"Hello." The voice was calm. Smooth. But, where was it coming from? I turned in a slow circle, searching the surrounding fields for the speaker. However, the only living thing around was a tabby cat, resting on a fence and cleaning its paws. I inspected it for a moment, then turned around, shaking my head.

"Weird. . . ." I murmured. "I could've sworn. . ."

"Could've sworn what?" The voice spoke once more. 

This time, however, I whipped around, locking eyes with the tabby cat behind me. It held my gaze without flinching. 

"Did you just. . . ?" I began.

The tabby's mouth opened, and the words, "Did I what?" emergered.

I slumped to the ground, eyes wide and staring. "I'm going mad." I whispered. "Talking cats are impossible. Aren't they?"

The cat continued grooming and said, "Talking cats are as real as dragons are." It smiled wryly. "Which may be shocking later in your life."

I blinked and chose to ignore this statement. "Then. . . how are you speaking? Why?"

It yawned. "Why not? This is a dream, after all."

"A dream. . .?"

"Yes. A dream. After all, why would you be here if you were awake?" The cat lazily gestured to the surrounding fields with a forepaw.

I looked around us again, noting the blank fields, which were empty except for us and the fence. "Yes. . . I suppose you're correct. But then, why are you here?"

"I'm here as a vessel for-"

"Wait, a vessel?" I interrupted.

"Hush. We don't have much time left until you wake up. I'm here as a vessel for your subconscious. You need to remember this, no matter whatever else you forget. 'Veritos vos liberabit'. The truth shall set you free. But be careful. Not all truths are genuine. You must be wary the truth, for if you follow the distorted truths, you will get burned. Stay on your guard, Prince. Or you will have nothing but ash to rule over. " The cat's ears twitched. "You must go now. The first trial approaches." It stood up on the fence. "Good luck."

"But wait, I-" I started to say, and then awoke in my bed. ""Don't understand. . ." I whispered.