I descended. Of course, I would prefer to say that I slammed down onto a certain hard surface; splitting said surface and acting utterly superb but no, that would not have been the truth. I simply descended, slowly, and my feet touched the hard surface without any considerable impact.
I was naked, no, not naked, my flesh was not bared. It was, however, not clothed either, in the simplest sense, I could only describe a swirling cloud of unformed thoughts surrounding my body. So I set my mind to it, an easy feat, really. A shirt, plain, white, a tight fit for my small frame. Jeans, yes, dark as night. And a waistcoat, I felt like wearing something formal for I sense the presence of someone of utmost importance in the vicinity. Shoes? No, I wanted to feel the earth beneath my feet. The smoke dispersed, I adjusted my hair. I knew where I was.
Forward I moved, and the landscape twisted and turned as I walk past. Nothing is constant, noting ever stays the same. They continuously churn and wriggle, as worms do when they come in contact with a heat too great for their own life’s sustenance. I then stood forth before a castle, a looming silver behemoth of a structure, its very presence was demeaning and I knew that I have arrived to the Master’s lair. The gates were wrought of metals unbeknownst to me, they shone with an inner fire which blinded me. A voice boomed:
“Who dareth intrude the Master’s realm? Who dareth come unannounced? Who dareth challenge the might of Oneirus?” It chilled my very bones, the voice itself clawed at my heart, shred my will and I nearly faltered. In utter fright, I answered.
“I… I challenge no one. I do not find myself here complying with my will, nor do I know any purpose to which I am attracted to this strange city. I mean no harm and I come only armed with words and naught else.” Exhale. Calm down. You have not done any harm, a voice whispered in me. My courage returned to me, and I forced the demonic force present in the voice to flee.
“I seek an audience… With the lord of this realm, for I feel Lady Fate has brought me here for a reason, though the knowledge of that I have not.” Silence. There is not a whisper.
“You may enter, mortal. Enter the Lord’s sanctum and announce thyself.” The voice echoed and the gates swung open. I hesitated, of course, I knew not what lay in front of me. Doom or boon, and yet my insatiable curiosity forced me to ignore the fear and onwards I trudged.
Beautiful. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by arches and sculptures and wonders I could never find in the waking world. Announce myself, I remembered the voice telling me. But to whom? There is nary a soul present, only silent stares from stone and marble. Yet, I knew I had to, it was protocol and to go against it would prove to be destructive.
“I am a mortal man, of what house I know not. I humbly request an audience with the Master of this house, for I seek answers and wisdom. Forgive me, sire, if I have trespassed upon thy realm, for I mean not this intrusion.” I shouted, my voice echoing and clinging to the arches and pillars, as if they did not want to pass on.
“I heed thy plea, mortal, enter and we shall converse.” A different voice. It was somewhat distant, and I could only seem to remember bits and pieces of it when it ended. What manner of creature was I dealing with? Nevertheless I found my feet carrying my body deeper into the building. There was a massive door, closed, blocking my path. I thought of how futile it would be for me to open it, I knew that the strength in me was not sufficient to pry them open. Yet, as I touched it, slowly but surely did it part, just enough for me to enter.
“I welcome thee, mortal, to my realm. To how thou have had the ability to penetrate my barriers, I know naught of, but I welcome thee still.” I nearly collapsed. In front of my eyes sat a creature so majestic, so graceful and at the same time, malice emanated from it. It was in the form of a beast, sitting upon its throne with wings of the utmost beauty spread apart. Then it spoke: “Doth this form disturb thee, mortal? Why doth thou quake in fear, thy feet hardly able to support thy frame?”
“No, lord, I tremble and shiver only because of thine eloquence. Forgive this soul for exhibiting such impertinence before thee, my Liege.” I could hardly raise my voice, I felt as a mouse in the presence of a mighty feline, life hanging on a balance.
“Sit then, I cannot bear the sight of my guest in a state as such.” Behind me the same smoke which I had manipulated earlier appeared and it shaped itself into a chair with intricate carvings of marble and emerald. I did as I was told, and it calmed me.
“Now then, speak, what art thou wandering in my realm for? Didst thou not know the price of meddling in affairs unfamiliar to thou?”
I wanted to say that again, I did not know. That I was brought there against my will, as I had told the voice at the gate. Then it dawned upon me. I knew what I needed to ask.
“My Lord, I ask for pardon for what I ask may offend thee, however I must. Who art thou Lord? Where is this strange realm to which I am reduced to wandering without a cause?” The beast stared at me. Its eyes were dark pools with stars shining ever so brightly.
“I am one with many a name. Morpheus they call me, Oneirus, one of the endless, I belong to. I am Dream, the Master, and this strange land thou speak of; it is Dreamscape. The realm in which I reign and one which only I could alter. Thou mortal, do not belong here, but it seems that Lady Fate hath deemed it so that thee should arrive here. Destiny must have a hand in this, I shalt save this conundrum for later. And mortal, why do you not speak to me in a tongue more familiar to you? It is easier for you, and easier for me to fathom. I appreciate your humility, but it only goes so far. Please, be at ease. I do not mean harm.” The beast changed its form and from the smoke which appeared, out came a tall man, with wild hair and a thin frame. Only his eyes stayed the same, stars in dark pools.
“Forgive me, lord, but I am afraid. If you deem it so, then I will use this langue, but I cannot under any circumstances use a more colloquial variation. If I may be so bold, why am I here, good Sir, I cannot see my role in this play. Would you enlighten me?” As the words poured out, I felt a great surge of fear, again. What if he was offended by my words? What if I let slip a curse?
“I don’t know, myself. Destiny and Fate tend to work in ways even I cannot fully understand. What matters is that you’re here, and so I shall humour these turn of events. However, I cannot do this for long, I have matters to attend to. Ask me what you would like to know, child… I believe in common speech nowadays, it is called… ‘Shoot’?” He chuckled to himself, this seemed to humour him a great deal. I dare not ask.
“Sir… I…” Then it struck me. I only have a short period of time, and I know that I could only have an allowance of one single question. I doubt that I would meet him again. “Sir… Why… Why do I get these nightmares? These recurrent dreams that haunt me for so long, why do you allow them to ravage my very mind? Tell me, my Liege, for only you could fully comprehend this.” Cold sweat broke and wet my forehead. Will this anger him? Will I survive his wrath? He looked at me, and I could feel my mind telling me that I must run, if I were to have a chance to survive whatever catastrophe that was going to fall upon me. Then his expression softened, and he laughed. Hard, true and pure, the halls of his castle echo with his booming laughter. After a while, he composed himself and looked at me as a father looks at his troubled son.
“Child… Oh, child, foolish child, it is in my power to divulge that information to you but I will not. It would be pointless for me to do so, for a person whose very thirst is only satiated by the reaping of knowledge itself, I will deprive you of your very life force.” He glanced upwards, and at that time seemed very distant, as if he was disconnected to myself and his surroundings. Then he returned and his face exhibited urgency. I knew my time was up. “Now, mortal, it is time for you to return to your own world. I have other matters to attend you, and of grave importance they are. I have enjoyed this, child, verily and as payment… “ He opened his clasped palm and touched my temple with it. “Now dream… In peace…”
I dreamt.
*
This is what reading Dante's Divine Comedy and Gaiman's Sandman at the same time does to you.
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