Animation Source Forums

"Well," Setsuko commented awkwardly, "Today is the day." She fell silent, unsure of what else to say.

"Yep," Rue replied, then allowed silence to fill the air. "Are we going to go now, or should we wait until a bit later?" she asked after a moment. She wanted to put it off until later, but that would only make her feel more of trepidation.

"I don't know," Setsuko replied. "What do you think?"

"I think we should just go now. Going later is only going to make the knots in my stomach worse," Rue said, offering a small smile.

"Alright," Setsuko replied, grabbing her glider and exiting the cabin. "Jaci, huphup." The Blue Lion leaped on top it. Setsuko jumped high into the air. Takeoff was a bit difficult, but soon enough she and Jaci where soaring. They glided across the lake and landed on the other side. Setsuko paused hesitantly in front of the cave. She became nervous, remembering vividly how her thoughts had been taken over last time.

Rue took off after Setsuko, her feathers aligning as she stretched them. She watched the lake fly by underneath her, the smooth blue surface disturbed by only a few small ripples and waves. She landed after Setsuko, her feet light as the fell to the ground. She pullled in her wings, looking into the small cave entrance fearfully.

"Well," Said Setsuko, "Ready?" She side-glanced at Rue. Jaci pawed the ground in anticipation. Setsuko stepped slowly into the cave.

"I guess so," Rue said uncertainly, following Setsuko in, having to duck at first to get through the small entrance. The familiar claustrophobia came over her, and she wished to be outside, the longing made worse by the fact knowing that something lay ahead. Most likely something bad.

Setsuko walked deeper into the tunnel, highly aware of being closely followed by Rue and Jaci. It became harder with each step to keep her eyes facing forward, but she knew that if they wandered to one of the mysterious tunnels, something might overtake her.

Rue kept her eyes focused on the floor, unwilling to peer into one of the eerie, glowing tunnels. Her shaky breathing sounded loud in the quiet tunnels. Atleast they were bigger than the entrance.

An eerie noise sounded at the end of the main cave. Setsuko gasped quietly, then listened for any other trace of the sound. Suddenly, she felt a whoosh of air as a large, avian creature landed in front of them. It was an owl...or was it? This owl had an oddly long neck and tail, as if it where part snake. Glinting black eyes stared down the trio as it looked at them, and Setsuko could have sworn it was looking right into her soul. "Welcome," It said in a kind, yet scary voice. "Rue Ride and Setsuko, aren't you?" Setsuko stepped back slightly, wondering how this creature knew her name...or talk, for that matter. She nodded nervously, then glanced at Rue, wincing inwardly.

Rue's eyes widened as she saw the creature, it's voice echoing around the cave. She followed Setsuko's example, nodding. Her brown eyes took in every detail of the large owl-like creature. It was avian, but with an abnormally long neck and tail. LIke an experiment gone wrong.

"Welcome," It repeated, "To the Caverns of Life. My name is Ayumu."
Setsuko's eyes widened. " 'Walk in Dreams', " She translated in awe.
"Yes." Ayumu agreed. "You see, the Caverns of Life is where dreams are stored."
Setsuko stared in confusion. "Dreams? Why are they the Caverns of Life if they hold dreams?" She asked curiously.

"Because dreams are life. Everything you dream, be it good or bad, has some sort of impact on your life...big or small. Dreamless sleeps are much more listless than ones where your imagination works. Dreams keep the creative part of the mind alive. The Caverns of Life hold all the dreams. The dreams are sorted by emotion, each which corresponds to a color. That is why the networks of tunnels seem to glow different hues. I believe you are both already aware of the impact that looking dreams in the eye can do to you? You need to be careful in the Caverns." Ayumu explained.

Rue was thought she had gotten all of that, or atleast most of it. "We got the whole careful thing," she said. "Why are we here?" she blurted. The question had come out of her mouth without thought. Maybe Amuyu would know how to get back.

"Simple. You have a task. You must come back when it has been completed. Good day, girls. Come back when you are ready." The goodbye was brisk, but Ayumu didn't seem to care. He just disappeared into the darkness of the Caverns.

"Wait!" Setsuko called after him. "What is the task?" But Ayumu was long gone.
'You must find out yourself, and complete it,' A voice in the wind whispered. Setsuko barely had time to wonder how there could be wind in a cave before she was running for the exit.