The room was quiet. The snores were synchronized. Even Clucksworth's occasional honk was in harmony.
And then, all at once— We dreamed.
---
Kevin's Dream:
He stood on a throne made entirely of breadcrumbs. Below him, an army of ducks chanted his name. He held a staff of lettuce.
> "I am the Salad King," he declared.
Then he got pecked awake by his own crown.
---
Grubnuk's Dream:
A grand soup ballroom. Every broth he ever loved was there. They waltzed. The bisque dipped him. The chowder made promises it couldn't keep.
> "This is the happiest day of my life," he whispered, tears of seasoning streaming down his cheeks.
---
Lyria's Dream:
She was riding a comet through space. A space full of sarcastic stars and emotionally unavailable moons.
One moon tried to flirt. She vaporized it.
> "Boundaries," she muttered.
---
Arc's Dream:
He was a spork. A majestic, magical spork.
All the other utensils gathered around, begging for his wisdom.
> "Balance," he intoned. "Between stabbing and scooping. Between soup and salad. I am both."
He glowed.
---
Greg's Dream:
He was normal. Nothing exploded. No one sang. He had a job at a bakery. It was horrifying.
> "WHERE IS THE CHAOS?!" he screamed, before waking in a cold sweat.
---
My Dream:
I stood on a cliff. Looking out over the entire journey. All of it. Every ridiculous, emotionally-scarring, metaphor-bloated moment.
The wind whispered.
> "You're getting close."
> "To what?" I asked.
The wind didn't answer. Just laughed. And sounded a lot like the Narrator.
---
We all jolted awake. Simultaneously. In unison. Breathing heavily.
Clucksworth screamed. Kevin flailed. Greg accidentally flipped a mattress.
> "Did we just... dream together?" Lyria asked, looking around.
> "I feel like I kissed a comet," Arc said. "I was a comet," Lyria replied.
Mortax stood at the edge of the room. Smiling. Sipping glowing tea again.
> "Welcome back," he said. "That was Phase One of narrative restabilization."
> "...There's more phases?" I asked.
He nodded.
> "Oh yes. But don't worry. The next phase includes breakfast."
---
End of Chapter 36 (Dreams had. Selves questioned. Sporks glorified.)
—-