I was sitting in a brown easing chair next to a large round picnic table. Sweets of all sorts: cookies, cakes, pastries, and more were plated across the table giving off such a pleasant aroma that I thought my nose entered food heaven. I felt my back. No scar. No blood. It was as if the previous fight with Gratos never happened. I could even move again. The pain had either subsided or completely disappeared along with my fatigue making me feel as if I was reborn.

I looked around my new environment. I appeared to be in a garden with dandelions and roses scattered endlessly over the light green field. I could hear the chirps of birds from somewhere off in the distance. However, these chirps were not from any bird species I recognized; the chirps were too musical, too poetic in nature that they must have come from a trained bird symphony. From my peripherals, I could see the outlines of trees, massive at the trunk, and extending above the clouds. From their branches, golden apples the size of watermelons grew.

Closer to me than the desserts was a porcelain cup filled with an orange liquid, and farther away from the deserts, sitting at the opposite side of the table, was a pale lady wearing a black dress.

“You're looking better,” the lady said. “How does it feel being seconds away from death?” It took me no time at all to realize it was the exact woman from the dream. Well, considering that she and this palace actually exists, how much of what I dreamed was a dream and how much of it was reality was still up in the air.

A closer inspection of the lady in black revealed a far more reserved nature than I previously viewed in my dreams. She wore a floor-length gothic Victorian style dress with white gloves to mask her hands. A straw bonnet covered her dark hair that nearly touched the ground. Black high-heeled shoes covered her feet. She looked like a woman out of time. The lady smiled at me, her violet eyes scanning me over like a model car at the dealership checking to see if I matched her qualifications. Violet eyes, eh. Now I know that’s not normal.

“Who are you?” I asked. I asked. “How did I end up here?”

“You can say that I am your greatest supporter, Xavier Wright.” She snapped her fingers and a cup containing the same orange liquid appeared in her left hand. I’ve been watching you for quite a while now. You’ve really piqued my interest.”

“How do you know my name?”

“A witch has her ways. Come now. You’ve just been transported to magical fairy land with giant golden apples and you’re questioning how I know your name. Talk about getting your priorities mixed up.”

“A witch. So are you the good kind or the evil kind?”

“Oh trust me,” the lady in black sipped the liquid in her cup. “I am a very evil witch.”

“Is that so? If that’s the case, I think I should leave now.” I stood up from my chain and began to head out.

“Wait, don't go,” the lady said. She stood up from her seat, her hand reaching towards me. “It’s a joke. A comedy routine. Work parties don’t have to be so professional, do they? Lighten up a bit.” I continued walking. “Please don’t go. It’s been ages since I’ve met someone like you before. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for someone with your potential. Let’s just talk about this over a drink and some nice sweets. You humans like sweets too, right?”

“Fine, I said, reluctantly sitting back in my seat. “A work party you said? What do you mean?”

The witch shuffled her hair. “Yes, this right here is a business meeting. As you can see, we have plenty of sweets here that we can gorge ourselves on as we deliberate over the minute details. She took out a silver fork and plunged it into a plate of sponge cake. She brought the piece of cake to her face and gently placed it on her tongue before swallowing. “The frosting is brilliant. Compliments to the chef. Mother really knows who to hire.” The witch put down her fork.

“I suppose I should properly introduce myself. It isn’t proper for future business partners to just refer to each other by their titles.” She brought her hand to her heart. I am the Witch of Nomenclature, Pandora. Welcome to Her Majesty’s Estate: Celestial Gardens.” Pandora bowed her head. I just stood out in silence.

“Well, she said,” her face wrinkled. “Aren’t you going to bow and introduce yourself too. I answered your questions in full, and now you're looking at me like I’m a stranger. How callous of you. How impolite. For some reason I don’t think you're all that serious about this are you?”

“I’m not here to play games with you. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for you saving me, but out there in the real world my friends are in great danger. I need to help them.”

“First off, I gave you my name. Why not use it? Second, why do you care so much for your classmates? Given my records, only one of them is your friend. I don’t even think you like the others.”

“But they are in danger, deep danger if I don’t help them right now. You just want me to let them die.”

“I want what’s best for you, and I don’t think sticking your neck out for people you hardly care about constitutes healthy decision making. At least for now.

“For now?”

“Humans are such pathetic creatures. Zero magic talent, frail bodies, weak resolve. I still can’t figure out how you all haven’t gone extinct with all your internal warfare in what not. No, my friend, the path you follow will only lead to a sad, painful death if you task it as a mere mortal. You might as well dig your grave here and save you the trouble.”

“Big talk out of someone who was begging me to stay with her.”

“That’s because you're special, Xavier. You have far more potential than those other humans, so much so that I want to offer you a deal you can’t refuse.’

“A deal with a witch. Sorry, but that sounds a bit questionable.”

“Trust me, Xavier. One thing you can trust is a witch's promise. We can’t lie about them after all.”

“I’m guessing you're not going to let me leave unless I at least consider your offer.”

“Sure, you can leave, but I promise you that you’ll die.”

“You seem so certain.”

“Fine, I guess you can see it for yourself.” She raised her hand high into the air. Without a cloud in sight, a strike of lightning hit her hand. Instead of writhing in agony, a glass mirror appeared in the witch’s hand. She presented the mirror to me. “Take a look.”

I looked into the mirror. I saw myself on the floor unable to move as Gratos continued to strike me with his axe. The green liquid that dripped from his weapon appeared to melt my skin, leaving my body a bloody roast.

“This would be you five seconds after leaving this domain. Looks like you're certainly dying.”

“You can see the future.”

“A potential future, yes. I’m a witch after all. A little precognition should be expected.”

“Then it looks like I have no choice. Fine, I’ll hear you out.”

“Good, then let me lay out the deal. She clapped her hands and a piece of paper fell from above into my hands.” I looked at it. The paper read like a contract.

"Let's get down to the nitty-gritty. I am a witch gifted with magic beyond human understanding. I bend the elements to my will, create matter out of the primordial ode that permeates the universe, and even have sway over the laws of time itself. And you're…” she pointed to me like I was an annoying insect that crawled out of a corner, “a non-magical, physically inept, intelligently handicapped, bipedal sheep. Pardon my harsh language.”

“All taken.”

“So, you see, you’re probably wondering what you could possibly offer in exchange for the amazing gifts I can afford you.”

“I’m guessing my soul.”

“No, no, I’m a witch, not a demon. Souls are far too expendable.” She reached out her hand to me. A slight wind blew behind me that chilled my neck. The wind whispered in my ears in the shrill voice of the witch.

“What I want are names.”

“Names. Just people’s names?”

“Names have power Xavier. So much so that I’ll bend over backwards just to gain a new one. =”

“Gain a name? I’m guessing this involves more than just telling you somebody’s name.”

“No, it's that simple. I just need you to say the full name of someone you know. Well, actually, I need you to also envision that person in your head; the clearer the picture the stronger the name.”

“And in return for that I’ll gain.”

“I’ll give you the strength to defeat your enemies. I can’t do much about your physical and magical abilities: those are set in stone. Plus, you do have the conduit with you, so you’re not completely defenseless. Instead, I’ll give you a gift beyond all others. I’ll give you the ability to rewind time.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Witches can’t lie when making agreements.”

“No, there has to be something you're not telling me. This seems far too good to be true” The witch said nothing.

“You're hiding sometimes from me.” Pandora remained silent. “So, I’m right, aren’t I.”

“I thought most humans didn’t like to read the fine text. There may be some side effects to the name exchange, but nothing that will cause you any physical or mental pain.”

“If it is so minor, why not state it out right.”

“It’s like reading the back of a pill box. Do you honestly want me to list all the side effects possibly imaginable? Don't do the name exchange if you're pregnant or are at risk of serious heart complications. Name exchange might result in a slight acne breakout, shortness of breath, yada yada, yada. Want me to continue?

“No need. I’m not taking your offer.” Pandora pouted.

“So, you’re just going to go out there to die. How sad!”

“Maybe so, but at least I know what is waiting for me out there.”

“Certain death?”

“I assume that’s a possible outcome out of the many you chose not to share with me.”

“How cynical.” Pandora got out of her seat and started walking towards me. She stuck out her finger and flicked me across the forehead.

“Why you…”

“Protect the mind, seize the body,” Pandora chanted. A purple glow animated from where she struck me. “This will allow you to move once you're brought back to the real world. I added in some strength and speed augmentation as well as some health recovery along with it. Considerate, right? It would be incredibly sad if you died here without fully considering the agreement.” She tossed her hair from her eyes.

“In the real world, only 0.025 seconds have transpired. Make sure to roll left once you arrive. I’d be disappointed if you died. You are one of my most valuable assets.” I heard a resounding boom followed by a blinding array of light emerging beyond the trees like a hundred firecrackers going off at once. The sounds of an orchestra blared in the background. “Looks like the party is about to begin. Sorry, but I’m not allowed to miss it.” She pushed me out of the chair. I fell in slow motion, every second feeling like an hour. The table disappeared in a ray of light, the sweets along with it. Pandora turned from me walking towards the sound of the orchestra. As my back touched the grassy meadow, my torso began to seep through the ground. Soon enough I was completely submerged.