In the pitch-black darkness, Bruce felt himself falling endlessly. Intense weightlessness and dizziness engulfed him, making him feel terribly ill.
His limbs and body were completely beyond his control. Only when the prolonged darkness and fall left him reeling did he finally hit the ground.
Bruce instantly snapped awake.
After the last incident, Bruce had set an alarm within his own consciousness. Whenever he entered a dream—or whenever someone tried to interfere with his dreams—he would immediately wake up. Now, Bruce instantly realized that he had entered a dream.
Looking down, he saw a floor woven from black and gold. Then he looked up—above him stretched endless floors.
The dull sound of heels striking the floor echoed around him. Bruce turned and saw Schiller.
The professor was dressed much as usual, in a long trench coat and tie, except his head was a spinning globe.
"Professor..." Bruce narrowed his eyes, recalling what Schiller had said when they parted that afternoon.
"Was 'sweet dreams' your way of saying you were coming to find me in my dream?"
"I'm sorry, Bruce. I entered your dream without your permission and brought you here."
"But I still have to say... welcome to my Mind Palace."
Schiller spread his arms, presenting everything around them. Bruce looked at him and said, "Is this the High Tower that descended into the depths of my consciousness last time?"
"That's right. They've all come in for a look, but you were the only one who hadn't. Obviously, though, your tour will be a little different from theirs..."
"What?" Bruce asked.
"The others bought round-trip tickets. You only have a one-way ticket here. If you want to go back, you can only climb to the very top. Otherwise, you'll be trapped here forever..."
"Is that so?"
Bruce looked up and