Dreams and Nightmares once existed within the same domain. Two beings of light and flame were born in the realm, the primordial powers of dreams flowing through them. Each of them ruling over their respective purpose. One being, bright as Essence dealt with Dreams while the burned fiercely with flame and dealt with Nightmares. In conclusion, they were "family." But their relationship was always tense and complicated.
Eventually, the two fought and the Dream Realm War was born. The being of Dreams overpowered the Nightmare King and banished him to another domain, separate from her realm. With the Nightmare Realm being a separate domain on its own now, he had no way to feed himself. No Nightmares to consume. He felt his form weaken eventually and he was forced to take some drastic measures. His form melted away entirely and was reduced to the form of several hearts clumped up together. The power of the Nightmare Realm, the Nightmare Heart. Without Nightmares to consume, the Heart would die and the Nightmare Realm would vanish. So the Nightmare King came up with a plan.
To create a vessel, a vessel suitable to sustain and feed off its flame. Unfortunately, the vessel would eventually drain away. So a Ritual was conducted. Travel to dying realms and worlds, and feed off the scarlet flames from there and feed it to the new vessel. To complete the Ritual, the current vessel would have to be burned away so that its flames could be fed to the next vessel and then its connection to the Heart would be passed down to the next vessel. This tradition continued for many centuries without barely any problems. The troupe would be summoned to the dying world and the summoner would be accompanied by the small vessel as they gathered flames together. Everything waas in order and it played out like an endless dance. A dance that lasted for many many years.
But there was that very odd year…
A year where Nightmares and misery and fear weren't present in the world, or there was hardly any to exist at all. This happened to the current troupe master. This vessel was different. Troupe Master Grimm was born into a world where suffering and Nightmares were extremely hard to find. This century was drastically less volatile than what his ancestors experienced. So this was obviously a problem for him, the Heart, and his troupe. Without any flames to feed on, the Heart would die along with the rest of the troupe. So he had to resort to other means to find flames. He'd have to find a mate. And he did find one.
She was beautiful.
They had met one faithful day in a small town, literally bumping into each other. Entranced with one another, Grimm and this mysterious maiden talked and connected rather easily. He's learned that she is a beautiful, funny, smart, and compassionate woman. She was a warrior, apparently. A strong, independent fighter who was reliable and one of the protectors of her town.
She had a white shell covering her head, a slim and tall figure and wearing a purple cloak. He once asked her what was underneath her shell when they were together one day. Telling someone their deepest and darkest secrets required trust and time. They had spent a year together before she finally unmasked herself. Her skin was entirely dark, like the darkest part of the night sky and silky white hair that came up to her waist. In turn, she required Grimm to confess something about himself.
And so he did.
He told her everything. About who he was, what he came here for, and his entire situation. A vessel for some Higher Being requiring the scarlet flames to sustain the Heart. Grimm told her about how he was having some problems gathering flames of a dying world and how the problem was that there was no world or kingdom that was in ruin. So he told her how he needed to consume someone's Nightmares instead. Everyone who had Nightmares contain scarlet flames within their minds.
"Do you have Nightmares?" Grimm asked her.
"Of course I do. I have fears of my own that somehow warp themselves into my sleep. You need to consume my Nightmares then, right?"
"Yes."
It felt wrong, but he had no choice. But his own heart was bigger than the Heart he was meant to serve. So he put his desires above those of the troupe, and of the Heart. Before even thinking of consuming her Nightmares, he'd need to ask permission. So through that, he first asked to marry the girl. He proposed and she said yes. They held a small private wedding in the tent of the troupe. A few months later, she joined the troupe. Grimm has created a mask for her and they held a private ceremony, just the two of them.
He held the mask up to her. "You know you can still change your mind. You don't have to do this."
"I married you, so there's no going back. I'm in this till the end. We promised each other, remember? I'm staying with you."
"Very well then." He closed his eyes in thought. "Upon wearing this mask, you choose to willingly join the troupe and serve the Nightmare Heart. I will feast upon your Nightmares solely to keep the Heart alive. When the time is right, a new vessel shall be created and I will pass on the connection of the Heart to the new vessel. Am I going too fast for you?"
"When you mean the new vessel, do you mean… a kid?" She asked the question quite shyly.
"...yes, what are you suggesting?"
"..."
It took him a few seconds, but Grimm eventually got the hint.
"I would not suggest getting attached to the vessel. They are meant to sustain the Heart. Eventually, they too will grow weak and they will have to conduct the same Ritual to keep the Heart alive. We are all bound to the Heart," he said.
"Why call it a vessel?" She asked.
"Because they are as such. I too, am a vessel for the Heart."
"So you're saying you will eventually be drained away and die?"
"Yes, and that is why the child is created so that the Heart shall live on."
"That's wrong!"
"That's the way of the Grimm troupe, my dear."
"What kind of relationship will we be having, then? You'll die, and then who will I love?! This isn't love, Grimm! You're using me for my Nightmares!"
"..."
"I'm right, and you know it!" And she stormed off. Grimm didn't stop her as he watched her storm out of the tent.
He sighed deeply. "What have I gotten ourselves into?"