Rowen let out a long sigh as he saved the essay on his computer and carefully stretched back in his chair.  With a quick glance at the alarm clock on the night table he shook his head wearily to find that it was already two in the morning… Shutting down his computer he slipped off his shirt and headband before sliding between the sheets on his bed.  He knew that the others were already sound asleep and he also knew that he should be as well but, though his body was tired his mind just wouldn’t slow down.  Focusing slightly he levitated a book from it’s place on his desk to where he was laying.  It wasn’t one of the good sci-fi stories he had and it’s only purpose seemed to serve in making it very difficult to stay awake, the perfect solution to his problem.   He actually managed to make it through nearly three pages before his eyes got too heavy for him to hold open and he drifted off…

**DREAM

     He was standing on a cliff looking out over the ocean, with a gentle breeze playing with his blue hair.  He knew he wasn’t alone, someone was there with him… Turning his head slightly he looked at the person who was standing beside him, somewhat hunched over.
     She was an old woman, with steel gray hair that was shoulder length and she wore a light blue and white robe that couldn’t hide her slightly plump figure… but when she turned to him it was her eyes that he found himself pulled towards.  They were blue-gray in color, open and friendly with no trace whatsoever of old age.  Instead, they held a youthfulness that was uncommon to anyone who had made it past the age of ten.  The corners of her lips lifted upwards in a smile that was mostly in her eyes.  “You’ve finally come to see me Strata… I’ve been waiting for you.”
     Rowen felt himself frown, “I’m dreaming.”
     The woman actually grinned, “Ah but there is a thin line between dreams and visions young warrior.  A thin line indeed.”
     Tilting his head to the side he regarded her a moment trying to figure out what she was getting at but coming up with nothing.  “What do you mean, when you say that?”
     The elderly woman laughed a laugh that seemed to tinkle, to play with the very elements of his world, like the air he was so much a part of.  “You will understand in time young warrior.  But until remember that what you believe to be the right path, may actually be the wrong one…  And do come see me again Strata.  An old woman can get lonely when left by herself for long periods of time… that is if time meant anything to her…”  Again there was a burst of laughter but the lady was gone in a sudden whirl of mist and he suddenly found himself falling into an endless blackness.
     And he felt suddenly lost before he was engulfed in a swirling, churning weight of black water… water that pushed away the air… water that pulled him down, and down into the depths of it’s abyss as struggled to rise to the surface… to get to the air and gulp down the much needed air that had his lungs burning with it’s lack… it hurt, like he was being consumed from the inside out by fire and his limbs felt as if they were made of solid rock and there was no light… no light, no air…

**End of Dream**

     He sat up, cold sweat pouring off him and yet he was cold.  So cold that he was shivering uncontrollably.  Dimly he became aware of a hand on his shoulder and gentle, but worried voices floating around his head in a senseless jumble.  Sucking in deep breaths he felt his heartbeat slow down  and things come into focus.
     Blinking he followed the hand to it’s owner.  “Sai….?”
     The long-haired boy smiled softly, “Yes.  Are you alright?  You were having a nightmare.”
     At the mention of his nightmare he felt a sudden influx of fear and his whole body shook.
     “Rowen?”
     He forced himself to look up and met a wavering but still cool gaze.  “Y-yeah Sage?”
     The blond swordsman eyed him calmly before speaking to him in a soft voice.  “It was bad wasn’t it…”
     Rowen swallowed hard, not able to look at the others.  “I couldn’t breath….  Sage…  The water and there was no light and my lungs were on fire while my body felt like it was sealed in stone…”  It came out in a rush and ended on a high squeak of near hysteria.  His whole body was shaking so hard that his teeth were clicking against each other.
     Dimly he was aware of Sai pulling him into a tight hug.  The comforting gesture did wonders to still his shaking and calm him down.
     In his head he heard a familiar voice.  **In time all will be clear young warrior.  Time can be both your friend and your enemy so choose wisely when the time presents itself.**
     Rowen pulled away from Sai and blinked owlishly.  Taking in the other’s faces he laughed slightly.
     It was Ryo who cleared his throat and spoke.  “You going to be okay now?”
     Rowan stopped laughing and sighed, “That depends.”
     Kento frowned, “Depends on what?”
     “It depends on whether or not time is friend or foe.”
     Sai blinked before speaking softly.  “I don’t understand.”
     Rowen leaned back against the headboard.  “Neither do I but I think everything will come together sooner than I’d like.”