by J. Clarice
“We’ve trusted you with our lives!”
Cher squeezed the edge of the podium and opened her chest. “And I have with every minute of mine. I have not injured any Dreamers and have treated you like my equal as you have done the same with me. My daughter, the other Dreammares, they are not any different. I have devoted years to you all and I will continue to do so until it is my time. Roger Blackdall died for you to be here.”
Cher sucked in a shaky breath as a tear broke free. “Many others died for you all, to be here. We are all that is left and the Dark Realm has an endless supply of Nightmares. We need outside help if we are to even have a fighting chance against them. Prejudices need to be put aside and we need to start anew. Times have called for a change. I want to give you the best opportunity possible to make it through this. Alongside, the Dreammares, we are acquiring assistance from the Havened Ones.”
Unease radiated from the Dreamers in waves but even then, they couldn’t turn a blind eye to the truth Cher had spoken. Heavy with grief and weakened by losses, they knew they needed the help.
“If Ever Realm is to live on, we must work together. This is a battle that cannot be won alone.”
Cher’s heart pounded as she spoke her final words. She worried her people would reject the idea and choose to go about it on their own. The war won’t be won if they were divided. She held her breath and awaited their response.
A man at the back of the room rose. His eyes were steeled and observed Cher’s before he softened and stood tall.
“For Ever Realm. For my fallen leader. For my wife, I will fight alongside you and the others.” The man’s voice wavered but held strong as he spoke.
Another Dreamer stood and repeated the same agreement.
And another.
And another.
Until they all were standing before Cher. Pride and relief swelled through her chest as her torn heart softly beat within. The pressure behind her eyes grew and wetness slowly coated her cheeks. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as a small smile spread across her lips. She glanced to her side at Scarlett and grabbed ahold of her hand.
Cher saw the awe in her eyes. She did it.
‘For Roger. For my daughter. For my people. We will not go down without a fight.’
Twenty-Eight
The merge between the Dreamers and Dreammares was rough.
Not a minute was spared and everyone was either in recovery or training and making sure all of the measures were in place. Dreamers hesitated to work with the Dreammares and it showed in every possible way. Arguments broke out but there was always an Official nearby to diffuse them.
Scarlett didn’t leave her mother’s side and helped her oversee the training. She, herself, wasn’t fully trained and needed all the hours she could get in. Scarlett and Cher hadn’t been to Earth since Roger’s quickly thrown together funeral. Their human bodies would be weakening the longer they stayed away but they couldn’t waste any time there. Ever Realm was at the top of their priority.
Her mother was with the Officials going over possible attacks while Scarlett removed herself from the meeting. She hadn’t been able to check on Chad and needed to see that he was doing well. She headed to the lower levels where the medical rooms were stationed. Few Dreamers were injured since their wounds healed quickly with the help of their bracelets. Chad’s, on the other hand, was taking longer since they were recent but Scarlett knew the real wounds would be the ones in his mind.
Scarlett entered the medical station and stopped a woman that held a clipboard. At the sight of Scarlett, her eyes widened and her cheeks lifted.
“Oh Ms. Blackdall, how may I help you?”
“I’m looking for Chad, he was one of the recent Dreamers brought in with a gash across his abdomen.”
The woman squinted her eyes in thought before lifting her clipboard and gesturing toward the back of the room. “Yes, he’s on the last table and is recovering well, I suspect he should be good to leave tomorrow.”
Relief entered Scarlett’s veins as she nodded thankfully. She turned to leave when the woman placed a hand on her arm.
“Miss, before you go, I must warn you he hasn’t said a word since he’s been brought in. He…” The woman’s eyes saddened as she glanced towards Chad’s area. “He is showing signs as one would if they’ve lost their partner. When that happens, it can be very difficult to get them to open up and respond.”
The woman offered Scarlett a small tilt of her lips before continuing on her way. Scarlett returned her attention to Chad’s curtained bed and made her way toward him.
She waited a second before she pulled the curtain aside. Chad was on a small bed shirtless and his armor rested on the chair beside him. A clean white bandage wrapped where his wound had been and his skin had regained most of its color. His eyes were closed but snapped open at the sound of Scarlett.
What the woman said repeated in Scarlett’s mind as she saw his blank eyes. Void of any emotion, she still felt them penetrating as ever. He observed every inch of Scarlett as she slowly approached and sat on the chair beside his armor.
“Hey.” Scarlett softly spoke as she bit her lip. In the little time she’s known Chad, it hurt her seeing him in this state.
“What happened to her?” Chad croaked out as he kept his eyes trained on Scarlett. She winced and tightened her fists until her nails dug into her palms.
“She was found out Chad…” Scarlett trailed off as she hesitated to tell him the fate of his partner.
“What, Scarlett?” He pushed out despite how dry his throat was. He needed to know.
“She was sentenced to the Nether Realms.”
Scarlett saw the remaining piece in Chad, collapse through his eyes. Tears dropped one by one and he tried to stop them. He was breaking and Scarlett felt herself bending to do the same. She bit the inside of her cheek and failed to hold back the dam that desperately wanted to be released.
Scarlett cried as the pain from the loss of her sister finally hit her. She got up as Chad widened his arms. Being careful with his wound, Scarlett let herself cry into his shoulder.
“How could she do this?” Scarlett choked as sadness tore at her chest. Anguish clung onto their every cell, breath, heartbeat, and thought. It thickened like ash in their lungs and slowly drowned them.
Chad’s body shook as he let go of it all. He cried in Scarlett’s arms as he remembered the pain of knowing his partner was gone. He felt her sever the connection. Discard it like it was nothing. She left him with nothing but a black hole that was sucking everything around it.
Their cries quieted and Scarlett pulled away to grab the chair and bring it closer. Sitting right up against the edge of the bed, she leaned her head on Chad’s arm.
He clasped her hand and squeezed it before taking a breath.
“I’d just gotten back from the battle…” Chad started and Scarlett muscles locked. “I heard the news and knew Jenna must’ve known by now. I asked around and they told me she fled as soon as she found out.”
Chad let out a dry laugh. “I knew that she’d run back to her yellow dome and try to lock herself away from everyone… I thought I knew her so well. I went to her home and I guess she hadn’t heard me. She was talking to herself and that’s when I found out…”
Chad stopped and sucked in a breath. Scarlett could predict what happened next. “You don’t have to continue.”
“No, I want too.” He shook his head. “I remember I’d frozen at the mention of her deal with the Dark Realm. It wasn’t until she turned around and saw me that I snapped out of it. I confronted her and we argued. She got defensive Scarlett, I knew then she’d lost it, I just didn’t know how much.”
Scarlett’s heart pounded as she heard about her sister.
“I didn’t see the blade pulled from behind until I was within distance… She ran and left me alone. I didn’t get far and I could hardly wrap it up before I passed out. From then on, things are blurry and the next thing I remember is you.”
∞
Scarlett entered the meeting beside her mother. The Officials stood around a circular table as no chairs were present. It wasn’t a sit down matter.
Cher took her place at the head of the table with Scarlett to her right. They’d been the last ones to arrive and the doors were shut behind them. She sharply nodded at the Officials and they bowed their heads.
“Let’s begin.”
Official Alich started it off. “Training has been heavy underway and everyone is progressing as planned.”
“The Dreamers and Dreammares?” Cher asked.
“They’ve got along as to be expected. Arguments have occurred but it’s lessening.”
Cher hummed at the good news, however, now it was time for the real reason they were there.
Official Alich continued. “Ma’am, silence has befallen the Dark Realm and we haven’t spotted any Nightmares. We fear something is coming. It’s only a matter of when and what.”
“We still have nothing on who their new king is except for his name,” spoke out Official Grant.
Scarlett came to find that he was the most disliked but was on the council for his smarts. He knew strategies of war that others didn’t. He was older than her parents with his graying black hair and mustard armor. His brown eyes always shone harshly as he looked down on others. Needless to say, he was the least humble and compassionate of them all.
“We need more information if we want a chance. We can’t simply rely on the extra numbers of Dreammares and the Havened Ones. Hell, we don’t even know how many of them there could be. We haven’t heard a single thing from Samsus. Who knows if he’s even doing what he’s supposed to?”
“Official Grant, you are forgetting your place. Official Samsus will not be insulted while he is not here to defend himself. That is a cheap blow for even a man of your status and I expect better.” Cher sharply cut Official Grant down and he lowered his eyes under her harsh stare. “As for why we haven’t heard from Official Samsus, you’ve also seemed to have forgotten that the Havened Ones are not easily swayed. Patience is key when it comes to them as most will not want to relive such horrors while others will understand what’s at risk. They need time.”
“With all due respect, Mrs. Blackdall, time is not exactly on our side.” Official Grant stated as he kept his head lowered. As much as it bothered Cher, she knew he was correct on that fact. Before he could get cut off, Official Grant glanced at Cher. “It is for this reason I have devised a plan. If I may?”
Cher stared him down before gesturing for him to continue.
“As you all know, the Dark Realm has gone completely dark with their movements and that is a huge negative for us.” Nods were returned in agreement. “I have the idea to deploy a team of Dreamers and Dreammares to enter the Dark Realm and they’d be able to capture information that we don’t have.”
Even Cher and Scarlett couldn’t ignore the positive in his plan as they did need information. At least with Edgar, he was boastful and made himself known. This new threat kept a tight leash on everything it was planning.
Cher opened her mouth only to be interrupted by the slamming of a door. Everyone’s gaze snapped toward it and Scarlett’s mouth parted at the figure that walked through.
Cain’s eyes wondered before they zeroed in on Scarlett. Her breath caught as every inch of herself come to life. No one had seen him since he stormed out of the Refuge and he appeared the same as ever.
Cold and ravishing.
His black armor was bulked with extras and perfectly showcased his lean figure. Cain’s black hair was ruffled and his sharp jaw was held high. His steel eyes were dark and yet bright as they caught the breath in Scarlett’s lungs.
“How did you –?” Official Grant began as the bracelets on all the Officials lit up.
“Weapon’s down,” Cher ordered. Her eyes didn’t leave Cain as the Officials lowered their hands. Official Grant’s eyes found Cher’s and she stared at him before he complied.
Scarlett couldn’t take her sight off Cain. ‘He came back…’
“What brings you here, Cain?”
Cain strode to the table and placed himself directly on the opposite end of where Cher stood. Power radiated from him and everyone could feel.
“I couldn’t help but overhear the news of planting a rat to scurry around the Dark Realm for information. It’s not necessary and a good way to aid them in killing your people.”
Eyes widened and stared at Cain in confusion and revulsion.
“Excuse me?” Official Grant exclaimed as he stared at Cain with disgust. “This plan is necessary. If we don’t get some kind of information, we’ll be going into the fight blindly!”
Cher lifted her hand before Grant could continue.
“For what reasons, Cain?” Cher asked as he kept his expression cooled.
“You can’t risk sparing any more lives with how low your numbers are. It wouldn’t be an intelligent move.” Cain stretched out his last two words and Scarlett knew him well enough to know exactly why. Out of the corner of her eye, Official Grant’s fists clenched as he silently steamed.
“That is not all. It isn’t necessary because, in my absence, I gathered the information needed for the oncoming battle.”
Voices rose as the Officials fired questions at Cain. Even Scarlett had to bite her tongue to stop questioning out loud.
“Enough!” Cher silenced them all and gestured for Cain to continue.
Cain nodded. “He goes by the name of Raxon. He’s a Dreammare of the highest level, much like my own. He has planned to rid Ever Realm of Dreamers and let the Dark Realm rule superior to us all.”
The Officials scoffed at the idea. “Those stupid bastards! Without us, they’d be stuck in their dingy Realm forever.”
Cain continued. “Which is exactly why they need a Dreammare’s mind to be able to open a gate big enough. Its power would allow Nightmares to travel between Realms and terrorize as they wish.”
“Where would they get one powerful enough to do that?”
Cain’s eyes found Scarlett’s and she lifted her chin as she spoke next.
“Me. They’d need me to accomplish their plan.”
The Officials whipped their heads toward Scarlett and Cher. “You?! You’re merely a month old Dreammare!”
“A month old Dreammare with the mark Edgar predicted. With the powers he’d tapped into, he somehow transferred them… to me.”
The Officials mouths widened as they took in Scarlett’s words. The one thing the Dark Realm was after, was right before their eyes this whole time. Official Alich was the first to snap back.
“Who is this Raxon anyway? And how does he even know of such things?” She threw as she met Cain’s eyes.
“Haven’t you noticed the similarities in the recent events? How else could a Dreammare have gotten his hands on this exact information? Who else tried to accomplish the exact same thing?” Cain’s words fell on their ears as everyone grew rigid. “He’s simply following in his father’s footsteps.”
“He’s Edgar’s son.” Cher’s whisper broke the silence that had followed. Some shook their heads in disbelief while others stared at Cain with their eyebrows furrowed.
“How do you know of such things?”
Everyone paused as Official Alich cocked her head at Cain. She narrowed her sharp eyes as the tension in the room grew. Scarlett noticed some twitch their hands and kept her power within reach.
Whether to protect Cain or the other’s against him, she didn’t know.
Scarlett saw the twitch in his jaw and met his dark grey eyes as he spoke the next words.
“He is my brother.”
The Officials erupted into an uproar and lit their bracelets. White tendrils flowed from their hands as anger thundered throughout.
“Traitor!”
“He could be working with his brother for all we know!”
&
nbsp; “Filthy Dreammare!”
Cain stood his ground and opened his palms releasing his power. Scarlett could see his muscle tense underneath his armor as he defensively faced the Officials. They noticeably backed away at the threat bigger than their own. Scarlett only managed to take a step in his direction before she was yanked back by her mother. Cher’s breath was on Scarlett’s ear as she fought the urge to pull away.
“Don’t, I will handle this. You losing control will only make matters worse for him and most importantly, all of us.” Scarlett’s body slowly relaxed under her mother’s grip.
She was right.
Her mother would have to smooth things out.
Twenty-Nine
A light breeze brushed against Scarlett’s skin as she stared out at the rising sun. Hues of orange, yellow, and red colored the sky as it gave way to the day ahead. She closed her eyes and soaked in the rays of warmth.
Her nose flared and she ground her teeth as she tried to hold in the tears that wanted to break free.
She hadn’t visited her favorite spot since the day after she entered Ever Realm.
When things were alright.
When her father was still alive.
When Jenna was a trustful person.
A tear slipped its way out as another followed with each thought. Her heart ached for those she’s lost and a sob wrenched out from her chest.
Scarlett fell to her knees and lowered her head to the ground. Not only weakened by not having been to Earth in days, but by the trauma she’s experienced.
She missed them so much. Her father and even Jenna… because no matter what, at the end of the day, she was her big sister. Scarlett needed to be strong for her mother and the emotions she’d shoved to the side rustled restlessly. They’d begun to eat her from the inside and she simply ignored them. The matter at hand was more important.
Pressure built behind her eyes as she hugged herself. Slowly lifting her head, Scarlett gazed at the sun through blurry eyes. It’s risen into a full circle directly before her and she lightly smiled at its beauty.