chapter.8 : Meeting in the Hall of Dreams

The night embraced the silent palace, while the lit candles slowly wept their wax tears around the room. The air was cold, but it wasn't the reason for the shiver that ran through Samantha as she stared at her reflection in an old mirror. Her eyes kept searching her own image, as if looking for something lost long ago.

The cold marble floor beneath her feet reminded her of the distance that separated her from the family she no longer felt she belonged to. Here, in this palace filled with silence like a witness to thousands of buried secrets, Samantha had always felt like a stranger. Even now, the surrounding walls held onto some of her childhood memories, but they were never warm ones.

She removed her heavy cloak and walked slowly towards the bed. There was something weighing on her tonight, not just the physical fatigue she felt, but another weight, hidden and dark, that had always lived in the shadows behind her eyes.

She closed her eyes and let her mind slip into that familiar place.

After a while, she found herself in that world both familiar and strange at the same time. The sky was glowing, filled with shades of green and blue auroras that flickered like distant flashes. The air was filled with a subtle scent whose source couldn't be identified.

In front of her was the usual stone table, large and ancient, and seated at its head was Morpheus, handsome in his black attire with eyes reflecting the celestial glow. He seemed to be part of this world, as if he controlled it with just one look.

Samantha stepped confidently towards the table and bowed respectfully when she reached it.

"Good evening, Lord Morpheus." Her voice was steady, but there was a slight tremor behind it.

Morpheus smiled calmly and responded, "Good evening, Samantha. You always arrive early."

Samantha looked around, her eyes following the colors that painted the sky. "This place... I never tire of looking at it. It always seems different, as if it reshapes itself every time."

Morpheus chuckled softly, folding his arms across his chest. "Yes, it does. It's a reflection of the subconscious... a world of shifting beauty. Each time we come here, we see it with different eyes."

Samantha nodded as she enjoyed watching the dancing colors. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if our real world had these qualities."

Morpheus looked at her with bright eyes and said softly, "Our real world may be more stable, but true beauty lies in change. Here, everything shifts, flowing without limits. Perhaps that's why this place has a special allure."

Samantha gazed at the sky again, then back at him. "Honestly, this change comforts me in a way. It's a world with no ruler, no conflict, except between shadows and light."

Morpheus smiled gently and leaned slightly forward. "You're right. It's a place that allows us to escape, if only for a little while. Away from the complexities of the real world... and what the future may hold."

He paused for a moment, then added in a quieter tone, "But, as you know, no matter how beautiful dreams are, they're always temporary."

Samantha nodded quietly, feeling the conversation take a more serious turn. "That's true. But sometimes I feel this place is more real than anything else. Everything I see here holds meaning, even if I don't understand it at first."

Morpheus looked at her thoughtfully and said, "The subconscious sometimes gives us keys to understanding what we can't see clearly in our real world. This place isn't just a dream; it's a mirror."

Samantha smiled softly, then sat on a nearby chair, placing her hands on the stone table. "Maybe that's why I always look forward to this meeting. Here, I feel like I can escape a little from the constraints of the world I was born into."

Morpheus looked at her with deep understanding. "Everyone comes to this place for different reasons. Some find escape here, while others see what they cannot reach in reality. You, Samantha, may find here what you've been searching for all this time."

As time passed, the air began to change. Gradually, shadows appeared on the horizon, announcing the arrival of other guests.

The first to enter was a tall man, his body filled with muscles that revealed immense physical strength. His eyes gleamed with intensity, and his long black hair draped over his shoulders. He didn't utter a word as he entered, but he bowed deeply towards Morpheus. "Good evening, my lord."

Morpheus smiled and responded calmly, "Good evening, Regan." He acknowledged the greeting quietly, then turned his head to greet Samantha with a quick nod.

Next entered a slender girl with a calm demeanor, but behind her round glasses, her eyes reflected sharp intelligence. Her presence was simple, yet she commanded the space around her with a single glance. She approached lightly and bowed slightly. "Good evening, Lord Morpheus."

"Good evening, Clara," Morpheus replied kindly, before the girl turned to greet Regan and Samantha, who both responded with brief glances.

Then, another person entered, a handsome young man with calm features and a neat appearance. His black hair was tied back, and his eyes held a hidden spark. His steps were confident and steady. "Good evening, my lord," he said in a deep voice.

"Good evening, Alistair," Morpheus answered with a light smile, before Alistair greeted the others, and they nodded in return.

One by one, the people continued to enter. Each greeted Morpheus with deep respect, then greeted the person who had entered before them, as though these rituals were part of an unspoken, precise system.

Finally, the last person entered. He was different from the others, his face entirely devoid of expression, and his cold silver eyes showed no trace of emotion. His long silver hair fell over his shoulders, and he stood for a moment in silence before bowing slowly. "Good evening, Lord Morpheus."

Morpheus looked at him for a few moments before replying in a calmer tone than usual.

"Good evening, Lucas. You seem well today."

The others quickly sensed the change in Morpheus's tone, and their thoughts raced.

Samantha tried to glance at the others to see if anyone knew what was going on, but her attempt failed as everyone seemed equally confused.

Lucas quickly grew tense under this brief look but composed himself and responded respectfully.

"Certainly, all thanks to you, my lord."

He then slowly bowed toward the others, who returned his greeting with a hint of visible tension due to what had just happened.

Despite the tension, the atmosphere was filled with respect and dignity. Though they were all individuals of great status and immense power, everyone showed deep reverence for Morpheus, whether it stemmed from fear or admiration. Morpheus's responses to their greetings continued, but his eyes reflected a profound understanding of each person who passed before him.

Morpheus looked at them all quietly, his eyes scanning the faces surrounding him, then he raised his hand calmly to signal the start of the meeting.

"Now that the seven of you are here, let's begin the meeting. As you know, this is not just an ordinary gathering. Many things have happened in the past month. It's time now to discuss the important matters that have occurred during this period and the events that might change the course of our plans."

The room fell silent for a moment, and all eyes turned to Morpheus, awaiting his discussion of the issues that would determine their next steps.