A/N: Although I didn't get reviews in the last chapter, I am putting up another story just for the hell of it XD! Thanks to levells who generously proofread the chapters for me again! Sorry if I butchered the English language, as usual! And sorry if I burned your soul too, it was necessary :p
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: AU. Mariah craved freedom yet it was far from reach. Bound to the Lord, escape was futile. Closing her eyes the moment the sirens of sleep called to her, she dreamt of a pair of golden eyes whisking her away into the darkness granting her eternal freedom. Was freedom worth the risk of death in reality or in her dreams?
Chapter 6: Dreams
Bryan gripped tightly on the leather reigns and whipped the horse, forcing the beast to accelerate, ripping through the mist. His blue eyes locked onto the form running in front of him, darting behind trees and around stone monuments. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, forcing a sick grin to appear on his pale face. Whipping the horse again, the horse sprinted, chasing after the creature which was revealed to be a red fox now cornered in its den. There was no escape. Bryan cocked his rifle, poised, ready to kill.
A growl escaped the den; it was the fox's last stand for survival. Bryan hated the waiting game. He knew the fox wasn't going to emerge from the den as long as the exit was barricaded. Bryan placed two fingers into his mouth and whistled. The sounds of ravaging hounds echoed with howls and barks. Bryan nodded; the hounds charged fiercely into the den. Just like musical notes played on the grand piano, Bryan enjoyed listening to the sound of the fox howling in agony, feeling its flesh being torn from bone. Another yelp echoed followed by shuffling; one of the hounds dragged the fox out into the open by its now bloodied front paw. Aiming the rifle at the fox's head, he looked deep into its amber eyes. Gazing down the barrel of death was an experience the fox would never forget. Closing its eyes, it waited for Bryan to pull the trigger.
'BAM!'
Bryan returned to the mansion an hour later, tossing away his bloodied gloves. As butlers and maids greeted him, he couldn't help but glance up the silent stairs waiting for his bride-to-be to greet him with open arms.
"When will you wake up from the land of dreams?" Bryan questioned as if an answer would manifest before him. "It has been too long since I heard your voice…"
Some say the eyes of cats never lie. Some say the eyes of dogs hide deception. Some say the eyes of birds spell out death. People believe anything they hear in this land shrouded by mist and mysticism. This was no ordinary land; this was the land encased in dreams or simply put, a void the dreamers produced to escape their own cruel reality into this alternate reality. This was a place where dreamers were allowed unlimited freedom of imagination and creativity. It was a place where dreamers gained a spiritual connection with their animalistic guardians hiding in plain sight. Through tales told by the old, they say those who see animal spirits were destined to be blessed either with good or bad luck. The animal guardians were the ones who decided your fate and you were only a lowly pawn in their game. Even so, some guardians may reach out to guide you in the right direction. Or perhaps, would foretell the uncertain future... Nothing was certain in this realm.
Only special dreamers were permitted into this land. Mariah was no exception; returning to the land of dreams always calmed her nerves, remembering the events of reality unfolding in her mind. It was a worrying thought at best but she was at peace here, in this reality. She took a step forward, listening to her heel click against the pavement. Bringing her hands to her heart, she always felt uneasy walking in this world alone. A strange sensation washed over her; it felt as if someone laid their eyes on her, waiting for one misstep before striking.
This feels oddly familiar. She closed her eyes, feeling the presence closer to her. Indeed, she knew who it was. "Galux?"
A meow echoed.
The sound alone lifted her spirits. Mariah crouched down with arms fully extended, waiting. "Come here, you!"
The mist in front of Mariah swirled into a small vortex. A pair of dark orbs manifested before Mariah, followed by a red and blue body of a large feline trotting silently over to her. Mariah wrapped her arms around Galux, scratching beneath the neck. It has been too long since she saw her. Cupping the feline's face, she couldn't hold back her tears of joy.
"I missed you so much," Mariah nuzzled her nose against Galux's.
Galux purred. Even if Galux could not speak, she understood human speech well. Her eyes expressed concern, watching her owner crumble before her. Galux closed her eyes, digging deep into Mariah's memories. Despair, tragedy and betrayal; it was a never-ending cycle Mariah was caught in. Galux sensed Bryan's presence in Mariah's memories. She immediately terminated the connection in fear of the madman's attempts of possessing her. Feeling a sharp pain erupt from the back of her head, Mariah cringed. Galux purred.
"Hey... it's okay... I know," Mariah stroked Galux's head reassuring everything was alright.
Mariah stood up dusting non-existence dirt off her black, frilly layered dress. Galux lead Mariah through the vast open space listening to Mariah talk about her life. It saddened Galux to think her physical form no longer existed in the real world. She failed to protect Mariah and in conclusion, she paid it with her own life. She would never forget how Falborg took her life.
The more Galux heard about Bryan, the more she despised the madman. What he truly wanted was shrouded in mystery. But yet, Galux knew he wanted something more from Mariah. What it was, remained a mystery... for now.
Mariah and Galux reached a small pond with a small wooden bridge arched over. Mariah was the first one to walk on the bridge with fingers tracing the wooden railing, intricately carved in floral patterns. Leaning forward, she glanced down at her reflection, wobbling in the water.
"Whore," the word slipped out from between her lips. "I am nothing more than a whore."
Galux trotted over to Mariah, purring against her. Running a finger over the dew covered etching; she could not contain her sigh. Her mood did not improve when she saw countless events unfolding in her mind, reflected on the water's surface. One could say she was indeed cursed; bad luck had befallen her. Her breaths were visible in the mist; puffs of air escaped her wet lips. Little did she know, she was being watched from afar. A silent step forward alerted Galux they were not alone. The feline hissed, fur raised to its tips at the large, shadow figure. Noticing the abrupt change in Galux's behavior, Mariah too was aware of the new presence.
She quickly spun around, eyes locked onto the shadowed figure. The mist parted revealing a majestic white tiger with stunning emerald stripes. It possessed the most beautiful golden eyes she had seen! Although the sight was appealing, there was no question Mariah was frightened by the beasts' sudden appearance. Pressing her back against the rail, the tiger took another step forward, crunching the grass beneath its massive paw. Galux had enough; pressing her luck, she too took a step forward challenging the tiger who was a behemoth compared to her, a small feline. Galux hissed loudly, not intimidated by the tiger. The tiger tilted its' head before seating itself clearly stating it meant no harm.
"Um, hello there," Mariah squeaked.
Unmoved, the tiger's gaze remained on Mariah who broke into cold sweat. Galux hissed again, taking another bold step forward. She took a chance and swiped the tiger's paw and quickly retreated behind Mariah. The last thing Galux wanted was to be lunch. The tiger was not amused.
It felt odd. Mariah could not shake the feeling she once came into contact with those golden eyes. Yet the question begged to ask: where? Falling into deep thought, was it coincidental this tiger possessed the same eyes as he, the stranger who saved her? No, of course not. What an absurd thought! But again, this was the dream world and visions from the real world tend to manifest here without prior warning.
Mariah flinched the moment the tiger yawned, displaying its great canines.
"Um, do you want anything?"
The tiger was intrigued; pushing off the dew covered grass, it stood on all four paws and turned around, meeting its gaze with Mariah's once more. Mariah had a strange feeling; it felt as if the tiger wanted Mariah to follow it. She took a step forward and the tiger did the same, leading Mariah to an unknown destination.
Mariah was in awe of the sights that surrounded her; the tiger had lead Mariah toward a valley cloaked in mist with majestic mountains standing tall in the distance, touching the heavens. Her feet came in contact with wooden planks.
"What?"
She looked down. Her eyes caught continuous rows of polished wooden flooring. On either side of her were wooden railings snaking a pathway through the mist. This was no doubt a strange place, one she had never encountered before. It was oddly strange to think a place such as this could exist in her mind. Beautiful, enchanting and mystifying, Mariah was in awe. Glancing to her right, she noticed a shallow pool filled with giant water lilies and large koi fish swimming below, unaware of her presence. Mariah continued walking along the planks following the tiger closely. Every so often, the tiger would glance, checking if Mariah continued to follow. She couldn't help but gaze at the large pink and purple lotuses swaying gently from side to side in the breeze. Pockets of dragonflies swirled above the lotuses, dancing alongside flickering fireflies.
"Beautiful..." Mariah trailed off.
The tiger lead Mariah to a behemoth sized mountain. The entrance was a large gaping hole with purple and white crystals lining the mouth of the cave. Mariah took a step forward and immediately candles were lit alongside the wall, revealing a hidden stairway snaking through the heart of the mountain. Galux did the same but was instantly stopped by the tiger. The small feline hissed as if to question why it wasn't allowed to follow its master. With a low growl, Galux took a step back, eyes peeled on the tiger. Slightly unnerved by the tiger's sudden behaviour, Mariah swallowed hard and ventured into the cave.
"Okay, here I go."
Where the stairs may lead her, she would never know until her destination had been reached.