Dreamer's Melody

by J E Mueller

  “Well, did you get to try anything yet?” Clove asked tiredly.

  Cane gave her a ‘were you even listening’ look before replying. “No, between the Agmon and getting down here, we haven’t had a moment to do anything.”

  We finally arrived in the little office-like room before the painting.

  “If you don’t mind, I’m off to bed,” Sans stated, still leaning on Lo for support. Lo gave the group of us a nod as they vanished into safety.

  “Well, I suppose you noticed the markings.” Cane motioned to the bracelet Clove was turning slowly in her hands. “It’s interesting, is it not?”

  Clove turned the band over slowly in her hand before putting it on. For several moments she just stared at it before moving her arm around. Next, she tried turning the band this way and that before taking it off and handing it over to Cane. “I’ve no logical ideas.”

  “Maybe it’s meant to enhance an ability instead of grant one?” Cane mused, handing it right back.

  Clove put it back on and summoned her sword and did a few practice swings around the room. “No, that’s not it either.”

  She pulled it off and went to hand it to Cane once more before turning toward me. “Remi, why don’t you try something.”

  While it seemed nice to be actively included in something, I didn’t see what good I would possibly be. Still, I took it and carefully turned it over. It was a pretty thing with what looked like an endless wave of lines on it. The three lines would cross over here and there but there didn’t seem to be rhyme or reason to them.

  I wondered if the lines meant it was some sort of water elemental thing, or would that be too easy? As I mused, another good question came to mind. “How do you even know something is an artifact? I’m sure it must be if you went to all that trouble, but it looks like a bracelet and nothing more.”

  Cane glanced up at me from her seat as if she knew the question had been coming. “Oh, I just know. Something screams ‘pick me up! I’m an artifact!’ and then I spent the next several hours or days trying to figure out what the hell it does.”

  “Interesting.” I wonder if I had accidentally looked over my own gifts and they were just screaming out at me as simply as that. I put the bracelet on and gave it a twirl. It spun for a moment, shining in the light of the room.

  “It is, but I always figure it out eventually.” She yawned loudly. “I need some sleep, though. Have fun with it, kids.”

  I glanced up and watched her fade into the painting. Clove and Mare were still watching me. With a shrug at them I motioned toward the bracelet on my arm. “What now?”

  “It’s late, we should rest.” Mare glanced over at Clove.

  With a shrug, Clove walked into the painting.

  Mare motioned for me to follow. “Allow me to show you to a room since it looks like you’re stuck here with us for a while.”

  “I’m still just a Dreamer, right?” I asked her as we walked over to the painting.

  “Yes.” Mare gave me a nod before giving me a sad look. “While I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell you differently, if I notice a change, I will let you know right away.”

  I hadn’t thought about what that could imply for her until now. That was an interesting and terrible burden for someone. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.” Mare took a step into the painting, half hanging out. “I would want the same.” With that, she went inside.

  Once more I followed close behind, wondering what mess I had fallen into.

  It’s not so bad here.

  The voice sounded sincere. That didn’t mean I wanted to be here. And what of Melly? I had to get back to her, and I prayed with every fiber of my being she was alive. I wondered if the voice would at least answer that for me – if my sister was alive and if there was a way back.

  There is a way back, of course. The voice happily replied as I followed Mare back to a room.

  I waited for a further response, but it was only after I was under the covers, alone, in the dark that it came.

  Your body is weak, but it is under good care.

  My sister? I tried to plead with the voice.

  Injured, but alive.

  Something in the tone sounded unsure, but the voice gave me no more answers before I finally fell asleep.

  It was weird that I could dream within this place. Since I was possibly in a coma, and yet also possibly in another realm. Still, it was happening. The shadows swirled around like mini-tornadoes with what looked like little lightning twirling in the shadowed winds. A deep olive green fog seemed to materialize in front of me as I wandered causing me to halt.

  “We know what you want,” the fog declared.

  A creepy talking fog seemed to fit exactly with how my day had been.

  “Fine dream fog, tell me. What is it that you think I want?” There were several correct answers, but I wasn’t expecting anything useful or profound.

  “To be free of this place,” it called deeply, the baritone voice echoing.

  I crossed my arms and frowned, disappointed that my dream didn’t have a better answer. “That’s a bit too obvious, don’t you think?”

  The fog was silent for several moments before it seemed to grow thicker and build itself taller. “You wish to be free and with your loved ones.”

  “Again, truly splendid effort, but also very lacking. Do you have something less generic?” I was getting bored. Usually my dreams weren’t this dull. Maybe finally visiting the place I dreamed so much about took a toll on my imagination.

  “We need to be freed. Tell us what you want, and once we are free, we will make it so,” the calls of several voices echoed together.

  Well, that was at least more interesting. “I don’t think so.” I turned and walked away.

  The fog was swift, and quickly brushed past my legs to move in front of me. It stood like a thick barrier, but I had no reason to suspect I couldn’t just walk through it. Still, this was a curious dream.

  “I am done with you, fog,” I told it as firmly as I could muster and tried placing my hands on my hips for emphasis.

  “Free us,” a soft voice begged before a stronger, louder voice added, “We need the help or we wouldn’t ask. Free us.”

  “Demanding freedom after trying to trick someone into thinking you know something is a bit terribly thought out, don’t you think?” I turned to move once more.

  The fog kept its pace and tricks, and once more appeared before me. This time I walked through it. Tingles of magic burned down my arms and jolted through my spine like lighting. The feeling hurt, and I wanted to stop, but somehow pushed through. There was something not right about this fog and not just the way it went about its business.

  As I pushed through I could feel nothing again. Pinching didn’t hurt, but that fog had. I turned to look back at it, but it was gone. What had I done? Maybe it didn’t hurt and I just dreamed the idea of pain. My brain felt tired and moments later all around me turned black.

  Chapter 5

  When I finally awoke, I didn’t feel very well-rested. Still, I was up and something felt wrong. I noticed the bracelet next to my pillow as I sat up. Twirling it around for a few moments, I considered what I should do before pocketing it away and heading out into the common room of this safe zone.

  Either I was up early or late since there seemed to be no one here except Mare. I watched for a moment from the hall as she read a book. Her face looked intense, and I wasn’t sure if she would welcome company or not. Standing there was creepier and more annoying than saying hi, so I walked over and took the sofa across from her.

  “Morning,” she absentmindedly stated, not looking up from the book.

  “Morning,” I echoed back and let the silence fall for several moments before asking, “How do you know what time of day it is?”

  Mare shrugged. “Magic?” She looked up from her book and stared off into the distance for a moment. “Okay, so, I don’t know how to better explain it other than actually asking yourself the time an
d letting the answer come to you.”

  “I see.” I considered for a moment. What time was it? Just past five in the morning came to mind and I stared at her. “Five?”

  She glanced at me and nodded before sticking a paper into the book she was reading and setting it aside. “Exactly. So, while it is a bit nonsense, it works, and since it just works most of us accept it with ease. There’re enough worse problems and rubbish to jumble up your mind here so take what few freebies you can.”

  I nodded slowly. “Like the rooms being lit up with no candles.”

  “Yeah, that one still gets me sometimes too.” Mare glanced around the well-lit room and sighed. “Want to grab breakfast?”

  I looked around the room. “Just us? I’m fairly useless if something attacks.” I pointed out.

  Mare rolled her eyes. “You’re not useless, just untrained and new. Anyway, this is the ground floor. Most things aren’t actually a problem for me to take down on my own. It’ll be fine.”

  I nodded, remembering that bit from my dreams. The floors were the key to creature toughness, at least inside. Outside things were more random, and usually far more deadly. “The creatures get worse the higher the floor you’re on, but why do they stay on their floor?”

  Mare gave a shrug. “To be honest, the Creators made it that way and I’m not sure what magic was used to do so.”

  “The same Creators who are missing?” I didn’t like the way that sounded.

  “Yes, and exactly a problem we are seeing. Things are staying where they are supposed to, but it seems like more of them keep appearing. Like…” Mare motioned as she searched for the words. “The Agmon yesterday is a great example. It was possible to run into more than one, but never more than two. Somehow there was four there yesterday. It’s very concerning and I’m not sure if they’ll just keep multiplying or if the barriers keeping them in place will break, or both.”

  “That’s a horrifying thought.”

  Mare nodded. “For now though, things are just odd and not terrible. So, let’s get breakfast.”

  I wasn’t sure what else to say, and I wasn’t exactly hungry, but food did sound good. With that, I stood and motioned for Mare to get up. “Lead on, then.”

  Happily, Mare set her book on a nearby table and led the way out.

  As we headed out through the weird painting and down the hall, I remembered the bracelet in my pocket and pulled it out for Mare to see. “I still have this thing.” I was still unsure what to do with the thing.

  Mare glanced at it and shrugged. “Well, put it on and try whatever the heck comes to mind.”

  “What an inspiring speech. I’m sure to unlock all of the mysteries now,” I grumbled at her as I slid the band on.

  Twirling it around the lines reminded me once more of waves. Seeing the waves reminded me of Melly and home. I shouldn’t have challenged that stupid stepfather of mine the way I did. We might have stayed dryly ashore if I had just used words instead of actions.

  For a moment, I wondered if the fool had drowned, but to be honest, I doubted it. What he was lacking for in brain cells he made up for in luck. If there was anyone who could by chance cheat death even once, it was that trout.

  I continued to spin the band as I thought of the waves and sea. It could be cool and still as glass or as heated and boiling as a pot over the fire. What could a bracelet that looked like waves be for? What moved in waves?

  What indeed. There was so much. Sunlight, air, fire, smoke, even thoughts. While I hadn’t figured out a way to control fire or air, I could still control my thoughts. What sorts of gifts could a bracelet do for thoughts? Could it help turn thoughts of weapons into reality? Or maybe send my thoughts to another?

  Suddenly, I ran face first into Mare’s back.

  “Sorry,” I muttered.

  Mare waved it off and stood silent for several moments before replying. “Nearly there. What’s got you preoccupied?” She glanced back at me, more curious than upset.

  “The bracelet.” I held up my arm and noticed the bracelet wasn’t loosely hanging around it but rather form-fitted to my wrist.

  “Oh, that’s weird,” Mare stated the obvious.

  I couldn’t get it to move up or down, let alone get it off now. “Um, what?”

  Mare laughed. “Whatever you were doing seems to be on the right track.”

  “That doesn’t mean I want it stuck to me!” My voice hitched up as I gave up trying to get it to come off.

  “Sad bit of luck. If you figure out what it does you’ll likely be able to figure out how to get it on and off.” Mare didn’t seem bothered at all, and started to walk off, continuing once more toward the kitchens.

  “How can you be so calm?” I quickly followed behind.

  “I’ve had a few things stuck to me before. It happens.” She waved off. “It’s not doing anything negative, just hanging out there.”

  Well, forget you too, I mentally screamed at her.

  Mare stopped causing me to crash into her, again.

  “What?” She turned to look at me. “I heard you, but there wasn’t... I mean. It was in my head.”

  I looked at her in surprise but tried once more to direct my thoughts at her. For real? Or?

  Mare groaned, “Telepathy? Ugh. Can you hear my thoughts?”

  I hadn’t considered trying. I wasn’t sure if I wanted that sort of power, but still. I quieted my mind and concentrated on her.

  I hate telepathy, I hate telepathy, I hate telepathy...Continued on a loop.

  “Yes, if I concentrate, I can,” I replied honestly.

  Mare cursed, and cursed again before looking me firmly in the eyes. “I know you’re new here, and I’m more than positive you haven’t considered a team yet, but no matter what you do, please do not tell either Benz or Clove what that thing can do.”

  I saw the pleading look in her eyes and knew she was serious. “Why? I believe you, but why?”

  “They would abuse it, and if it doesn’t come off you, they would abuse you.” Mare admitted without hesitation.

  I held my arm close to me. “They wouldn’t try cutting it off, would they?”

  Mare shook her head. “Artifacts are tricky things. You can’t steal them, they have to be freely given. If they were to try and do something like that, or if you were to either die or vanish from here, it would actually disappear and someone would need to hunt it down again. The locations are always changing.”

  This was certainly an interesting mess. “So, the collaborative story is that it’s stuck to my arm and we have zero idea what it does. No surprise powers have come up.”

  Mare gave a firm nod. “That sounds perfect to me.” She turned to continue on once more as she talked, leaving me to follow. “I am sort of glad it is you who has it. You’re not rushing to pick sides and are questioning everything up front instead of pretending to go with the flow. Hopefully you use it well, though you’ll have to be careful and not accidentally use it.”

  That was something to really take in. If I accidentally heard a bad tidbit of information it would be harder to keep in. I could also accidentally mentally say something to someone. Darn bracelet. How could I remove it?

  I stared down at it and had the sense it did not want to come off. Or maybe I didn’t actually want it off. I’d hate for someone to use it for something evil or terrible. Curses. This is exactly how you end up on an adventure in those stupid books. Though, all things considered, I was technically already stuck in an adventure in another realm.

  “Mare?” I asked suddenly. She glanced back at me and I continued, “If you don’t trust either of them with it, why are you even on a side?”

  Mare made a noncommittal sound before replying, “Protection really. Doing things in groups is better than alone. There’re only the two safe zones so if you want to ever rest peacefully, you need to at least pretend to pick one and not wiffle-waffle about it. It’s very complicated.”

  “What about those weird zones, like how you couldn’t track
me yesterday for a few minutes?” I asked curiously.

  “You can’t stay there for long. The tiles you were crawling on will eventually just drop you out and you’ll end up wherever that is.” Mare smirked. “I think the longest we’ve had someone manage to stay up there unmoving was eight minutes.”

  “Oh.” I nodded as we finally reached the empty kitchen. “I suppose there are perks to several people being here for a long time. You just all know these things.”

  “Yes, the Creators don’t like it though. This was designed to be a place to help us move on, and most of us are much more firmly not moving on.” Mare shrugged and went over to a cabinet. “What sounds good for breakfast?”

  We put together a quick breakfast of cheese and bread. As we sat down I debated my next series of questions.

  “Is it where the food comes from?” Mare asked as she cut a slice of cheese and placed it onto a warm piece of bread.

  “Was I thinking at you again?” I asked sheepishly as I did the same with my cheese.

  Mare shook her head. “Too easy to guess that question.” She took a bite and chewed for a moment before she finally swallowed and replied. “There are a lot of weird things here but it can all be summed up by the Creators. Everyday, things reset more or less. New food always reappears. After so many hours of being ‘dead’ the creatures reappear. There’s a lot of cycles and timers that get reset for different reasons.”

  That answered two things at once. So the creatures weren’t really dead. “So, yesterday Clove kept her sword in the Agmon’s head to delay the restart time?”

  Mare nodded. “Exactly. Sadly, those bat faced creatures like to revive a bit too soon for our tastes. Usually an hour.”

  “That doesn’t sound fair at all. So you have to continually be on the move up there. Where was it?” I should have been paying far more attention yesterday.

  “Third floor,” Mare supplied between bites. “And yes, which is likely how they ran into trouble in the first place. They probably lost track of time.”

  “So Cane, Lo, and Sans can take them on too?” I asked curiously.