THE DREAM


Black. Everything was black as far as the eye could see. Or at least, as far as Dilandau's eyes could see. He wondered for a moment where he was and then he began to

walk. He didn't know where he was going, if anywhere, but he tried. As he walked many stars began to appear around, as though he were in the sky. It was beautiful,

stunning. After a few minutes of walking he stopped. He could a pale light in front of him, like an orb.


Something was up ahead. No, someone.


"Hello?" he called. The figure didn't seem to hear him. It did however, seem to get closer, or larger. Yes, larger, it was turning into the figure of a human. A boy, Dilandau

noted. A boy who... who looked just like Shesta. Except that this Shesta was robed in white. Long robes of pearly white lined with jewels, beautiful jewels and silk. He looked

like a god.


But wait, thought Dilandau. He seemed to be tied to something. A star. No, an obviously religious design of long boards in the shape of a star. The boy's head hung low, as

though he was asleep, or worse, unconscious. Dilandau studied him for a moment. Yes, he was obviously tied to this..thing. Tight ropes wound his body like one tied to a

stake before being burned. But the illusion (or so Dilandau supposed thought) was not yet complete. Another object appeared right in front of the boy. An arrow? No, it was

getting bigger. Dilandau waited, when suddenly, it stopped, and he gasped. A harpoon. A giant metal arrow pointed directly at the boy's chest.


"Hey!" Dilandau yelled at the top of his lungs, "Wake up, quick!" He was desperate, the boy looked too much like Shesta for this to be safe, "Please, wake up! Can you

hear me?" Dilandau stopped. The illusion was finally becoming complete. A tall, silent figure had appeared behind the harpoon. Wrapped in dark, thick, yet silky robes of

purple and black he looked at the bound figure. Dilandau fell to his knees. It was HIM!


Determined not to let that be true, he let out a cry, "WHO ARE YOU?" he pleaded. The tall figure did not turn. Instead, the other boy made a reaction. He lifted his head

slightly and looked into the eyes of the dark one, who turned to Dilandau. Dilandau shuddered.


"You wish to see him live, don't you?" asked the menacing figure behind the arrow. No, thought Dilandau, for it was indeed his voice.

"Yes," he answered.

The dark one laughed, "Oh really?" he responded, "Do you know what he will do to you if he lives?"


At this question, the prisoner on the star raised his head in an attempt to look the enemy in the eye. His lips moved, he was going to speak;

"I...no...," was all he could manage, but it was enough for the Dark Lord. "SILENCE!" he yelled, turning to the boy viciously.

Suddenly, quicker than Dilandau's eyes could see, it happened. The arrow, or whatever it was went off and hit the boy square in the chest and they dissapeared.


"NO!" cried Dilandau, falling to his knees, tears in his eyes, which had turned a dark burgundy-colour. He lowered his head and wept. He felt something touch the back of

his neck. A feather? Yes, he was surrounded by white, falling feathers. Van? he thought. No, it couldn't be. The feathers started to gather around him. Beautiful, they were

indeed, soft and white, whiter than snow. He caught one as it fell, it landed gently in his hand. He let it go. He then felt a hand under his chin lifting his head. The Dark Lord or

whatever he was had appeared in front of Dilandau. His fingers were under Dilandau's chin, holding his head and looking in his eyes.


"Do you know what he will do to you if he lives?" the shadowy figure asked again.

"It doesn't matter anymore," said Dilandau, "You killed him."

"It would take more than that to kill him," said the figure, with a strange gleam in his eye, "He is a god."

"A god?"

The figure let go of Dilandau. The dream faded. A piercing scream filled the air.

~

In his bed Dilandau jumped. He looked over into the face of a horrified Shesta.

"Lord d-Dilandau.." he stuttered, "I didn't mean.. I'm sorry...Forgive me for falling asleep, sir! I didn't mean to I swear!"

Shesta had hung his head and bowed right there, kneeling on the bed, stuttering apologies.

Despite the dream he had just had, Dilandau laughed. He lifted Shesta's head in his hands and looked at him in the eyes.

"Shesta," he said, "If I was mad at you, then the moment I had seen you here, I would yanked you up by the back of the neck and thrown you out of the room. Did I do that?"

Shesta shook his head. "No," he murmured.

"Well then," said Dilandau almost cheerfully, "Now that that's settled I think we should get some more sleep." His look turned stern. "There's something very important that

I still need to talk to you about in the morning." He turned over and fell asleep again, this time, without dreams that he could remember...

***


Gomen. I know this chapter is kinda short, heh heh. It was meant to be just the dream, but that was way to short by itself so I decided to lengthen it a bit. ; )