The Merchant of Dreams🔊

Once upon a time, in the quaint town of Arkaikum situated on the foothills of Starfall Mountains, lived an eccentric yet delightful man named Elmiro—the Merchant of Dreams. He was no ordinary merchant, he was the one who swapped dreams. People from far-off lands would come to him, bringing their dreams, wrapped in delicate silk, in exchange for a new one.

Elmiro was an elderly man with a charismatic smile. His hunched back carried not just years of life, but countless dreams, ambitions, and desires. His little corner on Whistlebark Street was a sight to behold. It had an uncanny appeal encapsulating serenity and thousands of sparkling orbs floating gently in their glass containers—a spectacle reminiscent of a starry night.

One day, a stern-looking man named Clavico arrived from the city of Linsk. He was a merchant of high prestige, renowned for his precious gems. However, underneath his success, Clavico was deeply troubled, burdened with a dream of insatiable greed that was slowly consuming his peace. He had heard of Elmiro and made the journey to Arkaikum, carrying his nightmare in an opulent jade box.

Clavico traded his dream for a humble one—with the hope that it would end his incessant lust for more. Elmiro exchanged his dream with the warm dream of a sunrise—a dream of new beginnings and gratitude. Clavico left, feeling lighter than he had in years, carrying his new dream in a small, wooden box.

The next day arrived Adara, a dancer from the town of Bellerin. She was full of life, mesmerizing everyone with her graceful movement. But Adara harbored a heartbreaking dream: the fear of aging and losing her elegance. She had come to Arkaikum, her dream delicately placed in a satin ballet shoe.

Adara offered her prevailing fear and in exchange, Elmiro handed her the dream of an old willow tree—a symbol of strength, resilience, and eternal beauty. She kissed the old man's cheek and pranced away, leaving a trace of her mystic aura behind, and her new dream safely tucked in her shoe.

Life carried on and days turned into nights as Arkaikum’s reputation as the town of peaceful dreams spread far and wide. Elmiro, the Merchant of Dreams, became a living legend. His existence was a beacon of hope for those struggling in the entanglement of their dreams.

But dreams, just like humans, also have a life. One fated night, the town witnessed a spectacular sight—the twisting nebula of dreams held by Elmiro started ascending into the night sky like a spiral of pulsating stars, each searching its place in the universe. It was Elmiro’s final spectacle—a symphony of dreams written amongst the celestial bodies.

Elmiro had said, 'There's a place for every dream, either in our hearts or in the sky.' He had fulfilled his purpose. Having helped countless sleepers find peace in their dreams, he himself had become a part of the ethereal dreamscape. The townsfolk still speak of him, and on clear nights when the sky shimmers a bit extra, they say it's Elmiro, still trading dreams, just from a different realm.

The legend of Elmiro—the Merchant of Dreams lives on. They say dreams have wings and often find their keeper. It's a belief born out of his story, a belief that rings around Arkaikum and travels around the world, reaching anyone that dares to dream.