Imagine #1: A Dream...

Chapter 13: The Dark Side of Dreams

SYLVIA KUMAR

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 - 2080 RC

Half the day had passed before we were summoned to the Planet Room. Although we were given free time, we had all decided to train a little more in the morning, most of us needed the practice if we were going to fight the Nightmares at some point. Still, I didn't realize that we'd be trying to stop the Darkness that day itself.

"The Nightmares have begun darkening another planet. We've sent soldiers to evacuate the people, but we're hoping that your powers can stop the Darkness itself." King Reve began.

"But we've only just started training. How are we going to stop them so soon, without a plan or anything?" I asked.

"Just try your best, we can't afford waiting. The more planets that get darkened, the stronger the Nightmares become, and the weaker we get. We're willing to take any chance at defeating them, even if it may not work." He explained.

"Should we come too? We don't have anything that can stop the Darkness," Hazel questioned, gesturing towards Vex. Vex's expression stayed her usual mildly annoyed look.

"If the Nightmares send wisps as they did last time, or a set of soldiers, we might need someone to help protect the Dreamers. Vex, I understand you have a... unique power set. It may surprise the Nightmares and catch off guard. Hazel, we could use all the help we can get." Queen Allora said.

Vex narrowed her eyes slightly at the mention of her powers, but nodded and didn't say anything. More than that, I felt something off in Queen Allora's words... something that didn't sound right. Why would she call us just 'Dreamers'? We're right here, it would make more sense to just use our names... It felt impersonal, as if we weren't people but just a tool to use. I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing, I admonished myself, but part of me didn't want to let the thought go.

"What planet are we going to?" Diana spoke up, scanning the table map.

The queen pointed to a small, tan planet with a black spiral design on it. "A rather unique one in our realm. I'm sure you'll find it's quite unlike the others. Labyrinthia, the planet of mazes."

* * *

When she said planet of mazes, I didn't really know what to expect. After seeing the planet though, the name made perfect sense. When we stepped through the portal, Dane's portal, because of the evacuees using the main portal, we were in a fairly large clearing. The ground was plain, tannish, dirt, that was similar to sand, and the clear area seemed circular in shape. Surrounding the circle were tall walls of similarly-colored brick, maybe thirty feet, so high that I couldn't see anything past the walls at all. There was one path opening through the wall, but from what I could see, it was bordered by the walls as well.

"If this planet is a maze, how are we supposed to navigate it? On that thought, how does anyone navigate it?" I asked the others.

Dane answered, "People from this planet have an instinctive ability to find their way through the maze. They have homes, but not cities, lakes, parks, and that stuff at the 'dead ends' of the maze. I think they can naturally find their way around any place, even if they've never been there. Kind of like Polarexians don't feel cold,"

He tilted his head towards Vex, who was in a short-sleeved off-shoulder top and jean-shorts, despite the cold wind of the Darkness. The rest of us were wearing full pants and a jacket, but she didn't seem to need it.

Vex snorted. "But we aren't Labyrinthians," She pointed out dryly.

"I guess we just try our best," Dane guessed. She rolled her eyes.