Altheria: Nightmare Hunters

Chapter 4:Corruption(Part 2)

Elsewhere another portal appears, Scarlette steps out and streches.

"Man... It's so good to be home. Wonder if everything has been okay "
She says with a yawn.

The world around was set in medieval times. The complete opposite of Gears world. All around her were trees and smalls houses. Birds chirping softly as she walked with a smile on her face. In the distance was a castle.
She smiled as she walked on the dirt path leading to her own house.
She chuckled as she saw some kids walked passed.

Eventually she had made it to her own house. It was a small little shack with one bedroom and a kitchen but it was what she called home.
She opened her door and laid down in her bed, yawning softly as she closed her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep.

A couple hours had passed. A knock on her door had awoken her l. She bolted up from her bed and ran to the door.

"One minute!" She said frantically. Fumbling to open it as she was still groggy,

She opened the door, in front of her stood a pudgy old man in a black too hat and some fancy black clothes. It was the mayor. A look of sheer terror on his face.

"Scarlett you must help me! Please!" He said quickly.

Scarlette raised a brow and crossed her arm. "What is it mayor?"

"I-it's Garren! He's attack everything! Some of the village is on fire!"

Scarlett's eyes went wide as she let out a loud gasp, "Garren!? What!? Why!?"

The mayor stood there trembling staring up at her.

"I-I don't know.,, but his eyes are blood red and a weird purple light is coming from him." He said, his voice shaking.

"Purple light... Could it be nightmare energy?" She thought to herself. "Lead the way mayor." She said to him

Garren is an old friend of Scarlett's. Before she became part of Altheria Scarlett used to battle in tournaments at the colosseum for treasures and riches. Garren is the one that helped train her in the skills she has today. He taught her how to also harness her Drago armor

The mayor and Scarlett ran through the village, the smell of smoke getting stronger the closer they got to the center. People all around them running in horror. In front of them stood A tall rugged man in armor that looked like it was based off a dragon. It was Garren, His eyes glowing red, Sword in hand as he cut full houses in half. An evil laugh being heard as he noticed Scarlette

"Well well well.... Scarlette what a pleasant surprise...." He says with an evil chuckle. "Have you come to stop me? Come on, Give me a decent fight!"He says as he gestures for her to bring it on.

Scarlette just stood there staring in horror. This wasn't the friend she once knew.  This friend had been corrupted by nightmare energy. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, Tears welling in her eyes.

"No..." She said quietly. Wondering how this happened. 

Garren just stood there staring her down, The mayor hiding away behind a tree. Garren walked forward, his sword being drug against the ground. Garren with a smirk on his face, His eyes glowing through the smoke. Scarlette stood there, Shaking. 

"I-I don't know what to do..." She said, Her breathe getting heavier as tears fell from her eyes. 

Garren just stood there and laughed as he put out his palm. "Oh..you're scared? Wanna see what a nightmare FEELS like?" 

Suddenly the purple aura disappears off of Garren. Purple energy leaves Garrens body, Him falling to the ground and passing out. The Energy entering through her opened mouth from crying. Scarlette fell to her hands and knees, fighting off the corruption. Her body shaking violently as she fought against it.

"No...I Will not become one of you!!!" She says, the energy leaving her and shooting up into the sky.

She breathed heavily then ran over to garren. She put her hand on his back trying to wake him up. "Garren... Garren wake up..." She said.

Garren slowly opened his eyes with a pained groan. sitting up and looking around. "Whoa...what happened...did I fight someone and accidentally go all out again..?" He said as he noticed much of the damage he had done.  Scarlette shook her head and looked at him.

"No... You were taken over by nightmare energy." she said with a concerned look.

Garren just looked at her. "I-I was? How many people did I....Kill...."  He said, almost in a whisper. Looking down at his hands, His eyes widened.

Scarlette just closed her eyes."I dont know Garren but its over. Its okay. It wasn't you. I was the nightmare inside you."

Garren just stared at his hands again shaking, Knowing he had taken innocent lives."I-i'm gonna go lie down, Thank you for saving me Scarlette." He said before walking down the path to his house.

Scarlette sighed softly then realized she had forgotten something, She gasped as she remembered the Mayor was still around. She looked around quickly.

"Mayor!" she said as walked around.

Suddenly A purple mist of energy appeared in front of her. It was the nightmare energy that had taken over Garren. Scarlette gasped and stopped in her tracks.

"That's the nightmare energy that escaped Garren...." she said to herself, Gritting her teeth.

The energy shot forward, Entering her through her mouth. Scarlette fell to the ground in pain.

"AHHHH" She screamed out as the nightmare energy tried taking over. She rolled around in agony, Trying hard not to be taken over by the evil force. Closing her eyes tight wincing in pain she stood up. hugging herself tight

"G-get out..." She said quietly

"Get Out!!" She said, talking louder.

"GET OUT!" She screamed loudly, The nightmare energy shooting from her body up into the sky. 

That's then Scarlette collapsed to the ground, Unconscious. Her internal struggle with the dark energy taking a toll on her being.

Elsewhere in Scarlettes dream world A mysterious figure waited in the shadows of an abandoned house. It was Zaul luaghing to himself. having seen everything that went down. Seeing scarlette in so much pain gave him joy. The nightmare energy shooting right back to him. Zaul just smirked and chuckled a little. Not seeming to surprised that Scarlette wasn't affected.

"Well well... these Altherians have a stronger will than I thought... But now i not only have her essence... I also have the boys too... Let's do a little experiment shall we? He said to him, The smirk growing into a full blown smile, Sharp teeth being shown as he started to laugh maniacally.

"If I cant have them as my slaves then i'll just have to make due. watch out you damn Altherian scum."