Note and disclaimer: This is a non-canon story focusing on the first Shadow Hearts. There will be mature scenarios throughout the story, so discretion is advised. I do now own Shadow Hearts or anything related. Enjoy the story.

Shadow Hearts - Demons Reality

Chapter 1 - Nightmares

Yuri lay in his bed, tossing and turning like a wild animal. He was having the same damned nightmare that he had been having for the last few days. It always started with him laying in the graveyard that was his subconscious, the rank stench of decay all around him. As he slowly stood up, he would look around and notice that the gravestones that contained the fusion souls were standing tall, almost majestically, but somehow they seemed to be leering over him, which made him all the more uncomfortable. From out of nowhere, the four masks would emerge right in front of him, and begin taunting him.

"Ho ho ho, so, the young Harmonixer returns once again. What makes you think you can contain the power you weild, boy?" The sword mask would proclaim.

"Ha ha ha, look at yourself, you're trembling even as I speak, don't deny it, I can see the fear in your eyes," goaded the staff mask.

"Yee hee hee hee, your power is wavering boy, can't you feel the despair all around you, your mind is giving up on you!" cackled the grail mask.

"Gwahahaha, I believe it is time to show you just how powerless you are!" the gold mask would bellow.

"Just try me you freaks," Yuri shouted, "I'll face all of you at once if I have to!"

"Ha ha ha, you have us wrong, we have no intention of fighting you. No, instead, you will be fighting the very souls that dwell within you!" the staff masks voice was like being caught in a massive thunderstorm, deep and booming.

With that, the masks would vanish.

A dark sense of foreboding swept over the graveyard, and a seering pain would enter Yuri's head. All around him, the gravestones would begin emitting an eerie red glow, which grew in intensity. An almighty explosion would occur, sending Yuri flying, his head connecting with a nearby tree. Dazed and confused, he stood once again, and before him would stand the souls of the fusion monsters that resided in his body, their menacing eyes peircing his very mind.

This was usually where Yuri would wake up in a cold sweat, but not this time, this time was different. Without warning, the monsters lunged toward Yuri. There was nothing he could do to stop them as they began delving into his soul.

"You who are not worthy of containing us, release us from this hell unto the world. We shall show you what true power really is!" roared Amon, the soul of destruction, it's voice like a hundred nails being pulled down a blackboard.

An incredible surge of pain ripped through Yuri's chest, as in turn, each monster forced their way out of his mind. Amon turned and looked at Yuri as he was about to exit, and gave him what looked like a wry smirk. The heavy wrought iron gate slammed shut behind Amon. Then there was darkness.

"AAAAARGH!" Yuri sat bolt upright in his bed, his head was pounding like a jackhammer, his vision was blurry and his hearing was distorted. Alice woke with a shock.

"Yuri, what is it, what's wrong?" She questioned.

"My head...my head feels like it's split in two. The pain won't go away!" he screamed back.

Alice rushed over to him and grasped his shoulders tightly.

"It's going to be alright Yuri, just stay with me and try to calm down, you can make it through this!"

The pain seemed to be getting worse as he sat there. It felt like his entire world was about to end, and his head was going to separate from his body when...it suddenly stopped. The pain, the blurriness, the incoherency. It all suddenly vanished. Yuri sat, breathing heavily.

"What is it?" Alice asked.

Yuri stared blankly back at her "it's...gone. The pain's gone, just like that!"

Alice hugged Yuri, "you frightened me there Yuri, it looked like you were going to die!"

"Well, it sure felt like that. I'll take the pain from that voice in my head any day then have to go through that again. It's strange, but I feel...different now. I can't quite put my finger on it!"

Alice sighed "well, at least you're alright now, just promise me you won't do that again!" She smiled, and Yuri smiled back at her "I'll try not to!" he replied.

"Well, seeing as we're both wide awake now, we might as well get ready. I'll just go and get changed." Alice headed for the bathroom door and shut it behind her. Yuri slumped back into bed.

"Why was my nightmare different this time?" He thought to himself, "the look on Amon's face as he went through the gate, I can't get it out of my head. I have a bad feeling about this!"

It would soon occur to Yuri that his feelings would be proven very, and terrifyingly true.