Chapter 186: The Dark Fringe

Chapter 186: The Dark Fringe

Stryg floated in a pool of utter darkness. He felt numb, even with his night vision he could see nothing. There was no sensation of touch nor sound. He drifted in emptiness, unaware of how he had come to be. Why was he here? What had happened? He couldnt remember

Water droplets echoed amidst the sound of faint footsteps. A small figure trudged through the darkness, its faint visage became clearer as it neared.

The figure stepped next to Stryg and looked down at his prone form.

There you are, the voice said.

Stryg slowly looked up, Youre?

The small stranger was dressed in rough hide garments. Her black hair was short and fell down to her slim shoulders. Her green pointy ears twitched every few seconds to some unheard noise and her yellow slitted eyes stared inquisitively at Stryg.

She smiled, revealing sharp teeth, Nice to meet you, abomination.

Youre a goblin? Strygs eyes widened.

Mhm. Thats good, this place hasnt completely robbed your senses yet.

His throat felt parched, he licked his dry lips, Who are you?

You can call me Ann. I mean you no harm.

Im Stryg. I think? I cant remember very well.

Hm, makes sense, she nodded.

What does that mean?

It means instead of asking who I am, you should be asking where you are.

...Where am I?

Im glad you asked! Ann sat down next to his prone body and flipped him over, face up.

Stryg groaned in protest, but he couldnt bring his limbs to move on their own.

Better? She grinned.

Yes, he mumbled.

Great! Ann looked around the pitch darkness as if surveying a beautiful landscape, In case you didnt notice, this isnt the Ebon Realm. Technically, we arent even here, at least our bodies arent. Our souls, on the other hand, are very much here.

Stryg swallowed, ...Am I dead?

Fortunately, no. I found you in time.

Where are we exactly?

A place between the Infinite Null and the Ten Realms. We are in the Dreamscape, specifically in its outermost edge, the Dark Fringe.

Am I dreaming? Stryg blinked.

Many in the past have used dreams to enter the Dreamscape. I suspect you have done the same, but not today. No, today, what you are, child, is dying.

What? Stryg frowned.

Ann patted his head, Dont worry, thats why Im here. Now, where was I?

Im dying?

No, not that part. Ah, yes, the Dreamscape. In simple terms, I guess you could see it as another realm, except far larger and without its natural boundaries. Things here are never what they seem. The Dreamscape is chaotic, unpredictable. Thoughts and ideas often take physical form.

Physical, like theyre real?

Yes, very much. Even symbols affect reality here, she plucked a silver feather from his shoulder.

What is that? Stryg stared at the feather.

The feather withered away and crumbled to dust.

That right there is our cue to leave. Weve been here too long.

Panic leaked into his voice, Were in danger?

A bit, yes. The Dreamscape as a whole isnt inherently dangerous, but the Dark Fringe is. This place is the boundary between the Null and the Dreamscape. Were too close to the Infinite Null, its power erodes everything it touches, including us. Normally, no one would ever dare near the Dark Fringe.

So why are we here?

Ann slipped her arms under Stryg and lifted him up into her embrace, Excellent question. My best guess is that you were wounded terribly, mentally and physically. Your mind, in an effort to escape such pain, rejected reality and threw itself into the Dreamscape. The problem is, you were too desperate, you fell too deep, and landed all the way down here in the Dark Fringe.

The Monster looked Holo up and down, Well, at least your current appearance is soft on the eyes.

I wish I could say the same, yet no matter what form you take, whenever I look at you all I want to do is vomit, Holo sneered.

It seems time hasnt dulled your sharp tongue after all, good. I always liked you over the other mishaps.

We both know Im not a mishap, Holo tilted her head.

Darling, to me, none of you should have ever even been born.

Holo shook her head, I cant believe I once actually admired you.

Lets be honest, youve made many horrible decisions in your life.

This is not one of them.

Oh? And what is this, exactly?

The first step. The beginning of my vengeance, she said somberly.

Ann laughed, Really? Revenge? Is that what this is about? What, do you think there is some epic grudge between us?

Holo narrowed her eyes.

Ann clicked her tongue, Why is it, do you think, I simply havent hunted you down and ended your miserable existence? Ill let you in on a little secret, its because I dont care about you.

You are insignificant at your worst and a minor nuisance at your best. History will not sing your deeds, the world will not remember you, even your own city has forgotten your name. Because the stark reality is you are nothing, Holo. And you are so very alone.

She smiled wryly, Maybe youre right, maybe nothing I do here will ever really matter But lets give it a try anyway.

Holo snatched the floating coin from the air and wrapped her arm around Stryg, Hold on.

Anns eyes widened, Dont you dare!

Anns goblin hand shifted and stretched into a long winding limb of shadowy fingers, clawing towards Stryg. He flinched. The world erupted in a roar of orange light.

Stryg opened his eyes. The scenery had changed. He was no longer in the middle of the sea. He was in a forest, with lush greenery all around. Pink bubbles rained down from the sky. One popped on his nose, it smelled like laughter. Stryg frowned, how did laughter have a smell, and why did he know what it was?

Holo stepped back from him and leaned on a tree. She took a deep breath and whistled.

That was terrifying, ey? She laughed shakily.

Stryg shook his head, W-what just happened? That goblin lady wasnt a goblin? She was a monster?

I thought you already knew that.

...How the fuck would I know that? I have so many questions. What is happening?

Holo sighed, Look, I dont know how much of this stuff youve already been told about. I want to trust you, but you wont even tell me your name. Which makes me think nevermind.

My name is Stryg.

Yeah, whatever. Listen to me, youre still too young and inexperienced to remember what transpires in the Dreamscape. When you wake up you wont remember any of this.

What? Why?

Holo placed the black coin in his hand, There is no time to explain, the mana I infused in the orichalcum coin is running out. Once it does our connection will be severed. The coin could only store enough mana for one charge, it was a last resort to keep you safe. I wont be able to find you again in the Dreamscape. Youll be on your own.

Stryg stared at the coin, Its like a magestone? If it runs out of mana its useless?

Orichalcum is never useless. Worst case scenario you can always sell it for funds. Ah, shit, none of this is important right now. Listen closely, it doesnt matter if you forget everything else, but please try to remember these next words.

Okay? Stryg said hesitantly.

Tell Maeve Mora to stay out of the Dreamscape. Her synchrony magic is like a beacon to the Monster and many others. I barely managed to save her from Its grasp last time. I probably wont manage to do it again.

Holos form shimmered, the edges of her body began to fade away.

Were out of time, Stryg. The Monster has eyes and influence even in Hollow Shade. Now that the Monster knows Ive interfered, It will be keeping an eye out and trying to stop anything I do, but you still might have a chance to act outside of Its sway.

Stryg cocked his head to the side, Whos Maeve?

Youll understand when you wake. Just know you might be the only one left who can keep her safe. Remember Stryg, remember to warn Maeve. Promise me!

...I promise, Stryg nodded.

She smiled, Very good. Stay strong, little one.

Holos form dissipated into the air.