It is a nightmare

A few seconds pass and I don’t feel like anything is happening. It’s supposed to only take a few seconds, but without opening my eyes I can only assume she hasn’t heard me. I make my request a second time, but again I feel nothing. It can’t be that I’m not receiving my awakening, right? That would just be too cruel. Or maybe, you’re not supposed to feel anything. Perhaps my card on the pedestal has already been altered and I just need to have faith.

I opened my eyes intending to go to the pedestal and see my card, but the only thing I see is darkness. An absolute silence and darkness surrounds me in all directions and I can’t even see my hands in front of me. This isn’t right. Something must be wrong. This is just like … like my nightmare.

At first, I start to worry. I am much to clear headed for this to be an actual dream. It is more like my nightmare has become real. But wait a minute. If I am in my nightmare, then shouldn’t that mean the girl is here too?

I start walking, but I don't feel anything under my feet. I look around, but only darkness I see. I try to scream for help, but even the sound of my voice is hard to hear. And just like in my dreams, in the distance, I suddenly see her.

I immediately start running to her. Unlike my dream, I reach her quickly.

(I've been waiting for you.)

I suddenly stop. I heard someone talk, but not with my ears. It is like I heard her straight into my head.

I look at her and ask, “Did you just talk to me?”

(I did.)

“Who are you? Why are you appearing in my dreams? What do you want from me?”

Finally! All of the questions I have always been wanting to ask. Will I find an answer to them?

(I don’t know. I don’t remember. I just don’t want to be here.)

“But why me? Why do you always come to my dreams? They feel like nightmares!”

(I’m sorry. I never intended for you to have nightmares. I don’t know why, but for some reason you and I have a connection. At times our bond is stronger, that is when you appear before me. I ask you for help but you never answer. Now is the first time I get a reply.)

It looks like she is indeed the source of all my nightmares. But if what she says is true, then I can't blame her. She's just being ****. I wonder. What would she need my help for? After a closer look, I notice that she has her arms up. It is hard to see in all the darkness. But what at first appeared as her just standing there, now resembles her being held prisoner. I can even see a hint of shackles around her wrists. She is also standing on what appears to be a magic circle. I slowly walk closer to the girl, but then come across an invisible wall.

(Please, you have to help me. My energy is being extracted. I don’t know how much longer it will take, but I know that once all my energy has been drained, I will die. I need you to save me.)

“But I can’t get to you.” I say as I slam my hands on the invisible wall.

(Not here. You’ll have to find me in the waking world.)

“That world is huge. I have no idea where to even start looking.”

(Every time you grow stronger, I feel our connection getting stronger as well. If you continue to improve, I’m sure you will find me.)

Suddenly everything starts to shake. It seems like our connection is starting to fail.

(You have to help me. I feel that there is something important that I have to do. I feel an evil presence growing more powerful. You are the only person who can help me.)

I start to feel dizzy. It makes it difficult to stand and I fall to my knees. I feel like I’m about to lose consciousness.

(I’ll help you get stronger. Just promise that you will find me.)

A strange sensation flows through my body. It gives me a short boost of strength. With it, I raise my head once more. Maybe I can get a glimpse of her face. But no, her face is shrouded in darkness. I can however see the outline of her hair and also what appears to be a horn on her head. Who …?

The next time I open my eyes I find myself lying on the ground in front of the golden statue of the goddess. I also hear the sound of footsteps coming near.

"Darx, what happened? Who was here?" Harold asked in dismay.

I slowly get to a seated position and look around. Harold has come in, together with a few soldiers, all of them with their swords drawn.

"Darx, I need you to tell me what happened. I felt a dark and unknown presence." Harold continues.

Did Harold sense it too? So, it really wasn’t just a dream. Or rather, my dreams are like a gateway? And this time the gateway was powerful enough for a conversation? I am still so confused.

Harold gets on one knee and asks calm but concerned, “Darx, I need you to talk to me and tell me what you saw.”

“I’m … not sure.” I say with a confused look on my face. “I did as you told me to do. Card on the pedestal, stepped into the magic circle and asked the goddess to make me an adventurer. Then I found myself in a big dark place.

“Did someone cast a spell on this room?” Harold asks. “Did you see someone in here beside you?”

I could tell Harold about the woman I saw. But telling him I’ve just had a conversation with a woman I’ve been dreaming about my entire life? If I tell him that, he’s going to think I’m crazy.

“I’m sorry, that is when I blacked out.” I apologize. “Next thing I saw was you and the soldiers coming in.”

"Search the room for any signs of trespassing." Harold commands the guards, who immediately spread out across the room. "I don't understand anything. It's too weird." Harold then whispers.

"How did you know something was going on in here?" I asked Harold. "Is it something that all adventurers can do?" If it's something I can learn, maybe it will help me find the girl of my dreams.

“No, it’s a skill I got when I got my awakening.” Harold explains. “Only people with the same skill or something similar can detect presences.”

I see. So, either I will have to hope I got a skill like that myself or befriend someone who does.

"By the way, what happened to the ritual? Did you receive your awakening?" Harold asked.

Right. My card. “It is still on the pedestal.” I say.

Harold walks over to check on it. I quickly get up and join him.