It's Always Worth the Price. (2022)
Chapter 4: Promises Kept.
Previous Chapter Next ChapterThis tale started out on a regular Tuesday. It seemed just like any other day of the week, but I would soon meet a couple of very unexpected visitors...
Arriving home from a long tiring day of work, I pulled into the driveway and parked the Ford F-150, then killed the engine. I pulled the keys out of the ignition, I opened the door and stepped out of the truck, closing the door behind me. I took a quick sniff of the fresh air and could smell the scent of the coming rain, and damp dirt. The setting sun set a beautiful painting across the sky, as I proceeded to follow the path towards my front porch. The sound of passing birds' chirps filled my ears, and set a smile upon my face. “This day is ending like something out of a story book.” I told myself with a grin plastering across my face.
Upon nearing my porch, I looked towards the setting sun and smiled. I turned to the front door and opened it. Easing the day, I began to remove my steel-toed work boots, and sighed in relief from the sudden sensation of freedom. I started to make my way over towards the fridge in the kitchen, and proceeded to make a quick snack. I pulled out a loaf of bread, some lunch meat, a head of lettuce and a tomato. I cut a couple slices of tomato, and two slices of the fresh bread. I tore a couple leaves of lettuce and started assembling my sandwich. After it was made, I started putting everything away.
Finishing my sandwich; I made my way towards my room, and afterwards I entered the bathroom. I turned on the shower, started to undress and hopped into it. As I let the flow of water lap against my head, my mind started to wander. My thoughts started filling with a mysterious figure of a man. I tried to focus on the figure, but was brought back into reality as I heard the bathroom door open, and my younger brother Nicky making a mad dash for the toilet.
“Couldn’t you just hold it?” I asked the rather meager fourteen year old.
“Not a chance; The match is loading, and this is possibly the only chance i’ll have for a while.” He quickly replied.
“Well if you’re gonna go; remember not to flu-” I was interrupted by the sound of the toilet flushing, and a burst of hot water bashing against my bare skin. I quickly hopped to the back of the shower, and tried to evade the oncoming hailstorm of steam as I yelped at the sudden change of temperature. "Why Are You Like This!"
After my shower, I put on some boxers and brushed my teeth. I took a good, hearty stretch and laid down onto my bed. As I pulled the covers over me, my mind started slipping into a dream.
“Stay where you are, I don’t wish to hurt you.” I told the Large spiked demon with ridged teeth. He looked at me, and laughed.
“Do you really think you can defeat me? I am a God compared to the likes of you, Mortal. Now face your end, with dignity!” He quickly lunged at me with his razor sharp axe, and swung. I barely managed to dodge to the side but as I rolled, I slammed a kick into the back of his legs and he tumbled to the ground. He growled, and quickly returned with a barrage of attacks. I dodged as many hits as I could, but was struck with the hilt of the handle as he bashed me in the chest with it. I stumbled back from the sudden shock, and unsheathed my blade.
“I'm going to give you one last chance. Surrender your arms, or face your consequences.” I demanded, but the smug and stubborn demon wouldn’t have it. Again, he lunged at me and kept swinging his axe with giant feats of power. I rolled to the side, and stared him down. “Playtime’s over. Come, and get some.”
At this the demon roared, and charged at me. I bolted towards him with my blade in hand, and slid right under him. The sword carved into the beast’s gut, and it hooked onto something. As I continued to slide, he was pulled to the ground and fell face-first. I stood slowly, as the arrogant demon lay deathly still with my blade hooked onto something within his chest.
I approached the sword and grabbed the hilt. I placed my foot against his back for leverage, and I began to pull the blade up. The demon shouted cries of pain, and the suffering escaped the stubborn demon’s lips. I pulled the blade away from the dead monstrosity, quickly sheathing it away. With the success of victory, I could feel the sudden presence of another.
“That was most impressive, brother.” Said a shadowy figure, he appeared to me as if made of a bright screen of smoke mimicking a human body. It was casting past the wicked darkness surrounding me. He stepped into view, reassuring my thoughts as to what he was. A spirit of some sort. “Your skill is improving, with each passing moon.”
“Who are you, spirit? Why is it you’re here?” I asked the creature.
“I am here; because this is my world. I am the Guardian of this realm, and another. My name is Shadow kin, Lord of Dreams. I serve along side the Princess of the night, Lady Luna.” Stated Shadow kin,"Lady Luna is Regal, and the very fabric of your dreaming world."
“Lord of Dreams? Lady Luna? What are you talking about?” These questions slipped through my lips, and became heard.
Shadow kin slowly approached. He placed his arm around my shoulders, and started leading me into the nothingness that surrounded us. “Yes, the Lord of dreams. You do not have these demons that you dream of in 'your' world.” We continued on our way, and our surroundings turned into something of a park. The sound of a nearby river could be heard, and the smell of morning dew filled the air. I could see a white gazebo sitting in the middle of the park, and small orbs of light flew aimlessly throughout the absent night sky.
“Brother, this realm in the shadows of night is quite beautiful; wouldn’t you say? The sensation of wind blowing across your face. The feeling of the soft moist grass beneath your feet. All this is possible within the walls of your mind. The only limit one can have within the dream realm is their own imagination. They themselves are their own key.”
I turned to face the moon, and blankly stared into the dark of night. "Who is this ‘Lady Luna’ you speak of? If you wouldn't be offended, may I ask why you call me ‘Brother’?” I asked entranced by the alluring night sky.
“You and her are quite familiar with each other, yet strangers entirely. She has been watching over you for the past 28 years, through all of the lows and the highs. I would tell you more about her, but it would be best for her to explain it herself.” Shadow kin turned towards the gazebo, and a mist formed inside. I focused on the strange spectral, and began to walk forward towards it. The mist began to take a shape into a human form, but as the mist dissipated it revealed a dark blue shade of fur, and an endless flowing mane that resembled the night sky. The mist faded, and out came a woman that seemed to be equine in form. “John, I would like to introduce you to Princess Lady Luna. Royalty of Equestria, and Ruler of the night.”
I placed a clenched fist over my chest, and bowed momentarily. “Hello John, my name is Luna. As Shadow has explained, I have been watching you for quite some time because I need talents, such as yours. My kingdom is in need of a new guardian, and you would make an excellent replacement.” She explained.
“Who was the last Guardian? What happened to the guardian, and why ask me?” I recounted.
“The previous guardian has simply aged through time, and the duty of protector has become difficult for him. I could revive his youthful spirits and body, but he rejects my help to rejuvenate him. Claiming it unnatural.” She stood a meter from me, but I could feel something holding me in place. “Where he resides at the moment, is within the courtroom of the castle with my sister, as Court Guard. I believe you would become a great guardian; due to the fact you, and he share the same traits. The same blood running through your veins.”
“I know these are dreams and they’re supposed to be cryptic, but I really would just like it if you’d simplify it...” I started to rub the side of my head in confusion. "That would mean..."
“And in time you will meet with him, I will bring him to your world and tell him to meet you at your home. His presence is a welcoming one, but one you know not of.” She stepped forward, and placed her hand on my left shoulder,“You will be facing challenging, and confusing days ahead. This is the trial all guardians must undertake, but this proves your worth. You have been here in the dream realm for far too long and I must send you back, but is there anything you need to know before I send you on your way?”
I turned to Shadow kin and asked,“Yeah there is, you still haven’t told me why it is you call me brother. Why is that?”
“I am you, in 'our' reality.” This shadowy basic figure turned into a solid replica of myself. The spectacle held before me amazed me,“I was born into Equestria, and you in your world. The gods that 'be' wished for you to be born into the lands of Equestria, but when you failed to show, they created me from the ash and shadows from the mystic mountains, to ease this void. I have maintained a balance with your absence but time is nearing its end, and the land is in need of you. I call you brother because we are two separate individuals but again, two halves of the same coin. I am you.”
After that was said, I turned my attention back to Luna. With her hand still on my left shoulder, she gave me a light push, and I gently fell to the ground. Upon impact, I awoke in my bed with sweat beating down my face, panting as if it were a nightmare.
“Today’s gonna be a long one... I can just feel it.” I pushed the covers off from overtop of me, and sat on the edge of the bed with my hands covering my face in frustration,“Shit. Another weird dream...”