Reo's Story - Strange Dream

"Reo!"

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.

.

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"Reo! Wake up!"

A little girl stood by his bedside, her bright blue eyes radiating energy and excitement. The morning light crept into the small room, highlighting her long, curly hair that shimmered like strands of cloud in the clear sky.

Her hair flowed in gentle waves, adding grace to her youthful and enthusiastic demeanor. Each strand seemed to dance lightly in the fresh morning air.

Her cheerful smile adorned her sweet face, giving a warm and inviting impression as if beckoning Reo to join in the morning's adventure.

In the distance, a fearsome angelic figure loomed, with drooping black wings and eyes that radiated darkness.

The angel spoke with a reverberating voice that shook the very core, repeating a cryptic chant.

"The bird flies in the air and resides above the sky. The earth divides the peace. The sea becomes the direction. Reach, oh reach. Destroy, destroy!"

The chant echoed continuously, wrapping around them with unimaginable darkness.

***

Reo woke with a start, his breath coming in ragged gasps and his eyes darting around the room. It felt as though he had just escaped the clutches of a painful dream. His heart still pounding, Reo tried to get his bearings.

He was lying in his bed at Rikka's cottage, though he had no recollection of how he had gotten there. The gentle morning light streamed through the window, bathing the room in a warm glow. Reo rubbed his face, trying to make sense of what had happened.

He scanned the room, noting his belongings neatly arranged as if he had never left. But the memory of the black fog that had enveloped him and the terrifying angel from his dream was still vivid in his mind.

"How did I get here?" he muttered to himself, searching for an explanation. He distinctly remembered being in the forest, hearing strange whispers, and then finding a staircase leading downward.

At that moment, the door to the room slowly opened, and Rikka entered, her expression anxious. "Reo, you're awake! I was so worried!"

Reo frowned, still confused. "Rikka... how did I get here? I remember being outside, in the forest..."

Rikka sat on the edge of his bed, watching him intently. "Fumiko, the innkeeper, found you unconscious not far from her inn and immediately called me! I don't know what happened, but you looked so pale!"

Reo was silent for a moment, trying to process the information. "I heard strange voices, then I found a staircase leading down. When I reached the bottom, a black fog attacked me, and I passed out."

Rikka frowned, her gaze filled with concern. "Black fog? Are you sure that wasn't part of a dream?"

Reo shook his head, trying to recall the events of the previous night clearly. "No, it felt very real! And then I dreamed about..."

Silence settled between them. Rikka grew more perplexed by what had transpired.

"Reo? Dreaming about what?"

"About..."

"About...?"

"...sorry. I forgot."

Rikka gently clasped Reo's hand. "I don't know what's going on, but we need to find out. Maybe there's something bigger happening here."

Reo looked into Rikka's eyes, feeling a bit calmer with her presence. "We need to be careful. Something's not right, and I don't think it's a coincidence."

Rikka nodded. "Rest, Reo. I'll make some tea for you."

***

Reo sat at the table, accepting the cup of tea Rikka handed him. He held the cup, feeling its soothing warmth, but his mind remained fixated on the events of the previous night.

"So, tell me more clearly," Rikka said calmly. "What exactly did you hear and see in the forest?"

Reo took a deep breath, trying to recall the details more vividly. "At first, I heard strange whispers, like voices calling out. They were faint, but clear enough to catch my attention. I followed the sound and found a staircase leading downwards."

Rikka nodded, listening intently. "And down there, you saw the black mist?"

"Yes," Reo continued, trembling slightly at the memory. "The black mist attacked me, and at that moment, it felt like something was trying to pull me into the darkness. Then, I fainted and woke up here."

Rikka gazed at him with a worried expression. "That's very strange. No one has ever reported anything like that around here before. As for the voices, could it be related to the rumors Elberd mentioned once?"

Reo nodded. "It could be..."

Rikka bit her lip, deep in thought. "Maybe we should ask people who know more about local legends."

"Who can we ask?" Reo inquired. "Is there anyone in town who specializes in things like this?"

Rikka pondered for a moment. "I think Jack might be able to help us. He knows a lot about the history and legends of Elenmoor. Maybe he can give us some clues."