Chapter 20: Ch20 – Nightmare

Ryan’s eyebrows furrowed.

Neptune? I recognise that name, The Roman God of Water?

Ryan, now intrigued, asked, “How did your world learn of the god Neptune?”

Eleanor put her hand up to her chin and said, “Hmm, good question! My world has known of Neptune since its birth! How we came to know of Neptune was through one of his many miracles.

The duo continued their conversation right up until Freddy returned with their meals; both of them were given massive plates of roasted meat and vegetables, which were devoured within minutes. After Eleanor finished her massive cup of mead, the two approached Freddy, who was currently at the inn’s bar, solving another issue.

“Hey Freddy! We need two rooms as soon as possible!” Ryan, who rested his arms upon the bar’s counter, now entering a food coma.

Freddy finished up and swivelled around to Ryan and Eleanor, saying, “Hey! Only close friends call me Freddy, call me Fred, and about the rooms… we only have one available for you both. Here is the key for it; the rooms are upstairs and you better return the key to me before you leave or I’ll… tell my goldfish to give you the silent treatment!” Freddy turned and pointed towards a small glass chamber with a little squid moving around.

That’s not a goldfish.

Ryan and Eleanor exchanged a puzzled look before nodding. “Got it, Fred,” Ryan said with a smirk, hoping that Freddy wasn’t serious.

After Fred left to attend to another matter at the bar, Ryan and Eleanor headed upstairs to their room. After a winding spiral of stairs, they reached a long hallway where there were numerous different rooms.

Ryan and Eleanor walked down the hallway, their footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floorboards. Each door they passed held its own story; people could be heard laughing in some, crying in some, and…making different noises in others, which brought upon an awkward silence between the duo. Finally, they reached their room at the end of the hallway, which Ryan knew from the large number 9 scratched into their key. Ryan inserted the key into the door’s lock and turned it, hearing the satisfying click as the door unlocked.

Pushing the door open, they found a cosy room with a large bed, a sofa with two chairs, and a window overlooking the bustling street below. The room was dimly lit by a flickering lantern hanging from the ceiling.

Finally, a good, warm bed!

“I’m taking the bed!” Said Eleanor, throwing herself onto the bed, trying to prevent Ryan from coming anywhere near.

All Ryan could do was grumble and give a strained smile.

Eleanor grinned triumphantly and settled into the bed, stretching out comfortably. “Ah, this is heaven,” she sighed, closing her eyes.

Ryan smiled at her contentment before turning his attention to the sofa. It didn’t look as comfortable as the bed, but it would have to do. He pulled off his boots and stretched out on the sofa, feeling the soft cushions beneath him.

As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Ryan’s mind wandered, listening to the voices and clutter outside. Night markets had just finished being set up, and elves and deep-voiced giants could be heard haggling over prices: “2 silver and 5 bronze for a ~clearly fake helmet!”

“FAKE! How DARE you accuse me of such a- a terrible act! Tell me, does this sword look fake? The black-gold dragon-slaying sword used by the Elven King himself! And I am willing to sell it for a mere 5 gold!”

Ryan chuckled to himself, continuing to listen through the night, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Ryan tossed and turned as he slept; the sofa he slept on creaked and sank beneath his weight. Outside, the wind howled mournfully, casting eerie shadows through the curtains. The night markets had now closed, and apart from the lone town guards, no one was on the street.

Ryan now found himself in what seemed to be a dream.

“Great! I have to leave now, but one of my associates will arrive to take care of you, Good luck! And one last thing, stay within the zone of light!”

He was back ’Outside the universe,’ Ryan could tell by the coarse, black and white ground.

Hmm, didn’t the Spirit say that phrase slightly differently last time, and the white furniture is assorted differently than before too.

“Goodbye!” Ryan’s body responded in a high-pitched, squeaky voice.

I didn’t say that! Wait, I-I can’t move or talk.

The surrounding light disappeared, leaving the sole lamp as the only source of light and warmth, Ryan’s body scurried over, closer to the light, curling beneath the lamp.

This is different from before; is this really a dream?

A few minutes later, two bloodshot red eyes appeared in the darkness, and Ryan’s body quickly noticed them.

Finally! Haha, there he is. Thought Ryan, who was becoming slightly impatient with the long lasting dream.

Click, Clack

The bloodshot eyed Jake drew closer.

Click Clack Click Clack

And closer.

Jake had now reached just outside the zone of light and was moments away from entering.

“PLEASE, GO AWAY!” Shouted Ryan’s body, placing his arms in front of his face in fear.

“AAAAAGGGGHGHHHHHHHHHH” A blood-curdling scream echoed across the plain.

Wow, he didn’t do that to me, Jake really upped his game!

The person Ryan was inhabiting, removed his arms from his face, his curiosity, anxiety and fear, palpable.

Slam

Half of Jakes body fell into the zone of light, slamming against the hard ground.

“HELP!” Shouted Jake.

A black, clammy hand appeared out of the abyss, grabbed Jake’s white suit and attempted to drag him completely out of the zone of light. However, before it could pull him very far, steam emitted from the hand causing it to retract into the darkness.

Jake turned around and screamed “Lux,” A dense ball of light began forming in Jakes hand, but before the attacker’s identity could be revealed by the light, Ryan’s eyes opened.

“Hey, I’ve been trying to wake you for ages!” Shouted Eleanor.

Ryan rubbed his eyes, stunned by what he had seen in his sleep.

“Sorry, I had a nightmare” Ryan explained.

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