Nightmares
still here
Mithrigil Galtirglin
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When Vaan wakes up, he reminds himself; that Bangaa, the one in Nalbina? Was red. Before they beat him too. Not sky-colored like Migelo. And definitely not Penelo. And definitely not Reks.
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Fran lies with her eyes closed, after. She can see the imperfections in the darkness behind her eyes; in the worst of her dreams, there are no imperfections.
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Vossler does not feel the tons of stone. He hears them. They break and twist his body and he remarks on it inwardly, passively, that is my bone, my blood, my eye crushed against my cheek.
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"Upon reflection, you were entirely justified," one of Vayne's brothers says. The other, beside him, agrees, nodding, though he lacks a head.
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They are in their hidden place in Nabudis. Her eyes open wide when he slips his hand between her legs. Her knight leers down instead of her prince, and his thrusts rake her back against a bed of corpses.
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Halim's legs have fallen asleep. He must advance, and abate it. The soles of his feet meet molten glass. He leaves another red print behind him. What frightens him awake is his own smile.
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Noah stares into the surface of a river. No one stares back.
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The vines around his ankles are stubbled like his father's cheeks. They drag him down into the glittering earth. Blood spatters, translucent ruby red, and Balthier sees his reflections, dozens of them, in the filthy crystal shards.
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Nabudis glowed as Reddas left it. What need has he of nightmares now?
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Al-Cid can see perfectly from within the womb of the glacier. What he cannot do is escape it.
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Larsa's dreams are always very quiet, until the first statue turns to him and speaks.
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Venat says, Hark, and Cid does not obey.
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"WAIT!" she shrieks, and her knee rams into the tentpole, and the pain snaps her eyes open. She catches her breath, and claws her way to sit, darting glances, panting. They're still here, she tells herself. She sees. Everyone's still here.
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Basch sleeps soundly, until he is roused.
