I

The Dreamlands is a strange place for most who enter, willingly or not. Things do not make simple sense to those who walk the lands consciously. For those who dream, it matters little what sense the world makes, as the Dream Realm simply facilitates what is requested of its unconscious inhabitants. For those who dream, it is most kind even when striking dreamers with horror, for in the end, the dreamer remains safe and in a world of their own making. A world many who enter consciously attempt to take for themselves, while others just try and make a simple living within it.

Atis was no stranger to the realm, having served the Celestial Council for centuries and had made many trips as a celestial envoy by now. At first he found it strange that a realm entirely made up of and for mortal thought and dreams had inhabitants that went to war, but time as the Peacekeeper served to teach him otherwise. This time, however, Atis was not given clear instruction as to where the next conflict was to be dealt with. They’ve been getting quieter recently. Atis shook his head as he walked along a shifting path within the Enchanted Woods. Before he had arrived there had apparently been a storm which passed through, now on its way south. To Sarnath, I believe. It's a sign, then? A storm approaches the Bnazic Desert? A smaller scale conflict? One which might escalate too far?

Atis hated his own mind, robbed of free choice for so long and yet once his gods lift their attention away, he returns to the thoughts of a mortal. A man, which he no longer was and didn’t strive to become again. Yet this was the way which he had successfully bonded peace between two cities of fire just some handful of years ago when his god-masters observed quietly. His reward? The next location.

Here he was, after hiking the center of the multiverse and diving into a sleeping bronze dragon’s pool. The last time I had to enter the Dreamlands I remember I had to… but, the memories didn’t manifest, his time spent too long and a mind which practiced very little remembrance. Memories were for mortals, while divinity simply knew. Right now, all Atis had to remember was the direction of that storm. South.

The walk was nothing unusual to a planeswalker as old as Atis was. The trek through the woods was wet, much of it being windswept by the storm. Some trees were felled by its harsh winds, while others were in the process of bending ‘back into shape’, which is how Atis made sense of it.

Things were a lot easier to make sense of when one understood the purpose of multiple realms. Layers upon layers of the world as a whole, each serving a cosmic law and purpose. The Hells punishes its inhabitants to exist in an afterlife of war, horror and chaos. The Void is an eternal source of its namesake– void energy, while remaining as a large, black and empty expanse for undeath to ‘thrive’. The Dreamlands then serve to facilitate dreams of all kinds, a layer of the multiverse which exists as a result of collective cognition. Many more exist and all follow a cosmic law and purpose. I am planeswalker Atis, the Peacekeeper Between Realms. I exist as an envoy of the Celestial Council.

Amidst recollecting basic universal lore, Atis found himself having walked into the edges of the lost city of Sarnath. Millenniums of time had passed since the city last had seen civilization as it was during its prime, now re-populated by bandits and pirates. Buildings buried under rock and sand, yet unfeeling to the tides of time themselves– the round and refined stone structures stood out against the rocky expanse. Had he wanted to go further in, Atis was sure to find the new population thriving, though perhaps not as well as the city could’ve facilitated in the past. Even someone as old as he had never once seen its glory days, its origin civilization now gone, as well as the reason as to why it ever disappeared. This is perhaps why I exist now, is it not? To not allow conflict which threatened the many.

Thinking philosophically is the one levity of mortal thought Atis allowed himself freely, as he believed ponderous thoughts were even had by gods. For how long do they ponder? But before he could become frustrated, Atis had thrust the feelings down deep and fixated on his surroundings, darting his eyes across central points of the area while walking forward.

There. A young girl attempting to push a rowboat into the lake.

“I am planeswalker Atis, the Peacekeeper Between Realms, emissary of the Celestial Council.” Atis expressed loudly and formally, though deciding to cut the usually longer speech down. “With whom am I speaking to?”

The girl looked at Atis with shock and terror, her cat tail frozen with fur standing on ends. She looked to be a teenager and if his fragmented memories served him right, she seemed to be dressing rebelliously against modern Sarnathi standards. The loose cut painted-over uniform and cloth skirt above some pants is certainly not befitting the band of brutes currently ruling the abandoned city. Would my masters have me deal with Cambyses soon enough too?

“I-I-I– w-what!?” she replied, obviously terrified. A part of Atis’ mind groaned at himself.

“Your name, girl. I wish to speak with you.”

“Ma-muh– my name? It’s– uhm, it’s Nev!” She paused for a moment, determining if she should say something out of line. Despite her fear, she said it anyway, though it came out as a shout. “And I’m not a girl!”

Atis felt shock strike him before a warm ripple of shame ripped through his body. Still, his posture and face did not betray his formal presence too much. “Naturally. The fault is mine, my child, and I apologize. Still, what is it you’re trying to accomplish here?”

Nev seemed to relax slightly, but tensed at the question, looking back at the rowboat and hugging themself. Anxiously, they let out a quieter answer, as if Atis had just yelled at them. “They say a powerful dreamer rests at the bottom of Sarnath’s lake. I wanna… you know, see if it’s real.”

It was almost dizzying for Atis to hear someone express self-interest out of innocent curiosity. A dreamer? I might need to head into Sarnath before someone powerful- His thoughts were interrupted by Nev's continued response.

“Who– well, I guess your name is Atis, but what is a strange man like you doing out here?”

“I am not a man, young Nev.”

“Oh.”

“I’m a vessel of divinity. A holy emissary, if you will. I am as much of a man as you are a girl.”

For some reason his response pleased Nev, as they plainly expressed a wide smile. Most seem to believe they’ve been selected for divine punishment or blessing, but this youth simply smiled. Nev seemed to relax a greater deal.

“Oh, okay! But then, I might not be who you’re looking for. I’m just going treasure hunting, and you seem like the type of, uhm, being who has a ‘purpose greater than law’ or something like that.”

Nev walked back to their rowboat, pushing against it. They expressed themself between haggard breaths, continuing to speak as they pushed the rowboat. “Peacekeeper, right?.. You might find some people… in Thalarion… Something’s going on… I think.”

“Thank you, young Nev. Good luck on your travels, and–”

FOLLOW THE YOUNG GIRL. CONFLICT COMES.

Atis felt a chill run down his spine, but he didn’t question the command. It was beyond him to do so. Though wrongly identified, Atis could surmise whom the gods referred to.

Nev had managed to finally push the rowboat into the lake. “What were you gonna say?”

Atis considered his words for a moment.

“And… I’d like to accompany you on your travels.”

“Huh? How come?”

“The gods may not wait for no one, but as it stands, I can.”

Nev looked confused at him for a moment, but then smiled and patted for Atis to sit at the opposite end of the rowboat. He simply nodded and sat down in the boat, hopeful of what the gods planned for Nev’s future.

II

Despite their smaller figure, Nev was adept at rowing across the crystal blue lake. Atis didn’t mind the relaxed nature of their trip, though he expected that they would find conflict soon enough and so did not let his guard down too much. One does not simply row out towards open waters looking for treasure and not expecting fellow hunters. Who else could this dreamer have reached out to? Who or what are they? To what ends do they request the aid of a child? Or is this perhaps a red herring? Gods, if they would just answer.

Atis observed Nev as they rowed and though they had happily invited him to sit, the youth still seemed anxious about the trip. He hadn’t realized it until now, but his expression was focused with narrowed eyes looking deeply, falling on Nev by complete happenstance. Right, casual conversation. Atis relaxed when he spoke.

“I assume you hail from Sarnath?” It took Nev a moment to realize they were being spoken too, but they answered eagerly.

“You could tell? Yeah, but I don’t really like it over there. I’m just sticking around ‘cause my pops need the money.”

"That's so? Is the uniform his then?” Nev let go of rowing temporarily, resting the oars and picking up their uniform jacket, now lying loose in the boat as the heat rose. Atis couldn’t tell very well, as his Hollowplate made his body temperature much colder.

“Not anymore. I cut it up myself and made it my own!” Nev showed off the various seams which cut through the formal uniform, turning it into an asymmetrical zipper jacket. Atis guessed that even a king would struggle to make the uniform look anything but anti-establishment.

“I see. The passions of a seamster. I take it you do not tend to agree with the ways of Sarnath?” Nev put the jacket down and began rowing again.

“Not at all.” Nev frowned. “I just want a way to get out of here with my parents. They’re forced to be here to work off the debts of Cambyses Engmar.” Nev looked like they had more to say, but it was clearly too painful to do so out loud. Even so, Atis understood the stakes. A debt only paid in sweat or blood. Many conflicts between men were as such. Unfair and unyielding.

As the conversation died down and time passed further, their trip extended into night time. Nev assured Atis that they had enough energy concoctions packed to complete the expedition out into deeper waters, along with some magical items to help with diving into the depths. They had already eaten some bites of dry sailing rations, inviting Atis to have some. He had to decline, because even as a wanderer, he had some reservations when it came to quality, though he explained it away as not taking away food from a child.

“Finally! I think this should be far enough.” Nev didn’t seem sure about the exact location they were heading to, but remained optimistic. They began unpacking their backpack which held within a pocket dimension able to carry much more than as it appeared. Nev seemed to notice Atis staring.

Stolen novel; please report.

“What? Honestly, it’s the king’s fault for founding a society of criminals.” Atis nodded along. Foolishness, young Nev.

He looked out towards the horizon. Nothing but the lake, though the eastern mountains were slightly visible by their peaks. As Atis looked far out north from where they came, he noticed a small light rise upon the horizon. Nev didn’t seem to have noticed and was well along their way to dive into the lake, with a magical rebreather and swimmer’s ring put on. They looked back at Atis, who returned the gaze. Nev waved a light goodbye at Atis before diving down into the depths. Too carefree. Perhaps it was for the better though, as Atis looked beyond the horizon and saw that conflict was beginning to rear its ugly head. To what ends must I do my work, I wonder?

III

The torches were closer now. A small ship of pirates– though larger than the rowboat Atis stood upon, still alone– made its way closer. Atis could tell they were such by the Sarnath uniforms, though much rougher worn than anyone close to Cambyses. Or maybe they just want to appear as such. Nevertheless, Atis introduced himself once more. “I am planeswalker Atis, Peacekeeper Between Realms and emissary of the Celestial Council. With whom do I parley?”

A muscular, albeit fat and tall man stood up at front– judging by his features, a goliath. “Why, just some simple sea merchants having a stroll out on a lake.” The pirates behind him cascaded into laughter. The goliath spoke in a northern accent. “I’m captain Anders and if you wouldn’t mind, it’d be kind of you to tell us where the girl is.”

Atis grit his teeth. This conflict should be beyond me. “I’ve no intention of letting you know. It's none of your concern. Why do you seek them?”

The captain laughed. “Well enough, we’re just some good ol’ peacekeepers ourselves, actually. Chief Engmar isn’t too keen on theft, y’see. You some paladin? You should know that we have the lawful authority to arrest and do whatever we want to the lil’ missy.” The pirates laughed– Anders most of all. Atis focused his mind, calling out for guidance. After a few long seconds, his masters finally deign to answer.

THESE GODLESS MERCENARIES WILL SHED BLOOD FOR THEIR TYRANT.

It was the right instructions Atis wished for. “Nev is not a girl, and not for you to unjustly murder.”

A simple leap across the waters was all it took for him to meet the gaze of the goliath. Far more taller than him, yet oozing the aura of inexperience. He made himself look intimidating, but his eyes were that of a cowardly killer. Atis made no attempt at hiding the disgust in his own eyes. Vile pirate. Not even of a warrior’s ilk. The look prompted the captain to strike in rage. With a swift draw of his silver blade did Atis have the man cut open his own fist between the knuckles. The goliath screamed in pain, sending the rest of his ship into a furious charge. In his forgotten past, Atis might’ve enjoyed the martial challenge, but his sword was made for duels, not savage slaughter. He cut the captain’s neck in one elegant slice, beheading Anders.

The crew stood back in shock, though some still tried to charge Atis. A woman came at his side, striking out with her rapier. Atis parried and kicked her down to the deck then cut her sword arm’s wrist. A man fired his pistol at Atis’ chest, but the bullet deflected against his armor. In return, Atis lunged at the man, piercing his throat. Finally, one man from behind stabbed Atis' back, piercing a tiny gap in the Hollowplate. Your talent goes wasted with that warmongering bandit king. Atis took the man by his arm and slammed him down against the boat’s deck, piercing his lungs by the point of his sword. “Enough! Your captain is dead. I demand you retreat to whence you came.”

Atis glared at the crew as they hesitated. Some whispered words of fright, scared of what he might do. Others discussed if returning empty handed was even possible. Nevertheless, Atis had successfully avoided further conflict.

DO NOT LET THEM GO. DESTROY THEM.

The words pulsed within Atis’ mind. He hadn’t received as much direct guidance in far too long, and with such dire means and ends. A boulder sat within his stomach. Destroy? But, it was not his choice to make. Not anymore, or perhaps it never was. Such was his oath. He knelt down on the deck of the boat, sheathing his blade and putting his hand on the boards. Atis had met many spellcasters and magically gifted people, all of whom had a different way of bending the cosmic laws to their will. For Atis, it was through imagination.

He saw in front of him how the boat should deteriorate into nothing, as if a silent wildfire would eat it away. The sliver of destruction rested within his palm, needing only a simple command to alter a small portion of reality.

TURN TO ASH.

And so they all did.

IV

“I think I saw something, but I’m not sure.” Nev pouted, as if a parent had just grounded them. They were drenched in water, now making use of a wand of Prestidigitation to dry themself off.

“I was so close! So, so close! And now my diving equipment is dulled until tomorrow morning.” Atis thought it amusing that as time went on, magical innovation seemed to be slowing down. The mask looked different, but the magical rebreather still had the same flaws as ones that Atis had seen time and time again. Technology might’ve surpassed it by now, but as time goes on, he can imagine that it would suffer another fate. Material is ever so limited, unlike the greed of man.

“All is fine young Nev, it's just another day.”

“What if someone finds out what I’m trying to do out here? What if someone like Cambyses knows about this dreamer?”

“Young Nev, would a bandit king not already know if such legends hold water in the first place?” Nev looked at him confused.

“I mean, I guess so, but I’m pretty sure that’s not right. I heard about this dreamer in one of my dreams in the material plane. Though, I guess he could’ve also had that dream…” Atis began feeling like something was stuck in his throat. A sensation of anxiety creeped through his body. Where is the supposed conflict? His anxiety couldn’t escape Nev’s eyes this time. They let go of rowing, fixating on Atis’ eyes.

“What’s wrong, Atis?” A moment stood still as Atis tried to formulate an excuse, but his composure remained scattered.

“Nothing, child. Nothing you must worry about.”

“Is it the dream thing? It’s not dangerous, is it?”

“Magical artifacts may or may not be dangerous, that I cannot say without seeing it first. As I said, do not worry, child.”

“I’m not a child, you can tell it to me straight! And that dreamer isn’t an artifact. They spoke to me and showed me their form!” Atis felt a chill overtake him.

DO YOU REALIZE, EMISSARY?

“I’ve decided, Nev. The dreamer is dangerous. As a holy vessel for peace, I command you to stop pursuing it.” As he spoke, Atis filled his voice with the might of a justiciar, trying his best to dissuade the child. Nev hesitated, but only for a moment before speaking out against him despite his words.

“I refuse! This is the only chance I have at freeing my family. I have to, before Sarnath returns to Delterax!” Nev was distressed, neither wanting to give up while also trying to face against divine will. Atis couldn’t imagine it was easy, but he had to be intimidating now. There was no other choice.

“You listen to me, child, which is what you are in the face of a dreamer and my presence. You are forbidden by divine will to seek it out! It is dangerous. You will risk far more than you will safekeep by doing this.”

“Then help me! Save me! I don’t want my parents to die!” Nev flung themself against Atis, rocking the rowboat. They began crying against his plate. “This is the only choice I have. The dreamer said so.” Atis lowered his tone next before speaking.

“It’s alright, Nev, they’re not going to-”

“My dad’s leg was broken in a skirmish. Mom survived her…” The words made it difficult for them to speak. “Her last suicide attempt, but she’s barely taken care of, held down by my dad. I’ve been stealing a bunch from Cambyses’ treasure to keep us afloat, but…” Nev’s words escaped them in the flood of their cry. Quiet. Resigned. Atis found himself empathizing. Life often had the chance to drive one into defeat like the one suffered now. A selfish thought flashed in-between moments as Atis remembered how easily he would find compromise between kingdoms, yet now couldn’t give a child counsel enough to save the Dreamlands from chaos.

“Your life is going to be difficult, Nev.” Atis put his hand on their back, embracing Nev. He let the Hollowplate go into the aether, allowing Nev to rest against his formal clothing. “As a matter of fact, it already is. There are many like you across the vast worlds I’ve traversed. You’ve done well to fight against misfortune, which is why I tell you not to do this. Do not grasp at the first easy out you see. You may feel worn out, but in truth, you can endure more than this. You’ve been enduring it. That is what your strength is and you shouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

Nev replied, exhausted in their tone of voice. “I just want life to be easy for once. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I’m so tired.”

Perhaps it was for how long Atis would be left without guidance or word from the gods, but in this moment he wanted to stoke the flame of rebellion within Nev. He saw that they were capable of much more, should they simply fight. Yet, it was not his choice nor his duty to allow it.

“Could you save us?” Nev looked up at him with desperation in their eyes. Atis didn’t expect such a question posed again. “Couldn’t you take us with you?”

“It would not be right, I fear.”

“Says who?”

Atis clenched his teeth. He couldn't blame his gods. “It would be abuse.” The child began tearing up some more, eyes marbling in the moonlight.

“Please.”

Atis closed his eyes shut, looking for guidance once more. I must not… His soul cried out for answers to what he must do according to the oaths he had sworn before. Yet, like many times in recent years, no answer ever came. No muffling. Nothing said unclear. Even as the world around him grew dark and the breath of the world couldn't be heard, his focus entirely within his mind, a deafening silence was everything he could hear. He must make the choice himself, again. An agonizing experience. Speaking again grated against him, his heart feeling about ready to burst. Yet he spoke a decision still.

“I’ll try.”

V

What Atis did that next morning was nothing short of utter reckless behavior, sneaking into the Sarnathi camps controlled by Cambyses and smuggling some backstreet family out. If not for the consequences of his own masters, then it would surely be at the hands of that Engmar. Yet, with the guidance of Nev, Atis managed to have them all flee. It took greater focus to jump across realms with other people, a new experience even for the immortal emissary, one who was never asked to truly care for others. He had the family relocated to Ulthar, still within the Dreamlands, not wanting to risk any sort of cosmic imbalance. They were safe from the reach of Cambyses and far away from the dreamer which tempted Nev. The mountain range between them would suffice, but even should Cambyses come looking, then the town of Ulthar will prove itself to be a protective ally to Nev. Atis explained in brief what their leaders might come to expect in the next few months.

Once he finished his business with the family, he disappeared. Some loose fragments of his soul still whispered to him. Nev must learn how to live their own life and you cannot guide them the way you are. You’re a hero and you must leave. Perhaps those fragments were right, or they were parts of his ever decreasing sanity. Were they like gold, still uncorrupt, hovering close to his soul? Or more like tumors that were sure to drive him into becoming an oath breaker? To call this deed heroic was dangerous to a mortal mind. Try as I might, I cannot think like a celestial would.

All he was ever supposed to do in any realm he visited was to find compromise and settle peace before the conflict escalated. If unable to, then execute those who would escalate. Such was the wish and wisdom of his masters. Yet, he can’t help but feel as if he had done this before on occasion. Becoming close with a world’s people and helping them in some way outside of his duty, but his memories of such times didn’t last long. He was sure the ones with Nev would fade too, in time. Without the otherworldly existence as a god might be, Atis would continue to suffer the effects of time on his soul and mind, for those were still as mortal as when he first became oathsworn.

Atis wasn’t sure how much of a conflict prevention these actions were, but he knew his masters weren’t pleased with the outcome. He knew their wisdom was beyond his simple mortal mind and that they would surely deliver justice upon him, as he would to tyrants and villains. A part of him wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his actions. The very hubris of what he had gone through with would've sent clerics and oracles into shock. Some might've even hanged him for it. Maybe he should've been. His gods, however, simply left him with one final sentence before ever uttering another word of guidance for a decade to come.

YOU FAILED TO KILL HER AND NOW A SMALL GIRL RISKS THE SAFETY OF THE DREAM REALM.

There was no physical or spiritual punishment. The Celestial Council didn't aim to destroy their vessel of peace, but their words shakes his mind all the same. A shock of shame overtook his mind, imposed upon him by those words alone. Alas, I did fail. As he wandered down the winding path of Sumeru from his origin point, Atis grasped the symbol hanging around his neck. He fought against the shame. He wouldn’t let it control his thoughts, for those were his alone. Atis might’ve failed in accordance with the Council’s judgment, but he would not forsake what little fragments of humanity he still possessed. He was not just a mere vessel for divinity, and…

“Nev is not a girl.”