Gabriel Strosser lay back against the sofa, letting the opium work its way through his system. He breathed slowly, in and out, regularly, allowing himself to relax into whatever visions visited him. He was looking for one in particular. A vision he had had just a month ago. A vision that haunted him during the day, and insidiously worked its way into his dreams at night.
In the corner of the rented room, a tall, thin figure stood. With hair the color of night, and skin of alabaster, he dispassionately observed Gabriel drawing from the pipe. He wore a black suit, with an overcoat lined with flames near the bottom hem. He was unseen, and would remain so until he decided otherwise. He was Dream of the Endless, and it was not boredom, nor pleasure that drew him here – it was duty.
“My sister,?? he said to the air. “I am neither in my gallery, nor do I have your sigil. Yet, I would ask you to come to me. Will you???
A breath later, and a young woman stood by his side. She wore a dress of black buttoned from neck to ankle, each button a perfect mother-of-pearl. She looked around the room, noticing the clothes heaped into a corner, the food uneaten and rotting on the table, maggots starting to appear on the beef still sitting on a plate. On a desk, papers were strewn about, inkwells turned over staining the wood. She looked over and saw Gabriel, his eyes glazed over, as the opium took hold. Then she turned, and looked at her brother.
“Hi, Dream. He’s at it again.?? She sighed.
“Yes. It would appear he is more tenacious then I thought.??
“It’s only going to get him into trouble,?? she replied. “Can’t you warn him away. Spook him or something???
“My sister,?? Dream said. “You know I cannot forcibly deny anyone entrance to my realm, least of all those who give us power.??
She sighed. “Yeah, I know. It’s just that – it’s just that I hate seeing someone so talented waste himself on something he’ll never have. You haven’t left it in the castle again, have you???
Dream reached to his belt, pulling the coat aside. A small pouch hung from it, which Dream fingered absently.
“No. I shall not make that mistake a second time.??
Gabriel began to see the trails appearing as he moved his head back and forth, looking at the candles that lit the room. He would make it this time. Yes. He would make it back to the castle, in the center of the Dreaming. He’d been there once. Just once.
Gabriel sank back into the cushions, all the while remembering his visit. Remembering what it had been like to visit the heart of the Dreaming.
***
The journey had begun, like most, with a conversation. Sitting in McDougal’s pub, Gabriel was surprised when a rather attractive woman sat next to him at the bar. She had skin the color of milk, shoulder-length dark brown hair, and ruby-red lips. Her body was slender, her breasts small underneath her clothes. However, the oddest part was that she was dressed in a man’s suit of gray wool. She took a cigarette from a small purse, fit it to a holder, and lit it with a candle sitting on the bar.
“Hello, Gabriel.?? She said, nonchalantly drawing from the cigarette.
“Pardon me, miss. I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. How do you know my name???
She smiled then. “I know a lot of things. I know your desire to become a published author. I know your desire to use, shall we say, unconventional methods of stimulating your imagination. I know your desire for the pretty little barmaid in the corner.??
She reached across them, cupping her hand into his crotch. Gabriel jumped.
“Excuse me!?? he said. “You presume an awful lot for someone I’ve never laid eyes on before. Furthermore, you still haven’t told me your name.??
She leaned back, laughing to herself. “Gabriel, you are very funny, but tell me this: was what I said false in any way???
He thought for a moment, and then answered.
“I’m forced to admit, no. Everything you said was true.??
She laughed again.
“You may call me Desiderio, if it helps you.??
“Desire???
“Ah, you’re an educated man. Yes, Desire is one of many names I am known by. It falls within my power to fulfill any or all of those things you’ve mentioned, or even those you never speak of.
“Tell me, Gabriel. What is it you desire most???
“The truth.??
“The truth??? She giggled. “Then why waste your talent writing fairy tales of things that never existed? Why not desire to become a great orator???
“Well…?? he began, “I’m not a very good speaker. In fact, it’s been a wonder I’ve been able to hold this conversation for as long as I have. However, that’s not the real reason: you’re wrong. There is truth to be found in every dream, in every story, from the lowliest barroom tale, to the oldest stories themselves.??
She raised an eyebrow.
“Is there now? How are you so sure???
Gabriel stared back into his glass.
“I can’t really say for sure. It’s not something I know, like a quadratic formula. It’s something I know in my heart.??
“Would you like to know for sure???
He gulped down the rest of his beer, and let out a deep breath.
“Who wouldn’t???
She smiled at him again, her eyes now glowing with a predatory look.
“Then buy me a drink, and I’ll tell you how.??
***
Gabriel reached down and loaded the pipe once more. He could hear the individual wings of the flies, hovering over his untouched plate. He could feel the vibrations of the passerby, as they walked along the cobblestone street. The trails were thick and now hovered in the air for almost a minute, before dissipating into nothingness.
Using a candle, he lit the pipe once more, and inhaled even deeper than the last time. He was close, he told himself. Just a bit more and he would pierce the veil, and return from whence he was banished.
Dream and his sister still watched him, silently. They waited until he was full into the stupor, and then she spoke.
“You’re going to let him do it, aren’t you???
Dream looked down at his sister. His face showed no emotion whatsoever.
“I don’t understand.??
“You’re going to let him continue to try and breach the castle.??
“My sister, I cannot keep him from entering my realm; however, I most surely can control where he goes during his visit.??
She sighed.
“He’s really a nice guy, if you took the time to speak with him,?? she said.
“We have spoken. Once. It was more than enough.??
***
Gabriel rushed back to his rented room. As he walked along the street, his eyes glanced nervously, left and right. His right hand fingered the package nervously. Once he reached the hotel, he quickly went to his room, closed and locked the door, and found his pipe. After loading it, he sat back against the plush cushions, lit it, and deeply inhaled.
The pipe fell from his hand and hit the floor, spilling its contents. They smoldered there on the wood, but quickly were extinguished.
Gabriel felt the room warp, and then fade as if a heavy fog surrounded him. He felt his breathing grow rapid and shallow. A cold sweat broke on his forehead. Gradually, his vision began to tunnel. Gabriel gasped, fearing what would happen if he blacked out.
And then everything sharpened back into focus, but nothing was the same.
Gabriel stood in the center of an enormous hall. Corinthian columns rose up on either wall, while he stood on a floor of polished marble. The ceiling rose high into the air. At the far end, however, a throne sat upon a raised dais. The throne itself seemed to be carved from night itself, adorned with jewels the size of grapefruit.
Gabriel gaped at the room. For a few minutes, he was completely bedazzled by the scale, and rich beauty. Then he remembered why he was there, and slowly made his way toward the throne.
Desiderio had warned him that if he were caught, there was nothing she could do to help him. He was inside the castle of Dream himself. He had found his way to the very heart of the Dreaming; courtesy of the “special?? brand of opium she had supplied him.
In that bar, Desiderio had told him about the tools Dream used, as part of his duties for the Dreaming. She told him about the helm, carved from the bones of a dead god; the ruby pendant – the focus of much of his power; the small pouch, which contained the very essence of dreams themselves. There, she had said, would he find the answers which had eluded him. What the pouch contained would give him dreams of such purity and vision, that the very nature of truth itself would be laid before him.
Gabriel licked his lips, and glanced around nervously. Once satisfied that no one was in the room, other than himself, he began to ascend the dais, toward the throne. On a small table, seated beside the throne, was the pouch he sought. His hand trembled as he reached down to pick it up. Both hands were shaking as he pulled the drawstring keeping it closed. With the index finger of his right hand, he gently slid his finger into the pouch.
***
Gabriel was on his fifth bowl now. The visions were coming with regularity, getting sharper and clearer with each draw. He had reached the Dreaming again. In his dreams, he walked an ancient path, a path that had only one destination: the castle. The path led through a forest and meadow of emerald green, as if the beauty of the rolling hills of Ireland had been amplified a thousand fold. He walked past brooks, and streams, always catching sight of the castle over the next hill. Any minute now, he told himself. Just one more hill, one more river to cross, and he would be at the gate of the castle. Let this King try and stop him then.
He remembered sliding his finger into the pouch, and feeling the sand contained within. In less than a moment, he felt the Universe open to him. He experienced the fame and glory that was due him – he was the most celebrated writer of his day. He felt the soft warmth of the woman beneath him, one of many he had had that week, every one cultured and educated yet writhing beneath him like the prostitutes in the Red Light district. He experienced the sweet joy of adulation, as the crowds swelled to hear him speak. He was Cicero, Shakespeare, Milton, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Homer; the list went on and on. People whispered his name in reverence for the truth he brought to everyone.
Gabriel Strosser — modern-day Prometheus, bringing fire down from the gods themselves, enriching every life on Earth. King of Infinite Space, and Time Immemorial.
He was tired. It seemed that the journey was a lot longer than he thought. Yet, he had come further than he ever had before. All he needed was to keep taking the opium, and he could remain in the Dreaming indefinitely. He didn’t even notice the actions of taking the drug itself anymore. His mind had detached, and the body acted on orders given long ago. He shrugged, and continued to trudge along the path.
In the corner, the pair continued to watch in silence.
***
Gabriel screamed when he heard his name whispered from behind him. Quickly pulling his finger back, he pulled the drawstring tight, and held it close, attempting to conceal it with his hands.
He turned, and looked at the figure before him.
A young man, with skin the color of alabaster, dressed in a black wool suit stood before him. His hair, also black, stood out in an unkempt fashion on his head. But it was his eyes. Looking into his eyes was like looking into a pit so dark and deep, that it went on forever.
“May I ask what you’re doing here??? the young man enquired.
“Well, umm, you see…?? Gabriel stammered. “I really don’t know where I am. I just arrived here.?? He stood with his arms crossed behind him, hands cradling the pouch.
“Actually Gabriel, I believe you know exactly where you are. I believe you know who I am. Finally, I believe you know I cannot allow you to steal from me.??
Gabriel flushed in embarrassment, but then allowed it to turn into defensive anger.
“Now see here, you! I’ve stolen nothing of yours! How dare you call me a thief!?? he said, shaking one fist at the figure before him.
The figure stood in silence for a minute, a finger poised on his lips, watching Gabriel.
“You’re correct. You haven’t stolen anything from me yet.??
“Now that’s more reasona—“
“However, that’s only because you have not gotten away with your ill-gotten booty. Please show me what’s in the hand you have behind your back.??
Gabriel gulped audibly. His hand trembling, he brought it from behind him, and raised it up to the figure – empty. He gasped. He could still feel the weight of the pouch, but it was gone.
The figure drew aside the suit coat, and Gabriel saw the pouch hanging there.
“Little human.?? The figure said. “Did you really think you could get away with your larceny? That you could just tiptoe into the heart of the Dreaming, and make away with one of my tools? That I wouldn’t notice its absence, nor know immediately who had taken it???
“Who are you??? Gabriel asked.
“Not that I owe you anything, much less my identity, I am Dream of the Endless. I am the ruler of this realm.
“And you. You are in far more trouble than you could ever possibly imagine.??
Gabriel paled. He’d been warned about Dream; that the task would require guile and cunning; that he’d most likely be caught, and at Dream’s mercy. Yet, he’d just experienced a fraction of what the contents of that pouch could give him. He knew, in his heart that he’d do it all over again.
Dream looked at him, for what seemed an eternity. Sweat dripped from Gabriel’s brow, as he silently awaited whatever punishment Dream would arrange for him. He knew it was useless to run. The heart of the Dreaming was the source of Dream’s power. The world conformed to whatever he wished it to, no more, no less.
Dream sat on his throne, and looked at Gabriel some more. Then he spoke.
“Go.??
“I can go??? Gabriel asked, not believing his ears.
“Yes. Do it quickly before I change my mind.??
Gabriel kneeled in an act of genuflection. “Thank you, sire. Thank you!??
He rose, and then turned walking toward the doors at the opposite end of the hall. He had made it about two-thirds of the way when he heard Dream’s voice whispering in his ear.
“Do not thank me, Gabriel Strosser. You know not what challenges lie before you, and you will not take back the knowledge you have gained. Yet, you will remember that you had it. That is the state you will live in for the remainder of your days.??
Gabriel ran from his castle, Dream’s words echoing in his mind.
***
Gabriel was completely exhausted. He just couldn’t understand it. The castle was right there, for God’s sake, he thought. He could make out the individual turrets now. His walk slowed, until he was forced to crawl, but he continued forward, each step closer driven through sheer force of will.
Then a fog rose up, and Gabriel lost sight of the path. With no choice, he continued to crawl forward, relying on faith that he was still on the path. The fog became thicker and thicker, until he could no longer see the ground beneath him. He didn’t even notice when the normal sounds of the forest subsided, to be replaced by silence. He crawled forward. It was all he could do any more.
The fog seemed to lift after a few minutes. He stopped for a second, and squinted to make sure, but he swore he could see three figures in the distance. Heartened by the thought of company for his journey, he rose, and stumbled towards them. Perhaps they had some food, or water he could drink. He suddenly realized he was very, very hungry and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and teeth from dehydration. Yes, they would take care of him, he decided.
As he got closer, they came into the clear. Three women, sitting on the white surface that now seemed to be the ground. They each held onto something, and Gabriel noticed that they seemed to be knitting. The first held a ball of yarn, which she was unwinding slowly, as the second seemed to be measuring out lengths of the yarn. Once she was satisfied with her measurements, she would hold her hands out to the third, who cut the segments with a sharp motion from the shears she wielded.
Gabriel reached the three ladies, and tried to bow, in order to make their acquaintance. It was then that he realized that he was falling. Falling to the ground, unable to even raise his arms to help cushion the inevitable blow.
The last thing he heard was the voice of one of the ladies, who said: “Welcome, Gabriel. We’ve been expecting you.??
***
Gabriel saw the room begin to come back into focus, but still the three ladies hovered above him. He tried to raise his hand, to touch the hallucination, but couldn’t find the strength to lift his arm.
He gurgled once, trying to greet them, and then died on the couch.
Dream and his sister still stood silently, in the corner, observing. Then he turned to her.
“My sister, it appears that your duties are now required. I shall take my leave so that you may fulfill your obligations.??
“I’m not sure I understand why you did that, Dream. I’ve always thought you were a little aloof, cold, but I always thought that deep underneath, you might really care about them.??
Dream sighed.
“My sister, I do care for them. Far more than I am apparently given credit for. They are the reason we exist, after all. If it weren’t for them, there would be no need for Dream, Despair, Delirium, Desire, Destiny, Destruction, or Death. I respect them as fully as I can. I respect the one power, which their Creator endowed them with: free will. They are free to choose their path. Free to chase after dreams. Free to spend their lives trying to make them come true. Some fail, get turned around on their path, and die unhappily.??
Dream vanished then, and his sister looked over at Gabriel, lying dead on the sofa. She started towards him, and heard Dream’s voice one last time.
“Some of them remain true to their path, and experience the best my petty kingdom can offer.??
She walked over to the corpse, and whispered, “Gabriel? Gabriel, get up.??
Gabriel Strosser rose then, took a step away from the couch, and looked back at his corpse.
“Oh, ugh. I was a sight at the end, wasn’t I???
“It’s ok, Gabriel. Not nearly as bad as some of the people I gather. Are you ready???
Gabriel turned and looked at her. “I guess so.??
“Then take my hand.??
He took her hand; there was the beating of mighty wings, and then silence.
***
Outside, Desire pulled her coat tighter around herself. Her brother had thwarted her again. She had thought the whole proposition was a long shot. Still, the young writer had lots of promise, and there were thousands more where he came from.
She smiled, and walked out into the night.
