Nightmare blinked his sockets open, flickering eyelights taking in the room before realizing there was fire.
He shot up in bed, shocked at the flames. Then he took in the smile as it occurred to him that it was that fire elemental, Sinead.
"The hell are you doing here? Did you phase through the door? I had it locked!" He grumped.

Sinead shrugged, leaning back. "Well, I had to let myself in. Heehee. But anyway, you might wanna get up. You're being tested today, and the Twins are gonna do Eragon. He's already getting up back in the dragonhold, so I hope you can get your non-existent ass movin', Alalëa. Wyrda waits for no one, not even us."
"What, so you're my alarm clock now? Who are you to act for a force of nature?"

She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh dearie, I am a force of nature. I am Arucane. I am fire. As much as your magic is changing Eragon, so is Saphira's and my own. Soon, he will create a sword that merges the three in a potent mix. Well, not exactly soon, but whatever. Get up, Dwerva! Vanyalí is to be tested, Grammaryé to be discovered! It is time Alagaësia sees what you are. Up, you grumpy boi!"

Nightmare growled, rolling out of bed and shooting death stares at the eccentric elemental, who just grinned. "I'm up, you aggravating woman! Now leave!" She snorted. "For someone who doesn't need sleep, you sure are grumpy." "Just get out!" He pushed her to the door with both hands. She just leaned into them, irritating Nightmare further. He huffed furiously. "You know, you're running out of time. Eragon and Saphira are already up in the air, looking for Orik to take them to the training field. You're gonna miss out on the Twins." She teased.

"How do you know this??" She waved her hands jokingly. "Mmmmmmmagic!" "Oh, for the love of-! Fine! I'm coming! Why must I come along?" "Cause you promised. I want you to keep your promise, Äfdraumr. Is that really so bad?" She spoke in a suddenly weary voice. Nightmare regarded her. "What are you, Sinead?"

"I'm a lot of things, Zíllandr Cicállaé. For now, I'm here for you, the Wyrdaí Islingrya, and Eragon." "So you are here for your people?"
She smiled. "I am no monster, Nightmare. I am more like you than you think. Although.. perhaps more.. true. Anyway, you need to get going. The others are waking up as well. And I have things to attend to myself.. in other places, where I've left a good deal of myself. Ciao!" She vanished in a poof of flame and embers, leaving Nightmare to stumble forward as he had been leaning into her.
"What??" He questioned.
Then shook his skull and teleported out of the room.

Error seemed confused, standing in the hallway next to Geno, Fresh and Chaos beside him. Cross was alert, standing tall with Killer poking him, Dust, and Red with a knife, Red looking ready to kill someone, particularly Killer. Dust was sleeping while standing, Blue trying to get everyone under control as Horror was nowhere to be found.

"Looks like we need to watch Eragon. He might make a stupid decision again." Error explained, rubbing his skull. This elicited several groans out of the rest of them, but no one refused to go. They were all supposed to be tested, anyway. They all teleported outside of Tronjhiem, searching for Eragon and Saphira.

They weren't hard to find, the large, glittering blue beacon of a dragon hung in the air not far from the city-mountain, scales bright in the constant dusk of Farthen Dûr. The Wyrdaí Islingrya all chased after her on their Blasters, catching up easily as the Twins appeared before Eragon with an unbelievable air of arrogance.

Chaos almost stuck her tongue out at the Twins, but she didn't, choosing to wander over to Saphira instead.

"Why can't someone else test him?" A large man complained to them as Nightmare and Error strode up behind the Twins.
"No one else is powerful enough." They spoke in unison, ignoring the growl Saphira let out at them. "Come with us." They pointed at Eragon and turned away, oblivious to the godly skeletons behind them. The pair shared a look with Eragon and Saphira, then the whole of the group followed, spreading out in a semicircle that attracted the attentions of everyone in the battlefield.

As soon as the Twins turned around and saw them, they blanched almost as white as a skeleton. The company found their reaction plenty amusing, Horror choosing to show up in that moment to laugh hoarsely, his jaws wide.

"Don't worry, little mortals. We won't fight you." Nightmare teased softly, keeping his voice calm as though he weren't mocking them. The pair dropped their gazes, then a little more hesitantly faced Eragon. "And how do you answer us, Eragon?"
"No." The Rider responded flatly, earning an approving nod from the King of Negativity. The Twins had a subtle scowl, but hid it as they drew a pentagram and stood in it's center.
"We begin now. Eragon will attempt to to complete the tasks we assign him… that is all."

One of them pulled a stone from within the depths of his robe and set it on the ground. "Lift it to eye level." They spoke simply. The skeletons sensed the unnatural pair reaching for magic, as did Eragon.
It rose into the air after Eragon stated the words, but froze after a foot. The Rider stared at the two in disbelief, and Nightmare waved at the rest to hold off their attacks.

Without taking his gaze off the Twins, he spoke calmly. "Eragon is more than capable of lifting a stone. Let's see what happens next, shall we?"
He silently reached with his power to Eragon's mind. Careful what you say. They may use this chance to get information out of you. Both of you are more than able to stand your ground with these two; now is time to show it and infuriate this aggravating pair.
Eragon expressed gratitude and Nightmare left them.

Saphira's thoughts echoed through all their minds except the Twins. He is right. They hope to exhaust you. But they do not realize that we are also two.
The stone jerked up to eye level.

The Twins shifted in place. "Very… good. Now move the stone in a circle."
Eragon grappled with the magic as the Twins fought him with perhaps every bit of their strength. With Saphira's support, he was able to prevail.

Funnily enough, Red and Horror got bored watching and during a break, decided to strike up a slightly loud conversation with each other of generally unpleasant or downright mortifying topics, wanting to unsettle the Twins. As Eragon struggled, they waxed eloquent on how weak humans were or certain flavors their flesh had, as well as pondering how magicians tasted, mostly Horror on that part. Red continued talking loudly about how much blood one could bleed out of a human, describing in clear detail an occasion he'd witnessed Horror bleeding a human dry of blood purely to turn it into a sauce.

Most of this, unfortunately, had no effect on the Twins. In fact, it only distracted Eragon and spooked Orik and the large human named Fredric. Blue quietly explained to the two that most of it was theatrics, and Horror had given up those practices.

Eventually the Twins huffed and glared at Eragon for a moment. Then a cruel smile flashed across their faces. "There is only one thing left to do- any competent user of magic should find this easy." One pulled off a ring from his finger. "Summon the essence of silver."
Nightmare sensed that this was no easy feat at all. In fact, he rather felt like this was something not even they could do.

Blueberry's eyelights turned a whitish silver with hints of sky blue, becoming huge round circles as he stepped forward stiffly. "You have no right to toy with the Rider this way."
Raising his hand, Blue uttered a single word.
"Arget."
A glowing, whiter version of the ring appeared beside it, magic radiating off the incorporeal metal.

Unbidden, the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya lifted their hands one by one, each speaking that single word. "Arget."
The ring gained opacity, becoming more and more real before a rumble sounded throughout the entirety of Farthen Dûr, the ring flashing brighter than the sun and falling to the ground.

The Twins were long gone by now, having fled in terror. Blueberry collapsed to his kneecaps, eyesockets wide and blank. Dust helped him back to his feet, draping the smaller one's arm over his shoulder. "You good, Blue?"

Nightmare glanced back at Berry as Error started asking a ton of questions in worry, then returned to the ring. It had baked the dirt underneath it to a crisp, wisps of white flame lingering on its surface.

Nightmare also noticed a tall figure approaching them briskly, choosing to ignore it in favor of studying the ring. He lifted it with magic, feeling it thrum in tune with his energy. The company had accidentally fused their own magic to bring the object into the physical plane. The original ring from the Twins had melted, a glowing pile of slag sizzling on the floor.

He slowly touched the magical object, finding out that it was cool to the touch. The white flame gained a purple tint upon making contact with Nightmare. Then he felt a familiar presence behind him. The King of Negativity looked up, recognizing that elegant face and slender frame, as well as the notes of her mind. Dark green eyes met his lights.
"Hello, Arya."

She regarded him. "And you are?" He sighed, glancing curiously at the ring before facing her entirely. "I told you to call me Alalëa. But you should know, I am otherwise known as Nightmare."
Suspicion and recognition flashed in her eyes. "And why, might I ask, are you named bad dream in this language?"
He scoffed. "Because I am the negative half of a balance. I hear my brother, Dream, may be with the rest of your kin, the elves. As much as I dislike him for personal reasons, we are halves of each other. We are here, and will reset the imbalance of Alagaësia back into equilibrium. For that, Galbatorix must die."
She studied him, face unreadable, emotions mysterious. "So you do not care for those suffering under Galbatorix's reign?"

Nightmare turned at her sharply. "Of course I do. It seems I failed to explain precisely what I am. I am King of Negativity, Guardian of Negative Emotions, Lord of Darkness, and the Yin of the emotional balance. I am intricately aware of all misery and suffering; it is my purpose to protect the equilibrium, keeping the sides balanced. As of now, they are tipped dangerously in my favor. Once, I thought I would savor that level of power. Now, I cannot tolerate it. This sickens me. So yes, I care for those trapped in the Empire. Does that answer your question?"

She shifted her stance as she gazed at him. "It would seem so. I have not heard many details during my recovery from the Skilna Bragh, so forgive me for being so blunt." She paused. "If I may ask, what is that you are holding there?" She indicated the ring, the flames having faded.

"Oh, this? Those simpleton Twins thought they could trick Eragon into summoning the essence of silver. I'm quite certain that they themselves are incapable of that feat. Together, the Wyrdaí Islingrya here- including myself- summoned it ourselves, and solidified it."

She immediately grabbed his hand and stared at it before he could retort. He glared for a moment, but let the elf study it in disbelief. "What you describe should not be possible." She stated. "Yet.. here is proof, right in my hand.. I am sorry, I behaved rudely." She released him, Nightmare twisting his 'wrist' experimentally. "It's fine, Arya. No harm was done. As for how impossible it should be, understand that we are beings made entirely of magic. Furthermore, we come from other worlds where the laws of physics are different. Our magic is called grammaryé, whereas yours is vanyalí. Since arriving in Alagaësia, our magics have been interacting in unusual ways. This ring is proof of that."

He rolled the glowing silver in his hand, watching Arya study it quietly. She had an angled, beautiful face, one that revealed elegance, belied strength. He sensed royalty in her aura, as well as a powerful sense of duty. This was a woman who prioritized others before herself. Her black hair framed her face and brought out the vivid green of her eyes, green that reminded him of the Tree, his mother. The one he murdered in a fit of insanity. A breakdown that lasted eons…

He snapped himself out of his thoughts, refocusing on the ring before Arya noticed him staring. You idiot, now is a terrible time to zone out. He berated himself. "May I continue to call you Alalëa? Nightmare sounds harsh for one such as yourself." She asked, eyes softening. He blinked. Nightmare had not been expecting that.
"Alright, you may. It doesn't trouble me."

"Thank you, Alalëa. But as you have yet to know, I have designated myself to test you, your company of travelers, and the Rider Eragon in trial by arms."
"So soon after recovery? You'd be exhausting yourself unreasonably. Don't do this; some of us here do not show mercy."
"You underestimate me as an elf. I have the strength necessary."

She pointed at Eragon, ignoring Nightmare and the human's awestruck face as she walked away, the crowd parting to gawk at her. The King of Negativity frowned, not worried about Eragon harming her, but his own people. Perhaps he should just set the others off to spar; that would spare the elf.

The monsters formed a wide crescent around the pair when she stopped, the semicircle closing up as humans and dwarves showed up to spectate as well.
"I claim the right of trial by arms. Draw your sword." She told Eragon, who froze momentarily. Then Saphira nudged him forward, her Rider reluctant to cross blades with the elf.

Both drew their swords and squared off, eyeing one another for who would make the first move. It was Eragon. But before he could so much as lift Zar'roc, Arya flew at him, catching the human completely off guard with her speed. Nightmare mentally cursed, realizing that Eragon had forgotten how slow he was to those of magic.

After a few seconds of Eragon desperately fending off her attacks, the realization seemed to strike him and he began dancing with her, their blades constantly striking one another with great clangs, sparks flying everywhere. The swordsmanship displayed was really quite impressive, Nightmare understood that the human was doing reckless combos and modifications every chance he got. The fight lasted nearly twenty minutes, the endurance on Eragon's part must have been greater than he originally thought. But it finally came to an end when Eragon lunged at the elf and she sidestepped, her sword's tip meeting his neck directly below his jaw.

Cheers sounded all around, but quiet disappointment emanated from Eragon. He was a little crushed to have lost. But how could he have hoped to win? After a while, Arya's gaze drifted across the skeletons and Temmie present, Nightmare shaking his skull.

"How about we show these soldiers how we fight?" Red suggested with a smirk. Arya pointed her blade at him. "Very well. You will go next."

"NO!" Nightmare thundered. All heads snapped to face him. The Lord of Darkness calmed. "Arya." He began. "I understand you will insist on testing us- but at least, allow us to demonstrate how we battle. Our style is completely different from yours, it is dangerous and entirely involves our magic. So, if you still wish to do this, then just watch us first."

He pointed at Dust and Red. "You two. I know you're itching to fight, and one of you is irritated with the other. So you may spar. No maiming, no tricks, and no including spectators."

Both skeletons grinned maniacally as the others forced the crowd back a fair distance away. Red faced Dust with a malicious glint in his eyelights. The murderer cocked his skull at him, eyelights blazing with several colors- blue, red, and purple.

"Hey, Dust."
"Yeah?"
"Fuck you."

Red immediately summoned two Blasters behind him and fired, Dust vanishing and reappearing above his opponent with a sharp reddish bone attack in hand, diving downward. Red teleported atop another skull and launched a dozen bones in response. Dust landed and created a wall of bones, the attacks shattering against the barrier.

Dust summoned a circle of Blasters around Red, the edgy Sans teleporting to the ground and using his Blaster as a shield as the weapons fired. His lazer skull dusted and he grabbed Dust's Soul with blue magic, throwing the other further away only for the maniac to land on his own Blaster, Red summoning his own yet again as the two fired.

The beams met in the middle, a violent roaring as Dust and Red engaged each other with telekinesis and attacks, leaving broken bones strewn across the mock battlefield. Both were laughing, joyous to finally enact violence after waiting for so long.

Dust's Blaster suddenly overpowered Red's, the other lazer skull exploding as the genocidal skeleton turned his weapon on Red, the other blocking the beam with a row of bones while sending more over to strike Dust. Then the Gaster Blaster vanished, and they both sent rows of bone attacks at each other. Red tried to throw Dust with blue magic again, but his concentration was broken by a bone whizzing past his shoulder as Powder appeared over Dust's for a split second.

"Hey, that's cheating, asshole!"
"Keep it fair, Dust. Save Papyrus for a real fight." Nightmare warned. "Kay, Boss."

Red summoned Blasters behind Dust again, the other throwing a single, sharpened bone attack before teleporting off. The bone scored a hit, catching Red on the hood and knocking him to the ground, earning a string of expletives. Dust reappeared at his feet, lifting him up with blue magic as his eyelights flared dangerously.

"That's enough. I think you've demonstrated well enough for everyone. Dust, put him down." The murderer shrugged and dropped the edgy skeleton unceremoniously, the other landing with a thud that knocked the wind out of him. "It was really short, though." He commented as Red shot him a death glare with blazing red eyelights.

"Uhh, Dust?" Blue started, only for Dust to get knocked over as Red slammed into him with an angry yell. "Oh shi-" Dust was cut off as Red grappled him and wielded a bone attack in hand. "I FUCKIN' NEVER LOSE, MOTHERFUCKER!" Red started a fistfight with Dust, who merely went into fits of giggles as he dodged and gripped the other.
"Damnit, deal with him, Dust!" Nightmare ordered, mostly annoyed with himself as he'd forgotten Red's attitude about fighting. He was a sore loser.

Dust shoved Red off, pinning him to the ground with blue magic as he stood up and snorted at the other's predicament. "Chill, it was a fake match." It did nothing to sooth Red's fury.

Then, Error sighed irritably and wrapped Red up in his strings. "H€¥, $tø₱ wh¡πîng, Aπômä|¥ #17." He spoke louder with an intentionally glitching voice, shocking Red to silence, his sockets empty. After a brief moment, Red huffed angrily. "Fine. Just don't fucking call me that again."

Red stalked off, Dust shrugging carelessly as Nightmare faced Arya, ignoring the fear running through the audience. "So, now that you've seen that, do you still wish to fight one of us? We are capable of fighting like this all day, if you were curious."
Everyone in the crowd was stunned, including the elf. She was quiet for some time, thinking.

"I see." She said slowly. "But. I have heard that you and the colorful one, Error, are leaders. I would like to see how you battle, if it is at all different from the others."
Error stiffened as Nightmare sighed. "Yes, we do battle differently. All of us have unique fighting styles- but Error's and mine are not something you want to see right now. I do not fight in this form- I switch to another one, and Error tends to leave collateral damage." The glitch nodded. Chaos smiled and she carefully hugged her Daddy, purring. "That's what you get when you're dealing with the God of Destruction!" She exclaimed.

The crowd silenced, the seconds dragging by. Then they let out a roar, applauding in boundless excitement. Error pulled his hood up, retreating from the noise as Nightmare tried to stop smiling. The hope running through the people here was infectious, and it was the first time Nightmare had actually wanted others to feel hopeful. It was.. a strange feeling.

Amidst the cheers, Arya silently beckoned the monsters and Dragon Rider and turned away, after a lingering glance at Nightmare. Why did he not detect fear from her? Curiosity bade him follow, his team and the rest of Wyrdaí Islingrya joining him as Eragon climbed on Saphira to keep up.

When they caught up with her on the top of a small hill, she turned and spoke in the Ancient Language. "Dragon, Skeletons, I mean you and your Rider no harm. May we be friends." Saphira settled down as the others nodded, Nightmare saying, "I have no doubt that we will be, Elf princess." She stared at him sharply. He raised a non-existent eyebrow in response. "Perhaps I am wrong, but you have the aura of royalty." She responded a little sternly. "Please, do not speak of this to anyone." "I understand, princess." The rest of the skeletons and Temmie nodded.

After a hesitation, Eragon spoke. "I am glad that you recovered. We didn't know if you would live or not." She dipped her head. "That is why I came here today. I owe you a debt that must be repaid. You saved my life. That can never be forgotten." Eragon flushed lightly. "It-it was nothing. .. How did you come to be in Gil'ead?"
Her face turned grave, Arya looking away. "Let us walk." She strode away, slow and full of purpose. Eragon and the Wyrdaí Islingrya grouped behind her, human and King of Negativity on either side of her while Error plodded along directly behind.

She addressed Eragon first. "Ajihad told me you were present when Saphira's egg appeared." "Yes." Arya's disposition was mournful. "Then know this, Eragon: at the moment you first beheld it, I was captured by Durza. It was he who led the Urgals that ambushed and slew my companions, Faolin and Glenwing. Somehow he knew where to wait for us- we had no warning. I was drugged and transported to Gil'ead. There, Durza was charged by Galbatorix to learn where I had sent the egg and all I knew of Ellesméra."

She set her jaw, cold fury in her gaze as she remembered. Nightmare stared at the elf woman in fascination, taking in her rigid face as she went on. "He tried for months without success. His methods were… harsh. When torture failed, he ordered his soldiers to use me as they would. Fortunately, I still had the strength to nudge their minds and make them incapable. At last Galbatorix ordered that I was to be brought to Urû'baen. Dread filled me when I learned this, as I was weary in both mind and body and had no strength to resist him. If it were not for all of you, I would have stood before Galbatorix in a week's time."

Nightmare felt a dull rage in himself at all those who mistreated this woman. He tried to bury it, but it refused to let him be. Eragon posed a question. "Why do you tell us all this?" "What he said." Killer added. Arya turned her head to the human, then the others. "So that you know what I was saved from. Do not presume I can ignore your deeds."

Eragon lowered his head. "What will you do now- return to Ellesméra?" She shook hers. "No, not yet. There is much that must be done here. I cannot abandon the Varden- Ajihad needs my help. I've seen you tested in both arms and magic today. Brom taught you well, Eragon. You are ready to proceed in your training." Nightmare piped up. "There is much we have taught him, as well. We tried to teach him all we could, despite our lack of knowledge on the history of Alagaësia."

"For that, you have my thanks, Alalëa." The others gave strange looks at the name, but said nothing. Eragon looked troubled. "So you mean for me to go to Ellesméra?" "Yes." Nightmare sensed irritation from Eragon, but he didn't show it. "When?" "That is yet to be decided, but not for some weeks." Nightmare inserted himself again. "Well, as you should know, some of us are going to come with him. We follow Eragon, and if he is to go to Ellesméra, then so shall we."

"That is not advisable, Ellesméra is not welcome to many-" "We only wish to protect Eragon, as well as learn more of the Ancient Language so we can better protect ourselves. Although, I am sure that the city of Splendor has wonderful libraries." Dust perked up. "He's a huge bookworm." He explained, earning himself a smack. "He'd probably want to become a scholar." Error elaborated. Nightmare shot him a look before giving in. "I happen to enjoy reading, yes."

The corner of Arya's lip twitched. "I will see what can be arranged." She relented. But then Eragon changed the subject. "Do you know what the Twins wanted me to do?" Nightmare brought forth the ring as Arya scowled. "Something not even they can accomplish. It is possible to speak the name of an object in the ancient language and summon it's true form. It takes years of work and great discipline, but the reward is complete control over the object. That is why one's true name is always kept hidden, for if it were known by any with evil in their hearts, they could dominate you utterly."

Nightmare hid his shock when he recalled the name that came to him the other night. That name that made him shiver, made his Soul thrum a musical chord in his ribcage. True name… He realized coldly. Eragon took his mind away from the moment by bringing up his vision.

"It's strange, but before I was captured at Gil'ead, I had visions of you in my dreams. It was like scrying- and I was able to scry you later- but it was always during my sleep." Arya pursed her lips. "There were times I felt as if another presence was watching me, but I was often confused and feverish. I've never heard of anyone, either in lore or legend, being able to scry in their sleep."

This got Nightmare thinking as Eragon continued. "I don't understand it myself." He paused, staring at his ring. "What does the tattoo on your shoulder mean? I didn't mean to see it, but when we healed your wounds…" "Yes, I was a bit curious myself." Blue admitted. "Is it important?" Cross asked. "It's just like the symbol on this ring." Eragon finished.

"You have a ring with the yawë on it?" Arya demanded. "Yes, it was Brom's. See?" He held it out for her to study, and she spoke. "This is a token given only to the most valued elf-friends - so valued, in fact, it has not been used in centuries. Or so I thought. I never knew that Queen Islanzadi thought so highly of Brom."
"I shouldn't wear it, then." Eragon said quickly.
"No, keep it. It will give you protection if you meet my people by chance, and it may help you gain favor with the queen. As for all of you, tell no one of my tattoo. It should not be revealed."
"Very well." Eragon said. "As you wish." Nightmare spoke after.

They all fell to chatting, each of them taking their time to get to know Arya, especially Nightmare and Eragon. Eventually, they had to part ways, Nightmare still unsure of how he should feel about this Älfa, elf. She did not fear him. She had only respect, despite what he was and what he had done. All her wariness towards him had vanished. The King of Negativity couldn't understand why.

Their group meandered into Tronjhiem, Horror showing off his new battle axe he'd named Böetq Blädr, Broad Blade. Blue then brought forth his bone hammer, twirling it as the pair goofed off with each other with their weapons, causing the rest of them to laugh.

When they all wondered back outside the city-mountain, the Wyrdaí Islingrya, dragon and Rider dispersed, returning to their rooms or elsewhere to busy themselves.

Nightmare, however, returned to a dark part of Tronjhiem, where magic was thick in the air. He waited for the caretaker named Greta to leave, whatever for he didn't care. Then he stole into the cold chamber and found Elva. The little girl already appeared older, staring blankly at the wall with eyes that were both dead and alive.

"Evarína." He whispered, lingering in the shadows. With a little gasp, Elva turned her huge, baleful eyes on him. They watered as she reached for him. On impulse, he gently took her tiny, feverish hands into his own. He sensed her little, desperate heartbeat inside her, fighting for life despite great pain.

"Star, I know there will be pain, soon. I feel it like a storm on the horizon. I know you do, too. I will do what I can to spare you from it, little one. But even now, I cannot stay." He held her, with no idea what to do next. He felt so connected to this child, the child capable of sensing pain, the child of magic. He brushed her bangs away from her brow, the silver and purple mark gleaming faintly.

"Why must you force me to care about you?" He finally asked. "I have been cold for millennia, and yet." He studied her intense eyes. "You've done something to me, starchild." He explained to her. He glanced around the room, swathed in sheets to hide the light. He felt the gift he'd given her pulse, like a Soul. The child was silent against him, watching him impassively.

He tapped her nose curiously, taking note of how abnormally large her brilliant eyes were. What little light in the room there was reflected off her black hair in a faint, purple sheen. "You are so small." He murmured, taking in her features. Nightmare slowly brought out the ring, the object glowing in the dimness of the room.

"When you are ready, I think you should have this." Nightmare explained to her, showing the girl the ring. She clasped onto it, staring at it with fascination. "I helped form it with my magic, little one. It is silver, but more. It is true silver, incarnated into this realm through our combined might. I think it should go to you. Do you like it, Evarína?"

She cooed, looking at him. He felt desire for it inside the child. "You can't have it now, you are still too small." He told her, softly petting her head. "But I can tell that you will grow up much faster than others. You'll get it soon, little one. So I will keep it until then."

She babbled, a hand gripping onto his collarbone as she wished he would stay. "I have to go soon, Evarína." He explained, feeling his own sadness at the idea of departure. He tried to put her down, but she held on, whimpering. Nightmare stared into her eyes, pleading with him to stay awhile. His teeth parted to speak, but his voice was already dead. Nightmare couldn't deny her, not when Elva was like him, but suffering so much more.

The sound of a door opening snapped him back to reality. Nightmare stiffened, recognizing the aura of the caretaker and staring hard in the direction she was returning from. Elva went limp in Nightmare's arms, her eyes heavy. He sensed she was acting. A child, this young, acting.

The weathered crone entered the room and froze, seeing Nightmare holding the child she cared for and staring right back. "I see you've caught me." He said slowly. She looked away, wringing her hands. "Have you come to take her?"
"No. Alagaësia needs me. I was… visiting." He couldn't make a viable excuse.

There was an awkward pause. "Would you like to sit down? She seems to like you." He started to say no, but hesitated as Elva tightened her grip on him silently. He broke. "Fine. Only for a few minutes." He muttered, rubbing her cheek as Elva leaned into the affection.

Nightmare took a seat in a chair Greta offered, refusing to look at her as he studied Elva critically to escape his own embarrassment. "Would you like something to eat?" "No."

There was silence as the caretaker fidgited nervously. Then Nightmare sighed, looking up. "What is it?" He asked flatly. The elderly human stared at her hands before responding. "I.. Why do you want her? I understand that Argetlam blessed her wrong, but why do you want her?"

He rubbed his skull tiredly, deciding whether or not to tell her. Then the King of Negativity sighed again. "It's a very long story, human. You might as well just make yourself comfortable, because we are going to be here for a while."

She pulled up a seat for herself and complied, folding her hands in her lap and peering at Nightmare curiously as he hesitantly began his tale. The Lord of Darkness started recounting all he remembered of his long life in important moments, trying to get the human to comprehend who and what he was, and therefore understand why he wanted this child of magic.

He was talking softly for several hours, doing his best to remain calm, even in the emotional moments. Greta was mostly silent, listening eagerly as he went on, Elva sleeping peacefully after a while.

It was getting late by the time he finished, answering whatever questions the caretaker had before standing. "I have to go. Watch over her, Greta, but get some sleep. I sense tommorow will be… stressful. So rest."

She nodded quickly, taking the child and putting her to bed. Nightmare waited until he saw Elva resting peacefully before simply teleporting away, finding his room and landing in his own bed. He took off his crown and brought out the ring so he could study the both of them.

That was how he fell asleep that night.