[Chapter 194: Dream Fight]
The mist swirled, and the streets vanished, replaced by the hollow interior of an abandoned factory. Rusted pipes crisscrossed overhead, while flickering firelight cast distorted shadows in the distance.
"I've been to this factory before," Jessica said, her voice trembling. "I have a natural fear of places like this."
"Freddy always drags me to all sorts of places I'm scared of," she added nervously.
Daniel narrowed his eyes and fully extended his Spiritual Sense. He could feel it, a thick malice creeping closer.
"He's here."
Suddenly, an eerie nursery rhyme echoed through the empty factory:
One, Two, Freddy's coming for you...
Three, Four, Better lock your door...
Five, Six, Grab your crucifix...
Seven, Eight, Better stay up late...
Nine, Ten, Never sleep again...
Jessica shivered, clutching Daniel's hand tightly.
From the shadows, a figure slowly emerged: a brown fedora, a red and green striped sweater, and on his right hand, five gleaming blades -- sharp and cold. That face -- severely burned, skin twisted and fused, his mouth stretched into a grotesque smile.
"Jessica~ my dear little sweetheart~" Freddy's voice was raspy, playful. "Have you finally decided to get some good sleep tonight? I've been waiting for you a long time~"
Suddenly, his expression froze. "Why is there an extra person? Well, it doesn't matter."
His gaze fell on their linked hands, and his smile turned mischievous. "Brought a friend? Here to play my game?"
His eyes locked on Daniel, staring intently. "Wait... there's a strange scent on you. It's not fear, it's... something else. You're not afraid of me?"
Daniel's gaze was steady. "Freddy Krueger, nightmare of Elm Street, your time is over."
Freddy tilted his head, then burst out laughing. "This is my kingdom! The dreamscape is my domain! No matter who you are, once you enter--" His voice turned icy. "Then let's play!"
Before he finished speaking, he vanished instantly.
A heartbeat later, he was right beside Daniel, the blades on his right hand slicing toward Daniel's heart with a chilling whistle.
"Watch out!" Jessica screamed.
"Clang!"
Golden light exploded from Daniel's body.
Freddy's blades slammed into an invisible barrier mere inches from Daniel's chest, ringing metallically.
A counterforce yanked Freddy backward, slamming him hard against a rusted iron barrel with a deafening crash.
"What?!" Freddy scrambled up, shock etched on his burned face. "This is impossible! This is my dream! I control everything!"
Daniel spoke calmly, "Your dream doesn't mean you're invincible. To be precise, this is Jessica's dream -- you're the intruder. If you can control her dream, she can control yours, too."
"Bastard! Die!" Freddy roared, slashing his right hand again.
The factory floor split open, and countless iron chains shot out like venomous serpents, writhing toward Daniel.
Daniel didn't flinch. Forming a hand seal with his left hand, he commanded, "Break!"
The iron chains shattered inch by inch the moment they touched the golden light surrounding him.
"Fire!" Freddy waved his hand once more, and the surrounding pipes erupted with raging flames, encircling them.
Daniel raised his right hand, palm pressing down. "Water, come."
Suddenly, a massive wave surged out of thin air, instantly dousing the flames and filling the space with thick steam.
"Walls! Crush him!" Freddy screamed.
The factory walls on both sides collapsed inward, closing in on them.
Daniel looked up, sharp light shining in his eyes. "Disperse!"
The walls halted a mere meter from them, crumbled, and fell like a sandcastle.
Throughout it all, Daniel held Jessica's hand tightly, never moving an inch.
Jessica watched, her mouth agape. Freddy -- the terrifying invincible force in her dreams -- was powerless against this man!
"No... impossible!" Freddy snarled in frustration. "This is a dream! My dream! How could you--"
He stared hard at Daniel, realization dawning. "You're not ordinary... An Exorcist?"
Daniel didn't answer, only returned his cold gaze.
Freddy's expression darkened. He gritted his teeth, spread his arms wide, and the dreamscape around them twisted violently.
"Get out! Get out of my territory!"
A powerful repelling force surged, and Daniel felt his consciousness being pushed out of the dream.
Just as he tried to resist, his vision plunged into darkness.
...
When Daniel and Jessica opened their eyes simultaneously, the real world had returned. Outside, dusk had settled, and only a warm yellow bedside lamp glowed softly.
They still held hands, but the seal between their palms had already turned to ash.
Though little time had passed in the dream, several hours had slipped by in reality.
"Is... is it over?" Jessica sat up, panting.
Daniel released her hand and sat up, shaking his head. "No. His Mental Energy isn't as strong as mine, but his control over dreams is far superior. I only suppressed him by relying on you, the Dreamer. He can't beat me inside the dream, but he can easily kick us out."
Jessica's face went pale. "Then what do we do?"
Daniel paused, sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Since he's hiding and won't show himself, we'll force him out."
"Force him out?"
"Yes." Daniel looked at Jessica. "Go back to sleep."
"Uh... sleep again?" Jessica looked scared.
"Don't worry. I'm here." A cold smile curled on Daniel's lips.
He dipped two more drops of blood, one each, onto the seal between their hands.
They clasped hands again and lay back down.
"Thump, thump... thump, thump..." Jessica noticed that after sleeping for a bit last time, she felt much more rested.
Before, she'd struggled to fall asleep. Now, sleeping seemed even harder.
Jessica said, "Mr. Cross, you're amazing. You're the first person who's beaten Freddy in all this time."
Daniel replied, "Defeating him isn't the goal. Killing him and ending this is. Sleep."
Jessica blushed. "I... I can't fall asleep again."
"What are you overthinking?" Daniel teased.
Her face heated further, and even her ears felt warm.
Daniel tapped her forehead gently. "Sleep."
Finally, Jessica slipped back into the dreamscape.
...
This time, it wasn't her real bedroom.
Instead, she found herself in a simple childhood room, filled with nostalgic charm.
"This... this is my room when I was little." Jessica's eyes lit up with delight.
She held Daniel's hand tightly, touching here and there, her joy evident.
"I dreamed of this place before, but it was blurry. Now it's so clear -- I'd almost forgotten what it looked like."
Daniel said, "That's the magic of dreams. Things forgotten can be remembered."
Jessica smiled. "Yeah, it really is magical."
Daniel nodded. "Alright, let's keep looking for Freddy. We have to deal with him. Otherwise, he could kill you at any moment."
Jessica's smile faded. At a moment like this, there was no time to dwell on childhood memories. She followed Daniel and stepped out of the room.
*****
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