Chapter 3 - Forest of Dreams
Three days into the thick of trees, no problems so far. Except for a small group of bandits that had followed them in. Other than that, the only thing that bothered the companions was the creepiness of the place. However, it didn't seem to bother Aleinas. In fact, he seemed to know the place like the back of his hand. This amazed Xelloss somewhat. But tonight... Tonight would be the third night inside, and her new what that meant. The reason for it name. The Forest of Dreams. Tonight and straight on through, they would all start having dreams. Many kinds. Maybe happy, sad, strange, maybe memories, or knowledge, maybe even visions of the future. It was also possible to speak to very close people through their dreams. For some people, though, it was specific. Like Xelloss. Yes, even Mazoku fell asleep in this place. That was the way of it's spell, and law of the forest. And that was why Xelloss would be avoiding this place at night. His dreams here....his dreams here were always of fear...and sadness...loneliness...in himself. How he knew this, he didn't know. He just...remembered it somehow...
"FIIISH!!!" Lina watched the group's strange companion walk over to the campfire and stick fish on sticks to roast. And there was a lot. Almost as much as Lina herself would be able to catch. Their first meal for two days, she was really hungry. After the fish finished roasting, Lina took the first few, so did Gourry and amelia. Zelgadiss only took one, Filia took one, Xelloss, naturally didn't eat and just continued on grinning as he watched the rest. And so, he slightly perked an eyebrow at Lina who actually offered Aleinas a fish..who apparantly wasn't eating.
"No thank you, I'm fine."
"All right, suit yourself. More for me then."
"I shall sleep early tonight."
"Okay, see ya in the morning then."
Aleinas covered himself up with his cloak, used his pouch for a pillow, and turned his back to the fire. Soon, he seemed fast asleep...but...why did this little voice keep nagging at Xelloss that his sleeping unmoving body...seemed more like a woman, rather than a man? It wouldn't matter for now...well, he'll have to get going now...or he...he'd soon fall asleep.
Xelloss silently stood up and slinked back into the shadows of the trees, then teleported up to the Astral Plane where this place does not touch...
~~~
A ball of golden light in complete darkness. Lina walked towards it.
"Lina Inverse..."
"Nani? Who are you?"
"You are coming for me... Led by someone... Follow well and act wisely..." The end of Lina's dream tonight.
~~~
"Arigatou, Sylphiel!" Gourry stuffed himself up with food. He had no idea that this was actually Sylphiel's dream. Sylphiel never found out that Gourry was real that night.
~~~
"You will pay, in the name of justice!" Amelia became Sailor Moon. Must I say more?
~~~
"Who are you?" Zelgadiss watched the strange girl. She was dancing in circles around him, dancing like she was skating on ice. Spinning, slipping, swooping, and stepping lightly. It was a smooth beautiful dance that was even more beautiful with the flowing dress of silk with the long scarf, slippers, and long, broad sleeves. The fabric seemed to be a white, while at the same time...a kind of silver...but if he looked once more, he would think it was a light shade of lavender. Confusing...
"Not who. What. I am the reflection of one of your companions." Even her voice was smooth and light...
"Reflection?"
"We are called Reflectations. We reflect the souls of our hosts."
"Reflectations...?"
"We show ourselves in the dreams of the souls we reflect when they are in need of help. 'Tis the only time we are allowed to come out of hiding. And the only place for us to go."
"Why my dream then?"
"The rules change when in the Forest of Dreams. We may travel to any dream we like. And my host does not need my dream yet at present. The forest is giving her dreams...dreams she can only recieve here. I cannot interefere. But I also think that she needs the help of someone."
The so-called 'Reflectation' stopped dancing and smiled warmly at Zelgadiss...or...it seemed like she did. He couldn't really tell... "I think you can help her."
"Nani?"
"..." The Reflectation sighed and stepped up to Zelgadiss. He noticed that none of this girl's features were clear, and the closer she came, the more unclear her image was. It was creepy, seeing someone's face right in front of you, but only seeing that she had lavender, almost white skin, eyes, a nose, and mouth, but not being able to see what her eyes nose and mouth looked like... Especially this close up...but...a blush appeared on his cheeks and he stepped back abruptly...no, he tried but couldn't move at all...what...what was this?? His cheeks reddened more. Sure he couldn't see the girl properly...but he could definitely feel her lips upon his..... When she finally departed and backed away, he was still immobile, and so could do nothing but stare. "Please...help her. She needs..." She seemed to be hesitant and then disappeared.
~~~
Zelgadiss awoke and sat up abruptly, his cheeks reddening immediately. That...dream...huh? He looked up towards Aleinas. He was sitting up and shaking some. No, it was just his tired eyes playing tricks on him, along with the darkness. The other must have sensed his eyes on him because he turned around. They looked at one another for a moment before simultaneously pulling their hoods lower over their eyes. After a brief silence, Zelgadiss spoke up.
"You still haven't thanked me for warning you about that surprise attack four days ago.
"...I thank thee and apologize for the late thank you."
"Apology accepted..." Another awkward silence followed...
"Why do you hide yourself from me?"
"Why do you keep your silence and help us?"
"For reasons unknown to you. Some you may find out, some you may not."
"That's not good enough for me."
"Of course not. Don't worry, though, I believe you have good reason for not trusting me."
Zelgadiss had nothing to say to that. Some time passed as another awkward silence fell on them.
"Is there something personal about your looks?"
He growled. "No."
"What's so personal?"
"Are you deaf? I said no, meaning there is nothing personal."
"I am aware of that."
"..." What is it with this person? He's like Xelloss but then again different.
"You really think I'd be fooled with that growl and that tone?"
"..." He'll keep pressing it anyways, so mind as well. "It's just personal. I do not wish to share it with you."
"Do you think I care about what you wish?"
"Do you think I care if you care or not? Do you think I want to tell you about myself when you, yourself, do not wish to tell me about yourself?"
"Hm, no need to be so snappy.... If you wanted, we could play a little game of pull-off-the-other's-hood."
"Not interested."
"All right. Whatever you say... It would probably be better if you just told me though."
Zelgadiess chuckled darkly. Who does he think he is? "Yeah, right."
"Oh, okay, then I guess you want me to tell you instead of letting yourself admit what is true. You are a chimera, one third golem, one third human, one third Mazoku. I'm guessing Rezo is the one who transformed you. Now, may I see your face?"
"N-nani yo!?"
"I'm just as observant as you are, Greywords. Probably much more. Don't play with me. It's much more safe just to follow what I say. Now please, won't you draw back that hood of yours and let me see that face of yours?"
Zelgadiss growled low under his breath and reluctantly pulled back the hood and let his mask fall from his face. Then he looked straight at Aleinas. He started feeling a bit awkward as he felt eyes studying his face. Then a few moments and he couldn't take it.
"S-stop staring at me." No reaction. "I said stop staring at me!" He turned his face away and waited. Yes, there is the miscomfort of being stared at...but that...that...it almost felt as if Aleinas was...adoring...him? B-but, he was a man! The thought sent a shiver up his spine and then he heard a rustle of clothes and a soft grunt that sounded somewhat like a "sorry". After a few more silent moments, Zelgadiss shook his head a bit and said, "Well, I'm going to get some more sleep.."
"You won't be able to."
"And why is that, Aleinas?"
"'Tis the way of the forest. Keeps you awake and refreshed during the day. Then as dusk draws near you start to feel your normal exhaustion. Then at night it casts its spell upon all of its intruders so they may dream. However, one person is allowed only one dream every night. So once you awake, there is no possible way to fall into sleep once more 'til next nightfall."
"..How do you know all this?"
Aleinas shook his head. "'Tis nothing you need to care about."
"...I see."
..... "Damnit! Even I can't take this anymore." Aleinas got up and walked into the thick of trees to disappear from Zelgadiss's view. After a bit, he got up and followed. Aleinas stopped at a stream with a fairly large tree nearby. "Hm... This'll do." He pulled down his mask and kneeled down by the stream. Damn, he still couldn't see his face... Forming a cup with his hands, he lifted some water up form the stream and washed his face. Pulling his mask back up, h walked back to the tree and he started using a series of punches and kicks on the tree.
And this is how the two spent the rest of the night. Zelgadiss watching as Aleinas relieved a little stress.
Three days into the thick of trees, no problems so far. Except for a small group of bandits that had followed them in. Other than that, the only thing that bothered the companions was the creepiness of the place. However, it didn't seem to bother Aleinas. In fact, he seemed to know the place like the back of his hand. This amazed Xelloss somewhat. But tonight... Tonight would be the third night inside, and her new what that meant. The reason for it name. The Forest of Dreams. Tonight and straight on through, they would all start having dreams. Many kinds. Maybe happy, sad, strange, maybe memories, or knowledge, maybe even visions of the future. It was also possible to speak to very close people through their dreams. For some people, though, it was specific. Like Xelloss. Yes, even Mazoku fell asleep in this place. That was the way of it's spell, and law of the forest. And that was why Xelloss would be avoiding this place at night. His dreams here....his dreams here were always of fear...and sadness...loneliness...in himself. How he knew this, he didn't know. He just...remembered it somehow...
"FIIISH!!!" Lina watched the group's strange companion walk over to the campfire and stick fish on sticks to roast. And there was a lot. Almost as much as Lina herself would be able to catch. Their first meal for two days, she was really hungry. After the fish finished roasting, Lina took the first few, so did Gourry and amelia. Zelgadiss only took one, Filia took one, Xelloss, naturally didn't eat and just continued on grinning as he watched the rest. And so, he slightly perked an eyebrow at Lina who actually offered Aleinas a fish..who apparantly wasn't eating.
"No thank you, I'm fine."
"All right, suit yourself. More for me then."
"I shall sleep early tonight."
"Okay, see ya in the morning then."
Aleinas covered himself up with his cloak, used his pouch for a pillow, and turned his back to the fire. Soon, he seemed fast asleep...but...why did this little voice keep nagging at Xelloss that his sleeping unmoving body...seemed more like a woman, rather than a man? It wouldn't matter for now...well, he'll have to get going now...or he...he'd soon fall asleep.
Xelloss silently stood up and slinked back into the shadows of the trees, then teleported up to the Astral Plane where this place does not touch...
~~~
A ball of golden light in complete darkness. Lina walked towards it.
"Lina Inverse..."
"Nani? Who are you?"
"You are coming for me... Led by someone... Follow well and act wisely..." The end of Lina's dream tonight.
~~~
"Arigatou, Sylphiel!" Gourry stuffed himself up with food. He had no idea that this was actually Sylphiel's dream. Sylphiel never found out that Gourry was real that night.
~~~
"You will pay, in the name of justice!" Amelia became Sailor Moon. Must I say more?
~~~
"Who are you?" Zelgadiss watched the strange girl. She was dancing in circles around him, dancing like she was skating on ice. Spinning, slipping, swooping, and stepping lightly. It was a smooth beautiful dance that was even more beautiful with the flowing dress of silk with the long scarf, slippers, and long, broad sleeves. The fabric seemed to be a white, while at the same time...a kind of silver...but if he looked once more, he would think it was a light shade of lavender. Confusing...
"Not who. What. I am the reflection of one of your companions." Even her voice was smooth and light...
"Reflection?"
"We are called Reflectations. We reflect the souls of our hosts."
"Reflectations...?"
"We show ourselves in the dreams of the souls we reflect when they are in need of help. 'Tis the only time we are allowed to come out of hiding. And the only place for us to go."
"Why my dream then?"
"The rules change when in the Forest of Dreams. We may travel to any dream we like. And my host does not need my dream yet at present. The forest is giving her dreams...dreams she can only recieve here. I cannot interefere. But I also think that she needs the help of someone."
The so-called 'Reflectation' stopped dancing and smiled warmly at Zelgadiss...or...it seemed like she did. He couldn't really tell... "I think you can help her."
"Nani?"
"..." The Reflectation sighed and stepped up to Zelgadiss. He noticed that none of this girl's features were clear, and the closer she came, the more unclear her image was. It was creepy, seeing someone's face right in front of you, but only seeing that she had lavender, almost white skin, eyes, a nose, and mouth, but not being able to see what her eyes nose and mouth looked like... Especially this close up...but...a blush appeared on his cheeks and he stepped back abruptly...no, he tried but couldn't move at all...what...what was this?? His cheeks reddened more. Sure he couldn't see the girl properly...but he could definitely feel her lips upon his..... When she finally departed and backed away, he was still immobile, and so could do nothing but stare. "Please...help her. She needs..." She seemed to be hesitant and then disappeared.
~~~
Zelgadiss awoke and sat up abruptly, his cheeks reddening immediately. That...dream...huh? He looked up towards Aleinas. He was sitting up and shaking some. No, it was just his tired eyes playing tricks on him, along with the darkness. The other must have sensed his eyes on him because he turned around. They looked at one another for a moment before simultaneously pulling their hoods lower over their eyes. After a brief silence, Zelgadiss spoke up.
"You still haven't thanked me for warning you about that surprise attack four days ago.
"...I thank thee and apologize for the late thank you."
"Apology accepted..." Another awkward silence followed...
"Why do you hide yourself from me?"
"Why do you keep your silence and help us?"
"For reasons unknown to you. Some you may find out, some you may not."
"That's not good enough for me."
"Of course not. Don't worry, though, I believe you have good reason for not trusting me."
Zelgadiss had nothing to say to that. Some time passed as another awkward silence fell on them.
"Is there something personal about your looks?"
He growled. "No."
"What's so personal?"
"Are you deaf? I said no, meaning there is nothing personal."
"I am aware of that."
"..." What is it with this person? He's like Xelloss but then again different.
"You really think I'd be fooled with that growl and that tone?"
"..." He'll keep pressing it anyways, so mind as well. "It's just personal. I do not wish to share it with you."
"Do you think I care about what you wish?"
"Do you think I care if you care or not? Do you think I want to tell you about myself when you, yourself, do not wish to tell me about yourself?"
"Hm, no need to be so snappy.... If you wanted, we could play a little game of pull-off-the-other's-hood."
"Not interested."
"All right. Whatever you say... It would probably be better if you just told me though."
Zelgadiess chuckled darkly. Who does he think he is? "Yeah, right."
"Oh, okay, then I guess you want me to tell you instead of letting yourself admit what is true. You are a chimera, one third golem, one third human, one third Mazoku. I'm guessing Rezo is the one who transformed you. Now, may I see your face?"
"N-nani yo!?"
"I'm just as observant as you are, Greywords. Probably much more. Don't play with me. It's much more safe just to follow what I say. Now please, won't you draw back that hood of yours and let me see that face of yours?"
Zelgadiss growled low under his breath and reluctantly pulled back the hood and let his mask fall from his face. Then he looked straight at Aleinas. He started feeling a bit awkward as he felt eyes studying his face. Then a few moments and he couldn't take it.
"S-stop staring at me." No reaction. "I said stop staring at me!" He turned his face away and waited. Yes, there is the miscomfort of being stared at...but that...that...it almost felt as if Aleinas was...adoring...him? B-but, he was a man! The thought sent a shiver up his spine and then he heard a rustle of clothes and a soft grunt that sounded somewhat like a "sorry". After a few more silent moments, Zelgadiss shook his head a bit and said, "Well, I'm going to get some more sleep.."
"You won't be able to."
"And why is that, Aleinas?"
"'Tis the way of the forest. Keeps you awake and refreshed during the day. Then as dusk draws near you start to feel your normal exhaustion. Then at night it casts its spell upon all of its intruders so they may dream. However, one person is allowed only one dream every night. So once you awake, there is no possible way to fall into sleep once more 'til next nightfall."
"..How do you know all this?"
Aleinas shook his head. "'Tis nothing you need to care about."
"...I see."
..... "Damnit! Even I can't take this anymore." Aleinas got up and walked into the thick of trees to disappear from Zelgadiss's view. After a bit, he got up and followed. Aleinas stopped at a stream with a fairly large tree nearby. "Hm... This'll do." He pulled down his mask and kneeled down by the stream. Damn, he still couldn't see his face... Forming a cup with his hands, he lifted some water up form the stream and washed his face. Pulling his mask back up, h walked back to the tree and he started using a series of punches and kicks on the tree.
And this is how the two spent the rest of the night. Zelgadiss watching as Aleinas relieved a little stress.
