I raised a brow, but ignored the memory for now.
Right now, I needed to make sure Mirage wouldn't die on me. That wouldn't be very nice.
With my own injuries now fully healed, except my arm and eyes of course.
I crouched next to Mirage, his own four eyes closed.
I gently shook his head, nothing.
I shook it harder, nothing.
I scowled. I was tired, in pain, and basically running on empty reserves of essence.
So I perhaps lost grip on my temper for a moment.
I raised my hand, extending all five fingers.
Then slapped Mirage across the face.
His shiny feathers swayed in the slight breeze.
And his eyes finally opened.
"Change your form to a smaller bird."
I commanded, not asked.
He did as told. Even if the transformation was sluggish and slow, his mind obviously was not catching up with everything happening.
I could feel it; he was tired, even more so than I was.
He was cocky in this battle. And I would need to make sure no, I would make sure. That he wouldn't get himself killed by overestimating himself and underestimating his opponents.
***
This was it. I laid my hands upon a beautifully crafted throne, made out of what seemed to be thousands of obsidian blades.
As soon as I touched it, I felt the connection forming. The claiming of a citadel.
But beyond that, an even greater feeling.
A feeling of belonging.
I wouldn't use this just as a way point. No, I would renovate this dawning castle, bring it back to its dark glory.
It would be my home, my sanctuary.
***
I shot upwards, slamming through the glass of the dream pod in the process.
My hand extended, trying to find anything, yet only finding air.
My ears rang, and what felt like blood trailed from them.
What the hell happened?
Everything was fine just a moment ago.
Finally, after flailing uselessly for a minute, I summoned the crimson dagger.
A picture of the room forms in my mind.
Sunless' basement, safe.
Then my thought process froze.
How long had it been? A month? Two? Even three?
I had lost count after losing consciousness at the gigantic tree creature.
In an instant, all the drowsiness vanished.
The [Assassin's wear] manifests from the usual dark motes, covering my naked form.
I needed to get in contact with Rain as soon as possible.
I immediately ran towards the stairs, shouting all the while.
"Rain?"
I paused, making sure not to miss a sound.
"Rain!"
Nothing.
I scowled, but didn't let it affect me too much.
For all I know she was at school or something.
In the meantime, it was time to taste fresh water, as well as quality food.
And maybe I could find a communicator or whatever it's called, maybe contact Sunless directly if I'm lucky.
***
I was not having a great time. I haven't slept in weeks, haven't eaten in days.
All because of this stupid campaign against the tyranny of the nightmare spell.
At least my squad wasn't entirely useless, nor annoying people.
They were... normal. Unlike myself.
I was already starting to hear rumors about me. " A shadowy figure, laughing as he tore apart nightmare creatures with his bare hands."
Was that outlandish? Obviously.
Did that happen? Obviously.
I spun my head lazily, then my shoulders. I was starting to get stiff. And as a Master, it truly showed the exhaustion my body was starting to endure.
Yet, I couldn't just sit around, I needed to work.
I haven't even found a single nightmare seed for gods' sake!
I could already imagine the emotionless facade, yet a visible disappointment on the boy's face.
Speaking of which, Rain had messaged me every day, like a great sister, and a less great student she was.
And there was no sign of Apex, literally.
He wasn't dead, but he probably encountered a problem or two.
Hopefully, he wasn't stuck in some hellhole like the forgotten shore.
A small shudder ran through me, even after all this time, after gaining such strength, I couldn't help but feel dread thinking of the horrors in the labyrinth, or even worse, the dark sea.
My communicator buzzed, and I let out a sigh.
Another gate outbreak requiring the expertise of an elite such as myself.
***
Well fuck me. And fuck Sunless too!
What do you mean water is cut off?! What do you mean there is no cereal or milk?!
What do you mean the whole house doesn't have food?!
Did Sunless think I could survive by just breathing?!
I paused, realizing that I in fact, could and do survive on just air.
Then I quickly shook my head, that was not the point!
Just because I don't need food or water doesn't mean I don't want them!
"This is unfairness and an abuse of power!"
I shouted out, the voice bouncing off the walls continuously.
I raised my hand into the air, debating if I should just go steal water from a store.
Before I heard a clatter behind me.
I spun around, the obsidian leather jacket whirling around me like a living shadow, the blood red dagger manifesting in my open palm.
The picture formed, and all I saw was a person.
Rain.
I let out a sigh of relief. Finally! My rescuer is here! I'm saved!
I'm vanquished from this unlivable hell!
I paced around, already imagining what kind of insults I would throw at Sunless for his incompetence.
Then I got slapped, did I feel it? No.
Did it wake me up from my half-crazed ramblings? Yes.
My head snapped towards Rain, or rather her hand.
And I got the sudden urge to step backwards once I heard a terrified yelp.
Oh, I definitely just scared her.
No matter, I'll buy, or steal a few candies for her.
That should fix any resentment she could harbor towards me.
Everyone likes candies after all.
Thanks for reading and support.