Aaric flew towards the island, humming to himself as the wind parted before the barrier. He discharged his flas from his legs to increase his speed.
He suddenly stopped, staring at an island covered in black mist, golden runes floating through it. Many giant, winged snakes floated around the mist, guarding the island.
Aaric tilted his head and stood still in the air, a little way from the island. The snakes glanced at him but did not attack.
"Hello, owner of the island?" he shouted, hoping soone would hear.
"Hmm?" a questioning hum ca from the island.
Aaric gave a small bow. "I am sorry to disturb you. I felt a pull towards the island, may I enter?" he asked.
The snakes stopped moving midair and looked at him for a mont. Then they lined up on two sides, making a path for him, and the mist cleared, forming a small opening for him to enter.
"Thank you," he said as he stepped through.
He landed on the ground and walked for a mont before spotting towering cypress trees lining winding paths that led to a palace carved from moonstone and basalt.
Aaric raised an eyebrow and moved towards the entrance, noticing a three-headed dog guarding the castle. Aaric smiled as he saw the dog and patted all three of its heads.
"Sorry boy, I wish I had so treats on ," Aaric said as the three heads nuzzled him. Behind the dog, the castle doors opened.
Aaric gave so final pats before entering. The hall led to a grand throne room with two thrones present.
On one throne sat a man with short black hair, wearing a business suit embroidered with gold.
Aaric smiled at the man. "Thank you for welcoming . I am Aaric Hawthorne."
The man leaned back on his throne and waved a hand.
"Hades," he said with a smile.
Aaric raised an eyebrow. "The god?" he asked directly.
"That one," Hades said with a small laugh, standing up. "And I know you already."
Aaric raised an eyebrow again.
Hades smirked. "You’re quite famous among the gods after soone butchered the ssenger of the Outer Gods half to death in front of Azathoth himself." His teasing smile widened.
Aaric scratched his cheek and looked away.
"Her exact words were sothing like ’Don’t even look at my boy again,’" Hades continued, embarrassing Aaric even more.
"Please stop," Aaric said, and Hades patted his head.
"Why would I? Your reactions are priceless," Hades teased, and Aaric just looked up in despair.
A woman’s laugh was heard as she chided Hades lightly. "He’s too cute to be tornted by you," she said, pinching Aaric’s cheek.
Aaric spread his hands and looked at the sky. "Please take , God," he muttered.
Persephone looked at him, amused, and asked, "What brings you here?"
Aaric shrugged. "I don’t know. I was passing by and felt curious, so I asked if I could enter."
"What a polite boy," she said, ruffling his hair.
"Shall we prepare a seat for our guest?" Hades said, snapping his fingers.
Aaric found himself sitting on a sofa with Hades and Persephone in front of him, tea and snacks laid between them.
"I thought you both would be a little... different," Aaric admitted.
The couple shrugged.
"I’m glad I was wrong, though," he added quickly, making Persephone smile.
"You won’t need to look far to find worse versions of us in the Dreamlands," Persephone said.
Aaric raised an eyebrow. "Can you tell more about the gods of the Dreamlands?" he asked.
Hades nodded, then asked suddenly, "Where did you just co from?"
"There was an island with rat people..." Aaric began, trying to explain.
Hades nodded. "How long did it take you to reach here from that island?"
Aaric tilted his head. "I... about ten minutes, maybe fifteen?"
"How big do you think this island is?" Hades asked.
The more questions Hades asked, the more confused Aaric beca. "It’s bigger on the inside compared to the outside," he said finally.
Hades nodded. "You call this place the Dreamlands, but we are not in a dream, are we?" He leaned his elbow on the armrest, resting his head against his hand.
", her, this table, this island are all real and tangible," Hades said, pointing at himself, Persephone, and the table.
Aaric nodded.
"This realm gives real existence and tangibility to dreams," Persephone added.
"And this is true infinity," Hades said. "The dreams of mortals create new lands and gods, and those gods in turn make universes like the one you ca from."
Aaric nodded again.
"My island has enough land to form a planet itself," Hades said, gesturing around.
"And you could have stumbled on it even if you went in a completely opposite direction," Persephone noted, sipping her tea.
"What I an is, there are an uncountable number of us here," Hades continued, gesturing to himself and Persephone.
"We are born, have our own experiences, and evolve into our own people," Persephone said with a smile.
Aaric nodded. "Can you enter the waking world?" he asked.
They both shook their heads.
"We can form avatars in the waking world, but we cannot manifest there in full strength without the Sands of Morpheus," Persephone explained.
Aaric nodded, sipping his tea and trying to hide any reaction.
"Can I take sothing from here to my world?" he asked.
They looked at each other.
"Even for us, it would be very difficult..." Hades muttered, pinching his chin in thought.
"If you form a spirit bond with sothing here, maybe then. But the thod of retrieving the object in your world would be very painful," he admitted with a shrug.
Aaric smiled. "Thank you for your hospitality, I should leave." he said thinking of his promise to Luna.
Persephone made a small pout, at which Hades chuckled.
"I’ll co back whenever I can," Aaric promised.
"Go in any random direction while thinking of eting us, and you will arrive here," Hades told him.
Aaric scratched his head, and Hades snapped his fingers. They appeared on the shore. Aaric took off, waving as the gods waved back.
"See you," he said, flying away. He sped toward his island, paying attention to how much ti it took him to return.
"Ten minutes, huh," he muttered as he landed.
He looked around and found so fairies, floating around the island, tending to the plants and animals.
He saw Luna and called out to her, she was a little downcast but after hearing his voice her face blood as she smiled at him.
Aaric got a glimpse of her expression and felt guilt in his heart.
He approached her and poked her cheek "I am at your command to do as you please." He said and she smiled mischievously.
A/n: power stones and reviews please.
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