The multiverse is more than just a prism…
It is ever expanding and ever growing…
A place where one choice, one fork on the road can lead to many opportunities…
But every spark of brilliance there is a spark of madness…
These are the stories of both…
A dapper man with brown hair and spiky beard connecting to his hair stroked said beard as he looked out into the endless vastness of the Isles of the Great Library. He smirked like a devilish imp while adjusting his small glasses before his sharp eyes. Outfitted with a dark gray suit with a black bow-tie, a white buttoned up shirt, golden buckled black shoes, he gave a very devilish and mischievous appearance. As he glanced out the window of his lavish mansion, his eyes turned to a book depicting the subject of dreams.
Dreams. They are the gateways into our deepest and most fragile subconscious parts of ourselves. They show our greatest aspirations and our deepest fears. Some would say that they are where the best and worst parts of ourselves spiral into each other and mash into who we are. And just like every snowflake is unique in its shape and form, so do what make up a person's ideal dream and life. A noble ambition many great heroes of ancient pantheons and legends share with the common, humble folk across the multiverse…
Many strive to make those dreams and lives a reality, going through tribulations and challenges to fulfill their dreams without complaining a single time. Yet there are those that do so at the cost of many and won't stop until they reach what they see as the one single truth. These some call a dreaming madness, while most common folks call nightmares. And those very things are not always meant to travel outside of the Dreaming realm… The Domain of Dream… Lord Morpheus… One of the Endless… The Sandman…
But just because the king of dreams has a steady hold on the dreams and nightmares of his realm, it doesn't mean one or two things don't slip his grasp. For even the smallest of nightmares can lead to madness and bring forth a torrent that could bring the multiverse to the brink of chaos. And that, my dear reader, is where the story begins…
Dream Realm
Dream walked through his kingdom, wearing his iconic black tunic on top of his pale white skin and black hair. His eyes like stars shone brightly as he watched over his kingdom with the accuracy and notice to detail paired only to those of a hawk. Every step he took through the dreams of his many guests to his kingdom were careful and soft, making sure not to disturb them. Usually, he would have his dreams and subjects help in such a daunting task, but he'd sent them to check up on certain worlds that needed more close attention than the small dreams of the visitors to his kingdom.
The king was taking a much more active role as of the last few nights, and he had a good reason to do so. For it wasn't that long ago that a great evil deed was committed in his domain.
"Where are you?" Dream groaned in desperation. "You should know that you can't escape me in my own domain, least of all with one of my treasures." Dream's eyes caught a dream that had a glowing red footprint.
Dream jumped down into the dream like plunging into a pool, with his sand pouch and mask by his side, he jumped down to defend his domain and those that visited it. It was a role that he rarely took on his own, but time was of the essence. If the item that was stolen was ever used in the waking world by a mind as twisted as the one the thief had, then it could destroy everything that made the dreams unique and affect the waking world in ways no one could predict. Dream knew this as it was his duty to maintain the dreams of all the multiverses in check. Like a dam separating a city from the tides of the ocean, even one crack between them could spell disaster to them both. It would be an invasion of all dreams and nightmares that would wipe all the stories from the Great Library clean from existence and he would not allow it.
Going through what felt like diving deep into the waters, Dream found himself in a Greek temple where red footprints led him to the great statue of the king of the gods, Zeus. He'd seen many dreams that took place in such a place. But this one felt much more sinister than the past iterations he'd visited. The heroic journey that the dream had once had was now being drained by a force that once fed it. Suddenly, a great red light illuminated the temple room, forcing him to cover his eyes with his helmet. Now he could see it. The thief and his stolen loot.
He narrowed his eyes as he saw a cloaked figure kneeling before the statue, holding a large red ruby above his head. Energies gathered around the ruby as the cloaked figure looked at it like it was a brand new star in the sky.
"Yes, yes, just a little more, my precious." The cloaked figure muttered with mad glee. "Soon I'll have it. Soon I'll have what's been kept from me. From us."
"That is not for you to keep," Dream spoke, making his presence known to the interloper. "Return the Dream Stone to me, and I promise you, a punishment that most humans would call bearable." He held out his hand as the cloaked figure turned back, holding the ruby close to his chest like one would protect an infant.
The cloaked figure turned around, revealing a tall creature with a pale white skull for a face with glowing red eyes sprouting from his sockets. He wore a black cloak over his body, a dark blue shirt, pants with a gold buckle belt, black gloves and boots. This was the nightmare known as Dr. Destiny. He held the ruby with a golden chain in one of his hands.
"Never. I've slaved for your rules and the whims of the dreamers for far too long!" Dr. Destiny snarled. "When do I get my fair share, huh?! When do I get to live my best dream?! I've seen what lies beyond the wall of the dreaming and the wake. If I take the Dream Stone with me and I get the best of a few worlds… then I'll get a dream of my own." Dr. Destiny almost sounded pitiful.
Though his plea did tug at Dream's heart strings, the Sandman knew what would happen if Dr. Destiny accomplished his mission.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do so, Dr. Destiny," Dream said, unmoving, steadfast in his position. "If the walls between the dreaming and the waking are sturdy because the powers that make up each stay separated. If they are broken and weakened by any force, then you'll cause chaos and madness to spread through the realms of the multiverse. What you're planning will do just that. As the Lord of Dreams, I cannot allow that."
Dr. Destiny's once pitiful look turned sour and bitter, glaring at Dream with fire in his eyes. He'd seen it to be possible and no one would stand in his way. No mortal, god, hero or villain would stop him. Not even his former master would stop him from getting his happy peaceful dream. He held up the Dream Stone with both of his hands as it radiated power and energy.
"Then I have no choice but to move you, Lord Morpheus!" Dr. Destiny fired a red beam from the ruby.
Dream pulled out a handful of his sand from his pouch, creating a shield to block the attack. He was not much of a fighter given his status. But the last thing the king of dreams would do was take any unnecessary risks in his own domain. The fight needed to be quick. He vanished into thin air before wrapping the dream they were inside. The walls bent and warped around Dr. Destiny, causing the nightmare to fall and tumble as the dream took a much darker and bizarre aspect.
Dr. Destiny fell down a slope made up of the temple floor. He was then tossed and thrown into the large living statues of the gods of Olympus. They punched him and slammed him into the ground. Whenever Destiny got a blast from the ruby in, he was met with chains and large stone hands holding him down. He groaned in pain as he was pinned against the floor.
"You didn't think it would be that easy in my domain, did you?" Dream asked.
"No, but you have little power elsewhere." Dr. Destiny slammed the Dream Stone against the floor, creating a large crack. "See you in my dreams, Lord Morpheus!" Dr. Destiny fell through the crack that he'd created, leaving Dream and the Dream Realm behind.
Dream reappeared from thin air with narrowed eyes.
And that, dear readers, is how I entered this story…
House of Mystery
"Hello, dear readers. I'm sure you're aware of who I am," Cain said before raising an eyebrow. "You don't? Cain? From the other story? Still nothing? You mean to tell me you haven't read the previous story? Naughty, naughty. I recommend reading it for context. For all those that are still here, allow me to re-introduce myself. I am Cain. Owner and keeper of the House of Mystery." Cain gestured to the lavish mansion filled with treasures from all corners of creation, and with many sinister shadows that hid its secrets from all.
Cain walked through the halls of the House of Mystery with the book in his hands. As he walked, he passed several items of sinister and heroic background that he'd collected over the centuries. First was a small pink crystal orb inside a metal pendant that exuded magic and pure Quintessence. Next was a green arrow set up next to a wanted poster for Eda the Owl Lady and Green Arrow. Then there was a piece of a glowing green moon rock with a plaquette that read 'Gamma Quadrant of Sector 4'. Then there was a bullet encased in a special glass orb that had the name 'Boston Brand'.
"You know the House of Mystery. It's that house down the street that you could've sworn wasn't there before. It's that house you see people going in but no one comes out. Here all the treasures forgotten or misplaced find their spot." Cain poured himself a drink from the Davenport Development Drinking Globe before walking to his other showcases of his collection. "I am a collector of the odd and bizarre, a creature of specific tastes you could say. And stories are the one thing I love to collect the most." Cain walked past the golden belt that belonged to Thor, a half-eaten Peach of Immortality, and a busted white Volkswagen Beetle.
Cain reached a large wooden mast of an old Greek ship. It looked worn out and had clearly seen better days. It looked like it had been used in a great adventure and now spent its retirement in the House of Mystery as a well deserved reward.
"In fact, this is my latest acquisition and the reason for my involvement in our previous story. The mast of the Argos," Cain said. "Mind your head around that mast, it took the life of its dear captain… That reminds me of a story, actually. Aboard that vessel were two incredible individuals. Both Demigods in their own right. This is the story of how I met and went on an adventure with Hercules and Orpheus."
Earth: -8991
What if The House of Mystery existed in ancient Greece?
"I had decided to stretch my legs in the ancient land of Greece, one of my favorite ancient lands, when I heard that the son of Zeus was taking a trip on some interesting mission."
Cain, disguised as a traveler, spotted Hercules walking next to his satyr trainer Phil towards the docks. The world traveler and keeper of oddities had expected many things in his travels, but to see a demigod in such a humble appearance was something new indeed, and it opened his mind to curiosities to come. He simply had to follow them to wherever their journey took them both.
The young demigod looked a little too thin despite his Herculean strength, with slightly curly red hair, a red headband, blue eyes and slightly tanned skin. He wore a brown leather gladiator armor with a blue cape hanging from his back, forearm guards and gladiator sandals that reached up just below the knees. By all accounts he had the appearance of a young hero. But he had the young man reeked of being a boy scout with little to no knowledge of the real world
"I just don't understand, Phil. Why do we need to follow this Orpheus guy anyway?" Hercules asked. "If we took Pegasus we'd be in and out no problem."
"Because, kid, this mission requires a certain degree of tact and our odds against Hades's goons himself ain't good if you just punch your way through," Phil replied. "Besides, Apollo asked to have him come with us to get the Fleece in the Argos."
"I'm just saying. What's a musician going to do if monsters come knocking?" Hercules spotted a young man flirting with all sorts of women by the fountain. "I mean, no offense but what's a lyre going to do when a cyclops comes to stomp on us?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe a melody as sweet as mine will put the big brute to sleep while you struggle to keep up with his strength." The musician started playing his lyre as more women swooned around him. "After all, if these beautiful ladies are mesmerized by it, no one with a beating heart could help themselves. Besides, you're one to talk. You may dress up like a hero, but your looks leave a lot to be desired. I bet you couldn't even best one of these lovely ladies." The musician spun one of the maidens for added flare.
Hercules growled and tightened his fists. Despite being the son of Zeus and Hera, having the strength of a god and being trained by Phil, maker of heroes, there were still those that looked down on him. From the monsters and villains he faced to the pompous jerks at school he had to save, and now some little womanizing musician thought that he didn't fit the look of a hero.
"Who does that guy think he is?" Hercules growled.
"That would be Orpheus, my young friend." Cain walked up to the two travelers, revealing himself.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Phil asked, noting the sketchy look on Cain.
"I apologize for disturbing you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cain and I'm a humble collector of pieces of art you'd say." Cain bowed before them. "I couldn't help but overhear you talking about your quest. It appears we'll all be together in the Argos. I do hope we can get along."
"Yeah, whatever you say, pal." Phil gave Cain a look over, clearly not trusting the older gentleman.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cain. I sincerely hope you're more of a pleasant companion than a certain womanizer. I bet a single splash of water will knock him clean." Hercules shot a glare at Orpheus as he was about to kiss the pretty woman in his arms.
Now it was Orpheus' turn to scoff and glare at the son of Zeus.
"I have heard of you too, believe it or not, Hercules. And it seems the rumors about you being a sapless brute are very sadly true." Orpheus started playing his lyre. "Apparently you didn't even know of your true heritage up until recently. And during that time you were nothing more than an outcast and a clumsy wrecking ball with legs. Too bad I'm all out of sympathy for someone like you. But then again, your parents must not have taught you how to be delicate with your strength." Orpheus watched Hercules fall for his words and taunts like a predictable fool.
Hercules had had it. He didn't care what this jerk said about his looks or his strength, but no one insulted his parents if they valued their bones not being snapped to pieces. Mortal or not, this musician was going to learn to mind his tongue. He stomped towards Orpheus, cracking the ground slightly with each step.
"This will be interesting," Cain said as Orpheus played his lyre.
"Alright pal, let's see you play that lyre with broken fingers." Hercules reached out to grab Orpheus only for his hand to be caught by the maiden Orpheus had been seducing earlier. "Huh, hey miss, mind letting go?"
The maiden's eyes were blank and half-lidded, seemingly not hearing Hercules's words. She then stomped on his foot, much to the shock of Hercules before punching him in the face. Her strength was now something he could feel, which was not something just out of thin air.
"What the?" Hercules regained his bearings from the shock only for the maiden to attack him with punches and kicks. "Hey, what's the matter? Who are you?" He stopped one of her punches, grabbing both arms, trying to stop her without hurting her. "Would you please stop?!"
"My, my, it seems you haven't noticed." Orpheus continued playing. "This is the power my lyre has. From bending the elements to swooning the hearts of people. Your brute strength pales before me and the little tune that gave that darling maiden a boost." Orpheus played as the maiden flipped Hercules into the fountain, breaking it.
Hercules growled as Orpheus laughed at him. It was a dirty trick to use someone else to fight your battles. Especially if that someone was a woman his strength could easily split in two.
"As I said, you couldn't beat one of these lovely ladies," Orpheus laughed.
Hercules growled as the water fell on top of him. But that gave him an idea. He pulled his hand back before slamming it into the water. His move sent a splash of water at Orpheus at the speed of an arrow and strength of a bull.
Orpheus barely got time to react as the splash of water sent him back to one of the nearby stands.
"And as I said, you couldn't take a single splash of water." Hercules dried his cape.
The two young heroes were ready for round two only for Cain and Phil to step between them.
"Alright, kid. That's enough of that. You both got some good hits there. Cool it, both of you." Phil turned to Orpheus as Hercules listened to his mentor.
"Yes, I believe it is time we all went to the Argos. It'll set sail soon I believe." Cain gestured them on to the next leg of their journey.
Cain watched Hercules and Orpheus walk side by side, trying to out pace each other at every step. It was a hilarious attempt at finding out who was number one from the two of them. Human nature at its finest in his opinion. They both had the makings of heroes, but who could say about their paths. This trip would be quite the delicacy to enjoy. This was much better than watching them through their dreams alright.
"Oh, if only I had some popcorn." Cain walked after the heroes and Phil with a smile on his face the whole time.
As the group sailed on the Argos, Cain took this chance to observe not only the ship but the two young heroes that were his main source of entertainment. He watched them try to best each other in every way. They played cards against each other, with Hercules losing, only to find that Orpheus was cheating. They then tried fishing with Hercules pulling up a small school of fish with his net only to be bested by Orpheus as he serenaded the fishes out of the water. They both seemed to be evenly matched in terms of skill, though they had different strengths and abilities when it came down to fighting. To Cain, it was all the same, as he watched them while eating some popcorn.
"I truly am having a blast, aren't you, Mr. Phil?" Cain asked the satyr.
"Yeah, a freaking barrel of laughter." Phil rolled his eyes as the boys got into another argument. "I hope those two get over this whole nonsense before we reach our destination."
"Well, as they say the journey is what matters, not the destination," Cain said. "Popcorn?" He offered the satyr.
"Nah, I'm good." Phil walked up to his protege to get him to stop.
Hercules and Orpheus were pushing each other to see who was strongest. Something that would've been easy for Her, but thanks to Orpheus' lyre, the waving of the boat was playing against him.
"Give it up, Jerckules, clearly you're no match for my finesse." Orpheus pushed.
"Says the guy who needs to rig the game to have a chance." Hercules pushed back. "What are you without that lyre anyway?"
"What are you without your strength?" Orpheus shot back.
"Enough. Quit acting like babies." Phil split them. "We're here." Phil pointed to the island before them. "Wait, what the heck is that?"
The two young heroes and Cain looked up at the island that they were about to make land on. At first glance, it looked like your average Greek island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, but this one had something different from the others. Something that made Cain almost drop his popcorn. Almost.
At the very top of the island lay a city, a city made up of buildings made out of a blue-ish material and orange tiled roofs. The architecture was far more advanced and unlike anything that the young heroes had seen. Some buildings had tall spiky towers. Others had curved arches that connected separate towers to the buildings. And even their statues stood with greatness upon them. It glowed and reflected the light of the sun like glass but it still held a mighty and imposing quality as though the whole city was indeed made out of glass yet stood at the very top of Mount Olympus with great pride.
"Whoa, Phil, what is that?" Hercules asked, putting his hand over his eyes for protection.
"Not sure, Herc. I've been to this island before but never had it had such a city pop up out of thin air before." Phil scratched his head. "I got nothing. Must be the work of one of Hades' goons."
"It looks like a city made out of crystals," Orpheus said.
"Glass to be more specific." Cain walked up to join them. "That is the legendary City of Glass my friends. According to legend, it is supposed to be in Africa though."
"How do you know that?" Phil asked.
"I'm a collector, remember. And sometimes what I collect are stories," Cain said. "The City of Glass was an ancient African city where humanity began. It was built on lush jungle fertile lands along a river and "spread out more than a man can walk in a day" as the legend goes. It was led by a wise queen and all lived in harmony and prosperity by following a single rule. A rule of not getting involved with beings beyond their mortal bonds."
"Um, what does that mean?" Hercules asked.
"No demigods basically, my dear boy." Cain replied. "Sadly, someone broke that little taboo, leading to the city being purged by a great fire. And that was the last anyone ever heard of it, but it seems someone has brought the city back from legend and myth."
"It must be some kind of trick from Hades. Only a god could bring something like that from the dead," Phil said. "And the Fleece is the bait for us to go in."
"A problem for you perhaps, but the lord of the underworld hasn't faced my music." Orpheus played his lyre.
"The city holds many dangers to fight invaders, Orpheus. You need to be careful." Cain warned.
"Besides, you're not going in alone." Hercules reminded Orpheus they weren't going anywhere. "This is our quest."
"Please, if you stepped into that city you'd wreck it with your clumsy feet." Orpheus mocked Hercules which devolved into another growling contest.
Cain took his attention from the battle of egos between the heroes before looking at the City of Glass. He remembered how it was destroyed back all those thousands of years ago when the queen fell for his master, the Lord of Dreams. There had been nothing left after the queen broke that taboo and yet the city stood in the distance, looking at them like a ghost of a past life. He wondered if this had something to do with the rogue nightmare Morpheus had told him to look out for. In retrospect, he probably should've been doing that instead of adding to his collection. But now, if the return of the city was tied to the nightmare then he could just say that he was working on his mission and call it a day.
However, a glistening caught his eye.
"Um, gentlemen, it would seem that it is best for us to abandon ship." Cain pointed over their heads.
Hercules, Phil and Orpheus looked up at where Cain was pointing to and were shocked to see a large fireball coming towards them. They rushed to tell the captain to turn the ship out of the way of the incoming attack. The fireball struck the ocean, narrowly missing the Argos. But the waves and steam that came from the attack, left them all partially blind as a second fireball came towards them.
The captain turned the ship over and over, trying to avoid the incoming balls of fiery death, but it seemed that for each one he avoided there was another fireball coming their way. They narrowly avoided the flames, but the sail had been burnt almost half way through.
"What is this madness?!" Orpheus demanded.
"It would seem the city doesn't want us to get close to it." Cain offered his insight. "It isn't uncommon for such cities to have defenses like that to protect them. Though I find it odd that a city that was destroyed by fire would use fire to protect itself. Something is definitely afoot here."
"Well, we gotta do something before we're all barbecued!" Phil pointed out as another fireball came their way.
Cain rolled his eyes as he figured he had to give the young heroes a hint.
"If only someone could make the waters move us faster and if only someone else were strong enough to smack the fires away!" Cain dramatically called out. "Oh woe is our fate!"
Hercules turned to Cain and then to Orpheus who seemed to get the same idea. He rushed to the partially useless mast of the Argo, breaking it free, much to the shock of the captain and the sailors.
"Alright, you move the waters and I swat the fires!" Hercules reeled back the mast like a club.
"Don't think you can order me around, Hercules!" Orpheus played his lyre, moving the ship with the waves of his music.
Hercules didn't bother to respond. He kept his eyes on the sky waiting for the next fireball that came towards them. Narrowing his eyes, he looked for any sign of light through the steam, holding the mask tightly and ready to swing it.
"Herc, two o'clock!" Phil instructed.
Hercules saw it. A large fireball coming down on them. He swung the mast, wacking it away from the flames with the mast. As the crew cheered, he saw another ball of fire coming down on them. With a backhand serve, he struck the fireball away from the ship. With Phil's help, he saw the other fireballs coming towards them and did his best to swing at all of them as Orpheus got them closer to the shore. The weight of the mast was nothing to the strength of Hercules as he swung it with ease, hitting every single fireball that got ever closer to them. But the many bat swings were taking their toll on the mast as it now looked like it had been set on fire.
"The mast won't last long, you got at least one or two swings left, kid!" Phil called out.
"That'll be plenty! We're about to reach the shore!" Orpheus smirked.
"About time, were you waiting for me to do all the heavy lifting?" Hercules asked, hitting another fireball away.
"Excuse me?! I'm the one working his fingers to the bone." Orpheus played faster, making the ship pick up speed.
"Um, kids," Phil said, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"Do you not comprehend the dexterity needed to play such an instrument?" Orpheus scoffed. "Of course not, you'd sooner break it or kill your teacher before mastering it."
"I don't need to play some musical instrument to be a proper hero!" Hercules snapped. "You wanna talk about dexterity? Because I've got plenty of it when it comes to training and using my strength when it really matters. I don't use it to swoon girls like you do."
"Kids." Phil called louder.
"Please, do you think I need my lyre to swoop fair maidens off their feet? I could do that with a smile and a blindfold!" Orpheus laughed, playing his lyre faster.
"I really hope you realize that there are women that won't be fooled by that whole act you're pulling. I pity you in fact!" Hercules retorted.
"Kids!" Phil called out.
"Pitty? Me? What would you possibly pity?" Orpheus demanded.
"Your whole womanizer persona isn't going to last and one day you will find out that all those poor girls you've 'swoon' off their feet eventually found real happiness." Hercules glared at Orpheus. "A real love that's not born out of magic or magical music instruments. And when that day comes, you'll see that all your galavanting and tomfoolery was only passing."
"Why you-" Orpheus began.
"KIDS!" Phil screamed in their ears.
"WHAT?!" They asked, only to be suddenly thrown forward.
They had made it to shore with everyone else and with only minor bruises and scratches. Everyone groaned in pain as they picked themselves up from the harsh stop.
"Everyone alright?" Hercules asked, getting groans and a few thumbs up in response. "Well, that's good enough I guess."
"Yes, what is a cohesive sentence when groans of pain are given in response." Cain commented. "Cheer up everyone. Broken bones and pain are a sign that you all lived through something horrifying."
Hercules helped Phil back to his feet as Orpheus dusted himself. The two young heroes glared at each other as they continued walking towards the city. Cain gave one look at the busted mast before following them. He was far too invested in the rivalry between the two heroes that he just had to follow them. Besides, he liked his odds more with them than without them if what was going on had to do with the rouge nightmare. But he did make a note about taking the mast to the House of Mystery, he still needed a piece for his collection and this was turning out to be quite the story to go with it. A win win in his book really.
Hercules and Orpheus glared at each other with every step that they took, making sure that the other knew that their little spat was far from over. Though Hercules had some sense of guilt for what he said. He just couldn't bring himself to apologize because his experiences with Adonis hadn't exactly left him such a good taste. It felt like for every step forward he took, someone would beat him just because of his "better looks". It infuriated him to no end. But a part of him knew that it wasn't right to pin all those things on Orpheus, who for the most part was far better company than Adonis ever was. All that Orpheus had really done was stand up for himself against his own insults. An apology might be in order.
"Listen, Orpheus, what I said back there was-" Hercules began.
"Oh you hear that? No? Neither do I." Orpheus walked farther away from the group.
Hercules let out a sigh of understanding. He wouldn't want to talk to him either.
"You really screwed it with Orpheus, didn't you?" Phil asked.
"Yeah. I just thought that he was just like Adonis and that no matter what I did he would just insult me at every turn." Hercules explained. "I didn't think that he'd take it so personally. He was capable of going blow for blow with me and all. I thought he'd be tougher I guess." They continued talking as they walked until Cain caught up to them.
"Musicians like our friend Orpheus wear their emotions on their sleeves, not unlike many people I've come to be acquainted with, young Hercules." Cain explained as he walked next to them. "Unknowingly, your comment hurt his pride, and he sought to use his own skills to prove you wrong. And your talk about how in the end his bravado and romantic nature would leave him alone struck a cord that would require more than a simple apology to mend. I suspect genuine apologies will be needed here after you prove that his skills are more than just for show."
Hercules dropped his head in shame. His temper had gotten the better of him and now the mission was in jeopardy.
They continued to the top of the island where they were met with the City of Glass. They hid behind some large rocks, not wanting there to be a chance that the fireballs would try their luck once more. They waited quietly for a minute before they peeked out. There were no fireballs, and there didn't seem to be any fireballs coming their way, in fact there was nothing and no one coming their way.
"Curiouser and curiouser," Cain said.
"Shouldn't someone come out and keep guard on the city?" Hercules asked.
"Or to check if there are no uninvited guests coming their way." Phil stepped out from behind the rock. "If the Fleece is there we gotta find it and get it back to Greece before anyone else takes it away."
"If that's the case, we should split up and search for it." Orpheus walked towards the city, only to be stopped by Hercules.
"Hang on a sec, Orpheus," Hercules said. "That city was shooting fire at us just a second ago. We can't go in without a plan."
"He is right, young Orpheus. The City of Glass was once home to many people before it vanished. It reappearing and starting shooting fireballs at incoming ships is not something to be taken lightly." Cain advised. "There's bound to be more than a few surprises here and there before any of us get close to your prize."
"Why are you here, Cain? You said you were a collector but there's little to collect here." Orpheus challenged.
Cain found himself in a crossroads. He usually loved those. But he needed to be clear and vague enough to keep the heroes on his side long enough to solve this little mystery.
"Oh but there's oh so many things to collect here. But don't worry, I'm not here for the Fleece you keep mentioning. The item I'm looking for is in the hands of a man, if you could call him that, and an item that he stole from my master." Cain explained. "The item I seek is a little ruby rock with a golden chain wrapped around it. That is the only thing I've come to recover and the only thing I will take. You have my word." He bowed, adding to his explanation.
"A ruby, eh?" Phil hummed.
"Precisely." Cain turned to face the city. "Now, shall we go on our way?"
Hercules, Phil and Orpheus all had questions. But so far they were at a loss while Cain had all the answers. With shaky trust, they decided to follow.
The group walked through the city streets, their footsteps echoing with an eerie rhythm. The magnificent buildings of the City of Glass did not soothe the echoing sound of their steps. If anything, the great city's architecture and streets added to the unease that filled three of the group's members. No shadows were seen moving about their day. No animals barking, chirping or mewling on the streets. Even the wind had stopped blowing through the city. They were the only four living beings in the fabled city.
"There's no one here," Orpheus said. "No one except us."
"I can't even hear the waves of the sea below us." Hercules put his hand behind his ear. "It's like there's nothing around us."
"And this place is supposed to be a nice spot, Cain?" Phil asked. "Cause, I ain't staying longer than I need to."
"The city used to be full of people before it was destroyed. Which means that this is but an incomplete mirage of the City of Glass." Cain touched one of the buildings.
"What do you mean by that?" Hercules asked.
"Touch anything. Any of the buildings, even the street if you want and you'll see what I mean." Cain instructed before they did as he said.
As soon as they touched the other buildings, they all felt it. The buildings didn't feel right. They were solid but squishy, almost as though a blob was putting the walls together. Similar to how you put your hand on a blob of ice cream or a slightly wet sponge. It was there but it was only in partiality. One would say that it was an illusion slowly taking form but not completely.
"Man, this feels so weird." Hercules looked at his hands, shaking the feeling off. "That's not like any building I've ever touched."
"Same here, kid." Phil dusted his hands. "The street feels more like someone painted over the dirt and grass. This is some shoddy work."
"But why bring back a mythical city here of all places?" Orpheus asked.
Cain's ears perked up at the sound of something being whispered by the town square.
"I believe we're about to get our answer." Cain gestured to them to listen.
The heroes and the satyr stayed quiet, listening to whatever Cain wanted them to listen to. It was a whisper. A whisper that bounced and echoed in the empty city. The whispering of the only other living being in the city. They quietly followed the whispering through the streets. They slowly made their way to the city center, where a temple had been erected by the gods. But the one in the middle was not Zeus but the Golden Fleece they were looking for, draping a statue that resembled Dr. Destiny. They watched from the corner as the whispering grew louder to the point it was almost a scream.
A large shadow lifted itself from the ground. It was a cyclops. It was large with light bluish gray skin, pointy ears, tusks, a gladiatorial skirt and forearm guards. On top of his head was a strange helmet with a large glass upon his eye that shined like the sun. Tears dripped from behind the glass as he bellowed in pain as though someone had ripped out his own eye. It slammed his fists against the ground, making the whole fake city shake.
"Oh please, let these nightmares leave me! I've done what you asked of me!" The cyclops demanded. "I stole the Golden Fleece like you instructed! Even made this illusion like you asked! Please, let me be free of these nightmares of my eye being gouged out!"
Back with the heroes, they all looked at each other with this new information.
"The cyclops was working with someone," Hercules said. "You think it might be Hades, Phil?"
"Nah, Hades usually sends his two stooges to do his work for him, but he has been known to outsource his issues. But he always makes sure to get us involved in his mess." Phil thought out loud. "But that whole nightmare rant isn't something Hades has in his pocket."
"So, we face another master?" Orpheus commented. "It won't do them any good with me."
The cyclops slammed his fists against the ground once more.
"ANSWER ME, DR. DESTINY!" The cyclops roared, glaring at the statue.
"Dr. Destiny? Well, isn't this a surprise," Cain muttered.
"Friend of yours?" Phil asked.
"Would you believe me if I said that I try to stay clear of such irrefutable characters?" Cain shrugged. "But sadly, he is the man I am looking for."
Phil only gave him an untrusting glare. It was far too much of a coincidence that the strange man had just happened to get involved and know all those things. There were only so many interesting coincidences that he was willing to overlook before he put his hoof down. And this man was putting him on edge since the beginning. It was as though he was just waiting to stab them in the back. The bad feelings didn't stop there. But before he could ask or demand any more answers, the ground started to shake below them.
The group turned to see the statue draped with the Golden Fleece shake as a red light sprouted from its chest. The statue shattered like a shell as Dr. Destiny took a deep breath.
"I am free!" Dr. Destiny cried out. "Oh how long have I waited for this moment!"
"Please, Dr. Destiny, free me from the nightmares!" The cyclops begged. "I did everything that you asked for. I even kept that ship from coming to the island."
Dr. Destiny turned to the cyclops. It had been easy to turn him into a willing ally after giving him a look at another cyclops's fate. The nightmares would seize now that he was in the mortal world, finding what he needed could be done by him alone. So he saw no harm in-
"What ship?" Dr. Destiny asked.
"Freeze fiends!"
Dr. Destiny and the cyclops turned to see Orpheus standing before them, lyre in hand and ready to play.
"I am Orpheus, and I am the one who will reclaim the Golden Fleece and send you back from whence you came!" Orpheus played his lyre, sending a powerful wave of sound towards Dr. Destiny.
But the skull-faced nightmare was unmoved by the display of power. He stepped forward, raising the ruby in his hand, letting it glow brightly. All the power and energy that the lyre had sent their way was absorbed like a sponge would absorb water. He glared at Orpheus, and even without eyelids, he could send a clear glare of anger towards the young musician. He was not going to stop by something so mere as a musician with an enchanted instrument.
"Cyclops, take care of these interlopers while I get something from this world and I swear your nightmares in the Dreaming will end." Dr. Destiny turned around, letting the cyclops do his dirty work.
The cyclops roared, charging at the young musician. His eye glowed brightly as it fired a fireball at him. Orpheus sent a wave of music to divert the fire, but the cyclops was expecting that. It fired fireball after fireball at Orpheus, forcing him back and to stick to defense. He was pushed back so much that he tripped but that did not stop the one-eyed monster. It jumped at Orpheus swinging down his large beast-like arm with the intent to kill.
As the arm's great shadow loomed over him, Orpheus recoiled in fear of his death. He felt the air of the attack hit him, but nothing else followed. He tentatively opened his eyes to see what had happened and saw Hercules standing between him and the cyclops's arm.
"You, but I thought-" Orpheus began.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry I acted like a jerk. You reminded me too much of someone I constantly deal with and I took it out on you without knowing you. What I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry." Hercules pushed back the cyclops' arm. "Listen, you can berate me later, but now we need to stop that guy and beat this cyclops. Think you can play him something special?"
Orpheus smiled, accepting Hercules' apology. He picked up his lyre and started playing a swift and enchanting tune.
The air around the cyclops began to spiral and his sight became blocked by all the dirt. Thing Hercules used to his advantage to push back the brute's arm before jumping and punching him in the stomach.
"Nice going kid! Alright, Cain, we gotta help them think of a way out of this," Phil said from his hiding spot. "Cain?" Phil turned around after he didn't hear a reply.
Cain was gone.
"Why that no good, jerk." Phil grumbled as Hercules and Orpheus faced off against the cyclops.
Hercules kept the cyclops back with his strength as Orpheus used his magic lyre to blind and redirect his flames. But it was not going their way. The large monster was not giving them much quarter to work with. The flames kept them back and made them run for cover whenever the beast managed to get a clear shot. It looked like they would need a miracle to turn the tide of battle.
"Kid! His eye! Aim for the eye!" Phil called from the other side of the city square.
Hercules heard him. He punched the ground, getting a large rock big enough to take out someone's head.
"Mind giving it a little magic?" Hercules asked.
"Only if you can throw it." Orpheus flicked one of his lyre's chords, making the rock glow.
Hercules waited for the cyclops to turn their way before jumping out of his hiding spot. With all the strength of a demigod, he tossed the rock directly at the large monster's eye, shattering the glass. The beast bellowed in pain, holding its wounded face and eye.
"Talk about dramatic irony, but don't worry, here's a sweet dream to help you." Orpheus played a melody, causing a small thunder cloud to pop up above the cyclops.
Before it could do anything, a bolt of lightning struck him, knocking him out.
"Nice going, Orpheus." Hercules high fived Orpheus.
"Was it ever in doubt?" Orpheus asked.
"Good that you two are getting along." Phil walked up to them. "Now, we gotta find Mr. Cain. He gave us the slip."
Back with Dr. Destiny, he held up the Dream Stone over his head as it absorbed energy from the surrounding area, taking in what looked like constellations and pictures of places and dreams of people. All the while the skull-faced man smiled with dark glee. He could feel the power coursing through the stone.
"Yes, soon my dream will come true," Dr. Destiny said, not noticing a hand snatching the Golden Fleece from him.
"So, you influenced the cyclops to create a spot where Lord Morpheus would track you and then used the Golden Fleece as an anchor to enter the Waking World. How far am I?" Cain asked, holding the fleece in one hand.
"Close enough, old man. I just took energy from many of this world's dreamers, powering up the Dream Stone to stand on my own. I'm no longer the Sandman's servant!" Dr. Destiny laughed. "I will have a world, a dream of my own. The madness showed me what to do!"
Cain stiffened up at the mention of that thing. He knew that anyone influenced by it would do drastic things, especially if it involved a piece of his master's domain. He pulled out his shovel, aiming it at Dr. Destiny.
"I cannot let you go, Dr. Destiny. You must be stopped," Cain said. "And we both know killing isn't an issue for me."
"That it isn't. But you're not keeping me from my destiny!" Dr. Destiny lifted the Dream Stone over his head, disappearing with a mad laugh.
Cain grunted in displeasure. It would seem his quarry was now in a realm he could not reach on his own.
"So, that's who you are, Cain." Cain turned around to see Hercules, Orpheus and Phil pointing at him with an accusing finger. "You're a servant of Morpheus!"
"Who was that guy?" Hercules asked.
"As I said, my problem and it would seem you bested his beast and almost got him cornered," Cain said. "Maybe. I believe this is yours. I'll take my leave if you will." Cain tossed the Golden Fleece back to Orpheus.
Cain snapped his fingers, making the mast of the Argos appear by his side. He got his collective piece and soon enough a large mansion appeared behind him. The House of Mystery was always there for when he needed it.
"It was a pleasure watching you work, young heroes. But I'm afraid this is where we part ways. Things to do, nightmares to wrangle, and a master that's going to give me a new assignment. You know how it is." Cain sent the mast into the house before entering himself. "Ta ta." He waved goodbye before the House of Mystery disappeared.
Hercules and his companions were left in a state of shock. Sure, they'd bested the beast and recovered the fleece but what they heard and saw left more questions than answers.
"Phil, who was that guy?" Hercules asked.
"Trouble, kid. Trouble." Phil sighed.
Back in the House of Mystery, Cain closed his book before putting it back on the shelf.
"And that's the story behind my little Greek Adventure. Was it to your liking, my lord?" Cain bowed.
"Not that I don't find your tales fascinating Cain, but the threat Dr. Destiny poses to the multiverse must be answered." Dream walked up to his servant. "The world you were in has become unstable due to his meddling. And I fear that he will not stop at one. You caught his scent, did you not?" He looked out to the endless void, spotting a red scar forming on one of the doors of the Great Library.
"Of course my lord, I am quite the bloodhound." Cain held up his hand, showing a piece of Dr. Destiny's cloak.
"Then I task you to find him. Recover the Dream Stone he took and undo the damage that he has done." Dream commanded. "I will do what I can to contain the damage he has started, but it is imperative that the Dream Stone is recovered."
"Yes, my lord. However, I fear that I may not be strong enough to face him as his strength keeps on growing," Cain said. "May I seek out some like-minded allies?"
Dream raised an eyebrow at his servant.
"You mean to forge your own team of 'Challengers of the Unknown', as I recall?" Dream asked. "I never took you for a team player."
"Needs must be met, my lord. They will have some interesting stories to add to my collection." Cain argued.
Dream thought it over. It wasn't a simple request and Cain was not the most simple of men to lead such a strikeforce. He'd seen the results of such forces aligning with the Son of Oberon, Rac Shade, The Changing Man. He and his allies did well in his task. But Shade was a man of noble ambitions and a code of honor, Cain was a different creature altogether. Yet, his devious mind never failed him and he was never disloyal to him nor his task. But it wasn't Cain the one he was worried about the most. It was the companions that he was planning on gathering for this little crusade of his that worried the Lord of Dreams.
"Very well, you may form your own Challengers of the Unknown, Cain. But do not reveal to them all your secrets nor the powers of the Dream Stone," Dream said. "Only give to them the information they need when they need to. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, my lord." Cain bowed before the Lord of Dreams as he left to fulfill his task before any more damage could be done to his kingdom or the waking world that he protected. "I shall go out and stop this mad dream before it can sprout wings and fly away into the Dreaming. Oh what a glorious story this will be. Be sure to stick around, dear reader." Cain smirked with a devilish smile that showed his teeth.