"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 palace in the realm of dreams reflects the consequence of his absence and the influence of his captor.
The palace, once a grand and majestic structure, now bears the nightmares of neglect and decay. Their glow is barely piercing with darkness.
"What happened here?" Morpheus's face was engraved with sadness, his face filled with sorrows. "Who did this?" he inquired, his voice tinged with both grief and determination.
"My Lord, you are The Dreaming. The Dreaming is you," Lucien responded, her voice carrying a tone of reverence. "With you gone as long as you were, the realm began to.... decay and crumble." Lucien carefully explained the reason behind the kingdom's faded and decay appearance.
Morpheus turned his gaze towards Lucien, concerned across his face. "And what of the residents? The palace staff?" he inquired, his worry palpable.
"I'm afraid most have departed," Lucien replied, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"Gone?" Morpheus asked, his expression showing surprise. "Some went looking for you" Lucien retorted.
"And others?" As he got closer to Lucien, Morpheus asked a question.
"They thought, perhaps, you'd grown weary of your duties...and" Lucien said. Morpheus jumped in and interrupted Lucien.
Morpheus asked in a helpless tone, "What?" He asked, "Abandon them?" Morpheus shoved in his face.
"Had they so little faith in me? Does my own subject not know me?" Morpheus asked Lucien.
"If I may, sir, It wouldn't be the first time one of the Endless had just....." Lucien was trying to explain when Morpheus interrupted her.
Morpheus said, "Enough." "I won't allow nightmares and dreams to prey on people in the real world. Morpheus declared resolutely, facing his palace from a far distance, "I will bring them all back. I created the realm once, and I will create it again."
The gate behind them as they made their way to the palace closed softly and loudly.
As Morpheus steps foot inside the palace, he is met with a sense of desolation. The once vibrant and opulent halls are now shrouded in darkness and shadows, their splendor faded. The walls, once adorned with intricate designs and artwork, now bear cracks and signs of neglect.
The air within the palace feels heavy, carrying a sense of stagnation and melancholy. Dust particles float in the dimly lit corridors, a testament to the lack of activity and care. The grand chandeliers that once illuminated the palace are now dimmed, their glow barely piercing the darkness.
The sound of creaking floorboards and distant echoes adds to the eerie atmosphere, as if the very essence of the palace mourns the absence of its ruler. The silence within the halls is deafening, broken only by the occasional gust of wind that sweeps through the deserted corridors.
Morpheus's throne, once a symbol of power and authority, appears worn and weathered. The fabric is torn, the cushions flattened, and the regal adornments dulled. It stands as a stark reminder of the time that has passed and the weight of Morpheus's captivity.
The palace's gardens, once vibrant and teeming with life, now appear overgrown and unkempt. The once meticulously manicured hedges and blooming flowers have given way to tangled vines and wilting foliage. The absence of caretakers and the touch of neglect are evident in the tangled mess that now engulfs the once-lush paradise.
Morpheus was saddened by this and decided to make things better than they had been before.
"I kept a journal for a while. A chronicle of everything that happened in your absence. But slowly, the words began to fade," Lucien spoke softly, echoing inside, "sometimes after you left, all the books in the library became bound volumes of blank paper. The next day, the whole library was gone. I never found it again" Lucien explained what happened in Morpheus' absence.
"And yet you remained while others fled, the royal librarian of an abandoned kingdom," Morpheus spoke, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and appreciation, acknowledging Lucien's unwavering dedication.
""I never felt abandoned, I knew you would return," Lucien replied, her voice filled with conviction and assurance.
Morpheus, consumed by a profound sense of sadness and failure, lowered his gaze towards the floor. In an act of quiet contemplation, he reached down to retrieve a shard of shattered glass, the broken fragments symbolizing the remnants of his crumbling palace.
With a determined grip, Morpheus extended his hand, fingers splayed wide, as he sought to harness the power of his mind to rebuild what was lost.
Morpheus, determined to arrange the pieces of his palace, encountered unexpected challenges. With each attempt, the glass elements resisted his touch, refusing to fall into place.
No matter how he envisioned the layout or carefully positioned the pieces, they seemed to defy his control.
Frustration etched across Morpheus' face as he grappled with the unyielding glass. It was as if the very essence of dreams resisted his command, reminding him of the delicate balance required to shape and mold the realm of dreams.
The glass pieces shifted and slid, defying his efforts to create the desired composition.
"You need rest, my Lord," Lucien remarked as she sought to reassure Morpheus while wearing a worried expression.
"You'll regain your strength after some food and additional rest," she added.
Morpheus struggled to stand up and uttered "No" in a hushed voice while breathing heavily. He said, "Not without my tools.
"Your tools?" With an unsure expression, Lucien inquired.
Morpheus responded, "my ruby, my helmet, and my sand." "Why, what happened to them?" Lucien questioned.
"They were taken away from me. By my captors. And then taken from them" Morpheus said as he continued fiercely "I know not where, Nor what I am without them" he murmured while attempting to catch his breath.
Back in the real world, a woman speaking on the phone in Arabic while standing in a room filled with antique furnishings says, "Darling, : How are you? You will never guess what I am staring at, though. It costs 22 million, and it's a Caravaggio. As she hung up the phone, she said, "Well, of course you can think about it, but not for too long."
When her phone rang, she went to answer it but was unable to hear anything. She also checked her surveillance footage but found no one. She ventured outdoors, but no one was there. She quickly returned inside, closing the door for more security.
"Quite the place you got here, Ethel" Corinthians' words made Ethel uneasy as she saw a face she was unfamiliar with.
She questioned, "Who are you? How did you get in?"
"Getting in was the easy part. The hard part was finding you" Corinthians said, complimenting her for leading a wonderful life and successfully deceiving others into believing she doesn't exist.
Approaching Corinthians, Ethel said, "apparently not good enough." She was informed by Corinthians that he is not really a person. "What are you, then?" Ethel asked
Corinthians asked, "Do you remember the being Magnus kept caged in his basement?" as he was attempting to pour himself a drink. "King of dreams?" he questioned.
"Are you one of his" terrified Ethel asked, "I'm my own man now. With your help, I intend to stay that way," Corinthians answered.
Corinthians needed her assistance since, as Ethel enquired as to why, he informed her that the King of Dreams was escaping from his cage and would soon be pursuing both of them.
Because she insists she did Morpheus no harm, Ethel doesn't think she won't be his target.
She was informed by Corinthians that the king of dreams would come for her for taking his tools.
She was trying to figure out how to escape as panic flooded her face.
In the palace,
Morpheus declared, "There is only one sure way for me to find my tools, I must summon the three-in-one."
Lucien tries to persuade Morpheus that "surely it hasn't come to that."
Morpheus reassured her that the three-in-one are aware of everything and can see the past, present, and future.
"Yes," but they use riddles when speaking. Lucien forewarned him, "They never tell you what you want to know. Only Things You Should Never Know," she muttered as her face twisted to the side.
"Perhaps just this once you could ask one of your siblings for help," she added. Where your tools are would be known to Destiny without a doubt. Or desire.. She made an effort to counsel Morpheus.
She was informed by Morpheus that just as his siblings had their own realm to attend to, he did as well, and they did not meddle with one another's personal affairs.
"You may not, but they have been known to, perhaps just this once you could tell them what happened to you," Lucien persuaded Morpheus.
"I am quite sure they know what happened to me. And not one of them came to my aid." He replied with a dejected tone that almost made him want to cry.
With a long break in between, they turned to face the earth. The hush was broken by Lucien's remark, " The fates aren't cheap, you know".
She continued, "They cost a bloody fortune."
"And right now, I lack the strength to even call them, let alone pay the price." replied Morpheus. "Unless....is there anything of mine that remains in the dreaming, something I created, something intact," Morpheus questioned
Lucien made an effort to recall what might still be present in the world of dreams that might still contain some of the power that can be absorbed by Morpheus. She told him what it was after she recalled.
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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
The King of Dreams Chapter 13
Johnny is on the street, looking around at the unfamiliar house and areas. He got on the road when he almost got into an accident with a car. He fell and got scared using one of his hands to guide himself as another car parked in front of him. A lady rushed out of the car to assist Johnny in standing up. "Thank you," Johnny said, grateful. Johnny was trying to look for his slippers, "I lost my slippers somewhere.""Oh, here you go," the lady found his slippers and helped him put them on. Johnny acknowledged the lady and indirectly apologized for being underdressed. She told Johnny it wasn't a big deal as it is a normal thing. "You live nearby," she asked"No, I uh… I've no idea where I am, actually," Johnny looked around. "Do you need a ride somewhere? I'd be happy to take you," she offered him a ride. "Do you know where Mayhew is?" Johnny asked. She smiled, "It's on my way. I live in Cumberland," stretching her hand to introduce herself, "I am Rosemary. "Johnny did the same b
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Chapter 110
Matthew, determined to uncover the truth, flapped his wings and swooped closer to Constantine’s window, perching on the ledge just outside. He could see her inside, tossing and turning in her sleep, her face contorted in distress. Whatever nightmares plagued her, they were relentless.Just as he was about to take another step forward, a surge of dark shadows erupted from the room, slamming into him like a forceful wind. The impact sent him spiraling backward, his feathers ruffling as he barely managed to regain balance in midair."Bloody hell!" he cawed, shaking himself off. "What was that?"The shadows loomed menacingly around Constantine's home, writhing like living tendrils, barring his approach. It was as if they sensed his presence and rejected it outright.Matthew steadied himself and tried again, this time keeping to the darkness, hoping to slip past unnoticed. But the moment he drew near, the shadows lashed out again, pushing him away with an invisible force. It was clear—some
Chapter 109
Matthew flapped his wings, gliding silently above the rooftops as he continued tailing Constantine. She moved with purpose through the streets, her hands tucked deep into the pockets of her long coat, occasionally glancing over her shoulder as if she could sense something watching her. If she did, she didn’t let on.The raven perched on a streetlight as Constantine paused at a small occult shop, its windows dimly lit by flickering candlelight. She pushed the door open, and a tiny bell jingled, announcing her arrival. Matthew swooped to a nearby tree, peering inside through a dusty window.Inside, Constantine exchanged words with an elderly man behind the counter. He wore thick glasses, his long white beard curling like smoke from a dying fire. The conversation was hushed, but Matthew’s sharp ears caught snippets.“You don’t just find books on binding entities lying around, love,” the old man muttered, rubbing his temples. “You sure you want to go digging into this?”“Got no choice, ma
Chapter 108
As Matthew fluttered above Constantine, keeping a careful distance, he watched as she strode through the streets with purpose. He wasn’t sure what she was up to, but it was clear that she was hunting for something—or someone. The way she occasionally glanced over her shoulder made Matthew wonder if she sensed him. Still, he was good at staying unnoticed. At least, he thought he was.Just as Constantine turned a corner, Matthew suddenly felt a strange pull in his chest, like an invisible string yanking him backward. His feathers ruffled as his vision blurred for a moment. He knew this sensation all too well—he was being summoned."Oh, come on!" Matthew squawked in frustration, flapping his wings furiously to resist the pull. "Not now! I was just getting to the good part!"But there was no stopping it. The pull of the Dreaming was absolute, and before he knew it, the waking world faded away, replaced by the ethereal glow of Morpheus’s domain.Matthew found himself in the grand halls of
Chapter 107
Matthew glided over the city, his keen eyes scanning the streets below as he searched for Daniel. The night was calm, the occasional flickering streetlight casting eerie shadows across the pavement. The waking world always felt different from the Dreaming, less fluid, more rigid. Still, his task was clear: observe Daniel without interference.As he circled over a familiar street, he spotted movement below. Constantine, dressed in her usual rugged coat, was stepping out of a dimly lit pub. A cigarette dangled between her fingers as she exhaled smoke into the cold air. Matthew hesitated mid-flight. He hadn’t expected to run into her, not so soon at least.Constantine paused, her sharp eyes narrowing as she caught sight of a shadow moving in the sky. A knowing smirk tugged at her lips. “Matthew,” she called out, tilting her head up. “Come down here, you sneaky little sod. I know you're watching.”Matthew sighed, knowing there was no point in pretending otherwise. He swooped down, landing
Chapter 106
Constantine sat across from Sister Agnes in the quiet sanctuary of the church, the scent of burning incense lingering in the air. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the ancient stone walls as the nun observed Constantine with a calm but knowing gaze."So, what brings you back to the house of God, Constantine?" Sister Agnes asked, folding her hands on the table before her.Constantine smirked, tapping her fingers against the wooden surface. "I need a new job, Sister. Something to keep me busy. Any demons running amok? Possessions that need handling?"Sister Agnes let out a soft chuckle and shook her head. "No fresh cases of possession at the moment. Seems the devil’s taking a holiday."Constantine scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "That’s a first."The nun studied her for a moment before speaking again. "But, there are some individuals who have been seeking guidance. They’ve heard of you—your skills, your knowledge. They wish to learn."Constantine raised a skeptical eye
Chapter 105
The night was heavy with an eerie silence, but Constantine's sleep was anything but peaceful. Shadows curled along the edges of her room, whispering like ghosts against the walls. The Rune on her skin pulsed, a soft glow bleeding through the darkness, tying her to the prison she now kept sealed within her.Her dreams—or rather, her nightmares—began the same way each time. She stood in a void, the same void where she had faced the Emptiness. But here, it was different. The Rune no longer burned with power; it trembled like a dying ember. The prison wavered, its walls barely holding together, and beyond them, the formless mass of the Emptiness lurked, pressing against its boundaries with unseen force."You cannot hold me forever," a voice rasped, hollow and endless, echoing in the chasm of her mind. It was not a singular voice but many, an amalgamation of fears, regrets, and lost souls.Constantine clenched her fists, her breath sharp and ragged. "Yeah? Well, watch me."The Rune seared
Chapter 104
Morpheus stepped through the grand entrance of his throne room, his cloak billowing behind him like a shadow refusing to be left behind. Lucien stood waiting at the base of the dais, ever dutiful, with Matthew perched on her shoulder, his feathers ruffling slightly in anticipation.Lucien adjusted her glasses and gave a respectful nod. "You're back sooner than expected, my lord. I assume the return of Lyta, Daniel, Rose, and Jed went as planned?"Morpheus inclined his head. "Yes. They have returned to the waking world safely. The chapter of their time in the Dreaming is now closed—for now. But there are still matters that demand our attention."Lucien, ever perceptive, stepped forward. "What would you have me do?"Morpheus's expression was unreadable, his gaze drifting momentarily to the swirling mists beyond the throne room’s high windows. Then, he turned back to Lucien, his voice measured and commanding. "Gather the nightmares and the fairy tale creatures. I would address them."Mat
Chapter 103
Morpheus stood in the dim glow of Cain and Abel’s home, his dark presence casting long shadows across the uneven ground. The two brothers, as different as night and day, watched him expectantly. Abel fidgeted, rubbing his hands together nervously, while Cain crossed his arms, his ever-present scowl deepening."Cain. Abel," Morpheus began, his voice as steady and measured as ever. "You have long been the keepers of this land. Tell me, what would you wish for your home? I will grant you this, as a token of gratitude."Abel blinked, looking at his brother for guidance, but Cain simply scoffed. "Gratitude? That’s a rare gift coming from you, Dream Lord. But if you are offering, I won’t refuse."Abel cleared his throat, stepping forward cautiously. "I… I would love a garden. A real one. With flowers and maybe a pond," he said hesitantly, wringing his fingers. "Something peaceful. And—and a place for Goldie to play!" His face brightened as he mentioned his beloved gargoyle, who lay curled u
Chapter 102
As Morpheus stepped back into the Dreaming, the air shimmered around him, adjusting to his presence like a living thing recognizing its master. His long coat flowed behind him as he moved through the grand halls of his palace, the echoes of dreams whispering in the walls. Lucien stood near the great oak table, surrounded by books, scrolls, and floating symbols of pure knowledge. She had been waiting, as she always did, diligent and prepared. Nearby, perched on the back of a high-backed chair, Matthew the raven ruffled his feathers, his sharp black eyes tracking Morpheus’s movements. Lucien acknowledged his arrival with a nod. “You’ve returned.” Her voice was calm, but there was a subtle curiosity in her tone. “And Constantine?” Morpheus took a few steps toward the table, his expression unreadable. “She is where she must be. The Rune is a part of her now.” Matthew let out a low whistle. “Man, that’s rough. She didn’t ask for any of this.” “No,” Morpheus agreed, his gaze dista