CHAPTER XXXI:Meeting Morpheus.

I dreamt I was in a small office, I couldn't tell what it was overlooking. The window morphed into different scenes of beautiful cities like a sideshow you'd do for a history or architecture class.

I saw the Venice canals, the bright neon buildings of Tokyo, the Big Ben in the United Kingdom, Rockefeller plaza in New York where a giant Christmas tree stood, the Parthenon in Athens, and so many more. It was almost like the window couldn't decide.

The window finally settled on Paris for a couple of seconds, I couldn't tell what was so special about this place. I could almost smell the lavender through the window, and I could faintly hear laughter from people around the seine river.

The scenes changed so much, it was hard to keep track of all of them. I saw mythical places too, and some scenes from old sci-fi films my mom used to love. The lava planet Mustafar from Star Wars, the Shire in Middle earth from lord of the rings, the barren planet Geonosis from Star Wars, the shimmering Emerald city from the Wizard of Oz, and the Hogwarts school of wizardry from Harry Potter.

So many locations on the window, and it didn't stop. I looked around the office at it's dark walls, and warm lighting. The room was shadowed by the lighting which made it hard for my eyes to adjust. By the time my eyes adjusted I turned around to see another window also morphing into different scenes.

I saw fields of dead soldiers, despair over loss, and pure uncontrolled chaos. However, I also saw scenes of true love, fantastic beauty, magnificent fantasies, and above every thing I saw hope. Dreams, that's all they were, every single scene and location was just a persons dream.

I kept looking at the scenes as a figure brushed past. I looked at the figure as he sat down behind a, black painted, desk lined with gold. He was draped in all black, and wore a gold mask. The material he wore seemed to be made of sand rather than cotton, silk, or any other fabric. I would like to say I got the name right away, but sadly it took a bit.

"Morpheus?" I half stated half asked while taking a seat In a stiff wooden chair, the chair slowly morphed into a white rolling chair that felt like a cloud.

"Yes child, it is me." The figure said.

The sand slowly fell off of Morpheus onto the ground to show Morpheus in a black sand suit with a gold hourglass pin. His mask went away to reveal alabaster skin, and gold lion eyes. His hair couldn't seem to stay one color or style. It morphed into different styles like the window. It went from straight and royal gold, to curly and pitch black, to messy and sapphire blue, and to an Amethyst purple man bun.

"My lieutenant, Thanatos, told me what you did to him. That nasty little dagger of yours did quite the number." Morpheus said.

"Yeah and he broke my arm, and nearly killed me when we went for a little flight. We're fucking even." I answered.

"Watch your language child. I know where he went wrong. He was aggressive, yes, but with reason. The fool thought he could force diplomacy, but then again Titans were never fond of peace or negotiation. I wanted to offer you a chance to consider. War is coming. There's nothing you or the Olympian council can do to stop it. Khaos is coming and they have quite the score to settle. Now decide what side of history you want to be on, the conquerors or the vanquished." He said leaning forward on his desk.

"Why me? Out of every demigod you can pick why FUCKING me?" I yelled standing up from my chair enraged.

"You're powerful Mary. More powerful than most demigods and more than you realize." He answered calmly.

"Yeah yeah the gift of fucking Delphi. The gift my uncle tried to kill me for! The gift most Olympians think I should die for having! Why the fuck does it matter to you!? If you need for you cause then just kill me for it!" I shouted at Morpheus.

Morpheus sat unfazed in his seat, which made my blood boil. I was tired of every god and their mother wanting this gift.

"Sit the fuck down and listen you cursed haired princess. I am offering salvation from forces you can't even begin to comprehend, forces who've I made deals with to guarantee me a throne in new Olympus." He yelled back pushing me back in my seat, "I don't care about your stupid gift. Hell, I hardly care about you. However I understand that where you go your father and his allies will follow. I'm offering a chance to get your dad to change sides without bloodshed.".

I looked up at Morpheus and smiled. I couldn't hold it back, and I broke out laughing. Morpheus' eyes went red, and he grabbed my shirt pulling me to my feet.

"I will end you! You and your little demigod friends! And if I can't hurt your friends I'll hurt their friends! You think I'm afraid to put Artemis' princess in a goddamn grave?!" Morpheus continued ranting.

I continued smiling, "Do it then! Fucking do it! I won't join your useless war effort if it saved that stuck up bitch." I said.

"What if it saved Penny and Seth?" Morpheus snapped back, I felt my smile fade, "Exactly, consider this a warning," he said handing me an hourglass with gold sand "use this if you reconsider my offer, and until I see you next time.".

Morpheus faded into a pile of sand, and I woke up. I shot up in my bed sweating, and breathing heavily. My lungs felt like they were going to collapse. Penny must've heard me cause she woke up and sat up.

"You okay Mary?" Penny asked leaning over, I nodded quickly, She gently moved my hands above my head and sat right next to me "Okay okay….deep breaths…" Penny instructed.

I did as Penny said slightly calming down from my panic attack. I looked past her, and behind her. On a table in my room, lay an hourglass with gold colored sand.