The Keeper of Dreams🔊

Once upon a time, in a realm woven of magic and natural essence, lived an ancient being known as The Keeper of Dreams. This being had a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the universe. He was the guardian of dreams - the good and the bad alike. He ventured into the intricate dreams, navigated through their complexities, protected the sacred dreams, and destroyed the nightmares that could corrupt the minds of the dreamers. His existence was unknown to the mortals who dreamt, but his impact on their reality was significant.

The Keeper had a castle nestled in the heart of this realm. It was made of iridescent ethereal stones that shimmered in the ever-present twilight of the dream realm. He spent his time in a vast chamber filled with an infinite number of glass globes, each encapsulating a unique sleeping dream.

One day, an unforeseen calamity befell the dream realm. A profound darkness began to consume the light of dreams, turning them into twisted nightmares. Fear and despair started to invade the minds of dreamers, wreaking havoc in their lives in the mortal realm. The Keeper, aware of this grave situation, was filled with profound consternation. He tried his best to prophylactically destroy this darkness, but his efforts seemed to be in vain. The darkness was powerful and consumed everything it touched, growing even more potent.

Feeling defeated yet undeterred, The Keeper decided to seek help. He ventured out into the underbelly of the dream realm, toward the Well of Eternal Wisdom. It was forbidden ground, as it was believed that those who seek wisdom from the well, without being able to handle it, could ultimately face their demise. However, amid the catastrophic events, The Keeper was ready to risk it all.

He reached the well and woke up the ancient dream serpent guardian, who asked him, 'What wisdom do you seek, Keeper?'. The Keeper explained about the darkness consuming the dreams and pleaded for guidance. He awaited the response, filled with morbid anticipation.

‘Balance, Keeper. Seek balance. Not all nightmares are to be destroyed, nor all dreams to be saved’, the serpent hissed. Confounded but determined, the Keeper heeded the serpent's words. Retreating back to his castle, he spent the subsequent years reevaluating his actions, contemplating the meaning behind the dream serpent’s cryptic guidance.

He had always worked under the assumption that nightmares were damaging. But he began to question it. He took the risk of observing nightmares more closely, attempting to understand their essence, their purpose. It was a daunting task, observing fears and dread. But he persisted, trying to discern the meaning behind these nightmares.

In time, he realized that nightmares were not absolute evil. Instead, they were merely the reflection of pain, fear, and sorrow experienced by the dreamers. They were lessons built out of hardships and challenges. They signify the inevitability of suffering, encouraging individuals to face their fears to grow stronger.

Realizing this, The Keeper stopped blindly shattering nightmares. Instead, he learned how to temper them, to ensure they were not too harsh, yet could still grant the dreamer their needed strength and lessons. Balance was restored in the dream realm. As the darkness receded, light began to glow once again, dispelling the fear lingering in the hearts of dreamers.

Forever altered by this realization, The Keeper of Dreams continued his duty with this newfound wisdom, embracing dreams and nightmares alike. His story whispered a profound lesson for anyone willing to hear, teaching one about balance, about accepting the shadows just as one accepts the light. This quiet acceptance, the tale suggested, could hold the solution to life's deepest troubles.