The Dream

Slinx is an early sleeper and has never known why others ever had the need to stay up late. Yet as night fell, Slinx found himself wide-awake in his pitch-black room. The ticks and tocks his clock forged made it feel like eternity. His mind was so focused on what the old man had said that he couldn't think of anything else. The silver ring came across his mind, and the urge to put it on was irresistible.

" Just give it a try, maybe it will bring you good luck."

"Wait, what if it's cursed? Would it turn us into an old man too?"

His mind debated vigorously but no consensus could be reached.

"Screw it, how bad could it be?" Slinx took a stance and reached for the ring in his closet. He put it on and went back to bed. Unexpectedly, Slinx found it much easier to sleep now that he had the ring on, the touch of it comforted him as a pacifier did to a baby. His racing thoughts started to slow down, his eyes closed as Slinx enjoyed a truly peaceful moment of silence. And as the moment progressed, his conscience wandered off. The ring began to shine.

Slinx opened his eyes again, yet his tiny room was nowhere to be seen. He was instead greeted by a stiff hard concrete road he was lying on. He was surrounded by urban landscape with features only to be described as unusual and alien-like. The unfamiliar city he was in had a strange atmosphere that made him realise what had happened was no sorcery nor vile magic.

"I'm in a dream." His words echoed off the steel walls of the colossal architectures.

"But how is this so real?" He helped himself up as his hand pushed against the cold solid concrete no different from reality. The sky was a color of grey and blue that he had never seen.

"Hello!"

A high-pitched greeting ambushed Slinx from behind. Making Slinx squeal like a mouse, the same high-pitched voice giggled in response.

"Welcome to Dreamapolis!"

The owner of the voice appeared to be a young girl the same age as Slinx. Her black long hair was tied by a ponytail and her deep blue eyes shone like sapphire the size of marbles. She wore a slightly oversized white T-shirt and a pair of simple grey jeans.

Still, If you walked past her on the streets, at best you would probably appreciate her fair complexion with a prolonged stare. At worst, you would find her no different from the hundreds of other gals you crossed. She is just another person.

But as we have come to know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Slinx felt the strong affection he had towards this stranger with a smile that could melt his heart, she was indeed a stranger, yet seeing such beauty that he could never imagine he felt closer to her than anyone. As if this was not their first encounter.

Slinx opted to speak, but the goddess standing in front of him took his breath away. He felt a deep sense of hatred he had for himself, even in his dreams Slinx could not work up the courage to speak to the girl. So instead, Slinx shared an awkward moment with the girl where they just stood there and stared at each other.

Moments later, a familiar voice broke the silence, " So you finally arrived young one!"

Slinx turned to see the old man he met just hours ago on the streets, yet this time he wore a formal suit and his long hairy beard was replaced by a clean shaved chin. He looked shockingly wise and approachable compared to their first encounter.

"I believe you do reckon this is a dream right, Slinx Wilt?"

The old man slowly approached Slinx as he started to speak. A gust of wind followed his every step as he progressed. His suit started to glow in a mysterious neon green, and in the blink of an eye it turned into green ash blown away by the wind, revealing a dark green robe that was only worn by wizards in movies.

" I am Walder Vixen, and this is Cavina Vixen."