The dream was different this time. The Star still shone from above, but this time I was on solid ground. Miniature trees and the Apdale castle surrounded me on a small island adrift in a void like the last one. The Pseudodragon was nearby as well, seemingly asleep.
 
Looking around for possible clues, I note another island in the distance. I can't make out much detail from here - it just looks like a lump of rock.
 
In any case, it's time for me to prepare for next time. There's a bit of edible fruit in reality, so at some point, I may want to switch back in a spell to ensure it stays edible. But none of my spells would be enough to take on the zombie at the castle's entrance. Instead, tomorrow I'll be hunting in the woods.
 
...The strange hunger is still there. Eating regular food didn't affect it at all. I have a guess at what will, but without an opportunity it'll stay a guess.
 
*Huh, this is wierd.* The dragon has seemingly woken up and is looking around.
 
"You're really here?" I ask.
 
*Telepathy. I broke in just now.*
 
"Oh, I was wondering if you had another connection to what's causing this."
 
*Anyway, I had something important to tell you: A magical Storm was whipped up today. If we leave our little hidey-hole, I'll get blown away. And you won't have any fun out there either. Looks like we're stuck for a while.*
 
---
 
"What, seriously?" I exclaim, waking up.
 
Seriously. A lightning bolt strikes somewhere in the distance to prove it. The wind howls, the rain is... surprisingly light, and a chill has seeped in. I can feel the magic in the air and know that it can strengthen spells, but I still don't want to head out in it.
 
Me and the Pseudodragon try a few things to pass the time. At one point, she (as I eventually figure out) gives me the "honor" of giving her a name - not that she needs one. I decide on Lurleck, as a set of letters that comes to me.
 
At one point, a chair of all things tumbles next to our hiding spot. When I wonder where it might have come from, Lurleck suggests that local Gnomes might have lost it during the big shakeup. It's heavily scuffed, but largely undamaged otherwise. And animate. When it doesn't attack right away I decide to try magically Mending it. That proves ineffective, but does make it decide to be friendly, if not a long-term companion.
 
Aside from being stuck here, my good luck seems to be continuing. And if there are people of some kind still around, there's a chance that we might be able to put something substantial together...
 
---
 
<Found living air thing. Tried to eat. Air doesn't eat! Drove away.>
 
---
 
On another plane...
 
"Hmm, rather than eating and growing stronger, or being eaten and having her co-ordinates randomized again, Alyn sees to have started building up a group of allies."
 
"~~~~~~~~~~~~"
 
"Yes, the "survival of the friendliest" approach is consistent with how she was taught, and works. But it might be time to try introducing a new 'gleam' if what's there isn't going to spread qickly enough. That rat's potential is limited - especially when they keep encountering Elementals. Do you think that elementals will take to the 'hunger' fully, or will they throw it off?"
 
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
 
"Yes, I know they can't digest. I mean will that change, or will the hunger give up on them."
 
"~~~~~~"
 
"I see."
 
"~~~~~~~~~~~"
 
"Make it easier to share the 'gleam.' That makes sense for your goal. As for the second 'gleamer,' I think it's obvious. We started with the Adept, next should be a Warrior..."