Year 2024,
"No…" a weak whisper echoed through the night at the pack's cabin mansion within the Moon's Gypsys pack, rattling a young lass from her sleep, and that lass was me. I quivered, whispering through my sleep as I entered another familiar dream, "No…not again…"
I was supposed to be asleep, but I couldn't—or better to say, I couldn't due to this particular recurring dream that seems so real. My senses were wide awake. I could feel everything from the cold, stormy weather outside, the air in a spacious room, the bed where I was lying, and my body trembling over a nightmare that I can't seem to wake up from.
"When will this stop?" I softly said while images of the unknown kept flashing.
Some images came too fast, but others moved slowly, showing what had happened to the other realm. However, I'm not just somebody or a human being since I belong in one of the two realms, the Nocturnal Haven. But this realm that I was dreaming of wasn't the land where every vampire, werewolf, and other night creature dwells.
"I'm here again…Mystra Netherwyn…" I whispered dejectedly because I knew what would happen next to this peaceful realm later.
Mystra Netherwyn was more mystical because of its floating islands, rocky but fiery mountains, spooky ruins, and alive woods. All existed peacefully under the rule of the Miticaelum Kingdom, which maintained the order in a realm where its creatures were bigger than any shapeshifter I've known so far. Some of them were referred to as "beast," "monster," or "spiritual entities," like a certain woman who's been appearing in my recurring dream.
"Sage, the Fenrir," I softly said, not even realizing a sad smile was painted on my lips when I saw a radiant woman in her twenties.
Sage was from the Silver Bluemoon tribe, a pack of Fenrir shifters, or spirit wolves in werewolf terms—our terms. They were all majestic and wonderful, with tribal tattoos on their fur whenever they shifted into their Fenrir forms, and much bigger than us. They lived up to their names, carrying themselves confidently despite their uniqueness in fur colors or tattoos. They were harmonious, peaceful, and filled with joy, even though there were just ten to twenty, including newborn pups.
"We're the same wolf shifter, but they were nothing like us…" With a miserable sigh, I mumbled, envious of their life as a pack. "…but Sage…she made me feel different…"
Sage was a split image of me, but my complete opposite. She had her midnight blue hair, almost black, the mature figure of a woman with the flawless beauty of a goddess, and the posture of the warrior Athena. She was obviously a strong fighter, while I'm not even close to being one. She had a great personality filled with joy and adventure, and had a mischievous side for the people she cared for and loved. She was the beacon of their tribe, while I—I'm filled with misery. However, we have one thing in common: empathy. We've always had a kind heart to understand every creature we came across, but my generation was not as good as hers.
As things in my dream drastically progressed, her peaceful life shifted when she stumbled into a certain secluded land—a prison called Nyther.
"This part was the part where things will change..." I sadly whispered as I watched the same images flashing before me. "…lovely but chaotic."
Nyther was like a middle ground between Nocturnal Haven of night creatures, where I was, and Mystra Netherwyn of mythical creatures, but it was a prison. It was the strictest and most lethal prison for creatures who committed an unforgivable crime or chaotic disorder. Only the highest heaven could set them free.
However, Sage stood hypnotized in the most terrifying prison chamber, where a mysterious woman, a vampire, was held captive. She was bound with magical and moving chains, connecting to five stones. The first four stones surrounding her are engraved with elemental runes from fire, water, air, and wood; they are preventing her from escaping or unleashing her outstanding but terrifying power. However, the fifth and the last stone, formed into a tridecagram, like a thirteen-pointed star above her head, was sealing her. And yet, nothing stopped Sage from touching or letting their lips make contact, fully waking the woman from her slumber.
"Those magical mauve-yet-blood eyes still felt familiar to me, no matter how many times I've dreamed of this," I softly said as if I've seen those eyes before I even started having these weird dreams. "It's like I've seen them in person…"
Just like before, that waking kiss triggered a binding love but also chaos. The peace became lethal and bloody when darkness began to spread, putting everyone on edge. It forced them to close their tribe to unwelcome guests. Slowly, the light became dim. However, optimist Sage gave them something to fight for: the lives they had once had, peace and harmony, and awakened resistance. Hope and unity came to those who were willing to fight and moved in sync to obtain it. Surely, they won despite the lives they've lost, but when things were already at ease, one sneaky shot shattered two hopeful hearts.
"I don't want to see this…it reminded me of a tragic love story," I softly said, trying to control the tears from crying.
The death scene of a lover was heartbreaking. Sage died in the arms of the woman she loved, whispering a wish, a vow, before dissolving into ash. With one breaking scream from a lover, Sage's soul burst, spreading into different directions. The soul particles landed on different items and, lastly, on a half-dead baby, making me scream in reality.
"NOOO!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, shaking, crying from everything I've dreamed again. It still felt fresh, so real.
I wanted to wake up. I needed to escape from this repeated dream, but I couldn't. The only thing I could do was scream, tremble, and toss back and forth on the bed until my temple felt hot. Something was craving deeply, spreading heat all over my body, feeling skinned, burning alive, and marking every piece from flesh to my soul. And then, I heard flapping wings around my bedroom and a brushing touch over my temple, jolting me up in surprise, panting.
"What the…" I whispered, panting before opening my lamp and checking my bedroom, but there was nothing. "That's…odd…"