A/N Just looking through this chapter I can't believe I let half of these errors slide. Damn. I've added a bit more than usual to this chapter, it's a big part of the plot I'm adding earlier on than anticipated.
Claris didn't know if she was ignorant for trusting him but their hands collided, and just within a second her uncertainty no longer mattered. An orb of red light engulfed their hands, and expanded until they were both trapped in an orb made of light. The light faded out, and there was only one figure, Jackle of course. Claris lifted Jackle's hand into the light that shined through the branches.
The wind blew faster for a second, and gently pried the cherry blossoms leaves off of the branches, they weren't yellow, they were a neon Orange this time. Nightopians gushed out of their hiding places, and made a circle around Claris dualized with Jackle. Then all Nightopians interlinked there small hands with the Nightopian next to them. They began singing all in different octaves, and different noises that sounded like dozens of happy infants. They tugged right, and left at the same time, bringing a smile to the dualized duo. Although it means nothing to Claris, it means everything to Jackle now that he finally can see Nightopians off the pages of a fading book because now they believe he is on their side.
'Do you fly much?'
As if Jackle was telepathic he pushed off of the ground with the tip of his shoe cackling in 'her' head. Claris hadn't dualized in years, so she had to relearn to fly, as 'Jackle' which in retrospect shouldn't be so difficult however Jackle seemed to fly slower. Not to mention not as graceful as the purple jester Claris had learn to fly with in the first place. Kicking Jackle's feet as if she was swimming she gained some speed but it wasn't nearly enough, reaching his arms towards the sunset she pretended to push the air down.
Claris felt as if she was going nowhere. Remembering a trick she learned she started spinning, and propelled herself forwards, NiGHTS called it Drill Dash. Cards flew out of Jackle's cloak, playing cards, tarot cards, steel Cards, and some blank cards. Claris felt herself soaring faster now that the cloak was lighter.
The cards were flung at standing by Nightopians that fled crying flapping there little pink wings as fast as they could. Claris stood embarrassed, as in their head Jackle was mentally holding his sides in laughter. She did her best to brush off his quick change in moods.
Claris shouted an apology to the Nightopians both of them shrugging it off as they started flying again; Jackle complained in Claris's head about leaving his numerous cards behind and for the first time she understood what Jackle felt like with a nagging voice in his head, that wouldn't shut up. Jackle went on about this for some time as Claris ignored him.
After getting used to the concept of flying again she started daring to go higher than NiGHTS had ever been able to, the purple Nightmaren may not be built for speed but it was definitely built for endurance. They soared through the dewy clouds that she used to dream of sitting on when she was younger. Childish dreams is what they heard Wizeman calling them. Once Claris confirmed that they couldn't fly any higher without damaging their bodies she soared through the clouds.
The dew dripped off of Jackle's jester like horns slightly blocking their vision. After a while Claris learned how to ignore Jackle's childish rants, and desires. Soon Claris almost didn't realize that he had stopped talking. Jackle mentally shuddered, and shrunk back in fear. He stuttered a gibberish like language in constant fear; it was like English but said in a native tongue with added words in certain places. The tone that responded was exactly like Jackle's voice except a few minor differences.
Another harsh voice shouted at him in the same manner, but fearless and prideful. Others joined in this argument and snickered at him all having very distinctive personalities. Jackle shouted back in protest his voice cracking slight a sure indication he's in some sort of physical pain.
"Shut up you guys! You're hurting him can't you see it?" Even Claris felt a slight buzz of pain, their speaking almost deafening. That didn't stop them, they grew silent for a moment but then they began shrieking laughter.
Just when it became unbearable, Jackle yanked their head above the clouds. What lay ahead made them both take a leap back. Castle Nightmare stood tall and mighty, grey bricks towering above the clouds. It consisted of three parts, one in the middle that stood larger than the two slightly smaller ones that were next to it. Grey clouds covered the tops of these medieval like castles, letting the pointed tips stab out of them.
Another voice once silent pipes in, "And he will see through the eyes of he who hath been damned, salvation shall be quick and just. Thou who betray his brethren will surely suffer the same fate."
The voices grow eerily silent as if there had been a certain truth to that statement; even Jackle is at a loss of words. The dreamer is unable to deny it sounded the most vastly different than any of the others. As if a direct result of, Claris felt control over Jackle slipping through her hands.
The voices were forcing them to apart and Claris started to plummet to the ground, while Jackle couldn't pry his eyes off of castle nightmare. He couldn't nor wouldn't admit to Claris but he was helping the others knowing if Wizeman found out not only would his creation be torn limb from limb the dreamer would follow not long after.
By now Claris thought of falling as a comfort, she knew she would never get hurt by falling in a dream. She looked up at Jackle contemplating what he was doing. Reaching her hands towards the sky she waited patiently to wake up. Just as expected she hit the ground painlessly, although with a sickening splat it was clear there was more gore for the Nightmaren to see from above.
She sat up in bed burning with curiosity about what Jackle was going to do next. After stretching she jumped out of bed and glanced at the clock 6:18 blinked in red numbers. Looking around she decided to check on the 'mirror' in the bathroom. It was still shattered on the ground and with the scattered shards the room seemed eerie. The curtains blew in the morning breeze. Stepping over fragments she went closer to the curtains to inspect it in further detail. The fabric felt the same as ever in the palm of her hand but something caught her eye. Tiny red specks adorned the fabric. Alarmed she rubbed her hand over them; it slightly stuck to her hand a sure sign that is was fresh. Her eyes searched for anything else peculiar or otherwise out of place, bloody hand prints were on the windowsill. Claris put her hand side by side to one only to find the sizes were almost identical.
"God dammit!" She cursed under her breath.
She was sent into a panic attack and tried rubbing the blood of with her pajama shirt, she knew it wasn't the smartest move but she couldn't care less. Once most of the blood wasn't very easy to see she sighed.
After getting ready for school she glanced at the stairs, she wished she could just leave school behind and figure out what was happening at castle nightmare. Maybe she could fall asleep at some point in school or free period.
The cheery sun didn't make her smile like it normally would; her glare landing on the school bus that pulled up by her house. She didn't rush into the bus with her normal optimistic face she forced the bus driver to wait this time, he was rather rude to her on a daily basis it shouldn't be a surprise she's not all smiles and laughter to his face. After getting onto the bus she slung her back-pack onto the ground and sat in a seat as far away as possible. In her hand was a shard of glass she snuck with her for closer examination, tucked out of sight for the time being.
The only thing that was different was the large scar on her cheek; the marks were white now outlined pink. She groaned knowing it was probably a scar by the way the healing process was going.
Tucking her chin into her chest she closed her eyes shut desperately trying to let go of boring reality, and trade it for an exciting dream disregarding how little time has passed since her last dream. Reality started blurring, and Claris lost her train of thought. Something poked her shoulder, once, twice before she snapped her head in their direction. Elliot looked at her with wide eyes filled with curiosity.
"Did I wake you up...?"
She shook her head," No I wasn't asleep yet, you're fine."
By the look on his face he debating asking something but eventually curiosity wins," Are you trying to continue a dream?"
The pink haired girl just looked at him for a moment feeling as if he'd go berserk on her if he had any idea what kind of agreement she made with the jester that once plagued her nightmares.
With a sigh she opens her mouth slowly her words clinging to her tongue," I started visiting Nightopians again."
Elliot gave her a puzzled look, Claris may not have lied but it was barely even a fraction of the truth. "Why bother returning so early?"
"Because I…" Her voice trailed off, unable to control herself she blurts the next part," Jackle and I have formed an alliance."
Elliot scowled," He's a fucking looney. "
She swallowed hard," This 'looney' needs my help; he's been lied to by his own creator."
His expression softened for a moment," I want to believe it as much as you do but Claris, where did you get that mark on your cheek?"
The pink haired girl hesitated looking down at her hands; she knew she was in no place to tell Elliot he was wrong. With a shake of his head he walks back to his usual seating.
Deep down she knew she could never hate Elliot even if she wanted to, the things he did and said sometimes is what Claris hated about him though. Tucking her chin onto her chest again she closed her eyes but to her dismay the bus driver started shouting.
Everyone on the bus groaned, or made some disapproving noise and or gesture. Yanking herself up out of her seat Claris rushed out of the bus, squeezing in-between students flooding out of one tiny exit. One tall boy with brown hair shoved her out of the way, Claris didn't say anything but squeezed her fingers around the shard of glass out of surprise gasping softly when it slices through her palm. Blood oozes from the cut and the droplets scatter along the pavement.
"Shit." She hisses through her teeth as she drops the shard into her backpack clenching a fist in hopes to numb the pain.
To no avail she shoves her hand into her pocket doing her best to avoid eye contact. She used to love talking to others but her social life is just starting to become a burden to her.
