There was a warmth. Aramis once again found himself walking through a dark forest. He made his way through the surrounding foggy mist. Ahead of him was a light. The feeling of warth grew stronger as he approached it. Once he was close enough he realized it was the Temple of the Ancients. He walked up to the door and knocked. There was no reply. He needed to get inside badly, but nobody answer him. He knocked again knowing only that he needed inside. Still no answer. Aramis began to pound his fist. He hit hard, and his hands began to bleed....
Suddenly Aramis snapped out of his dream. The children entities laughed. Pocky turned around and looked at him. Aramis shook his head a little disoriented.
"Do you have that dream often," Pocky asked.
"How do you know of my dream?" Aramis asked.
"In your weakened condition your mind was easily available to our telepathy."
"Oh" Aramis replied. "I've had that dream hundreds of times, and I always end up pounding my fist against the door, but nobody will let me in."
"That is because your were not worthy enough yet."
"Do you think I am now?"
"That's for Ace to decide."
As the group walked farther, a strange warmth began to fill the cold night air. A light in the distance shone like a welcoming becan. A strange familiarity came to Aramis. As they got closer Aramis realized it was the Temple of The Ancients. Exactly as it was in his dreams. The splenditly carved temple was constructed into an inactive volcanic mountain, named Vasuvious.
When they came to the front door of the temple, the children set Aramis down gently. He stood up the best he could.
Pocky started talking low to the other children. Aramis couldn't hear what they were saying. After a moment they all got guiet.
"Can I ask you something?" Aramis spoke.
Pocky looked at him.
"Why do you exist in child form?"
"Children represent such innocence, and there are some people who wish they could relive their childhood so they could be free again. Childhood is one time when burdens are not upon you and you're free to do whatever you want.
"As living a lifetime in child form, we seven of the Elder learn much about how people change from childhood to adulthood. We have realized you don't have to follow the classic path of adult hood. Which is, you grow up, and stop acting childish, you get married, you have children, you have a boring job, you become grandparents, and you die. They say anything else is not responsible, well throw out classical reality. When people grow into adults, they don't have to stop being playful like children, as long as they are responsible. The rules of what is mature and what isn't is always changing. People that say, Why don't you grow up? are not as free as you. You don't have to get married, and you don't have to get jobs that make you unhappy. Of coarse, if you create a child, you should assume responsibility for them. Children need both parents, whether they know that or not. I'm not saying the parents have to live in the same house though.
"The greatest grap that is going on right now is pressure for males. They say if a man doesn't want to get married, that he is a homosexual, but when a male gets married to prove otherwise, he wishes he hadn't because he loses his freedom, but he doesn't have the strenght to take people's two-facedness. There's alot of people that carry on things secretly behind the scenes. That's why alot of people such as musicians are considered shocking because they have the nerve to be honest with the people and say take me as I am. The bottom line is, as it always should be, is that what other people think is not important. Live your life the way that makes you happy. As long as you don't hurt anyone, it's fine."
Aramis smiled. "Everyone seems to have alot to say around this place huh?"
Pocky smiled.
"You learned much," a voice said.
Everybody looked to see Ace standing in the doorway. Ace looked at the children. "Children of the Elder, please come in." Pocky and the others waved at Aramis. Aramis smiled, but thought what about me?
The door closed.
Aramis jumped. What's going on, he thought. A glowing black diamond the size of his fist materialized out of the air. "What's this?," he asked.
"It's the key to the door." He heard Ace's voice telepathicly. "If you are ready to enter, you will be able to open it with this. But it will not be a true key until you give your word."
"My word?"
"That you will continue to finish what you have begun. That you will give your heart and set yourself free."
"I give my word," Aramis said, not really sure of himself.
"I don't believe you," Replied Ace.
Aramis paused. "I really mean it."
There was no reply.
"Come on," Aramis said.
Still nothing. Aramis stood still. "I give my word" he said. "I will finish what I have begun." Only the silence of the night was a reply. Aramis walked up to the door and knocked. He heard the low laughter of the children. He knocked louder, but still there was no responce. He started to bang the door with the diamond in his head. "Please! Let me in, I swear I will finish, I need your help!" The diamond had cut into his hand. Blood was starting to pour down, when suddenly it stopped. The diamond began to glow and the cuts on his hand began to heal. The diamond lifted out of his reach and went through the door without hurting it. The door swung open and there stood Ace with the children gathered around him. He smiled and said, "Welcome."
