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The Beast called Nightmare

Night's Angel

Ages have past and the Bregold sisters had passed on to the next world leaving their beloved Nightmare alone once again. With his heart broken he did the only thing he could taking as a keepsake their book of spells. He returned to his stone slumber and waited till he would be summoned once more. He had made himself a small shrine with the book atop his black stone in the barn they had summoned him in.

The outside world had change as the beast slept. The book had been taken from as well that he had been moved. The mortal size stone he slept had been moved to a warehouse far from the home he once knew. The summoning circle had been rewritten fresh. The males and females around his stone stood with darkness, hatred and sin in their souls. But only one, a young girl dressed in red robes was clean and kind.

No more than twelve years of age she was the child of a wolf and a fox. She held in her hand a bright red apple. She kneed outside the rings praying for help. One of the males stood over her a gun in hand. "She's useless" the male said cocking the gun. "DO IT AGAIN" one female shouted. She cried to herself begging for help. "Please someone help me, I don't want to die" she said to herself. "We have been at this for hours," one of the other males said "give her a break."

The first female looked over the child and bared her fangs in disgust. "You have five minutes to get her ready Alex" she said and walked away. Alex the young rat ran to the child. The girl went to ball up away from the rat. "Sheba, its ok I'm not going to hurt you" he said slowly getting closer. The girl watched the rat and the hawk that stood over her. "Mitch, please back up, you're scaring her" Alex said waving the hawk away.

"She is useless we should just get rid of her and find someone better" Mitch spoke, tapping the girl on the head with the tip of his gun. "Then give me a minute to talk to her" Alex begged. The Hawk rolled his eyes and moved away. "It's ok Sheba" he said "it's going to be ok." "Alex, I can't do it, the book said I need a gold apple to use the spell" Sheba cried. Alex took the girl's hand with his. "Sheba I will be here for you no matter what happens" he said meaning every word.

"Promise" the girl asked. "Promise" he said. His promise made a bond with the girl simple but strong. The apple glowed in their hands. The apple turned to gold and shown with a soft light. "See you did it Sheba" the rat smiled to her. She smiled back to only one she could call friend. "Alex time's up if you can't make her get this stupid thing to work" the female barked "then you'll be joining her in the next life."

"She's got this Ma'am" he said and helped the girl to her feet. The girl nodded shyly before turning to the stone. "I of light and love call to thee, Beast of darkness" she sang "come forth to make a covenant with me." She sang the words as the book had said too. "I of the Bloodgold tree call forth the Beast of Darkest Heart" her voice called out to the stone as the circle began to glow. The girl closed her eyes in hope the beast would answer.

Then with all her might and will in her voice she cried out "COME TO LIGHT BEFORE ME NOW. COME FORTH FROM THE DARKEST COLD FROM HEART OF DARKNESS COME TO ME NOW. ORTYON COLMEA ORUIS TOBIEAL" and almost smashed the apple into the circle's glass like wall. For moment nothing happen. The others watched and waited for something to move. Both Sheba and Alex stood frozen in time.

"Please" she whispered to the stone. "Where is the beast Alex" the female demanded. Alex looked to the stone and back to the female. "All I see is a black rock, Alex" she said "Where is my demon Alex?" she drew her gun and aimed it at the rat's head. The female focused the rat to the point she missed the stone growing in size. The stone open slowly let its form take shape. As the beast took shape its head turn to see there was no blacken fruit.

"Who has summoned me and was rude to not offer me food" the beast said turning to the voice it heard. The female fox looked up at the beast. A smile broke across her muzzle. "She did it" the vixen said to herself. The beast's ears folded and twitch. "WHO HAS SUMMONED ME FROM MY SLUMBER" the beast commanded. "I did" the girl spoke just above a whisper. "A child has summoned me" the beast spat.

"I'm sorry I don't have any food for you" Sheba said shying away from the beast. "Stay where you are, child" the beast spoke but did not look at her. The vixen spoke up "Tell me your name demon." "I do not answer to those of blacken hearts and harden souls" it said grinning at the smell. "I told you to give me your name" the vixen commanded. The beast roared and slashed at the barrier. "I WILL ONY TELL THE ONE WHO HAS SUMMONED ME" the beast roared.

Sheba dropped to her knees covering her ears. She was scared. She didn't know which monster was worse. "KNOCK IT OFF YOU'RE SCARING HER" Alex shouted trying to hug the child. The beast's head turned to Alex. Its eyes were still close but Alex could feel the beast stare. "I apologize for my outburst and who would you be young knight" the beast said respectfully. The rat looked between the beast and the vixen.

"My name is Alex" he said. "Brave of you young Alex to stand against the likes of me" the beast spoke to the rat almost as it would to an equal. "Tell the little bitch to get me its name" the vixen demanded. The beast turned its head slowly back to the first voice it heard. "My name will not be given easily wicked child" it said and barked out a rich laugh. "I'll send you back to hell if you don't" the vixen said.

"Only if you come with me Jessica" the beast said with the most lewd of grins. "You think I'm playing games, things have change demon" the vixen said taking a step back from the beast. "I know, all but the child have sword metal that smells of burnt wood" it said turning to each of them. "Then you know you don't stand a chance" Jessica said. "Ha ha, you think a weapon I have not seen before makes the like of me run and hide" the beast laughed.

"Child of gold with your young knight which of us, do you fear more" it turned speaking soft to her. She held the apple tighter hoping to just run away. "She's not in control here I am" Jessica said commanding the beast attention. "Jessica the things you do not know will unmake you" it said without turning to her. "All I want is your name" she demanded. "If a name is all you want then you may call me Nightmare as I was once known" it said closed eyes still on the child.

"Good. Now then Nightmare after I release you can eat those two I don't need them anymore" she said pointing to Sheba and Alex. The beast smile and watch the two closely. Jessica and the others turned to leave so he could clean up the mess. The beast listen as the door shut behind them. "Child come closer and listen well" it said to her. Alex saw the look the beast had and reassured the girl. The beast spoke its true name to her so she could remember it well.

"Now say it once and for the time be I will be at your command" it said gently open its eyes. Just as Sheba said the name their eyes met and they knew each other. "They want you to kill us" Alex said not seeing the beast plan. "Young knight I am not one to fight in times like this" it said "now please break the seal and we will leave." "And just let you take her always, she's like sister to me" Alex said. The rat's words hit a plain the beast slept through.

"I said WE, did I not" it said. "Nightmare I release you" Sheba said and touched the apple to the barrier. They walk across the open floor. Alex and Sheba had gotten their first real look at nightmare. The beast was the mix of many breeds from land, air and sea. The back of its wing looked like they were on fire but burning a black flame the same with the tip of the tail. "Nightmare, why are those two still alive" Jessica shouted from the far end of the room.

"I told you to kill them" she said. "I told you I do not answer to those of blacken hearts" the beast said drawing in power. Clouds of black mist floored the beast as it fed. "I FEED ON THE DARKEST OF SOULS" Nightmare roared. Jessica and the others aim with their guns. "Sheba, get behind me" Alex said taking aim with his own. "Flee I will deal with them" Nightmare said its tail whipping around. "This isn't the dark ages Nightmare" Alex said let out a warning shot at Jessica.

The group of attackers returned fire. Before Alex could blink each shot was broken off. "They're not going to stop till someone is dead" Alex said firing another round. "Then save your attack" nightmare said. "Alex I'm scared" Sheba said hiding behind the rat. "Give the command and I will do as you wish" Nightmare said. "You can't fight them from here" Alex pointed out. "I don't want anyone to get hurt" Sheba said.

The rounds of bullets nightmare didn't block rebound of its scales or were caught in its fur. "Please Sheba command me to stop them" Nightmare said. "No good she too scared" Alex said getting a lucky shot and hit one of them in the shoulder. "Do you serve as her guard" Nightmare asked. "I don't know, I guess" the rat answered trying to think in the middle of the fire fight. "Just yes or no" it said. "YES" the rat shouted.

"Then as her guard command me fight" it said. "Can you take them out without killing them" he asked. "Foolish but yes I have such power" it said. "Then do it" Alex yelled. "Take a feather from under my wing, it will lead me back to you" it said shielding them with the back of its wing. Blindly he plucked a white feather from the open wing and picked up the girl. "Good luck Nightmare" he said taking off with the girl.

"Never mind luck just flee you fool" it said as they took off. With its charges safely out of the way the beast turned to its prey. Its tail slit ten times and lashed out at each attacker. "I was commanded not to kill this time but the next time you may not be so lucky" it said and each tail sliced each gun to pieces. With guns done away with, the tails turned and batted the group away leaving Jessica standing alone.

The beast walked toward her on all fours like an animal. "You failed to understand, I am not made to fight for the dark" it said "I feed off it." it took her head with one clawed hand. "Jessica, you were not meant for the dark so I shall cleanse you" it said and kissed her lips passionately. For a moment she saw something in his eyes the pain of lost love that would break any male. "Do not seeks us or I will be forced to end you" Nightmare said when it broke the kiss.

Nightmare turned and took off after its charges. Its feathered bat like wings beat the air hard as it took to the night sky. It saw the light of the feather moving across the ground. It flipped into a dive aiming to meet with the light. "Is she Hurt" Nightmare asked flying over their heads. Alex stopped and set Sheba down. Nightmare set down just out of sight. "She fine just scared out of her wits" Alex said looking for the beast.

"You did well young knight" it said still in hiding. "Yeah well thanks but I don't think we're going to get far with the way you look" Alex said looking around. "My size can change" it said. "What about your face" he asked. The beast laughed. The laugh started as a boom and boiled down to a soft chuckle. "Mortals never seem to think" the voice of a male not much older than Alex came from behind a nearby tree.

Stepping into the light the form of a soft gray fox cat moved closer. "Nightmare" Alex asked questioning the male. "Yes" he said "I took the form she has chosen for Me." he looked between them before he held out his arms. "Let me take her you have done enough young knight" he said. Alex looked over the male a question on his mind. "She said something about a covenant" he said. "Yes but she is too young" Nightmare said setting his arms down.

"What would she have to do" Alex said. "As I said she is not of age to wed and so I will not make that bond with her. "Bond" Alex asked "what bond?" the young rat started back away. "You will hear it and run from me" Nightmare said nodding his head slowly. "Depends" Alex said "what are you going to do to her?" "Nothing till she is of age or till the pack we have is done" he said. "What happens when the pack is over" Alex questioned.

"Leave," he answered "leave and return to my slumber till I am called upon again." "You said till she is of age" Alex thought it out "you mean to say the only way she can make a covenant with you is if you sleep with her?" "I do not understand what does sleep have to do with bonding" Nightmare asked. "Oh right you out of date" Alex said shaking his head "I guess you can say sleeping with someone means the same as having sex with them."

"Then yes, by your words I would have to sleep with her to make the bond but she must be of age and willing of her own free will" Nightmare said and waited for the rat to over react. "Normly I would run and get a cop but I don't know just something about this feeling I have says trust you" Alex said. "Trust me or not," Nightmare said "I cannot harm her and we must not stay here much longer." Alex looked to Sheba to see what she thought.

But she was out cold and barely breathing. "Sheba, Sheba" the young rat shook the girl. "She is weak she use most of her power if we cannot find a place for her to rest and eat she will not last long" Nightmare said lifting the child into his own arms. He pulled his robes around the child. "Come I think I know someone who can help" Alex said leading the way. The two walking quickly a few blocks down the street.

"You're not out of place being from another time" Alex asked seeing the focus Nightmare had. "I will see what this world has done after I tend to my charge." He said then sniffed the air "I know that smell." "What is it" Alex asked. "It's a brew to help a man recover from war" he said "I taught them how to make but I did not think many would still use it." "Then maybe she knows we're coming" Alex said right as a shop door open into his face.

On the other side of the door a little old owl female had open the door. "Oh, You're right time my lord" she said "oh and Alex you're here too." She said turning to the poor rat who hit the ground. "Please Tell me that Brew is ready she is in need of its aid" Nightmare said walking past the old female. "Like I said you are right on time" the old owl said. "Hey Mrs. Hoots" Alex said pulling himself up. "Oh, Hey yourself" she said before letting the door shut in his face.

Alex slipped into the little shop and followed the gray hybrid. "Ma'am may we have a bed for her to rest and restore her strength. "Yes, I thought you might need one" the owl said "and Alex you know where the kitchen is, but don't touch the apples." "Thank you Mrs. Hoots" Alex answered turning down the hall. "He's a good boy" she said "he'd be a saint if he learned some manners." "I know" Nightmare said.

"You have been gone for a very long time" she said leading the way to a guest room. "I know, I thought few if any still used the old ways" Nightmare said setting the child in the bed. Like a father he tucked her in and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. "By chance have you fed" she asked taking charge of the girl. "Little to any ma'am" he answered. "I may not be as skilled as the sisters but I think my apples should fill you" she said pushing the beast out of the room.

She led him to the kitchen to find Alex staring at the black apples left on the counter. "Lad those will kill you in the first bite" Nightmare said shaking the younger rat back to the world. "What are they" he asked trying to look away. "Oh Apples casted to take in dark energy" the old female said "not something any moral should play with." As the owl spoke she took note of Alex's right hand and the glow it was giving off.

"Alex where did you get that casting" she pointing a feather finger at his hand. "What casting, what are you talking about" he asked looking at his hand. He looked the Mrs. Hoots and then to Nightmare. "What did you do to me" he asked holding up his hand. His brown fur had turned white as the feather he had taken. Nightmare smiled before checking to see if he had room. "I told you to take a feather from under my wing" he said opening his robe and releasing his wings.

The undersides of the wings were cover in feathers burning in every color. The young rat eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "You chose a white feather, even a blind choice reflects the chooser" The older male said. "You gave him a shield of light" the old owl said turning to the young male. Alex shook his head dropping into chair. "No, no, I can't be part of this," he said clasping his head "I'm just a thief, and a killer."

"Lad, look at me" Nightmare said kneeling in front of Alex. Alex shook his head trying to keep from meeting Nightmare's eyes. "I do not see the evil you think you are" The beast spoke "I cannot feed on the darkness that is not there." "I'm not a knight" Alex said "I don't know anything about magic." "Give it time," he said standing and taking one of the black apples "but for now eat and rest, I will stay the watch."

"Sheba is safe here Alex you don't have to worry" the old widow said giving a slice of apple pie "here this has healthy apples for you." Mrs. Hoots left to take care of Sheba so the two males could eat. "So who are the sisters Mrs. Hoots mentioned" Alex quietly asked. Nightmare looked down and away before he spoke "the Bregold sisters, the last to summon me before this night." "They were real" Alex asked his eyes wide and tail flicked about.

Nightmare cocked his brow. "A story I was told as a kid" he said "The Bregold sister were so powerful they could control the Dream Eater." "That they were and highly caring females and lovers" Nightmare said thinking back on days long gone by. Alex shifted in his seat. "You made the bond with Sheba that let her awaken me" Nightmare said picking out another apple. "How all I did was promise to be there for her no matter what" he said picking up the crust of his pie.

"In the time of the Bregold sisters, words were powerful things," Nightmare said "and to a child no casting is as powerful as a promise." Alex looked at his right hand. "I don't know if I can help her anymore" he said as his mind raced through the things he had done. "Till she is of age I am to serve her" Nightmare said "but you are her knight and champion and that will never change." The young rat shook his head "I think your head still has some rocks in it."

Nightmare broke out into a deep rich laugh. "Lad if you chose to walk with her and be who she needs," Nightmare spoke "I will be there for the both of you, and on that you have my word." "Nightmare you are way out of date for this world" Alex said holding out his white hand. Nightmare thought for a moment and said "sounds like it will be fun" and took the Rat's out stretched hand. "The world won't be the same."

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Chapter 2

Sheba woke up to bits of sun light in her face. "Alex" she said voicing her first thought. "Shh, you'll wake him" the male standing by the window said "he hasn't slept in three days and he just passed out." "Who are you" she asked "why do I know you?" "Do you still remember my name" the male asked. Her nightmares flood back to her in the wake of his voice. Everything she had thought a dream was real and was talking to her.

"Nightmare" she whispered. In her hand was the golden apple she had used to summon him. She looked to a chair sitting next to the bed and the young rat sleeping soundly. In his right hand was a book. The very book she had studied to become a witch, the Bregold book of spells. But it wasn't the book that kept her light brown eyes it was the male's right hand. It had turned whiter then snow. "I... is he ok" she asked.

"He will live but for now he just needs to sleep" Nightmare answered "if you feel well enough to walk we will get you something to eat." She got out of the bed slowly still feeling a bit lightheaded. She kissed the rat on the nose and went over to the other male. They walked slowly to the kitchen of Mrs. Hoots' building. "I'm too young to make the bond" she said "and our pack is almost over." "There is still time and no one said you cannot make another before it ends" Nightmare said opening the door for her.

"And if you choose not to make another you still have your knight to guard you." "Alex is like my brother" she said in a dull voice "I mean we grew up together and all but it's not like the stories about you and the sisters." The beast blushed. "I think you might too young to be reading those stories" Nightmare said turning to the fridge. "Let us see what is in the cold maker" Nightmare said opening the door.

Sheba sat herself down at the table and found the black apples. "SHA-DE TOO BELFOR CON" the fox wolf said as she picked up an apple. The apple change to a bright red as the black poison moved to another apple making it darker. She smile and took a bite. "You know how to undone a casting" Nightmare smiled at the child's skill. "No, even the book said no casting can ever be undone," she said "but it can be moved to another."

Nightmare thought for a moment touching his finger to his nose. "If I were to break the table in half which spell would repair it best" he asked. "If all the pieces are accounted for then a simple transmutation would work best" Sheba said "but if not then next best would have to be the ..." she was stuck on the answer but she knew what it was. "Time turn spell backtrack and undo the damage by moving the table trough time."

"Well done" he said "if this house caught fire, how would you put it out?" "Easy, the Hydro rain spell or for speed the Hydro flash spell" the girl answered. "Nicely done" he said thinking of the question. "Can I ask you a question" she asked. "By all means" he said nodding. "Were they beautiful" she asked. "Like the dawn over the snow covered mountains of their home land" he said recalling the Bregold sisters in his mind.

"Nightmare," she asked shyly "if I was older would you have made a covenant with me?" "You are young and should not think of such things" he answered. "Oh, Sheba you're awake" the old owl said walking into the kitchen. "Alright potions" Nightmare said "how would you make a potion to take ten years off Mrs. Hoots' age?" "First I would start with boiling a mix of pig's fat, milk and wartwood sap till it turned clear.

Then I would grid up fifteen rose buds and three lily blooms in honey before adding it to the pot but after taking it off the fire. If done right the mix will turn red. Then let stand in the pot for three days or till it turns white. Add a pinch of salt and the mix will turn gold." She said "the book said it works best if drunken with unsweetened tea." "You read the book cover to cover and can recall almost any of its contents" Nightmare touching his finger to his lips.

"Oh such a clever little thing" Mrs. Hoots said moving closer to the girl. Nightmare's nose picked up the scent of blood on the old female. "SHEBA, NIGHTMARE" Alex yelled from down the hall. "Sheba, Nightmare" Alex yelled as he ran down the hallway "Mrs. Hoots is dead, someone killed her." Nightmare was fast enough to get between the fake and the girl. "DREAMCATCHER," the rat yelled when he saw the fake "REPEL!"

His right hand had flashed as he held it up. A bolt of white light shot out from his hand and threw the fake Mrs. Hoots out the window. He stopped in the doorway his gun in his left and his right hand glowing. "Sheba, are you ok" Alex asked turning to watch the front door. "I'm fine, Alex" she said. Nightmare turned to the broken window.

Sheba gasped and back away from the beast. The fake Mrs. Hoots got Nightmare in the side with a black steel dagger. Sliver fluid dripped from the wound. The drops that hit the ground burned the floor and ate away at it. Nightmare looked to his side and saw the handle. "Lucky bastard" he said pulling the dagger out. The blade was gone before he dropped the handle. Nightmare held his side till the wound closed.

"What is that stuff" the girl asked still backing away from him. "My blood" he answered "also called nightmare's revenge." "Alex where is the book" Nightmare asked. "I have it on me" the rat answered. "Good then we are leaving" Nightmare said "and before you fight me on this think about it." "That's why I packed it in my bag and some clothes as well" he said showing them the bag. Nightmare packed all the black apples and what food he could fit in the other bags.

With the bags packed and his wound healed Nightmare stopped and sniffed the air. "Alex we're not alone" he said pushing Sheba next to the rat. "Dreamcatcher" he said "Avalon." The two were in closed by a white light that turned to a glass shell. "The boyhood knight casts his spells as the little witch hides, the beast is weakened but still stands this must be a great day for us" the sounds of a thousand voices called out all at once.

"Pack show yourself" Nightmare commanded. "Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare, still thinks you're so scary" the voices played on. A ghastly white cloud poured in the window. Pooling into the form of a girl half Sheba's age. "Nightmare who is she" Alex asked. "That isn't a she that is the Pack" he answered "a creature much like myself." The ghostly child was a minx of a cat with fur to cloud she was dressed in.

"The child is lucky, our master only wishes us greet only to say" the twisted souls sang "if the last of the gold blood make the token packed with you she will be first on the list." Nightmare looked through the ghost. "It is her right to make a packed with any of us she likes" the beast said taking on his monstrous form. "Then you know the mortals seek the king" the ghost sang in key "to see whose demon has such power."

Nightmare shook his head as his ear twitched. He heard something outside the window. "Pack, you know something" Nightmare said "You really need to clear your head, that many voices, makes it so hard to hear." The beast leaned to one side judge his aim. "What game do you think you would play on us" The ghost retorted. "Hide and seek" he said "we'll hide and they can seek you." "What do you mean" the ghost whined.

"I mean good bye" the beast said and threw himself at the glass ball growing in size. Holding the ball best he could he threw himself out the shop's front window. Once outside a rain of gun fire came about. Nightmare took hold of the ball with Sheba and Alex inside and beat his wings to leave the ground. Once they were safely in the sky Nightmare turned to the rat and hybrid. "We have much to discuss" he said "but given fear of falling to one's death would tighten one's lips."

Alex said nothing and held Sheba close. "Nightmare, please don't be mad at him" Sheba said holding Alex tighter. Nightmare tightened his face and looked back to the sky. With his power he cloaked them from sight. They flew over a forest just outside the city. It was there Nightmare set down and stood the ball upright. His back and sides were covered in his sliver blood. He sighed before falling to the ground.

"Dreamcatcher" Alex said "release." The shield was gone in a flash of light. The rat had to hold the girl back from the wound beast. "Shebs, I don't think there is anything we can do for him now" Alex said hanging his head. "But He is Nightmare the beast older then the mountains" the girl cried. "And he was stabbed and shot trying to protect you" Alex spoke coldly. "Then let me help him" she cried. "Will the both of you quiet down" the beast spoke in heavy breathes "I just need to rest and feed."

"All the food is still at the shop" Alex said "even the apples." The beast chuckled and said "I do not need the apples to feed. Just let me rest for now." "Hey Shebs, this place isn't too far from where I took you camping" Alex said to the child. Her eyes lit up as she nodded. "Think you can find that cave we stayed in when that storm hit" he asked. And the girl nodded her head as her tail beat side to side. He stopped and thought a moment.

"And when I find it I'll come back for you" she said. "And if you get lost" the rat asked. The young fox wolf pulled the golden apple from her robe. "I can find you with this" she said before skipping off. He watched the girl run off into the woods. Once she was gone he turned back to Nightmare who sat himself up. "We both know we're not saints" Alex said "and we both know you lied to her." Nightmare looked down.

"Your pack with her ended the minute she woke up" the young male said. "And I thought you knew nothing of the old ways" Nightmare shot back. "Who do you think taught her the spells" he answered. "You want to know why I stayed" the beast answered. "Yeah, that and some other things" the rat said. "She reminds me of them when they were her age" the beast spoke "so care free and loving."

"I stayed because I am alone" the beast said wincing from pain. "The city was picked to hold this thing call the king of demons. The criminal leaders have gotten in on the act and everyone is summoning demons. Jessica needed a witch to summon you because she doesn't have any power. And the deal I made with her was. I get her a powerful demon she would take care of Sheba for the rest of her life" Alex said laying all his cards out.

"But there is something you have missed" Nightmare said "the demon is just a servant not champion." This took Alex by surprise. "The demon is the shield and the champion is the sword and the caster is the power" Nightmare said his eye caught by the fang hanging around Alex's neck. "What" the young male asked "shield sword power what are you talking about?" "If Jessica knew the old ways she would know that she needed the three of us not just me" the beast said checking his wounds.

"Ok, what about the token thing the creepy kid was talking about" Alex asked seeing what was weakening the beast. "When the caster, the champion and the servant make a covenant to a master the token is form. But it stays with the caster" Nightmare answered. "Like a game" Alex said "hang on you still have that knife in your side." Without a thought Alex grabbed the blade with his right hand and pulled as hard as he could.

Nightmare cried out and slammed his massive claw hand in Alex's chest, in response. Alex was thrown back and landed in a mound of dead leaves the dragger's blade in his hand. "Are you hurt" Nightmare asked fearful he killed the lad. With a cough and a deep breath Alex sat up. "I'm lucky you didn't slice me up" he said looking at his shredded coat. "Please forgive me" Nightmare said. "Why" Alex said holding up the melting blade.

Nightmare looked to his side and to the lad's hand. "How are you holding that with my blood coating it" the beast asked. "Dreamcatcher" the lad answered. "That blade has dark magic within it" Nightmare said. Alex looked to the beast. "Can we do anything about it" Alex asked. The beast shook his head. "Dreamcatcher, repel" he said and shot the blade far away. Alex checked his twenty-two. "I got half a clip left" he said putting the weapon away. Nightmare looked at the gun before Alex put it away.

"It launches burning metal bolts" he asked. "Yeah I guess you could put it that way" Alex said "but I'm almost out of rounds." "Repel and Avalon are not the only commands your shield has" Nightmare said. "What like sit stay roll over" Alex joked. Nightmare evened his look. "Make a fist and punch the tree behind you" Nightmare said "but command it to break the tree." "This is going to hurt" Alex said getting to his feet.

He turned to the tree and balled up his fist. He showed it to the beast and turned back to the tree. "Dreamcatcher" he said pulling back his fist "break it." his hand didn't light up and the rat hit the tree and screamed. "It is powered by faith." the beast said "Think about having Avalon around your hand and strike the tree." "Avalon in my hand" Alex said "sounds more like a jaw breaker than anything."

Alex thought it would be funny to try it anyway. He balled up his fist again and pulled it back. "DREAMCATCHER" he yelled "BREAKER!" he let loose with everything he had. His hand lit up into a comet as his fist flew. He hit the tree as hard as he could. But when he opened his eyes the tree had broken and started falling away from them. "We have found your third command" the beast said rising to his feet.

Alex knew Nightmare was big. But what he didn't know was Nightmare could stand on his hind legs and almost as tall as a small house. The rat felt smaller next to the beast before it dropped down to all fours. "I still can't believe you can do that" he said looking around. Nightmare sniffed the air. "Shebs should have been back by now" Alex said. "She is fine" Nightmare said following his nose. "How can you tell" the lad asked following the beast.

"I can smell her" the beast answered. "I think I need to go find her" Alex said. "We will find her" Nightmare said. "You don't have to do anything remember" Alex said. "And you would have me leave a child alone in the wood" Nightmare turned and growled at Alex. "Listen well young knight, I don't take orders unless compelled to do so" Nightmare growled "and I will be damn to let a child like you to tell me what I can or cannot do with my time."

Alex fell back fearful of the beast. "Ok, ok, ok I'm sorry" he said holding his arms up. Nightmare's tail flicked out and grabbed Alex by the arm. With next to no force the beast lifted the rat back to his feet. The beast turned back to the path and followed the girl's scent again. Alex followed him quietly. "The fang around your neck where did you find it" Nightmare asked. "Same place Shebs went to go find" he answered.

Alex was getting a bad feeling something wasn't right it had been too quiet. His hand went to the gun and started follow his gut more than the beast. "Lad, what troubles you" Nightmare asked turning his head. "Listen" he said. "I hear nothing" the beast said. "Case in point" Alex said drawing the gun and cocking it "no birds, no bugs, nothing." Nightmare's tail caught Alex around the waist and lifted the rat over his back.

Alex was dropped on the beast's back just above his wings. "Hold tight" Nightmare said breaking out into a run. The beast tore through the brush like it was nothing and smash through branches and small trees like they were not even there. Alex held on the best he could with one hand his gun in his free hand. "SHEBA" he called out fearing the worse. Nightmare picked up the scent of a male with Sheba and commanded his legs to move faster.

"What's a sweet thing like you doing all the way out here where no one can hear you" the male's voice could be heard as Nightmare slowed. The male was a large gray wolf dress in just faded blue jeans. The male wolf was easily twice Alex's size. "I'm not alone" Sheba said fearlessly "and I don't need or want your help." "Oh my sure you will be fine but I just thought you would want someone to play with" the male said pulling a hunting knife from his belt.

"Come on now girlie" he said turning the blade in his hand "Play with me and I'll let you go." "I said no" the child answered drawing her power. Alex took aim with his gun. One clean shot would do the trick. "Doesn't matter you're alone right now and who knows your friends might find you sooner or later" the wolf said grabbing the girl. Alex took the shot and everything froze. Sheba had closed her eyes just as she heard the shot.

"That was a warning," Alex said his tone much deeper "next one goes through your eye." His shot broke the knife and the wolf stood there frozen. "Now get away from my sister" the young rat said holding up his right hand. "Make me boy" the wolf snarled. Nightmare smiled baring his fangs. "Foolish mortal" his said his tail lashing out. The tail grabbed the girl and pulled her free of the wolf. "DREAMCATCHER," Alex commanded "REPEL!"

---

Chapter 3

They found the cave and stood outside it. Nightmare let Sheba and Alex off his back before dropping the wolf who tried to attack the girl. The male woke when his back hit the ground. His arms and legs tied so all he could do was inch around. The last thing the wolf recalled was the rat saying something and getting with a wall. "Untie me you little" the wolf said when his eyes meet with the beast's gaze.

"Mind yourself, there is a child present" Nightmare said standing over the male. "Just let me go" the wolf quietly begged. "I may have use for you if for nothing more than to feed from" the beast said turning to the young two "we should check the cave to see if it will be safe for the time being." They both nodded. The beast turned back to the male a growled low and deep before heading to the mouth of the cave.

Just the three entered the cave Nightmare hit something hard like a wall. It was much like the shield Alex had and as the beast turned his head he saw a mark on the wall. "Could it be," he said to himself "brother I understand." "Nightmare, are you coming" Alex asked. "No, this place is safe for the time be," he answered "and I still need to feed." The young rat shook his head and turned back to the fox-wolf next to him.

"Come on we might find more of those teeth" he said taking her mind off of the demon. They thought the cave was going to get darker but unlike before there was a light coming from a deeper part of the cave. "Hello" Alex called his gun in hand. They could hear the chime of metal hitting metal and the roar of a fire. They followed the sound till they found a wall of heat. Alex told Sheba to stay where she was.

"Hello" he asked again. "Blacken steel melted red," a voice sang "hammer to place in the forge's hearth." It was a male singing. The male himself was standing over something beating with a gold hammer. The male had metal like scales and glowed in a silver light that mixed with the fire he worked. "Mortals in the forge," something hissed "Mortals have found the forge!" "If mortals are here then they were to find it, my little friend" the male said "but seeing as one bares a casting born of my brother means he too is not far from here."

"Nightmare has a brother" Alex said. The male hammered away as if the rat was never there. "A young witch and her knight, what would have me do" hissed the smaller voice. "Drake, if you think as to whom the casting came from means your master waits for you." The metal male spoke. Alex couldn't help but stare. "What are you" he asked. "The same as my brother young knight" the male said "but as you call him Nightmare you may call me Daydream."

"Next you're going to tell me you have a sister name fantasy" the young rat jokingly said with a nervous laugh. "No, our other brother is called Wishmaker" Daydream answered "but all the same, if you have found me then you are here for more than chit chat." "I don't even know how we got here" Alex said. He looked around only to see stone of the cave. "Boy knight don't you have a name" the small voice hissed.

"Alex" he answered "and you would be?" a small back creature flue across the open floor of the cave and landed on the younger male's shoulder. It looked like a snake with webbed arms that looked like wings. "I am Drake the Beast, the Black Blade of Chaos" the creature answered with a small croak. The metal lizard set the piece of metal into fires of the forge before closing its gate. The air cooled and drew dark without the flames.

"And before you ask yes he is a weapon made by our father" the metal lizard said turning to face the young rat. Alex's eyes jumped when he saw the front of Daydream's head. He had no face no mouth or eyes, not even a nose. All he had was a black cross where his right eye would be. "Child witch, child witch" the small winged snake called "it is safe for you now." "Alex" the young hybrid called. "It's ok Sheba," he called "you can come closer."

Daydream's body glowed even without the light from the fire. Sheba came into the opening and stared at the faceless male. He turned his head so the black cross was looking at her. "I bid you good day of days, keeper of the star forge" she said dipping into a small curtsy. "Honor and grace be bless to you young caster" he answered bowing his head and chest. "Star forge," Alex said "like the one from the bedtime story?"

"You know of the forge my father has left to me" Daydream asked turning to the younger male. "Only the story I use to read to Sheba when she was little" he answered "just that it had this magic that would bring life to anything it made." "I see," the faceless Daydream said "even to this day my father's legacy stands." "Then that means you're one of the sons of the Caretaker" Alex said turning to Sheba. The young girl looked to her brother.

"Sheba this is Nightmare's brother" he said. "MEEP" another hiss joined them. "Yes Toot-tun" Daydream said holding up the hammer as it slid down his arm. The hammer had morphed into a small golden snake and coiled itself around Daydream's arm. "He likes you" Daydream said letting his arm down. Daydream was tall and wide. He looked more like a metal wall then a male. "Before you ask any question I am not as wise as my brothers and I stay more to the forge than speak to others" Daydream said.

"We have no Questions to ask expect how did we find you" Sheba said taking out a small note book. "Easy you found me for your token" he answered and hand her a gold medallion. "Wait we can't take that" Alex protested "We're not part of this game." Daydream threw his head back and laughed. "No, then who's mark is on the token" the metal male asked pointing a long thin finger at the medallion. On the face of the medallion were three markings.

The Bloodgold crest, a dream catcher and a broken star. Alex shook his head. "Lad you must face the dark truth" Daydream said resting a lager hand on the young rat's shoulder "you are part of this just as much as she." "No, no, no" Alex said pushing the male away and raising the gun "I won't let her be part of this she should never have to see bloodshed." "Alex, listen to me" Daydream spoke softly his deep voice kind and gentle "this is the way of things."

"No, this is whatever devil spat you out idea of a good time" Alex shouted. "If it where up to me I would not have to give her or any other such things" the metal lizard said. "Then take it away from her" Alex demanded. "I cannot" the other answered. Alex took the piece of gold and threw it down to the floor of the cave. "There just pick it up and we're gone" he said taking Sheba's hand. "It is not mine to take" Daydream answered "nor do I have the power to remove its marks."

Alex turned the gun to the coin and shot at it. He fired a round into each mark then another and another. Each round left not even a scratched on the metal. Soon the gun clicked and clicked hoping for one more shot. "Heavens be damned" Alex shouted and threw the gun across the cave. Daydream stood there resting his hands on his hips. "Lad, your gun can't do anything to it" Daydream said "Fate has dealt you your hand."

The metal lizard turned and pulled out two small eggs of some kind. One was colored in hues of flame and the other black with swirls of red. "I cannot change what fate has done but I can help change what can be done" he said "but I cannot just give them to you." "Give what" Alex said turning his eyes to the eggs "colored eggs." "No," Drake said "they are children of the forge, powerful tools to aid those who bare them."

"Like you, a snake with wings" Alex spat. "I am a Dragon I will have you know" the small snake spat back small flames following his hiss. "Besides we don't have any money" Alex said. "I don't have much," Sheba said digging in her pockets. "Money means nothing to me" Daydream said "but that demon fang may have some use to me." "This" Alex said pointing at the fang hanging around his neck "Sheba found it in this cave."

"The one you have will do just fine" Daydream answered. "It was a gift I'm not going to give it up" the young rat said. The black cross turned to the young male and study him. "I offer power in exchange for a trinket" the lizard said "and you say no to me." Alex turned to Sheba and back to the lizard. "I don't want power" he said "I just want to protect my sister." There was no way to tell what the male was thinking given he had no face to speak of.

The cross turned to Sheba and he asked "what would you be willing to give for the power I offer?" she shook her head. "Alex is right," she said pulling her coat tighter "I have nothing that can equal this power and I know it will undo me if I take it." "Wise beyond your years" the metal one said withdrawing the eggs "a test passed by so few." "I'm sorry we took up your time sir" Alex said putting his arm around the young hybrid.

Daydream held out the eggs one more time. "You may have them" he said. The two looked to each other and back to the male. "A gift from one brother to another" Daydream said putting the black egg in Alex's hand "use this to protect those you love." The egg was hot and cold at the same time. The egg quaked in the rat's hand. The small snake dragon smiled and chirped. The demon turned to the child and handed her the flame red egg.

"With this light your way in the dark and it will keep to you" he said ruffled the fur of her head. A tendril reached from Daydream's back and plucked the gold coin from the ground. "I do not have the answers you want but know this" he said as the tendril set the coin in the rat's free hand "till a pack is made she does not need to hold the token." Unwilling Alex put the coin in his pocket and looked at his egg and the male who had given it to him.

"There is work to be done and so this is where we part" Daydream said turning back to his forge. Alex and Sheba both bowed and left the demon to his work. As they left the cave they could hear the demon singing again "Blacken steel melted red hammered to place the forge's hearth." The cave had gotten darker and they couldn't see. "We need a light" Alex said. "You have light in your hand" the snake dragon hissed.

Alex looked at his hand asking "Dreamcatcher?" "Daydream was glowing in the dark" Sheba said. Alex thought about it. "Dreamcatcher" he said holding up his hand "Day..." before he finished his thought his hand lit up with a bright glow. "Wow" he mouthed as he led the way out of the cave. Something the size of Nightmare would stand out in the woods. But as Sheba, Alex and the small serpent dragon exit the cave they found both the demon and wolf missing.

Alex raised his hand again waved it around. "Nightmare" Sheba called. "I am over here, little one" the beast answered. They found the beast lying next to a tree cleaning his tail with his tongue. The light gray wolf lying limp next to the demon. Alex put his arm between the fox-wolf child and the blacked coat demon. "He lives" Nightmare answered "just sleeping off the effects of my feeding." "Master" the small dragon hissed leaping from the rat's shoulder.

"Drake" the demon asked as the smaller creature landed on its master's head. The dragon chirped and growled playfully on the demon's head. "Nightmare why did you untie him" Alex asked pointing to the sleeping wolf. "Because he is no threat" the demon answered. A small flick of the demon's tail woke the wolf. "What, I'm not ready to go again," the wolf said "my back hurts." "Master you have powerful friends at such young ages" the dragon hissed.

Alex shook his head from what the wolf said and turned back to the demon. "I'm not his friend" the rat said "I don't even know what to make of him." "Boy Knight, my master doesn't give such powerful castings to those he see doesn't as friend" Drake hissed. "It's ok Alex," Sheba said pulling on the rat's sleeve "if he was evil then he would have killed me the second I set him free." "He was under contract to keep you alive" Alex said "a contract that had been broken when you woke up this morning."

"No it's not Alex" Sheba said "if it was then why is his mark on the coin?" "I don't know" he answered. "Alex, Nightmare is a good person" the child said "he is loving and kind." "Sheba he's a demon" Alex retorted. "And what about his brother Daydream" the fox-wolf shot. "He's a demon too" the rat chided. "Alex," the child said "he gave me his true name, and there is nothing more important to a demon then their name."

"All the more reason to kill you" Alex said. "Will you shut up" the wolf said rolling over "If you knew the stories about Nightmare you would know he can't hurt children and can't kill anyone who is pure and if anything he would be taking care of her like she was his own child." "Who asked you anyway" Alex shat at the wolf "dirty piece of trash." "Look kid I don't give a damn about what's going on" the wolf said standing up "but if the kid trusts this beast then maybe you should do the same."

Alex shook it off rubbing his head. The grip on the egg had gotten tighter. "Louis, they're hungry and tiered" Nightmare said "By chance would you have food and a place to rest?" the wolf nodded. "Yeah, my place isn't far from here" he said getting his bearings. "It's about an hour's walk from here" Louis said pointing into the woods "that way." "Then let us make way" Nightmare said rising to his feet. He lowered back down so Sheba could sit on his back.

"Louis, I know that name from somewhere" Alex said. "Well if you're this Alex guy I heard about then you should know me" the wolf said. "I don't think so" the young rat answered. "You're Alex Greenvolt, right" the wolf asked. "Yeah, how did you know my name" he asked. "Jessica called me the other day told me to find you" the wolf answered. "I told her not to seek us out" Nightmare said shaking his head slowly.

"She said something about hiding you from someone" Louis went on "didn't tell me much else." "Sorry I acted that way back there" he added "being out here all the time makes one lose their mind." "Wait you're Louis Wilds, Jessica's top hit man" the Rat shouted. "Was, I'm retired" the wolf said jumping over a downed tree. Alex had to work his way over the thick tree, as where Nightmare just stepped over it.

"Now she has me babysitting" Louis went on "by the way kid you got some skill with a gun." "It was just luck." The rat said. "Luck has nothing to do with it" the older wolf said as he led the way "I know a marksman when I see one." "I mean not to draw you deeper into my world but he would do better with a bow or sword" the demon said easily walking through the brush. "Jess, told me about him" the wolf said "he's better with a gun than anything else."

They came to a small road that leaded back to the city. "Well, if you go that way you'll find a gas station about four miles down the road" the wolf said pointing to one end of the road and began to walk the other way. "Where are you going' Alex asked. "I'm going home" Louis said "I'm not babysitting a freak show." "Whatever" Alex said and turned to walk the other way. "Alex" Sheba said looking at her rat brother.

"Shebs, we are in over our heads here" Alex said "and I don't think we can trust him." "I know but" the young hybrid said "just have a bad feeling." The young rat turned and walked over to his sister and patted her on the knee. "It's ok kiddo, I'm still here" he said and gave a reassuring smile. The wolf stopped a few yards away. Nightmare's ears turned and head twisted. Something in Alex's gut was telling him to run.

"Nightmare" he said turning around holding up his right hand. "I know" the demon answered. "I hate Mondays" the wolf said taking a few steps back. "Neltatel" The demon spoke flaring his wings. "Norcontol" a voice hissed and crackled. "Nightmare what's going on" the young rat asked turning his head and hand to every sound he heard. The beast spoke to the hiss in a tongue no mortal could understand.

The hiss answered the beast the same way. "Alex, Nightmare I'm scared" Sheba said holding onto the beast tighter. The shrill of a thousand voices crying out all at once echoed down the road. "Doratyl cor to vel" the hissed asked. "Con ko vin toa bie" Nightmare answered. "Come little children, come and play" the voices sang "come little children, come and play, we can have fun tearing you apart limb from limb.

"Not her again" Alex cursed. Nightmare's head whipped back and forth. Out of nowhere something almost as big as Nightmare landed next to Alex. It was big black and armored. The two monsters regarded each other. "Kona, kona, tel ba toa bea doka" the gaint crab hissed. "Tol kae war to vye ortha" Nightmare answered. "If he's telling us to get out of here I agree" Alex said holding out his hand like a gun.

Nightmare looked at the rat then to the crab. The crab nodded its armored head and pointed away from the voices. Nightmare shook his head and said "wayto boe tel ba too too aino." "I don't think we can go that way ether" the wolf said backing up till he was next to the beast. "Day of days" Nightmare said. It was too late to run. The small ghost cat had found them. "It's the pack" Alex said. "Alex, do not move" Nightmare said "No one move." "Nightmare we see you still live" the child sang "what a shame."

---

Chapter 4

The ghostly cat stopped walking sing her little song. Meanwhile at the other end of the road a small army marched unevenly down the road. The smell of rotten flesh filled the air and was thick with decay. In lead of this force was what looked to be a rat whose face was half melted away. With a wave of its hand the flanks of death came to a halt. "What a sight" it said taking in the scene. "Leanch" Nightmare spat.

"Friend of yours" Louis asked. "Hardly" the beast answered "he's a soul sucking corpse that never seems to die fully." "Nightmare, get Sheba out of here" Alex said. "Neltatel, What did you find" a female voice could be heard from the wood across the road. "Tel fo woqu felyo" the crab demon answered. A female bear the size of the wolf stepped out of the brush holding a battle ax in one hand and a shot gun in the other.

"Aw, shit" the brown bear said turning her head to see the number of demons on the road. The bear's eyes locked on the little hybrid who was trying to hid deep within her cloak. "I take it she's with you" Alex asked the crab demon, who nodded a yes. "She friendly" the young rat asked. The crab held up his pincer claw and gave it a "so-so" shake. The standoff wouldn't last much longer. "Give us the child" Pack sang "and you may all leave."

"I don't think so Pack" the undead rat said "the child witch is coming with me." "OVER MY DEAD BODY" Alex yelled. Both demons smiled. "I like the way you think kid" the undead rat said waving his hand "kill them and bring me the girl alive." "Dreamcatcher" Alex commanded "repel." His white hand lit up as a beam of white light shot from his finger at the ghost cat. But in that same moment three ghostly beams shot back at him from the ghost cat.

One got the young rat in the shoulder, chest and leg. "Hay why did the demon cross the road" the bear yelled before firing her gun at the corpse army. The crab demon turn to the rat knowing the young male was hurt. It ducked down and scooped him up cutting him free from the beams that hold him, with the tail that grew from the back of its head. "To get the hell out of here" the bear yelled lopping off one of the zombie heads with the ax.

The three of them ran for and past the bear as she follow suit. They ran past a group of trees well marked with ruins that formed a line. "MICHAEL, CLOSE IT" the bear yelled. Just as the bear's foot cross the line a bright light flashed. "Thank you ma'am" Nightmare and Sheba said at the same time. "Neltatel how is he" the bear asked knowing the crab was caring the young rat. "Lea coe wif noc toa lefor" the demon answered.

"Think he can make it to the camp" she asked. The crab nodded and added "gota focon." "Nightmare what is he saying" Sheba asked fearful for her brother. "Alex is hurt but he is still alive but we must make hast" the beast answered. Short of running the group moved quickly to reach the camp site. "Alice you're back" a white weasel spoke, wearing an odd set of clothes with a tall top hat on his head.

"Yes, Michael we're back and thank you for the barrier sexy" the bear answered and gave the smaller weasel a kiss on the cheek. The weasel blushed dark enough that it could be seen through his fur. "Neltatel" the weasel asked "who are your friends?" "Talk later, one of the kids is hurt badly" Alice answered digging through one of their packs. "Neltatel could you lay him in the tent please" Michael asked leading the crab demon into the tent.

Sheba jumped off of Nightmare's back and ran for the tent. Nightmare's long black tail followed quickly after. She was about to reach the tent when the tail caught her and pulled her away. "Sheba, leave this to them they will care for Alex" Nightmare said pulling the girl under his wing. "I won't leave him" She protested "He would be there for me." "But he would also know not to get in the way" Nightmare retorted.

The young hybrid continued to struggle till she found a deep feather with her hand. "I'm sorry Nightmare but I can't just sit here and do nothing" she said and yanked on the feather as hard as she could. The beast roared in pain as one of his flight feathers was ripped out forcing him to open his wing. Once free she ran from the beast the feather still in her left hand. Nightmare was about to give chase till he saw the feather and what color it was.

"Sheba" he called after her "be careful." The hybrid didn't look back and ran past the crab demon sitting next to the tent. "Alice I can't stop the bleeding" Michael said pressing down on the rat's shoulder. "I think his lung collapsed" the bears answered trying to get the rat to breath. "Alex" Sheba gasped dropping next to her older brother. The weasel stopped thoughtlessly and stared at the child's hand.

All but forgetting what he was doing. "MICHAEL" the bear growled. "White hand, blue hand, white hand, blue hand" he said over and over again. "Michael focus" the bear chide again. "Blue hand heal, heal, heal, healer, healer, heal her, heal him" the weasel's mind overloaded itself. "Shit we're going to lost both of them" the bear said. "Cast, cast caster child, rain fall drowns the flames of pain bring life renew" the weasel said before his mind clapped and returned him.

"You, repeat after me" he said pointing at the hybrid. "Michael we don't have time for this" the bear said trying to hold all three wounds closed by herself. "Repeat after me" he said again "Rain fall restore." "Damnit, kid just do what he said so he'll knock it off and help" Alice roared. Sheba picked up Alex's hand and held it close to her heart. "Rainfall" she said tears rolling down her cheeks "Restore." Before Alice could say anything the young rat's body glowed with a clear blue light.

Michael pulled Alice off the rat. The weasel smiled as they watched the small witch use a powerful magic that had been lost for ages. "He who was born of the night sky will walk on the earth" the weasel said. He shook his head and turn to the young rat lying on the ground. With a sharp gasp Alex shot up gripping at his chest with his free hand. "WHERE'S NIGHTMARE" he hissed. "Alex, it's ok" Sheba said putting her hand on his shoulder.

"No, I have to talk to Nightmare" Alex said trying to get his feet under him. Alice turned and with little more force than needed pushed the younger rat back down on the sleeping bag. "You almost die and the kid here just saved your ass" the bear said with a death stare into the rat's soul "you need to rest, so stay there." "But I need to talk to Nightmare" the rat begged. "Then we will get him for you" the weasel said tipping his hat.

"Alex, you're scaring me" the hybrid said. "Alex, what happen" Nightmare questioned as he entered the tent in his own hybrid form. "I don't know" the rat said shaking his head "this voice kept say 'find the hunted vixen' over and over again." "Hunted vixen" the demon mused the words rubbing his jaw. "Michael said something about he who was born of the night sky walking the Earth" the youngest of the three said.

"We will think more on this another time" the demon said "but first you both need to rest." "Sheba, what happen to your hand" the rat asked looking at the hybrid's water color hand. "I pulled on one of Nightmare's feathers and then my hand turned blue. Michael called it Rainfall" she answered. "Nor con vintelo" the crab demon asked from outside the tent. "What" Alex asked. "Nor con vintelo" the demon answered but louder.

"That didn't help" Alex remarked. "He asked 'num thy hunger" Nightmare rephrased "or are you hungry?" "Ok if this king of demons thing sets teams against each then why are they being so nice to us" Alex asked. "Because your team hasn't started yet" Alice answered opening the tent. "Started yet" the rat asked. "I don't know we'll have to ask Michael when he gets back" she answered. Nightmare pulled the young rat to his feet and led them from the tent.

The weasel was sitting in front of a fire blankly staring into the flames. "You said he left" Alex asked pointing to the entranced weasel. "Yeah, well he does that he might not be back for an hour or so" the bear answered as she sat next to the smaller weasel. Alex still couldn't wrap his mind around what she said. "His mind is elsewhere" another voice added "finding answers again, young knight." Sheba looked around to see where this new voice came from leaving only the crab demon to be the only other one there.

"If you could speak our language then why wait till now to use it" Alex asked. "Own reasons" it answered. "Never mind that, foods ready eat before it gets cold" Alice cut in handing each a cup a stew. Nightmare wasted no time on manors before engulfing his meal in one gulp. "Your friend there is a weird one" Alice remarked to Sheba about the demon before spooning hers with cooling breaths. "He has death for blood boiled water won't harm him" the crab spoke dipping his tail into his cup.

"I take it you two know each other" Alex asked. "I know of him but we have never met before this day" the crab answered. "My father knew his father long before we were around" Nightmare said setting the cup aside. The demons regarded each other again. Before more questions about the demon's past could be asked the weasel gasped as he woke from his trance. Alice grabbed the weasel to keep him from falling and whispered in his ear.

He blinked and nodded. When he relaxed the bear released him. His hands shifted as he pointed around. "You call three minutes," he said and pointed to the rat "list, list, list, make a list check it twice." "Michael slow down" Alice said putting one of her arms around the weasel and held him close. "He's a seer" Sheba said "but his visions coasted a lot of his mind." "Yeah, but I'm hoping that one day I can have him back for good" Alice answered with a sad smile "sometimes they're kind to him."

The weasel started shaking. He seemed to be trying to get his thoughts together. "Mother worries, children lost, darkness guards, stand alone, he is on the march" Michael said holding his head. "Michael, stay with me" Alice whispered holding him closer "please stay with me." Nightmare frowned and looked away. "If Wishmaker was here he could help ease your lover's pain" the demon said. Sheba looked to each of them.

"I don't know if it would work but maybe I can help" she said holding up her left hand. The bear shook her head "he is too far gone for your tricks." "Nightmare, can you feed off him" Alex asked seeing what the hybrid was thinking. The demon mused the idea before shaking his head. "It would kill him if I tried. "Only Wishmaker would know how to help him" the demon answered. "I call bull shit on that" the rat spat.

The group turned to look to the young rat. "I trust Sheba to know what she is doing," Alex went on "and you know how deep this thing goes, and I think we have everything we need." The weasel was still shaking, it was painful to watch. Alex dug in his bag and pulled out a small book. He scanned through it till he found what he was looking for. "We met a solder today, he was in a great deal of pain" he read aloud "Nightmare said the solder was being attacked by a demon from inside. He walked us through expelling it and healing the solder as he face the demon."

Nightmare frowned "They had far more training then Sheba and their bodies could handle that much power." "I can't ask you to do this" Alice said "as much as I want him back I won't ask anyone to risk themselves for us." "I know that's why we're not going to risk anything" Alex said with a grin cross his face. They all look to him again. He held up the egg he had. "Like I said we have everything we need" he smiled.

---

Chapter 5

Moments later Alex had set up a full ritual circle with the help of the two demons. "If I read it right, we can use this circle like a grounding wire for any overload" Alex said finishing the last of the markings. "Alex where did you learn about this ring" Nightmare asked "I had never seen it in the book." "I'm not sure I just know this is the one to use" the rat answered. Michael was balled up next to the fire crying with Sheba sitting next to him.

"I don't think this is going to work" Alice digressed as she watched the young rat work. Alex stopped looked around and up at the sky. "Ok places everyone" he said. Blinks and odd looks came from everyone with eyes. "Nightmare you stand here facing this way" he said moving the demon into place. Sheba helped Michael over to them. "Neltatel, you're over here" he said leading the crab to his spot. In all honesty Alex had no clue what he was doing he just knew how it all fit.

"Michael, can I use your hat please" he asked. The weasel took the top hat off and handed it to the rat. He took the gold coin from his pocket and dropped it into the hat. Thoughtlessly the weasel did the same. "Your rings, and Sheba we need the apple" he said. They each added to the hat. "Alice you're right here" Alex said and motion for her to kneel. "Michael, you're here" he said having the weasel lay down with his head in Alice's lap.

He set the top hat on Michael's chest and set the black and red egg in the weasel's hand. He motion for Sheba to do the same. Sheba mirrored her brother as they knelt down and set one hand on the weasel's shoulders and the over on the top hat. "I still don't see what your plan is" Alice said petting Michael's head to help keep him calm. "I'm not sure how I know this but if I'm right," the rat answered "we can draw out the backlog of energy he has and feed it to the eggs and if there is something else hiding in there we can flush it out."

"That's nice and all but how do you plan on getting this thing to work" the bear asked. Nightmare's voice came softly in song. Each note put all of them at ease. The lines and markings of the circle began to glow. Sheba repeated each note joining the demon in song. Alex did the same as well and Alice. Michael's body stiffened as his eyes went blank his jaw hung open. One by one gaseous clouds poured from the weasel maw.

Soon twelve gaseous forms stood over them. The eggs glowed as the thirteenth cloud spent its way from the weasel. Nightmare nodded to Alice who closed the weasel's mouth. "Who are you to summon us" one of the clouds spoke its voice deep and dark. "You are bringing harm to a gently soul and that I cannot allow" Nightmare said. "He had made his choice long ago" the cloud answered "Now be gone dream eater."

"What pack has he made with the links," Nightmare asked "that needs thirteen of you?" "He threw his life to us as payment for his lover" it answered. The dark cloud turned to the rat and spoke "Knight of the child lift his shirt." Alex pulled the weasel's shirt as high as he could. "As you can see he had been shot thirteen times in the heart" the cloud said. The bald scars counted thirteen bullet wounds. "He willfully challenged death to protect her.

"He lives solely because you will it" Nightmare asked. "No, he lives only because we became bond to him" it answered. "How had this come to be" Nightmare asked. "We are what made the wounds in his heart" it answered. "Does not mean you cannot make peace with him" the beast growled. "Now why would we do that he was not meant to bear us but he stepped into our path of his own filly will."

"But why do you make him suffer" the beast asked. "To see it pain her to watch knowing there is nothing she can do to easy his pain." "Why do you hate her?" "Do you not see what she has done to us?" "And what is it that she has done to you?" "She killed us as mortals and now we have a chance to make her pay for her crime" one of the lighter clouds spoke with a soft motherly voice. "You are not so bond that I cannot kill you without killing him" the beast said bearing his fangs.

"You see that is where you're wrong, we are bond to his very life" the dark cloud spoke. Alice petted the weasel's head, quiet tears rolling down her cheeks. "I can see the darkness in each of you and she is as pure as your host" Nightmare said "you blame her for your death when she was the one who was wronged by you." "You would not understand demon, what she has taken from us cannot be returned."

"No I understand all too well. You want something she has that you would have had she die when you had planed but no. a gentle clown saved her once from your trap." "Yes he did and we became victim to the blast." "The Underland board massacre, that calm the lives of thirteen board members, only Alice Underland survived the blast thanks to a street performer" Alex said "but that was ten years ago."

"It is true we did try to kill her but thank the Heavens we failed." One of the other clouds spoke. "So after you die you cast yourselves to kill her anyway" Nightmare said. "No after she killed us we plan on taking her body and keeping what she stole from us." "But now because of the fool stepped in the way we plan on make her suffer by making her watch him lost his mind and drag him between life and death for the rest of his days."

"That is why we agreed to take part of the games, to win and free him of them" Alice said "but it seems they plan on just keep us alive to break him. Michael I'm so sorry." "That's the funny thing if I thought this out right" Alex spoke up "there is a way to save him." "What remove us and let a little girl try to save he's worthless life?" "Yeah something like that," Alex said "she did summon him." "You are a fool boy" the dark cloud drew closer to the rat "you do that all you will do is kill him nothing more and give us full control of his body."

"NO, no more of this, our greed put us here we need to stop" one of the clouds said. The clouds began to bicker. "Stop, if one of us dies we all die." "I read about this curse and the funny thing is if he can live after one of you dies then we can remove you one at a time" Sheba said. "I will kill him if you try" the darkest cloud said. "We'll see about that" Alex said. The rat and the little hybrid called to the castings and commanded them to act.

One of the clouds faded away as the eggs glowed with power. "I told you I will kill him if you tried." "No Wane it's over the only one of us that wants to keep living like this is you, so just give it up." Each of the clouds moved to keep the darkest one away from the weasel. Alex and Sheba repeated the action again releasing another cloud. The dark cloud hissed as it shrank. The scars over the weasel's heart faded away as new fur grew it their instead.

"You are a dark caster, you find joy in making others suffer" the beast said as black mists flowed around him. More commends were given as another cloud was freed and more of the dark cloud weakened. "You think less of those around you because you see them as weak" Nightmare went on "your hunger for power and glory has twisted your soul leaving a monster in its stead." Another cloud was saved.

"You used them you killed them you imprison them you made them do unspeakable act to a gentle soul and that is unforgiveable" Nightmare said. "Like you are one to talk demon" the cloud spoke hissing away power "you don't know what it is like to lose all you hold dear." "That is where you are wrong, I too have lost but to a foe whom none can run from" the beast said. "And what is it that you have lost demon" "Everyone I had ever cared for, every lover I have had, every gentle soul I have befriended, even my own family broken and divided by time" Nightmare spoke "I am older then the mountains and still I feel the pain of the loss of my first love."

"I lost the world to this bitch and her clown" cloud hissed as more of the others clouds faded and were set free. "No one not even I can own the world, we are all meant to share it and share in it" the beast retorted. "Why" Alice asked "why did you have to do this to us if you had asked I would have turned it all over to you, you cared for me when I lost my parents, you showed me you taught me everything I know I would given it all to you if you had only asked."

"You stupid girl, your parents could have given me what I wanted, but no they gave it to you, and died before they could stop me from getting to you." "You killed them" the bear said "you killed them because they knew what you were planning, they were going to stop you and you had them killed." "Yes, because I had to work for everything I had and they didn't even have to lift a finger." "I forgive you." "What?!" "I forgive you."

"No you have no right to say such things, you did this to me, you made me a monster, this is all your fault!" Alice took off her coat and folded it. She set it under the weasel's head as she stood up. The last of the clouds broke free as the hybrid child healed the weasel from their release. "Wane you were someone I looked up too, and if you taught me one thing it is no matter what happens everyone must do what they think is right for themselves and everyone around them" she said stepping around her lover and walking over to the last cloud that had change form to a brown fur lab.

"And this is what I feel is right for all of us" she said pulling the male close into a gentle hug "I forgive you." The male howled as he faded away without having to be released. The beast bow to the bear as he broke the circle as the black mist faded into his flesh. "That was very brave of you, child" he said "I hope it had only made your heart stronger. "What funny looking eggs, do you think they are still good to eat" the weasel asked as he came too.

Alice started crying when she heard his voice. "Hay, those are magic eggs don't break them" Alex yelled grabbing for the eggs but the weasel was too quick for the rat. After a few minutes of being chased Michael stopped dead. "Company" he said just as Alex caught him. "Oh, hello I'm Michael who are you" he asked the younger rat. "Alex, we already met" he said. "Oh, I thought that was a dream I'm sorry" the weasel handing the rat the two eggs.

"You're the knight of the child witch" he said "powerful spirits protect you." "Alex, don't hurt him" Sheba yelled catching up to them. The wild eye weasel looked at the hybrid and took a deep bow. "Child caster of the old blood, it is my honor to meet you in person" he said lips twisting into a playful smile. Sheba gasped. "You're the Top Hat Trickster" she said "I watched you're show all the time." the little hybrid hugged her hero who was only happy return the same to her.

"I didn't think anyone remembered me from those days, and from someone who was too young to have seen it live" he said tilting his head "reruns must be to blame." Nightmare turned to the bear with an inquisitive look. "Michael use to star in a kid's show, back then he was called the Top Hat Trickster, and kids loved him" she said "but when Michael refused to let Wane change his show, Wane had him taken off the air, the show still runs but only in reruns, now those who know the old ways as he put it know him as the Mad Sage."

The weasel froze in place when his eyes turned white. "Keeper of dreams, Driver of the flames, Scholar of days, the brightest star of night wakes, in promise of gold sleeps the key, wake, wake the hunter, the protector, awaken the woodsman whom cares for the one cloaked in flames" he said "in his wake evil foes shall fall, knight of the child, make the pack, she calls to you and you alone, aid her so she may be freed from trades and betrayers."

Then collapsed to his knees as his eyes returned to their golden huge. He blinked and looked around. "Sorry did I miss something, I think tripped on a rock or stick, why is everyone staring at me" he said. Everyone was staring at the weasel because of his behavior and clear tone he spoke in. "the elder soul spoke again didn't he" Michael asked all the joy draining from his face. "Elder soul" Alex asked looking to Nightmare for answers.

"When he speaks it means someone is going to die" Michael said "last time he spoke was before Alice was attacked by Wane." Alex's mind went to work understanding what the elder soul had said. "Haunted vixen, calling me, betrayers, SHIT" Alex jump to his feet pulling Sheba along with "Nightmare we need to get out of here." "Alex, what's wrong, what has gotten into you" the child asked. "Jessica is in danger" he said.

"But she tried to kill you" Nightmare pointed out. "Think about it Nightmare, Jessica is a great shot and could have put me down with one bullet" Alex said. "No, she kept the weapon aimed at me all but one of them was attacking me alone" Nightmare said recalling the Vixen's men. "And he was the only one who wanted us dead" Alex added. The rat's grip on the egg tightened, and cracked the shell. Louis came, running holding Alice's shotgun in his hands.

"We got a problem" He said. "Something has broken my barrier" Michael answered "take the girl and run." A quiet sound came from the trees. A melody of a song danced in the air. "Give us the child and you might live" the scream of thousand voices called. "Not them again" Alex swore and called back "You can't have her." The egg in his closing fist cracked and chipped. Alice picked up her ax and a pistol.

"We just want the child, boy" the pack's voices screamed. "I WILL DIE BEFORE I LET YOU LAY ONE FINGER ON HER" he yelled. "So be it" Leanch's voice flowed. The following cries came from the poor undead creatures Leanch made. Gunfire rang out as bullets flew pass them. Sheba ran for her life. Louis took off after her. Alex called on Dreamcatcher but he didn't call for Avalon, he called for Breaker. The first of the undead forces rushed them.

She ran. She didn't know why. She knew they would protect her. She knew they would save her. But she ran. The trees closed in around her. She could hear the monsters howling, and the guns barking. The branches reached for her. It was dark. She was alone. The monsters were coming for her. A tree root grabbed her foot. She screamed as she fell. The gold apple and the red egg flew out of her hands. She cried. The child balled up under her cloak and cried.

Her leg hurt. She couldn't see what was around her. She heard the monsters moving around her. Fear was choking her. She cried out for help. But none would come. She ran. She was a coward. She left her brother alone to face the monsters. Her thoughts hammered her soul. The creatures drew closer. One slashed her. She rolled away. She felt something under her hand. It was smooth. It was warm. The egg! Was it her only chance?

She had to take it. She lifted the egg. A creature lunged for her. She swung. The egg met the side of the creature's head. The egg shattered. The creature pulled back. Light! Bright flames dance from where bits of the egg had landed. Another monster. It was big. It was burning. It was scary. The creatures backed away from the flames. The burning beast was between them and their prize. It growled and barked.

The beast's form was a wolf. A wolf with seven tails. Tails that looked like they were a fox's tails. The child gazed at the beast. It kept its back to her. It kept its eyes on the creatures around them. It must protect the child at all costs. It will protect the child at all costs. It must protect its master. An enemy attacked. It bared its fangs and countered. The enemy fell, flames consumed it. Another went to strike. Counter, must protect the master.

Voices? No, one voice. Name? The voice was calling a name. "Sheba" the voice called. "Alex" the master called back. Alex is friend. It will protect master and Alex. The beast howled to Alex. The Alex must find master. The enemy held back. Fear of its flames kept them at bay. It must hold the enemy back. It must protect master. The enemy's numbers grew. Too many enemies to fend off, it, no she will fail.

A bolt of fire broke the darkness. The flame struck one of the creatures in the head. The creature fell and was consumed by the flame. "Sheba" Alex called again after he had shot one of the zombie creatures in the head. The black metal of his bow bent to his will as he drew back breaking it once more. A flame arched from the line to the stock. An arrow born of flames was set as the young rat took aim.

Alex cleared a down tree in one leap. He found Sheba with her back to a tree. A burning wolf with seven fanned out fox tails stood between her and the undead. The young rat landed and released the next burning bolt. The creature it struck fell back onto another and both were feed to its flames. One of the creatures leaped from a tree. Alex held up his hand just in time to catch the creature in the chest "Dreamcatcher, repel" he commanded.

A blast of white light shot the creature back up into the tree. Only for it to come crashing down breaking whatever was left of its body. "Ranger, sword" Alex commanded to the bow. The bow withdrew into a ball of metal before shifting into a handle with a wolf's head as a guard. The wolf's mouth open to release a two and half foot long blade edged in flames. "Dreamcatcher, Breaker" he called. His arm lit up with a white light.

The child looked to her brother, but he was not the same. No, he had changed. He was not the boy she grew up with. He was a warrior. The monsters turned to attack him. But his white fist and burning black blade were too much for the monsters. They fell one by one. But the flames they had used turn against them. The flames began to consume the trees and dry leafs that were around them. The burning beast came to her master's side.

"Sheba, are you ok" Alex asked setting his weapon aside. The sword shifted and grew. Within seconds a second wolf was standing next to the rat. Ranger was a black wolf with red marking across its body. Even with the demonic red coloring of its eyes they were only loving and kind. "Yes, I'm fine Alex," the caster said hugging her brother "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I was scared, I'm sorry." Alex hugged her back just happy that she was safe.

"Don't worry about it Sheba, I'm scared too" he said. She looked up at him. She had never heard him say those words before. But just hearing them somehow put her at ease. The heat from the flames around them was rising and the flames themselves had grown wild. Seeing her master trapped in a sea of fire the flame fox wolf know she had to do something. A shared look between her and the other wolf answered her.

She must protect them. She must protect her master and Alex. She leapt onto them enclosing them in her gift. Blinking at the rapid change in temperature, Alex and Sheba found themselves covered a red cloth blocking the oncoming flames from consuming them. Ranger barked till the two noticed it. Its tail wagged and barked some more. "I think Ranger wants us to follow her" Alex said. "What happen to the one that was protecting from the monsters" the hybrid asked.

"The other one will be fine, Shebs" Alex answered and picked her up. Ranger led them as fast as Alex could run always keeping insight and never being out of reach. Ranger would stop and look back to her master asking if she should lead on. In no time Ranger had led them back to the camp safe and sound. As safe and sound as walking onto a battlefield could be. "Sheba I want you to find a place to hide but stay close" he said "and do not take this off no matter what."

The child nodded as the older rat stepped out of the flame cloth. Sheba quickly ran for cover as Alex turned back to the battle raging behind him. "Ranger, we have work to do" he said holding out his hand. The wolf jump shifting forms again. The young rat caught a long handled ax with a red hot edge. "Ranger I have a promise to keep, I hated to break it on her" he said. The ax shook in his hand as flames raged along her edge. "Good girl, let's go" he said and charged into battle once more.