Night in The Shrine

I had always believed that I was fearless, but waking up, sapped of strength with a slime in the place of my left pinky, has me terrified.
 
As soon as I recognized my condition, my immediate reaction was to hide it. This would be a very bad time for my companions to witness my hand, since two of us were killed by a slime eerily similar to mine.
 
When we left the temple, some of us wished to travel towards Gnominguard, but I could not let this happen. After a short debate I somehow convinced them that we should stop in Phandalin for supplies, before leaving in the morning.
 
The only thing going through my mind is “I need a healer.” My first priority is money, no one is going to heal me for free. Next, I need someone who could cure my ailment.
 
After claiming my portion of the reward, I quickly walk towards our inn. Toblen should know who to go to.
 
The Shrine! I have not visited there myself, but I know where it is. I walk by it almost every time I leave the inn.
 
Of course she is not here, that would be far too convenient. I have to decide, follow after her or wait. It is late and I am not equipped for travel, I will wait for now. I try to get as comfortable as possible, and eventually fall asleep.
 
 
My dreams are tortuous, eventually leading up to a massive free fall. While falling I am abruptly jerked into a scene. I am looking down from above at a series of small rooms, it is the gauntlet. I see myself pass through the first time, far too cautious.
 
“What is your favorite color”
I replied honestly “black”
 
I move forward. “To thine own self be true”
 
Why is this line emphasized?
 
I see myself move forward until I reach the room with the statue. I check the door, it is locked. I read the inscription. Then check the door again, still locked. I place a coin on the statue and then am teleported, without my belongings.
 
The scene starts to turn red, I was pissed. I don’t even remember what happened hile Zook was inside, but when he exited, I gave him his gold and rushed back into the chamber.
 
This was a mistake, but hindsight is always 20/20.
 
I rush through the rooms until
 
“What is your favorite color”
“Purple”
 
Purple!? Why would I say purple, it is an obvious lie.
 
“To thine own self be true”
 
What voice is this, it is different from the voice before, it resonates throughout the dreamscape.
 
The scene grows a darker shade of red, similar to blood.
 
I move forward, eventually entering the treasure room. I walk towards the black chest, but when I touch it I hear a voice.
“What is your favorite color, purple”
 
The scene stops.
 
“To thine own self be true” the voice resonates again.
 
The space itself begins to shake more and more until it shatters.
 
 
I wake up in a cold sweat, it feels like I didn’t rest at all despite sleeping through the night. I check my hand, it appears the slime has not grown.
 
I stand, I feel stronger, my eyesight is better, and oddly enough, I know two more spells. It seems I have reached the next stage in my class.
 
I sit back down inside the shrine, content to wait for the healer to return. I notice my companions leaving the inn and walking towards the shrine, maybe I can trust them.