Dmitry stumbled into his apartment, tears streaming down his face, chest throbbing with every pounding beat of his heart. He leaned up against the door, closed his eyes and broke down. He fought to regain his senses, but the tears refused to stop. In a fit of rage, he hurled his keys across the room with a yell. Their flight ended against the opposite wall. He gasped for breath as red clouded his vision.
"You bastard!" he screeched. "Why? Why did you have to ruin such a good thing?"
He dropped to his knees and grabbed his head as he buckled over. His body shook with violent sobs. He took several deep, shaky breaths, fighting to calm himself down. He felt arms and wings wrap around him, shrouding him a coocoon of safety.
"They don't understand," the creature whispered in his ear. "They never did."
Dmitry hung his head and broke down again. The creature held him tighter, rubbing his arms.
"Why?" he choked.
"All I wanted was to make you see the truth. I had to show you who you really are."
"I was happy. Finally happy."
"Was it true happiness? Or was it only what they wanted you to perceive as such?"
Dmitry fought to catch his breath. "I-I...I don't know anymore. I just...I just want..."
"Yes?"
His breath caught in his throat, choking him. "I just want it to end."
Behind his back, the creature smiled. "I can help with that," it replied, voice like silk. "I can make the pain go away."
Dmitry released a heavy sigh, chest deflating in defeat. "How?"
"Not here," the creature said. "Somewhere safe, where nothing can touch you."
"The alter," Dmitry breathed.
The creature dissolved into a sandy form and floated towards the bedroom. Dmitry got to his feet and followed. The sand guided him over to the bed, where he sat down. He gazed down at his hands as his eyes began to grow heavy. He lay down on his stomach, right arm hanging over the side. The exhaustion grew overwhelming as his eyes slid closed.
"It's time to come home," was the last thing he heard before he left the waking world behind.
"Can we kill him, now?" Kadaj asked as Elena swept up the last of the sand.
"Kill him for what?" Tifa questioned. "Being scared? Did you not see the look on his face?"
"Tifa's right," Cloud agreed. "Something was going on with him. Something that terrified him."
"Well, we all know what that was," Reno commented, watching Elena disappear into the kitchen.
"Not his fault, Reno," the blonde Turk called back.
"Mom's right," Lucrecia said. "I don't know how Dmitry was able to return, but honestly I don't care. He was different, a good different. He was trying so hard to fit in, to make everyone happy, and yet something was changing inside of him. He was suffering and we were too damn paranoid about the past to see that."
Everyone turned when they heard footsteps head for the door. Nero had just pulled on his jacket and grabbed the car keys off the rack.
"Where are you going?" Reno asked.
"After him," Nero replied.
Dominico and Saitharius ran after him. "We're coming too," the youngest brother declared.
"Help Ma save Try," Dominico said.
Nero smiled at his sons. "Thank you, boys."
The trio headed out the door and climbed into the car. With Saitharius directing, Nero made it to Dmitry's apartment building in record time. They left the car behind and ran to the front door. Nero pressed the button for Dmitry's apartment.
No answer.
He tried again with the same result. Nero pressed the button for the superintendent's room.
"Hello?" came a voice.
"We need access to Dmitry Michaelis' apartment," Nero said.
"Why don't you just call him?"
"I did. He's not answering. Now open the damn door before I kick it in!"
There sounded a buzz as the lock opened. Nero threw the door open and led the way inside. The superintendent met them in the hallway outside Dmitry's apartment door. He had a set of keys in his hand.
"I tried calling after I buzzed you in," the man said. "He's not even answering his phone, and I saw him come back."
He found the right key and unlocked the door. Nero was the first one inside, followed by his sons. He searched the apartment, finding it empty.
"Mom!" he heard Saitharius cry.
Nero ran into the bedroom, stopping short in the doorway. Dmitry lay on his stomach on the bed, arm hanging over the side. Nero hurried over and checked for a pulse. His heart sank. Dmitry's heartbeat was too slow for his liking. He looked down at the floor. Sand flowed steadily from Dmitry's limp fingers. Nero looked up at the man.
"Call Vincent Valentine. Tell him what's going on. He'll know what to do."
With a nod, the man ran out of the apartment. Saitharius and Dominico knelt down beside Nero. He looked at the boys.
"He's in trouble, isn't he?" Saitharius asked.
"I fear so," Nero answered.
"What do?" Dominico asked.
Nero looked from his sons to Dmitry. He had only known him for a few short days, but Nero suddenly never felt as protective of him as he did at that moment. Not since Dominico and Saitharius came into his life had he felt that protective pull for anyone.
"I don't know how you boys brought him back, and I'm sure you'll tell me some day. But, right now, Dmitry needs our help."
"How can we help?" Saitharius wanted to know.
"Nico, I know you haven't ventured into the dream world since we pulled Sai out, but can you bring us there? To where Dmitry is?"
Dominico swallowed hard. "Make Ma happy?"
Nero nodded. "He does."
He nodded back. "Okay."
He cupped his hands under Dmitry's fingers, gathering up the sand. Nero and Saitharius put their arms around him as he closed his eyes.
"Here goes," Saitharius said as the sand began to swirl.
The room suddenly vanished in sandy darkness. They looked around, finding themselves underground.
"Did it work?" Saitharius asked.
"This is where the sand led me," Dominico replied.
Nero sighed in relief. If Dominico was talking, then they were in the dream world. He got to his feet and hurried off towards the light at the end. The brothers rushed after him. They entered the nightmarish chamber, coming to a dead stop. Nero's eyes went wide. His Dmitry lay strewn across the stone alter, motionless and almost lifeless. The demon from Deepground stood with his back to them, sand flowing from his hands into Dmitry's limp body.
"Get away from him, demon!" Nero screeched.
The creature turned, slow and deliberate. A wicked grin spread across his face, making Nero's blood run cold.
"Why, hello, pet. Long time no see."