34. Sensing Danger
Marcelline's breathing grew ragged.
Her chest heaved violently under the blankets, each gasp trembling with fear and adrenaline.
Even in sleep, she murmured words that made no sense…
half-formed names, snarls, cries of pain, whispers of death, something ancient clawing its way through her mind.
---
Sensing Danger --
Victor, standing just outside the bedroom, furrowed his brow.
Even in his immortal calm, he sensed a disturbance—a ripple of dark energy emanating from Marcelline's room.
Amara, brushing past the sleeping palace corridors, immediately sensed it too—the subtle vibrations of terror, ancient power stirring in someone she knew so well.
Amara (whispering, tense):
"Something's wrong. Now."
Victor gritted his teeth, moving swiftly.
Victor:
"She's dreaming… but this is more than sleep. Something's clawing at her mind."
Without hesitation, they both raced toward her lavish bedroom.
---
The Scene Inside--
Marcelline tossed and turned.
Her hands clutched the blankets, her body jerking as though trying to dodge unseen blows.
Her lips moved rapidly, whispering fragmented phrases:
"No… not again… blood… fire… broken wings…"
Her eyes remained closed, but a faint crimson glow flickered under her lids.
Even in dream, her body radiated power, as if the nightmare had unlocked a fraction of her true potential.
Victor knelt beside her bed, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder.
Victor (low, firm):
"Marcelline… wake. Look at me. Focus."
Amara entered, sweeping her gaze over the room, ready to unleash her full beast form if needed.
Amara (gently, commanding):
"Elli … this is real, not your dream. Anchor yourself. Breathe. I'm here. Victor's here. You're safe."
---
In Marcelline's mind, the nightmare raged on:
Rivers of blood choked the battlefield.
Screams pierced the smoky skies.
Slashed bodies—demons, angels, beasts, and fairies alike—twisted in unending agony.
Her hands gripped the huge, unknown sword, each movement slicing through friends and foes alike.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Marcelline (murmuring, terrified):
"Stop… stop… it's not real… it's not real…"
Her breathing hitched with every second, each inhale sharp, shaky, tearing at her chest.
Victor's fingers tightened slightly, just enough to anchor her.
Amara's claws flexed subconsciously, ready to strike anything that dared manifest from her nightmare.
---
Suddenly… she jolted upright.
Eyes wide, pupils slit, drenched in sweat.
Her breathing was still rapid, shivering with adrenaline.
She glanced around the room, faint traces of crimson light from her dream still flickering in her vision.
Marcelline (gasping, whispering):
"…It's here… I feel it… in the palace…"
Victor and Amara exchanged a glance.
Both understood immediately: this was no ordinary nightmare.
Something ancient and malevolent had penetrated her mind, testing, probing, sensing.
Victor moved to the door, voice sharp, commanding:
Victor:
"Stay here. Don't move. Whatever it is… it's not leaving us alone tonight."
Amara, already switching into a semi-beast form, eyes glowing faintly, growled low:
Amara:
"Let it come. It won't touch her. Not while I'm here."
Marcelline rubbed her face, trying to shake the lingering horror from the dream.
Marcelline (whispering, to herself):
"…That battlefield… the sword… I've never seen any of it before. And yet… it's inside me."
Victor's expression softened slightly, though his fangs still glinted in the dim light:
Victor:
"You didn't fight in a dream, my darling. You fought… in something very real. And something… knows it."
Amara's gaze scanned the palace halls, ears twitching, claws flexing.
Amara:
"And I don't like 'something' knowing anything about my family."
---