SirAlextheFirst (2:09:26 AM): Meanwhile....

SirAlextheFirst (2:09:59 AM): "Arianna!"

AndrewRogue (2:10:07 AM): "...?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:10:09 AM): "Arianna!" A voice is calling your name.

SirAlextheFirst (2:11:52 AM): You find yourself floating in something that looks like the night sky, except that the stars are all sorts of colors, and they move. The odd straight line of color flashes around you, too.

SirAlextheFirst (2:12:56 AM): "Arianna!"

AndrewRogue (2:13:05 AM): "What...what is this?" *turning about awkwardly in the empty space, dazed by the sudden change of territory.*

AndrewRogue (2:13:58 AM): &startled by the name* "Who...who are you?"

AndrewRogue (2:14:01 AM): *

SirAlextheFirst (2:14:21 AM): The voice calls back to you, playfully, joking. "Who do you want me to be?"

AndrewRogue (2:16:31 AM): "...I guess...that would depend on where I was. I'd like you to be Jacynth... or Hunter... or Bandon..." *she trails off* "I...was fighting..."

SirAlextheFirst (2:17:43 AM): It seems annoyed by this answer, taking on a more urgent tone. "Arianna, you're dead."

AndrewRogue (2:18:39 AM): *she looks stunned* "What...? I'm...dead?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:19:37 AM): "Yes. Sadly, you were killed." The voice pauses, then adds, "Do you want to go back?"

AndrewRogue (2:20:42 AM): *she remains silent for a long while* "What do you mean?" *quietly*

SirAlextheFirst (2:21:38 AM): You hear a light, feminine chuckle. "You were in a dream, when you died. Do you remember the poor girl, who spoke to you in your mind?"

AndrewRogue (2:21:56 AM): "Yes."

SirAlextheFirst (2:23:11 AM): "You were in her dream, not in the real world. But because you were not in the real world, you're dead there, too. But..." the voice sounds distinctly female, now, and serious. "I can return you to the world, if you want."

AndrewRogue (2:25:12 AM): "I...I don't understand. If I'm dead... then aren't I dead?" *she looks downward* "How is my death any different than any of the others? Nash... the people in the temple... all of them. How?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:26:35 AM): "They died in the real world, Arianna. You didn't. As you came from the dream, going to... wherever you were heading to, I've intercepted you and taken you here. And, if you want, I can put you back. I have power over dreams, you see - and over the fate of dreams."

SirAlextheFirst (2:26:45 AM): The voice is smug, now, but earnest.

AndrewRogue (2:27:26 AM): "You... you have the power over dreams?" *again* "Who are you...?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:29:44 AM): She(?) laughs. "I can't tell you that until you agree, dear. If you decline... there are things in the other realms, things which would love to see me out of the picture. They want you to be dead completely, and if you knew who I was, they'd get me, too."

AndrewRogue (2:31:36 AM): "They... want ME dead?" *she seems to leave that thought behind as she continues* "I... I would like to return... But..."

SirAlextheFirst (2:33:25 AM): "But what?"

AndrewRogue (2:33:51 AM): "But what would be the purpose? You've seen my dreams... and look at what they've wrought. I have done nothing but cause pain around me! I wanted to help Rosa and Marion and look at what its caused..."

SirAlextheFirst (2:36:28 AM): "I can help you turn those dreams into reality, Arianna. You can make a difference - do what you've wanted to, and help people. That's what the place you were in is all about."

AndrewRogue (2:37:04 AM): "...that's...that's what I want..."

SirAlextheFirst (2:39:29 AM): "Of course it is. That's what I wanted, too - why I came here, and why I've tried to attach dreams to the world. Do you see?

SirAlextheFirst (2:39:31 AM): "

AndrewRogue (2:40:03 AM): "...you brought dreams to the world?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:41:27 AM): "Yes. I took the dreams of that poor girl, and brought them into a sort of reality in these places. It's a preparation, you see."

AndrewRogue (2:42:35 AM): "...preparation? For what?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:43:52 AM): "It is the next and the final step in securing the future of Amaryllis. When people can make their dreams a reality, and control fate once again, then each person will be able to shape their own future - nobody will have any problems, and nothing can threaten the world."

AndrewRogue (2:45:31 AM): *she hovers in a sort of quiet awe. The idea is something beyond her, a world with no problems, where everyone's dreams are safe and assured. Finally...* "That...is it possible?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:47:12 AM): "It is, Arianna. It is the final culmination of what we have been working for, ever since the dawn of the world, past the fall of Maphai."

AndrewRogue (2:48:10 AM): "Maphai?"

SirAlextheFirst (2:48:34 AM): "Better known to you as Karnage."

AndrewRogue (2:50:26 AM): *silent. She knows that story well.* "I...I want to bring that to the world... I want to do away with the pain and sufferring!"

SirAlextheFirst (2:52:17 AM): "Then, this is the way. You are important. So are your friends. There are forces who would see you all dead, because you have the power - the destiny - to make this come to pass."

AndrewRogue (2:53:56 AM): "...my friends... they... are they okay?" *suddenly concerned*

SirAlextheFirst (2:54:32 AM): "Even if you remain living, though, you must do certain things.... we need your help. I need your help. Yes, your friends are safe - for now. But that may not last, unless you take action."

AndrewRogue (2:56:35 AM): *swallowing deeply as she nods*

SirAlextheFirst (2:56:58 AM): "So, Arianna. I will restore you to the dream, and from there, to the world - but you have to listen, to help us, to help me, when we call, or else all may be lost. And there will be a price."

AndrewRogue (2:58:12 AM): "...I accept. I swear myself to this cause, to bring happiness to the world. And I... I will accept any cost to help them..."

SirAlextheFirst (3:01:29 AM): The voice speaks, very softly now, and you get the distinct feeling that if you screw up here, it can and will obliterate you. The memory of your neck compressing returns for an instant to your mind. It speaks thus: "The cause to which you must swear is the awakening of the dreamer, and the return of fate. And you must swear that you will work with me, obey me, even when it seems like the wrong thing to do, and never betray me - on pain of death, of yourself, your companions, and the world. (more)

SirAlextheFirst (3:04:19 AM): And you will bind yourself to the cause, and you will not reveal its secrets to anyone, ever. You must vow your life, your existence to me. Trust me, Arianna. This is the way."

AndrewRogue (3:06:33 AM): "I..." *she strains for a moment, confronted with quit possibly the most important decision in her life* "I swear myself to the cause, and I swear myself to you. I... I give you all I have and all I am..."

SirAlextheFirst (3:06:55 AM): Sensing your hesitation, it says, "If you have any questions, you may ask them..."

AndrewRogue (3:07:53 AM): "I... not revealing its secrets to anyone? What do you mean by that? Not to my friends...?"

SirAlextheFirst (3:10:18 AM): "Some of the people you consider your friends are not truly your friends. Others are true to you, but they are not part of those with the destiny to restore fate and the power of dreams. Only you are necessary to speak with me - the fewer who know, the less chance that our enemies could discover our plans."

AndrewRogue (3:11:45 AM): "I...I understand." *she reasserts herself and kneels best she can, repeating her vow with determined assurance*

SirAlextheFirst (3:13:47 AM): "You have no further questions?"

AndrewRogue (3:14:51 AM): "No... none..."

SirAlextheFirst (3:15:06 AM): OOC: Are you SURE that you want to do this?

AndrewRogue (3:15:33 AM): OOC: Sounds like this could prove interesting. I'm more than willing to try it out.

SirAlextheFirst (3:15:39 AM): This is what is known as a character-defining moment.

AndrewRogue (3:16:07 AM): Most definitely.

SirAlextheFirst (3:18:27 AM): "Then, Arianna Lanathan, I claim you as my own, and myself as your servant and guide. Let us walk together."

AndrewRogue (3:19:21 AM): (Lanathan? Curious name, that.) *she nods assertively*