Burning Bright | Keigo Takami x Male Reader

Chapter 18

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(M/N) didn't recall the transition between dream and reality. One second he was in the starry plain, the next he was on his feet, scanning his surroundings. Where was she? Was she nearby? Or was she just messing with his head? She said she was coming for them, could that be now? Despite his efforts, all he could see was the exotic flora. Light poured through the gaps in the trees, and looked like it had been for a few hours.

"(M/N), what's wrong?" Kyoka asked. He didn't realise she was up already.

He continued to look around. "She... I think she's here."

"Who's here? Who's she?"

(M/N) forgot he hadn't told anyone but Keigo about the girl in his dreams - Toga. He shook the others awake.

"We need to go," (M/N) said to Keigo, barely giving him a chance to fully wake up.

"What? Why?" Keigo asked, blinking away the sleep.

"It's her. Toga - the girl from my dreams, her name is Toga - she knows we're here."

Denki, Kyoka and Nemuri all gave each other confused looks. (M/N) explained the situation to them as calmly as he could. How he kept seeing her in his dreams. How he told Keigo about it on Crystalis. He also told them about last night's dream.

"She was there last night. She knows we're here, she was watching us," (M/N) said. "It's not safe here. Let's just leave."

"So, let me get this straight. You've been seeing this girl in your dreams. Then she basically threatened you and us. And then you heard her last night when talking to that Outer Guardian we met?" Nemuri said.

"Yes?" (M/N) said, confused as to what she didn't understand.

"How do you know she's here? I don't see anyone," Denki said, looking around.

"Were you listening at all?" (M/N) said.

"We were listening, but if she really is here, wouldn't she just follow us? What point is there in leaving?" Kyoka said.

"We can't leave anyway. If we do, who will help these people?" Keigo said.

They weren't understanding. She had to be here. They couldn't risk it. "Please, I know they need our help, but..." There was no way (M/N) could say anything without sounding selfish. "I'm scared."

"(M/N), I understand. But we don't even know if she's actually here. Sounds to me like she's tormenting you, trying to put you on edge. If anything happens, we'll stand with you. Don't worry," Keigo said. "Let's head back to that cave, and continue with the mission, ok?"

Despite his efforts, the others wouldn't listen to (M/N). He had no choice but to go with them. They ventured back into the cave, though the layout felt different from yesterday. It became obvious when they saw new markings along the walls. They had different patterns and brighter intensity. It was definitely the same entrance, though. They continued on for a couple of hours but much like yesterday, they found nothing.

"Why are we still exploring the cave? We should have found something by now," Nemuri said.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Denki said. "Nemuri's right, let's search somewhere else."

"It has to be here, the thing that attacked me yesterday is proof. Plus, the layout clearly changed. I don't know about you, but that doesn't seem normal to me," Keigo countered.

(M/N) just trailed behind them, not feeling good about this at all. Why couldn't they just leave?

"Wait, look!" Kyoka pointed to the far end of one of the tunnels. It was relatively far, but there was definitely something there. The end looked like it opened out, but they couldn't see any light from outside. Once they got closer, they could see that the tunnels opened into a giant dome-like room. All the markings converged into the roof at one spot. Right below it was a portal.