Chapter XLVI - The Dream Becomes a Nightmare ~Rynn

Rynn tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Naaro was beside her and Kai was in the middle. She rolled over to gaze at them. Both were sound asleep. Kai was even cooing in his sleep. She smiled, then rolled back over.

Every time she closed her eyes, she sensed an evil presence. But what it was, or where it was, was a mystery to the young Drakoni. She shrugged it off, thinking it was only her imagination.

Closing her eyes once more, she let thoughts of her family fill her mind. Happy thoughts. She smiled as she "saw" Kai taking his first steps, at his first birthday party. Naaro teaching the young boy the ways to fight and defend himself.

But slowly, those thought twisted and turned, growing darker. She saw Kai running Naaro through as she helplessly watched. A voice laughed. It was male at first, then softened into a female one. As the dreams faded, a woman stepped out of the shadows. She was clad in a black skirt and top, revealing her belly. Her skin was a pale white, and her eyes were purple, as was her lips. Her hair was blue, and some was pulled on top of her head, held by a silver band. She was smiling.

"Rynn Karukylis, I presume?" she asked, looking Rynn over.

She felt rather naked and exposed as the woman's gaze traveled over her. It was almost as if she could read her thoughts, knew her fears, hopes, and dreams.

"Yes," Rynn managed to say, standing tall. She wouldn't allow this woman to get the better of her. She'd show no fear. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The woman smiled coldly.

"I am Synia. And what I want is you!" She screamed and Rynn dropped into a fighting stance, as Synia came rushing forward. Something glittered in her hand.

Rynn leaped back as Synia came towards her, a sword appearing in her hand. She blocked Synia, noting that what she held was a glittering black sword. Synia snarled, pushing Rynn with her sword.

"You'll be mine, young Drakoni!"

"Never!" Rynn shouted, shoving Synia off her.

Then she called forth a blast of fire at the evil creature, knocking her even further back, into an invisible wall.

Synia cackled coldly as she rose to her feet after a moment.

"Is that the best you have? You're pathetic!"

She blasted Rynn with a blast of black ice, freezing her hand around her sword as she attempted to block it. Rynn screamed. The ice crackled, as if infused with electricity.

She looked up just in time to see that black sword coming bearing down at her head. Rynn blocked, then opened her mouth, sending out a blast of fire and lightning, striking Synia in the chest.

Synia screamed, falling back. "This isn't over, Rynn. I'll be back for you!" She smiled, pointing a finger at the ice around Rynn's hand. "Dark Explosion!"

Rynn screamed in pain and terror as the dark ice shattered, encasing her arm in electricity. It crawled over her arm, burning whatever it touched. Synia laughed as she slowly faded from view. "Enjoy my dear!"

Rynn suddenly sat upright, panting and sweating. It had been a dream...right? She looked over her right hand and noticed something strange. The skin was darker, and there were white burn marks on her hand. Her eyes trailed up her arm and she noticed more of the same. But the burns made a sort of pattern, almost like a tattoo. They ended on her upper arm, before her shoulder. What did it mean?

Swinging her legs off the side of the bed, she got up. Looking to see if Naaro and Kai were still asleep, she was surprised to see Naaro awake.

"Ka? What are you doing up?"

Naaro had propped himself up on his elbow, looking at her. "I heard your scream...you alright?" His eyes looked over her, then went wide. "Angel...what happened?"

Rynn nodded. "I'm fine. It was just a dream."

She tried to hide her arm, but Naaro caught her hand before she could.

"Then what's this?" he asked, tracing over the burn with a finger.

She winced. It was still painful, but how could it have carried over into the real world from the dream world?

"Just a burn...Naaro, do you know of a woman named Synia?"

He looked thoughtful. "Synia...No, can't say that I have. Is she the one who attacked you?"

Rynn nodded. "Yes, in my sleep. She claimed she wanted me, but never told me why."

Naaro nodded. "Do you need me to help doctor that burn for you?"

She shook her head. "No, stay here with Kai. It'll be fine."

He agreed and she headed off towards the restroom onboard the Spectrum.