Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 11:43:09 -0600 Subject: [ffml] [MW] The Dream From: "Jaana" Jaana was floating. It was a strange sensation.....one that was not entirely unpleasant. She was blanketed in a dark warmth that comforted her weary body. She turned her head, trying to make out something in the darkeness, but there was nothing. She could see nothing. A strange wind seemed to be blowing. She held her hand in front of her face and found she could not see it. "I'm dead," she thought to herself. "I'm dead, and this is nothing like I expected it to be!" She felt a sense of disappointment growing within her. She had been cheated! "What on earth am I going to do *here* for the rest of eternity?" She tried to remember how she had died, and found that she had no recollection. "I must have been ambushed somehow...." she thought. She heard a voice from behind her. "You weren't ambushed..." "What?" She turned around. The figure of the Dark Lord stood on solid ground, ten feet below. He grinned, showing his yellow teeth. "I said you weren't ambushed." "Well, what happened? I can't remember anything...." "That's because nothing happened. Why don't you come down here so we can speak face-to-face." "Come down? But I don't know how!" "Jaana, this is your dream, you can do anything you want." "Dream?" The Dark Lord smiled. "Yes, Jaana, dream. Now come down here...I feel like some sort of servant!" "Oh my gosh, I *am* dreaming." Jaana sighed with relief. "I thought I was dead!" She began to descend to the solid surface the Dark Lord was standing on. "These dreams can make you feel that way," he laughed, "but don't worry...you're fine." "Thank the gods!" she sighed as she touched down. She looked at the Dark Lord, "What are you doing in my dreams? You're dead!" The Dark Lord bowed to her, "This is the domain of the dead, you know......dreams...." "Aren't you with....*them*?" "Yes. And that's why I'm here." "It is?" Jaana looked puzzled. "Yes. Jaana, your path is no longer with the humans...." She was silent. "You must leave them. Take Sephiroth with you. Your destinies lie elsewhere." "What about Kaitlin?" "She will stay. She has served her purpose for us and must follow her own path now." "What am I to do?" "That you must decide for yourself. I must tell you, though, the human army is working at a considerable disadvantage. The entire planet is against them." "I know that." "There are others who are against them as well." The Dark Lord's gaze lifted to the heavens. "Others who would be very displeased if things did not go according to plan." Jaana nodded. "Yes.....you're right." "If they are displeased, things will not bode well for the planet." Jaana looked shocked. "Do they have that much power?" "Do you need to ask that question?" Jaana shook her head. She knew exactly how much power they had, and how dangerous it could be. "No, I don't. Dark Lord, what do I need to do?" "Bacca is dangerous. He may be well-intentioned, but his ego will be his downfall. He has no concern for things larger than himself." "I can't do anything to Bacca. He may be arrogant, but he's not evil." "Nothing need be done for the time being, but you must not assist his cause anymore. To do so would be disasterous. He will be enough trouble as it is, without your powers aiding him." "I understand." "Now go. It's time." The Dark Lord began to dematerialize. "Wait!" Jaana shouted. The Dark Lord rematerialized. "What?" She smiled. "It was good to see you again, Dark Lord." He grinned. "Thanks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a couple of newly-dead Lizar females to show around the after-life." He winked, then disappeared. ********************** Jaana awoke with a start. Sephiroth was kneeling in front of her, holding her hand. "Finally!" He smiled. " I didn't think you were ever going to wake up!" "Sephiroth!" She stared at him, eyes wide. "We've got to leave!" "I know." he replied. "We will." "You're better?" "Yes. We can leave tonight if you wish." "Good. Let's tell the others..."