NIGHTS Awaking from Dreams

The First Night within Dreams

Meeting up on the walk home from school later that same day, Will told Helen about the odd dream he had the night before, only to be surprised and disturbed when she told him that she had seen the same exact thing. What disturbed them both was how vividly real it was, as if more of a memory they lived through, going to Nightopia unaware, than just a dream.

The two friends made plans to meet up together in Nightopia as soon as they could that very evening. If there was any place to get answers, Owl would be the best bet as he was one of the oldest and most knowledgeable Nightopians they knew.

Unfortunately, time seemed to tease them throughout the afternoon. Chores and homework were a blessed distraction from the slowly creeping hands of the clock, much to the surprise of both the young adolescents, along with the usually boring discussions of their respective parents at the table during dinner. Such activities helped them endure the wait for the much anticipated time for sleep.

It was an odd sight for both sets of parents to see their child eagerly engaging in getting themselves ready for and into bed without the usual protests instead of begging to stay up a little longer just to practice their favorite activity.

Will and Helen paid their confused parents no mind, tucking themselves in after saying goodnight, closing their eyes, and settling in for the night.

When they opened their eyes again, Nightopia's Dream Gate stood before them.

Will floated down to the walkway outside the Dream Gate, gravity pulling his feet to the ground. As soon as they made contact, the young teen wasted no time and ran through the golden gates. He quickly spotted Owl, Helen already standing beside the hovering bird and speaking with him.

"Helen! Owl! There you are!" Will greeted, skidding to a stop before the two, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment, "Sorry I took so long. I had to help out with the dishes." Owl gave an amused hoot to the boy.

"Well, it is certainly nice to see both of you after so long," a frown slowly appeared on the owl's beak, "Sadly, it has been a while since a visitor, any visitor for that matter, has come here." Helen and Will looked at the feathered Nightopian in disbelief, "Really?"

Owl nodded.

"Yes," he uttered, landing upon the wide rim of the fountain with a sigh, "The last time you were here was the last we saw of any visiting dreamer. During the time since then, the Nightmarens have been laying siege on Nightopia, practically to the extent of razing it to the black ocean beneath us. The first attack was so bad, my dear friends, that dreamers just stopped coming.....The Dream Gate only survived as well as it did because of the protective residue of the five ideya you both possess."

Will stared at him shock, "That's just terrible."

Owl gave a low, hollow hoot in agreement, "Indeed. And that is not the worst part of it all. NiGHTS has disappeared without a trace." Will and Helen turned to each other's gaze. Calming his nerves, Will turned to look back at Owl.

"Yea....we know.....That's why we came here tonight."

The old bird looked at both the young dreamers, and let his gaze fall, "I'm afraid you a little too late, Visitors. Nightopia has no human measure of time.....but he has been gone for some time now, long before you arrived."

"What!" Will exclaimed, "But I...We saw what happened to him in a dream just last night!"

"That incident that you saw occurred what I believe to be many human weeks ago, half way between the times of your last visit and now," Owl stated, "But as I said, it is hard to measure time here in human terms."