Hey, here's a random thought that just popped into my head: If Helen and Will live in the same town, how come they've never met each other until they met NiGHTS? I mean, wouldn't they go to the same school or something? I know that has nothing to do with this story, but it just came to me and it's got me ponderin'…

Note: I own NiGHTS…IN MY DREAMS!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! XD …Sorry, I had too much chocolate. SEGA owns it. NiGHTS, I mean, not chocolate.

Chapter Three: An Empty Space

Reala had just entered the Nightmare Castle after collecting his fifteenth Ideya from another unlucky Visitor. This time, however, Reala wasn't interested in frightening the young dreamer. After all, he stole all the Ideya as fast as he could, not wanting to linger smirking at the Visitors' terrified faces, and he didn't want to waste more time. Reala just hoped fifteen Ideya would be enough to convince Wizeman.

The door to Wizeman's throne room opened almost immediately before Reala finished knocking on it. Apparently, Wizeman had been expecting Reala for quite some time.

"Come in, Reala," Wizeman signaled for Reala to enter.

Reala adjusted the Ideya sack over his shoulder and floated inside. He stopped in front of one of Wizeman's hands and bowed, kneeling. "Master, I have returned-"

"You took longer than I expected," Wizeman's eyes narrowed. "I assume you have a good reason for that?"

"Well, I figured I might as well hunt for more Ideya for you, Master," Reala began as he put down the Ideya sack in front of him. He continued, "I realize there are very few, but Visitors were scarce tonight, at least around Nightmare, so it took me a while to track any down. I hope I have not disappointed you." Reala bowed again.

Most of the suspicion left from Wizeman's eyes. "Regardless, it doesn't really matter what you did in your spare time. What concerns me is this: have you taken care of NiGHTS?"

In a sense, that's exactly what he did. So Reala didn't need to lie when he answered in a calm voice, "Yes, Master, I have."

Now Wizeman was confident in Reala. He drew back his hand a bit and told Reala, "You have done well, Reala. You are off-duty today."

With that dismissal, Reala bowed once more. "Thank you, my Master. I am most appreciative." He stood and flew out of Wizeman's throne room as the doors closed behind him.

Reala was grateful he was allowed the day off. He had been up all night taking care of NiGHTS and hadn't gotten any sleep. And now that dawn was approaching, he was longing to lie down in his bed and drift off into unconsciousness.

That is, if the other Nightmarens didn't bother him. Even though most of them were heading out to steal Ideya, a few remained behind to tend to needs at the castle.

Each Nightmaren nodded a greeting at Reala as they passed him in the hall, on their way to do their jobs. After all, Reala was the most respected Nightmaren, besides Wizeman. Reala also nodded curtly to them, showing no expression as always.

Once Reala entered his room, he locked his door (a sign that he didn't want to be disturbed), and reclined on his bed.

Sleep did not come quickly, however. Reala just couldn't stop thinking about how NiGHTS was. He tried to take his mind off her by thinking of other things. But every time he thought of something, it reminded him of NiGHTS.

He saw her face when he closed his eyes. He heard her voice when all was quiet. He even thought he felt her warm hand in his, but when he looked at it, his hand was empty.

"What's happening to me?" Reala thought in mental agony. He twisted and turned in his bed until sleep finally claimed him.

It wasn't very common for Reala to dream. Most of the time, he had deep, dreamless nights. This time, however, his mind was far from silent.

He dreamed of himself and NiGHTS, alone on a grassy, sunny hill. They were not engaged in battle, like the way they were when they met each other nowadays. They were not even having an argument. Rather, they were talking and laughing and having a good time.

Suddenly, though, NiGHTS turned away from Reala and started flying in another direction. Reala was taken aback. He asked NiGHTS where she was going, but she didn't reply and kept flying over the hill. Reala wanted to go after her, but was too afraid of something. So he just called NiGHTS, telling her to come back.

She didn't. Clouds were rolling in, now and drops of rain began to fall as she disappeared over the hill.

Thunder clapped overhead and Reala just started at where NiGHTS had gone. He couldn't describe his emotion just then. Shock? Anger? Confusion? Fear? He didn't know what to think, didn't know what to do. His heart felt like it had a huge void in it. An empty space, like something had just been cut out from it.

It wasn't until thunder roared a second time that Reala woke up. He was panting slightly and he still felt that hole in his heart, surrounded by mixed emotions. Reala frowned as he remembered the first time he felt like that.

It was when NiGHTS betrayed Wizeman and left Nightmare. Ever since then, Reala had filled the void with bitterness, hatred, and rage. It had become a part of him, but now it all wanted to leave Reala, or rather, Reala wanted it to leave him. He wanted the emptiness to be filled with what was always there in the first place. He needed to get it back, or else happiness would be an impossibility for him.

He needed NiGHTS.

Hmm…This chapter didn't make Reala seem emo, did it? Anyway, I liked it. :) Well, I wrote it, so why shouldn't I like it? Ahem, please review! PS: I am not conceited.