Forbidden

Chapter 14

Hey guys! I can't tell you how many times I have started this chapter and never finished it until now! School has been driving me crazy with assignments, and I have internship and work so this is the only free time I have. :p I'll try to update more often: it's definitely on the agenda.

So, thanks for all your support! I hear this story is amazing, epic, and people love it. Thank you so so so soooo much! (: I'll keep on expanding, and don't worry – it won't end any time soon.

Chapter 14:

Garen was running through what seemed like thousands of trees. His heart was pounding through his chest at a million miles an hour, pumping blood through his veins that burned savagely throughout his body. Never before had Garen ran this fast in his life.

The more Garen ran through the forest, the more his lungs threatened to explode. His blue eyes stung as the air pushed back against him. His legs were beginning to give out now… No Garen! Keep going! Keep going! He willed himself to do just that, but his body didn't bend to his will. Instead, he found himself tripping over his boots and then his cape, until he was tumbling head-over-feet. He rolled four times before he landed roughly on his back.

No armor in the world could have protected him from that fall. With a groan, Garen's blue orbs fluttered to face the blue sky. It was littered with clouds that resembled marshmallows and cotton. And then… a roar. Those blue orbs widened as the purple monster filled his vision. The slime fell from its mouth and dropped onto Garen's metal armor. It sizzled as it burned a hole through the metal. It smoked as it raised the fumes into the air.

As a warrior who knew no fear, Garen grabbed the sword that lay beside him. His fingers gripped the handle as he quickly raised himself to his full height. The monster howled down at Garen, slime dripping from its mouth. With determination, Garen yelled, "DEMACIA!" at the top of his lungs and charged at the beast.

Garen sat-up quickly in his bed, blinking the rest of the dream from his eyes. He grunted as a cool breeze ran over his shirtless body, making his skin tingle. Beside him, Katarina stirred, but did not wake. Her eyes were closed, but her body leaned close to touch Garen's body, probably for comfort. He wrapped his fingers around hers gently, and a smile crept across her lips.

These nightmares were getting out of control. Every night, it was a different memory that Garen relived as if he could do nothing but experience the memory over and over again until it drove him near insanity. Sweat dribbled down Garen's cheek. It was time to get a healer… or get council… or anyone who could help.

"Garen…" Katarina whispered and clutched his hand. "Did you have another nightmare?"

He turned to look at her. "Kat… are you awake?"

"I am now," she whispered and clutched his hand. "Did you have another nightmare?"

"Go back to sleep," he told her and ran his hand over her red hair. She nuzzled herself into his side, forcing Garen to lay back with her head on his chest.

"Promise me you'll get them fixed…" she whispered before drifting back into her peaceful slumber.

"Dreams… dreams… these visions you're having. What are they of?" Karthus asked with his bony fingers laced in front of his face. Garen, who was wrapped in a black cloak, had his arms wrapped around his body, nothing visible but his face in the darkness.

"Death," he murmured, just loud enough for Karthus to hear him. "They're mostly of the people and monsters that I have killed."

Karthus closed his eyes momentarily, and then reopened them. "How long have these been occurring?"