Eldoria: The Awakening

Chapter VI: The Awakening

Lucian stood alone in a dense forest, the air thick with a damp chill. A fog clung to the ground, swirling around his legs like ghostly fingers. His breath came in ragged gasps as he stumbled forward, but no matter how far he walked, the trees around him only seemed to thicken, closing in. The sky above was black, not a single star to light his way.

Suddenly, the sound of leaves crunching behind him froze him in place. Lucian turned slowly, his heart hammering in his chest, but there was nothing-just endless trees. Yet, the sound of footsteps grew louder, closer. Then, without warning, a shrill scream echoed through the forest-a scream that made his blood run cold. It was a scream he knew all too well.

His father.

Lucian's stomach churned as he began to run, branches scraping against his face, his hands, his legs. But no matter how fast he ran, the scream only got louder, more desperate. Why won't it stop? His feet pounded against the forest floor, but he felt like he was moving through molasses. And then, from behind a tree, a figure stepped out.

It was his father. Or at least, something that looked like his father. His face was twisted, his skin pale and sagging, eyes hollow and lifeless. His father's mouth opened wide, but no words came out, only a deep, guttural growl. Suddenly, the ground beneath Lucian began to shake. The trees started twisting, their bark cracking and splitting, revealing sharp, jagged teeth. The ground opened up like a monstrous mouth, swallowing the forest floor whole, the dead bodies of people he knew falling in.

Lucian screamed, trying to run, but his legs wouldn't move. The earth beneath him crumbled, dragging him toward the gaping maw of the forest. The twisted version of his father reached out with decaying fingers, grasping for him, pulling him into the darkness.

Then, just as Lucian felt himself being pulled into oblivion, a voice whispered, Lucian... it's time... The voice slithered into his mind like venom, cold and chilling. Lucian...

Suddenly, he jolted awake, drenched in sweat, heart racing so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. "Fuck," he gasped, sitting up quickly, rubbing his eyes.

"Fuck... the dreams are back."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his pounding heart. His entire body trembled as he looked around, trying to make sense of where he was. His hotel room. He was still in his hotel room. But his mind couldn't shake the vivid horror that had just invaded his sleep.

Lucian glanced at the clock next to him

2:00 AM.

He had only been asleep for two hours. He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. For a moment, he was glad it was only 2 AM; at least he hadn't overslept. But the nightmares... why were they back now? He hadn't had them this bad since he was 12. They had faded for years, but now it seemed like they were back with a vengeance.

Shaking, he stood up and walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. His reflection in the mirror was pale, his eyes dark and hollow like the ones from his dream. Get it together, he told himself.

There was no way he was going back to sleep after that. He stepped back into the room and grabbed his phone, dialing the hotel receptionist. When the voice answered, Lucian's was still shaky.

"Can I get some water or... something? Just... something to drink."

The receptionist agreed, and after a few minutes, a bottle of cold water arrived at his door. He took a long drink, trying to calm the storm inside him.

With nothing else to distract him, Lucian turned on the TV and pulled up One Piece, hoping that some mindless anime would take his mind off everything. But even his favorite show couldn't hold his attention for long. He barely got through an episode before his mind started spiraling again. He couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. What was going to happen at the Awakening? The uncertainty gnawed at him.