Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

A Motorbike Raid

Draft. Massive draft.

We trek through the dense, ominous forest until we stumble upon a secluded field; a small break from the overgrown and rotten trees. The trees though, as we escape their clutches, twisted and gnarled, seem to whisper warnings of danger and the unknown. But we can't resist the urge to explore this desolate place. An open area of old brown patch grass and mud.

I look up. I can see the sun has fallen far and is close to setting. It's going to get dark soon. Darker.

We need to make camp and rest but cannot afford to. Chi slings his backpack on the ground and leans against a tree at the edge of the clearing, if even for a short rest.

"We don't have much time left," I begin, but Naoko is also gazing up at the sky.

"Need to move faster," she says, "we need something faster."

I shake my head, "we are lost. We aren't going to make it anywhere before it gets too dark to see."

Chi nods, "perhaps we should consider making base here and considering our options come morn."

Will you survive the darkness of night here?

She turns to me, one of those determined looks on her face. It can't be mistaken.

I raise an eyebrow, but before I can ask what she clears her throat.

"Do you remember?" She asks, then frowns, quizzically, "how to remember?" She shakes her head, "that doesn't even make any sense."

I laugh, "no, not really."

She glares at me, "you remember what we can do here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Remember?" She asks, "when you really want something; when you really believe it. You can make it real, in here."

I nod slowly. I remember the power within the Realm, a power that can bring our deepest desires to life. With a deep breath, I let my imagination run wild and try to let myself fall into a state that can believe.

"Try it," she begins. "Believe it's there. Truly believe. You have a power within the Realm. A power to make your dreams and demons real."

"Believe what?"

"Anything," she grins, "anything faster. Just fast. We need to travel faster."

She pauses a moment, "that Kirin if you had any real sense about you!"

Chi scoffs.

"Do it," Naoko snaps.

I close my eyes and try to fall deep into my mind. I can do this. I can believe it. I am believing it. It is there. The Kirin. Something fast. Something that will take us out of this place and where we need to go. Something that we need. I know it. I believe.

Nothing happens.

"I can't even be mad," Naoko frowns but an instant, blushing, "something is holding you back. I can see how hard you're trying!"

Chi sighs.

Motorbikes appear. Naoko claps. I frown at her.

My companion, Naoko, is thrilled by the sudden appearance of the machines, but I can't help but frown. This is not the way things are supposed to be in a world of dark magic and ancient powers. Horses, not motorbikes, should be our means of transportation.

Riding motorbikes through the Realm. "This doesn't make any sense!" I say. "Motorbikes ruin everything."

"Why?" Naoko asks.