The melody, a perfect blend of Alex's hopeful spirit and Xaltoth's newfound empathy, resonated through the dreamscape. The fantastical forest thrummed with its power, a beacon of possibility in the vast expanse of Alex's subconscious.
But a faint tug, a whisper from beyond the dream, began to pull at Alex's consciousness. It was the insistent call of reality, the gentle tug of the waking world.
Alex turned towards Xaltoth, a pang of sadness tightening their chest. "I… I can feel it," they stammered, their voice tinged with a bittersweet longing. "I have to wake up."
Xaltoth's smile, a rare and genuine expression, softened further. "I understand, dreamer," he said, his voice a low rumble that resonated with a hint of regret. "But know this, the melody we created… it will remain."
