The Pain of Loss

[Thalia]

Darkness swallowed her. Reality rippled and coalesced into something new. The landscape shifted erratically, and people - a woman - drifted in and out of focus. The large dog-creature adjusted its focus, and sent a caress of fear down her spine, even though she knew - thought she knew, that it could not harm her here.

At the same time the dreamer noticed his intruder. Flame ignited into the shape of a sword. He finally defended himself!

"I go where I want,"
she told him matter of factly. She ghosted behind him, curious as to her surroundings. Not that she was immune to the fear. And the sounds they made. He protected her instinctively, even though he didn't know who - or what - she was. There were times, long distant times, when that might have been a mistake. But she was not here tonight at another's behest, and those vague memories swirled away the moment they touched her mind.

There were more creatures in the darkness all around them; the graceful slink of shadows, like tricks of the eye. Nimeda stood right behind his shoulder now. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to protect herself in another's dream. Unlike knowledge that came to her unbidden, a question raised consciously was answered with the silent vacuum of her memory. Her gaze caught on the licking flames of the sword. She didn't want to experience death here.

The woman flickered again, and Nimeda's muscles stiffened with the tension, anticipating the first pounce.