The lights flickered, shifting color every second, staring at the white ceiling my eyes burned and slowly closed as everything around me turned to black. I felt a sense of calmness, or maybe just emptiness. There were no sounds in that abyss—the hum of nothingness, just a faint light far away. The light flickered a calling. Walking towards the light I saw a lit candle. Alone, in a field of dry grass that hovered over me. As if hypnotized I stepped closer, one step before the candle.
The scene before me shifted, candles appeared all around me, one-by-one. Moving my head in every direction as more candles appeared. I cautiously took a step back. My foot stumbled against the lit candle behind me, causing the candle to fall. The calm grass now started to be engulfed in flames. I tried to move but my feet were nailed to the ground. I felt hot, a clear burning sensation ran through my insides.
My body jolted forward, my breathing unsteady. Sitting on the ground my eyes took the scene before me, the building was in flames and they were closing in. I stumbled backwards desperately trying to get away from the fire. Unfamiliar screams filled the air from every direction. My heart pounded viciously.
Gaining my composure i stood up and stared at the agonizing scene before me, getting frozen in place once again. A mysterious hand pulled me back and dragged me to a carriage nearby.
"Leave now! Master you aren't safe here!" a man dressed as a knight pushed me into what looked like a carriage. It was decorated with gold and had a sort of family or organization crest made out of onyx at the door. Looking to my left, the man that helped me was wearing silver armor, he looked like a knight. It was then i remembered what he called me.
Master? What did he mean by that? My head was spinning from all the new information. I had already forgotten the burning pain i felt in my body. Before i could even adjust my mind i heard someone shout.
"Come back and help us!" another knight like man commanded.
"I'm going!" The young knight left and i was left bewildered at the situation before me. I had no idea what was going on, why the building was on fire, or how I ended up in the building, I decided to simply do as I was told and hopped onto the carriage. I sat down on the seat, feeling the soft cotton cushion underneath. Soon another person came by.
He was tall with very toned muscles that showed through his torn clothes. His dirty blond hair was messy yet laid back. His eyes reflecting the light from the fire, golden and unnatural. Wearing a classic tuxedo, pieces torn, burnt and filled with blood stains.
"You! You're just gonna leave the rest of us to die!?"
I looked at him dumbfounded. I have no idea what the hell that means? He let out a bitter laugh. "what did i expect from a spoiled brat anyway! You claim to be the best yet you're the first to run!"
"I despise people like you." With a cold stare the man looked at me furiously. What the fuck is this now? My mind was going crazy. Who is he?
My mouth started to move on itself as if someone else controlled my body. "Shouldn't you go and help your little friends out? Instead of boring me with your idiotic speech"
"You-" his mouth opened and then shut closed. His face still full of fury yet he left in defeat, glaring at me one last time. He left to help the remaining survivors. I stared back with a blank face.
Somehow, regardless of how confused and out of place I was, my face showed no signs. The carriage began to move and the image of the burning building faded away until only the dark sky and trees could be seen.
The place was quiet as i started to gather my thoughts. I had many questions and no answer. Where even am I? Why was the building on fire? why did that guy call me 'master'?Where am i going? Who am I? Who took over my body just now? I don't understand anything that's happening.
Wait… I went to sleep not long ago. Oh, so It's just a dream.
I subconsciously let out a large sigh. Its just a dream, I'll wake up soon enough, Hopefully I don't miss my alarm.
That guy…. he looked eerily similar to my protagonist Nathan Clerk. I remember my first sketch of him. I was horrible at drawing before, it wasn't till i made up my mind to write a novel that i learn to paint and draw. I never expected to meet someone that looked exactly like him and… talk like him. Now that i think about it, what he said sounds a lot like a scene i wrote in my novel.
A scene popped up in my head, Nathan was on the ground breathing heavily after a fierce fight. The fire surrounding them, making it difficult to see past the flames. His sword kept him on one knee. Nathan lifted his head trying to get a glimpse of the mysterious person under the cloak, yet they disappeared into the fire. "Come back!" Nathan screamed in fury. His face full of hatred as he watched the person vanish.
The story wasn't that original, it was just a story on how a nobody becomes a hero to the entire empire, becoming its protector. Why is he here? Hm… No wonder the scene looked familiar. It was the cult's invasion arc. My favorite part of the entire story because it was a stage meant for Nathan to shine.
Well now that i at least know that, i wonder what is happening with my body? I looked down to see the very elegant navy blue suit with gold thread patterns sewn onto the ends of the suit. I wish i was this rich in real life… Thinking back to when my body moved on its own i recalled the feeling. It felt so real, it truly felt like someone else took over. It is not a pleasant feeling. I felt so… helpless.
The carriage came to a stop, dragging me out of my thoughts. Looking out the window i was met with an enormous mansion, gold and white with many onyx stone sculptures of old people. Hundreds of maids and a butler lined up at the entrance.
"Welcome back master" they said in unison. The line of maids seemed neverending. It was intimidating.
I stepped out of the carriage, My body straightened and walked straight, my body knew where it was going. I didn't.
Again? I feel so helpless, again… I can't control even a single nerve. This is so weird. I don't think I've even had this happened to me before today. This is like a lucid dream, no it is a lucid dream. It's my first time experiencing one, i read once that the dreamer has full control of everything, i wonder how true that is?
I kept walking and realized there was another different set of footsteps behind me. My body came to a stop and so did the second set of footsteps. My eyes wandered to my side, a maid that was following me a few steps behind stood still.
Why is she following me?
My mouth opened once again, without my control. "I'll have dinner in my chambers tonight." The maid curtsied and left as i continued walking to 'my chambers'.
She left without a single question? I like that. I wonder what she will bring for dinner. Wait, I can decide what i get to eat in this dream, or not, things don't seem to go my way right now.
Arriving at the door i stayed frozen for a second. This is such a grand way to announce your riches and that it is the main bedroom. I feel like i know this room but I've never been here before. I probably dreamed of it when i needed money. I pushed the door open and surprised myself that my hands actually moved to my command. I looked down at my arm. Oh Yes! Let's go! I finally have control over my body. This feels great.
My gaze guided upwards and i noticed the decorations in the room or rather the lack of it. Taking a step onto the white and black marble floor that resembled a chess board. My leather shoes disguised themselves against the chess floor. Every step making a loud tudd.
I walked forward and took in the glorious sight. There were two portraits on the wall. They were covered by an enormous cloth. The portraits looked to be around my height. There was a well made bed. I walked towards it, placing my hand on the bed frame. I felt the hard wood. The bed frame alone was extravagant. Swirls were engraved onto the frames. You would think with this amount of details the design would still feel rough around the edges yet it was very smooth.
I sat on the bed and my body instantly dissolved into the cotton bed. It feels like heaven. I don't want to ever wake up if this is my dream, it's so comfortable. I decided to sit back up and continue to explore this room. My gaze swept across the room and my eyes fell onto a mirror. It was a few feet away and i couldn't make out my appearance. I stood up and walked closely to the mirror. The blurriness faded away. I stared at the figure in the mirror, It was not me.
"Who are you?"
That is not me. This isn't my face or my body… I looked like, like… a stranger. This is impossible. It can't be… This isn't me.
Taking in the features i couldn't help but admire this body. It was strong and lean, so much so it could be seen even through the suit. Long black hair tied in a mid ponytail cascading down to my lower back. Grey eyes, fair skin and a sharp jawline. He is incredibly handsome. Just who is he? Shouldn't it be impossible to see anything through a mirror in a dream? Does that mean i'm not in a dream—
knock, knock
"Master Mortis, your dinner is served"
Mortis? Who is that?—
"Come in." A command rang out. Out of 'me', but it wasn't me. I lost my control. My body shifted in less than a second and my previously shocked face turned dull. I could see 'myself' from the mirror, 'my' face now commanded respect, 'my' eyes looked fierce. My head turned to the door as the maid walked in with a walking tray. It had a medium rare steak, a salad plate, and a glass of wine along with the rest of the bottle. She was walking towards a tea table when 'I' stopped her.
"Leave the tray."
The maid kept her head down, flinched but didn't question. She left the tray by the tea table and left silently. My body shifted once again as I gained control.
This dream is getting really realistic. When will i wake up? This feels like a suspicious amount of sleep. It's almost dawn here. Forget it I'll make myself wake up.
I pinched myself to wake up but nothing happened. The sting left me in a daze. "Why does it hurt?" I slapped myself across the face. Nothing. Only a sharp pain was left behind.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no this can't be happening. I need to wake up. I have a meeting for my next book tomorrow. I need to get up.
Wake up, i need to wake up. Wake up.
"Wake up Yukio, wake up." hitting myself again i looked at the mirror.
"Its a dream so wake up!"
"Wake up!" in a fit of rage i subconsciously clenched my fists. long nails penetrated my palms while they bled. Yet my desperation kept me from feeling the pain.
Smash!
Crack!
Cracks started forming on the mirror, my reflection multiplying. Less than a second later it all dispersed.
Shatter
The sound of glass falling was a relief to me, i don't have to see that face anymore, a strangers face. Staring at my bleeding knuckles i murmured.
"It's still not me"
"This isn't my body…"
The sting from my knuckles dragged me out of my thoughts.
Pain… it's painful, incredibly painful. This isn't a dream is it? no, it's not a dream, dreams aren't physically painful.
Dreams belong to one person to control. I have no control.
"Ha ha…" a sarcastic laugh escaped my mouth.
"I must be losing mind"
" Yeah, I'm definitely going insane"
Dread filled me as i stared at the shattered glass on the ground.
My head started to hurt watching my reflection from the pieces of glass on the ground. i stared at it for a few minutes and somehow this face felt familiar. I picked up a piece of glass and brought it to my face, taking in every detail. The long hair, the clothes, the rare grey eyes, and looks that would rival any male model on earth. Then I remembered, this isn't the first person that seems familiar. Nathan is also here, my protagonist, the golden eyes that are simply impossible to have in this world.
Wait.. this world? This isn't my world is it? The unusually big mansion, the lines of maids dressed in uniform, the carriage, and the weird stone statues before entering this place. Am I inside my novel? I decided to find another mirror. My eyes fixed on a door inside the room, i quickly moved towards it and opened it. It was the bathroom. I didn't even care to look at the very glamorous bathroom and went straight to the mirror. I stared at my face once again. If this is my novel, then who is this?
Brows knitted together taking in this new face, eyes grey like dust, a pale nose and hair strands falling to my cheeks.
Wait a second.
" I know who you are."
"But, you are not supposed to exist."