Dreamcatchers

The first thing he remembered was it being warm. Warmth that spread throughout his entire body, like the light of a lantern reaching even the darkest corners. It was similar to the tingle of a shiver, but somehow the opposite. This shiver didn’t leave him feeling empty, but instead safe and comfortable. The light of the lantern spread from his core, the sensation reaching every limb, every fiber of his being. He felt almost as if he was floating, floating away like he was a lantern himself, that someone had sent into the sky.

He lingered in this feeling for a moment, bobbing and swaying gently in the breeze. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt at such peace. But at the same time, he couldn’t remember much of anything. All he could focus on was floating. He didn’t care where he was, or where he was going. He would float up, up, up until he was in the stars, and he could no longer breathe. Up until the atmosphere burned his body away into a shower of light that someone would wish upon, thinking he was a shooting star.

But then something hit him. He wasn’t truly floating. No, this movement felt more as if he was drifting. So, he wasn’t a floating lantern after all. He was one of the lanterns that drifted on the water. Instead of bobbing and swaying in the breeze, he bobbed and swayed gently in the waves.Yes.This felt more right. The waves carried him into the unknown and turning. Every now and then he felt a dip in elevation, but then the waves would carry him back up.

Somewhere along the way, he couldn’t really remember when the waves of the water had transformed into something grainy and soft. No longer bobbing, he was hit with a sense of grounding. Still, he didn’t want to move. He longed for the waves to surround him again, sweep him back into the water to float like loose debris. But the water only licked at his legs now, encouraging him to open his eyes. When he did, a bright light flooded his vision, and he closed his eyes in shock.

He decided to wait then, to let his other senses come back while his eyes adjusted. To just lay here and breathe and take in the environment. He took fistfuls of the earth in his fingers, letting it slip through his grasp. He listened to the voice of nature. Crickets, chirping loudly as they call to each other. The whir of the wind as it sweeps through every tree and blade of grass, lifting every leaf and fallen petal. The fragrance of the petals that had not yet fallen mixed with the scent of the humid air. The taste of his own mouth on his tongue felt thick and sluggish. And finally, the darkness of his eyelids as he shielded himself against the unknown light.

When opening his eyes again, this time he found that it wasn’t as bright. Replacing the bright chaos was the dim glimmer of a sky covered with clouds. This was his chance. Pushing himself up to a sitting position, he found that he faced a marsh. All around him, large willows surrounded him, swaying as the cool breeze flowed. The long leaves were lush with life, flowering with milky yellow and white flowers. To his back was the water, which pooled in from a larger body somewhere beyond. And meeting it was a cold mixture of sand and mud. Mushrooms grew in clusters here and there, and a variety of bushes and plants were scattered in the overgrowth.

Now more conscious, he was suddenly aware of a dryness in his throat. Gently shaking his head to ward off any remaining drowsiness, he turned himself around to face the water. His limbs had felt as if they had been asleep for ages, and now weren’t his own. Dipping his hands into the water, he first cleansed off the grains of sand. Then cupping the water up between his hands, he drank slowly. The cool water soothed the aching of his throat.

Staring into the reflection of water before him, he was struck with the beauty of this place. He noticed now willow trees that enclosed the area seemed almost purposeful. As if nature itself decided to create this small haven. And then he noticed something else. Complimenting the white and yellow flowers, was the reflection of the stars and moon in the water. The clouds that shaded the night sky before were gone, and the moon shined in all its celestial beauty; Like its own yellow flower in the sky itself.

The moon’s light focused him, and now he tried to make his brain work. Where was he? He looked around for anything that could give him a clue. But the trees blocked his view in all directions; he would have to venture outside the marsh to get a clue. How exactly did he get here? The only thing he could remember was the sensation of floating. Another question prickled at the edge of his mind, making him uneasy.Whoexactly...was he? He searched the recesses of his mind, but a fog clouded his mind, memories slipping through his fingers when he grasped them. Each time his identity was on the tip of his tongue, it was lost again.

Dear child,a strange voice appeared in his mind.You must relax if you have any hope of recovering your lost memories.He froze. That voice didn’t sound like his own. He waited a moment, listening internally. When the voice didn’t appear again, he breathed a sigh of relief. He really needed to drink more water. How was he supposed to gather his thoughts when he was imagining voices?

Leaning back over the water, he brought another sip of water to his lips. But then something caught his eye. In the reflection of the water, the moon seemed somehow, brighter? He looked up at the sky once more. He couldn’t fathom how it was possible, but the moon did indeed glow brighter. As if it was beacon, it drowned out the light of the stars.

Let the Moon’s light wash over you. Do not be afraid now, and let its warmth brighten the darkest corners of your mind.

He couldn’t be imagining things anymore. He was sure he felt hydrated, and the lightness of his head that he felt when he woke was now gone. And even though he was in complete disbelief, a compulsion to listen overcame him. He closed his eyes and tried to focus, and the voice murmured in approval. Do you see it? Does the light illuminate what the shadows once held hidden? Peering into his mind, that’s when he realized he did see it. A word floating in his mind, finally within his reach. Saffron. He smiled now. The word felt familiar to him, and he knew then that this was who he was.

A soft chuckle floated in his mind. Saffron. What a handsome name. Once, long before I looked over this town, I tried to grow the plant that saffron comes from, the crocus. But to my dismay, they couldn’t thrive under my dim light. A small sigh came from the voice. Even on the brightest nights where my light was full and pure, they wilted after a few days. I much prefer lotus flowers. They have so many beautiful colors, like rosy pink and pale blue. Sometimes, on nights where I’m feeling down, I try to match the hue of the petals. This always makes me feel better.

Saffron shook his head. Hold on just a second. Who exactly are you? And how are you in my head? He couldn’t make sense of anything that was happening. He woke up in this strange place and now a voice in his head was telling him about crocuses. Maybe he really was imagining things, because this was getting absurd.

Child, I have already told you who I am. I am the Moon itself. Saffron looked up in wonder. It couldn’t be. It very much is. I am known throughout the town as this, but my true name is Lua. I am to watch over the town and keep its dwellers safe under my light. And now that you have arrived, it is now my duty to guide you as well.

Saffron pondered over Lua’s words. She watches over a town. Maybe that town was where he’s from. But it didn’t seem like Lua had recognized him.

Me nor the town cannot not offer you any knowledge of your past, said Lua, quite literally reading his mind. However, I might be able to aid you still. Using the same method that we used to recall your identity, we can use it to retrieve the rest of your fogged memories.

Considering Lua’s methods worked before, Saffron decided to trust her again. He faced up towards the sky once more and—

Unfortunately, I am unable to do so at the moment. But why not? Didn’t it work the first time?

But that was for only a single memory, a core memory in fact. In order to illuminate even the dimmest of memories, you must help me shine brighter...

And how was he supposed to do that? A couple minutes ago he didn’t even know his own name. How was he supposed to know how to make the Moon itself shine brighter? It wasn’t as if he could just send a thousand lanterns into the sky and hope they reach the Moon.

Lua chuckled softly. You may be on to something. You see child, the reason my light isn’t bright enough is because the light within my people is dim as well. Dim as I am, I am unable to walk the land myself to help them. You must be my voice. Only then can we both get what we need.

The task seemed impossible, and he didn’t think that he would be able to do it. He would just have to wait for his memories to return. But he wasn’t even sure if they would. What would happen to him if they didn’t? He sighed and put his face in his hands. There wasn’t really any other choice. Even though Lua knew what his answer would be, she still waited for him to say it himself. I’ll do it. Where do we start?

There is little I can do to help you from here, other than watch and guide you. But if you ever need information, know that I am watching. Outside of this clearing, the land will start to rise. Climb the hill until you reach Firefly Town. There is the key to everything.

With the Moon now silent, Saffron stood. Walking to the edge of the clearing, he pushed away any thoughts of doubt. Even if he didn’t want to do this, this was what he had to do. He looked back at the water once more and hoped that Lua would guide him right. With a deep breath in, he ventured into the trees beyond.