Entwined Destinies - Morpheus/Sandman Part 1

10 / Echoes of Revelation

They retraced their steps, making their way back to Morpheus's palace. The path through the misty landscape felt interminable, weighed down by the gravity of the revelations they had received. Selena walked in silence, her thoughts a storm of confusion and disbelief. Each step felt heavier as the weight of her newfound reality pressed down on her.

Morpheus walked beside her, his presence a steadying force. After a while, he turned to her, his voice gentle yet probing. "How are you, Selena?"

Selena glanced at him, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within. She took a deep breath, the air feeling dense in her lungs. "I don't know. It's a lot to take in."

Morpheus nodded, his expression understanding. "It is not easy to learn such profound truths about oneself."

"It's not just that," Selena continued, her voice wavering with uncertainty. "I feel like... I'm not who I thought I was. My father is a God of death, and there are people out there who erased my existence? How am I supposed to deal with that? And what did they mean at the end!?"

He stopped and turned to face her, his eyes locking with hers in a gaze that was both intense and reassuring. "You are stronger than you realize, Selena. Your heritage does not define you; it is merely a part of who you are. What matters is how you choose to use the knowledge and power you have been given."

Selena nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "Thank you Dream...I want to be strong. I want to understand my abilities... I want to know who I am!"

Morpheus smiled faintly, a rare and comforting sight. "And you will. You are not alone in this journey."

As they continued walking, the towering spires of Morpheus's palace emerged from the mist, rising majestically against the ethereal sky. The sight of it brought a mixed sense of comfort and dread to Selena, grounding her in the reality of her new existence.

When they finally reached the palace gates, Lucienne was there waiting for them, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Welcome back, my Lord, Selena. I trust your meeting with the Fates was enlightening?"

"It was," Morpheus replied, glancing briefly at Selena. "We have learned much, but there is still more to uncover."

As he spoke, the faint sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the grand hallway. Matthew swooped in first, his wings fluttering noisily as he perched on Morpheus's shoulder. His eyes, sharp and observant, scanned Selena and then Lucienne, sensing the tension in the air.

Close behind him, Mervyn Pumpkinhead trudged in with his usual shuffling gait, his face showing signs of mild exasperation as the embers in his eyes flickered with concern. He adjusted his cap, muttering under his breath as he came to a stop beside Lucienne. "Well, ain't this a fine how-do-you-do. Did I miss something, or did things just get a lot heavier around here?"

Lucienne shot Mervyn a look, half-amused, half-annoyed, but before she could respond, Selena spoke up, her voice steady but filled with resolve. "I need to go home for a while. I need some time to process everything."

There was a moment of silence as the four of them exchanged concerned glances. Matthew fluttered his wings briefly before flying over to Selena, landing gently on her shoulder. His eyes, dark and reflective, conveyed a deep concern as he leaned in closer. "We'll be here if you need us, Selena. Don't hesitate to reach out."

Mervyn, trying to lighten the mood despite his own worries, gave a reassuring nod. "Take care of yourself, kid. We'll keep an eye on things here."

Lucienne, ever composed and supportive, added, "Your journey is yours to take, Selena. We'll be ready to assist you whenever you're ready to return."