A Waking Nightmare

For the first time in over a week you dream.

You stand in a flat space, almost featureless except for the countless bodies that surround you. All have been slashed or stabbed, a horribly familiar view. You try to run but no matter where you go you see more bodies, their lifeless faces staring at you. As you run with more intensity their heads track you and begin to emit low, guttural laughter. You freeze in horror, surrounded by dead cackling heads and watch as blood begins to ooze from their wounds. It begins to glow a molten orange-red and congeal into...something. It's vaguely humanoid in shape but the proportions are anything but human, and it has far too many arms. As it forms into some demonic monster it turns it's fanged maw to you with a smile. It's teeth part as an impossibly deep voice rumbles forth.

"Welcome, my acolyte."

You awaken with a start but find the waking world brings you no comfort. You strain against some kind of manacles on your wrists and ankles almost immediately, you seem to be chained to a wall. You're also embarrassed to see you're entirely nude, even the ring Celeste gave you is gone.

"Finally awake?" You hear Celeste's voice but her tone is uncharacteristically harsh. You thrash around in your restraints trying to find her, only for a dark figure to slowly step towards you and into the light. She's also entirely naked, though unlike you parts of her body are smeared with blood. You panic when you see the dagger in her hand, turning to her face. Her irises are glowing that same orange-red color from your dream, her mouth curled into a sinister smile. "So nice of you to wait until I was finished with the others..."

"Celeste what the fu-"

"Shhhh..." She places a finger on your mouth, smearing blood on your lips. "Don't worry Morgan, the Master has greater plans for you than the rest of the rabble. We're both so lucky I underestimated him..."

She raises the dagger over your chest, her smile growing even wider. You struggle against your bonds with all your might but still they don't budge. You scream as the dagger glows that molten color and Celeste slowly pushes the blade into your chest, right over your heart. It burns as it's pushed in, so much so you can see your flesh sizzle. You continue to scream and struggle but you're met with nothing but Celeste's gleeful expression. Then you feel...something. The glow from the dagger begins to bleed into you, you see your veins start to glow the same color as the burning spreads throughout your body. A voice you last heard a week ago echoes in your head once more.

"Submit..."