Chapter 76 Down Into Dreams (3)

There was something odd, mystical and ethereal that pierced through the blood world. Before Drusilla could even see what or which it was, she found her new holder suddenly vanished away and left her by herself.

An annoyed expression filled her face but instead of being alarmed or whatever, she crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

"It couldn't remain in my Domain so it had to snatch him away. Pathetic. It means that it's not as strong as it could be–shouldn't be a problem for him to deal with… and if he doesn't manage to break free then this should be his problem and not mine."

That was what the Sanguise House Ancestor told herself, but she couldn't help but look at the resealing of her blood world with a bit of worry.

***

All that Lukas could hear was a sudden fit of girlish giggles and when he opened his eyes–he was someplace new. He was located in a beautiful crystal-like castle where everything seemed to act like a mirror.

He found himself seated at a small dining table that seemed perfect for just the company of two. Similar to his surroundings, even the table and chair were made of pure gleaming crystal and yet he couldn't feel a single thing.

His senses were dull and it made him realize that he was still stuck in the dream world. But hadn't Lukas been talking with the lady in the dagger earlier? How'd he end up here? Or rather who brought him here and was he truly alone like he believed?

There was no one else in his sights except for the reflection of himself.

"Um, Sanguise House ancestor?"

"Ignore that old hag and just have fun!" A young woman's voice spoke.

"How can I have fun when I don't even know who I'm speaking to?" Lukas said. He should have been alarmed but there was a childishness to the voice that seemed so innocent.

"That is a fair thing. Pardon me for my late intrusion, but here I am at last! Rhea, the Dream Eater at your service."

Out of nowhere, a beautiful woman with white hair that had rainbow-like roots at the end came about. She was wearing a big puffy gown that was fit for a princess–or at least someone who wanted to be one.

As expected, there was a childish air about her.

Her eyes themselves were iridescent and sparkled. She was all sparkly and sunshine that it was almost alarming to think that she was the one who was consuming dreams.

Or maybe it was because she ate dreams that's why she was so chirpy and dream-like?

"And my name is–"

"Lukas." she chirped happily and took a seat on the opposite side of him. "I should be able to know based on how your dreams are playing out. Dreams are the truest reflection of one's soul so knowing your name is quite simple."

"I see… wait, truest reflection of one's soul?" Lukas blinked, distracted for a moment.

"Yes, yes. Did you not notice?" Rhea raised a brow and gently gestured to the table.

When Lukas looked down, he could see himself except one of his eyes was blood red like a Vampire's and the others was his ordinary eye color. Plain as it could be when compared to the almost vicious glow of the left eye.

"Two natures mixed together–how exciting isn't it?" Rhea smiled and clapped her hands together. "I should know, they say that Dream Eaters and Dream Weavers are made from stars and dreams."

"Excuse me, Miss Rhea… is there no chance that you would let me go now?" Lukas decided to politely ask. He was preparing himself for a shift in attitude, or for her true nature to be revealed, but Rhea simply tilted her head.

"Let you go? Are you not having fun?"

"Fun?" Lukas looked at her seriously. "What do you think about this is fun at all?"

Rhea sighed softly and waved a hand. A beautiful cupcake tier holder appeared filled with various desserts and treats. A teapot floated in thin air and then poured the two of them a cup.

"I suppose some people think of dreams as simply a way of consolidating memories and perhaps tapping into your subconscious if you prefer that distinction."

"I'm not actually sure if you eating dreams is a bad thing or not–"

"Not as bad as drinking blood, that's for sure." Rhea grinned. "We're not wasteful and we subsist on less dense substances–you can almost call us a higher being for the capacity to live off dreams."

"Or parasites." Lukas muttered.

"You have a sharp tongue." Rhea clasped her hands together. "I would be offended if I did not see that you have developed it as a self-defense mechanism from being truly vulnerable."

"W-what?" Lukas blinked. He didn't quite like how the Dream Eater was starting to speak a lot more seriously… he was a little regretful that he might have affected that.

"You grew up as an independent individual with a strong need for self-control. The idea of letting the power of interactions be at the hand of the other person is nerve wracking for you–at least that's what your childhood tells me."

Lukas frowned.

He didn't think of himself that way. He was more or less okay on his standards–maybe even better than what he'd give himself credit for. Lukas glanced down at the cup of tea and deciding that it was a dream, chose to sip.

"Oh, you've finally consumed something! That means you get to stay here with me forever~" Rhea suddenly cheered and became upbeat instantly.

Lukas' expression twitched for a moment. "It's my dream and not yours–I don't think that's how it's supposed to work. I'm supposed to be in control and I'll still fight you off even if that were true."

He wasn't exactly sure, but he thought it was a bluff. He was in no underworld, right?

"Well, I was thinking of what would shock you more: if I said that the tea is filled with my substances or that you'd be stuck here with me for good." Rhea shrugged and sipped her own tea. "But ah, your responses are boring."

"I'm as boring as my dreams." Lukas decided to say. "Wouldn't you be better off siphoning your meal from… I dunno, a sleeping scorpion or snake?"

"E-eh? That's not as satisfying. And contrary to what you're saying, you and your friends are interesting!"

Lukas looked at her seriously. "Are you also the same one who's eating my friends' dreams? I can entertain you, but you have to wake the people that I'm with–it's dangerous if they sleep for too long."

"But don't your kind do Eternal Sleep?" Rhea tilted her head cutely. "Based on what I've heard, a lot of Vampire's ancestors enjoyed being the subject of, er… um, company of a Dream Eater like me!"

"We're not going to Eternal Sleep!" Lukas groaned. "We have to find the blood gourd and save my girlfriend–"

"Oh, oh, I saw that!" Rhea exclaimed.

"If you know that much, why are you still stalling me?" Lukas narrowed his eyes and then realized something. "This… this isn't your real body is it? Why else would you make us all go sleep walking?"

"Sleep walking?" Rhea tapped her lips innocently. "Isn't that good for exercising? But really, why are you so troubled–we're not harming you at all. Your psyche will remain intact even if we feed on your dreams so why fuss over it?"

"My companions will die when the sun comes up!" Lukas glared at her. "And those deaths will be in your hands–I mean, ahem. It makes more sense to bring us back to the van or wake us up. At least we can dream at another time."

Rhea looked at him and frowned. "I see, I would… love to do that, but I really am not the one who is leading your friends. We're a group of Dream Eaters."

"Then shouldn't you be able to communicate–"

"A-ah, well, we're not all the closest friends." Rhea laughed sheepishly and bowed her head. "It's so rare for a living being like humans, Vampires and others with higher levels of thought and reason to come across this place… so you can say that it's a little tight competition between us."

"You… you guys are not able to travel elsewhere?" Lukas frowned. That didn't seem right to him at all.

​ Rhea's shoulders slumped and she nodded her head.

"That's right. A long time ago, well–um, I guess there's a teensy bitty lie I told you."

"About what?"

"About um, not being able to hurt you?" Rhea laughed and sipped her tea nervously. "For the extremely ravenous Dream Eaters, we may end up stripping away all of your memories, maybe leave you with no feelings, or we could lead you into the depths of your dream world and you'll never wake up and so–um, someone captured us and then buried us here. Separately. Great distances from what I know. Funny, right?"