Dionysus You see a Tower before you.

Arlie_B what kind of tower?

Dionysus Tall, greenstone, in a forest, glimmering in the morning light.

• Arlie_B looks around and, dream logic in full effect, starts to walk towards it.

Dionysus As you reach it, you note the door is old & rotted, but the inside looks clean.

• Arlie_B knocks on the door, and turns it open with a creak when there is no answer and ventures inside.

Dionysus A grizzled old man looks out from within, "May I help you, sir?"

Arlie_B "Mind if I took a look from the top of your tower? I'd like to get a view of the horizon."

Dionysus He shrugs, "It's not a pretty sight right now, but sure." He lets you in.

Arlie_B "Thanks, the name's Arlie."

Dionysus "Robin's the name."

Dionysus His thin hair is green, now that you see it closely, & his gnarled face is inhuman.

Dionysus The tower is cold green stone, with sturdy wooden stairs.

Dionysus He hands you a lantern to climb with

• Arlie_B starts for the stairs. "Pleasure to meet you, Robin." He cocks his head when the features become clearer, but doesn't say anything.

Arlie_B after a moment of silence, "I was just at my friend's father's funeral."

Arlie_B "A suicide, sad business."

Dionysus "I'm sorry to hear it. What brings you hear? Boring funeral?"

Arlie_B "No, we just got lost in the music after the ceremony."

Arlie_B "And I was here."

Arlie_B "I don't get bored anymore, I think."

Dionysus "A strange curse to bear."

Dionysus "Here we are, the roof," he says, opening a door at the top of the stairs.

Arlie_B "I'd call it a blessing."

Arlie_B "Oh." Arlie examines the scenery.

Dionysus Nothing is real from here.

Dionysus It's all... a dream, a hazy dream.

Dionysus Tainted by the Wrongness, all over.

Dionysus You see armies form & face off against Wrong monsters, Manifestations

Dionysus And if you look up...

Dionysus You see the Gods.

• Arlie_B does

Arlie_B what are they doing? Watching?

Arlie_B fighting? Marching?

Dionysus They are manipulating the landscape, exerting influence, acting directly, & observing.

Arlie_B "Are they winning or loosing?"

Dionysus "Yes."

Arlie_B "We're going to save the Summer Country, but I don't know how to fix the Wrongness. I don't know how to make the Father of Order take back his post."

Arlie_B "It's sad."

Dionysus Robin snorts, "What?"

Arlie_B "I was there. I saw Him, but I didn't recognize him. I brought the Ender back to life, the Father of Order killed him."

Arlie_B "It was a circus, and everything was wrong." Arlie sits on the roof.

Arlie_B "Robin, are you Berelian? Did I kill you long ago?"

Arlie_B "I haven't said that prayer in years. Damon always lead the prayers, I didn't have to."

Dionysus He stares at you.

Dionysus He laughs.

Dionysus "I've never been killed, lad."

Dionysus "You... You're certain it was the Father of Order?"

Arlie_B "That's what the Master Ender said. He told me to tell others."

Arlie_B "It's good you've never been killed. You seem like an agreeable sort."

Arlie_B "What happens if they loose?"

• Arlie_B nods up to the Gods.

Dionysus "They are loose."

Arlie_B "Like the Lost Gods?"

Arlie_B "What happens to the rest of us on Shem?"

Dionysus He frowns, "You mean, what if they leave Shem?"

Arlie_B "You said the Gods would leave Shem if they lost to the Wrongness. Yes, what happens to the rest of us then?"

Arlie_B "If the world goes completely wrong, does the World end?"

Dionysus He laughs, "I hadn't thougth about it entirely. I don't think the gods will leave, though. They'll die first. And if they die... Well, best fall on that sword of yours, eh?"

Arlie_B "I'd still be a soul in the Havens, then. It'd just take them longer to get me."

Arlie_B "Do you know how to fly, Robin?"

Dionysus He shrugs, "True enough. Jump in a shadow-kin, instead, then." He laughs an ugly laugh.

Dionysus "As for flying,"

Dionysus "I've done it before. Why?"

Arlie_B "I wanted you to show me. I'm getting tired of this view and it's time for a change."

Dionysus He shrugs, "Jump, then."

Arlie_B "Ok." Arlie jumps.

Dionysus You wake up.