He closed his eyes for a moment and felt the cold envelop him. His body barely reacted to the sudden change of environment. He listened to the chirping of the birds one last time before their voices were nipped in the bud. The previously warming rays of sun disappeared for good. It was as if he was enveloped in ice-cold water. He didn't dare open his eyes until he felt the solid ground beneath his feet again. Cautiously, he took a step forward. The skeleton dressed in white and black had made up its mind. There was no turning back.
The first drops fell on Cross' clothes and he gently pulled the hood over his head. Darkness had spread over the whole kingdom for some time. Some flowers had safely closed their blossoms and hung exhausted from their stems. The grass was gently buffeted by the wind and the more steps Cross took, the heavier the rain seemed to get. The inevitable tapping on his jacket reminded him of the painful moment that had turned his carefree life upside down. Silently, he lowered his head and watched as the wind dragged everything that wasn't strong enough to hold on.
He looked up cautiously at his companion. His cloak hid the man that so many feared. The crown flashed for a brief moment as the dark rain clouds let some moonlight through. It was His Majesty himself. Nightmare. His unusual physical features moved restlessly under his cloak and he took his silk-gloved hand from Cross' wrist. The teleportation had succeeded. Without a word, the king approached his magnificent palace.
Silently, Cross followed his king through the front garden of the palace. The path was marked by neatly arranged stones. His Majesty didn't even look behind to make sure Cross was still with him. Before they reached the large front door, it was already opened for them. With a loud creaking sound, it was opened just enough for Nightmare and Cross to walk in one after the other without any problems. The raging storm howled into the building for a moment.
King Nightmare stepped forward and Cross followed him into the doorway. A soldier stopped him, however. He didn't look very muscular. Cross towered a few inches over him and despite his cloak, a slender figure was recognizable. His hood hid his face, but it was immediately obvious that he was not to be underestimated. His aura was frighteningly dark. Cross stopped without saying a word.
"He's my escort."
Nightmare's deep voice was heard clearly. The guard stepped back, bowing apologetically to Cross. He kept her head lowered until Cross and Nightmare were no longer in the entrance hall.
Nightmare climbed the huge staircase, which was decorated with an uncharacteristic black carpet. The banister was made of a material that Cross couldn't quite grasp, but the integrated flourishes contrasted with the otherwise structured architecture.
The rain hammered harder and harder against the dark windows of the castle. Cross hadn't taken the time to look around. He kept his gaze lowered and kept pace with his king. Of course he didn't want to be rude, but the new surroundings were unfamiliar and made him feel uneasy.
For a moment, he even doubted his decision. But he didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to this fleeting thought. Here and now he would make a difference. Under Nightmare's rule, Cross was ready to enact his revenge and lead a new life, far from his past. He was looking for a new purpose in life. A purpose that suited him completely. Cross was a soldier, a Guardian, not a laboratory rabbit to be exploited for unethical experiments. His mind was made up.
Another person stood in front of a room with a gilded door. They bowed, opened the door and let Nightmare enter with a humble "Welcome back, Your Majesty". Cross followed, but he received no greeting. The person then closed the door behind them again.
Cross finally looked up and saw a dark office with a fireplace as the only source of light.
Nightmare let the soaked coat slide down his shoulders. The tentacles that had been hiding under his clothes all this time were now revealed.
The King of the Moon Kingdom folded his coat neatly over his arm and then laid it over the chair, which stood at a huge desk. The burnt torches and candles indicated that Nightmare probably spent a lot of time here.
