Good Night | Dreamcatcher [COMPLETED]

8

'Reserare ostium'

The hinges of the door that had been keeping them captive for so long burst at the hinges. Dami stood back slightly, her outstretched hand trembling.

'W-wow,' she said shakily, 'I actually did—'

CRASH

The entire door shattered into pieces and fell to the ground in a heap of broken wood. Handong and Dami stared at the splinters for a few seconds, looking slightly unnerved.

'Well, uh... you were never going to get it perfect on the first try, were you?' said Handong helpfully. Dami sighed and stepped over the shattered wood. Handong followed her into the familiar hallway and peered round the corner carefully to check if any of the creatures were still there. The halls, however, were silent and empty. Only dust and a few specks of old blood lay on the floor.

Handong eyed Dami warily, but Dami just shrugged so they both walked down the empty corridor. It took them a while to get down the winding staircases, but soon they returned to the first floor. The three rooms were also empty, Dami felt another pang of guilt as she stared at the door of the room Jiu had gone into. She wondered if she'd won her fight against the creatures that had followed her in there... or maybe the only thing that lay behind that door was her dead body. Dami shivered at the thought, tears already forming in her eyes. Not quite knowing why, she moved closer to the door and rested her hand on it.

There was a creak, and the door swung open ever so slightly.

Dami glanced back at Handong, whose mouth was open in surprise.

'Go on,' she said softly, 'Open it, Dami.'
Dami turned back to the door and pushed it open. Her eyes traced the room for signs of Jiu, and she knew Handong was doing the same next to her. But the room was empty, as if no one had ever been in there. There wasn't even any sign of the creatures.

'So it was true,' murmured Handong, sinking to the floor. Dami raised an eyebrow. 'Remember how I told you about those dreams?'

'Yes,' replied Dami, confused.

'I... I wasn't completely truthful. Or, it was more like I left out a few details.' Handong swallowed nervously. 'I told you a saw Jiu. But I didn't see her in this room... S-she wasn't in this room, and a-and...' Handong couldn't continue. She burst into tears.

'Handong!' cried Dami, rushing to her side. 'Please tell me what you saw.'

Handong was sobbing as Dami put her arm around her worriedly. 'I'm sorry, I-I just don't know what to do. It feels so much more real now that I know my dreams weren't just dreams.'

'It's okay. Please just tell me, if you can.'

Handong hesitated, but began explaining in a shaky voice. 'This forest isn't normal, Dami. I know that now for sure. There's so much darkness here, and it's taking over our friends. I-I saw Jiu walking in the forest. I didn't recognise her at first, but I felt an evil presence coming from her. Then she got closer, and I realised what had happened. Jiu isn't... Jiu anymore...' She broke off, unable to continue.

'Handong... what do you mean?'

'Demons, Dami. There are demons in this forest, and they've taken our friend. She's possessed,' said Handong finally.

Dami didn't say anything at first. She let go of Handong and leaned against the wall next to her, a dazed look in her eyes.

Jiu. Jiu had been possessed. Dami remembered studying demons a while ago when she and Handong still practiced magic. She knew enough about them to realise that it would be damn-near impossible to get their friend back.

'I just... I can't really comprehend it,' she murmured. 'I never thought...'

CRASH

Handong and Dami's heads snapped up, and they jumped to their feet. The crash had come from the entrance to the house, and they watched in horror as dozens of hooded figures began pouring in through the door towards them.

'How did they know we escaped?' gasped Handong. Dami shook her head, gripping her hand tightly. The figures were running towards them, too fast for them to react. There was no time. Without thinking, Dami broke away from Handong and raised her hand so that it was pointing directly at the creatures. Summoning all the strength and control she had, she closed her eyes and stood her ground.

'IGNIUM CORPORA!'

The ground beneath them shook as a jet of white hot flame burst from Dami's outstretched hand. Their attackers didn't have time to run as it grew and enclosed them in balls of light. They screamed, and soon all that remained of their bodies was ashes. Dami opened her eyes, breathing fast and face drained of colour. Handong stood behind her in shock. The flames were still there, burning through the remaining attackers and the walls of the old house. The ceiling trembled and bits of dust fell from the ceiling.

'Run,' said Dami shakily, holding out her trembling hand to help Handong. Handong took it, and they both darted over the flames and rubble towards the exit. As they ran, the house lit up like a beacon, filled with fire and smoke.

'There are more of them,' gasped Dami weakly, stumbling along beside Handong. Sure enough, more creatures darted out from behind the trees and Handong cursed violently. There was no way they'd be able to fight all of them.

Suddenly Dami's hand slid out of Handong's, and she collapsed on the ground.

'Damnit!' cried Handong, trying to pick her up. She heaved, but it was useless, Dami has passed out. The hooded figures surrounded them, and Handong was now sobbing with fear and frustration.

'Pick them up, and knock the conscious one out,' said a voice next to Handong. She didn't even have the energy to resist as one of the figures neared her. They slammed their fist into her face, and the next thing she knew, she had blacked out.