They grew up, everyday Nightmare became more and more scared and everyday Dream came by to ask Nightmare if he wanted to come play or come out of his room in general. Dream was concerned about his brother, but their parents kept telling him that it was fine and that nothing was wrong. Dream kept trying, hoping to get Nightmare out. Every time Dream tried Nightmare told him to go away.

Their parents tried to keep Nightmare's powers stable, but he even became scared that he would hurt them. Nightmare became more silent when the twins reached the age of 9 and even more as he became older, sometimes you could hear soft sobs coming from his room. Dream stayed positive, or tried to stay positive, it was hard for him sometimes, especially if he would go to Nightmare and heard him cry. He wanted to help his brother, but everything he did only seemed to make it worse.

It became even worse when Dream and Nightmare hit the age of 17. Their parents went away for a business trip, never to be seen again. Their ship crashed against some rocks in a heavy storm. Everyone on the ship died and the twins were devastated about their parents. The aura in the castle was already dark and now it reached the bottom, it wouldn't be able to become even darker. The castle was closed off for everyone except the ones who lived there. Dream wanted comfort and he also wanted to comfort his brother, but now of all times wasn't the best time to go to Nightmare. He had gotten trouble going back into his normal form and was almost 24/7 in his aggressive form. He didn't like it, no he hated it!

Dream knocked on the door softly. "Nightmare?" Dream asked. "Please, I know you're in there. People have been asking where you've been. They say have courage and I'm trying to, I'm right out here for you. Just let me in. We only have each other, it's just you and me. What are we gonna do?" Dream was close to tears. He usually never cried and Nightmare had never heard Dream so, sad? Lonely? Depressed? He didn't like hearing Dream like that. Dream rested his forehead on the door that has separated them for all those years. Nightmare was sitting with his back against the door, in his aggressive form. Dream asked Nightmare what he had asked him all those years. "Do you want to go play?" Dream broke down in tears, not trying to hide it. Nightmare did as well, hiding his head in his hands, crying softly.

About a year later a special day came. Dream and Nightmare were old enough to become kings. Or at least one of them would. The whole village was happy, the castle gates would open up! Rulers from all over the world arrived at the kingdom. The village was decorated in all sorts of different decorations. Ink was in town as well, hearing about the big event from others and shopping for food that he needed.

An embasidor of another kingdom had arived there as well. He was the lord of herotale to be precize. His name was HFI. He was as to say excited for the opening gates. His kingdom had been trading with the kingdom of the two young princes, but he has never seen the two or even had any form of conversation with them. "Ah dreamtale, the most misterious of kingdoms. Open those gates so I can find your secrets." HFI said only to realise afterwards: "wait, did I say that out loud?"

The villagers had never seen the princes before and where almost certain that they would both be handsome and well mannered, at least most females thought so.

Dream was also excited and Nightmare was mostly scared. Both of them were getting ready, Dream was bouncing through the halls excited to finally see some of the outside world again. He smiled brightly. Running around. He ran past some servants who were opening windows and doors to the balconies. "The window is open! So's that door! I didn't know they did that anymore!" Dream ran past the dining room, glancing in and seeing all the plates going around. "Who knew we owned eight thousand salad plates?" Dream kept running too much excitement to keep in. "For years I've roamed these empty halls." He ran into the ballroom. "Why have a ballroom with no balls? Finally, they're opening up the gates!" Dream was so curious about everything, he had always been. Dream stopped in the middle of the ballroom. "There'll be actual real live people, It'll be totally strange, but wow! Am I so ready for this change!" Dream danced around the ballroom on his own for a bit, smiling brightly at the thought of other people joining him soon. "Cause for the first time in forever, there'll be music, there'll be light! For the first time in forever, I'll be dancing through the night. Don't know if I'm elated or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone! 'Cause for the first time in forever. I won't be alone!" He ran out, continuing on his way to see the gates open. "I can't wait to meet everyone! What if I meet the one?" Dream wondered, only getting more excited. "Tonight, imagine me gown and all fetchingly draped against the wall. The picture of sophisticated grace! Ooh!" Dream leaned against the wall, lazily, and almost falling over. Dream shot up again. "I suddenly see him standing there, a beautiful stranger, tall and fair. I wanna stuff some chocolate in my face!" Dream ate some sweets for a tray a maid was carrying as she passed him. She didn't notice or simply didn't mind the prince. "But then we laugh and talk all evening, which is totally bizarre! Nothing like the life I've lead so far!" Dream was getting closer and closer to the gates of the castle. "For the first time in forever. There'll be magic, there'll be fun! For the first time in forever, I could be noticed by someone and I know it is totally crazy to dream I'd find romance, but for the first time in forever at least I've got a chance!" Dream smiled brightly as he pictured his love.

On the other side of the castle the aura wasn't all happy. It was dark and full of fear as usual. Nightmare was walking in circles inside of his room, mumbling to himself. "Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good one you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel, put on a show. Make one wrong move and everyone will know!" Nightmare finally walked out of his room. For the first time in forever, he got out and was met with the rest of the castle. He was in a suit that would cover most of his body, not showing the darkness that was constantly trying to take him over. For most he also wore dark blue gloves to cover up if his hands got corrupted, which could happen fast since most of his torso was already constantly corrupted by his aggressive form.

Dream was there in the garden of the castle, in front of the gate. "But it's only for today!" He called out to himself. "It's only for today!" Nightmare reassured himself. "It's agony to wait!" The two called out. "Tell the guards to open up the gate!" Nightmare ordered, heading to a balcony that was facing the gate. "The gate!" Dream called as the gate was opened. He walked out and through the crowd of people that entered the castle. "For the first time in forever." Dream said, standing in the crowd. "Don't let them in, don't let them see." Nightmare kept trying to keep in the darkness he had been hiding for so long. "I'm getting what I'm dreaming of!" Dream walked into the town, looking around with excitement. "Be the good one you always have to be." Nightmare said to himself, watching the crowd walk in. "A chance to change my lonely world!" Dream smiled. "Conceal..." Nightmare kept saying. "A chance to find true love!" Dream loved the new feeling of freedom. "Conceal, don't feel. Don't let them know" Nightmare walked away, back into the castle, back where it's safe. "I know it all ends tomorrow so it has to be today! 'Cause for the first time in forever. For the first time in forever, nothing's in my way!" Dream bumped into someone, it's really a miracle he hadn't already. Dream fell to the ground and the person he bumped into held out their hand to help him up. "Sorry, I should really be more careful where I walk." They apologized, their voice smooth and calming, but somehow it sounded like an evil lord might sound.

(Credits to xxxanoukxxx. The character 'HFI' belongs to them.
See ya in the next part, Lisa)