A familiar azure sky with alabaster clouds greeted me, my body was racked with pain and I laid soundlessly writhing in agony.
"Goddamn it," I cursed in a scratchy voice.
Despite the throbbing, I sat up shrouded in wheat that fluttered gracefully and I rose to my feet shakily. I swiveled around slowly surveying the landscape for water then remembering the earthquake. A twinge shot through me and I plopped onto the ground. It remained unmoving. I began to stomp wildly and with each step I grew even more infuriated.
"You don't control me Loki," I shrieked.
I was suddenly blinded by the scorching sun and waves of frustration radiated off my being. That sycamore tree swayed with the breeze, it was difficult to see even with cupping my hands over my eyes. I didn't think confrontation was the right approach at the moment but to the east was something rather peculiar. I hobbled to find an arid, barren land with sun-dried dirt and dying plants. No color or life but a flash of burgundy caught my eye before I turned to leave, crimson berries which were still vibrant and alive on a dying branch of a plant. The only living thing in this wasteland, just a peek and I recognized them f-from Russia?
Can memories be implanted into these dreams?
The berries that could survive in the harshest conditions and environments even if the plant itself was dying. The Jerusalem Cherry. After the drowning experience, it was duly noted this place gave no indication to what was real besides-
Pain. Should I dare to? Will he know? What if it doesn't work? It'll hurt, just get it over with.
I pushed the berries past my lips and swallowed them, not bothering to chew. Soon I collapsed onto the torrid ground, doubled over gripping my stomach and gritting my teeth. My breathing became labored and an appalling sound erupted from my throat and acid crawled it's way up. A scarlet foam leaked from my mouth and I dry-heaved before spewing out blood at an alarming rate, I laid down but an unceasing flow of blood continued to spew out leaving a coppery tang with each gag. I gazed into sun letting it sear my retinas before the light faded from my eyes.
Darkness. Consciousness. Elysium.
It's over.
That elation turned into fury that flew through me at that very familiar azure sky with alabaster clouds.
"What? This can't be! I-I- died!"
Am I d-dead? Is my lifeless body laying somewhere forgotten? A fall that short resulted in death? No! I refuse to believe it. Lies! I'm no frail, pathetic moral! No!
The bitter aftertaste of acid lingered making me snarl, I stood up swiftly stumbling and tripping over my feet, falling on the ground and rising slowly this time. Loki still stood diligently there as always and a dreadful feeling resided in the pit of my stomach.