The Dreamer: The Book of Godspells

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The Orph Ballroom was even more like stepping into a dream within a dream, now that I had added my elegant attire to the scenery that Colik had just shown me. Clouds drifted across the ceiling, resembling a celestial storm, while dust seemed poised to burst into stars at any moment. A flashing light traced an infinite line along the entire floor, a feature I was certain hadn't been there before. And then there was the wall transformed into a massive aquarium, teeming with otherworldly creatures swimming amidst seaweed and greenery. Were those mermaids?

The seating arrangement was peculiar, with triangular sections overlapping and leading to a central red circle, almost like a string woven into the floor. The three walls opened to the beauty and flaws of the Reverie, while a large mirror behind the thrones reflected the constellations above onto the ground. It was aptly named the Constellation Ball, with the blood moon casting an unusually bright glow, painting the room in shades of red and purple against the starry backdrop. Beside Blaze and Lulu's thrones, rows of empty seats stretched out, waiting.

"Whose seats are those?" Colik smiled down at me.

"We have guilds of dreamers. You've met a few now. Look, here they come."

Guild by guild, they entered, each leaving me in awe.

"The Routs, the dreamers of chase," Colik whispered in my ear. I felt the heat of his breath so close to mine, my whole body shivered. I hoped he didn't notice.

"They create dreams of humans being chased." I recognized them as wearing the same attire that I saw the white hooded figures wear on the Ollopa train where I first met Colik. Their mouths were covered in white silk cloth, and they had white robes and hoods that covered their bodies head to toe. They looked like they were wearing capes over a completely white pirate suit. I could only see their eyes, a gold color, that reminded me a little of cat eyes. From what I could see of them, they were all old, with more lines on their faces and grey hair sticking out of some of their hoods. They entered at a slow pace which was ironic since they created dreams of being chased.

"You truly are special to be here. So human sometimes." His words stung, and I instinctively moved away, only to be pulled back.

"Don't do that," he insisted, his urgency palpable. I relented, letting him draw me closer.

"I didn't mean to offend. You just don't understand dreams," Colik continued, his tone softer now. I listened intently as he explained the purpose of dreams, the delicate balance between consciousness and subconsciousness. It all made sense now—the role of dreamers in guiding human thoughts during sleep.

"So, you're essentially saving humans from themselves every night?" I summarized, a newfound understanding dawning.

"In a sense, yes, Piper."

"Then why do humans... we, have nightmares?"

"Unfortunately, just as much as there are good gods, there are bad gods, and therefore, humans have to suffer nightmares too. We control it best we can, but that is why we had to..." Colik stopped.

"Why you had to what?" I asked, but the doors opened again, and another guild of dreamers started walking in. They were all in flowy dresses, the males too, but it was fitting. It looked like a big wave had come flooding into the room with their array of blue fashion and white dreadlocked hair. Their eyes were all a stunning ocean blue, and their faces were dark toned and flawless.

"The Cryos, the dreamers of loss. They usually create dreams of losing teeth, for humans who are unsettled or unsure. All male and they reside in the Untold Brine. Only dreamers who can live and breathe in water," Colik explained.

"Oh, here come the Vixens, the dreamers of intimacy... or as you humans call it, dreamers of sex." He paused as I took in what he said.

"Sex..." I choked, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.