After adjusting her blanket, he and Igyy emerged from the cave.

He discovered that monitoring her to make sure she didn't have another negative reaction while she slept was the best course of action. There was no longer any movement or noise from any malevolent spirits, and the cave was silent. Rowan let out a satisfied sigh, relieved that she could now get a good night's sleep.

"What will happen if we retrieve the key and open that gate?" As they started to stroll beneath the tree, Rowan questioned Iggy. "Will it affect the people on earth?"

"Since the Thalassa kingdom exists in the fifth dimension, it would affect the earthlings," Iggy said with a grimace. "Those who are in close proximity to the gateway or under its effect may notice changes in how they perceive time. Depending on how the higher-dimensional energies interact with human cognition and physiology, this could seem as times that feel squeezed or stretched out." Though not fully understanding what he was saying, Rowan nodded. "It might result in localized alterations to the structure of Earth's spacetime. Because it only impacts the area surrounding the portal, this could have localized effects like time appearing to slow down or speed up." Iggy continued.

"So it just modifies the passage of time without having any tangible impact on people? Then, they'll be alright," Rowan said, belying the gravity of the situation. "Right?"

"Do you think this isn't an issue?" Iggy asked him, looking at him incredulously.

"It might significantly affect people's mental health. They could suffer from memory disorientation or bewilderment." With a little shrug, he said in a hushed tone, "The disturbance caused by a time loop is dangerous. It's possible for someone to repeatedly find themselves repeating the same day with only minor changes. A time jump is an abrupt change in space and time that can knock someone out or cause items or people to move forward or backward in time. Like time leaps, time skips entail going through intervals of time without seeming to remember or be aware of what happened during that time. In certain stories, time seems to stop or freeze completely in a certain place or for a certain person, or the chronology divides into several branches as a result of various choices or events, creating a parallel reality."

Knowing exactly what Iggy was talking about, Rowan lets out a distressed sigh. Silently, he said, "Is there anything we can do about it?"

"I'm sorry, but there is nothing you can do. Nature and spacetime are beyond your control," Iggy shrugged. "However, you'll pay a price if you mess with it. Alternatively, you could decide to do nothing and watch as Eleanor wreaks havoc on this planet."

With a shake of his head, Rowan expressed his ignorance of Eleanor's motivations. But he is aware that Olivia, his friend, won't be well off. He can't wait for Olivia to die or suffer in solitude as he knows she is her intended victim. Rowan will not stand by when he has the opportunity to save her life because she has already gone through so much. Whatever happens, he's not going to give up on her.

"Will our memories be impacted by this time shift as well? Will Olivia and I, for example, forget everything that transpired here if we walk through the door?" He questioned Iggy.

"In theory, temporal loops make it possible for no one to know the truth. On the other hand, time in the fifth dimension flowed through its occupants' brains like a river. Futures unfolded like delicate tapestries they could create and alter at will, and they could revisit memories with the clarity of the present instant. Thus, you have the ability to change the way you think and manage the memories that impact you," Iggy said. "If you create a memory that makes you feel bad, the flow of time will reverse and you can change it into a good memory."

Rowan, wiping perspiration from his brow, questioned in amazement, "So it means all the Thalassian people were leading a happy life, since they can alter their bad memories and replace them with good ones?" It felt like he had a fever, and his body felt heavy and warm. He stared up at the starry sky, wondering why he was suddenly becoming hot under the collar. He reached over to take a sip from his water bag since he was thirsty. Except for a few drops, it was empty.

Iggy put his paw on his hand and spoke gravely, "Once you go inside you will learn the difference between real happiness and forced happiness." He was perspiring a lot and felt his hands were hot. "How are you doing? Do you feel very hot?" With anxiety, he inquired.

Rowan shook his head and used his shirt sleeve to wipe away the perspiration. His skin was clammy and wet as he attempted to cool off. His brow furrowed and he began to become uncomfortable. There was something off about this location. Why did he feel instantly heated, as if someone had set this room on fire? His breathing became more rapid.

"You're feeling sick, aren't you?" Iggy worriedly enquired. "Did you consume an incorrect meal? Did you skip lunch?" Rowan gave a head shake. He was unable to save Olivia because he had traveled to Earth by astral projection when he first arrived. Unlike Iggy, who was shielded by his thick shell, he was feeling this suffering since he had now plummeted in his entirety as a physical being.

"I...I...feels hot..." He murmured softly, scanning his surroundings in an attempt to identify the source of his unease. He had the distinct feeling that someone was watching him, but when he looked around, he saw no one.There were no plants or trees in the area that could have bothered him.

Iggy gazed carefully in the direction Rowan was looking, tilting his head "Perhaps there's another person in the forest," he said. "Should we move away from the entrance?" Rowan disagreed, shaking his head. "I put the Celestial Cloak around the cave, so no one can enter here." His heart began pounding faster and faster. He felt so uneasy about it.

"Something's coming..." Iggy mumbled, his voice laced with terror. "We must leave-" Something touched Rowan's leg abruptly. He gave a startled yell and leaped back, clear of whatever had touched him.

"Shh!" With a loud interrupt, Iggy closed his eyes and listened to the sound. Rowan gave him a questioning gaze. Nothing out of the ordinary had he heard or seen. He reasoned that he had been hallucinating. He scowled, seeing Olivia striding in their direction along the trail that led to the cave. She was walking slowly but steadily, trembling a little and drenched in sweat. She appeared to be well, though.

There was an audible sigh of relief from Rowan. Olivia, how are you doing? What's keeping you away? He rushed to meet her, saying, "I told you to rest."

She gave him a quick glance, blinking a little before responding. "I was sleeping, but suddenly I started feeling hot and sweaty, so I came outside for some fresh air, but it's the same here too."

She paused, massaging her temples. "Tired and dizzy. Why my body feels hot and uncomfortable is beyond me." Even though Olivia was having trouble breathing, Rowan could see that she was swaying slightly on her feet, suggesting that she was tired. Rowan gave her a worrisome look, but it didn't appear like she was having any problems staying awake.

She had a small tremble to her lips and her forehead was covered in droplets of sweat. And from the way she looked, Rowan suspected that if she didn't drink soon, she might throw up. He hastily looked into his pouch once more in the hopes of finding some water, but the absence of any caught him off guard.

With a "Come Olivia, you sit here," he took her hand and ushered her over to the chair that Iggy was occupying. Olivia staggered and slumped backward when she sat down. Rowan gave her a swift helping hand so she wouldn't fall on her face. Olivia began to tremble fiercely the moment she leaned on him, which worried him. Would Olivia pass out if the heat increased? Her skin appeared as pale as paper as he peered down at her. With a sorrowful sigh, he ran his hands lightly over her shoulder, trying to relax her muscles and lessen her pain.