[Present]
[Cimon Morpheus]:
Cimon has only gone to the mysterious new land inside Lemnos three times before, each time, though he would accomplish in breaking through to the next cultivation level, it would end in death.
Thankfully, a death in the realm he was meant to rule wasn't permanent — He would just wake up in the real world in his physical body, however just drained.
Morpheus would invite him to the Lands of Dreams every time he would fall asleep, and, though when he cultivated there, it was a boosted experience, it wasn't l;ike cultivating on the new land born for him that basically allowed him to jump leaps and bounds in cultivation stages in a day. Still though, the Dreaming was much more mana rich than most of the worlds on the Mortal Planes as well as many Immortal Realms, so Cimon wouldn't complain.
As a child, sometimes Cimon would often find himself in a mysterious place of darkness where he would speak with a being he somehow recognized as his father, Hypnos, though he could never remember where this place was when he woke up, so when he told Morpheus about one of these meetings, the god of dreams was quite surprised and asked where this palace was. Cimon could not tell.
"Hypnos vanished about a hundred years prior," Morpheus had explained, when Cimon asked for clarification; he was 8 at the time. "We Oneiroi may rule the Lands of Lemnos, but the Sleeping is so much more than just Lemnos. It's a layer to existence that is both essential and much too vast to quantify, especially beyond Lemnos, past the evermist of Consciousness, where untold horrors are kept at bay from invading the Sleeping. — It is all under the control of our father… Or, it was when he was still around…
"I believe that our father is really missing, and that the strand of consciousness that you've met may be a clue to learning the true location of where he is.
"Don't tell our brothers what you've seen. For one thing, you can never know how Phanesos will act or Phobetor, for that matter —- Phobetor has always been tricky; he might mean to harm you, little brother. No, it's best for you to keep it to yourself at all costs."
At the time, Cimon did not understand all of what he meant, but he did know how to keep a secret, so that he did.
After the Avouching & Claiming Ceremonial Feast, Cimon had decided to shower and change into more comfortable clothes. He knew what he was about to do would be a tiring and strenuous process, but he also knew it must be done. He had been dreading to do it, but he knew it was time — He was planning to cultivate in the new lands he had yet to tame.
If his battle with the Chaos Sphinx and the Great Snake has taught him anything, it was that he needs to get stronger. And the fastest way to do that? Visit that place again. But it was something he had to do, whether he liked it or not.
He tried his best to ignore the shiver that went through him at the thought, though. He needed to get stronger — For Corven's safety, for the safety of his own house and for himself. He couldn't stay weak. No, it was best he got stronger, much stronger. He's been procrastinating it for almost a month now, and this evening, he was gonna do it.
He knew while he was inside the realm of Lemnos, his physical body would be weak and vulnerable, so he had already alerted Faction Head Athan about his plans, given his background and status. Hopefully, this time, he won't be under for too long…
After drinking a glass of warm milk and getting comfortable in bed, Cimon dosed off, his consciousness fading into the lands of sleep…
The next moment, Cimon was resting in a forested area in the Land of Dreams, where trees were a myriad of bright colors — fro, blue to pink to red and green. The forest itself covered 30 kilometers in all directions and was rich in both floral and fana, most of which could only be found in the Land of Dreams as they exist nowhere else. Cimon saw strange pink deer with pinkish white antlers sipping water by a lake of the clearest blue water Cimon has ever seen. He saw bunnies of various colors hoping around the forest floor's tall, multicolored grasses. Cimon even spotted a few pixies that buzzed around from tree to tree, as if to gather supplies. It was a beautiful sight, one that had Cimon wonder if perhaps he could create his own Lands this creative, or if he'll ever get control of his birthright.
Clenching his fist, Cimon steeled his heart. He had a mission to accomplish. Even if he had to do it multiple times, he would complete the mission regardless.
As Cimon cleared himself of his daze, he made his way northward, towards where the main city of the Land of Dreams resided. He knew that to his South was the river Lethe, the river of forgetfulness and unmindfulness, which is said to be the very blood of Hypnos himself, though Cimon did not need to see its drying waters to know that Hypnos being away from the Sleeping for so long is drying up his river's pale white waters.
Cimon knew that, if Hypnos — the real Hypnos, not the slip of consciousness he had often times dream about — isn't found, River Lethe, which helps power the Sleeping, will dry up and all four lands of Lemnos will suffer, either at the hands of the Creatures the river is keeping out beyond the Evermist or it will slowly decay the lands until there is nothing else left in Lemnos.
How does Cimon know this? Hypnos told it to him. He just hasn't said anything to his siblings about it, despite his last visit with Hypnos being over 2 years ago…
Finally, Cimon made it out of the forest, past the city gates and before Morpheus's castle in record time. Many of the passing pedestrians waved at Cimon and some even bowed, despite him not being their king — They still recognized him as an Oneiroi somehow, so royal blood, Cimon guessed.
As he passed many corridors many miles long and long hallways with the most confusing of twists and turns within Morpheus's castle, Cimon could not help but sigh. He was typically just head over to the fourth land within Lemonos by himself, but he felt Morpheus should at least know what he's planning to do — He deserves that much at least.
Morpheus was like the second father Cimon never had, despite really being his brother, and, technically, his ancestor. He knew that during the trials, anything was possible — even permanent death, which, however unlikely, was still quite possible. If anything were to happen to Cimon during his trials, he would at least like Morpheus to know about it. Then again, so long as he beats all his trials, he will level up in cultivation.
Still, if Cimon dies during a trial that is restricted, which is a specialized trial type he's barely passed once before, he'll die in real life, which would suck tremendous ass, if you asked Cimon. But, sadly, there's not much Cimon can do about it honestly.
"Cimon, little brother, welcome back!" Morpheus's voice knocked Cimon out of his thoughts, causing him to realize his feet had unconsciously taken him to the throne room of Morpheus' castle while he was deep in his thoughts. This throne room was where Morpheus himself sat atop his silver throne, going through some paperwork and dishing out tasks to a few of his subjects. "What brings you to my castle, little brother?"
"I plan to undergo the fourth trial," Corven stated bluntly, whipping Morpheus' smile slowly from his face. "I need to do it, so I plan on doing it today. I'm not sure how long it will take. Just thought you should know."
This news seemed to instantaneously silence the courtroom of busy subjects. All eyes seemed to eye both Cimon and Morpheus, as if gauging their lord's reaction to Cimon's news. Some knew what this "Fourth Trial;" was while others murmured to one another in curiosity. Either way, no one spoke loud enough to be heard by Morpheus or Cimon, or, at least, neither person seemed big on picking up on the gossip that was happening around them, anyway.
"Are you certain this is what you want?" Morpheus asked. "Cimon, little brother, it will be a difficult procedure, harder and tougher than the Trials you've completed already, even that one restricted one that allowed you to break through to Demigod rank. Are you absolutely certain that you want to do this today? Are you certain that you are ready to do it today?"
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Plus I'm a mid-level demigod rank cultivator. As far as I'm concerned, I'm at my strongest I've ever been," Cimon shrugged, confirming his answer with a nod. "This is my choice; I have to do it. I'm ready; I have to be."
Morpheus looked at Cimon, as if gauging his steel, his resolve. He knew what lay before Cimon was going to be hard. He just hoped he didn't lose a brother as the price.
Nodding, as if to himself, Morpheus spoke, his tone serious. "Very well, in that case, I've prepared some things I think would help you during your trial. Come now, brother, before you go. I've got gifts to give."
Morpheus waved his hand and a table of gadgets appeared.
"These are what I like to call "soul gadgets" — they are things I've invented to help you on your journey," Morpheus held a satchel that, like a vacuum, absorbed everything on the table inside it after he explained the gadgets and their functions to Cimon. "They are soul equipped items so they store things within the soul attached to the items themselves. They will prove beneficial to you in your trials."
Cimon gave his appreciation. He was thankful or Morpheus' help. He wasn't sure how some of these tools and gadgets will help him in his trials, but he was sure he'd find a use for them somehow.
With a snap of his finger, the two fo them appeared at the southernmost edge of the Land of Dreams. Before them stretched the River Lethe, or what was left of it — It was more of a marsh now, though.
Tall grasses as black as wood mixed in with mirky white waters that were barely connected like threads. Though almost completely depleted, even now, Cimon could feel its power — It was like standing before a mountain as an ant. In one word? Incomprehensible.
"The river will create a path for you, so follow it to reach—," Morpheus began.
Cimon's chcukle interrupted Morpheus. "Brother, I know this already. I've done it before."
"Right," nodded Morpheus, after blinking a few times.
"You're getting up in age, brother," Cimon laughed.
"Shut iup, dumbass," Morpheus shook his head, smiling. "But for real. Be careful and trust your guy. Once you begin the trial, you must finish it. If you die during the restricted portion of the trial, you will die in real life, so, don't die."
"RIght," Cimon nodded. "Don't die. I got this."
"Take care, little brother. Be well," Morpheus placed a hand on Cimon's shoulders. "And again. Don't. Die."
Cimon watched as Morpheus disappeared back to his castle, flying the way back, his wings flapping the whole way there. Then, putting the satchel over his shoulders, spear in hand, Cimon trekked across the path. His future was uncertain, but he was at least determined to succeed and that was all he needed…