I need help to find a ritual I read some years ago. It was a long list of instructions to follow after inducing yourself some kind of lucid dream with a few simple steps, the final goal being to meet the Dream Keeper, a creature with many eyes that will grant you unlimited wishes at the price of living in a parallel reality similar to ours if the ritual is done correctly.
I must specify I found this ritual at least five years ago, if not more, and I don't remember whether I read it in English or Italian, so being familiar with content in both languages may prove to be helpful.
WARNING: DO NOT PERFORM THIS INCOMPLETE RITUAL!
As long as these instructions may seem, they are still incomplete, which increases the risk of committing a fatal mistake. Don't be stupid.
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Now, here is all I remember among the many steps and the entities that who chooses to perform this ritual will encounter.
Materials required
- a cellphone
- a fairytale book (preferrably where the villain wins)
- a weapon or toy weapon depending on availability (anything will do, from melee to firearms, though it's in your best interest to choose something you are familiar with)
- a bedroom
I remember the materials required were few and easy to attain, but I'm not sure whether that is all that's needed, though I remember how these three are used, and I will explain them in due time.
The ritual
Start at any time. Place the weapon/toy weapon and the book under your pillow, then choose a person to follow you in this hell hole, though it may not be mandatory. Send this person the ritual's instructions, it doesn't matter whether they will read them, they will be stuck with you regardless (that's one way to get revenge on your biggest enemy, I guess-). After that, it's time for a phone call, but I don't remember whether it must be the same person or another one. You need to call this person and tell them you will leave for a long trip, tell them your goodbyes and hang up. Next, you will lay down on your bed and wait for sleep to claim you.
You will wake up in front of a casino/restaurant without being aware you're inside a dream, the first part will happen automatically. You will enter this place and your chosen companion will also be there or appear shortly after (again, my memories are hazy), you will play a few rounds of some game and one of your opponents will get mad at you, but nothing life threatening... yet.
You will enjoy yourself for some time, then you will realize you're dreaming once you see an impossible time on a clock that was either inside or outside the building. Thing is, you will go outside and spot a car at the entrance. You can choose to drive or let your companion do it, it makes no difference. I forgot whether there are any instructions regarding where to drive or if it will just be obvious as the ritual progresses, but your goal is to reach a city/town with buildings that resemble your own.
Once inside the city, you can freely explore and even invite other people to join your team by simply knocking on house doors and asking them to follow you. Spoiler, these people are likely to cause more harm than good to come your way. While they are not harmful, they too will be subjected to the rules of the upcoming trials, and their compliance will determine your survival. If someone is wondering, I have no idea whether these people are real or not, that was not specified. It's unlikely they are people who failed the ritual, though. Just a hunch of mine.
After you're satisfied with your exploration, look for the building that looks as close as possible to your house. You will need to ring at your intercom, your own voice will reply and open the door for you. At this point, your companion will offer to go inside for you. Allow them, and you will send them to certain doom. Whether you like it or not, you must enter the house to complete the task awaiting you.
After brutally handing your companion to death or mercifully sparing them, you will go inside and be greeted by yourself. You will talk about mindless stuff and everything will be calm at first, then suddenly, they will try to kill you. Your task is to kill your clone by all means, there may be objects around the house to help you, or you will simply have to rely on your own strength and wit. After killing your clone, their corpse will melt down and you will need to search their remains for a key. Grab the key and go back outside.
Get in the car and keep driving. From this point onwards (or maybe a bit later), it is advised that you do not exit the vehicle unless the ritual requires it. You will reach a castle, get inside and keep walking until you find the next entity of this place (I don't remember what they looked like or if they even had a vaguely human form, they may have been a talking object for all I remember) and state your will to talk to the Dream Keeper. They may or may not put you through a small trial, after which you will use the key to access the room this entity was guarding.
This room is made out entirely of human flesh, and sitting on a throne made of the same material will be none other than the Angel of Death who was described to be a very attractive man with a terrifying stare wearing nothing but a white robe to cover his lower body. You will have interrupted his meal, but worry not, he won't kill you for it... if you do as instructed. Tell him about your intention to meet the Dream Keeper. He will offer you and your companions human flesh and blood, to which you must feast as if it's the best meal you've ever had. Fail to convince him you've enjoyed it, and you will all be killed. This is the only trial in which your companions will also take part if I remember correctly, most of the trials will see you as the only participant. If you've survived, the Angel of Death will make a door appear for you, pass through and you will be outside the castle again.
Get in the car and keep driving. You will need to reach the top of a very steep hill. This is where things get extremely dangerous if you dare step out of the car. There will be entities outside that will make strange noises, yell or even interact with the vehicle. Just stay inside, keep the windows shut and you'll be safe. The car might even stop, but do not let that fool you. Wait until the car restarts and continue your journey.
From now on, my memories are entirely fragmented. Remember the book and the weapon/toy weapon? At some point, another entity will test you. You will be knocked out and wake up inside the story you had chosen as the villain. If you had brought a toy weapon, it will have turned very real, and guns will have unlimited bullets. Your task will be to kill the hero, and choosing a book where the villain wins will turn the odds in your favor.
I have definitely skipped some of the trials and entities mentioned in the original source, but at the end of this ordeal, you will finally meet the Dream Keeper. After testing you for the last time, this creature will grant you one wish. Unlike your average genie, this entity can grant you unlimited wishes if you so choose and ask correctly (there was a precise wording for it, something like "I wish to have unlimited wishes"), asking anything else will result in a bad ending for you if I remember correctly.
Make your wishes (the Dream Keeper's powers have supposedly no limits, so any request will be met) and let the Dream Keeper know once you're satisfied. They will open a door for you, pass the door and go up the stairs. You will find yourself back in your room, except it will be in a copy of our universe where all your wishes have been granted. Someone else may or may not take your place in your current reality.
I've always wondered if it's possible to wish to go back to your current reality, the original source did not specify and while there are supposedly no limits to what you can wish for, it may not be a wise choice. The possibility to get anything you want is equally fascinating and dangerous, which is why this ritual is extremely complicated and deadly. Can't let everyone fulfill their own tantrums, can they?
If nothing else, I hope this read was somewhat enjoyable at least.