With a hint of regret in their voice, Alex's elder self said to Morpheus, "I could have sought after wealth or power, just like my father did." Alex said, "But all I ever wanted was to be free from your grip," with a broken heart.
"Alex, my dear," Paul cried as Alex sat down in a wheelchair, his hands firmly holding the device. Alex asked Paul to "please take me upstairs."
As the wheelchair glided steadily across the circle, it left a visible line, shattering the once unbroken formation. Paul halted momentarily, casting a backward glance at the disrupted circle, realizing its demise. Then, his gaze shifted upward to meet Morpheus', acknowledging him with a nod and a smile, before departing from the room.
Morpheus observed the broken circle, a sense of relief washing over him. Leaning forward, he directed his attention towards the guards stationed nearby. "Our Dracula still remains tight-lipped," remarked the female guard, engrossed in her novel. Curiosity piqued, the male guard inquired, "Why do you persist in calling him that?"
Morpheus extended his hand towards the male guard, who was instantly captivated by the gesture. Meanwhile, the female guard excused herself and proceeded to the restroom. The male guard, feeling a sudden drowsiness overpowering him, found himself transported into the realm of dreams, standing on a picturesque beach.
In this dream state, he witnessed Morpheus approaching him with a graceful stride. Morpheus stooped down and scooped up a handful of sand from the beach. Startled by this action, the male guard instinctively reached for his firearm and aimed it at Morpheus. However, in the physical world, his shots were directed at the spherical glass, shattering it into fragments.
Morpheus breathed a sigh of relief, a glimmer of hope illuminating his eyes. As the female guard hurriedly entered the room and witnessed the unfolding scene, she rushed to intervene, desperately trying to prevent the male guard from firing his weapon. However, Morpheus had already made his escape, slipping away from their grasp.
Outside the shattered sphere glass, Morpheus stood amidst a radiant light, with the wind gusting around him as dark clouds gathered overhead. Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, the female guard commanded Morpheus to open his hands and raise them in surrender.
Unperturbed, Morpheus released a gentle breath, blowing the sand he held towards the guards. Instantly, the guards succumbed to a deep slumber, their bodies surrendering to the sand's mesmerizing effects. Morpheus turned away from them, facing the ominous dark cloud, and with a graceful motion, he lifted himself upward, gradually dissolving into the thin air until he vanished completely, leaving no trace behind.
Alex awoke from a restless sleep, his heart racing as if he had just escaped a haunting nightmare. He sat up in bed, his breath ragged, and then slowly rose, feeling a compelling urge to leave his room. Stepping into the hallway, he called out for Paul, his voice echoing through the empty corridor. He continued onward, driven by an unknown force, until he reached the staircase.
In the midst of his journey, Alex caught a glimpse of his reflection in a nearby mirror. To his astonishment, his reflection portrayed his younger self, as if time had rewound itself. A mixture of surprise and curiosity filled his eyes as he examined his rejuvenated appearance. "Well, hello there," he greeted the feline companion that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The cat responded with a soft "meow," its voice echoing through the hallway. Bewildered by the unexpected presence of the cat, Alex muttered, "Where did you come from?" His mind perplexed, he stood in the hallway, trying to unravel the mystery of the cat's sudden appearance.
Intrigued by the cat's presence, Alex silently trailed behind it, climbing the stairs until they reached an empty room. The cat gracefully settled itself upon a chair, fixing its gaze upon Alex. Perplexed, Alex observed the feline, attempting to comprehend how it had made its way into his house.
As Alex cautiously approached, a profound transformation occurred before his eyes. The cat metamorphosed into the King of Dreams himself—Morpheus. Draped in a coat as dark as night, his eyes emitting an ethereal glow, Morpheus' countenance brimmed with a potent blend of anger and determination. Seated upon the chair in the dimly lit room, he exuded an undeniable aura of power.
"Hello," Morpheus welcomed Alex with an intense voice, his words reverberating in the space. Alex's voice trembled with fear as he managed to stammer out, "It's... it's you. You're... you're free." The weight of realization and trepidation hung heavy in the air as Alex recognized the significance of Morpheus' newfound freedom.
Morpheus rose from the chair, his figure towering over the room. "do you have any idea what it was like?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and anguish. "Confined within a cage for over a century, stripped of my freedom!" With each word, Morpheus steadily advanced toward Alex, his presence becoming increasingly overwhelming.
Terrified, Alex retreated, driven by sheer fear. He stumbled backward, desperately trying to create distance between himself and the approaching Morpheus. The magnitude of the situation weighed heavily on Alex, as he remained clueless about the consequences that awaited him.
"Do you grasp the extent of the devastation you have caused in your world?" Morpheus questioned, his voice resounding with intensity. Alex, consumed by terror, could only muster a feeble response, "I'm sorry... I... I didn't know. Please..." His voice trembled with fear, his face a portrait of sheer desperation as he begged for his life.
"Your punishment," Morpheus declared solemnly, "shall be a gift. I give you this" As Morpheus spoke, a remarkable transformation unfolded before their eyes—Alex's aging process reversed rapidly, and he grew younger with each passing second. Time itself seemed to retreat from his being.
"I grant you the gift of eternal sleep," Morpheus continued, extending his hand adorned with a handful of sand. With a single exhale, he blew the sand toward Alex, who succumbed to a deep and peaceful sleep. Little did Alex know, this slumber was a gateway to the realm of dreams.
In the physical realm, Alex shuddered restlessly upon his bed. Paul, overwhelmed with worry, called out to him with tear-filled eyes. "Alex, Alex, please wake up," Paul pleaded, desperately attempting to rouse him from his unconscious state.
More than a century of tortured sleep, of Dreams and Nightmares running riot was coming to an end.
Corinthians sat in a darkly lighted room, his anxious and uneasy gaze fixed on the window. Fear gripped Corinthians' voice as he mumbled, "He is free, He is out of his cage," knowing that Morpheus would probably continue what he started with him.
Slowly, he rose from his seat, using a handkerchief to delicately wipe away the blood that stained his eyes.
With a deep breath to steady himself, Corinthians cleared his throat and spoke, his voice laced with a blend of apprehension and determination. "So I'm afraid I'm gonna have to run," he addressed the black-skinned man seated silently before him, his eyes absent, the result of Corinthians' disturbing actions.
The man remained helpless, unable to see the world around him.
In a horrifying act of desperation, Corinthians had plucked the man's eyeballs and implanted them into his own sockets in order to retrieve information.
Corinthians approached the mirror with caution, his empty eye sockets blinding him. Instead, he had eyes that seemed to be black buttons stitched into his eye sockets, giving him a ghostly, disturbing atmosphere.
"I'm not gonna stop until I've reshaped this world to look just like me," Corinthians declared, his voice tinged with a blend of determination and a chilling resolve. He adjusted the black glasses he wore, concealing the unsettling sight of his eyes.
In the realm of dreams, Lucien ran tirelessly through a dark clouded desert, wearing a black jacket and a white glasses. She desperately called out, "Sir, sir!"
As Lucien approached, she discovered Morpheus lying unconscious upon the darkened sand. Overwhelmed with a mix of sorrow and concern, she softly spoke, "Oh, my goodness, Sir, it's me. It's Lucien."
Morpheus stirred, his eyes slowly fluttering open at the sound of the familiar voice. A wave of relief washed over him as he recognized Lucien's presence. With a weakened voice, he mustered the strength to call out her name, "Lucien."
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"You're home, my Lord," Lucien whispered with a tinge of sorrow."I am," Morpheus replied, his voice tinged with relief as he regained consciousness.Morpheus needed assistance getting up from his prone position, so Lucien offered his hand. Together, they crossed the barren desert, their steps leading them to a towering gate covered with ancient statues, one of which conspicuously displayed the emblem of Morpheus' helmet.Morpheus reached out, his hand gently making contact with the gate. A resounding rumble echoed through the air as the gate swung open freely, granting them passage."Forgive me, sir, but... the realm, the palace... they are not as you left them," Lucien cautioned, her words laced with a mix of warning and anticipation. As the gate swung open, revealing the kingdom that Morpheus had once ruled, a profound shock coursed through him. His eyes widened in disbelief at the sight. There were no signs of trees, no bustling of life.When Morpheus returns from captivity, the
The King of Dreams Chapter 6
"A mystical dragon flies across a village with trees, a river, grass, and two houses in the land of dreams."The dragon landed on a roof and commanded Gregory to go immediately. 'You're going to trip and get wounded,' a man gave the dragon orders."The man said, "That's it."The dragon Gregory came down to the ground grumbling. It was speaking to the man in its own language. The man inquired, "Are you sure?"As a response, Gregory snorted.He laughs.The man stroked the dragon and said, "Good boy, Gregory, Good gargoyle."The man yelled for his friend's name and ran in his direction, calling out, "Cain, come quickly."While using a shovel to dig a hole and wearing glasses, Cain muttered to himself, "Blasted, bulbous,bilge-bubbling bollocks."The man yelled, "Cain!""What do you want, powder-brain? Do you not realize I'm working?" Cain answered in a stern manner."We have guests," the man said.Unexpectedly, Cain turned around to check for the visitors' location. "where?"Morpheus an
The King of Dreams Chapter 7
"Do you believe you're quite ready for this, your majesty?" she inquired, making Lucien concerned about Morpheus. "You haven't navigated these seas in a while.""Do you think I've forgotten how?" Morpheus questioned."No, but..." Lucien sighs.In the midst of a pitch-black, calm sea with ominous clouds, they were both standing on a long, narrow wool bridge. The ebony seas seemed to go on forever, motionless and lifeless.Morpheus, a tall figure with a regal bearing, stood with piercing eyes and flowing dark hair framing his features, looked out into the black sea."I can't ask The Fates for assistance without providing them with something in return," Morpheus said as he turned to face Lucien. "Nothing remains from the Dreaming." Morpheus had made up his mind.He explained, "I have to gather my offering from other people's dreams.""I understand. It's just that, in your absence, these waters have become darker, treacherous, unsafe," Lucien murmured worriedly."Morpheus advanced to the
The King of Dreams Chapter 8
When Ethel arrived at the heavily guarded building, the guards opened the entrance and greeted her as she entered gracefully. visiting Johnny, her son, in a light, white room. Ethel called out to her son, John, who was seated on a chair and wearing a hospital outfit, which he mistakenly thought of as a jail. With astonishment on his face, he raised his head and gave her a surprised expression. Ethel seldom paid her son any visits. He whispered "Hello, mama" Ethel inquired about his well-being. Johnny said that it was dull and lonely and that the location resembled a jail. Ethel corrected him, saying, "Hospital, John, and I can see you are getting better." Is that how you're checking to see whether I've forgiven you? John queriedEthel laughed and asked Johnny if he was okay as she turned to face him and acknowledged him. You're either trying to convince yourself or me, John smiled. "Am trying to speak with my son." Ethel said in a stern voice, "We need to talk."Johnny wasn't fol
The King of Dreams Chapter 9
Girving, the dragon, was approaching Abel's tomb, where Cain had laid him to rest. As soon as Abel spotted the newborn dragon, Abel dug himself out of the tomb. "Hello Girving, I mean Goldy," Abel greeted the dragon after sitting down. "For Cain's sake, I'll name you Goldy, but you'll always be Girving to me," Abel said to the dragon. Girving speaking to Abel in dragon language, Girving the dragon. "He's not to blame; he can't help it." Abel tries to explain to Girving why Cain keeps murdering and burying him every time he gets angry: "It's who he is, it's who we are." "First killer, first casualty. This is our story," he said."Do you even understand what a story is?" Girving was questioned by Abel." Should I tell you?" As he began his narrative, Abel grinned and adjusted his seat. "It's a secret story," he said. "It's a story of two brothers who were good to one another and who loved one other very, very much. Nice and compassionate. And...and brotherly, you know?" As he concl
The King of Dreams Chapter 10
To hide the fact that she was pursuing demons, Constantine insisted that they both repeat after her in Latin.The player started to grunt in discomfort and cough as soon as they began to repeat after Constantine. Princess, on the other hand, hoped that the footballer wouldn't become sick at their wedding.The Latin chanting of Constantine was resumed. As though a body was attempting to flee, a hand emerged from the baller's mouth.The baller's mouth gradually became larger as the body kept creeping out. The bodily portions were divided by the hands in the mouth. A tall, black, bread-haired, and demon with a deep voice was being reviled. Blood was all over the demon's body."Ric!" "You were right about the demon but wrong about the host," Constantine said as she called for the nun. Constantine gave the Nun the order to transport the princess to a secure location. The princess, who was covered in blood, fled the scene terrified. Demon growls, hearing Constantine chant, "You talk too
The King of Dreams Chapter 11
Morpheus was in the dimly lighted hallway and was making his way toward a door. When he opened the door, Morpheus saw Constantine struggling to stand and chanting in Latin as she attempted to throw a demon back to hell. While completing her task, a girl shouted out to Constantine and went towards her. The girl was told by Constantine to return, but it was already too late. The girl was dragged inside by the demon, which was on fire and going to be sent into hell. Though she attempted, Constantine was too late to save the girl. She was in disbelief as she sat on the ground and watched as the girl vanished, leaving just her half-hand with Constantine.Constantine quickly awoke from her dreams, gasping for air. "For fuck's sake," she said as Constantine noticed Morpheus standing in front of her. She said, "How did you find me?""You were dreaming," Morpheus said. "It wasn't just a dream, was it?" he asked. "This is a memory. No surprise you don't sleep." He added. "Maybe I don't deserve
The King of Dreams Chapter 12
"Hmm. Yes, clown. Morpheus was made fun of by the demon, who questioned, "So, where is your crown?""Guard your tongue, demon," Morpheus advised the demon, "because the ruler of Hell will not be kind to one who insults an honored guest," he stated with an irate expression. Morpheus becomes enraged. "And I am a guest in this realm as I am a ruler of my own," he adds. "So, where's your ruby?""Will you let me use it to haunt your dreams? And your awake time, too?" asked Morpheus. "Or will you allow us in by opening the Gate of Hell?" Morpheus' tone turned fierce. The demon unlocked the gate for Morpheus and his raven after being frightened by Morpheus' threat."Now take us to the palace," Morpheus commanded. "There is one at the door," Demon kept repeating the words on their way to the palace. They encountered a dry, dark woodland that was covered in fog as they made their way to the palace, with the demon leading the way."Any clue, where we are?" Matthew the raven enquired."The la
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Chapter 69
Morpheus stood at the gates of the Dreaming, his long cloak billowing slightly in the ethereal wind. Perched upon his shoulder, Matthew the Raven flapped his wings restlessly, sensing the weight of the journey ahead. The decision had been made—Morpheus would go to Hell.“You sure about this, boss?” Matthew asked, cocking his head. “I mean, it’s not exactly a friendly place.”Morpheus remained silent for a moment, his piercing gaze fixed on the horizon. “Lucifer may hold the answers we need. The emptiness is unlike anything I have encountered before, and if there is one being who understands the absence of hope, it is he.”Matthew sighed, shaking his feathers. “Well, I guess if we’re doing this, we might as well do it quickly. No offense, but Hell ain’t exactly my vacation spot.”With a simple motion of his hand, Morpheus called upon the shadows, and within seconds, they were engulfed in darkness. When the void lifted, they stood at the gates of Hell.Before them loomed the colossal ir
chapter 68
The echoes of Death’s departure had barely faded when Lucien stepped out from the shadows of the grand hall. Her appearance was deliberate, her expression as serious as it had ever been. She approached Morpheus slowly, the faint sound of her footsteps swallowed by the vastness of the Dreaming’s palace.Morpheus, still deep in thought, did not turn to greet her immediately. He stood by one of the massive windows overlooking the surreal and ever-shifting landscapes of his realm, his back straight and his gaze distant.“She is gone,” Lucien finally said, her voice soft yet firm.Morpheus turned slightly, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the Dreaming. “She is. And she has confirmed what we feared—the emptiness is not a mindless force. It reacts, evades, and perhaps even fears. But why does it avoids her…” He paused, his words trailing off.“That,” Lucien said, stepping closer, “is something I believe I can explain.”Morpheus turned fully to face her now, his dark eyes narrowing
Chapter 68
Death’s domain was quiet and solemn, a place of peace rather than sorrow. Unlike her siblings' realms, it did not weigh heavily on those who entered. The air was still, imbued with a sense of finality and closure. Death sat on a simple bench under a lone tree, a notebook resting on her lap. She absentmindedly scribbled her thoughts, her mind preoccupied with the chaos that had overtaken existence.The situation was growing dire. The emptiness—a force that defied comprehension—was not only corrupting dreams and waking lives but was also interfering with her work. Souls she collected were incomplete, their essence hollowed out as if some vital part had been stripped away. It troubled her deeply.For a moment, she paused, tapping her pen against her notebook. She gazed out at the horizon of her domain, where faint whispers of departing souls lingered.“This isn’t right,” she muttered. “It’s never been like this.”A summons tugged at her consciousness. Another soul required her presence.
Chapter 66
Despair entered her gray and shadowy domain, the oppressive atmosphere weighing down her already burdened shoulders. The walls of her palace were adorned with rusted mirrors and remnants of forgotten sorrows, each reflecting the emptiness of the souls she represented. She sat on a low stool, her barbed hook clutched in her trembling hands, as Desire followed behind, their golden eyes scanning the room with a mixture of boredom and unease.“This is a bad idea,” Despair muttered, her voice low and rasping. “A terrible idea.”Desire sighed dramatically, leaning against one of the crooked pillars. “Tell me something I don’t already know, sister. Dream has always been reckless, always so full of himself. This is just another one of his grandiose schemes to make himself the hero.”Despair shook her head, her fingers gripping the hook tighter. “It’s not just recklessness. It’s desperation. He’s asking us to risk everything. To pour out the very essence of who we are. What if it doesn’t work?
Chapter 65
Morpheus returned to his palace in the Dreaming, his thoughts heavy with the revelations from his conversation with Death. He stepped into the grand hall, its towering ceilings adorned with stars and clouds in constant motion. The Dreaming felt different now—quieter, more fragile. The usual hum of dreams was subdued, as if the realm itself was holding its breath.Lucien, his loyal librarian, stood at the foot of the throne. Her expression was grave, and she clutched an ancient tome bound in weathered leather. She bowed slightly as Morpheus approached.“My lord,” Lucien began, “I have found something. It is not pleasant, but I believe it may provide the answers we seek.”Morpheus gestured for her to continue, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Speak, Lucien. What have you uncovered?”Lucien opened the tome, flipping through its yellowed pages with meticulous care. The text was written in an ancient, almost indecipherable script, and the illustrations depicted swirling vo
Chapter 64
Morpheus paced his throne room, the weight of Despair and Desire’s findings pressing heavily on his mind. His siblings’ experiences with the shadowy emptiness only confirmed what he had feared—something ancient and malevolent was encroaching on the realms of the Endless. It was no longer confined to dreams or desires; it was spreading like an insidious disease, touching every corner of existence. He stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on the swirling mists beyond his windows. "Lucien," he called. Lucien appeared from the shadows, a stack of books clutched in his hands. "My lord?" "I must speak with Death. She will have seen signs of this chaos among the souls she collects. Hold the Dreaming in my absence." Lucien nodded, though his expression was troubled. "Be cautious, my lord. If this force can affect Despair and Desire, there’s no telling what it might do to the others." Morpheus said nothing, stepping into the shadows and vanishing from the Dreaming.Morpheus materialized i
Chapter 63
With the oppressive weight of the waking world hanging over them like a black cloud, despair and desire crossed the boundary once more into the Dreaming. They had found nothing tangible in their search, but what they had found—the omnipresent void, the shadowy figure—could not be disregarded. In his throne room, Morpheus stood poised like a statue, waiting. Lucien was standing close by, his hands clasped, his face displaying the strain of the Dreaming's problems. The atmosphere was instantly altered by the arrival of Despair and Desire. "You've come back," Morpheus said in a soothing yet tense voice. "What have you found?" Despair took a while to speak. The sound of her barbed hook clinking on the floor echoed throughout the large room as she dropped it at her feet. "It's everywhere," she said in a hollow voice. The emptiness permeates every aspect of the waking world like a plague. I can't even touch them. Their hopelessness is phony and unfounded. Morpheus looked at Desire,
Chapter 62
With their opposing energies creating an unseen tension between them, Despair and Desire silently left the Endless gathering. The scenery changed to a drab gray as they left the Dreaming and entered the real world. The sounds of life, such as laughter, conversation, and the rustle of leaves, were muted and faint, and the air felt heavy, as though the world itself had lost the ability to feel. This was a familiar world to Despair. She flourished on the silence, the emptiness, and the crushing weight of it all. As she watched the waking world go by, she absently dragged her barbed hook across her palm. "It's already here," she muttered in a gravelly, low voice. "The void. They feel as though it is a second skin.But Desire was not impressed. With a smooth, melodic voice that was brimming with derision, they answered, "It's always there, darling." That is the state of humanity. Yes, emptiness, longing, and yearning. However, this... feels different.They entered a busy city street and
Chapter 61
Tension reverberated through the Endless's great hall, a place unconstrained by time and molded solely by the essence of its occupants. As solemn as the night sky, Dream sat at the center of the group. Death was standing to his right, composed but with an unwavering determination. Desire sat on his left, their face a mixture of contempt and laughter. Despair was there in the shadows, hardly perceptible but always there, gripping her barbed hook with shaking fingers, her eyes displaying a silent, all-encompassing agony. "This cannot go on," Dream started in a steady but irritated tone. "Mortals are no longer dreaming as they used to in the waking world. They don't have any imagination, hope, or even nightmares while they sleep. The Dreaming is in pain and disintegrating. It has an impact on everything. Desire twirled a golden strand of their hair and laughed softly. Dream, you're always so dramatic. Maybe the mortals are just sick of your little fantasies. Perhaps they've discovered