[Shattered Dreams vol 4] Insomnia is safe, Drautos and Emperor Aldercapt are dead, the sun has risen, and everyone is still alive, if a little worse for the wear. In spite of that, Reina Lucis Caelum can't smile. If the last ten years never happened, who is she really? Why does a Dream feel more real that reality? [Full Summary Inside]
It was easier to reach the In-Between this time. She just had to want it enough to put aside her fear and take the risk even knowing what could happen—what had already happened. But if she couldn't Dream, she would be blind.
She was blind.
Bahamut was waiting for her. She felt him as soon as she dropped into the In-Between. Before she could so much as glance ahead or orient herself in this realm, he was dragging her away.
:Thou hast been warned twice, O Dreamer. Now thou hast lured yet one more into the danger that surrounds thee.:
"I didn't—"
:Thy intentions hold no weight. Thy companions follow thy path, whether thou willest them or not. And thou hast chosen to lead down the path that will culminate in their inevitable demise.:
"I won't let you harm them." If she had had fists, they would have been clenched.
:And in leading them here, thou hast opened thyself to them. Darkness is in thy soul. Thy kin shall see the truth before long, however thou hidest from them. Wilt thou live on as a lie, forevermore? Or wilt thou admit thy own sins and face that same abandonment that hast reduced thee to a sniveling child?:
His words struck true in her heart, rendering her frozen at his mercy. Had she truly left them behind to protect them? Or to protect herself? If they came, they would see what she was. They would know the truth and, just as surely as they had done in her Dream, they would turn away. They would hate her. They would abandon her.
:Thou hast not even the strength to face thy fears. Thou art crippled by them. Thou fleest, but thou shalt not escape. Thy past will out. Thinkest thou that thy plans will come to fruition? Once a seer, thou art now blinded to all but the past.:
She could not Dream. He would not allow her to. Indeed, it was rare even for her to see the present on some days. Those memories of dark years were too strong to escape.
:If, by some miracle, thy plans bore fruit, thy would be left as thou lived before. Already thou slinkest, like a robber in thy own home. Thou art a creature of shadow in a world of light and so shalt thou remain. Thy only recourse is death. Thou traded thy life for thy brother's. Thy might do so again, if thou wishest. But thy father must die. It is his fate. If thou wishes to savest the others, this thou must accept. Elsewise, all will fall to darkness.:
She fled from the darkness of the In Between and returned to the waking world when Cor called. For all that she feared shutting her eyes again, she must have done so at his urging, for the next thing she remembered was sunlight pouring through the windows of the caravan and Cor's arms around her as he slept on.
AN: Super short this week, I know. I apologize. Next week's is longer. Also full of Ignis. Stay tuned!
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