Cameron's Quest... Or Something?

Oh Dude look a town

Aw dude that town's neato,
probably.

My body ached as a I trekked up the last and most steep mountain. My soles were worn, and my knees were about to buckle.

I'm pretty sure a blister was forming between my toes because of these damned flip flops!

I would have been stranded in these barren lands. But I couldn't give up! I had to persevere. The whole country's fate was in my hands.

I had been walking for hours, but the gate was finally in my sights! Rusted and gothic, the gate was old. Perhaps the town would be old as well. I had no way of knowing-

"Cameron. It's been like, an hour. Most people take 30 minutes the get to the gate." The strange omniscient voice filled my mind, the air surrounding me, the very universe-

"What did I say about monologuing!?"

Well, I'm sorry you're jealous of my poetic ability. I bet you couldn't write half as well as I could.

"I would take that bet, if we weren't in such a hurry. This is serious. My brother's just summoned a Cockatrice."

A Cockatrice?

"Yes! Bird serpent demon, can turn you to stone with just one look? Sound familiar?"

Oh.

"There's one loose in the town, right now! My brother can't control such a dangerous beast! You need to hurry, boy!"

Alright, alright, yeah whatever. This IS a dream, so it's not like it matters.

I thought to myself, unaware of the friction it would cause. Unaware of the gravity of my words.

The voice was taken aback, and scoffed at me.

"I-Do you really not care for the citizens of your dream world!? We need your help, you're the only one who can subdue the creature, and you ignore our pleas!? How dare you!" The voice sounded betrayed.

Ah, crud.

"No, no, you're right. Absolutely. I'm... I'm sorry. A protagonist should protect his world, after all." I said, trying to redeem myself. Was I really so thoughtless?

"..." The voice said nothing, but I could feel his heavy contemplation..?

"... Hurry. Make it up to us by slaying the beast. Make haste," The voice said with a sigh, "We need you."

"Aye, aye!" I chirped, filled with new determination to save the town.

"And Cameron," The voice said, "I'm serious about that monologuing thing."

"Sorry."

"GOODNESS!" The voice cried, "I can't help you right now Cameron! Ask for The Alchemist. That's Steve! I have to help him!"

"Okay, go, John, go!" I shouted, feeling him leave me.

Well, I mean, now I can describe things freely. Basically none of that stuff before was monologue, by the way. I was just being dramatic. But, anyway.

I pushed through the gothic, iron gate. It creaked, but there was no real resistance. It could tell I was needed.

In the valley below there were many buildings. Some small, some tall, but all were glowing, flickering, charred. The town was ablaze!

(Not really. I just think that sounds cooler that way. Most of the buildings were black, with flaking paint revealing the red brick underneath. The rooms seemed to be illuminated by flickering firelight.)