Part III: Sleeping Nightmare
Category: Uncategorized

~Never Sleep, Never Die~

Inside Mina's mind during the Dreamstride:

Is this a sick joke? This world keeps changing and so have my clothes. A nice gown? Music is playing in the distance.

I walk out to go see what was happening and I noticed a masquerade ball was in front of me. 

Sai Sahan: Mina, don't forget this. And I need a favor.~Hands a mask to her~

Sai?? I must be dreaming. But I took the mask and placed it over my eyes to where I can see through it. But I began speaking to him as if I'm reliving a memory.

"Sai? What's going on?"

Am I supposed to know what's happening? I'm confused. But I went on as normal.

Sai: Do you think Snow Lily would love my outfit? I'm a little nervous.

Snow Lily. That's what he calls Lyris. I knew he had feelings for her but wouldn't admit them. I know Abnur would mock him for it and I just smile.

"I'm sure Lyris would love it. Keep in mind she's a warrior and not much for dressing up. I know I had to help get her measured for a dress since seamstresses won't make one."

Sai: Why do you think I suggested you? Your brother relies on you as well. 

"Oh shut up. You're just boasting my ego."

I playfully nudge him and encourage him to be himself around Lyris. That I remember saying. Wait, this was a masquerade ball that we held during the Witches Festival after my brother took the crown. 

People were dancing. All races from all over Tamriel attended. I looked around the ballroom and I was surprised by him. 

Mannimarco: May I have this dance, my dear?

Wait, what is all this? Suddenly the room began to muffle around me. Things changed all around me and next thing I know, voices sounded more distant and it felt like I was underwater. What's going on?? This has to be a dream. Or is it?

[Vaermina's Claim III]

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE TRIED WAKING UP?!"

Heira: Mother stop!! You do realize if you step away, the spell and Dreamstride have no effect! 

"That's because I had to get my special tome. The girl has much to see even from the past. Try to keep her distracted while I shift things in her mind. I can't keep doing this myself. Guide her."

Watching my daughter Heira nod at me before sitting beside the dark pool and concentrated. I need to fix the spell so nothing happens. I almost had her. ALMOST.

[The Dreamstride of Mina]

What just happened? Things changed around me again and this time, I'm at a different place. I felt like a mere shade this time and I was seeing things that I should remember. Then I saw a blonde woman come running up to me and she pulled me aside as if she tried to hide me and she covered my mouth after.

Heira: Don't make a sound! Stick with me if you wish to get through here. My name is Heira.

I was in disbelief. But despite that I wanted to protest, I agreed and she helped me. I felt like each time we went through certain paths, it's a different one each time. It changes like every five or ten minutes. Or something else. Like a memory. 

Next thing I see is myself of what looked like an Ayleid ruin. Then I saw him. Mannimarco. The way he placed his hands on me and........I couldn't bare to watch. I couldn't shake that feeling as I placed my back against the wall trying to hold back tears of anger. Heira noticed as she walked over to me.

Heira: What's wrong? 

"I.........why am I seeing all this again?! Am I dead?!"

She stood there as if she knows something but won't say it. I was desperate. I was panicking and paced back and forth. But it was then she grabbed me by the shoulders and slaps me in the face.

Heira: Mina! Pull yourself together!! This is not the time to panic. It'll make things worse. As for your question I do not know. I can't answer that question. 

I felt anger in me rise and my tone in my voice sounded more.........it wasn't human.

"What do you mean.......you can't answer that? TELL ME!!!!!"

I saw the look in her eyes as she heard my voice. Without a word, she pulled me into a hug.

Heira: You're in the middle. Not dead and not alive. That's all I can tell you at this point. Reason I can't answer more is because I don't even know. But let's move forward. I know it'll be painful to watch, but you have to see what happens here in order to move forward on.

It wasn't enough. I wanted to lunge at her as if I want to strangle her but she shoves me down while holding my hands behind my back.

Heira: Stop being obnoxious and work with me!! You'll make it worse!! You have to trust me!! 

"You're hurting me!! LET GO OF ME!!!!"

Heira held me down still.

Heira: You're making it difficult here. If you want to make it out of here alive, you have to face your darkest moments and painful memories.

I was helped up and listened to her. She guided me through this. The way I watched myself in the embrace of Mannimarco's and the fact my heart began to hurt. But this time, I felt like someone was ripping it out of my chest as something came out of my mouth. Looked like black mist and I coughed it out.

I look up again and see the King of Worms standing over my body holding my heart. Molag Bal in an apparition taking it and crushing it in his grip made me falter back. What was happening?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meaninwhile, in Quagmire.......

"How dare you come to my realm!!"

Dremora: Molag Bal sends his regards. 

Heira: Mother.........what's happening?

"Keep her alive in the Dreamstride!! Mind Terrors, bring those daedra of Coldharbour down!!"

Dremora: Our Lord wishes for the girl as she is supposed to go to him. 

"I'm not giving her up easily. Besides her soul was mine the moment I took interest in her! I was here first!!"

Mind Terrors, my servants started attacking the Dremora pushing them back. I cannot let these fools take her from me. I claimed her soul long before Mannimarco would take it. I have my ways.

Back to Blog List