Dream Weaver ✓

Chapter 22

Olivia watched in disbelief as the creature vanished, leaving behind only a trace of magic in the air. With determination in her heart, she set off on the path that lay ahead, her eyes fixed on the unknown. As she took each step, her chest tightened with fear and anticipation, the weight of the challenge bearing down on her with every passing moment. She felt her breaths growing shallower as she braced herself for what was to come, her mind racing with the possibilities and the dangers that lay ahead. Yet, she pressed on, her feet moving forward with a will of their own, as she sought to conquer the unknown and emerge victorious.

She looked down at her chest, where only moments ago there had been deep, bloody wounds. To her amazement, they had disappeared along with the creature that had inflicted them. However, despite this sudden relief, she couldn't shake the memory of the monster's face morphing into that of her dear friend. The sight had sent shivers down her spine and thrown her off balance, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. Now, even though the wounds were gone, the memory lingered, haunting her with its unsettling power. Olivia knew she would never be able to forget the creature's twisted transformation, and she braced herself for whatever other terrors lay ahead.

As Olivia spun to her left, the sound of footsteps reverberated through the air, sending a chill down her spine. She tightened her grip on her sword, brandishing the weapon in front of her with a steely determination. The road ahead stretched out before her, cloaked in a hazy mist that obscured her view. But she refused to let her guard down, knowing that at any moment, a monster could emerge from the shadows and strike. As she continued down the path, her ears attuned to every sound, she felt her heart pounding in her chest with a mix of fear and excitement.

The footsteps grew louder, their ominous rhythm echoing through the stillness of the surrounding area. Olivia halted in her tracks, her heart racing. She scanned the surrounding area, desperately searching for a place to hide, but found nothing that offered sufficient cover. With no other options left, she closed her eyes and summoned her imagination, willing herself to become invisible to whoever was stalking her. In her mind's eye, she visualized herself blending seamlessly into the surroundings, becoming one with the trees and the brush. She focused her willpower on the image, pouring all of her energy into the vision of her invisibility. At that moment, her imagination became her refuge from the unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows. She stood there, frozen in place, relying on the power of her mind to keep her safe from harm.

"Where is she?" Sean demanded, his gaze scanning the path ahead. Louis fell into step behind him, his shoulders slumped with weary resignation. "She took this road, didn't she?"

Louis let out a deep sigh. "Yes. But she locked me in a prison and then vanished down this path. She wanted me to take the other one."

Sean let out a dry chuckle, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Why didn't you listen?"

Louis's grip tightened on his sword and shield. "She's a friend," he hissed through gritted teeth. "I wouldn't ever kill her like you wanted to."

Sean moved forward, his hand darting out to grip the tip of Louis's sword and push it downward. "Don't fight with something you don't know how to use."

Olivia remained frozen, her body melding into the surrounding environment. She felt herself becoming one with the earth, her breathing slow and measured as she weighed her options. Should she reveal herself and risk the wrath of those she had locked up? Or should she stay hidden, gathering intelligence from afar? Her mind raced with possibilities, but she remained still and silent, observing the scene from her hidden vantage point. Olivia's heart beat faster - she knew that whatever she decided, the stakes were high, and she would have to tread carefully if she hoped to emerge unscathed.

"She isn't clever, though," Sean muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the ground for any signs of their elusive quarry. Suddenly, he crouched down, his body language alert and focused.

Louis mirrored his movements, crouching next to him and straining his ears to pick up any clues. "Her footsteps," he observed, nodding in agreement.

"Exactly," Sean replied."Wasn't imagination the strongest weapon here?"

Louis furrowed his brow, confused by Sean's cryptic words. "What are you even talking about?"

Sean flashed him a mischievous grin and a wink. "I'll show you," he said, before rising to his feet.

In an instant, Olivia felt a force tugging at her from behind, pulling her out of her invisible hiding spot with a sudden jolt. She stumbled forward, off-balance and disoriented, and found herself face-to-face with Louis and Sean. Louis's eyes widened in surprise as he took in Olivia's sudden appearance, while Sean's grin only grew wider as he watched her stumble. He reached out and patted Louis on the shoulder.

"You see?" he crowed. "Imagination is the strongest weapon we have."

Olivia couldn't contain her annoyance at Sean's arrogant behavior. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead channeled her frustration into a controlled, composed stance. She crossed her arms over her chest and fixed Sean with a withering glare, her eyes burning with a cold intensity. Though she was seething with anger, she knew that maintaining her composure was the best way to handle the situation. With a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.

Despite her frustration with Sean, she remained determined to stay focused on the task at hand. She knew they were facing a dangerous enemy and that any missteps could have dire consequences. With her arms still crossed over her chest, she squared her shoulders.

Olivia's tone was laced with irritation as she spoke to Sean, "You're here to rescue Emily? Or will you try to kill me again?"

A smirk played across his face as he bowed in mock deference. "Lead the way, Princess."

"Ridiculous." Olivia's eyes narrowed at his disrespect, but she chose not to engage with him further. "Why did you bring him?"

But before he could respond, a desperate cry cut through the air. "Olivia, help me!"

Emily's voice rang out, sending a jolt of adrenaline through Olivia's body. Without hesitation, she turned and began running toward Emily's voice. Her eyes were focused and her movements purposeful as she raced towards her friend.