Shell Shock

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The invisible dragon circled over the home of the magician, worried about his father, who had been silent for hours. He landed softly in the garden. "Enchantress, what has happened to him?"

The Enchantress was just as concerned. "Your father has journeyed into a world of pain. He is still recovering."
The dragon tried to understand. "But he taught me that pain is an illusion. Can't he cast a spell, make it go away?"
She explained the situation. "The Ancient Ones asked him to rescue an innocent, from the war within her soul. He traveled into her world, where the pain is very real, no longer illusory. He walked through the war zone, and found her in a cellar, with her children. The house was under constant gunfire. He showed her where there is light, and has now returned. Mission accomplished. But this lingering silence of his, it is what people sometimes have after a war. Shell shock."

The invisible dragon gazed at the stony face of his father. His eyes, normally glinting with magic and love, were cold and distant. "How long will he be like this?"

Unexpectedly the magician spoke. "I'm almost home, my boy. The love I feel from you and the Enchantress, your love is guiding me back."
The dragon stammered. "Where did you go? What was this place?"

Still stony faced, the magician waved his hand. A vision of pain surrounded them. The dragon and the Enchantress watched, seeing the cellar, the woman and the gunfire. They heard the sounds of a soul trapped in a war zone, but ready to leave.

As the vision dissipated, the Enchantress whispered. "He needs time now, good dragon."

The invisible dragon and the Enchantress remained patiently by the magician, until his light slowly returned, many days later. 

...Part 6