Tempest sat against a tree, looking up at the sky. The nighttime stars shone in a different way than light did in the Lost Cities. It was more peaceful.

She held in a smile as the creature shifted his position slightly, his head resting on her lap. The creature was big enough for them both to use each other as a pillow when they went to sleep, and, though she wouldn't admit it, Tempest found his fur quite soft, especially after walking or levitating through the forest all day. The journey had been going on for a few days, with Tempest occasionally finding something either along the trail the two of them we're making, or resorting to eating something from her bag, which she didn't want to do often in case of an emergency.

As she watched the stars blink and fade in the sky, she couldn't help but worry. So far, more and more monsters showed up during the day -along with the weird blackout things from before- and at night her dreams usually led to a long conversation with someone she couldn't see and a fight with someone she couldn't feel. It made her nervous thinking about it, and about how, maybe, there would be a time when the prophecy would really come true, and whoever was sending these monsters and haunting her dreams would kill her.

Calm down, Tempest. She thought, You're overreacting. You aren't gonna die. Sure, it may be taking longer than you'd like to get to LA, but you'll still get there... You're close.

As the creature moved again in his sleep, Tempest closed her eyes, trying to ignore the doubts she had about her entire journey. You'll get there. You'll get there, and you'll prove you aren't a murderer, or a criminal, or a... bad guy? Whatever people think you are. Eventually, her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep.

____________________

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. It felt like she was floating in a void of black. Everywhere she turned, there was only darkness as far as she could see.

And it was cold. So cold. Every piece of the darkness radiated its own, tangible chill, like cold water running down your back. It felt as if someone had trapped her in a block of ice which was just warm enough to keep her from freezing to death.

"Well, you're back early." A voice chuckled. It had the same effect as a cold hand grabbing a warm one; as if it put you in a momentary shock.

"Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I had the choice." She said defiantly towards where she assumed the voice was coming from.

The voice chuckled again, "You always have a choice. You could choose not to fall asleep."

" First of all, any person with some kind of common sense would know you need sleep to survive. Secondly, even if I did choose to stay awake, you could just make me black out, or whatever that thing is. "

"'Black out' is not quite what's happening, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Now, will you listen to me this time?"

It was her turn to laugh, "You should know by now that I don't listen to anybody. Much less a creep who refuses to show his face of talk with me in person."

"Well then," the voice sighed. The ground beneath her feet solidified, letting her stand on  floor of pure darkness, "this will turn out like every other time we chat."

She smirked, "Maybe. But I'll win again."

" Winning round 1 is the equivalent to winning a practice round. Why do you think I've won every other time? "

"You sure you're winning? Last time I checked, I've been doing this every night, and when I beat you, you disappeared for a few days. Care to explain that?"

The voice chuckled, and a silhouette of a person who was somehow darker than the black appeared in front of her. "You ask far too many questions. You'll get yourself killed if you keep it up."

She shrugged, "You're overconfident. That can get you killed as well."

The figure turned away from her, "But that can only happen to one of us. One of us will win, and the other will die. That's how it has to end."

"Or, you know, you could ignore me until you forget I exist."

He laughed darkly, "If only it were that easy." He turned to face her again and brandished a sword that seemed to be made of solid shadows, "Alas, it would be far more simple to just kill you."

" Wait, by kill, do you mean, like, actually kill me? Cause, I'm not sure if you realized this, but this isn't 'reality'. " She told the figure as she took a few steps away from him.

"Well, you won't be waking up once you give me what I want -"

" Hence the reason I haven't helped you yet. "

"But I will find a way to end you, even if it means going against everything I stand for."

" What do you have against me? I don't remember ever doing anything -"

"Have a nice day, Tempest." The figure swung his shadowy sword through her body.

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Tempest woke up in a cold sweat. Looking at the creature, she found that he hadn't moved, but he was watching her. "Oh, calm down!" She told him as she sat up, " I'm fine. " She stood up and brushed the dirt off her tunic. "Come on. We should get an early start." Tempest started walking, but paused when her companion didn't move. "Well? Aren't you coming with me?"

The creature looked at her cautiously for a moment before getting up and following her. Pushing through the brush, Tempest sighed when it just grew thicker and thicker. Tempest sighed and stole a short glance at the creature at her side, who was looking up at her expectantly. "Well." She said with a sigh before mumbling to herself, "I can't believe I actually got myself into this."

Hey guys! Sorry, I meant to publish this chapter last night, but I didn't have enough time. Still, I hope you enjoyed it and I will see y'all later!