You continued to run, unsure of where you were headed. You didn't hear anyone chasing you, and for that you were relieved. The room to run was becoming short though, as you reached a cliff. It overlooked darkness and clouds, an ocean of darkness. That was the only way you could describe it.
Immediately, you knew this ocean of darkness was not something good, and began backing away. A shiver ran down your spine, chilling your bones. It wasn't the ocean that sent this chill though. Something was behind you.
Slowly, you turned. Hovering a few feet above the ground was another creature, distinctly feminine, and definitely evil. The jester style hate she wore was mangled, falling apart but the colours were still distinct; a deep plum purple and black.
Her face was pale, madness in her brown eyes. Her coat was just as mangled as the hat, but the quality and uniqueness of it was still evident. The same plum purple as the hat and silver embroidery on the tails. Many chains hung loosely around her waist, shining as if they were new, completely destroying the ringmaster feel the rest of the outfit presented. A delicate chain hung around her neck, a white gem pendant attached. The rest of her outfit was simple; a black, long sleeved shirt underneath the sleeveless coat, black pants separated from the shirt by the belts and purple boots with the same silver embroidery around their top. On her hands, she wore purple gloves and a single scar marred her almost pretty face.
[A/N: Hehe, yep. The one and only Dusk has made her appearance in this book. What? You can't expect me to write a NiGHTS fanfic and not throw her in! Now, about the outfit: I know its different to her regular one. That was done entirely on purpose. Just imagine this as an outfit if... she had never betrayed Wizeass. And if you hadn't realised yet, this is essentially set in an Alternate Universe. Bye!]
Your eyes widened, staring at the creature. She bore a wide smirk, the intent behind it unclear. Pushing a lock of ginger hair that had escaped the hat off her face, she dropped to the ground, looking you up and down. It was as if she was deciding what to do with you. You swallowed, unable to get past her and unable to move backwards.
"Well, if it isn't a Visitor," she laughed, softly. Her voice was warm, inviting. Completely undermining her cruel appearance. "We haven't had one of those for quite some time."
You nodded, incapable of coming up with a response.
"You don't say much, do you?"
"I can say plenty, thank you very much," you replied curtly.
Soft laughter.
"What is so funny?!" You demanded.
"The Visitor can actually talk."
"Of course I can talk! I'm not mute!"
"Well, you never know."
"Who are you and what do you want?!"
"Visitor, there is no need to shout," she responded. "My name is Dusk, I am a Nightmaren. What I want, well, that is none of your business."
You frowned. Nightmaren. What was that? You doubted you would get an answer from her though. Someone like her, something like her only did things if it suited themselves. You knew you were lucky to even have learnt her name.
"You're obviously here for a reason," you said slowly. "I don't think this is a place you would just hang."
That laugh again.
"You'd be very surprised about the places I hang at, Visitor," Dusk smiled.
"What's that s'posed to mean?"
"You ask a lot of questions."
You nodded. "I know."
"But very little of them gain answers."
"I know that, too."
"So why the effort?"
You muttered, "I have been told I'm stubborn..."
"I'm sure we can get rid of that stubbornness," she smirked wickedly.
"Uhh, what?"
Without even a sign of hesitation, she grabbed you, floating into the air and towards the ocean. You kicked wildly, trying to get free. Scratching at her arms, you shouted, growled. Her response was to laugh, and tighten her grip on you. Your face paled with real terror as you looked into the swirling darkness beneath you.
"Did you know..." her voice whispered in her ear. "There is a rumour. That if a Visitor's soul was to enter the Dark Ocean, it would never return and be lost with the tide. Would you like to find out?"
You shook your head, eyes squeezed tightly shut. She laughed again.
"I didn't think so."
You cracked your eye open a fraction to see that you were once again above solid ground. With more laughter, she floated down, landing softly then shoving you out of her arms. You fell forward with a cry, throwing your elbows out to catch you. Hitting the ground, you looked up, seeing something else approaching from behind.
A tiny smile crept onto your face as the British accent spilled from the newcomers mouth, and the scowl spread onto Dusk's face. She turned to face the golden eyed 'Maren, a look of disappointment clear.
"What," Selph snarled. "Do you think you're doing?"
