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A week has passed since the last time you visited the dream world, and you were depressed during the day and had sleepless nights. It was unsettling to you to know that your deer, your friend and guardian, was dead. You keep thinking that it was your fault they died. You didn't protect them when they needed it most.

They protected you. You begin to wonder if you die in the dream world, would you have died in this world too? You remember the time you met your deer on the beach, and upon your return here, you could smell the saltwater on your clothes.

"It had to have been real.", you come to the conclusion, but your thoughts sink, remembering that each time you went, you met your deer. You lay back in your chair, thinking about it all. Closing your eyes, you envision your deer in your mind, looking back at you, smiling, telling you that everything will be alright.

"Don't worry.", you hear them say.

You open your eyes, and are surprised to see yourself and your chair sitting on some old ruins. Much of the foundation of the building you were in had fallen down long ago, though you notice that the shape of the walls seem to resemble your own home. You stand and look around - there are other ruins on hills that roll, but they all seemed smaller compared to the one you were standing in now.

You notice something else, too. Upon one of the hills was a different structure, an interesting pavilion with pillars that rose up much like those found in Greece or Italy. The pavilion was much different than the ruins of the houses, and in fact it seemed to be in the best shape compared to the others. Curiously, you make your trek toward it.

It takes a few minutes to get to it, but you finally step inside. There, you see that the top of the pavilion is open to the sky, and light from the midday sun shines upon a lone table in the center.

And there, to your surprise, lies the body of your deer. How they got there was unimportant to you, as you quickly run to their side. You instinctively put a hand on their neck and feel for the pulse of their heart.

None...they're still dead. The deer lay there peacefully, a slight smile on their face. You sigh, your hopes that they were alive ended at that moment. You notice something, though - written on the table are letters, written in strange letters that you are surprised that you can read. You read them out loud:

"The spirit of the deceased can be returned with a blanket of red flowers, followed by words of love and honor."

You look around, and see outside of the pavilion that poppies grew, much like those you remember from the Endless Forest. You quickly go to them, collecting as many of the flowers as you can find. Returning to your deer, you throw them in the air, letting them fall upon their lifeless body. The flowers spread and rest on their fur, and then you read the next part of the instructions again.

"Words of love and honor.", you repeat, taking a breath and collecting your thoughts. "You were always there for me, even when I never knew you. What else can I say other than you are the most perfect and beautiful deer I've ever known?"

You hear something on the table - a slow, but growing heartbeat. You continue to speak, "Please come back to me. You are truly my inspiration."

At that moment, the heartbeat continued, much louder and quicker. You watch as the deer opens their eyes, sitting up and looking around curiously. "You...you brought me back to life?", your deer asks.

You nod happily, embracing them. "I thought I lost you.", you say.

Your deer smiles as they nuzzle back, "I told you not to worry."

You help your deer up, watching as the poppies fall from their fur. They have a little trouble standing at first but get used to living once again. You then ask, "So what is this place?"

The deer looks off at the ruins. "It was a city that worshiped nature herself.", they reply, "I sometimes come here to remember what it was like when they honored animal and plant life." The deer looks to you, "You should understand that I have been alive for much longer than you think. In fact, I watched the end of this city with my own eyes."

You are curious now. "So what happened to them?", you ask immediately. Your deer lowers their head, "They thought that nature should reclaim what they had done to this land. It was quite sad, really...watching them die one by one, until all that was left was the homes they had built. I will never understand their reasoning...", they say, "however, this land has proven to be strong with natural energy. Even you experienced it, right here, bringing me back to life."

"Come, our time here is at an end for today. Tomorrow we will meet again.", your deer then says, and smiling at you, continues, "And thank you for your words. I heard them, and feel so honored that you think so highly of me."

You smile back, "I couldn't live without you.", you admit. Upon those words you return to the real world. Tomorrow, you think, I cannot wait to meet again!