Flames {Book One: The Deadly Dream}

Part Six: You A Child of Apollo? Well Life Is Gonna Suck For You

Well I'll admit, that was the weirdest yet best day of my life. I mean sure, the Caribbean would have been fun, but I've always wanted a real adventure.

But then I had a nightmare. Worse than all the rest of them, which was saying something.

The nightmare started out normal enough. I was sitting on a swing set during a bright sunny recess. I use to swing on the exact same swing set when I was in elementary, I swung so high it felt like I was flying.

Kids were yelling and playing as I was the only one on the swing set pumping my legs back and forth, back and forth.
Sounds normal enough, right? Well then, time to bring on the scary!

Even though it was clear and sunny out, lightning struck the swing set dissolving me and the swing set to dust.

I wish it could have ended there.

My whole body felt burned. I was traveling in darkness, to where, I don't know. As I traveled, I heard voices, harsh and cold, and some begging to me, for coins, for life, for judgement. I didn't stop to talk, but the voices seemed to follow me, trying to grab at my life force.

Doesn't sound scary to you? Well you weren't there. I'm telling you, this experience was sending chills down my spine, making me almost forget to breathe.

Finally I saw a palace. It was dark and grand, with a soft glow of red light. I heard screams of terror in the distance.

I floated toward the palace like it was pulling at me. I passed a giant three headed dog about as big as ten or eleven tanks stacked up. As I passed it, all three of its heads sniffed the air, and I was praying it couldn't smell me, or maybe the pee in my pants (Hey, I know it's a dream but you never know).

Luckily all the dog's heads didn't seem to smell me and just went back to growling at ghosts (did I mention ghosts? Sorry if I didn't I was too busy focused on the giant three headed dog that might eat me).

Finally I got to the gates of the black palace. They were large and black, a skeleton warrior on each side. The force pulling me forward stopped, and I was hovering in front of the doors.

C'mon, I thought. I didn't come all this way to stare a doors! Okay, I'll admit I can be curious.

I forced myself forward. I passed right through the doors. Then I wished I had just stayed outside.

Now, I know what you're thinking, You brought this upon yourself, Faren, but I'll ask you this: Would some of the best adventures happen if there wasn't curiosity? The answer most of the time is no. And plus it's a dream. I know you're concerned for me and all, but jeez people.

Anyways, i saw a big throne mostly made of skulls and bones of people. There was a smaller throne beside it, black with some flowers decorating it. The small one was empty, but sitting in the skull one was no other than my bestie Epiales.

He was smiling at me, his big black demon wings outstretched, and luckily his claws were retracted. His black eyes stared me down, and my scar he had given me with his razor claws was burning like crazy.

"Nice to see you again," he said spinning a skull in his hand. "Glad you could make it."

"Is it Monday already?"

He laughed. "No! This is just a special exception. Now that you have that scar," my scar burned even more now so spots danced in my eyes, "I can visit whenever I want!" he finished.

"How are you even still alive?" The pain subsided a little.

Epiales smiled. "I'm a major demon of the Underworld! It took me barely any time at all to reform!" He spread his arms out. "By the way, welcome to the Underworld! This is Hades's throne room!"