"wake up, my darling."
In which Lord Morpheus receives a mysterious message from the Waking World, forcing him to embark on a dangerous journey to retrieve what's rightfully his own.
And maybe meeting some familiar faces along the way who don't hav...
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THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
When he had first met Azzazel, Morpheus had felt rather distracted by her quirky nature.
She wasn't like the other Archangels, not like Uriel or Sandalphon, not even Gabriel.
She acted like being a Celestial wasn't much of a big deal, always going on big partys disguised as a human, sometimes being away from Heaven for days.
But the Almighty let her be, knowing that she would never abandon him and her duties.
She was funny, loyal and kind - hearted, being so different from her counterparts as no one ever before.
She always wore a huge smile on her face, fluttering her beautiful wings any time when being nervous.
And for those qualities no one had ever possessed in the whole of Heaven, Morpheus really appreciated her.
"I want you to guard something for me!", Azzazel explained while walking through the castle on her pink slippers, Morpheus following right behind.
"It has been in my possession for ages and I never really took advantage of it...so, I am looking forward to giving it a new home. Where it'll be safe and not be touched by any unworthy creature ever - that's when I thought of you, Dream!"
They had reached the end of the hallway, with the Celestial opening a heavy locked wooden door.
The room behind was nearly empty, except for a few shelves stacked with old books.
But it weren't the books which Azzazel wanted Morpheus to guard, stepping further into the chamber.
With a wave of her hand, she summoned an instrument-shaped case, handing it over to the Dream Lord:
"This is the Violin of Creation. My ancestors gave it to me when I first set foot into Heaven, not wanting anything to do with it. As for Archangels like me, they cannot play music or even do magic through it. I felt useless guarding it, desperately searching for a worthy creature to hold it. And then I met you."
Azzazels voice had become bold, her expression turning from silly to serious.
"You, the King of all Dreams and Nightmares alike. You who they call the Sandman, the one with the purest heart even if you don't see at first sight. You who might have a Dream of his very own. Therefore I ask you - would you take this violin, guarding it safely for eternity? I trust you with my life, Dream of the Endless!"
Morpheus shut his eyes to vow before the Celestial, taking the Violin of Creation into his hands.
"I will not disappoint you, Glorious!", he mumbled, freeing the instrument of its cage.
Throughout all these years, Morpheus had come in touch with several musical instruments like the piano or the guitar, visiting a few Sleepers who enjoyed playing them.
But he had never seen a violin like that before, with beautifully carved ornaments on its wooden body and strings nearly the colour of his Dream Sand.
As he set it on his left shoulder, a tingling sensation slowly crept down his arm, giving Morpheus a cold shiver.
"It only accepts you as guardian if you play!", Azzazel spoke, her voice echoing through his ears.
"Don't be afraid, Dream. It will guide you through, no matter what. The music will guide you. Trust me!"
Morpheus took a deep breath and started to play, soon finding his rythm to the sweet melody.
He played a bit faster, the bow moving over the strings in a wild dance, with Morpheus completely forgetting where he was.
What he was, just him and this violin, this sweet, sweet song...
Snapping fingers finally woke him from the musical trance he had been in, blushing:
"I am sorry, Glorious. I got carried away for a while and..."
"There is no need to be sorry, Dream!", Azzazel replied, putting her hand over his.
"Getting carried away is completely normal for a first time musician like you. It shows me that you're ready to fullfill this task, with all your power and bravery. But you must promise that no one ever gets in touch with this violin, no human and none of your creations...not even Hell. Do you understand, Dream of the Endless?"
Morpheus knelt before her, a sign of trust and respect to any Archangel there was.
"I understand, Glorious!", he whispered.
"I will not let any human, nor my creations or even Hell touch this violin. I will protect it with my life, even if I must die for it...you have my word!"
Azzazel raised her arms, sunlight flooding through the castles' windows and in the very chamber they were standing.
"Then so be it!", she called out, one ray of light striking Morpheus as he slowly got transported back into his realm.
"Farewell, Lord of Dreams - and may the odds be ever in your favour!"
