Fan Fiction ❯ My Nightmare Lies Within Your Dreams ❯ My Nightmare Lies Within Your Dreams ( Prologue )

Hello Minna-san!

::SIIIIIIIGH::

One hit? Eh? And this story isn't cleched! ::facefault:: 2end FULL non-chapterized post...

I wrote this for my English classes' short story writing contest so it isn't as angsty or explicit as my mind usually allows. The prizes were as follows: 1st place - $20, 2nd place - $10, 3rd place - $5. Each story was set out side by side and was numbered keeping the author anonymous; students picked the number they liked and wrote it on a ballot. Out of 25 entries, I claimed 1st place despite my very low social status.

The version of the story you see here is the first version that was written mid to late October 02. Please comment and criticize this to your hearts content (C&C). If the first few chapters go over well I will continue posting, as well as rewrite/edit this thing to fit my standards.

Well, I guess that's about it...

XX Iron_Reaver Xx

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`My Nightmare Lies Within Your Dreams'

By: N-Chan

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"Why must they ridicule me like this? I hate it," She screamed at the top of her lungs, "I HATE THEM! Stupid Villagers!"

Celles walked along the muddy path to the river silently fuming. She kept a tight hold on her woven clothesbasket, sinking her nails into the fibers gradually. The more she dwelled on her thoughts, the angrier she became. She had stormed out of the house and forgot to look at her sundial; it was later than she assumed. On top of that she left her mothers prized dagger and sheath on the table; that could have helped. It was way too close to dusk for her liking. This was the playground for thieves and evil entities - prying on ignorant people such as herself. Turning back would be the wisest of ideas for a normal girl of her age.

She took her free hand and attempted to remove the auburn strands from her face. They moved again as the wind slightly picked up, bringing cold air with it. She shivered slightly pulling the blue shawl up on her shoulders more to cover the goose bumps. The weather was changing with her mood, or so it seemed.

But then again that wasn't her, she wasn't a normal girl. Her only friends were the local rabbits and deer; they loved her more than any living human did at the time. Her mother was the only human she ever loved, she often told her tales of her father. A gentle indigo majesty that flew through the shimmering night sky like a subtle October wind: the Indigo Squall. She didn't know wrong she was. She said he loved to torch villages and cattle: a hope dragon. Because of this the villagers felt she was something to be looked at and put on display, like some rare freak. It was on several occasions she remembered little children sneering at her, `Look at the funny looking girl momma! What is she?'

All of this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for her fathers' attribute; she had pink eyes. Wherever she went and whomever she met they were noticed. They had a clear and obvious meaning to everyone - hope dragon. Her eyes shouldn't make the difference in what kind of person she is, although she was still stereotyped because of it. She had yet to meet another whom accepted her for who she was; she had no hopes of death and destruction.

She pondered aloud, "I'm so stupid! I should turn back before I run into a thief or slave trader. I don't want to be robbed or captured and sold as merchandise, walking is my best bet. I think the river isn't far from here..." She looked up at the treetops above her, the orange sun peeked through the leaves. "Maybe I can try to stay in the village. That is, if they wouldn't prefer feeding me to the wolves."

She had a sudden chill run down her spine, something she didn't like was close. On a moments notice she decided to power walk to the riverbed, constantly stealing glances to either side. Trees... trees... trees and more trees... No looters yet...

Just then she approached the riverbed. Thieves hated the place, they could be seen here. She sighed in partial relief. A few large boulders and rocks were scattered around the area, some on land and some in the water. Great sitting rocks. She walked over and placed her basket in the grass, then sat down hard on a mossy piece of shale.

"What should I do?"

Curiously, she bent over and picked up a muddy stick with her fingers. She studied it for a few minutes picking off the few dead leaves that clung to it. She started to draw a diagram in the soft muck at the edge of the river. A few lines, a curve, some swoops and a few letters. A map of the village and her home.

"This map isn't exactly standard, but it will do. I think I know what I should do now... I hope." She took the stick and pushed it into the mud, leaving it stick up some.

*****

Kierian ran through the woods, fighting to keep branches and sticks out of his face. His arms were starting to get covered in scratches, but he didn't care. He needed to get as far from the village as he possibly could. The farther from his conceited mother the better. With every second the sky grew darker and his well being was put into more jeopardy. It wouldn't matter if the thieves mauled him or wolves ate him. She wouldn't care if he ever returned home.

He hated everything she said about his future. All those useless talks about having to follow in his fathers footsteps. Every single time she said the same thing. `Become a politician because that is what your father does. It made him filthy rich and very happy. You will make money for me to live on when your father dies! Did I forget to mention that all the girls in the village will be all over you? You'll have a beautiful wife! Isn't that great?'

No matter what he said she didn't acknowledge his personal wishes. He wanted to become a doctor, not a governor. He didn't want to be filthy rich, but happy. Most of all he wanted a wife that loved him, not his money. She was clouded by her own desires.

He pushed on through the tangled mess of trees, his short brown hair matting with the branches. His green eyes squinted to block out the setting sun and sharp branches. He could see the river through the trees, but that wasn't the only thing.

"What is that girl doing here this late? What is she doing?"

He was too preoccupied with the thought. That made him forget about the branch he was holding, and it slipped from his fingers and hit him square between the eyes. He fell over and noisily landed on a few dead sticks and branches. He moaned in pain and was preparing to get back up, but right before he did, there was a scream and a loud splash.

"What was that?"

*****

After a heated internal debate, Celles had decided to try her luck at the village. Since the bridge was half a mile away her best bet was jumping across on the rocks. She dusted off her dress and slowly backed up with a tight hold on her basket. She was seriously having second thoughts about it.

"I'll do this on three. One...two...three!" She took off running and jumped, landing safely on the rock. She giggled, "And I thought I was going to fall in! This should be easier than I thought." She backed up to the edge of the rock jumped to the second and then to the third. She was confident enough no to stop between leaps. That proved to be a stupid mistake on her part.

Right after jumping off the sixth rock a series of snaps came from off in the woods. Her thoughts wandered off to the wrong place at the wrong time. The interference made her land unevenly on one leg; the added weight of the basket put her off balance. She could only think, "Not good! Not good! Not good!" Gravity felt the need to do its job, and with a high pitched shrill she fell into the water headfirst.

Soaked and choking like a fish on land, she grabbed onto the rock and stared at the spot noise came from. A young man her age was staring back at her laughing hysterically.

She clenched her teeth, "Shut up you idiot!"

*****

He stood up and dusted off all the leaves on his back. Curious about the sound, he walked out into the small clearing by the river. His fall had startled the girl and she fell into the water. He couldn't help thinking that she looked like a drowned rat. He couldn't resist laughing as she choked and frantically grabbed at the rock. The look she gave him was even funnier.

She yelled at him, "Shut up you idiot!"

"What did I do?"

"You made me fall, that's what!"

She tried to swim over to the shore, grabbing her basket in the process. She pawed at the muddy bank and barely got up onto the grass. She stood up and rung out her dress to the best of her ability then dusted herself off, running a maintenance check to see if she was missing anything. It was all there. She looked up and stared at him murderously, walking over to him with her fists balled. He stared at her blankly as she approached. Stopping right in front of him she looked up, obviously she was shorter than he was. He tried to brace himself before it was too late. His reaction time was off, her arm lifted and in one swift motion cracked across his face twice.

*****

She was angrier with him than all the villagers combined. He crushed her pride and ego like an insect; her pride was the only thing she had left. He was going to pay dearly for this mistake. But right now, she had to focus on getting to land.

Obviously not knowing how to swim, she tried to dog paddle to the bank. She used her basket to keep her head out of the water. Tossing the clothesbasket onto the bank, she attempted to climb up the mud. She was failing miserably and embarrassing herself even more by her lack of skill. She eventually made it up because the thought of hitting him motivated her.

She balled her fists and walked up within arms distance of him. He stared at her blankly, wondering what she was doing. She lifted her right arm and double slapped him across the cheeks as hard as she could. The points of impact grew tomato red and he was shaking his head back and forth. Both hands clutching the swelling skin.

"We're even now. I'm going to the village inn! Go bother someone else!" She began to walk into the woods opposite the direction he came from.

*****

His cheeks were searing with pain. He couldn't help moving his hands to his cheeks; it hurt too much. She had slapped him! And she was beginning to head back in the forest! What is she doing?

"Hey! Wait!" He ran up and put a free hand on her shoulder. "There are thieves and slavers out at night. Please let me walk you there?"

"On one condition. Don't pull another stunt like that."

"I won't. I promise."

"Well, are you leading or following? We don't have all day!" She walked ahead of him as he caught up to her. As they walked away the realization hit her; she had made no attempt to hide her eyes. He hadn't noticed their color, either. Would he not care?

*****

They reached the village and headed straight for the inn, Celles keeping her head as close to the ground as possible. Kierian didn't know why they stared at her awkwardly. The only light there was came from the blanket of moon and stars. Surprisingly people still stared at her even in the absolute darkness of night, as if they could smell `dragon'. She wasn't welcomed here, not at all.

They walked through the doors of Grover's Inn. It radiated with the smell of home cooked food, like the things her mother made before she died. The building was illuminated with orange lamps giving it a desirable atmosphere, as if it was saying `your welcome here'. Several men were heard coming from the tavern side, singing traditional drinking songs. She felt like she was at home here, it felt right to her. For once she actually felt somewhat safe.

The innkeeper had his back turned to her reading a book. She was surprised he had one, books were a rarity because they took money and time to manufacture. She mustered up enough courage to ask him, "Excuse me for bothering you, sir? Am I allowed a room here? I'll pay any price."

A fatherly gentle looking man responded, "Sure missy." He put down his book and grabbed the inn directory and an inked feather pen. "What is your..." He stopped in mid sentence as he turned around to face her, dropping the feather as it floated to the floor. His glance fixated on her eyes. "Get out of here you freakish scum! You know you don't belong here, dragon!"

A strong feeling of fear emerged from her gut; she did not like it. This place felt so perfect to her, but that didn't last long. The world never allowed her to be happy. Her life was destined to be full of misery and torment. The corners of her eyes began to sting; a feeling she was used to by now. "Please sir, you don't understand!"

`You'll wait until were asleep and then kill us all! Your hope dragon trash! Hope dragons cannot be trusted! LEAVE!" He slammed his directory onto the table, dust flying from the older entries.

"But I'm not like him! I'm not!" Her tears flowed down her cheeks in steady streams. Her eyes still burning. She buried her hands in her face in an attempt to hide, "Please... I beg of you..."

A... dragon? She is the daughter of that hope dragon, Indigo Squall? Why didn't I realize earlier? She is in trouble. I need to get her out of here.

"I'm sorry sir, I'll make her leave now. Please forgive her."

His eyes grew wide. "Mr. Peorth? I didn't realize it was you! Are you going to rid me of this scum?"

He nodded. "Gladly, Mr. Armond. Sorry if she disgusted you customers that much. She deserves only the worst treatment." Those words stung as they rolled off his lips. He grabbed her by the arm and yanked her closer, "Get away from here and never come back!"

Leaning closer and whispering lightly enough for her to hear, "I'm so sorry." Still in his iron grip, she couldn't help but follow him outside. He dragged her into the alley next to the inn.

He stared her in her pink eyes and asked her something she wanted him not to know. "You're a hope dragon? I..."

She cried even more than earlier, "So you know now. You hate me like everyone else. I am nothing but hope dragon scum and a menace to society! I... I'll kill you in your sleep! Like he said!" She was stuttering badly and beginning to hyperventilate.

"I... I'm sorry he was so rude to you. Celles, you deserve a friend. Please forgive me for being so ignorant. I'm sorry I didn't realize earlier. I wouldn't have dragged you out here if that was the case; friends don't do things like that."

"You're… trusting a hope dragon?" She was still hyperventilating.

"Well, I have made friends with you, haven't I? I didn't know you were a dragon then, so it doesn't matter. Come with me, I have an idea."

She nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Kierian."

"It isn't a problem, really. Here is my idea. I'll see if my father will allow you a room at our house. He is a nice man, I know he will accept. My mother will be much harder to convince, though."

"Do you really think your father, the governor, would be punished for it? It could ruin his reputation!" the tears were still flowing, but not as rapid as before.

"It doesn't hurt to try."

*****

They reached the front doors to the governor's home in a few minutes, walking silently the whole way. The only noises to be heard were their footfalls and the chirping of crickets and katydids.

"You know, they might recognize you as the dragon girl... I'm sorry they think your as ruthless as your father..." He put his left hand on the intricate doorknob to the house twisting it lightly, "Are you ready to try this?"

Her pink eyes gazed at her feet and she nodded again, "Yes."

He turned the knob completely, walking inside to find his mother.

*****

He looked around the closest rooms to them, finding nothing. He decided to go off and look to see where she had gone. He grabbed a candlestick that sat in the corner, already lit. He looked over to her with the candlelight reflecting from his face.

"Stay right here, okay. I'll look for her."

She nodded as he walked off, then leaning against a wall. She looked around the room, it was dark and she could see the shadows from some of the family's personal possessions. She knew the house was probably furnished lavishly because of his father's rank. Her curiosity got the best of her, so she decided to look around. She walked over to the small end table and fumbled around for a candlestick. Finding one in a sliver votive, she walked over to the lit candle. Delicately she titled the wick to the flame, making it catch fire. Making sure the candle wouldn't fall she pushed it farther into the peg on the holder.

She was walking room to room, looking at the priceless treasures lining the walls. One room had light coming from it. She spoke lightly to herself, "Kierian?" She walked into the room, speaking again more loudly, "Kierian? Is that you?" An older woman sat in a wooden chair reading a book by candlelight. She couldn't see her face too well, but she saw two shimmering reflections. She was being stared at with a pair of angry eyes.

"Who are you? Get out of my house! THIEF!" The woman sat her book down grabbing some kind of blunt object from the corner. She started to run after this mysterious `looter'.

Celles started in the opposite direction, almost tripping over a decorative rug. In the process she dropped the candle votive on the floor, it landed with a metallic clank. She righted herself again, this time running blind. "KIERIAN!"

*****

He walked around the opposite side of the house, still looking for his mother. He was hoping that Celles hadn't gone wandering, that could mean trouble for him. He sighed and ruled out the possibility. Poking his head into their library cautiously, "Mom? Are you in here?" He got a response, but it wasn't from his mother.

"Kierian? You came home?"

He was puzzled for a second, realizing who it was. "Dad? At least I found someone. Get up and follow me."

"Your mother has been worried sick..."

They both stopped, hearing a woman's yell coming from somewhere in the house.

"KIERIAN!"

Several thoughts swarmed his head. Celles! I forgot about her! She wandered off didn't she? She probably found mom before I did... Not good!

He took off running in the direction of the screams.

*****

She kept screaming for him to come. By the way he talked about her, there were several things she should be afraid of. All she could do was run until Kierian came to her. She was definitely not in a good situation! Running from a madwoman wasn't quite her idea of fun.

She turned a corner sharply and almost ran into something with a lit candle. She was thinking about it. Wait a minute... `things' can't carry candles! It's Kierian!

She ran behind him and grabbed his shoulders like a scared child without the tears or whimpering, barley making it to his safety. She grabbed his shirt tighter, hoping that he wouldn't move. She was very close to getting something blunt smashed over her head. Not a pleasant thought.

His mother put down whatever it was she was she was going to throw. The candlelight finding her face, showing that she wished to keep hidden. She said lightly gazing into the pink abyss, "Kierian? You know her?"

*****

Celles sat on the covers in the governors extra room unable to fall asleep, she remembered the dispute from earlier. His father said that any friend of his son is welcome here, hope dragon or not. She stared out the window to see the stars. His mother strongly disagreed, although. They fought for over an hour until Kierian brought up some stuff she had never heard of. Something about him leaving for good, but returning because of her. She loosely agreed with him and allowed her to stay until morning.

After an hour or so her eyes were beginning to droop; she was struggling to stay awake. She snuggled down onto the bed and pulled up the covers, hoping that sleep would soon come to her. Her dreams were filled with nothing but happiness that night.

If she stayed awake just a few minutes longer, she would have noticed Mrs. Peorth leaving the house.

*****

Minnie Peorth was walking through the village streets in the middle of the night. She had an oil lamp with her to light the way. The soles of her shoes clicked against the cobblestones in the street; she was alone. The only other noise was that of the howling wolves in the distance. She had one thing in mind, rid herself of the hope dragon girl. She tricked her son into letting her stay at their home. She knew her son, or thought she did, because he was supposed to hate a hope dragon. She kept telling herself that no human could befriend a dragon: Not now, not in the future, not ever.

She reached an inner city home and began rapping at the door vigorously, in hopes of waking whoever lived there. A gnarled old woman answered the door, using a lamp to see who was visiting her.

"Milady Peorth! What are you doing here at this time of night? Come back tomorrow!" She tried to slam the door in her face.

"No! Witch Jacklyne, please!" She stuck her foot between the door and its frame, preventing it from closing. "It is about the hope dragon!"

The old woman's eyes got wider as she reopened the door. "The hope dragon girl?"

"Yes! She tricked my son! Can you think of a spell to help us?"

She nodded, "Milady, I have just the thing in mind. Please come inside, it may take a while. But when it is ready, it shall work right away." She walked over to a bookshelf, using her votive to read the titles. She finds the book she needed, almost skipping over it. She held the old book it in her hands gingerly; it felt as if it were to crumble if she held it wrong. "This shall work nicely Milady."

*****

Kierian was dreaming a not so ordinary dream. He felt almost as if he were awake, but not himself. It felt as if he woke up in a different body. For some reason he opened a window in the room he was in, although he didn't remember doing it. He took a step back and assessed the situation. He looked down at normal hands and fingernails, only to see ivory claws grow from them. He looked to his back and there was a pair of leathery wings forming. He was transforming into something, but he didn't know what. His skin turned scaly and a purplish color, his face grew elongated and his body grew larger. He was transforming into an Indigo colored dragon.

*****

Witch Jacklyne brought her hands out of a prayer position, opening her eyes. She stood up from her kneeling position, grabbing and blowing out her candle on the way up. She dusted off her gown.

"Milady Peorth, it has been done." She smiled evilly in her thoughts, `You shall regret making a mockery of me in the past, Malady. Revenge is a dish best-served ice cold.'

*****

Celles awoke with a throbbing headache. She threw the covers off herself and walked over to open her window, she needed fresh air. Once she had allowed the night air in her body felt as if something were taking it over. She looked down at her hands in which could no longer control. Her body was acting out of its own will, things moving on their own... this wasn't right. She was very scared at this point, not knowing what she could do. It almost felt like her consciousness was pushed back for another to make room... like someone else's soul was invading her body. She felt a familiar tingling sensation from her skin; she was transforming into her true form, an indigo hope dragon.

*****

Lady Peorth stood and stared at the witch in bewilderment, "What does this spell do?"

The sorceress stared at her and grinned with an evil smile, "You'll find out soon enough, Milady." `By the time you read the writing on your son's gravestone'.

*****

Kierian gawked down at the body he was in. It was not his, it was the body of a... a dragon? His thoughts were wandering quickly, "What is going on here? Wait a minute... If I am dreaming why can I consciously think? If I can think doesn't that mean I can manipulate what's happening?" He made an attempt to move the arms of the dragon, or otherwise his arms. They moved fluidly.

*****

Her headache was completely gone, but her head felt clouded and heavy. She had never experienced anything remotely similar to this before. This presence had taken something sacred to her, the gift of her body. It was like looking at the world through a glass cage; the only thing she still had to herself were thoughts and hopes. It was a futile fight; she was the puppet and it was the puppeteer.

*****

He farther examined the wings on his back; they were bat-like and leathery. Could... these wings fly? He moved them back and forth, like a goose does once it has landed in water. They seemed strong enough to carry him. He walked over to the window, putting his forelegs on the windowsill. It was large enough for the small dragon to fit through; he could do if he didn't have his wings in their full span.

*****

Who or what was in her body was curious about how it got there, she was sure of it. Whoever it was stared at her claws and wings for the longest time. Now it was moving to the windowsill, attempting to take flight. She was scared, yet curious at the same time. She attempted to second-guess its next move to calm her senses some; it would help knowing the mind of her captor.

*****

Kierian stared at the stars through the window, if he could fly he could be close to them. He decided to attempt it, clawing up onto the sill more. He retracted the wings fully so they would not prevent him from going. When he found the courage, he jumped. Falling to the earth quickly, he pumped the wings as quickly as he could. Surprisingly, he went aloft.

*****

She was right, it wanted to know if it could fly. Maybe second-guessing would keep her mind at ease, that is, until she figured out what was going on. For all she knew she might have been dreaming up this whole thing! If she could, she would have reached up and pinched herself. Her body was flying now. This was the most horrible feeling; she felt so helpless.

*****

While flying he felt the urge to sneeze, as he did so flames came from his mouth. He was surprised yet again; he could breathe fire. He tried to sneeze again, having the same effect. Being a dragon meant

that you could breathe fire, right?

*****

"Thank you so much Miss Jacklyne. I shall go now." She nodded in thanks as she walked off the steps.

"I shall come with you my child, don't you wish to see the effects of my spell?"

"Yes, Jacklyne. That horrible dragon had this coming to her. I cannot wait to see her die." Jacklyne's footsteps clatter on the cobbles, each step becoming louder. `Yes, indeed she does. She shall not be alone in death.'

*****

Celles was now completely scared. They figured out that her body had the ability to breathe fire upon an accidental sneeze. She hoped that it hadn't gotten the idea of torching anything to a crisp. Absolutely nothing should be caught on fire; not even a bush! If that happened, the villagers would seek to kill. More than ever she wished the ability to do something, to control her own fate. Sadly, a puppet has no control over the puppeteer.

*****

So, since this was a dream and he could do anything he wants. And with a newly discovered flame breath, he would do just that. Flying down lower, he saw a home in which he did not like. With one long breath, it was taken up in roaring flames. The occupants running out, screaming.

*****

"Jacklyne? What is that? It looks like the James's house is burning down? How did this happen?"

The witch cackled and smiled, "You requested it. My spell, Dear."

She asked quizzically, "Your spell gave the dragon girl the will to destroy? My friends? Their posessions?"

"Oh no Milady. Much more than that."

"What do you mean?" She stammered.

"I haven't forgotten about the last time you called for my services. The dragon will be eliminated... as will your own offspring."

"Kierain? What does he have to do with this? Tell me!"

"Everything, Milady. Everything."

*****

She was surely to be killed now. This presence did the one thing that she would never think of, let alone try. She would cry if she could, yet, she had no body to supply the tears. Whomever this was sealed her fate tightly, licked the envelope as you could put it. The last hour of her life spent as an empty shell: nothingness. Mental tears were the last thing she would ever know: she could confide in them.

*****

It was amazing, seeing something go up in flames. It was exhilarating feeling the heat from the blast and the crackling of the embers. This was the very fabric of a dream; nothing here existed, but it felt so real. He could take out his angers here, without regrets. If he could, he would come here as often as it was possible. This was a rare opportunity for him. He flew lower and began to incinerate row upon row of houses.

*****

"How does this spell affect my son?"

"The dragon girl is not controlling her body, it is your son. I transferred his soul over into hers so he could gain her ability. His body is at your home, sleeping in his bed. His soul pressed hers back, so all she can do is watch, not control. This whole ordeal is a dream to him, yet the villagers think differently. They want the dragon dead."

She gasped, "Why would you do such a thing!"

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, Milady. Your judgement is poor. That dragon had not a bad intention. You assumed her to be evil, yet her soul is very clean."

*****

She noticed the villagers beginning to start a riot, screaming and yelling. They had any weapon they could find: axes, knives, crossbows, torches, and slingshots. She was indeed doomed to a painful death. It would be futile to say goodbye to those who would not miss her in her absence. She watched a man pull back a crossbow, ready to deliver her fate. She cried a silent tear, just as she made a friend in life...

*****

"Look at that man with that crossbow. Let him kill her. My son will be fine." She folded her arms.

"On the contrary, his soul is in her body. What good does a body do without a soul?" The witch cackled.

"Hey! No!" She ran and shoved him in an attempt to throw off his aim. He drew back the arrow, but she was too late. It zinged into the sky before she could do a thing.

*****

He saw the arrow drawing nearer to him, for he had nothing to worry about. Before it hit him the dream would end... He would awaken to his own bed...

*****

"My... only son..."

The arrow hit its target with fatal aim...

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