Looking up, your eyes widen in shock as the man before you seemed to disintegrate, his physical form dissipating and reforming into a swirling mass of pinkish purple clouds. Within the mass of shifting clouds laid a single circular core, the middle engraved with a runic symbol that you couldn’t quite perceive, looking at it straight on only seemed to blur your sight.
“What the fu-“ You were about to stammer out.
“Silence.” said the strange being, its voice, otherworldy and almost echoing in your mind suddenly compelled you to stop speaking, your body reacting before thought as soon you found yourself unable to speak at all.
You could still freak out in your mind however as the entity grew closer, close enough for some of the pink wisps to lightly touch your flesh. The sensation was weird, as if someone was rubbing a warm wet cotton ball on your skin.
The entity floated in front of you, no face or body to read to determine it’s emotion. Until after what felt like eternity, it spoke once more.
“You are an acceptable vessel. What is your name?” The entity asked.
Without thought you obediently obeyed answering out. “M-my name is Nathan, Nathan Powell.”
“Nathan. Your answer is accepted. Nathan from a plane beyond this one. You have been summoned as a vessel and servant to my cause. I am Ad’rem. One of the Dreamborn.”
You stared silently at the entity. What the fuck was going on? What was that big cotton candy thing doing staring at you? Was it expecting you to answer? It knew that it still hadn’t released you from its silence command right?
A few awkward moments passed, you didn’t want to move or do something out of order, lest you get punished. It wasn’t until half a minute had passed until the entity suddenly realized its error.
“You may speak freely until I determine to revoke that privilege.”
“Can I go home now?” You said quietly, you weren't sure what was happening but you knew this wasn’t some dream. Everything was too vivid and realistic. Either someone had slipped something into your drink or this was all fucking happening.
“No, you have accepted the contract, unless both parties agree, the contract shall not be broken under any circumstances.” It answered.
“When did I fucking agree to anything?” You yelled out, trying to keep your sudden anger out of your voice.
“Approximately 30 seconds before your summoning, you consciously thought the words and I quote. “Man if only I could get out of this fucking expensive ass school and go to some fantasy world, maybe make a pact with like a demon or some shit and go on adventures. What would my adventuring name be?” Your wording and own subconscious desires were determined to be acceptable for the terms of the planar contract signal I sent out when I enacted the ritual that sent you here.” Ad’rem explained.
“B-but, I didn’t expect it to actually happen! Thats no fair. Break the contract please! Get someone else to be your servant!”
Ad’rem grew closer, and although it didn’t have a physical body, you could see its shape bend down, so that its arcane core could move closer to your head. If it had eyes, you’d be sure you were making eye contact with it.
“Contracts cannot be created without consent from both parties. You wanted this. Although I may have influence over your mind and body now, before the contract was finalized, you agreed.” It stated, its voice, usually strange and dreamlike now cold and solid.
“I am not above controlling your will and forcing you into the desired servant, but I will be merciful. I know your desires. All of them. You wish to travel, learn magic, collect artifacts of great power, become a ruler, and more much more. I can grant you that. I am a entity of dreams. Like the divine, I subsist from the minds and faith of others. I was born from a elemental dream storm only a few months ago, but I have power. And I can grant you all of your desires if you follow me. Including... that one...” Ad’rem said, trailing off towards the end of his sentence.
“What are you talking about?” You stammered out.
“There is one desire within you that triumphs over all others. I know what it is, I can easily fulfill this wish if you follow me fervently.”
No, there was no way he could know. How could he possibly know that? He’s bluffing, he hasn’t said anything that he couldn’t have guessed or assumed. This... dream elemental was nothing but a—“
“Your mother’s name was Elissa, her birth father died from heat stroke. She was adopted by a you g couple and later met your father, Brandon. Last time you saw her, she was making chicken noodle soup to serve to you and her family.”
Your mouth gapped open. He was completely right.
“Of course I am. So now you should know Is ay the truth when I say that your greatest desire is...”