He dreamed of shouldering his responsibilities, performing the ritual dance gracefully, and sealing the Ambrosial Arbor. He dreamed of stepping into a battlefield where sharp blades and arrows fell like rain, and meted out punishment from the sky. He dreamed of being chained between jade pillars, pierced by long nails, sealed in darkness. He dreamed of wandering aimlessly in the darkness, chased by lurking shadows. ... In all the dreams, he was a dragon, a hero, a sinner, but never a person with love, hatred, sorrow, or joy like everyone else in this world.