The dream seems endless, an infinite field of grass and glowing flowers under an eternal sun. The gentle breeze continues to blow, always whispering, but the scene has become so repetitive that it is starting to drive me mad.
This time, however, I am no longer just a passive observer. Now I can explore this place; looking around and behind, I see only what is already familiar—the same grass, the same flowers, and the sky illuminated by the same sun.
But the solitary tree, with its enigmatic glow, continues to call me. I feel that it is the key to understanding what is happening and, finally, finding answers. This feeling that I am about to discover something essential is stronger than ever, and I feel determined to move forward and unravel the mystery of this 'dream.'
With no other choice, I head towards the tree, climbing the hill. As I approach, the unsettling sensation grows, and the tree, strangely, also seems to be growing. It's not just a perspective illusion—the tree is genuinely increasing in size.
As I climb the ancient hill, which also seems to have grown, the grandeur of the tree reaches a new level. It becomes so colossal that its leaves seem to vanish into the sky, almost as if they could reach the sun. The tree's magnitude is indescribable, making me feel small and overwhelmed by its immense presence, which heightens my sense of oppression.
Breathing becomes difficult, my feet feel heavy, and I almost have to force them to move.
But I don't stop walking.
Finally, when I reach the top and stand in front of the colossal trunk, all these sensations seem to cease. In a moment of imbalance due to this sudden calm, I end up stumbling and leaning against the trunk.
For a few seconds, nothing happens, almost making me think that everything is fine. But then, the area around my hand starts to tremble. When I quickly pull my hand away, I see that the trunk is cracking, revealing an opening that seems to invite someone to enter.
I didn't want to enter this passage carelessly, but before I know it, my body acts on its own, leading me inside.
As I enter the passage, I am immediately surrounded by an entanglement of intertwined branches, which seem to form an angular corridor, similar to the corridors of an ancient castle. The walls are made of a combination of different woods, each with its own hue and texture, creating a complex and visually fascinating mosaic.
The branches intertwine intricately, forming arches and vaults that curve upward as if supporting an invisible ceiling. The variety of woods, from dark and deep tones to lighter and grayer nuances, gives a sense of antiquity and solemnity to the space. It's as if each branch, each piece of wood, has its own story, accumulated over eras.
The light that filters through the tree opening illuminates the corridor with a soft and diffused glow, casting dancing shadows that move as if the corridor itself were alive. The smell of old wood and damp earth fills the air, adding a layer of mystery and a touch of nostalgia to the environment.
The corridor curves and intertwines, creating a natural labyrinth that seems to extend infinitely. I feel that with each step, the sense of being in a sacred and imposing place intensifies, as if I were entering an ancient temple or a forgotten fortress. It's a space both welcoming and intimidating, where the natural grandeur contrasts with the feeling of being in a deep and unknown place.
Looking back, I see that the exit closes behind me, and my only option is to move forward. With a sigh of resignation, I begin to walk down this path that opens up more as I explore it.
I don't even know how long I have been walking through this corridor—it could have been minutes, hours, or even a whole day. Strangely, I don't feel tired. It seems that this place gives me a sense that I need to make this journey to reach the other side, with no shortcuts or detours.
As I walk, I use this time to organize my thoughts about the whole situation. I go over everything from the first contact with these 'dreams' and the, I shudder just remembering, the gem, up to waking up here. The walk turns out to be a good time to reflect and mentally prepare for what comes next. Honestly, it was something I needed. It also gives me a chance to think more about the questions I will ask Caroline when we are on our way to the island.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, I feel I am reaching the end of the corridor. I see the last branches opening up and discover a passage ahead.
Upon exiting, I find myself in front of a chasm that stretches into infinity. The landscape before me is a vast darkness, dotted with small lights that resemble distant stars in space. On the other side of the chasm, a figure stands out, indescribable and evasive; the only detail I can discern is that it is facing away.
As the figure slowly begins to turn, everything around me starts to change.
The darkness, once only speckled with luminous points, transforms into a colossal tapestry of intertwined realities. I see endless universes interconnected as glowing spheres, gently rotating and emitting lights that range from soft tones to intense colors.
The universes are connected by threads of energy that shine in iridescent hues, forming a complex and organic web. Each universe is like a luminous sphere, slowly spinning and emanating its own light that ranges from soft pastel tones to intense and vibrant colors. The threads of energy pulse and move, creating dynamic and fluid patterns that indicate cosmic interactions, like a vibrant and incessant dance.
Some universes are small and compact, almost like floating soap bubbles reflecting and refracting the light around them. Others are vast and expansive, with visible galaxies and nebulae, spreading into an almost infinite immensity. Among these spheres, you can see patches of shadows and distortions—areas where space and time curve and contort as if being pulled and twisted by an invisible force.
The network of energy threads is not static; it pulses and moves, changing in shape and intensity. Sometimes, you see sparks of light and color patterns indicating interactions or collisions between the universes, like a kind of cosmic dance. At points, the threads seem to cross and intertwine, creating complex and fascinating patterns that constantly change.
The space around the spheres is filled with a sense of infinite depth, as if you are looking into a kaleidoscope of realities. There is a palpable sense of movement and flow, as if the multiverse is constantly adjusting and reorganizing itself.
I could spend my life trying to describe my current vision, but it wouldn't come close to 1% of the true splendor of the actual sight.
And amidst all this, I saw him. His presence is simultaneously imposing and ethereal, projecting an aura of transcendence, almost as if reflecting a connection to all these realities and dimensions.
He has a face with distinct and almost supernatural features. His countenance is a blend of beauty and mystery, with a silver-toned skin that softly glows under different lighting, as if reflecting the light of countless stars and galaxies. His eyes are a notable highlight: they have a multifaceted glow, with colors that seem to change and merge, varying between deep blue, galactic purple, and emerald green. At moments of intense power, his eyes may display a fragmented image of space-time, revealing visions of constellations and black holes within his gaze.
His hair is a cascade of ethereal, fluid strands that seem to be constantly in motion, as if being swept by invisible cosmic winds. It has a coloring that ranges from metallic gray to deep blue, and can reflect complex patterns reminiscent of galaxies and nebulae, giving the impression that his hair is intertwined with the fabric of the universe.
He wears a cloak that seems to be made of a material that transcends conventional understanding. The cloak is fluid and mutable, its colors and textures constantly changing to reflect the different aspects of the multiverse he controls. It may appear to have the pattern of a stellar space in one dimension and, in another, take on the appearance of a liquid and fluid reality. The edges of the cloak have a faint glow, as if sewn with threads of cosmic light.
His body is slender and imposing, with a presence that conveys both a silent strength and an endless depth. His physical form seems almost indefinable, as if he is in a constant state of flux and change. His skin may sometimes appear transparent, revealing glimpses of miniature universes and dimensions within him.
His expression is serene and contemplative, as if he is always immersed in deep meditation on the workings of the cosmos. His presence is both calming and disconcerting, evoking a sense of reverence and slight unease. He seems to be able to see and understand all realities at once, which makes his presence convey a feeling of vastness and mystery.
And just like the previous landscape, this description fails to come anywhere close to what I am seeing and experiencing. I feel my knees wanting to buckle, but the shock and the sensations of everything combined prevent my body even from trembling.
Like that gem in the 'dream,' I feel indecipherable and endless emotions passing through me all at once, yet now they seem welcome and cause no pain.
After having this vision, could I really go back to my life as if nothing had happened?
The being then begins to speak, indecipherable noises invade my mind like a melody of madness, dissonant and frenetic. The sensation is overwhelming, and I quickly feel myself losing consciousness, as if reality is unraveling around me.
My eyes slowly open to the ceiling of that market. I sit up still groggy, hearing some soft snoring. Caroline still seems to be lying there, sleeping peacefully beside me.
I feel completely frustrated—why did I have to wake up just as I'm about to leave the tree? A sense of loss overwhelms me, as if something crucial had slipped away from me. I feel there was something on the other side that I needed to see. I sigh in resignation and acceptance; there's no use lamenting, it seems that now I'll only be able to discover it perhaps the next time I have this dream.
To shake off the rest of the sleep, I stretch and walk over to Caroline. She appears completely immersed in a peaceful dream, oblivious to everything around her. This annoys me even more. While my experience was interrupted, she's here, so carefree. I can't let this go. Not on my watch.
There are some bottles of water in a few refrigerators at the back of this little market—perfect. I grab a small bottle, walk over to her, and well, I guess anyone can guess what happens next.
With a shrill cry of "Gah!" Caroline jumps from her makeshift bed, disoriented and with a wet face.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty! The sun is already up, and we have a trip to make," I say, my teasing smile shining as I toss the empty bottle aside.
Caroline looks at me with wide eyes, clearly confused and shocked. I can practically see her mind trying to process what just happened. Soon, realization takes over her face. Her lips curl, and one of her eyebrows starts to twitch with irritation.
I should do this more often; it was a fun experience. While Caroline tries to catch her breath after the abrupt awakening, I am already busy with preparations for our departure. The market is still silent, except for our murmurs and the occasional sound of items being organized.
Caroline gives me a look that mixes irritation with fatigue, but her expression soon relaxes when she realizes that the trip is inevitable. With a resigned sigh, she begins to gather her things. I grab an old backpack tossed in a corner and start putting in some essentials: water, and a bit of food. After all, it never hurts to be prepared.
I turn to Caroline coming towards me, one hand carrying a small bag with some things and already holding the map device in the other. "We won't need to camp again; today we'll reach the island," she informs me, "Great, I can't wait to get there and on the way, too, I have a few questions, you know?" she laughs with the reminder.
"I'll try to answer as best I can. Let's not waste any more time," she begins to walk ahead with the map, "But before that," she steps on my foot, hard, "I hate being woken up like this, got it?"
I let out a laugh and nod; it was worth it.
With all that resolved, we finally set off for those floating islands.