09-25-2023, 12:14 AM
The Sandman cared not to engage in philosophical conversations over superiority. He was the greatest force in the Dream, and he used that power to ensure its integrity; such was the burden of all kings. It was the Dreamer’s denial that led to this moment. If he was displeased with the demonstration, he should have shown deference sooner.
He felt her before the rubies of his eyes glimpsed her in the crowd. He watched her weave her way through their unmoving forms, flowing straight to the Dreamer whom she helped climb to his feet.
He could banish Nox, but a snarl twisted his lips into a fanged smile instead. “The Dream is stable,” he declared as though it was the obvious answer.
In that moment, the humans were released. “Be gone,” he ordered them, and their forms flowed through his will like sand falling from his claws. Nox was free to depart if his mind willed it, nothing held him here, but only a few remained: those whose souls gleamed like gold in comparison to the duller Dreamers that dissipated.
“It is time you recognize your king,” his voice shuddered as he spoke to the natural born Dreamers. The tips of his wings dragged through the ash behind him as he paced.
They were free to stand though he would hold them until his commands were issued. “Do not battle one another. Do not rile the wolves. Do not approach the Troll Stones. Do not threaten the integrity of the Dream. When I call, you will come. All else is free for you to dream.”
He felt her before the rubies of his eyes glimpsed her in the crowd. He watched her weave her way through their unmoving forms, flowing straight to the Dreamer whom she helped climb to his feet.
He could banish Nox, but a snarl twisted his lips into a fanged smile instead. “The Dream is stable,” he declared as though it was the obvious answer.
In that moment, the humans were released. “Be gone,” he ordered them, and their forms flowed through his will like sand falling from his claws. Nox was free to depart if his mind willed it, nothing held him here, but only a few remained: those whose souls gleamed like gold in comparison to the duller Dreamers that dissipated.
“It is time you recognize your king,” his voice shuddered as he spoke to the natural born Dreamers. The tips of his wings dragged through the ash behind him as he paced.
They were free to stand though he would hold them until his commands were issued. “Do not battle one another. Do not rile the wolves. Do not approach the Troll Stones. Do not threaten the integrity of the Dream. When I call, you will come. All else is free for you to dream.”