13 Chapter 12: Escape plans pt.2

"Where....are we?"

"Don't worry, you will be safe as long as you stay at my side", Reverie exclaimed in response.

He heard what Ren said but he chose not to ask her any further, since she would have already told them where they were, if she wanted to. He decided to just accept it and took a look around, trying to figure out where this place was, but he couldn't come up with an idea. No matter where they were ,it couldn't be 'this' place he thought.

There were no walls, no ceiling and not even a floor. Just pillows scattered far and wide. The pillow mountain stretched about the size of a soccer field , at least that's how far he could see. Pillows sparkled in all kinds of rainbow colors and shapes. Some were round, some square, others were heart shaped and another few were triangle shaped. All kinds of shapes, colors and fabric types made out the millions of pillows around them.

In the air floated debris and occasionally small items like a tea cup, a small metallic box, plushies ,books and similar things. It was obvious that gravitation didn't exist here, yet they all sat steadily inside the pillow mountain without the slightest feeling of floating about.

Gilbert couldn't understand how this was physically even possible but before he could drown even further in his thoughts, he heard the other two speaking.

"So tired..." ,Ren mumbled while rubbing her eye with her right fist. Michael nodded in agreement to that.

"We should get some rest...dunno when will be the next opportunity to do so"

With that she let herself fall into the pillows and grabbed one to hug. She lay on her left side and closed her eyes. Michael imitated her and lay down opposite of her. The two didn't take long to fall asleep, after only a few minutes Gilbert could make out steady breathing sounds and small snores from Michael. He watched as her bodies slightly moved up and down in rythm with their breathing and felt peace overcoming him.

"These two certainly are carefree, aren't they?" ,with these simple words he let himself fall backwards as well and crossed his arms behind his head. Staring into the pitch black darkness that made out the 'sky' above, he slowly drifted off into a deep slumber as well.

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While the companions are traversing in the realm of dreams, a certain grumpy man is standing in front of the cabin in the woods.

Vincent placed his hand on the handle of the door and pulled it open. He didn't even need to enter or look inside ,to know that no-one was inside anymore. The lights were out and the inside of the hut didn't radiate any warmth either.

He closed the door again and turned on his heels ,making his way into the forest.

He had missed the people he wished to meet here.

Vincent was upset with himself, for making the decision to first visit the wulffs domain to pick up a certain item, instead of meeting his companions first.

But the item was absolutely necessary, he had to get it. It was a magic recovery bracelet, which could cure any life threatening wound for a total of three times. He got it for Gilbert, as he couldn't heal himself with his magic. It was to assure Gilbert's safety for the near future. In the past timeline, Vincent lost his best friend to a fatal wound, after he tried to protect a certain woman from death. Yes it was Reverie Gilbert protected with his life over and over in the past timeline and it cost him his life.

Vincent didn't want his friend to die this time, though the threat of the cursed woman being gone, didn't mean he was automatically safe. This world and what was to come ,would cost them their lives again, if Vincent wouldn't do something.

He didn't want to lose his best friend again. He failed once, he wouldn't fail twice.

While gritting his teeth and furrowing his brows in anger because he missed them, he slowly advanced through the woods in the same direction where the three companions disappeared to.

After half a day of walking and having absolutely zero encounters with any enemies, Vincent started to feel agitated. Why were there no wulffs here trying to attack him?!

Usually this part of the forest would be overrun with them, but he didn't see a single one so far.

He grew worried about what might be the cause, till he finally arrived at the cliffs.

The bridge was torn but he already knew that from his previous life. Yet something unthinkable showed itself there.

From within the cliffs he could make out an immeasureable amount of magic power. The sparks shot up into the sky like lightning and gave Vincent the impression that he should proceed with caution.

He slowly stepped closer towards the cliff to take a look down.

About 900 metres down he could make out the shimmering light of a portal, but not just any portal. It was a portal to the abyss!

Vincent clenched his fists. He knew all too well, that there was only one living being who could create such a portal, it was the one person he thought he killed. He now also understood why there was no wulff activity here. They feared the abyss more than anything. The abyss was the one single thing monsters were afraid off and avoided at all cost. Vincent gripped the hilt of his sword just in case something came out of the portal.

-So she's alive huh? Should have thought so...next time I'll make sure she's dead for real. I came too late...I'm sure they are with her. Damn it!

Staring down at the portal while being deep in thought, he tried to come up with an idea of what to do next.

Of course he could jump into the portal and try to pursue them, but he knew better than anyone that it would be suicide to run around in the abyss without the Will's protection.

So what should he do? He doesn't know where or when they would show up again and running around aimlessly wasn't his style. He couldn't lose any more time than he already had, so he made a decision.

-I won't be able to follow them, but I will meet them sooner or later anyways. That's how twisted fate is after all. I should look for the others in the meantime and get them on my side. When the time comes, I'll get rid of that woman and rescue my companions. I think Soraya is closest to me, I should find her first.

Turning around, he left the cliffs behind him, making his way to the city. His next goal was certain now and he had no time to lose or else she would die.

His long black coat fluttered in the cold winds, while he stomped through the snow.

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*huff huff*

A giant spider type monster was currently chasing a teenage girl. The girl ran as fast as she could, trying to find a safe place where she could hide from the monster. The remnants of the former metropolis gave no safety at all. The many skyscrapers were only half as tall and had no intact windows at all. No matter where she looked, nothing screamed 'it's safe here', so she kept running and running.

The spider on the chase after her shot web threads over and over in her direction but always missing by a hairs breath. The girl was either skilled in dodging and running or extremely lucky. The monster wouldn't give up though no matter what.

The girl turned around a corner of the cities mainstreet, which was nothing more than a mess and full of gaping holes in the asphalt, to come to a halt instantly. In front of her stood someone she had never seen before, but the person clearly made a strong impression. They wore a dark ragged cloak and a hood covering their face. The person was tall and emitted a menacing aura.

She wanted to approach the person and ask for help, since that person couldn't be more dangerous than her pursuer, but the spider was already behind her, making aim for her neck.

The girl turned around in horror ,while staring at incoming death. She sqeezed her eyes shut, bracing for death and....

*splash*

-to be continued-