“Selam selam,” we said fondly, as I made my way back down the tunnel toward the chamber. It was, as it always had been, a very long journey.
“Ayka, is there anything I can do to help you?”
“No, Ninny.”
“No, I mean something that I can do to help you.”
“You can wait here.”
“Are you sure that’s all I can do?”
“Yes, Ninny.”
“All right. I’ll leave you here.” I turned and walked away.
“Selam selam.”
“Ayka! Wait!” I ran back down the tunnel, but the chamber was empty. Ayka was gone.
“Selam selam,” I shouted. I peered deep into the chamber, but could see no sign of her. I sighed. Ayka was once again gone.
As I made my way past the crystalline pool, I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see none other than Ayka standing with wand in hand behind me. She smiled sadly at me. She must have slipped out again while I was busy chasing after her.
“Okay, so what did you want me to do?”
Ayka smiled at me. “You have arrived just in time,” she said as she pointed her wand to the ceiling of the cave. “Prepare yourself.”
I looked up at the ceiling and saw the greatest mass of darkness sliding toward the cave. The entire cave was hidden under it, and the dark mass was so massive, it blocked out the light. The sight of it scared me.
“They are back,” Ayka said. There was a hint of fear in her voice. “Prepare yourself, my darling. We are about to enter battle once again.”
I nodded at her then slowly walked into the chamber. “Come,” Ayka said with no emotion.
The darkness began slipping under the stone floor like water. It was as if it were beyond time. I smiled at Ayka and she smiled back. Her eyes were full of determination.
I reached my hand out as the mass continued to slowly slide over the chamber. I pictured it the way I saw it in my mind. The image became clearer as I gazed upon it. I smiled. I knew the image was perfect.
“I love you, Ninny,” Ayka said.
“Yes, I know. And I love you too.”
“I’m sorry I missed you today.”
“I understand.”
I carried on gazing at the image in my mind. It was getting clearer and drawing back. And then there was a flash of light.
The dark mass had disappeared. There was nothing but crystal walls. I was not sure how I knew, but I did. A great white light filled the chamber and my vision as I stood there at the crystal pool.
After a few moments, I noticed that the great light was gone.
“What happened?” I asked Ayka
I saw her smile. She was gone. I walked over to the pool. I saw my reflection in it. Ninny, the dream walker. Ninny, the one who dreams of an ancient age. Ninny, who dreams of a place of peace.
“Selam selam,” I said quietly. “Ninny, the dream walker.”
I walked back to the tunnel. It was gone. I looked into the tunnel and saw nothing. I peered deep into the cave. The light was too bright, too beautiful. It was distracting. I released my grip on it and gazed at the crystal walls.
I had dreamed of a place of peace, but this was where peace dwelled. And beyond the walls were the shadows that would destroy its beauty.
The only way to protect the dream is to remain in a world of dreams. So I arose into the air, held my hand out and let the glow of our dream pass me by.
And then I was in my bedroom, my bed. Nodding, I let gravity take me.
I closed my eyes and I fell into sleep.
“Selam selam,” I said, as I floated into the dream again.
“How are you feeling today, Ninny?” Ayka said from somewhere far away.
“As always,” I responded
“Listen, Ninny,” Ayka began. “Today, we are going to fight. We are fighting a great battle.”
I nodded at her. “I know, Ayka. I can see that much,” I said. “It is not a time of peace. I see the shadows creeping across the earth.”
Ayka smiled and nodded. And then she looked at me. She looked at me as if she had something to say. And then she began to speak. “Nin-Nin,” she began. “I love you.”
“I know you do, Ayka. And I hope you know that I love you too. I always have and always will.”
“Ninny,” she said and I knew she was fighting back tears, “you are tired, aren’t you? You are tired of this war, aren’t you?”
“Selam selam, Ayka, I need you. You are the only one I can trust. I love you so much. You are my home. I will always love you.”
“Can we not talk about this now?”
“I know we can’t, but we can talk about it later. We both want peace, right? I am the dream walker, Ayka. Can’t you see? I am the one who will bring peace. I am here to stop the Shadow Terrors.”
Ayka nodded. “But you are not alone. You have me.”
“I do, Ayka.”
“I know you do, Ninny. I love you,” Ayka said, as tears streamed down her face.
I tried to speak to her, but she had disappeared. I dreamt of her, but she was gone. And then I dreamt of the Shadow Terrors.
But this time I saw something differently. They were preparing. They were preparing for war. I looked at myself. I saw my weapons, my armor.
I was in battle. And initially, I couldn’t see anything, but the Shadow Terrors. But then I heard something. It was Ayka. She was speaking to me. It was in the voice of the void.
“Ninny. It is time. The war is upon you now. You must protect the dream. It is the only way to stop them.
“Ninny, you must do this for me. I love you, my darling.”
And then there was nothing. Darkness. I awoke. I arose into the air.
I looked around. The room was dark, but I could see something glowing. I gazed at it.
The dream was gone. The dream of a place of peace was gone. I knew the Shadow Terrors had won. I knew what Ayka had tried to explain.
It was too late.