Prologue – The Dreamer

Dreamer dreamt, and the Dream unfolded beneath the Dreamer’s gaze.

Yet ‘gaze’ wasn’t quite the right description of the Dreamer’s perception. It was both more all-encompassing and more limited than what a mortal’s eyes could provide. An awareness, a cognizance, more so than clear sight.

The Dreamer’s attention shifted through recent interests, focusing on people rather than events or places. There were a special few who truly managed to keep the Dreamer’s focus. However, those who did were truly noteworthy. Sometimes centuries would pass with no one worthy of attention. Other times, such as in recent decades, several promising individuals emerged. Dreamer’s hopes for them grew; their rivalry was the soil in which greatness would be nourished. Someone truly special would be forged when challenged by their peers, overcoming all adversity.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Often, they would be snuffed out long before their chance to become a blazing inferno.

Dreamer focused on Sybil, gifted in reading the tapestry of Fate, ever pulled by Its fickle currents.

Dreamer focused on Conquest, bringer of war, of death, with stalwart will.

Dreamer focused on Renegade Sorcerer, always scheming, always daring.

Dreamer focused on Scholar, the fae scientist, the only of his kind who could do no magic.

Dreamer focused on select others, some deserving cursory glances, others whole moments of the Dreamer’s attention. None reaching the Dreamer’s expectations yet, but each a seed with the potential to sprout.

Finally, Dreamer’s focus settled on a recent curiosity. The first of its kind throughout the millennia of the Dream. A person, or a thing, or a monster, whose existence could only be inferred by the ripples of their deeds sent through the Dream and affecting its inhabitants. Concealed from the Dreamer’s gaze.

It was a novel experience. A curious experience. An anomaly that even Dreamer wasn’t sure whether to welcome or dread.