Element Animals: Legends Rising

VIII - In Which the Prophecy of the Element Animals is Translated

One suncircle, one moon, and two nights old

Despite the fact that I was mentally screaming, my subconscious self dove on through the darkness, her wings parting the inky, tar-thick air with the ease of talons through water. She twisted and dove and I was brought hooting in fright with her, until suddenly, with a snap!, she unfolded her wings and brought us to a screeching halt. The dream Avalanche hopped forward, and all I could do was hope that she wouldn't hit the walls of this hole or something. But my dream self seemed to know the way, and soon she reached an area that was a teeny bit lighter. Here, for some reason, she waited.

What did you bring me here for? I said, but it came out like a thought. If I had been back in my own body, I would have sighed and sagged down, my shoulders slumping, I thought. Then again, if I had been back in my own body, I wouldn't be here at all. I tried wishing and trying to wake up with all my might, but nothing happened. I accepted the fact that I would be stuck here forever. Then--

HSSSSSSSHH!

With a mighty hiss, the hole was suddenly lit up by a great phosphorescent glow. When I could finally see, I saw a bunch of green mist. Oh, dear. Here we go. My dream self approached the green mist and stopped directly in front of it. "O, great Alaufjearbousiy with a sometimes-vowel y!" my dream self cried out. No one is greater than God! Stop worshiping this weird creautre! I cried back.

She didn't seem to hear me.

"Here I am, with the one you have asked of me: my subconscious."

Wait, back it up! I yelled. I am your subconscious?! No, you are my subconscious! 

And then: There's two of these whatever-this-creature's-name-is?

The subconscious Avalanche ignored me, as she had when I yelled to her that no one was greater than God. (She would pay.) 

"All in due time," a high, squeaky-pitched voice rolled out of the fog. "You are dismissed and can leave your subconscious here!"

I decided to let it go and see how she would leave while being my subconscious while leaving me here. Somehow, I managed to watch her walk away. I turned back to the fog--not out of my choice, but by someone else's choice. How I just love my dreams. They're so fun. 

"Listen to me, foolish one, and hear my words!"

Listen to my words, I shouted back. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." I believe is it from John! And "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good." And that one comes from a Psalm! So you are the fool and the sinner!

And somehow, miraculously, I woke up.

"Avalanche, are you okay?"

The words that have been spoken to me so many times over.

"Er, you don't look okay. Do you want me to go get Silentwing?"

The words that have been spoken to me only recently. Someone who is somehow familiar to me.

"I...think I should go get Silentwing. Bye!"

The words that have been spoken to me more recently. Someone--someones--who is--are--somehow familiar to me.

"Avalanche!"

A name that is somehow mine.

"You're right. Do you have any ideas of how we can help her?"