Star slowly lay down in the center of the Dreamscape Pool.
The icy, bone-chilling fluid gradually submerged his waist, then his chest, bringing a suffocating sense of pressure.
Yet, the mysterious female voice continued to whisper softly in his ear, accompanied by the melodious tolling of evening bells and the rustling sound of wild winds sweeping across the barren plains.
As time passed minute by minute, the pendulum began to swing back and forth incessantly.
Star pondered with anticipation, wondering what kind of marvelous dreamscape he would step into.
Gradually, she felt her eyes grow heavier and heavier, and her consciousness became blurred…
Just then, the gentle female voice resonated in his ear again: "Please relax… feel the rise and fall of your body…"
Star tried to immerse himself, attempting to follow the guidance of this voice.
"Focus on your breath… imagine a Land of Dreams…"
However, suddenly, a tragic wailing sound echoed in his ears.
Immediately following, images of whales and clocks constantly appeared, interweaving.
An ancient and majestic clock tower abruptly appeared before his eyes.
A name was faintly heard amidst the crying: "Mikhail!"
Subsequently, countless television screens flickered with dazzling light, and on each screen, a pair of eerie purple eyes emerged.
In an instant, everything returned to the flying whale in the sky.
The rapid screen cuts and interweaving images flashed countless times, then two shouting figures flashed by, seemingly himself shouting.
The crying voice shouted again: "Come back… Mikhail!!"
"Qingque: This voice makes me a little scared, Mikhail… who is that?"
"Star: A name I haven't heard of. Penacony really is a bit strange."
"Welt: It can be inferred that this name must be related to certain people or events in the dream, so pay attention to investigating it later."
Star suddenly opened his eyes, finding himself still quietly lying in the pool, yet his surroundings seemed to have undergone subtle changes.
"Could this be… the legendary Land of Dreams?"
Star widened his eyes, carefully observing everything in the room, only to see transparent, liquid-like bubbles floating in the air, dancing lightly as if they possessed life; and on the walls, a strange picture frame was embedded, within which mysterious light shimmered, like pathways leading to unknown worlds.
Star's gaze was involuntarily drawn to a small note on the table, and he slowly got up, walking towards the note.
A line of text was clearly written on the note: "There are also impossibilities within dreams.
Find it, and you shall be granted an audience."
Just as Star was lost in thought, a shout suddenly came from the direction of the picture frame: "Over here! Can you see me? Over here! Please come this way…"
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Could it be coming from inside the picture frame?
Star frowned in confusion, and after a moment of thought, decided to reach out and gently touch the picture frame before him.
In an instant, a powerful suction force suddenly struck, and Star was caught off guard and pulled into it.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived in a long, narrow corridor suspended in mid-air.
This corridor emitted a faint light throughout, with transparent walls on both sides, through which infinite space and void could be seen, a dazzling and colorful scene as if one were in outer space.
Star widened his eyes in astonishment, staring intently at everything unfolding before him, a strong sense of fear and curiosity surging within him.
However, when she saw the young boy wearing a small hat in front of him, her heart inexplicably relaxed.
It was Misha, the hotel bellboy.
He greeted him with a smile, excitedly exclaiming, "Ah, you've arrived! That's wonderful!"
"I thought you wouldn't notice me…" Misha said, respectfully bowing to Star and enthusiastically introducing: "Welcome to the Corridor of Thoughts! You can understand this as an entry passage, leading to Golden Hour.
And I am here to provide guidance to all guests."
Star softly said, "We meet again."
His words revealed a hint of familiarity and warmth.
"Oh, you remember me? I'm so happy."
Misha continued enthusiastically: "This is a temporary transfer station, so it might look a bit simple… The Reverie Hotel in the dream is currently undergoing renovation work."
"I apologize for bringing you an unpleasant check-in experience… But if you go to Golden Hour, I believe all your troubles will vanish!"
Star asked somewhat strangely, "What happened to The Reverie Hotel?"
"Are you asking about The Reverie Hotel in the dream? I'm not very clear about the specific details, I'm very sorry…" Misha scratched his head awkwardly.
Star continued to ask, "Golden Hour? First time hearing that name."
"Perhaps you've already read about it in your Dream Passport, but I can introduce it to you again!" Misha said enthusiastically:
"Golden Hour is one of Penacony's twelve dreams, corresponding to the time of 'Midnight'—here, the time in the dream forever stays at the moment before midnight; tomorrow will never come, and the carnival of this night will never end…"
"…Ah, but this doesn't mean that time in the dream is stagnant—to avoid causing physical and mental burden to travelers, the time scale in the dream is set to be consistent with reality, so please don't worry!"
"Also, I found a note in the room." Star said calmly.
"A note? Did you find it in the room?" He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Ah… it couldn't be trash left by the previous guest, could it…?"
Then, he said to Star apologetically, "I'm so sorry, it was my carelessness that I didn't clean it thoroughly and caused you trouble… I am truly very sorry!"
Star gently shook his head, indicating that he didn't mind, and continued to press, "Then how can I go to 'Golden Hour'?"
Hearing this question, Misha smiled and raised his hand, pointing to a large stone gate suspended in mid-air not far away, then enthusiastically told Star: "You just need to pass through that gate, and you will successfully arrive at the legendary 'Golden Hour'—I sincerely wish you can fully enjoy this unforgettable and wonderful dream!"
After waving goodbye to Misha, Star gracefully stepped onto the stairs, walking step by step to the grand gate.
Beyond this door is the true Penacony… I'm so excited.
Star thought, pushing open the large door with both hands.