Classes:
1st level- the highest level possible for nightmaren to receive. Have special skills in many areas.
2nd level - specialize in only a single skill, maybe two skills.
3rd level – almost mindless. They will obey Wiseman without thought, same with 1st levels. But 2nd levels cannot get them to always obey.
Hunter – They attack and hunt down dreamers and their ideya.
Healer – specialize in healing on and off the battlefield
NiGHTS smirked as her eyes narrowed. This was too easy. Darting forewords she slid under the door and began racing up the stairs. Slipping between the pillars that held up the magnificent ceiling of Nightmare Castle, she made her way towards her goal. Sliding into the shadows, she watched as the guards made their rounds.
"Pathetic." She muttered under her breath as the two began drinking on the job. They were making this job to easy. With a quick jump, her fist made contact with one's head. Whirling around, her elbow sent the other down with a jab to the stomach.
Stepping over her two unfortunate victims she made her way into the unknown. Well not quite the unknown. She'd been here before. Her hands clenched as she remembered her imprisonment in the darkness beneath the castle. She had been lucky to get out. Being the small girl she was, the men never paid attention to her, focusing their 'recruitment' efforts on the bigger, stronger males. She had gone unnoticed for a major part of her life. Until he had decided to view the unwilling recruits.
NiGHTS was snapped out of her thoughts as she came to a small door. Her cat eyes could see well, but there were others who didn't possess her skills. Using trace amounts of her nightmaren magic she created a small purple flame.
"Damn it." NiGHTS thought as her face scrunched up. Why was it always purple? For once, why couldn't she create a nice small orange flame?
Ignoring her own inability, she walked into the darkness. The tunnels echoed until NiGHTS came upon a small crushed door. Blood moss grew around the entrance steadily. Her eyes narrowed. They had been massacred. The door creaked as she pushed, trying to force it open. With a loud squeak, the door slammed open. NiGHTS stumbled into the room.
No one.
There had been a slaughter, but they had carried away the bodies. NiGHTS gave them a little respect for that. They cared enough about the dead to at least dispose of their bodies properly. NiGHTS looked around the large cell.
'New chains.' NiGHTS noticed. They were planning to bring in another bunch. NiGHTS hissed furiously and brought out her only weapon. A small, sharp, deadly knife slashed around as she waved it with skill. The new chains fell in shambles, broken and useless.
'It won't be enough to free them.' NiGHTS thought. 'But it will sure piss off the guards.'
Walking out of the cold dark cell, NiGHTS bristled as she heard voices. Darting back into the shadows she viewed as a small squadron walked past her. At the back, between two soldiers was a young nightmaren. His face was shallow, and he looked like he hadn't seen the light of day for years. But NiGHTS could tell that he could fight. His broad shoulders told the story. But his face was a pore attempt at brave. The soldier had just given him a sword and asking him if he could use it.
NiGHTS knew what the young man was then. A soul starved into submitting service in the nightmaren army. NiGHTS reached for her concealed knife, but flinched as she decided against it. It would be too hard to fight her way out, and there was no guarantee that she could get the young 'maren out either. Sadly, she watched as the soldiers walked away with another life.
Hardening her resolve she continued down the cold stone corridor. She would occasionally hear sounds coming from behind locked doors, and as much as she wanted to help, her true objective lay farther down. Finally she turned a corner and arrived at her destination. Many would think this to be a dead end.
But she knew better. Having been held in this same cell for so long. Once more she hissed, she hated her confinement. Whenever she misbehaved, he had locked her down here. She thanked her lucky stars everyday for that escape opening. She had seen it, and taken it. She gingerly walked towards the wall, placing her delicate hand on the stone wall. The stone was cool, pleasant almost. But she frowned as she pushed on the cold rock. With a rough crunching noise the stone became loose. Grunting, NiGHTS pushed the large rock to the side. NiGHTS felt a stab to her chest as she looked upon her old prison. She had hated this room; she had sworn she would never let herself return to it, no matter the consequences.
But here she was. Back in the one place she never wanted to lay eyes on again. But her reason to return was good. Just as this was here prison, it was also her sanctuary. She had been allowed item to keep herself entertained. And one of them was the object of her search. Walking to one of her many hiding places in the cell, she knelt down and began digging. A few inches into the hard earth, NiGHTS pulled up the object of her searches. A small, jewelled carving lay in the palm of her hand. The small pentagon rested with a different ideya in each corner.
NiGHTS smirked.
He was probably running rapid looking for this. She had a valuable ability to hunters. No other 'maren had her powers. That was why they tried so hard to tame her once they managed to sniff her out from the other captives. They had even set their best general, one of their most respected lords to train her, and discipline her when she misbehaved. This had been quite often. She shivered as if she had felt his rough claws grab her around the neck. He had seemed to like teasing her; he would trace his claws down her cheek gently, and then hurt her if she refused to hunt.
She had been afraid of him, after centuries of being locked in the dungeons, at first waiting to get out, then slowly trying to disappear from the guard's eyes. She laughed to herself as she stood up and began the journey back to her home. Amazing, centuries ago she would have given anything to be out of her cells. And now, she'd rather be back in one then anywhere near him. But they would never leave her alone. They would always hound her till the end of her rope.
'I know I won't last this through.' NiGHTS thought as she listened to her own footsteps echo down the hallway. 'But there is no way I'm going to submit to them!'
She didn't see any 'maren as she trekked back. Her timing was perfect, most nightmaren sleep in the day, and she'd be well on her way by nightfall. She could easily take down almost any 'maren. The only one's she'd have trouble with would be a group of hunter's... or him.
If she ran into him, it wouldn't be good. She couldn't grantee her escape if he showed up. Sighing she slipped her treasure into her vest. Carefully scanning her exit she stepped out into the cold air. She sighed, happy to be out of that dreary place. Suddenly she came aware of the endless silence. Her senses where screaming at her, something was amiss. The silence, NiGHTS realized. Even when Nightmare rested, the constant buzz of the serving 'maren filled the frigid air. But now only silence filled the air.
"How careless of you."
NiGHTS drew out her dagger and spun to see her least favourite being in existence. It was him. The bane of her existence.
He smirked as he floated down to meet her. He slowly, as if taunting her, drew out his sword. NiGHTS had been hit with it before, and she had no intention of tasting his steel again.
"I thought I trained you better than this." He said as he walked towards her. "You got in well enough, but how to get out?"
NiGHTS hissed as she brought her small knife up. Sure, he had a full sized sword, while she only had a small, elegant knife. But she was much faster than him that gave her a start. Dashing with all her speed, she launched herself at Reala, hoping to either land a blow, or run if she got the chance.
"Hold it NiGHTS, we'll have time for just the two of us." He smiled evilly as he sheathed hi weapon and relaxed his stance. "But for your long awaited return to Nightmare, why, I think the others should be invited."
NiGHTS heard several screeches, the sound of sharp metal being pulled out of their holders. She knew what she would see, even before she glanced around her. Hunters, dozens of them. A few 2nd levels too. Some of the 'maren surrounding her she knew, some she didn't.
He smirked as NiGHTS realized the truth; there would be no escape from this.
"Drop your knife." He ordered.
NiGHTS glared in anger at him as her hold on her weapon increased. Her mind flashed, she was thinking of any possible way out, but there were none. She didn't want to die; she wanted to continue to live her life. But NiGHTS knew that there would be no escape.
"I refuse to come back." NiGHTS said calmly as she raised her knife.
"I knew you'd say that." He smiled. "But there is no-."
"Escape?" NiGHTS finished. Her face grew hard as she thought "I know that, but I won't give in! I refuse to come back, I can't! And I won't submit to you!"
NiGHTS took a deep breath to refill the air in her lungs. She hadn't meant to lose her head like that, but this would probably be the last chance to get this all off her chest.
Laughter. NiGHTS' eyes darted up to see he was laughing. His laughter quickly turned into a simple chuckle, and finally into a knowing smirk.
"My poor delusional NiGHTS." He said as he floated closer and closer to her. "You claim to have this thirst for freedom, but why do you keep coming back?"
He suddenly dashed forewords and disarmed NiGHTS with little effort. He roughly grabbed her wrists as he dragged her to him. NiGHTS tried to use her magic to escape, but her magic, once like a roaring waterfall, was now a trickling flow of water struggling to get down the mountain.
"What are you doing to me?" NiGHTS shouted furiously as she began fighting with what strength she had left.
"I will explain once you rest." He said. "You are tired, you must sleep."
He tried to pick her up, but a quick kick to the stomach allowed for some minor freedom. Suddenly a foul smelling cloth covered her mouth and non-existing nose. She craned her neck to see him holding her roughly against him. His clawed hand forced the drugged cloth into her face, holding it there roughly. His other arm held her firmly around the waist, trapping one arm.
NiGHTS felt her head begin to shut down.
'No!' NiGHTS thought as she desperately tried to free herself. She would not let herself be captured again. Her free arm thrashed around wildly; until she hooked it around the drug soaked cloth and began trying to tear it away desperately.
"My poor NiGHTS, you need rest." He whispered into her ear. "Everything will be fine; you're just confused and frightened. You're going to sleep now."
It was true, NiGHTS felt sleep approaching her. Her airway was suddenly clear as the rag was removed. Trying one last desperate attempt at freedom, she reached for his sheathed sword. She found herself unable to reach her last chance at freedom.
With her last bit of consciousness she spat at her captor with hate.
"I won't give up!"
"It wouldn't be fun any other way." He muttered right back.
"I hate you Reala!"
Then the world became dark.
