The Reality of Dreams

When we left the cave, the unnatural night had left and it looked to be past noon. Slowly we made our way back towards the center of the village. Looking around we didn't see anything out of the ordinary, with the exception of the buildings being in different places than every other time we had been here.

Lariss walked up to the Spirit Tree and had to pull her hand away as she was shocked by a barrier.

"It's not going to let anyone get close while I'm still around." The voice said to us. "Why do you think I wanted the Little Star to attack it? It is one of the oldest Trees grown directly from a seed of the Tree of the True Spirit. It would have been so tasty. Mmmm."

"Does that mean you've given up?" I looked around with my sword at the ready.

"I suppose I should give up on this world. I haven't had a decent meal since I was summoned. All thanks to your tardiness." It said.

"Might as well leave now." I said.

"I still have a few more moments before I can't stay, so I might as well enjoy myself. Perhaps have a little snack." It said.

"In that case I have a snack…." I was ready to strike when the entity appeared but before I could I heard the sound of laughter and the clinking of glass.

To my left the scene of my wedding started to take form. My best man, Greg, began clinking his glass for his best man's speech.

"I've known both Robert and Sara since before they both met, so I know embarrassing stories from both." He said.

"No, no." Sara began to protest.

"I'll start with Sara since she's so…"

"It's not real!" I closed my eyes and forced my mind to think of something else and the noise faded.

I turned to Lariss thinking that she'd ask more questions, but found her staring at another scene. An older female elf that looked like Lariss with blonde hair, was teaching a young elf girl with braided blonde hair how to shoot a bow.

"Keep your breathing under control and try not to blink when you let go this time. Take a few more shots before supper, Larissatehl." The woman said.

"It's not real." I heard the current Lariss say as she looked at her younger self. The scene faded slowly.

"I think we should get out of here for the time being. We have another day or two before we need to sleep. We'll check back tomorrow." Lariss nodded at my suggestion.

"Are you sure you want to leave? Your dreams can become reality here. For you Little Star, they don't even have to be dreams. Just embrace your desire and it will become true." The voice said.

As it spoke, three forms started to take shape in front of me. Even before they weren't fully formed I recognized Sara, Vesta, and Floriana.

"Stop it!" I started to back away and they dissipated into mist.

"Come on Wilmaer, let's get away from here." Lariss was pulling me away as I saw another of her memories begin to form. A current version of Lariss sitting at a table with her mother and a male elf that must have been her father. They looked happy. But that was a scene that would never be.

"Are you sure you want to leave now? You'll miss my little boy. He's on his way and Tirigianald has grown up so much." It said.

Upon hearing that name, the song began to play in my mind while Lariss started to shiver and her lips began to move without making a sound. Tirigianald, the one that her father blamed for all of this. Was he still alive?

It didn't matter, we had to get away from this strange area. As we needed to think of our own safety.

"Aw here he is. It was so nice of you to destroy the seals that were keeping him out. And once he consumes this Tree a new apocalypse beast will be born. I'm such a proud parent." It said.

I began to hear the sound of people screaming, laughing, moaning, and making all sorts of noise. The last time we encountered this creature it ended with a draw. Unable to eat us quickly, it went after some weaker prey. I had prayed to any spirit that would listen to avoid this thing.

Around one of the buildings a large hand made up of smaller hands grabbed the corner and pulled itself around. Its grotesque slug-like body was just as hideous but it's mouth had fangs and there was a strip of grey fur running down its back. At least one of the wolves it had been chasing had become its meal.

"We can't let that thing get to the Spirit Tree." Lariss unleashed a lightning arrow.

This wasn't a situation that a hero could back down from. We were one down from the last fight and the two of us had just been through the ringer the past few days. It wasn't looking good. What gave me confidence was this type of hopeless situation was when the hero of legend would truly shine.

Already knowing it moves I entered combat, keeping in mind that it might have some wolf characteristics now. I slashed at the tentacles and moved around the different types of blood. Arrows of lightning and ice hit the eyes that they could. Even without Aspasia, the same tactics should buy us enough time to think of a plan.

Unfortunately, the creature Tirigianald, didn't react the same this time around. While it did make basic attacks against me, it didn't stop to focus on me either. Instead it kept moving towards the Spirit Tree.

What also didn't help were the dreams and memories that started to appear around us. A sheet of ice spread around me as I heard a whistle. Hockey players skated around us, playing a game that I had dreams about. Tirigianald swiped at them and to my surprise it grabbed one of the players and pulled it towards its stomach. A mouth tore open on its torso and the screaming player was bitten in half.

As the creature ate him, the others from the dream began to react and began to flee. When they reached a certain distance from me, they disappeared. Dreams would become reality.

"Lariss, think of your parents. If you have ever dreamed of them fighting monsters, bring that dream to the forefront of your mind." I said.

"I'll try." Lariss let up on her shots and concentrated.

Next to her the air rippled and three figures formed. Her parents were battling a minotaur. Lariss quickly helped them defeat the monster before bringing their attention to Tirigianald.

"I'm sorry to bring you here but we need your help." Lariss said.

"What is that thing?" Her father said. On the other hand, her mother didn't look at the creature but stared at her daughter.

"That doesn't matter. It's after the Spirit Tree." Lariss began her attacks again.

Her father pulled out his twin swords and joined me in close combat. Not far behind, her mother began shooting her own arrows. Their help slowed Tirigianald down but it didn't stop its advance.

We needed more help. I tried to think of my father and true mother but they wouldn't form. Even Vesta wouldn't appear when I tried to think of her. No one I knew from Earth would be able to help. My election opponents often brought up the fact that I had never joined the military, even when they hadn't joined either. Now I wish I had just so I could have some dreams about soldiers.

We needed something more; more allies, more power, just something that would let us beat this thing. I let out a Moonlight Lightning Slash in frustration and was taken back at the power that erupted. Dreams could become reality, and not just those we had when we were asleep. I wanted more power and I got it. Why did this hopeful dream come true and others didn't? I didn't have enough time to think it fully through. Tirigianald was almost to the Spirit Tree.

Growing up I wanted to be a great warrior. I day dreamed of becoming a Grand Master of my Lineages. Being capable of defeating any monster. Here I could be that hero and kill this abomination.

The red glow of the Osgar aura spread from where I had it protecting my vital areas to my entire body. The blueish white glow on my sword intensified and left a trail similar to fire as I moved it through the air. As the tentacles hit my protective aura their flesh sizzled from the heat it gave off as it absorbed the full impact. I raised my blade and slashed downward. The left side of its body was severed and the wounds burned with blue flames.

Again and again I sent out Moonlight Slashes, slicing off more and more of its body. It now saw that I was a threat and began focusing its attack on me. Tentacles and teeth came at me at an increasing rate. With my aura at the stage it was currently in, I felt the impacts but didn't receive any injury.

I kept going until it had become a pile of sludge. As the liquid flesh that the creature turned into spread out I found all that was left was a purplish black sphere that somehow had harsh angles. Swinging down, my sword made contact and pain reverberated through my arms and head as it took no damage.

"You don't have the strength to destroy that." The voice said.

I looked around and saw its owner. A man close to seven feet tall slowly moved towards us, moving different distances with each step. He was wearing dark yellow robes, a dirty white veil covered its face, and a jagged pointed crown sat on its long grey haired head. But it was a robe; it was its flesh. It wasn't a veil; it was its flesh. It wasn't a crown; it was its flesh.

I heard a scream behind me and turned to see Lariss being held captive by the dream forms of her parents. Their expressions had gone blank as they held their daughter captive. Turning back, the entity in yellow was right in front of me. I put all the power I could into my Lydos aura and sent out a Moonlight Slash that was no longer empowered. The entity didn't even react.

"Ah, you've embraced the glorious dream I lent you. Enjoy your rewards." A long fingernail pressed against my forehead.

I awoke on my campaign bus having had the strangest dream.

"Congressman Adams. They're just about ready for you." Daphne said from the door.

"Thank you Daphne, I'll be out in a moment." I got up to give a campaign speech for my run for the U.S. Senate.