Mr.Sandman: Book 1

Chapter 5B: Sunset Overture

Boredom had set in, just like Charlemagne had anticipated. He got up, struggling through the pain and grabbing his sword. He sheathed it and opened the door leading to the outside of the ship. He stepped out into the open, frowning at the environment. It was rather bland compared to the previous planet they had visited, though he was believed in a sense, figuring with its bland appearance that there would be a distinct lack of peril. He could see Zoe walking to the right in the distance, he opted to walk forward, towards a large dome shaped building.

The road was cobbled, which he found odd. It looked abandoned, as it was rather cracked from what he assumed to be years of no use. The closer he had drawn to the building, the louder the cheers became. He figured there must be some type of event being held there, but here was no one entering the building. He assumed he was late, to whatever this was.

The cheering had only increased in volume as he entered the building. Expecting to find the voices of those who had been causing the ruckus, he found there was no one in any of the hundreds of seats within the supposed colosseum. He decided to take a closer look, entering the stands to only be greeted by more disembodied howls and whoops. He was drawing parallels to the nightmare he had experienced, though he was certain he was awake.

"Our combatant is here!" A thunderous voice bellowed.

Charlemagne scanned the room finding no one and replied, "Combatant?"

Though, he found no one still. The imaginary crowd erupted into a roar. A light shone in his eyes, blinding him momentarily. It came from the bottom area, of the building He decided to investigate it, walking down the steps. As he descended each step, the voices only became more deafening until at the bottom of the staircase he came face to face with a lone mirror.

"This is profoundly suspicious."

He made up his mind that he would leave well enough alone. He turned away from the mirror as he massaged his arm. Boos had rung out now, seemingly targeted towards Charlemagne. He chuckled, as the boos all but confirmed his suspicions. Though, as he was walking away, a voice called out to him.

Charlemagne stopped. Normally, he wouldn't have done this, not just because someone called him. However, this was a special case. The voice calling out to him was his own. This was peculiar for sure. He turned slowly, to see no one there.

"The Invisible Man, I presume?"

Charlemagne could tell now that the voice was coming from the mirror as he gave his response, "I stand corrected, I'm talking to the man in the mirror. Unfortunately, I've got no time for idle chit chat. You wanna talk to me so bad, take a number and wait your turn."

"Well then, I assume you wouldn't be interested in learning the whereabouts of your friends, then?"

"Blackmail, huh? Fat chance, you're a mirror, what could you do? As far as I know, you literally couldn't harm a fly. What's stopping me from walking away?"

"Nothing is stopping you, at all. But the same couldn't be said for those you came here with."

"That so? Where are they then?"

"Don't be so naïve, I'm sure you know full and well where they are. I can't move, then what does that say about what may have happened to your friends? They were lured into a trap, can you guess what that trap is, Charlemagne?"

"Fine, damn it. I'll gaze at your ugly mug, let's get it over with."

He meandered towards the mirror and gazed at it. Initially, nothing was reflected. Eventually, his own reflection walked into frame and greeted Charlemagne. It extended its hand towards him, eventually the hand exiting the mirror. Charlemagne took it and was dragged into the mirror. He landed hard on his ass before slowly standing to his feet.