Chapter 5: Oneirocritica
Makomo rushed over to Sabito and embraced him. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you."
"I'm not going to let you down after you proclaimed your undying trust in me." He laughed.
"Don't say it like that!"
Standing, Makomo reached out to help him up. Then she noticed the red, blistered skin of his left leg.
"What happened!?"
"The ground opened and I couldn't move without the risk of the rope getting burned." Sabito shrugged. "It's nothing a man can't handle."
"You can't walk!"
"Yes I can!"
He stood and tried to take a step but fell. Makomo was about to give him an "I told you so" speech but she was falling too. Reaching out blindly, she felt his arm. Grabbing a hold of the limb, she pulled herself towards him and wrapped her arms protectively around him. They landed in what looked like a murky lake.
"Well this is new," Sabito grumbled as they waded to dry land.
"It's like a… secret boss level…" Makomo joked.
"Nerd," he cracked a smile.
Pulling him up to stand, Makomo supported him as they walked towards a tunnel. The path eventually diverged into several branches. They had a sinking feeling that one path was correct while the others led to certain doom.
"We'll just have to pick one and hope for the best." Makomo decided.
"I suspect the horrors down here will be much, much worse than those above." Sabito surveyed the paths. "The one on the left looks quite dark."
Makomo agreed. The central path was well lit, but she suspected that could be dangerous. It could be anything from fire to electricity. After much deliberation, they settled on the fourth path as it was neither too bright nor too dark. Together they slowly made their way down the path, stopping every few steps to listen for incoming danger. Once they passed a certain point, a wall appeared and blocked the entrance.
"Forward it is," Makomo announced, feeling a surge of determination.
A low growl caused them to freeze. The unnerving shadow of a monster passed over them. They reached for their swords before remembering they no longer had them.
"See that?" Sabito pointed. "There are more of them."
The narrow tunnel widened to a cavern full of monsters. Stalactites and stalagmites filled the space the monsters did not. Even if Sabito and Makomo had weapons, it would be difficult to cross to the other side.
"Don't," Sabito warned Makomo as she pondered using her lucid dreaming abilities.
"But-"
"Last resort only," he stated firmly.
She knew he was right. If Makomo was to summon weapons, would the entire underground cavern be set aflame? Or would the ground open and swallow them? It seemed the best option was stealth. They crept slowly towards a stalagmite and ducked as a monster stomped by.
"They are uglier down here," Makomo noted.
"Probably more vicious too."
After what felt like an eternity, they spotted an opening and slowly made their way to another stalagmite. Two monsters began fighting each other, tearing into each other with their claws. It provided enough of a distraction to allow Makomo to support Sabito to their next hiding place. As they ducked behind the stone, a severed monster claw fell in front of them, oozing a strange liquid.
Gross…
By the time the two could sneak to the next stalagmite, the claw was disintegrating.
"That's unsettling…" Makomo grimaced at the foul odour.
It seemed the underground monsters were full of an acidic substance. Swords were definitely out of the question. A slash at the wrong angle would burn them at best; reduce them to a bubbling mound of flesh at the worst. Makomo felt her heart pounding in her chest.
"Careful," Sabito tugged her back as two brawling monsters rolled by, spewing more acid.
At this rate they were never going to make it out of the monster cavern. Then the ground shook with a low rumble.
"Great, the cavern is part of a monster." Makomo gripped the stone to keep steady. "What's next, it breaths fire?"
Fire surrounded them, incinerating several monsters. They watched as the burn creatures were devoured by nearby monsters.
"You had to ask," Sabito sighed.
Throwing all caution to the wind, Makomo concentrated and filled the cavern with water.
"Makomo!"
"Shh!" She grabbed his arm to prevent him from floating away. "It's easier on your leg and we're safer from the fire. Now swim!"
Many of the monsters began sinking. Makomo knew it was only a matter of time before one was skewered on a low stalagmite and bled acid into the water. They paddled to the other side of the cavern as lava solidified beneath them.
"Here, hang on to me," Sabito yelled, pulling Makomo's arms around his neck.
He swam much faster than she could.
I wonder if this is what it's like to ride a dolphin…
Once they reached dry land, the entire cavern was bubbling with heat and acid. Sabito leaned on Makomo, exhausted. Together they carefully walked down the dark tunnel, unaware of what was waiting for them.
Stairs were not something Makomo ever expected to find in an underground maze. However the steps led them towards the surface. Perhaps this was the way out.
"How are you doing?" Makomo asked as they slowly ascended. "Do you need to rest?"
"A man doesn't need to rest."
She simply shook her head. Why was he so obsessed with being manly?
"I guess everything heals when we wake up." Makomo mused.
"Wake up…" Sabito stopped with a deep frown. "I don't know if I will wake up."
"Of course you will. I plan on finding the one controlling the Nightmare Realm and defeating him. That should allow everyone to go home."
"If they have their item."
"By that time it won't matter if I use my lucid dreaming to return everyone's item to them." Makomo paused. "I mean the entire realm will be destroyed."
"I hope you're right."
They continued climbing in silence. The stairs seemed to go on forever as they couldn't see the top. Luckily no monsters appeared, though that seemed suspicious to Makomo. Throughout their journey, those creatures never left them alone. Why would they keep their distance now?
The final boss may be near… can we save our game first?
The last few steps were in view. At the very top was a sturdy stone door. Makomo managed to pull Sabito to the top and the door swung open towards them. Cautiously, they looked around inside before taking a step forward. Something hit them both from behind, knocking them to the ground. The door was shut.
"Welcome," A disconcertingly giddy voice greeted them. "I never though anyone would make it here hee hee hee."
A grotesque creature slinked in. It looked like it was entirely made of hands.
"I am The Nightmare," he giggled. "I control the Nightmare Realm."
"Oh you," Makomo scoffed. "Somehow I pictured you… less ugly…"
"Oh? You start with insults? Don't you want to leave alive?"
A table appeared in front of Makomo.
"Only two may proceed through that door, choose wisely. Shoot him or yourself."
A gun appeared on the table. It should have been a difficult decision. It should have taken Makomo much longer to think it over. There should have been tears and pleading. Sabito looked over at Makomo, a question in his eyes.
It was too simple.
She took the gun and pulled the trigger.
Oneirocritica: The interpretation of dreams