[Trevor]
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I didn't know it was possible to pass out from trying to force yourself not to cry.

Okay, I'll admit, I did cry a little.
I was overwhelmed with everything.

I did stop after a while but as I thought about the past few days, the tears were coming again.

The effort to stop them from flowing sent me to Dreamland.

Now, Dreamland was supposed to be a magical place where everyone was cheery and fairies buzzed around, spraying their terrifying fairy dust (yes, I'm haunted by the tooth fairy...kill me) around. It's supposed to be a place where all the amazing fantasies were showcased...

Not today Trevor.

While I was hopefully asleep and not dead, an image formed in my head.
By now, we know that's never a good thing so at least you're a bit prepared.

I don't know if I was allowed to see the image at first, but after a familiar red dungeon, some miserable looking adults and two appalling creatures, yes my dad and the king of shu, came into view without noticing I was watching their every move, I knew I was not supposed to be seeing this.

Yeah, right. So you'd think I'll actually refuse to watch Auda and his accomplice so I can get information on how they plan to destroy us even after I'd stupidly told the idiot our plan to destroy him and even got him an exclusive tour to the location the magical book was kept?

No way.
Plus I didn't think I was waking up any moment soon so either way, I'm still forced to watch.

"This is amazing!" Mr Steven exclaimed, rubbing his palms together like the evil maniac he was.

"It is!" Auda said, prancing around like a, yes, pony...I'm not joking. "One problem is now tackled successfully."

Yup, that's me. I help tackle problems successfully.

"So, when do you decide to release the captives?" the king asked.

If I wasn't passed out, I would have sat up straight.
I wanted to know too, Steven.

To my surprise Auda laughed.

"Who said I would free them now?"

Mr Steven blinked. "You did."

"Oh, come on!!!" Auda screeched, "you should know me by now now that I don't keep to my word."

What?!

Hold on, what did I just hear?
I made the worst blunder in the history of the four kingdoms...okay maybe I'm exaggerating but still. What I did was terrible and I've felt like crap ever since that day just so this.... this... spirit ( I was blank sorry) would free all the people he kidnapped or whatever you call it.

Now, he's saying he....WHAT?!

That creature lied to me.
He betrayed me...and I betrayed all my friends, all the spirits, all of Horei and possibly Reina for that in return?

The vision went on.

"But you're aware of the plan," the king stated," and you're well aware of the location of the book. What else do you need the captives for?"

Ask him Steven, ask him.

"Oh, no Steven. We're not finished. I trust those pesky spirits and Xi Chang to think of another plan to stop me. We might need these captives again. We can't be too sure."

The king reclined on his throne and stroked his chin.
"You have a point, Auda."

Then he turned with a creased forehead to the spirit.
"You know, I don't know how you are from the Kingdom of balance. You are even more evil than the evilest of Shu!"

Auda smiled proudly and then his mouth curved downward as his expression turned wistful.
"My father knows what he did to me. And my brothers. And the whole kingdom. None of this would have ever happened if I was treated right..."

Mr Steven looked away, and focused his gaze on the ground.
"Very well. No one has a right to judge you."

He got down from his throne gently and motioned to Auda.

"Come on, let's go and check on the diviners and our monsters to see their progress. We can't lose this war."

Auda nodded.
"I'll be right there. Let me just...check on a few things."

The king walked off.

Auda walked to his desk and opened a drawer.

Suddenly, he was partly my dad and partly himself.

He picked out a small glass bottle with a weird, slightly viscous, green liquid that sloshed as he shook the bottle.

"When are you planning on doing it?" my father asked.

"Shortly before the war begins. I'm still deliberating on the perfect timing. But it shall happen."

He shook the bottle once more and dropped it gingerly into the cabinet and closed it.

"Once it gets into his body, he's gone."

"Literally?"

Auda nodded.
"He evaporates and his spirit roams free. But do not fear, his spirit is also weakened and he shall never be able to return to Shu ever again."

"And we–you shall take over Shu and Horei and Reina once and for all...like you have always wanted."

He smiled.
"And we, my loyal friend. And we shall rule."

He strolled out of the throne room, his demeanour calm and confident.

Suddenly the vision turned off and my eyes darted open.

I grabbed my sheets just to make sure I was on my bed.

My heart thumped in my chest and I heaved a little sigh of relief.

Holy Reina, what did I just witness?

I sat up wearily and dragged my hands through my face.

I let out a yawn and and got up shakily.
I considered going downstairs but I changed my mind and sauntered over to my window.

I had to tell someone this.
Yes, you heard me right. I had to confess and I had to explain what Auda was planning.

I couldn't keep it in any longer.
I dragged my hands through my hair and rested my head on the window pane.

Freaking hell, why am I scared right now?

I needed to go somewhere and cool myself down.

I knew we weren't allowed to go anywhere besides home but I needed to get away desperately.

A drink at Davie's wouldn't hurt.

I jogged over to the bar.

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Dun dun dunnnn

Auda's backstory is actually veryyy interesting and sad and I might reveal it one day...

Vote and comment pweaseee before you go

~Ash.