Dreamer

8.

Tears fills my eye, while melancholy covers my heart, as we come back to the present world, while I stare at Orion.

"That is just an example of what they can do, and it's worse when you're facing Deamonium Rex on your own," Orion turns to face me as hurt and anger fills his eyes, and I didn't need to be told twice before my body shivers.

My body slurps on their own making me fall to the ground with my hand holding my legs together.

What have I gotten myself into?

How did I get here?

Unknowingly, I feel a tear drop from my eyes, but I wipe it away instantly knowing that here is not the place to cry, and I definitely do not want to look weak again in front of another person.

Even though I know deep down the both of us are aware that I'm weak.

My mind goes back to Bella, recalling her beautiful smile and her satin dress as she ran into the woods, and also the huge smile and happiness present on Orion's face then, not like the stone cold expression he has been wearing ever since I met him.

Then, there was this glint of happiness and reason for his living, but right now it just looks as though he knows nothing more of affection.

"You have to make a stand Athena, we do not have much time?" Orion's voice comes through speaking to me.

I raise my head to meet his gaze all while still with my thighs covering my hands  "A stand?" I look at Orion in disbelief.

"Yes a stand." He answers forwardly.

"How can you even ask me to take a stand right now? How can you even ask me to decide on something that I know nothing about?

Yes, I saw some weird stuff that I have no freaking idea how it happened, and some very scary creatures, but that not all I saw, I also saw you and that girl do some crazy stuff that I would never believe exists. So tell me, tell me how am I supposed to make a stand or believe anyone is the good guy when I don't even understand a DAMN Thing?" I speak with the tear which I tried to hide so much, falls down my cheek.

"You have to make a stand because it's the only thing that can save you, and also her name is Isabelle." Orion replies and I stare at him hurt in such fact that I can't help but feel he doesn't actually care about my own feelings, but the mission he's sent on.

"Yeah my apologies for forgetting her name, yet I know your only reason for wanting me to stand with you is because your king is dying." I tell him to his face as I watch his expression switch to that of bewilderment.

"How did you..."

"How did I know?" I get up. "Well bummer, have you forgotten what you were discussing with Aurelia and the other boy?" I tell him making his expression go wider.

"How do you know that name?" Orion comes closer to me and I gulp down a fear.

"The same way I know of you and Isabelle." I tell him to his face as his gaze stays hard and doesn't falter one bit on me.

"It seems Octavius was wrong, your gifts are getting stronger than he thought." Orion speaks still with his gaze on me.

I gulp hard as the fear that creeps up to me just stating into his eyes, makes me cower no matter how hard I try to stand my ground.

"And maybe Octavius should have known that you wouldn't be the best person to send on an errand of taking sides." My voice speaking on their own as Orion just watches me.

Surprisingly, instead of saying anything, he turns his back on me and walk some inches away from me. "You know, Isabella was also special like you." I hear Orion say out if the blue.

"I know, but what baffles me is, no matter the length of her specialty she still wasn't able to save herself, then who says I would be able to?" I ask.

"She did save me." Orion turns to me as I view a glint of guilt in his eyes. "Isabella had a curse," And all shades of guilt instantly falling off his face, as he continues.

"Just like me," I remind him.

"No, yours is a gift that you do not know of Athena," Orion corrects me as his gaze on me defines his words. "She was born from a line of warlocks and witches, but she wasn't one, as her gifts were different." Orion continues.

"She wasn't able to cast spells or perform rituals, but she was able to move the earth and such a wonderful gift it was. Unfortunately, her curse began and elevated anytime she used her powers, the more she used her powers the more her life span became shorter." My heart begins to feel heavy as I hear the words directly from Orion's view.

"I.. " Words fail to erupt my lips.

"Funny right?" Orion laughs sacarstically making me even feel more bitter. "Because, I know how much she would have traded place with you in a blink of an eye." He adds, as the guilt I saw in his eyes replays in my own self.

"Yet, I am not forcing you to do anything Athena, but I want you to know that indeed we are the good guys, and if you're messing with Deamonium Rex on your own, then you should be prepared to risk the lives of those you care about." Orion tells me with so much certainty in his tone.

I don't say anything but stay with parted and trembling lips, while Orion gaze lasts on me. "And even if I was to believe you, while not understanding fully what this is, how are we going to stop this and get this, 'Demon king' off my back?" I finally ask him.

"That I do not not know..."

"You do not know!" I cut him off raising my hands in defense.

"Listen to me Athena! I may not know, but Octavius would definitely find a way. " Orion says to my face.

"You know what, all these is just too confusing. You say you're the good guys, yet you don't even have a solution to my problem when you say you can help me." I nod my head negatively.

What's my assurance that at even getting with Orion's people, that I wouldn't be able to stop this demon from coming after me?  Or, who knows maybe I'll only be making my whole life worse.

"Isn't that even better than the current life you're living!" Orion blasts at my face, while my mouth goes open and I stare at Orion in disappointment.

"Oh... Oh... Wow." I gulp in pain, as my eye batters with tears. "Oh... " That's still the only word that seem to fade out of my lips.

"s**t!" Orion mutters running a hand through his hair.  "I... I didn't mean it that way... "

"Wow... " I bite my lip painfully trying to hold down the tears.

"That isn't what I mean Atheena..." He begins to say.

"No... No don't, don't try to explain. I get it, and I also get that my life was already screwed before, so I don't need you to come rubbing it in my face. Later on, you say you're the good guys, but I doubt that." I say to Orion, looking straight into his blue orbs while I speak.

"Atheena... "

"Just leave me alone. Everyone of you should." I add preparing to leave this scenario.  "I hope you all find what you're looking for." I say to Orion as every words that comes out, feels melancholic.

"Have a nice life Orion, and please stay away from me." I say lastly knowing that even if Orion was true to his words about being able to help me, now that was gone, and I am going to go back to having figure this out on my own, and if I get killed in the process,

So be it.

-------------

The familiar brown steel door greets me first, before I turn down the knob and get inside my home.

The home in which, my mother hasn't seen me in in days, and hasn't bothered to ask.

I meet a cup of remaining coffee on the marble counter, making me realize mother had just left a while ago.

A part of me happy about that, and another feeling bitter inside on the fact that I feel relieved she's not here for me to face her.

What a mother daughter relationship.

With the words of Orion still ringing in my head, I ignore the grumbling in my stomach and go up the stairs to my room, slumping on the bed as tears fall on their own instantly.

What am I supposed to do?

Am I a fool for not accepting Orion's offer, even when I know I clearly do not know what to do?

Yet, I can't help but feel that if I accept such a deal, I'm signing up for something bigger than me.

And still yet, isn't all this is?

I wipe the tears as more stroll down, while I begin to sob gently and slumber decides to trap me in, and I succumb to it willingly.

----------

The atmosphere I see dark and wary, unlike others I've seen before, the only difference being that this time I know where I am, I know how I got here, and I know I'm dreaming again.

I can't see a thing, and just like the time I met with Octavius, this feels the same, yet my body send chills down my spine even more compared to before.

I don't bother saying anything this time around, as whatever is here waiting for me would present itself sooner or later, because I  fear what is to come, yet I would take fate as it comes.

"Hello Atheena." And it seems the earlier proves right, as in front of me sits a man whom I can't quite figure his face properly, while sitting on a black well decorated chair.

"Hello? Who are you?" I finally speak knowing I do not recognize the voice, and I know it's not Octavius.

The sight at which he is, a bit dim to recognize a presence, but the voice sounds deep, husky and holds one particular thing. Power.

"Hmm... That hurts a bit that you do not recognize me." The stranger adds again while I only squint my eye to see properly, yet nothing. "And that could be because you haven't seen me properly." He adds and after his words the dim light becomes brighter, as when my eye figures out who sits in front of me with deep blazing red eyes, my heart stops.

"Deamonium Rex."