The temptation for perfection and the power the computer offered had become an obsession. In the beginning, George Lucas and his team took credit for giving birth to computer graphics. They used robots to composite shots together for special effects. Eventually, the computers took over and the prequels were nothing but sterile, effect-driven train wrecks. George Lucas became his own Darth Vader, more machine than man. 

I tried to forget about my obsession, but laying there felt like both nothingness and the pleasant dream Socrates speculated and was now experiencing. My mind was swept up in another reverie and replayed the show after the trial, when Socrates was imprisoned with a death sentence hovering over his head like the sword of Damocles. After his execution, his brightest pupil, Plato, formed the Academy and taught Socrates' philosophy there. All of western history was influenced by Socrates, but he didn't live long enough to see. 

“Socrates...” whispered a disembodied voice.

Socrates looked around his small barred room to find the voice's owner. Rising up from his bed, he approached the window where the large Mediterranean moon threw stripes of pale light onto his face.

“What is the meaning of this?” questions the elderly protagonist.

“It is I, Crito. I have come to rescue you.” the voice speaks up.

“I need no rescuing.” is Socrates' reply.

“How so? Do you wish to remain here? Do you not understand they mean to kill you?” a frustrated Crito stammers.

“What of it? Is it not more important that I follow my morals and respect justice?” Socrates debated.

“Justice? This situation is most unjust. Why do you decline escape when it is easily offered? The Athenians will not pursue you in exile as long as you do not return. The rest of your followers and I have gathered enough funds for your release and journey.” explained Crito.

“It is not my choice to follow the laws of Athens only when they benefit me. To be just is to accept the consequences on both sides of the law. As for you, I cannot accept money to put a burden on others. Keep the money and your reputations so that I may not harm either.”

Nine regal women sit on nine iridescent thrones peering down on me in my gilded cage. I look above them, following the gothic walls of the room stretched high towards an open ceiling revealing a multitude of bright stars. Rings surround the sky and rotate around the chamber. In between the rings and floating spheres above, patches of the night sky seem to be missing as if extinguished by a large candle snuffer.

“You are accused of aiding the Star Eater in his escape from the Abyss.” The middle woman, Urania exclaims. “Not since the Dark Times in the Saeculum Obscurum has he been free. That was when the Shadow World was at its dimmest and now the stars are consumed once again as wars break out to defend them. What say you in your defense?”

It took me a minute to regain my coherence. I slowly forgot my life as I normally forget a dream. Now my quest came back to me.

“I have come here to stop him and to find the sword.” I explain.

“A foolish tale.” Calliope scoffs. “The Realm of Forms won't be saved by a mere boy.”

“The Philosopher Kings sent me.” I add.

“The Star of Logos recruited a mere boy as a guardian?”  Urania asks.

“I don't know anything about these stars. I only know my quest to bring back the sword.”

“And stop the Star Eater, surely?” Calliope asserts.

“I was warned of him, but it’s not my task to defeat him.”

“He knows nothing of our worlds!” Calliope cries.

“It is my duty to save them.”

“Very well.” Uriana accepts.

“But-” Calliope interrupts.

“We need all the help we can get.”

“The stars are the infinite worlds that project onto your own. The Labyrinthian, Ocean of Restlessness, and Logos where you came from just to name a few. But we will need as much help as we can muster. Star of Atmos and its builders have declined to join us. We will take what allies we have along with the Star of Wild Beasts and hold the line.” She says pulling on a chain shackled to a large griffen. “I will grant you access to the Star of Vice and Virtue to find your sword.” 

“Thank you, Muses.”