by J. Clarice
He just hoped that when he did, it wasn’t too late.
When they entered the Nether Realm, they didn’t face any of the Nightmares. They encountered something worse.
Each other.
Their pent-up anger, betrayal, hatred, sadness, and longing meshed into a gruesome fight. Even the Nightmares sat aside and watched the violent dance of red and grey.
“Why couldn’t you just follow father’s teachings? We could’ve been something greater, Cain!” Raxon shouted. “Look at all I’ve accomplished on my own. Could you imagine the two of us? We’d be unstoppable.”
“That isn’t what I’ve wanted, Raxon,” Cain’s voice laced with burning pain as he blocked his brother’s shots. “This isn’t what mother would’ve wanted. If she were still here, you would realize that yourself.”
“It’s a good thing that father killed her then, isn’t it?”
Cain froze. His body locked with rage, and bile settled in the bottom of his throat at his brother’s words. As Raxon sent a blast his way, Cain released a thin and barely visible tendril from his palm. He ducked the ball of red and came back up with his arm swinging from behind him. Raxon focused on Cain’s arm and didn’t catch sight of the thin grey whip until it was inches from his face. It landed with a force that threw him to the side. Raxon released a bloodcurdling scream as his skin seared.
Releasing his anger, Cain sent the whip again and again in the same spot. Raxon’s body shook as it got shocked by the surges of power that burned his face and cooked his insides. When an ache began in Cain’s arm, he stopped as the energy drained from his body.
He dragged himself to his beaten brother that laid on the floor. “Never. Ever. Disrespect mother like you have. She wanted the best of you and me. She didn’t deserve the life she’d been given.”
Cain ignored his brother’s whimpers and groans of agony as he made his way a few more feet before collapsing. The anguish that tore through him was nothing compared to the pain he delivered to Raxon.
He would rather that than continue carrying what he had.
After brandishing Raxon with his new mark, Cain caught sight of grey figures moving their way but was unconscious before he could assess what or who they were. Nate and his people took them in quickly, having felt the darkness that resided within their eyes. He knew they’d make great accommodations and gave them the proposition of being the new arena fighters. Raxon jumped at the chance to kill while Cain didn’t mind putting an end to those more crooked than he. He couldn’t focus on killing his brother and couldn’t bring himself to do it alone either.
He hoped he would meet his match in the arena.
He never did.
Those lowlifes didn’t know shit.
Everything settled, and they’d fallen into a routine to tolerate each other. But nothing ever stayed peaceful for long, hence Scarlett’s appearance.
Speaking of her…
“Cain?”
He slowly rose from his position on the wall and didn’t bother calling Raxon. He could come any time he wished, and Cain could care less.
It was time to discuss with the others.
How Scarlett’s voice didn’t crack while calling his name was beyond her.
The rest were awake and caught up to speed on their current situation. None of them were pleased.
‘Who would be?’
They were near the man who killed many of their own. He wasn’t even sorry about it – no sign of any other emotion aside from his cocky arrogance.
They needed blood from one of them to open the scroll, but they didn’t want to share the reason they needed it.
“We need to leave,” Jasper suggested.
“We need their blood, then we can leave,” Jude countered. “We can’t go anywhere without it.”
“What if we just bled one of them and put their blood on the scroll?”
Everyone fell silent at Jayden’s question.
“That would work, but I don’t think we’d be able to subdue both Dreammares enough to get a hold of one.” Scarlett bit the inside of her lip as she pondered. “Cain can’t be trusted either and we can’t forget that.”
Nods followed her words, but a frown etched itself onto Trevor. He didn’t want to believe his friend was that far gone, but they couldn’t take any chances.
“We’ll ask them for the blood, without giving anything away. If they don’t comply, we do it Jayden’s way,” Scarlett gestured as she spoke and got an agreement from everyone. She released a breath as her eyes quickly shot to Trevor’s before calling Cain.
He entered the room alone, and Scarlett noticed his head almost reached the cave’s ceiling. He stood tall, and despite the circumstances, her body surged with sparks.
Cain’s gaze briefly met Scarlett’s before gliding over the remainders. They paused on Trevor, who clenched his jaw, and Jayden, who looked away. Her anger at the situation radiated in thick waves.
“Where is your brother?” Scarlett asked.
“Not needed.”
She nodded at his curt reply and cleared her throat. “We’re only here to ask something of you. We need some of your blood.”
Cain couldn’t hide the confusion that ran through his mind. “Why do you–?”
“Brother, brother, I expected you to get it sooner than that.”
At Raxon’s voice, the tension rose, and everyone stiffened. Trevor, Jasper, and Jude weren’t prepared to lay eyes on Cain’s double. Despite the scar on Raxon’s face, they were carbon copies.
‘He knows.’
Scarlett internally cursed as part of their plan blew before they even had a chance. When the realization hit Cain, his crazed eyes locked on Scarlett.
“Are you fucking mad?”
“No, we’re not, but we do need your blood,” Scarlett answered, not affected by his outburst. “That’s all we need, and then you can forget about this. We can go our separate ways.”
Cain scoffed. “You say it as if it’s nothing, but it’s fucking something. If I hadn’t figure it out, would you have even told me?”
A part of Scarlett squeezed at his words, and the other part remained cold. That latter won. “No,” she bitterly answered. “I honestly wouldn’t have told you. I was going to withhold the information like you’ve done plenty of times.”
Cain opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out.
“Can’t even continue because you know I’m right,” Scarlett gave a mirthless laugh. “You withheld the fact that your father is still very much alive. What? You didn’t think that’d be important to share?”
“What would it have changed if I had?”
Scarlett shook her head. “You’re a real piece of work, Cain.”
“As much as I’d love to watch my brother get berated by a youngling, I, on the other hand, am willing to give you my blood to free my father,” Raxon started. “That plan you probably had to hold me down and bleed me out wouldn’t have worked anyway. The blood needs to be willing.”
‘Plan B tossed out the window.’ They were being backed into a corner faster than they’d like.
“What do you want?” Scarlett couldn’t believe she was even conversing with Raxon. But desperate times called for desperate measures. None of them had the time to try and change Cain’s mind.
“You’re seriously going through with this?” Cain took a step forward with clenched fists.
Trevor moved to be beside Scarlett and shook his head in warning. “What we’re onto is bigger than any of us. You can either aid or step to the side and let us get what we came here for.”
Cain's stance was stiff, and displeasure flashed in his eyes. Scarlett released a breath at the silence that followed Trevor’s words.
“It’s been a while since I last saw my father and wouldn’t mind a reunion.”
“You’re not coming with us,” barked Jayden as she glared at Raxon.
“You want my blood, don’t you?”
Scarlett’s head pounded as her thoughts shifted from one
topic to the other. Keeping track was lighting a short fuse. She couldn’t threaten Raxon since it’d lead to her using her ‘unknown’ powers to defeat him. She couldn’t risk using them up and having low energy when her task to kill Edgar came. However, if he came along, there was a high chance he’d sabotage the mission to free his father.
That was a chance they just may have to take.
“What’s the catch?” Scarlett continued, as she knew with him it wouldn’t be that simple.
A hint of a smug smile graced Raxon’s face before he answered. “I want that Dreammare Nate’s head.”
Scarlett scrunched her face in disgust. “Why don’t you do that yourself?”
“But where would the fun in that be?” Raxon made a show of grinning. “If I had you do it, it’d make me giving you my blood worth the while. It’ll show that you really want it.”
He winked, and she forced down a sick feeling.
“Scarlett.” The whisper came from Jayden, but Scarlett ignored it. She knew what was at stake. They didn’t have many other options. Cain wouldn’t give, and forcefully getting their blood would result in a dead-end and some angry twins.
“You’ve got a deal.”
“No, you two don’t,” Cain ground out through clenched teeth.
“Unless you’re going to give me your blood willingly, your input doesn’t matter,” Scarlett snapped as she glared at Cain. She turned back to Raxon. “I’ll give you his head not just for your compliance, but for the fact that guy is a vile bastard I don’t mind ridding of. If you want his head, you will help me with where he is and get me close. Don’t screw me over.”
Raxon let out a low whistle. “That new title has really settled in, hasn’t it?”
Scarlett didn’t change her expression and stared Raxon down until he sighed. “I’ll play fair on my father’s life. Now while this has been lovely, I have another fight to attend. I imagine my brother won’t be accompanying me on this one. When I return, be ready.”
Raxon didn’t wait for a response before he waltzed from the cave. Cain kept his eyes on Scarlett, and she knew they were avoiding their talk at this point. She glanced at her team and gave them a slight nod. She knew they opposed the deal she made but one problem at a time.
She had a broody partner to lay straight.
“You can’t do this, Scarlett.”
His repeated words left her internally groaning. “Stop it. Stop saying that and acting as if you have any real input right now!”
“What do you think is going to happen when you free my father?” Cain questioned. “That you’ll kill him? The strongest and most dangerous known Nightmare in the Realms. There’s a reason he wasn’t killed and instead, hidden under Muck Mountain.”
Scarlett hated how his words resurfaced thoughts she already had. “I’m aware, but I’m also the strongest known Dreammare in the Realms. If anyone could kill him, it’d be me.”
“You’re serious,” Cain laughed in disbelief. “You’re walking to your death.”
Another stab to her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fist. “There’s no chance of you changing my mind. I’m going to have the fight of not just my life, but the remaining Dreamers and Dreammares, hanging on it. Instead of fighting me, why can’t you stop being stubborn and help?”
The crack in her voice as she questioned him tore at his chest. Cain didn’t answer, and Scarlett wasn’t going to stand there any longer.
“I have a task to prepare for and my people to look after. When you’re done wasting my time and going to help, you know where to find me.”
Scarlett side-stepped Cain and headed for the tunnel. A hand wrapped around her arm, flaring it with heat. Cain’s grey eyes took in her hardened expression. He opened his mouth only to close it, and disappointment shone from Scarlett. She yanked her arm from his grip and made her way out.
‘There’s no time for that. No time for any of it.’
She repeated the mantra in her head as she approached the others. While her mind knew she did the right thing, her heart wrenched as she turned her back on him.
“Scarlett, we can’t actually be taking that piece of shit with us?” Jayden pulled Scarlett from her thoughts. She wasted no time in bringing up the elephant in the room.
“Jayden,” Jude warned. They were all able to hear the conversation between the troubled partners, and even Jude understood when a person would reach their point. Jayden ignored it.
“We are, and we’ll have to work around it for the time being,” Scarlett calmly said. Her stiff form betrayed her tone.
“That’s bullshit! We all know he’s just going to try and kill us once we’ve done it,” Jayden jeered. “He could be spouting lies for all we know–”
“You don’t think I’ve thought of all those things?” Scarlett raged as she threw her arms. “The possibility that I’ve increased the chances of our deaths all because we need some fucking blood? I have Jayden, I’ve thought of every detail I could, but we don’t have any other choice right now. If having Raxon along with us bothers you so fucking much, you can stay here while we march to our deaths.”
Jayden’s eyes were wide as she got only a glimpse of Scarlett’s bottled emotions.
“You know what? If anyone else agrees with Jayden. By all means, you’re free to stay here. I’ll go by my damn self if I have to.”
No one said anything as they watched Scarlett shake as she tried to hold herself together. Yet nothing could hold back the damn of tears she built. Jayden hesitantly walked forward, and Scarlett didn’t move as she only kept her arms at her sides.
Jayden’s arms wrapped around Scarlett. “I’m sorry. You won’t be doing this alone; I promise you that.”
Her whisper caused Scarlett to slack and lean against her shoulder. “I’m so scared.”
“I know, I know.”
Another figure wrapped their arms around the duo. They looked up to find Jasper with a small smile. “What? Y’all weren’t going to have a group hug without me.”
Scarlett returned his smile and embraced him.
“Trevor, get your ass over here, and Jude, especially yours,” Jasper called as he winked.
“God, no,” Jayden whispered.
“Shut up and stop being an ass,” Jasper threw back as Trevor and Jude joined the hug.
Before the twins could continue, Trevor spoke, “We’re not going anywhere, Scarlett. We knew of the possibilities we were signing up for and will see this through to the very end. No matter what that may be.”
“I may have come in late in the mission, but I’m sticking around till the end. It’d be nice to get some history recognition,” Jude quipped.
All but Jayden lightly laughed at her words. “I didn’t know you were capable of jokes?” Jasper said.
“Oh please, I’m capable of things your small brain wouldn’t be able to wrap around.”
“Mind showing me some?” Jasper playfully wiggled his brows.
“You’re a dog.”
“Get a room already, you two,” Trevor joked. “We’re tired of your bickering.”
The group unlatched arms and stood in a circle. They couldn’t see the red, but all knew Jude was blushing while Jasper carried a smirk. Jayden rolled her eyes, showing her dislike while the rest laughed.
Looking around, Scarlett knew these people were the only ones she needed. Their opinions mattered most. They’re the ones who never lied, always were upfront, and gave things as they came – even the ones that weren’t there physically; Grandma Ruth, Samsus, and Chad.
She didn’t need anyone else.
The rest could go fuck themselves.
There was a Realm to save.
Scarlett grabbed the grey leather from Raxon’s outstretched hand.
“Since you won’t exactly blend in with that brand new armor, oh and the fact that you’re not welcome anymore, you’ll be using this.”
“What is it?” Scarlett asked.
“What you’re hol
ding your hand is the skin of a Nightmare Cain, and I slayed on our second day here,” Raxon proudly announced. Scarlett sniffed the item and recoiled at the stench. “I have yet to clean mine, but it serves its purpose well. Cover yourself with that baby, and no one will be able to lay their eyes on you.”
“Is that how you guys got us out of the arena?”
“Oh, I didn’t do shit to help then. That was all Cain. He cleaned his skin and didn’t bother to touch mine,” he scoffed. “Anyway, wear that, and you’re invisible. I’ll guide you to Nate’s room, and I suggest you pay close attention since I won’t be guiding you out. You can wait in there to kill him. Not right after I leave, of course, I don’t need anybody thinking I killed him.”
Scarlett nodded as she went over the plan in her mind. She wrapped the sheet around her body and turned toward her friends.
“Trippy and so cool,” Jasper said as his eyes filled with wonder. “You’re a floating head.”
“It works,” Trevor confirmed.
Cain stood by the exit flipping a small knife in-between his fingers. The animosity left his body in waves and affected everyone.
They tried their best not to dwell on it.
“We’ll be on our way then,” Raxon started as he turned to leave the cave. “I promise to take good care of her.”
Scarlett followed Raxon and gave one last nod to her friends. “I’ll be back.”
Her eyes twitched as on instinct they wanted to see Cain. She fought the urged and continued into the tunnel.
Walking behind Raxon, she realized they hadn’t a clue of where they were staying. “Where are we even at?”
“We’re in my secluded cave pad,” Raxon stretched his arms for show. “Partially above ground and inside a hill. The entrance to the city is on the other side of it, and you’ve seen how underground that big guy is.”
Scarlett let silence meet his words as they broke through to the cave’s entrance. Grey plains as far as she could see and the tops of various mountains at the end. If she could see them from where she stood, they must be colossal up close.