Relapse

So it as just a dream, huh...

That was my verdict after waking up back here. As I went through my morning routine, albeit far more hurriedly than usual, I thought about what an experience it was.

It had been a while since I had a dream that vivid. I had even been self-aware during it, at least from what I remembered. My memories of that strange place were rather hazy, like often happens after waking up from a dream. I could still remember what had happened, but it felt very distant. But that just proved even further that it was nothing more than just that: a dream. I felt rather disappointed, or at least I thought so.

As I biked at high speeds to the supermarket, already planning out what excuse I could give my manager, the events of last night's dream still occupied a corner of my mind, invading my thoughts at random, before hiding as quick as they came.

Work that day was truly unremarkable, even by my standards.

Upon finishing my shift, when I tried to remember what I had done over the course of it, I couldn't recall a thing.

I went back home, stopping by the school to wave to my parents. When I saw them both in the courtyard, I felt much more emotional than usual, although I wasn't sure why. When I arrived home and retreated up to my room, I felt slightly drowsy, and it could hardly be considered evening before I could feel myself being pushed into sleep, like waves on the ocean crashing against my consciousness.

I couldn't tell you what my thoughts were before I fell completely unconscious. The last thing I felt, as forces far beyond my control pushed me into the mental void of sleep, was the feeling of standing on the precipice of two opposing layers of eternity, as the gray tower solemnly loomed.

...

When I first started to regain slivers of consciousness, it felt as if I was ascending languidly through the ocean, as the waters radiance shown brighter and brighter, until I peaked my head out of the waters. I opened my eyes.

An unfamiliar ceiling, an unfamiliar bed. As I tried to understand my surroundings, a wave of memories rocked me to my core.

This was where I had fallen asleep as I ended that dream last night. No, not a dream. This was most definitely reality. How had I mistaken that? Dreams didn't feel like this. This level of self awareness wasn't possible.

Speaking of forgetting, my memories of yesterday were a little hazy. I remembered getting up and going to work, but—

Oh, of course. That was a dream. I must have been feeling homesick or something, so when I fell asleep here, I dreamt of home. That would explain why the details of yesterday felt foggy.

I got up from the bed, noticing I was still wearing the same clothes as I was before. Maybe I could wash them in the river today, to get them clean. This would be the third consecutive day of me wearing them, and I didn't want to go much longer.

I looked around my room. I could see the sun just peaking over the horizon from the window on the—wait, how was that there? There wasn't even a second floor from the outside of this cottage, let alone windows.

Out of overwhelming curiosity at what I would see looking out of a nonexistent window, I walked over to it. There didn't seem to be any way to open it, but looking down, I could see I was indeed on the second floor of the house.

"Well just more question to ask" I thought, as I remembered the events of last night. The old man named Serric had promised answers in the morning. It was time to get them.

I opened the door and walked down the hallway until I reached the stairs. It was still early, and I didn't hear anyone else awake when I listened for sounds. Maybe I would have to wait a little while to get my answers. I quietly crept down the stairs and into the living room. It was empty, and slightly dark. The fireplace crackled softly, illuminating the room and furniture with a warm glow. The feeling these elements gave off was indescribable.

I walked across the living room over to the other side of the house, opposite to the side I came from yesterday, and looked out the window there. I was greeted by a sight I was quite accustomed to; fields of flowers stretching as far as the eye can see, while the apocryphal mountains on the horizon gave way to the hints of first dawn. There was one novel addition, though. There seemed to be a small porch area outside on that side of the house, and the girl named Rowan sat in a chair out there, looking out towards the horizon. I couldn't see her face. As I watched, she stood up and walked out into the flower fields. I could see she had her sword with her.

And before I could even blink, she had drawn it, and commenced the most beautiful display of swordsmanship imaginable. Her movements were as calm as a flowing stream, but their force seemed to cleave the very air apart. Imaginary targets all around her were hit by a torrent of slashes, until she gave the conclusion to her symphony of swordplay, and sheathed the sword in a single fluid movement.

She started walking back from the field, seemingly towards her chair, but before I could move away from the window, she saw me. As I stood, stunned, she gave a proud smile, possibly the last reaction I expected. I could see her start walking towards the back wall of the house, and without any warning, she seemed to step into existence right next to me.

"What did you think? Pretty damn cool, right?" She grinned.

"How did you do that?"

"It's a secret."

I wasn't sure if either one of us knew whether we were talking about her sword skills or her magically appearing inside the house, but before I could ask, I was interrupted by a voice behind me.

"So, would you like those answers, boy? I imagine you've been waiting."

I turned around. Serric stood behind me, wearing a smile and comfy looking pajamas. It was a bizarre sight, to say the least.

"Sit down. Let's talk. Rowan, you may listen as well if you wish, but this is all information you know already. I am going to explain to our newcomer here the truth behind the situation he is in."

As Serric sat down on the closest chair, I sat down on the couch. Rowan sat down beside me, and I tried my best not to get flustered. I could tell it was failing.

"So, boy. What is your first question? You get three free ones. After that, you pay for each one."

I hoped he was joking.