chapter 07 A dream

I feel incredibly relieved; I couldn't be more comfortable in my sleep. It was a comforting feeling, the likes of which I hadn't experienced for a long time.

I opened my eyes slowly, as if all the tiredness had disappeared. I looked up... And I realized I wasn't in camp.

"What the fuck...?" I murmured.

I sat on the floor... Well, I don't know whether to call it ground, since everything was white and seemed to be made up of clouds, as if it were in the sky.
Have I died??

What? Why would I think that? Did someone kill me in my sleep?
No... I must be wrong. Surely it is a damn dream.

"Do you really think it's a dream?" I heard a cheerful voice.

I quickly turned and looked at that unknown identity.

"What's going on?" I said quietly.

I looked at that person. As soon as I focused my gaze, he looked like a man, but I couldn't make out his face, as he was wearing a robe that covered his entire body and face.

"Who are you, a dream?" I asked, confused.

"No, you're not so wrong, young man," replied the unknown man in a confident, cheerful voice.

"Who are you?" I said, raising my voice nervously.

"I can't show you my face for obvious reasons. This is not a dream.

I opened my eyes wider, trying to understand what was happening. Everything seemed confusing to me, with great gaps to be filled.

"That doesn't answer my question. Who are you? I said, raising the tone of my voice.

"Don't worry. I can't tell you my name, but I can tell you who I am.

"Then who are you?"

The strange man laughed before speaking.

"I am the creator, the one who sees the future, the past, the present, and makes events as he pleases. You can call me the god of creation.

I sighed before speaking, as this seemed like a weird dream, and besides, it seemed like a rather childish god.

"I don't believe you, but I suppose I must.

"Are you really not going to believe me?" said the god of creation.

Darius looked at the man, with a mixture of distrust and confusion. The attitude of the god of creation was cheerful, even playful, as if he was enjoying his confusion.

"I can't believe what you're saying," I thought, but I didn't say it out loud. He was completely puzzled, was this guy really a god? I didn't know, but something in his presence seemed... unreal. Something didn't fit, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

The god of creation smiled mischievously, and folded his hands behind his back.

"You're not going to believe me, then?" he said, as if it were a game for him.

I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn't deny that there was something about his attitude that invited me to keep talking, despite how strange it was.

"Look, I know this must be a little hard to believe, but..." Sometimes, you have to put a little faith in things. You know? I can grant you a wish, something that makes you believe in me. What do you think?

I was silent, thinking. A wish? That was too tempting an opportunity to pass up. But there was something odd about his offer. Why offer me something like that so easily? What would he gain from that?

However, the idea of a desire... it was tempting. The truth is that there was something that constantly worried me, something that burned me inside.

"I want to be the best magician," I said, before I could stop. I want to be recognized, I want the contempt for magicians to end. I want to be stronger than everyone, I want to have glory.

The god of creation stared at me, as if he were assessing my answer. There was no anger in his eyes, only curiosity, as if he already knew what he was going to ask for, as if he had planned everything in advance.

"A very interesting wish," he said with a mischievous smile. But are you sure you're willing to pay the price? Nothing in this world is free, young Darius.

I didn't stop to think any more. I had already made my decision. If this meant reaching my goal, then I would be willing to do anything. After all, the road to greatness was never easy. And I was ready to face whatever it took.

"Yes," I answered, with a firmness I had never felt before. I am willing to pay any price. But tell me what the price is to pay.

The god of creation began to laugh as if it were a game

––I said something funny? I answered loudly

The god of creation calmed down and said

"I can't tell you the price, it's something only I can choose

My eyes widened wider, but seeing that this seems like a joke like a game I responded

"It's all right, I accept the price you'll set, and also not knowing what it is."

The god of creation walked over, the smile on his face remaining intact, almost as if he was enjoying the moment. His eyes shone with an inhuman intensity, and his tone of voice was like that of a child playing with something too big for him.

"What you have asked for, Darius, is not something to be given lightly. It's not just about magic or power, but about something much deeper, something that will change you forever.

Although his words did not give me much clarity, something in his voice made me believe that he was serious. I felt more restless, but the need to gain power, to prove that magicians still had a place in the world, pushed me to keep going.

"Then when will it be done?" What should I do now?

The god of creation smiled even more, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of amusement and mystery.

"Just wait, young wizard. The process will begin right now. The transformation will be painful, but it's part of the price. If you really want glory, if you really want to be the best, then you will have to go through this path.

At that moment, the air around me became denser. A wind began to blow strongly, but it was as if it was coming from all directions at once. I felt the pressure increase in my chest and a strange sensation invaded me.

"This is real!" I exclaimed in my mind, but I couldn't help feeling uncertain. However, there was no turning back.

The god of creation stretched out his hand towards me, and in his palm appeared a bright, luminous sphere, which seemed to absorb the light around him.

"This is what I will grant you," he said, in a solemn tone. The glory you desire and the magic you seek. But remember... The price will be paid in due time.

The sphere shone brightly, enveloping me completely. I couldn't move or speak. I felt a strange pressure, as if something inside me was waking up, but I couldn't identify what. It was as if everything was changing, but in a way I couldn't comprehend.

Suddenly, the sphere exploded into a thousand pieces of light. I fell to the ground, stunned. I looked around, and the world began to blur. Dawn was beginning to appear on the horizon, but something didn't fit.

"Did I wake up?" I whispered, not knowing if what I had experienced was real or just another dream.

"Darius!" Darius...!

I felt a blow to the head and turned quickly to see who it had been.

"Don't fall asleep!" Adam said, visibly annoyed.

"What's wrong?" Why are you hitting me? I asked, frowning as he put his hand to my head.

"You've fallen asleep and I've called you several times. Wake up! Remember that today is dungeon day.

"Excuse me," I replied to Adam as I sat up. When I turned my head to the right, I saw Helena asleep next to me.

I got upset; My breathing fluttered. I swallowed hard and tried to stay calm. Then I turned left... and there was Selene, also asleep.

I couldn't stand the pressure. I got up suddenly, almost stumbling.

"Adam, why are these two here?"

Adam, with a confused face, answered:

"I don't know... But they were already there when I woke up. I envy you though, huh?

"Stop the nonsense, this isn't funny. Wake others up. I'll go to the bathroom... far from here.

—Yes, of course. But you're lucky that Liam is still asleep, otherwise you'd already fall prey to the "haha".

"I wouldn't laugh," I replied as I left the place.

As I walked away, memories of my dream came back to my mind.

"Is there really a creator god who made this world?" I murmured as I walked away from the camp. It seems silly...

"But why did you laugh...?" I added quietly. I remember very well that that guy smiled at the end.

My head was full of doubts and confusion.

I arrived at a nearby forest, and while I urinated, I couldn't stop thinking about all this. The feeling lingered, as if it hadn't been just a dream.

Meanwhile, Liam woke up. When he got up, he sighed and looked at Adam, who was already getting ready.

"So encouraged by the dungeon, Adam?" Liam asked with a tired smile.

Liam looked away and was surprised to see his sister Selene asleep by Darius' bedside, even though he was no longer there.

"Adam—why is my sister so close to Darius's bed?" He was by my side!

Adam, somewhat nervous, answered:

"I don't know... I guess he crawled in his sleep. But it is not the only one... Helena is also there.

"Those crazy women," Liam murmured, frowning. But I'm more worried about my sister. I recognize Darius, but I can't allow him to have a relationship with her.

Tarek and Kael began to wake up slowly, their eyes still narrowed from sleep.

"And those two are still asleep next to Darius's bed, even though he's no longer there," Kael said mockingly.

"It was a headache to get so busy sleeping last night," Tarek added, rubbing his eyes.

Liam frowned even more, this time turning to them seriously.

"So... did you see how my sister ended up there?" Liam asked, addressing Kael and Tarek directly.

They both nodded without hesitation.

"The two were fighting because there was only one place," Tarek said, shrugging.

"But in the end, each one stepped aside... as if it were the most normal thing in the world," Kael added, amused.

Liam was shocked. His expression froze for a few seconds as he watched the scene. Then, he lowered his head, covering his face with one hand, embarrassed.

"It can't be... my sister?" "Shame on you," he muttered under his breath.

Although he didn't fully understand Helena's motives, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. What was he thinking? Those thoughts were swirling in Liam's head, filling him with confusion.

In the end, he shook his head, as if wanting to leave his ideas behind, and stood up to start enlisting with the others.

Meanwhile, I returned to the camp with a calmer face, although inside me the doubts continued to grow like a flame difficult to extinguish.

Did I really talk to a god? Was it a dream or something else? Every step I took on the wet lawn of dawn made me feel more awake, but no less confused.

When I arrived, Adam had already lit a small fire and the others were getting ready for the expedition. When he saw me, he looked at me and said:

"Have you let go of all the tension or have you fainted there?"

"Ha, ha... Very funny," I replied with a forced smile as I approached the fire.

I sat for a few seconds in silence. I watched Selene and Helena still half asleep, while Liam pretended not to look at them, though his eyes couldn't hide his discomfort. I didn't say anything. I just sighed.

Today we're going to enter a dungeon... And I have a feeling that something will change.