The Last Dream

The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. In the distance, a lone figure trudged across the dusty plain, their tattered clothes and ragged hair billowing in the breeze. Their feet were blistered and sore, but they pressed on, driven by a fierce determination to reach their destination.

The figure was a woman named Aria, and she had been walking for days, ever since the day she had awoken to find the world around her transformed into a barren wasteland. It had all started with a dream – a dream of a beautiful garden, full of lush foliage and bright flowers. But when she had woken up, she had found herself in a world devoid of life.

At first, she had thought it was just a nightmare. But as she had walked through the empty streets of her town, she had realized that it was all too real. There were no birds singing, no dogs barking, no people laughing or talking. Just silence, broken only by the sound of her own footsteps.

Aria had no idea what had caused the world to end, or why she was the only one left. All she knew was that she had to keep walking, keep searching for some sign of life, some glimmer of hope.

As the sun sank lower in the sky, Aria spotted a small building in the distance. It was the first sign of civilization she had seen in days, and she quickened her pace, eager to investigate.

As she drew closer, she saw that it was an old church, its wooden doors creaking in the wind. Aria pushed them open and stepped inside, grateful for the shelter.

The interior of the church was dimly lit by the fading sunlight, but Aria could make out the outlines of pews and an altar at the far end. She walked down the aisle, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

At the altar, she saw a book lying open, its pages yellowed and brittle with age. Aria reached out to touch it, but as she did so, she felt a strange sensation wash over her.

Suddenly, she was no longer standing in the church. Instead, she found herself in the middle of a lush garden, just like the one in her dream.

Aria gasped in awe as she took in the beauty of the place. Flowers of every color bloomed around her, and birds flitted from tree to tree, chirping merrily.

She wandered through the garden, marveling at its beauty. But as she walked, she began to notice something odd. The flowers seemed to be fading, their petals wilting and falling to the ground.

Aria realized with a sinking feeling that this was just another dream – a dream that was slipping away from her.

Desperate to hold onto the dream, she ran through the garden, trying to take in as much as she could before it disappeared. But it was no use – the garden was fading, its colors turning gray and lifeless.

Finally, Aria found herself standing in the middle of a barren wasteland once again. She looked around, tears streaming down her face, and realized that she was truly alone.

But then, a voice spoke to her from the darkness.

"Aria."

She turned, startled, and saw a figure approaching her through the shadows. As they drew closer, she saw that it was a woman with hair as black as night and eyes as bright as stars.

"Who are you?" Aria asked, her voice trembling.

"I am the Dreamkeeper," the woman replied. "I have been waiting for you."

Aria looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The dreams you have been having – they are not just dreams.