The Orb

Chapter 8

The Dream Lure

Raven had felt and heard Karla's terrified screams in her own weakened and semi-conscious state not knowing if she was acutely hearing it or dreaming it but all the same sensing that Karla was somehow in danger. The situation became very clear to her as she tried to open her eyes try and find the source but her body would refused to respond to her commands as she was trapped in some dark void as a terrifying thought dawned on her, the High Priestess had warned her, Karla was in the throes of a 'Dream Lure' and she had been caught up in it. When had felt her mother's presence just moments before she had pleaded with her to help her not comprehending what was happening until after she had felt her presence leave.

A 'Dream Lure' was one of Zardel's more insidious attacks. In order for him to activate it he required the memories of his intended victim, those best shared with family members or friends. Through those memories Zardel could gain access to his victim's mind forcing them to face their worst nightmare over and over again until the person's will was shattered as they begged for it to end leaving them open to his control. The fear of this kind of attack was a constant hell that plagued every person inside the Citadel and for all those who resided in the settlements beyond the protective walls of the city. Those bent to his will were called 'Walkers', as they became his walking time bombs giving no indication of the possible threat to those around them even close family members have no idea. With a simple word of command Zardel can activate them forcing the Walker to become his weapon, which was what happened 20 years previously when the Black Wave nearly consumed the entire Citadel in a single day.

Cruel vivid dreams flowed through Karla's mind, a mixture of fire, molten hot metal surrounded figures draped in black robes their faces concealed from her. The figures dressed like soldiers with their faces concealed behind mirrors came next, all were reaching out for her, chasing her until the warm peaceful white light called to her once more welcoming her and promising her she would be safe.

Her dreams felt like two opposite poles each one driving her apart, her past on one side, the light on the other, with the nightmarish hell in the middle, but it was the nightmare that was calling to her the most. A cold empty blackness existed all around it, drawing her in no matter how she tried to resist. Karla screamed as she fought to get away, as it tried to invade her mind, body and soul.

# Aunt Karmella, Mum, Zardel has initiated a Dream Lure with Karla, Help me, what do I do?!#

Raven cried out desperately trying to reach out through the dark void she was now trapped in, but a powerful barrier had somehow been erected around the room, until it was brought down nobody could help her, she was going to have to fight this battle on her own!

#Karla, wake up! Please wake up! It's the only way the nightmare will end! #

Raven desperately reached out genuinely terrified for her own and Karla's sanity. Before she could question if she had been drawn into Karla's Dream Lure she felt a powerful presence reach out and attack at her mental barrier causing her to mentally scream.

From a very early age the gifted are taught how to create a barrier around their minds protecting them against any attempts by others to enter. The basic most fundamental law that governed the Citadel was the respect of privacy, no gifted was permitted to enter another's mind without their expressed consent, to do so was tantamount to having their gifts sealed. The worst punishment a gifted could receive, though her initial panic faded as she felt a certain familiarity to the roughness.

#RAVEN, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THERE!!!???#

A powerful mental force demanded to know which Raven immediately believed to be her mother.

#Mum, thank the stars! Karla has been drawn into a Dream Lure! What do I do?#

Raven told her mother trying her best to remain calm, as the darkness continued to close in around her the link with her mother fading as each second passed.

#Do you have any idea how this was initiated, or who is controlling the barrier? #

The Presence asked.

#it is too strong for one initiator, there must be at least two or maybe three! #

Raven tried desperately remembering everything that her Aunt had ever taught her about these traps.

#Okay. #

the voice answered.

#Now Raven I need you to be brave, and listen to me, your godmother will be here soon and we will find the initiators, but before that can happen, you need to pull Karla out of the Dream Lure. #

#What? Are you serious? I've never done anything like that before, I've only ever gone over the theory with Aunt Karmella, she's always warned me it was too dangerous for me at the moment!#

Raven panicked.

#I don't have much time, the initiators have sensed my link, you must join Karla's dream and break the cycle of the nightmare. #

The voice advised before fading away.

Raven tried desperately to re-establish the link with the voice she believed to be her mother, but only silence replied, she was alone in the dark void she was completely on her own. For a moment she doubted the next step as it went against everything she had been taught about using her gifts. She took a mental deep breath realising there was no other path left open to her and released her barrier allowing the Lure to draw her into Karla's mind. For a dizzying second she thought she had heard a man's cold laugh of success that chilled her very soul with fear as she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake.