Every dream,
like every dreamer,
is unique.
Yet the one thing all dreams have in common
is change.
Dreams are constantly shifting,
evolving,
transforming even the most familiar landscapes
into new worlds of experience and discovery.
If I'd known he was building a new palace,
I wouldn't have spent so much time repairing the old one.
But then you'd have nothing to complain about.
Don't distract him.
He's working.
I have spent too long reclaiming what was mine.
Restoring what was lost.
But today, we leave the past behind.
And the Dreaming is reborn.
Siblings.
I stand in my gallery and summon the family to me.
It is I, Destiny of the Endless, who calls you.
Sister.
Will you speak with me?
So, what's the occasion?
Or the problem?
I will tell you.
Once the others have arrived.
Can I get a hint?
Do you not feel that you should be... more appropriately attired?
Come on.
Next, you'll be moaning I ought to get a scythe.
Sister.
All right, fine.
Satisfied?
Yes, I'm satisfied.
Mm.
Brother Dream, will you come?
Well met, brother.
Sister,
I see you've dressed somewhat formally.
My compliments.
Don't you start.
So,
a family meeting.
The first since our brother announced he was leaving us.
It will be interesting to find out why you've called us here.
It will, indeed.
Perhaps for you more than any of us, my brother.
Why?
In good time.
Once we're all assembled.
What have you done?
Nothing.
Is anyone else here?
You mean Desire?
Don't mind if I do.
♪ I'm starving, darling ♪
♪ Let me put my lips to something ♪
♪ Let me wrap my teeth around the world ♪
♪ Start carving, darling ♪
♪ I wanna smell the dinner cooking ♪
♪ I wanna feel the edges start to burn ♪
♪ Honey, I wanna race you to the table ♪
♪ If you hesitate... ♪
Desire.
Destiny.
The family must meet.
What?
All of us?
Well, in that case,
I'll be right with you.
♪ When the flood comes ♪
♪ Throw enough rope Until the legs have swung ♪
♪ Seven new ways That you can eat your young ♪
Mm.
Oi!
Why doesn't your dress code apply to Desire?
Dress code?
He's wearing a burnoose.
Now, where is Despair?
Despair.
Brother?
The family are gathering.
Will you join us?
He manages a supermarket in Nebraska.
Yesterday,
his wife found pornography on his laptop.
Children doing things with adults.
Him with their five-year-old niece.
She's just gone to the police.
He knows his life is over.
But he's wondering if he has it in him... to run.
He doesn't.
Isn't it beautiful?
Will you join us, my sister?
Mustn't keep everyone waiting.
Has he said why we're here?
Not until we're all together.
Fine.
Well, two of us are still missing.
There is only one left to gather, Despair.
Wherever the other one is,
he made his feelings on the matter perfectly clear.
I suppose I was hoping he'd called.
Tell us he's changed his mind.
I miss him.
We all miss him.
Sister, youngest of the Endless,
I stand in my gallery, and I summon you.
Sister, your family awaits you.
Come.
Hi. It's me.
Delirium. How you doing?
Well, yesterday I did some terribly bad things.
But today I did some good stuff, so, I mean...
I don't know.
Now that we are all assembled, there are things to discuss.
Please... make yourselves comfortable.
I know you're wondering why I called you all here.
Yes.
The three sisters visited my garden earlier this day.
- The Fates? - In one aspect.
The Gray Women.
And?
Look, everybody.
I made butterflies.
As for what they wanted,
their pronouncements were unsurprisingly oracular and ambiguous.
What did they say?
Greetings to you, Destiny of the Endless.
Greetings to you, you who are not of my children.
Greetings to you, for whom all has already been written.
And greetings to you also, Gray Ladies.
To what do I owe this... visit?
We are here because this is where we must be at this time, my dearie dove.
Look in your book and know this.
A king will forsake his kingdom.
Life and death will clash and fray.
The oldest battle begins once more.
Well, that's just a lot of words smooshed together.
What does it mean?
I consulted my book.
It detailed my encounter with the Three.
And clarified that something important will happen.
An occasion
that sparks a chain of events causing much change and upheaval.
Wh... What's the occasion?
This meeting.
That is all.
What kind of change and upheaval?
I have told you all I have to tell you.
The rest is up to the five of you.
But what are we meant to do?
Drink the wines, eat of the fruit of my garden, talk to one another.
It has been centuries since we were all together.
We... must have much to discuss.
You are saying you summoned us here
because it is necessary for us to be here at this time.
Exactly.
- This is foolish. - Dream.
I am rebuilding my kingdom.
There is much that must be done.
I will leave you now.
- That will not happen yet. - Come on.
Hang out with us for a bit.
What's a little lost time? We have all the time in the world.
I lost some time once. It's always in the last place you look for it.
Here, have a grape.
I do not want a grape.
I can make you want one.
Careful, sibling.
I'm Desire, am I not?
That is what I do.
Where I touch, things want... and need
and love.
Drawn to one another like
butterflies to a candle's flame.
Moths.
You mean moths.
Butterflies.
They're yours now, sister.
Yes.
Those were mine.
You didn't have to do that, Desire. You really didn't have to.
But that is what Desire does.
Here we go.
Interferes.
Corrupts.
Destroys.
Dream finds it convenient to blame me for his failed relationships,
when instead, he should be thanking me.
- For trying to make me spill family blood? - Will you stop it?
Both of you!
We shouldn't argue.
We shouldn't fight.
After all, there's only six of us now.
We never argued when he was here.
Yes, we did.
Yeah. But he would have made a... a joke about it or something.
Don't you ever wonder where he is?
Or if he's even okay or anything?
All the time.
Sometimes.
Why didn't we ever try to find him?
Because he explicitly asked us not to.
Yes, but sometimes that's just what you say
when you want to find out if anybody cares enough not to listen.
Well, that almost made sense.
Don't make fun of me, Desire.
I know what you all think of me.
But I know things that none of you knows.
Things about us.
Things not even you know!
Calm yourself, little sister.
I am calm!
God, I'm calm!
I'm calm.
Is this what you meant when you said we should talk with one another?
Yes.
What have we to discuss?
Well, what about you, my brother?
Tell us. How's your love life?
You killed any girlfriends recently?
Or sentenced any others to Hell?
What did you say?
Surely you remember Nada, Dream.
The queen of the First People.
Kai'ckul?
Dream Lord?
The mortal who made the fatal mistake
of falling in love with the Dream King.
And what did you do?
Because she wouldn't stay with you until you grew tired of her,
so you had her sentenced to Hell.
Enough!
But you would never, ever interfere in the lives of mortals.
If you say one more word, I will--
You will do nothing in this place, brother.
Except perhaps take a moment to collect yourself.
Please excuse me.
Are you okay?
Desire was just trying to upset you.
And not one of you spoke out for me.
Well,
that's because Desire was right.
What?
- Maybe not about everything, but-- - You know how I felt for Nada.
How I feel for her still.
You sentenced her to Hell for all eternity.
She had a choice.
And she chose Hell.
She was ruler of the First People.
Do you think she would have allowed me to decide her fate for her?
That is why I loved her.
That and her dreams.
Nada's dreams were not for herself,
but for her people.
She dreamed of a city without poverty, disease, or politics.
And in her waking hours, Nada made her dreams come true.
A feat the King of Dreams could not ignore.
Your Majesty.
Prime Minister Zewde?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Imani and her friends appear to be gossiping about something.
They are gossiping about you.
Would you like to know what they are saying?
I can hazard a guess.
They are saying that it is time for you to take a husband.
Have they any suggestions?
For I have met every man in this city,
and I have yet to meet my husband.
And what sort of man will he be, your husband?
He will be a man worthy of our people,
who puts his duties above his own needs.
Hmm.
And his eyes burn with love for me.
I regret to inform Your Majesty that such men do not exist.
This one does.
I have seen him,
every night in my dreams.
What is it?
That's him.
That's the man in my dreams.
Your Majesty.
You have me at a disadvantage, sir.
You know who I am, but... I do not know you.
I am the queen's humble servant.
You are not my subject.
You know all of your subjects?
How am I to serve them if I do not know them?
I know many monarchs who do not share that view.
You know many monarchs?
I know of many.
I have heard stories.
Stories... are just that.
Not to be trusted.
Have you heard stories about me?
They say you refuse to marry.
Do they say why?
There are as many theories as there are storytellers.
Each one thinks they know why you're alone.
I am never alone.
As you can see.
Your people love you.
I must not keep you from them.
I was so inspired by her devotion to her people
and her duty
that I lost myself in mine for a time.
Every day, Nada asked her guards to search the city for me.
And every night, her search continued in her dreams.
Until one night, I allowed her to find me.
Your Majesty.
Dream Lord.
Greetings to you, Queen Nada of the First People.
It is I who come to ask for help, Sire.
I seek a stranger who I first met in your realm.
He came to my city one day,
and then he disappeared.
Why do you search for a man you do not know?
Because...
...I think that I love him.
And that he loves me.
He does...
love you.
You.
You are the King of Dreams?
How can this be?
It is not given to mortals to love the Endless.
Only disaster would follow from it.
Disaster... for you.
For me.
For my people.
I know.
I should not have come to you that day.
But I could not stop myself.
Just as I cannot stop myself now.
Nada.
Will you do me the honor
of becoming my wife,
to rule by my side?
And if not,
I will not trouble you again.
They're dead.
All of them.
My people are dead.
Because of what I did,
my people are gone.
My...
My city is a waste.
This... is why a mortal
cannot be with the Endless.
If I were to stay with you,
far darker things would happen...
to both our realms.
You must forget me.
And I... I will pay for this selfishness,
in this life and hereafter, even if it means an eternity of suffering.
You would condemn yourself to an eternity of suffering,
rather than accept an eternity of my love?
It is my duty, Lord.
I am asking you to share my duties.
I gave her a choice.
You gave her an ultimatum.
And when she didn't choose you, you punished her for it.
Even you turn on me.
Shut up and let me finish.
Nada loved you.
She really did.
And she was right.
It is wrong for us to get involved with them.
You know that.
I would have made her a god.
Maybe she didn't want to be a god, little brother.
Did you ever consider that?
You were imprisoned for over 100 years because of Roderick Burgess.
Nada has been imprisoned for 10,000.
Because of you.
Because she chose her duty to her people over her love for you,
just as you would have in her place.
Is this how you feel, truly?
That I have been unjust?
Yes.
Then my course is clear.
I must journey to Hell.
Hold on. I'm not suggesting that you--
What would you have me do?
Reflect. Learn from your mistakes.
But what of Nada?
It's a bit late to be thinking about that.
It's been 10,000 years.
If I have committed a wrong, I must make it right.
Not all wrongs can be.
Would you not have me try?
I pray, tell our siblings that I was needed elsewhere
and could not stay.
Hey, Dream.
Don't do anything stupid.
I shall try my best.
I can do no more.
Idiot.
Is he all right?
He's fine.
What did he say?
He said he's sorry, but he had to take off.
Well, he has his responsibilities to attend to,
as he never tires of telling us.
You can't drive him away and then be angry that he left.
Actually, I can.
Desire, why do you always have to ruin everything?
We never see each other anymore.
Well, the rest of us are still here.
Not all of us.
She's right.
So, let's make the most of it.
Stay and talk.
There is no need.
Dream is returning to Hell.
It has begun.
As you know, I have only recently returned to this realm from an enforced absence.
Well...
it appears I may have to leave you once more.
- What? Why? - Where are you going?
Some time ago,
I condemned a mortal to Hell.
I have come to realize that I may have acted...
impulsively.
I intend to return to Hades and set her free.
Ah, jeez.
Boss, you can't be serious.
While I am gone, you will answer to Lucienne.
My lord,
I admire your decision to go.
But you think it irresponsible of me?
I think it prudent to ask,
is the rescue of a single soul worth risking your entire kingdom?
What kind of king would I be if I did not risk everything
to right a wrong for which I am responsible?
You'd be like every other king that ever lived.
Every single one.
Send someone else.
- Send me. - No, send me.
That would not be honorable.
I have already sent an envoy to Lucifer.
But... whom did you send?
I have a message for your sovereign.
Speak when you are spoken to.
Wait, Mazikeen.
We know you.
Yes, we know you of old.
The first man born of woman.
What is your name?
Cain, Your Majesty.
Ah, yes.
And why are you here, Cain?
To deliver a message.
Go on, then.
From his darkness, Dream of the Endless,
to Your Infernal Majesty Lucifer, called Morningstar.
"Greetings, our right trusted and most beloved cousin."
No, not the message. Just the content.
He is coming.
Here.
For the woman, Nada.
He hopes you will give him access.
But if you will or no, he is coming.
Ah.
Lord Morpheus embarrassed us publicly during his last visit.
We swore then we would destroy him.
Did he tell you that?
There were rumors.
And now he is returning to Hell with or without my permission.
Yes.
Isn't that wonderful?
I'm coming with you.
Not this time.
It's too dangerous.
It was too dangerous last time, and I was extremely helpful.
Which is why I need you to remain here and be helpful to Lucienne.
I'll need it.
What if something happens?
What if you get captured?
What if--
I am making preparations before I leave
to ensure that what happened last time does not happen again.
Get away from him.
Calm yourself, Hippolyta.
You have nothing to fear from me.
I came to see your son.
That is all.
Why?
Why won't you leave us alone?
Because he was conceived in my realm.
He is a part of it.
It is a part of him.
I have been forced to embark upon a journey.
I may be some time away.
What are you talking about?
I merely came to see the boy.
You saw him.
Now get out.
Very well.
Good night.
I am sorry, Your Majesty. Bastard hard disk's crashed again.
But this hardware is still better than Roger Bacon's mechanical head.
Time is, time was, time's past, Sir Robert.
Bold as brass, ma'am.
Hob.
Might I intrude?
Hang on.
Queen Bess, a computer, you.
Yeah. Bloody hell. I'm dreaming, aren't I?
Yes, you are.
I've brought you a gift.
Château Lafite, 1828.
I didn't think there was a bottle of that left on Earth.
I doubt that there is.
But a few bottles still remain in dreams.
What's going on?
I thought I ought to talk to you.
You see, it is possible that I may not be able to attend our next meeting.
Why not?
I am going on a journey.
I may be gone a long time.
The idea of what someone like you considers a long time
sends shivers down my spine.
But you'll definitely be coming back, won't you?
Eventually?
Drink your wine, Hob Gadling.
Shouldn't we make some kind of toast?
If you wish.
All right. Hang on. Let me think of a good one.
To absent friends,
lost loves,
old gods,
and the season of mists.
And may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.
That was a bloody peculiar toast. I have no idea where it came from.
Oh well. You say strange things in dreams.
Indeed.
I must go.
I have procrastinated long enough.
It was lovely seeing you.
Even if it is only a dream.
And you.
Good night, Hob.
Are you sure you can't stay?
It's a good wine, my friend.
You may keep the bottle.
Are you sure you...
- Bobby? - Wait.
- You're talking in your sleep. - Hmm?
You're talking in your sleep. You woke me up.
Sorry, love.
I had a dream.
You're leaving now?
- There is no time to waste. - And apparently, no time to prepare.
Or to come up with a decent plan!
I have a plan.
I'm sorry, my lord.
We're looking for Cain.
Have you seen him?
Hearken unto us, all of you.
This day, Lord Morpheus comes to us in a futile attempt
to free one he loves from our domain.
But he will not be leaving.
Tell the Dream Lord we have received his message.
Tell him we will be waiting for him.
Tell him
Hell is anticipating his visit most avidly.
Cain!
Can you hear me? It's me.
What happened to him?
My lord.
They're waiting for you.
Not just Lucifer.
All of them.
An army of demons.
Millions of them. They... want you to come.
You mustn't go, my lord.
I beg you to reconsider. Please.
Preparations have been made.
The Dreaming will survive.
Even if I do not.
Walk any path in Destiny's garden, and you will be forced to choose.
I could turn back.
Abandon my quest.
Live with the knowledge that I have hurt those who I professed to love.
No.
We do as we must do.
"Welcome to Hell," I tell myself.
And I am afraid.