Part 3

"Listen to the wind's song, as it sings you to sleep. Deep into the dreams where time is never-ending. He holds his hand out to all those who pass but never do they escape. Pulled deep into the abyss where nothing is as it seems. Lost, oh lost, are we, deep in dreams. Ask for freedom and you shall receive none, for to awaken is to die—to awaken is to remember. Listen to the music and drift back into the wind, drift back into a world where dreams are real and the only certainty is that life will end."

I glance over at my companion as her voice fades. That was a lovely song; I wonder if like the poem recited by the children it means anything in this odd world. Strangely enough, her presence hasn't been as horrific as I anticipated. As a matter of fact, I quite enjoy her being around. She has so many interesting stories and songs. I hadn't realized just how boring this trip had been until she joined in. She looks over at me and smiles. "It's the song of the Prince. Everyone here knows it." Everyone here? Just how many people live in this weird place? "He lives in the castle." So the sign wasn't lying then; there really is a castle here. Although, the fact that the words 'blood' and 'tears' were involved gives me much pause.

"Ah, here's what we're looking for." Huh, that's strange. In the middle of our pathway is a line of mushrooms, trailing into the woods with no direction and no discernible road. "After you, Arthur. Follow the mushrooms!" Oh! I get it! The mushroom house! That must be where Saito lives. And this path is just another way of getting there.

Alright, why not? I stop when I hear a loud laugh. I look up. There you are. I was wondering when you'd return for me. "Oh Ariadne, you are such a child," she says. My companion scrunches her nose and I can see her resisting the urge to stick her tongue out. "You, like all the others, are so determined to lead him astray."

Wait, what do you mean astray? The girl I now know to be Ariadne—why she didn't tell her name before now is a mystery—rolls her eyes. "You know as well as I do that this is the path to Saito's. That's who Arthur needs to see so that's where we're going." Wait wait, can we go back to the whole 'being led astray' thing?

My quirky guardian gives the girl a contemptuous look. "What one wants and what one needs are two very different things."

"Arthur seeks knowledge. To gain knowledge one must seek Saito," Ariadne huffs.

The woman hunches over and rests her elbows on her knees so she can cup her chin. "Knowledge is deceiving." She turns her mischievous eyes on me and says, "Arthur dear, try not to be too distracted by pretty words and inimitable objects. They will not help you on this journey." Yet how do I know that you are any more trustworthy than the people who have directed me thus far? How do I know whose words to listen to and what paths to follow? I can only do my best, lady. She merely smiles at my dour expression. "You'll figure it out, Arthur. I know you can." I blink once and find that she has disappeared yet again. Damn it, how does she do that?

"Ugh, stay away from her, Arthur. She's a trickster, that one." Is she now? She's always been a bit strange, but she hasn't done anything to me…yet. I guess the question is: who really knows what's best for me? I sure as hell don't seem to. "Hurry up, Arthur! Saito's probably waiting for us."

Frowning, I follow along behind her. There's not many options at this point is there?

We step out from the trees and come across a quaint house. The outside is painted in splotchy shades of browns and blacks, making a quirky spotted pattern. Although the house is modern in a way, it seems to grow larger as it rises in height, with a straight bottom and another two levels that stick out over the lower floors. How it is architecturally sound, I am unsure. Logically, it doesn't look like it should be able to stay upright. Nevertheless, the reason why it is called the mushroom house is now clear.

Making our way to the front of the house, Ariadne holds out her hand to stop me. "Now Arthur, when we get in, just let me do all the talking." Frowning, I lift an eyebrow to explain to her my contempt. When she sees it, she groans. "You know what I mean, Arthur." Do you now? "I'll tell Saito where I'm from so you don't have to do some freakish sign language thing." So nice of you to think of me, but let's get going. I am curious as hell to know why everyone has been directing me to this place.

Moving around her, I head to the front door and knock. Instantly, the door is pulled open to reveal a young man with ragged brown locks and a sour expression. "Here to see Master Saito I presume. Come in." He shuts the door behind us and hollers, "Mr. Saito! You have visitors!"

A firm voice calls back, "I will see them in here, Mr. Nash!" Ariadne and I follow Nash down through the parlor before stopping at a wooden door.

"You shall address him as Mr. Saito or nothing at all. And stay off the rug, it's made of wool and not easy to clean." Alright, fine, we'll stay off the rug. With a swift turn, he is down the hall and out of sight. Odd man that one.

Ariadne taps on the door and a "Come in" greets us. We step into a room covered from ceiling to floor in bookshelves. I wonder what they all are. In the center of the room sits one long table surrounded by six evenly spaced chairs. At the far end sits a middle aged man sipping from a tea cup. His dark eyes are sharp and focused, following our every step. On the table in front of him are a small china set and an ashtray with a still smoldering cigarette dying inside. The smoke curls upwards almost as if it had a mind of its own. I glance over at Ariadne to find her grinning from ear to ear. "Hello, Saito! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm here courtesy of the Duke."

I look back to Saito to find his eyes trained on me. "I know who you are," he replies. "But do you know who you are?" It doesn't take a genius to realize he's talking to me. Almost unconsciously, I run a finger over my lips just to feel the thick threads woven into my skin. I shake my head. You know I don't, Mr. Saito. Why bother asking the question at all? "Should that not be your question then? Or would you rather steal away from here with useless drivel and nothing more than the assurance that we are actually asleep?" What? Your line of thinking doesn't really follow. You cannot prove to me that I am indeed dreaming, for everything about this place is real and tangible. Not to mention, how can you possibly know what information is useful to me and what isn't?

Saito watches the thoughts flicker across my face and laughs. "So tell me, Arthur, what is it that you wish to know?"

I frown. Before I have time to attempt to sign anything though, Ariadne speaks up, "He wishes to discover how to release his bonds."

Saito's eyebrows rise. That's an interesting reaction. "Does he now?" he replies. Those dark eyes of his stare into my mine, shining in amusement. "If you say so." Wait, what are you smiling about? Clearly there's something else you think might be more prudent. Saito says, "And what is to be your payment? Her?" He does nothing more than give a quick glance Ariadne's way before turning his attentions back on me. Quick, precise, and to the point—you seem like a very intelligent man, Mr. Saito. I can appreciate that.

"Yes, I am going to be his payment, if you'll have me," Ariadne says with a smirk.

"What use are you to me, girl? I usually only except the small children. You are…quite large indeed." Saito grins at his own joke and I restrain the urge to laugh. I like you, Saito; you're alright.

Ariadne looks insulted for all but half a second before smiling. "I know you think I'm useless Saito, but I'm a lot smarter than you give me credit for."

"Is that so?" the man murmurs. "Alright." He sets his tea cup down and grabs hold of his cigarette to take a long drag. The smoke curls about his face as he blows out a breath. Well that's intriguing. I watch the smoke shape itself into a large ring as Saito puts down his cigarette, utterly nonchalant about it. This whole experience just gets more fascinating by the second. I wonder how he does that.

Saito coughs causing me to drag my eyes back to his face. "For Arthur to continue on this particular path, you must recite to me the poem of the 'Blood Prince'. Can you do that for me child?"

Ariadne rolls her eyes. "Of course I can."

"Then proceed. If you attempt to deceive me, I shall make your lives most difficult." What? Is this man insane? I glance over at Ariadne but she's nonplussed by his words. Okay, you've led me this far. Please don't let me down now. Sensing my nerves, she turns and gives me a quick smile. The smile, remarkably, settles my nerves. Of course you can do this. You sang to me the song of the Prince earlier. Surely, this can't be much different.

"Soaking up his tears of blood, freedom is as freedom does. Spotted lips of whitest rain, dragged out of darkness into day. Yet freedom of the heart he will never find, for true love is trapped within one's mind." The words are met with a light clap. I have to agree, that was a pretty nice piece.

"Very good, little one. I suppose I will keep you." How nice of you, Saito, but perhaps you may have considered using different words. You seem a bit arrogant. But then, judging your character isn't what I'm here for. "As for you, Arthur, I need only ask you once. Are you afraid?"

Of course not. Being afraid would require more information than what I have to go on. At this point I'm just along for the ride. I shake my head and in return Saito smiles at me. You know, people here (wherever here happens to be) need to quit smiling. Besides perhaps Phillipa, none of you are really pulling off the sweet and innocent look here. Your twisted lips hide far more than can possibly meet the naked eye. Saito stands and makes his way around one side of the table. He pauses in the center of the bookshelves and pulls out a single volume. He throws the book on the table, the cover of which reads, Limbo. Limbo huh? The place between Heaven and Hell? That's a curious title for a book to have. The bookshelf gives a high pitched creak, before pulling forwards and sliding to the side. Holy hell, what is that?

Saito steps aside and swipes his hand forward. "Your castle awaits, Arthur."

You mean you want me to walk down that dark passageway into nothing? Are you insane? What the fuck is on the other end of this tunnel? Saito claps his hand and instantly a line of torches lights the passageway. Okay, okay, I guess I can do this. Right? It's no trouble at all. None. Do I want my lips undone or not? Well then Arthur you have to move forward. I take in a deep breath and step over to the opening of the bookshelf. Ariadne calls to me, "Good luck, Arthur." Yeah, you keep saying that, Ariadne. Good luck has nothing to do with it.

I step inside the tunnel. A thick silence presses in against me till I can practically taste it on my tongue. The last thing I hear as the door closes behind me is Saito's disembodied voice, "Remember, fate is what you make of it."

When I step outside into the sunshine a rock wall slides in behind me and seals off the tunnel. Okay, can't return that way even if I wanted to. This is a nice place though. Surrounding me is a beautiful garden; there are a couple of sparsely spread trees and flowers everywhere. The petals of the flowers are white, spotted with flecks of deep scarlet as if blood had been sprayed haphazardly across their surface. Despite the grotesque imagery, there is still a strange sense of peace that fills my gut when I gaze upon them. I wonder if it's the flowers themselves or if it's me. When I glance down, I happen to find another wooden sign sticking out of the ground with the letters fading and the edges chipped. The only word the sign has to offer me is, 'Exit'. Exit from where? The garden? This place? Let's go find out shall we?

I walk towards the archway to leave the garden. Fuck, really? A door? That's what the sign directs me to? Is it even open? I twist the handle. Low and behold the door swings open with an ominous creak. "Welcome Arthur. I was wondering when you would get here. Or if, in fact, you'd get here at all."

Who the fucking hell are you? My stare is met with a shining pair of green eyes and streak of red. Wait a moment. Didn't that one woman warn me about this man—the man with the green eyes? A loud laugh rifts through the air. "Arthur, don't you recognize me? You should."

I look into his smiling face but nothing seems to click. The dark hair, the green eyes, and the white spots around his lips…the white spots…This must be the Blood Prince! That explains the streak of red on his cheek and the white scars. I wasn't expecting that suit though; although that suit does look a bit familiar. Ah, I've got it! That looks like the clothing I'm wearing. Reacting to my thorough examination, he says, "You don't see it do you? Clearly you have much to learn." I'm not quite sure what you mean. "So what can I do you for, Arthur? The bonds? That is why you took this path, is it not? You want me to free you and take from you the threads that keep your lips sewn."

You're being oddly reasonable. Yes, I would like you to take out these threads. What's the catch though? What's your price? Everyone here who gives help seems to have one. I rub my fingers together to indicate the inquiry. He laughs again and the sound reaches down inside of me and clenches uneasily. You do not strike me as a very comfortable person to be around. "The price? The price for my services is very simple, Arthur. All I ask of you is to look into a mirror once I'm done." You're joking. You want me to look at myself in a mirror. What the hell kind of purpose does that serve? There must be something more to it than that.

After my delay in responding, his eyes start to narrow. "Arthur," he says, voice growing cold, "I do not make offers twice. You either take it or leave it. I can promise you that if you decline, you will not see those threads removed for a long time to come. That is my only warning on the matter." I cannot trust you, but then, who can I trust in this bizarre place? If you do not remove the threads, who will? Alright, fine. All I have to do is look in a mirror? Then why not? I give a hesitant nod and the corners of his lips curl into a smirk. Yeah, the smile thing definitely does not work for people here. "Very good, very good."

He raises a hand so I can see it and then…snaps his fingers. Christ, really? How is that—I feel a slight tingle around my lips. Is it—are they really gone? Very gingerly I attempt to open my mouth. YES! "Oh fuck, finally!" I cry. I did it. I spoke! Oh it's so nice to hear the sound of my own voice! How did you do that?

I hear the sound of clapping. The man looks at me before tapping a finger on his nose. "Our arrangement, Arthur. Here, take a peek." He steps over to a table and grasps hold of a small hand mirror laced with edges of gold and silver. Has that table always been there? Then again, I haven't really taken the time to look at the room; it's very dim and all that's really discernible is shadows and that man. "It's for you." He passes me the mirror. I take in a deep gulp of air—through the mouth—and close my eyes. It's just a mirror, Arthur. What harm can it do? I bring the mirror up to face me and then I open my eyes.

"No, that's not—that's not possible." The man staring back at me, the man in the mirror, it is him. How? The Blood Prince and I, we are the same man. How can that be?

My eyes dart up to look at him. A fresh tear of blood spills down his cheek and over the curve of his sneering lip. "Don't you see, Arthur? Everything here was of your own making, of your own design, for you chose this path. You had the opportunity to change course, but now it's time to leave." I don't understand! What do you mean time leave? None of this makes sense!

"Look into the mirror, Arthur. It's time for you to wake up." What are you saying? I glance back down at the glass to find its shining surface covered in blood. Christ! "Wake up, Arthur. Go home."

NO!

I'm falling.

Up.

Into darkness.

Someone please help me.

Please.

Time freezes.

I am alone.

Then I crash without a sound.