Eludrest City

“To one holding this letter,
I know not who you are, but if you are reading this letter then I believe it right to assist you in discovering my fate and, who knows, perhaps in adding a new page to a strange and ghastly story I have become involved in.
Let me tell you first and foremost that this letter is far from a suicide note, for though I distance myself from the world of the waking and, perhaps, by extension the living – it is not my intention to leave it permanently. Though the chances are slim, I still hope to reawaken with new clarity in my mind. Until this happens I have little to contribute in this regard to you, but I will tell you what I know, starting from the beginning.
My name is Dr. William Connover and I am an oneirologist, in other words someone involved in the study of dreams and the process of dreaming. My research has permeated all aspects of my life up to this moment and, unfortunately, in time it may have also adversely affected my family. Three months ago, my daughter, Tatiana Connover, who had been helping me with my research into the phenomenon of lucid dreaming, unexplainably died in her sleep. As terrible as this tragedy was however, the story that brought me where I am right now, and likely brought you here where I left this letter, is not solely about my daughter’s death.
You may have noticed the increasing frequency of deaths among children, with the circumstances quite baffling yet possessing one common element – all those children died in their sleep. This coincidence was not initially taken by me as part of a greater pattern, yet I began gathering notes on all those cases, their absolute majority discarded due to the supposed “peaceful” nature of the children’s deaths. Having studied the cases I have come to a conclusion, that the last world they had been to prior to their demise was that of dreams. It is based on this assumption that I believe this very dreamworld to be the holding place of the key to what has really been going on.
Thankfully my research enabled me to find a way of inducing a lucid dream in an individual regardless of their innate capabilities to enter one. A combination of sound frequencies and ingested sedatives provides the necessary bio-chemical stimulation. I shall not go into details of this particular discovery, though you may refer to my journal for information if you find it imperative. Suffice to say, I have become the first test subject of the finalized formula. With any luck, I am presently asleep and already exploring the dreamscape, seeking clues to this troubling case.
Losing my beloved daughter was devastating. I may not be able to reverse it, but I know I cannot rest without trying to bring closure to the issue. More children are likely dying and I must make my contribution to putting an end to it. I know not if I will or can be successful, but I enter the lucid dream with resolve, hope and determination. And should I fail, I hope your luck turns out better than mine.
Farewell, and good luck,
Dr. William Connover”

He could remember writing those words. His handwriting was steady, methodical – that of a man who made a decision and was not going to turn from it. He remembered the medicine he took, the cool water washing it down into his throat. Then the headphones he put on his head beginning to emanate the first notes of an infinite loop he’d programmed into his computer. A blend of sounds, some those of a single continuous note, others pulsing and throbbing, slowly sinking into the background before being captured by his sense of hearing again and emerging on the surface. But all of it had sunk into the depth of his mind before sending it far and beyond, where it would be encased in a far different body under a far different name.

Zoen’s awakening was a nostalgic thing, though the feeling of return was not without a subtle hint of change stemming both from prolonged absence of sensations in this vessel and from the changes inevitably brought about by the passing of time. Yet he had obtained control of himself very soon. Perhaps lucid dreaming was like controlling a familiar form of transportation. With some support the skill could be rejuvenated and utilized again without much of a problem. Such was the case of Zoen Leed as well. The young man has been standing outside one of the empty buildings of Eludrest. He had the time to consider various things such as the differences he felt about himself, the position his Inner Self must’ve been in prior to his return here. Had the figure of the man with shimmering golden bangs obscuring his eyes been seated right here all this time as if in silent contemplation? Had he been missing from here altogether until the dreamer returned?

But, all those undoubtedly fascinating thoughts considered the man needed to move along. Lingering in one spot for long was counter-productive, especially one quite as empty. So seeing things around him clearly despite the obfuscating bangs over his eyes he moved along at a steady yet somewhat casual place, heeding all that was happening around him. He chose a direction somewhat on a whim and somewhat on the feeling that the dreamscape tended to present the necessary location to one who took the effort to move. His hands were held in his pockets as he headed onwards, a slight smile on his face. This adventure really did hold quite some endearing nostalgia to it…

They were lost. There was no question about that. Nozihar angrily reflected on how they got here. Rahizon had pointed in the wrong direction! That had to be it. Nozihar spared a moment to glare at the ever grinning face of his companion. That stupid green dumb-ass! Didn’t even know where Tinker Tocker was. ‘Why did you point in this direction anyway if you don’t know where Tinker Tocker is?!’ Nozihar was yelling, unable to hide his frustration from the green apparition any longer.

’It is not my fault you took a wrong turn halfway there.’

The creatures static filled voice drifted off along with the echoes. Nozihar was quiet. He hadn’t taken a wrong turn did he? And if he did, why didn’t Razihon warn him? Hmm? He nodded to himself before vocalizing his thoughts. ’Why didn’t you warn me then?!’ The creature merely shrugged an infuriating shrug in answer. Nozihar wondered for a moment why he was so upset, getting lost was usually an adventure, filled with new places to see and explore. But this particular detour had taken them close to Eludrest City. He hated Eludrest City. Creepy place, filled with the regrets and sadness of those who were once like him. Nozihar shook his head to try and erase the memory of his visit there. He wasn’t even sure if what he saw was real or not and he didn’t particularly care either. It was scary. That was what mattered.

’Someone is approaching.’

Razihon had turned and looked in the direction of a blond man coming in their direction. His hair covered his eyes and he seemed to be smiling. Nozihar frowned as he watched the man. He couldn’t be sure if the man had noticed him from this distance and it didn’t matter. He was coming from Eludrest City, that fact alone was enough to arouse both interest and suspicion. No one would go there if they were a good person, right? Right! And bad people needed to be taught a lesson. Nozihar nodded to himself once more before forming an ethereal snake out of thin air, the artificial creature the same hue and pattern as Razihon before launching it in the direction of the now approaching man. This was sure to scare the man away from Eludrest City from now on. Razihon turned back to Nozihar before adding his opinion to the chaos that was now erupting around the pair.

’I would suggest diplomacy first.’

Nozihar could only shout back at the Appiration, ‘Shut up! I’m only gonna scare him! Now leave me alone!’ A slight shrug was the only answer Razihon had to that particular suggestion.

He’s been walking for some time through the city, though not quite doubting the path he had chosen. Dormant memories were awakening one by one, though not in the form of easily envisioned images – rather it was like a gut instinct rising from a long slumber. He welcomed it. With his goals it would be important to regain the proper skills of navigation. He would stop every now and then to talk to one figure or another. The shapes of Inner Selves, forgotten or not, varied wildly. He’d seen a strange feline creature with shifting swirly patterns upon its coat; he’d seen a young male with stag-horns; he’d even seen a being not unlike a crayon drawing, completely flat and moving by shifting across a flat surface. Contemplations concerning their counterparts in the waking world were quite exhilarating yet he had to move on further. Sooner or later, he believed, his feet will end up taking him to a livelier place, where the Inner Selves wouldn’t be quite so dormant. All those he’d encountered so far were responsive to outside stimuli, but seemed to return to a stagnant state as soon as he ceased interaction. That could well explain lack of particularly useful facts to hear from them.

It was no wonder that a sudden “livelier” encounter wasn’t initially noticed by him. The one accompanied by a strange green companion had all the chances to surprise Zoen, the latter having been walking for some time with nothing but the conversations he’d shared with the residents of Eludrest and his own steady (though casual) advance occupying his mind. When an ethereal construct shaped much like a snake suddenly passed through his chest, flying through and behind his back, he stopped, though not quite due to fear but rather a sudden unexpected contact. The angle of his head shifted very slightly, indicating that his eyes were now in front of him and not lowered to the ground. His smile was reduced to half its original size due to the shock, but was still present as he looked ahead at the one who must’ve launched the snake.

“My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.” He mused in a casual tone, his reaction wildly playing down the aforementioned “greeting” from the one in front of him. One might have thought such a comment would be due if the stranger had made an eccentric twirl and a bow, then done a backflip, concluded by standing on his hands and clapping his feet enthusiastically. Launching a green snake through someone probably required a far less laid-back response. Nonetheless, Zoen was still looking at him with his smile, his eyes still concealed by his slightly shimmering blonde hair. “Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?” He questioned in a friendly manner.

Nohizar frowned before bringing his thumb up to his mouth to softly chew on the nail. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t right. This man barely seemed startled and that was a stretch of the imagination on Nohizar’s part. No this wasn’t right at all. Slight fear suddenly showed in Nohizar’s eyes, what if he was like him, only far more powerful? What if he had signed his own death warrant just now? What if…

’My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.’

Nohizar blinked at the man’s reaction. Was it just him or was he still smiling? Yes, he was most definitely smiling. But why? It had to be a trick. To lure Nohizar into a false sense of security. That’s what adults always did. Talk and talk to get him to do things that they wanted, but never caring about what he wanted. Nohizar shook his head. He wouldn’t nod and smile as the adults tricked him. He’d show him. He’d show…

’Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?’

Nohizar blinked once more, his mouth slightly open in surprise. ’Very charming.’ Razihon’s voice cut through the slowly lengthening silence between the three like a knife would cut a particularly soft butter. Nohizar nodded to himself once more. Razihon was right. It wouldn’t do to let the adult keep the initiative. He had to seize control. With only a slight pause after Razihon’s words Nohizar stood up straight. His mouth once more contorted into a smirk of confidence that was only slightly marred by the discomfort he felt. His voice came out loud but slightly higher in pitch than it would usually be as he addressed the man.

’M-my name is Nohizar!’ Yes good, don’t show him your discomfort. Instead make him fear you. Nohizar nodded to himself once again, as his confidence grew. 'And I am the king of the expanse plain! Ruler of the city you are trespassing in!’ He gestured towards Razihon, as the rest of his discomfort disappeared the more he talked himself up to the stranger. ’And this is Razihon, first of my creations and one of the greatest warriors in this land’ Razihon could only chuckle at the introduction, but kept his silence. ’And what is your name, stranger?’ Nohizar finally added, puffing up his chest in a way that would only be considered a sign of confidence in cartoons.

“Oh?” There was a slight pause after Nohizar voiced his introduction of both himself and his companion. And while the blonde-haired man was certainly pleased that he managed to find out their names, something was quite obviously off. It has been a long time since he’d been here in this world, that is for sure, but he was still certain that this abandoned city had no conceivable sovereign among the Inner Selves dwelling it. “Hmmm… You say that, but from what I remember, this area doesn’t really have a ruler, or a king…” He murmured thoughtfully with his hand brought up to his chin. For a mere moment he seemed to be in contemplation over the fact he’d just voiced, though perhaps discreetly observing Nohizar’s reaction, but soon he laughed softly.

“I see, I see. Well of course, it is only fitting that this place would have found its sovereign, isn’t it? My name is Zoen Leed. Feel free to call me Zoen and I hope you will accept my apologies for trespassing.” So he spoke with an elegant bow in the direction of the “king” and his “great warrior”. As he stood straight again his smile was, as before, the only obvious feature on his face. After taking in the response of those two he’d encountered, whether verbal or otherwise, Zoen continued to speak. “To be honest, I wasn’t counting on remaining here in this city much longer. I was in fact heading somewhere with more people where I could hunt on clues about a certain something. Surely one of you must know the quickest way to get there?” He tilted his head slightly, though this still didn’t make his bangs obscure his eyes any less.

With all that said, Zoen had his reasons to assume that those two could prove somewhat helpful as companions if anything else. In retrospect the object that had passed through him was likely a construct born of this boy’s Sphere. Under different circumstances letting his guard down while walking would’ve probably been a very bad idea, so Zoen was secretly glad that he took no damage as the attack wasn’t intended to do him harm. For now perhaps playing along with the game of a trespasser and a self-proclaimed king with his warrior would be a much better idea. After all, do games not end up teaching children valuable lessons every now and then?

“Of course if it is bothersome I can go and find my own way to Tinker Tocker.” He concluded, shrugging his shoulders slightly and looking straight ahead at the boy. It was his move now – would he keep up his self-proclaimed title now? Furthermore, would he remain here or would he head onwards? Did he just find a potential ally heading in the same direction, or…? The answers hinged on Nohizar’s response…