Once upon a time, there was a goddess. She created a beautiful world, the seas and skies, mountains and valleys, canyons and cliffs. She then filled it with life -- lush plants, a multitude of different kinds of animals, and finally, humans. Satisfied with her work, the goddess watched on as the new life made itself at home. Soon, however, the humans' inner natures began to show, and they bickered amongst themselves even as they created a place for themselves in the world. They fought and scraped by, had their lives happy and sad, and the goddess gave everything of herself, working hard to keep them alive and happy, like caring for a fragile flower. After thousands of years of this, most of the humans no longer showed their appreciation for her as they once had, no longer thanked her or praised her. It seemed she was no longer needed, at least for the time being. Finally, exhausted and a little sad, she allowed herself to close her eyes, and she fell asleep, her mind filling with dreams.
Her dreams were full of amazing creatures not yet existing... fauns, faeries, dragons, demons, gryphons, goblins, and many more. She even dreamed of animals that could walk on two legs and talk, some even built like humans, standing tall and proud. And all of these beings coexisted happily, peacefully, in a great forest with towering trees and thick, green grass, so soft under the goddess's dainty feet as she walked. She blinked, amazed, gazing around at the wonders around her, smiling as wide as she could. This was true paradise. But where was she?
"Do you like it?" someone asked behind her.
She turned, and standing before her was a goddess, looking just like herself... but she was blue from head to toe! The blue woman smiled. "We made it. You and I together."
"But how?" the goddess asked. "I don't remember making anything like this."
The other woman took the goddess's hand and gave it a squeeze. "With your amazing power, anything is possible. The humans, with the creativity and intelligence you gave them, have thought of these amazing creatures in their own dreams... dreams that are like tiny worlds that are only in their minds. They exist for a night and vanish upon awakening. They deserve to have a place to live and grow, these creatures of dream... and they want to celebrate you, she who made this all possible. A goddess's dreams are powerful, indeed -- this is a world you have created, just by dreaming. You dreamed of me, too, but much longer ago, and so I helped to make your dream take form, and added the finishing touches. You must have been lonely for so long, sister."
"I...had never thought about it much. I was so busy, and so tired..." The goddess shook her head. "But yes, you're right. Sometimes I would have a moment, and sit on the cliffs above the sea. I would calm the waters, and gaze down into my reflection. One of those moments was on such a beautiful blue day, and the water looked the same, so I imagined another blue me, a twin, keeping me company... that's -you-." Her eyes widened and she wrapped her arms around her dream-sister, hugging her tightly.
The goddess's azure twin smiled brightly. "There is one more thing I want to show you. This was my creation...my gift to you, sister, Goddess of Dreams. Come..." The blue woman tugged on the goddess's hand, and flew upwards with her, taking her higher and higher to a beautiful floating island surrounded by gorgeous tree-covered mountains. There in the center was a huge crowd, and the sound of music filled the air. Every creature that had ever existed in dreams or stories was there, dancing, celebrating life and enjoying being together. The goddess and her dream-twin landed in the center, and though the crowd of fantasy creatures moved back to give them room respectfully, they smiled and continued dancing, praising both goddesses, stomping hooves, paws, claws, and feet to the beat of the music.
When the music ended, every creature turned to the goddess, and bowed low. The blue woman kissed the goddess's cheek. "Welcome home, Goddess of Dreams."
The Goddess of Dreams gazed upon her new friends and turned to her blue dream-sister. "I imagined you as another me, but it's time we take new forms and names to suit us and this beautiful place. We will be sisters here, individuals, and we will reside here together and be happy always with our new companions. You will help me guide them, Azure Goddess, if that role and title suit you."
The blue woman's eyes filled with joyful tears, and she smiled broadly. "It will be my honor, Goddess of Dreams," she replied, bowing to her dream-sister.
Looking back at the crowd surrounding her, the goddess addressed them with a joyful passion.
"My friends... join me. Dance, live, be free in our Dream, and celebrate your new lives with me!" Immediately the music began once more, and the goddess, her sister, and the crowd of mythic marvels moved their bodies to the rhythm, delirious with joy, and full of energy, life, and celebration.
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A few days later, the goddess and her dream-sister were sitting, chatting happily in the treehouse that overlooked the nearby stream. "Azzari," the goddess asked, addressing the blue woman by her new chosen name, "what do you think of this place we have built?"
"I love it, Verbena, dear one," she responded to the goddess. A sly smile curled over her lips after her response, and she scooted just a tad bit closer and spoke in a hushed, teasing tone. "And after some exploring, I've seen that this Dream is full of some wonderful naughty places... Oh, the dreams you must have had..."
Verbena fidgeted in her chair and hesitated to meet Azzari's eyes. "Well... I was alone for quite some time, beloved sister..." As she met her companion's eyes once more, they both shared a laugh until suddenly, Verbena placed a hand to her head and moaned softly.
"Verby, are you all right?" the Azure Goddess asked, placing a hand on Verbena's shoulder and looking at her with concern.
Verbena paused a moment, eyes squinted with pain, then looked back at Azzari. "I... have a bit of a headache, I fear... what is happening to me?"
Azzari frowned as the light that had been streaming in from the window diminished to near-darkness in a matter of seconds. "I don't know... I don't understand..."
Verbena fought through the pain overwhelming her. "Something is wrong, Azzy... someone is..." She trailed off, the temperature of the tree house began to plummet, and the Goddess of Dreams sank back in her seat, shivering.
A loud -BANG- made the pair turn their heads in unison towards the door, which had suddenly opened and slammed against the wall of the treehouse. Seemingly it had swung open on its own; in the doorway stood nothing but an an inky darkness. But to the horror of the two women, the shadow began to move towards them, pouring itself into the room. The Goddess of Dreams and the Azure Goddess both stood to face this strange intruder, watching cautiously.
Tendrils of darkness began to snake into the treehouse, crawling up the walls and licking at the floor, sucking all the warmth out of the room as they came. They converged at the center of the wooden floor, whirlpooling into a black, slowly-swirling vortex. From the center of the oily pool, a figure began to rise. It was similar to the figure of a man, but massive horns curled upwards from his head, and his eyes seemed to form instantly from the nothingness, glowing a blood red from his featureless face. The demonic figure extended a hand, his fingers long and tipped with sinister claws, giving him the appearance that he was holding a handful of knives. One bony, knife-edged claw pointed at Verbena, the demonic creature's hellish eyes narrowing as he gave her a knowing grin, showing monsterous fangs as sharply-pointed as his claws. She could not help but gasp, her eyes wide in shock and fear, an then a slow moan of horror escaped her open lips.
"You... I... I have seen you before... I've seen you in the darkness of my Dreams... Hiding in the shadows, watching me... Coming closer if I turned my back to you..."
A chorus of sick laugher was heard from behind the shape, and the Azure Goddess glanced out the window. Behind the horned figure of darkness and surrounding the treehouse stood other figures of all shapes and sizes, comprised of the same inky blackness. They laughed, a hollow and mocking song that echoed in the tree house as the Goddess stood, paralyzed in fear. As their laughter began to die down, the horned man moved closer, lowering his arm, staring at them with those molten-red eyes. He began to speak, his voice like a poison that dripped from the black nothingness. "Yesss... You know me...." He began to move closer, though he just seemed to glide across the floor. "You do not think you could have a dream without me, do you?"
"I do not want to look upon your wretched face, you vile thing! This is no place for you!" The Goddess shouted at him. Though her voice stood firm, and her shout cracked like a whip, a quiver in her lips betrayed her.
"And do you think you can make me, Goddesss?" The creature hissed in return, as she tried to step back away from him. He then lunged at her, his long claw like fingers grasping for her throat. A soft pink light burst forth from the goddess's upraised hands; It shielded her and Azzari from the creature, but barely. The demon slammed against it, and Azzari and Verbena pressed themselves back against the wall of the treehouse. The dark creature paused only a moment, and then raised his hand and placed it on the glowing shield. He began to press it slowly through the forcefield, breaking through Verbena's powerful spell. She watched in horror as the demon grabbed her wrist, the goddess too shocked to react.
Seeing her sister-goddess in danger, Azzari snarled and lashed out against the creature, ripping at the demon's hand with claws of her own. It startled the demon enough for the Goddess to rip her wrist free, and with both hands she willed a powerful burst of light to propel towards the demonic figure, throwing him back.
He gathered himself quickly, and hissed at the two once more, mockingly, "You think a ray of sssunshine can stop me, Goddesss? You are uselesss now that you have created me... Sssummon your powersss... And we shall meet again..."
The demonic blackness retreated slowly, the Goddess sisters still standing at the defensive, ready to throw themselves into battle even as he backed through the still open door, and spoke only once more. "Remember the name Novmorok, Goddesssesss. For you will hear it again whispered in terror from the lipsss of your Dreamlingsss. Every Nightmare has it's place in a world of dreamsss."
And with that, the creature took to the air, his minions following him into the dark clouds above.
Verbena turned to Azzari, and in silence fell into her blue embrace. The blue goddess sat still and held her sister protectively, still staring at the door in disbelief.
In a strained whisper, through choked back tears, the Goddess of Dreams spoke.
"We must protect them, Azzy...."
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