Started With An Ember

The Infinite Hell of Dreams

"The entrance to the Infinite Hell of Dreams is about five miles from Helvna." Ember announced as they walked along a creek. They had just passed Helvna and were headed to the Dead Sun Ruins.

"So we should reach the entrance before dark?" Violet asked.

Ember nodded slowly. They would reach the entrance before dark, however, should they actually go in? Ember almost thought it would be better to wait outside the entrance until daylight. The Infinite Hell of Dreams was no joke.

Alexander Conroy had discovered it 200 years ago. Not many ventured into it, and only one fourth of those that went in came out. The ones that did come out though, were improved; stronger, wiser, kinder, and more stunning.

Those that came out had told of tests and revelations. All of them had said, 'all is not what it seems.'

Ember didn't know what to expect, but she did know that she wanted a good quanity of time to discuss strategy, and she most certainly wanted to wait until daytime.

"We'll wait outside the entrance until daylight." Ember said.

"Good idea." Lucas agreed.

They kept alongside the creek. Ember had once seen a map from Helvna to The Infinite Hell of Dreams. You simply followed the creek. It took you all the way.

The three didn't run into any other human being or other creature. They stopped once to refuel their energy, and take a quick break.

The sun had just went to sleep for the night when Ember saw it. The entrance.

"There it is." She pointed straight ahead. There was a line of trees, and right in the middle of the line was a dark gap. It was impossible to see the other side of the line of trees.

Violet's mouth was wide open, and Lucas just gazed at it in admiration. Ember frowned at it.

Alyey had to be somewhere in there. The Dead Sun Ruins.

"Alright, let's settle down for the night here. We need to be well rested by sunup tomorrow."

Violet and Lucas snapped out of whatever trance they were in. They set their packs down and set up their tents.

In fifteen minutes they were asleep. At least, Violet and Lucas were. Ember had climbed out of her tent with her pack over her shoulder.

She wasn't leaving them, but there was something she needed to do. Ember remembered that the last time Lucas had gotten mad at her was because she ventured off on her own. But she had to this time.

She just hoped she could get back.

Ember cautiously walked to the dark gap. She didn't hesitate. She walked right in, and was instantly enveloped in darkness.

She tripped over something, and tumbled to the ground. Desperately trying to regain her balance, she reached out for something to hold on to. Finally, her hand found a low tree branch, and she hauled herself up. Ember kept walking and stumbling, until she saw a dim light ahead. She stopped. She had heard of this light, and it was the reason she ventured into the Infinite Hell of Dreams alone.

She had once heard that if you kissed the flame of the candle, you could see the last person who had entered, dreams.

There was a high possibility of burning her lips. Ember knew that, but she didn't care.

She reached the floating candle. It was all she could see. Ember bent down and stared into it. She could see her own reflection. Except it wasn't her, not really. It was who she would be if she ever got out of here.

She leaned forward and "kissed" the flame. The heat surrounded her face, and she screamed. It felt like the fire was eating her alive.

She didn't see anyone's dreams. Instead, she felt her whole body getting pulled into the flame.

She was falling. It was pitch black again, but Ember could tell she was falling. She felt the air lick her face teasingly.

The ground was soft. It was like falling on to a pile of feather stuffed pillows.

She could see again, and what she saw left her breathless. She was in a gigantic hole, it seemed like. Glowing spheres made up the ground. The wall was perfectly black.

Ember heard footsteps, and quickly turned.

An old man was approaching her. He had a long white beard that touched the spheres on the ground. He was tall. Towering over Ember, she maybe guessed that he was over eight feet. Who was this? The tall man had a short white moustache that was connected to his beard. But his eyes were the most interesting thing about him. His eyes weren't a color. They were images.

"Ember Anala. I knew I would soon see you." The tall man with the picture eyes said softly in a beautiful deep voice.

"Who are you?" Ember asked breathlessly. She didn't know whose presence she was in, but he must be important.

"I am Futura." He answered after a pause. "I am the keeper of dreams and memories. This hole is my abode."

"I'm sorry I intruded...Futura, but I'm not sure how I got here."

"Because you exhibited astonishing bravery and wisdom, of course. I don't bring just anybody to my home."

"I'm honored. But why did you bring me to your home?"

"I want to be your guide, and I wanted to speak with you." He paused. "I know you are searching for your mother; Alyey. She's a wonderful woman, but rather preoccupied."

"My guide? And what is she preoccupied with?"

"She's assisting your brother."

"What?"

"She is leading him to the correct path. She is here in The Infinite Hell of Dreams, using magic that can only be used here."

"Oh. So I can't see her?"

"I'm afraid not. You must continue to the Dead Sun Ruins, though, and I will gladly be your guide."

"Why do I have to continue? Haven't I done enough?"

"Don't give up, Ember. You will be even greater still, if you reach the Dead Sun Ruins. You will need that greatness to defeat those you must defeat. You will also need the knowledge." Futura said. "Besides, that's the only way out." He added as an afterthought.

Ember started to speak, but Futura gently flicked his wrist and Ember's back and head softly fell on to the spheres.

Futura lifted Ember up, and floated halfway up the hill. He set her in a skinny passageway and kneeled beside her.

Futura stamped the symbol Ember had seen in Alyey's book over her heart. "I am now your guide. I believe in you, Ember Anala."