As she drifted to sleep, the world around her dissolved, and a new one took shape—vivid and unmistakably real. It felt less like a dream and more like a glimpse of something yet to come. Starfania found herself standing in a grand conference room, its towering walls adorned with banners bearing the crest of VulcanFire. A long, polished table stretched before her, surrounded by figures engaged in deep discussion. Though she couldn't make out their words, the air was heavy with tension. A presence loomed over the gathering, a shadowy force unseen but deeply felt. Then, in the blink of an eye, the scene shifted. The conference room faded, and in its place, an ominous darkness emerged. A thick, viscous black goo oozed across the ground, creeping closer with an unnatural slowness.
Its mere presence sent a chilling dread coursing through Starfania. She tried to move, but her feet rooted in place. She could only watch, helpless, as the substance pulsed with an eerie glow, like a living thing waiting to consume everything in its path. A suffocating fear gripped Starfania, pressing against her chest until she could hardly breathe. The sense of foreboding was undeniable—something terrible was coming. She scanned her surroundings, searching for an escape. Shadows twisted around her as the air grew thick. The distant sound of chaos echoed, mixing with the unsettling silence that surrounded her. Every heartbeat felt loud in her ears, a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Just beyond her line of sight, movement flickered—a figure gliding through the darkness, cloaked in uncertainty.
Starfania strained to discern its form, but the shadows danced, distorting reality and feeding her fear. The ground beneath her felt alive, trembling slightly, as if responding to the ominous presence. She could taste the metallic tang of fear in her mouth, and it made her stomach churn. It was as if the very earth was warning her, urging her to flee. But where would she go? The darkness loomed in every direction, an impenetrable barrier. Desperation ignited in her heart, pushing her to fight against the paralyzing dread. She took a step, then another, slowly breaking free from the invisible chains that held her. The pulsing substance seemed to sense her movement and flared brighter, casting grotesque shadows that surrounded her like a nightmare come to life. Every instinct screamed for her to run, to escape the impending doom. But deep down, she knew it wouldn't let her go easily.
Just as the black shadow surged forward, Starfania jolted awake, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she frantically scanned her surroundings, grounding herself in the familiarity of the dimly lit room. Before she could fully collect herself, a warm, wet sensation brushed against her hand. She turned her head sharply, her pulse still racing, only to meet the large, knowing eyes of Atlas. He regarded her with a quiet understanding, his white scales catching the light. Another gentle lick followed, this time slower, as if to reassure that she was safe. A wave of relief washed over her, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. Starfania let out a breathless chuckle, running her fingers through his soft scales. whispered softly, " How did you know I needed you, Atlas?"
In response, Atlas let out a deep, satisfied purr and pressed his head against Starfania. His warmth, his presence—it was enough to chase away the lingering unease of the dream. Whatever it had meant, whatever warning carried, she wasn't alone. Holding him close, she allowed herself to settle back down, the rhythmic sound of his breathing lulling her into a calmer state. Tomorrow, she would have to make sense of what she had seen. But for now, she simply let the moment of peace wash over her, knowing that when the time came, she would be ready.