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Here comes another installment of One Dark and Stormy Night!
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DEATH!*

One Dark and Stormy Night

Chapter 13

Much like a rat finding itself outside a castle's grain room and desperate to get in, the beast poked and prodded every little nook and cranny that it could find in Fai's defensive wall hoping to find a way in. This IS a challenge! This one's defenses are indeed very good… it may take some time and considerable effort to crack this vault. It was thrilled to finally have a worthy challenge set before it. However, time after time, it failed to break through and grew more and more frustrated with each consecutive defeat.

Even as strong as Fai's defenses were, it's efforts were rewarded as the beast eventually found a tiny flaw in his barrier that it was able to take advantage of and snuck inside. Once in, it realized Fai had begun to dream, and decided to take advantage of the opportunity that presented itself so readily.

Suddenly the peacefulness of his lakeside stroll was disrupted as the sky suddenly darkened and a foul wind began to blow from the East. A bolt of lightning followed quickly by a loud clap of thunder sent the previously joyous birds quickly ducking for cover. Fai turned his face into the wind, to see what the change in the air was bringing his way. He paused on the shoreline and gazed across the waters, feeling as though something was approaching.

As quickly as it came, the wind died back down to a gentle breeze and he could feel the sun once again on his back. He also realized he was no longer alone on his stroll. A familiar presence had arrived and Fai, unsure of its intent, remained still and waited for it to make the first move.

The aura Fai felt moved closer, seeming to emanate from the direction of the lake yet remaining concealed from his view. Fai watched the mirror-smooth surface of the water as it reflected the clear blue of the sky above -a shade strikingly similar to the hue of his own eyes- and patiently waited.

An area of darkness started to materialize in the water and then began to move towards the shoreline. Small bow waves began to develop in advance of its arrival, and Fai couldn't help but wonder if what was arriving in his dream wished to devour him.

Whatever it was came to a halt before reaching the shoreline and paused as the small waves continued forward and broke in tiny curls upon the pebbled shoreline.

"What manner of strange creature are you?" the beast of the lake asked him, a hint of curiosity dancing on its words as it slowly raised itself from beneath the cool waters of the calm lake. It paused in its rise, long whiskers still dangling into the water, and trained its fiery orange eyes on the wizard. "What do you seek in my forest?"

Fai had never seen the likes of a beast such as this before, physically or mentally… even taking into account the many worlds they had traveled to and all of the fantastical creatures they had already encountered. But to come across one who was able to do THIS… enter into another's dream much less communicate just by thoughts alone… this was indeed rare. He didn't think he had even heard of one with abilities such as these that had not been a trained Dreamseer. On top of that, no one had ever been able to successfully breach Fai's defenses before, unless he wanted them to.

"Please allow me to introduce myself." Fai said, as he bowed deeply before the creature as its curious gaze continued to size him up. "Fai D. Flourite, at your service. I am a wizard from a world called 'Celes'. My companions and I have been tasked with traveling through the many dimensions, continually searching for items that were stolen from one of us and scattered throughout countless worlds. I am honored to make your acquaintance."

The beast bowed its head back in response, small rivulets of water running down the bridge of its muzzle and dripping off its nose into the lake causing small capillary waves to expand in concentric circles on the smooth lake surface. "I am honored to meet you, Wizard." the beast replied. "I have not a name, yet have been called many things in my lifetime by others, but none in the near past. I have been alone for a long time now, since the killing of my mate many moons ago. I do have to admit it is rather nice to have someone to converse with again."

"Might we meet in person to further discuss the matters at hand more easily?" Fai inquired. "I prefer to speak face to face whenever possible… as I find it reduces the possibility of misunderstandings greatly."

"That is acceptable. Meet me on the eastern shore of the lake by the flat rock tomorrow morning just after sunrise, and we shall continue this discussion. I believe you know the rock that I speak of very well already." It said with a knowing look in its eye.

Fai knew exactly the rock the beast had mentioned… and he then realized that it must have been watching him on his fishing adventure earlier in the day. He couldn't stop the light blush he felt advancing across his cheeks as he remembered his un-graceful actions. "Yes. I know the rock of which you speak. I will meet you there at the appointed time."

The beast of the lake bowed its head once more before it turned back towards deeper water. As it retreated back to the calm of the deep, it spoke once last time. "Be forewarned, Wizard… come alone tomorrow." And with that final thought, it disappeared beneath the once again mirror-calm surface of the lake.

As Fai remained glued to the spot where he stood when the wind had kicked up in advance of the beast's arrival, he felt its aura slowly fade until he was alone once more. He contemplated what exactly had just happened as the birds returned to their happy chirping, as if the whole episode had been nothing more exciting or rare as a flip of the wing.

The beast reached its paws out in front of itself, flexing its claws and kneading the muddy earth at the base of the stone wall several times while stretching. It couldn't help but open its great maw in a rather large yawn, its tongue curling at the tip just inside its sharp teeth. It shook its head once more to rid itself of the rain that had pooled in various nooks and crannies while it had laid still. Well… that was very interesting and rather enjoyable… although it was a bit draining. Another great yawn escaped it before the beast decided to get up and head back to its favorite spot under the willow to rest and wait for morning.

Inside, Fai had awakened, and was watching the fire as his mind replayed the events of his dream. His gaze drifted around the small room, pausing on each of his companions in turn. Everyone still slumbered, and he chuckled quietly when he heard Mokona snore loudly. It was all he could do to resist laughing out loud a few moments later when Syaoran seemingly answered her with a rather loud snore of his own. A slight smile spread across his face despite the weight of the many thoughts running through his troubled mind.

Quietly rising, he made his way past the sleeping samurai and paused just inside the doorway, gazing out into the night and listening to the easing rain. The storm is definitely weakening… perhaps it will blow itself out tomorrow. He hoped it would. He did not relish getting soaked again after finally getting dried out. He decided to stay up and let Kurogane sleep. He would awaken him at first light before heading out to rendezvous with the beast from his dream.