[PQ] Dreamgazer

Nova

The greatest gift
you can give someone

She couldn't see the others, her eyes screwed tightly shut against the tearing, ripping darkness of the shadows that tore into the life thread of her existence, her connection with her magic so picked at that she could barely feel it at all. Between blood-curdling screams, it stole her breath, fear and panic making it impossible to think logically, her body thrashing against the 'visible' foes all around her. The ground beneath her should have been a protective barrier, but it continued to hold more horrors, the evil creature intent on consuming her soul. 

Nova didn't know how long she fought for her life, every bit of energy spent on the battle she waged against imaginary beasts. It wasn't until the grabbing of greedy shadows turned to a gentle, stabilizing hold that she began to tire, feeling the effects leaving her hollow, although not completely unaffected. She trembled uncontrollably, curled into a protective ball like it might shield the remaining magic from the shredding teeth that awaited her. 

Between heaving breaths, Nova opened her eyes, the darkness still lingering at the edge of her vision, creating a halo of darkness around a familiar face. His usually calm features were strained with concern, but she recognized his tanned skin and silver hair, his lumbering figure cradling her in his arms. It was enough to bring tears to her eyes, immediate waterfalls of blubbering emotions erupting from her. Her voice was hoarse from the screaming, dry and cracking among the choking sobs. "Ha-Ha-Hadama? There were m-monsters." Some incoherent words followed, trying to describe the nightmare fuel that evaporated whatever bravery she thought she had, but it was hard to make out as she buried her face in his chest, her tears wetting his shirt. 

After a shuddering breath, she was able to get out a choppy, complete sentence in near hysterics, her voice growing higher with panic. "They tried to eat me and - and - and stole my - my magic!" Another huge sob rattled her body as she coiled tighter in his arms, terrified the hallucinations might return to finish the job, stealing the last bit of her magic. She was inconsolable, but after some time her dramatics would settle to the low whimpering wine, shivers, and half-hearted sniffles of a traumatized child weighed down with exhaustion.

is the space to be his or her
authentic self.

It was a very good thing that Maea had come along, as it fell to the Ancient to complete their task. She did so with style and grace, passing through her own inferno like a queen in her own country, and her deft use of firedevils caught even the more distant lotuses and burned the Void from the desert. These flowers would never grow seed to burrow deep and hidden beneath the earth until the next rare rain brought them up to blossom in violet nightmares, beyond the sight and reach of Caido's defenders until it was too late. This section of the desert was cleansed of the corruption that had snuck into so many other places, and it was in large part thanks to Maea.

Hadama had done his part, but as he trusted his friend to finish the job they had begun together his attention turned to the saving of a single life. A less grand undertaking, perhaps, but no less important. He held Nova through her screaming until the shackles of her own mind began to loosen and fall away. When she was clear-headed enough to recognize him he eased his hold on her, though he did not set her down. "I know," he murmured, deep voice gentle. "But you are safe now." He looked over to the Ancient with them, tilting his head to her in silent gratitude. "Maea has destroyed them. And I have you."

Later, when she had calmed and he was sure the pollen's effects were fully gone from her he would explain the cause of her nightmares. For now he simply held her until she was ready to go home. "I will return later, to take you to the Greatwood," he promised Maea, with a nod to the sniffling girl in his arms.

Getting her home to her family and tucked into bed would come first.

~Fin