Navigating the dream paths was exhausting, even as an astral projection.
David did not have much control over where he was going, but the farther he went, the more he realized how various dream paths crossed one another. At first, he thought the images he was seeing were figments of his imagination, since they did not have precise shape or detail. His sight eventually adjusted, however, and he could see that he was surrounded by thousands of people, creatures, and manifested emotions. Most did not acknowledge him, for they were involved in matters of their own, but a few faces watched him as he passed by, as if he were some fleeting whimsy.
Then he noticed several of these fellow path-walkers were more pronounced in shape than others, and their eyes held a sharp, penetrating gaze much like that he had felt when Acacia had spoken to him in his dream. They, too, observed him as he went by, but he could tell that they must be like the sphinx, in that they had the talent to choose how they wanted to appear in others’ dreams, and how to construct the environments of dreams.
How was he going to find Acacia in all of this? It was not even for certain she would know he was here, and he did not know if her ability to enter his dreams worked if she did not know he was asleep. He considered calling out for her, but found he was without a voice.
How long am I supposed to wander around here? he thought. I’m never going to find that sphinx in all this!
May I assist you?
The sudden voice caught David by surprise. He couldn’t see where it had come from, and it was impossible to know who had spoken to him among the multitude of dream shapes. He tried to keep strict control over his thoughts. Are you talking to me?
Naturally.
Who are you? David asked.
My name is Hypnos. My sons and I are the keepers of this realm. I take care of all humans as they sleep. But I can tell you are not sleeping. You have had a dream path open to you. What are you searching for?
David wondered if this unseen entity was trustworthy.
I promise you, I intend you no harm, came a calm reply.
Where are you? Can I at least see you?
I am all around you. I am Sleep itself. But, if you would prefer, I will take a shape for you.
Instantly, the image of a man appeared. It was hard to describe what Hypnos looked like, other than there were two dark blue wings that sprouted from his head, just above his ears. He seemed to be ever shifting his features, but at the same time his image was constant. All that could be said was he was handsome—probably handsome to everyone, no matter what their tastes.
David remembered that Yofune had mentioned that Sleep was one of the sons of Nyx. Sensing David’s thought, Hypnos nodded in affirmation.
Now, did you say you were looking for the sphinx? Hypnos inquired.
Yes, David answered.
That at least narrows it down. Wait a moment.
Hypnos vanished back into the dream atmosphere. He caused a ripple effect that echoed David’s thoughts, and David could hear it reverberating throughout the dream pathways. It was dizzying, and David wondered if Hypnos was playing a game with him. But after a moment, something echoed back towards him, bouncing from one dream creature to the next as if they were all playing catch with a rubber ball.
David, is that you? Where are you?
It was her voice!
Impulsively, he thought his answer back. I’m on a dream path. I’m surrounded by thousands of people, and I feel like I can’t stop moving.
The same ripple sent out his thought, and he received her response immediately. Think of the place we were in your dream the night we first talked. Keep concentrating on it so you can send the vision back to me. I’ll meet you there.
Hypnos’ voice returned. I will leave you two be, for now. But, David, I know you have more questions for me. Ask when you are ready.
David wanted to tell him he was ready to ask now, about Nyx, her Shades, and if Hypnos knew what the Shade would do to Acacia. Before he could, however, he found himself in a blank white space, like an unpainted empty room. He figured Hypnos had put him here to meet Acacia, so David concentrated on recreating the same dreamscape as before, a grassy shore overlooking the shimmering sea, and a small birch tree and gently flowing winds.
Almost as soon as he was done completing his dreamscape, the beautiful woman he had met there before appeared. For a moment, Acacia stared at him with her green, gold-rimmed eyes. David felt a creeping dread about what she might say or do. She couldn’t be happy with him, after the way he had spoken to her.
She raced to him and grabbed him in a tight, unyielding embrace.
I am so glad you are all right, she projected into his mind. There was a gentle joy in her tone.
“You’re not mad at me?” he asked.
It was not your fault. Nico tricked you into getting lost in the Curtain. He is an awful, wicked brute.
“But what I said before, at the lagoon … I know I hurt you. I’m sorry.”
It’s all right. You felt deceived. I could not explain to you at the time, about what Nico told you. She released him from the hug, and looked into his eyes. Yes, it is true, in my family line, bequeathing a familiar name means establishing a bond much like those of mates. But it is not binding. I would not hold you to it if you did not wish it.
A wave of relief washed over David. He did catch, however, the disappointed tone in Acacia’s voice. “Are you still at the sirens’ island?” he asked.
I have been searching everywhere on both sides of the Curtain for you. Where are you? Are you someplace safe?
“I’m in Japan. I’m staying with a man named Yofune Nushi, who says he knows you. Do you know where he lives?”
Acacia’s body tensed up, and concern was reflected in her gaze. Yofune Nushi? Has he treated you well? He has not hurt you, has he?
“He said given that I am still alive, that’s a good thing.”
Acacia smiled and nodded, and she rested her head on David’s shoulder. I know we don’t have much time, as I must bring you back and make sure my family is all right. I left them in the care of my sisters. They will guard them until our return. But, for this brief moment, I can be at peace again.
He had to admit, it was a rather nice moment.
The inevitable question about Acacia’s affliction crossed his mind, and he waited silently to see if she would read his thoughts and respond. She did not, however, which caused him to wonder if she really did not know what he wanted to ask, or if she knew and was refusing to comment. She looked so content and lost in the moment they were sharing, maybe she was not even attempting to access his mind.
He knew that now was the time to ask, while she could speak to him without the Shade harming her. “Acacia, Yofune told me that you have something inside of you that is hurting you whenever you speak. He called it a Shade of Nyx.”
Acacia held him closer. None of that now, she said calmly. No questions.
“But Yofune said this Shade is deadly—”
I won’t discuss it.
“I want to. Is there something that can be done to get that Shade out of you—”
She broke the embrace and held him away from her, glowering at him. If there was something that could be done, I’d have done it a long time ago. There is no point in speaking about something you cannot change. Do not bring it up again.
When David remained silent, she took it as a consensus to her request. She held him close again, shutting her eyes.
“I just want to help you,” he told her.
She sighed, and rested her head against his shoulder. I appreciate that. What you can do for me is not concern yourself with it. From the moment you found me, I have found a peace with you that I have found with no other living being. I wish to keep it that way. Do not trouble me by being troubled yourself.
David smirked. “You found peace with me, when I came looking to slay you?”
They say you find what you’re looking for where you least expect it.
“What were you looking for?”
Acacia abruptly jerked her head up. Something is not right … Gullin …
The landscape melted away, as if an artist had splashed paint thinner over a fresh masterpiece. Then Acacia was racing through the world of Sleep with such ferocity that David was sure that if he had been in his body, his flesh would have peeled straight off his bones from the sheer speed of their flight. The rosy haze of the sleep world faded to purple to indigo to black. The only reason David knew when they had come to a halt was because there was a discernable shape in front of them.
The shape was Gullin, or a muted version of him, a reflection seen through a powdered mirror. At first he did not seem to see them. He was staring at nothing, with no expression, much like one of the Jenglots when deprived of blood-warmth. Acacia reached out towards Gullin, touching him on the cheek, and she cooed a soft melody, not in as lovely a voice as her siren sisters, but pleasant and silken.
Gullin became more saturated in color, and his form solidified. His consciousness awakened, and he saw the sphinx before him. His face was like that of a son’s who had been reunited with a long lost mother.
“Mistress, you found us!” He realized her form was not the usual, and he looked around at the blackness in which they were suspended. “This is a dream, isn’t it? But it is you, the real you.” He glanced at David beside her, and tried to cover his grimace with a smile. “And you, too. Glad you’re alive, boyo.”
Gullin, what is wrong? Acacia asked. You were not sleeping, for you were trapped in this dark space unwillingly. You were unconscious.
“Cast that bloody dog down to the pit!” Gullin growled. “That devil with a fox tail claimed that since you ran off after … him …” David could tell that he had meant to call him something else, but chose not to in front of Acacia, “that you had abandoned the rest of us and so we were free property for the taking. The sirens weren’t going to let him get his paws on us, but then one of his ‘friends’ came at his call, and tore up the island until he drove everyone off. I tried to fight ‘im off …” He looked away in shame. “That fiend was just too big, too strong … knocked me clean out …”
The sphinx’s eyes flared with a gold and green fire. My cousin will pay for this, she said with dark, brewing malice. She turned back to David, holding his hands. I must go and protect my family. I will come for you once they are safe. Stay where you are, and let Yofune know I will come as soon as I can. Let him know, if he tries to harm one hair on your head, I will do worse than that young maiden did to his eyes.
David nodded, knowing he had to let Acacia go for now. She and Gullin vanished from his sight. He felt himself yanked backwards, and he had the sensation of being a drowning man pulled from the water.
He was staring at the fire pit, back in his own body. He stood up, staggering from wooziness, and started towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Yofune asked.
“I have to go help the others,” David replied. “The Teumessian took Acacia’s family. He has a monster holding them prisoner. I have to go help them.”
“Go and fight a monster?” The kappa ducked his head down into his shell. “Why would you want to do that?”
“A good question,” Yofune agreed. “I thought you had no admiration for the sphinx. You said you wished to find her so she could take you home.”
David ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Yes, I know, and she said she would come back for me, but—”
“Ah, I get it,” Tanuki said. “He wants to make sure the monster doesn’t eat her before she can take him home.”
“No, that’s not it!” David snapped.
Yofune took a step towards David. “Then why do you wish to help her?”
“Because it’s my fault they’re in trouble! Nico is doing all of this because I embarrassed him in front of everyone. He’s mad at me, and Acacia …” He rubbed his aching temples. “None of this would have happened if I hadn’t gotten involved. And whatever monster this is that Nico has holding them, and Acacia’s health being so bad, it could …”
“You care about her.”
David took a deep breath. He gave a quick nod.
Yofune stroked his beard. “Do you possess any item that belongs to her? Something with her scent?”
David rummaged through his pockets, realizing that he didn’t have much except for his handmade cross and that pouch of pellets that Gullin had given him. The pouch would have to do. If it still had Gullin’s scent, it would lead him to Acacia as well. He extracted the pouch and handed it to Tanuki.
Tanuki took the pouch over to Yofune, who took a quick sniff of it and snorted. “These herbs make it difficult to detect your friend’s scent.” He took another sniff of it. “Fortunately, your friend is incredibly potent. This will do.”
Tanuki returned the pouch to David, who pocketed it. “If I may ask, how is this going to help us find Acacia’s family?”
Yofune did not answer him. “Tanuki, I will need you to be my eyes. It has been a long time since I have ventured from this forest. I will need guidance.”
Tanuki nodded with excited enthusiasm. “Yes, Master Yofune!”
David fumbled for words. “Master Yofune, no offense, but I don’t feel right putting a blind elder of your … wisdom … in danger—”
Before he could finish, Yofune’s robes rapidly grew in length and breadth, the cloth shifting into plates of thick, glossy scales as blue as the sea. The blind man’s body stretched and coiled around in serpentine slenderness, filling the room. His face elongated into a long muzzle, and his underside was covered in ice-white bristles from his chin to the tip of his newly formed tail. Two short antlers sprouted from his head, and his arms and legs twisted around into stubby but muscular crocodilian appendages. The black bandages fell from his eyes, since his head was now five times larger, and it was clear that Yofune’s eyes had been scratched out by a knife. In less than four seconds, the sage had been replaced by a sea dragon, a leviathan as ancient as the earth and ocean.
Tanuki jumped atop Yofune’s head, positioning himself like a captain at the helm of a ship.
“I will determine if my blindness or ‘wisdom’ is a problem,” Yofune Nushi retorted in a voice that would make thunder fall silent in fear. “And, Sandoval-san, you may stop the flattery. I’m old.”
David, stunned by the sudden dragon before him, weakly nodded. “Yessir.”
“Now get on my back, and be quick about it.” Yofune curled around, exposing a spot right above his shoulder blades. David hesitated at first, but then quickly climbed on so as not to anger Yofune by making him wait. He barely sat down before Yofune took off like a gale wind, bursting from the hut and splintering the doorframe as he went.
The kappa, left behind, ambled outside and around to the back of the hut, watching Yofune and his passengers disappear into the forest. “What am I supposed to do??” the kappa called.
He spotted the ripe cucumbers growing in the garden. The broadest smile crossed his face.
“I’ll stay on guard here until you get back,” he shouted. He picked up a nice fat cucumber and hugged it like a lost friend. “Don’t you worry, your friend Kappa isn’t going to leave you all alone …”