As soon as Zexich realized Lucius had arrived and with freedom, he jumped up from the work he was doing and went to hug Lucius. Lucius gladly returned the affection.

  “My flower, have you accepted the new management?” Zexich asked eagerly.

  “It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do; let go of my pride and arrogance and submit. I did not know that I was capable of such a thing.” Lucius said solemnly.

  “Perhaps it's for the best, my flower.” Zexich said letting go of Lucius and trying to sound positive.

  “I hope, because it only feels as if I've betrayed my family for someone who was our enemy.” Lucius said with a sigh.

  “But it was worth it to have a chance at taming your flower was it not?” Zexich inquired with hope as he saw how sullen Ava looked while listening to the conversation. Lucius looked at Ava too and softened.

  “I want to give this a real chance. Do you?” Lucius asked Ava, pulling him into his arms.

  “Um, maybe, but I'm scared.” Ava meeped into Lucius's chest.

  “I am too Ava, but if we both work hard, we can learn how to love each other properly.” Lucius said seriously. Ava hinted at a smile and nodded. Lucius continued to hold Ava then he looked back at Zexich.

  “I have agreed to help to achieve Vezaias's goal, but I do not even know what that goal is. What does he hope to accomplish?” Lucius asked.

  “Our new leader is very secretive. I’ve already learned that it is best not to give away any details of his plans that he has confided in me. I would not want to anger him.” Zexich said seriously.

  “Understood. I will find out when it is appropriate I suppose.” Lucius sighed. He glanced back at Ava. “I'm exhausted. Perhaps we can both go and get some rest?” Lucius suggested.

  “Sure Louie.” Ava smiled bashfully. They exited quickly to a bedroom.

  Demetri woke up in an unfamiliar plain white bedroom once again. He immediately knew it wasn't real. He felt drained still and shifted to sit up. Then he realized Novaeris was sitting very contently in a chair with one leg crossed over the other.

  “Did you find him?!” Demetri asked eagerly.

  “I did! He has the same issue that you have. He will not sleep or cooperate with efforts to feed off of him and he has demanded to find you. He is definitely a very feisty guy for sure.” Novaeris mused. Demetri looked emotional.

  “I just want to see him.” Demetri said unhappily.

  “Sorry. It's against the rules. The council would kill me if I even attempted it.” Novaeris sighed. Demetri wilted at this denial.

  “Butttt…..I may be able to send him a message for you. That way at least you can let him know you are alright, because boy is he angry!” Novaeris grinned in amusement.

  “You will??” Demetri perked up.

  “Well on one condition of course!” Novaeris said with implication.

  “Ugh, what is it?” Demetri frowned.

  “Of course I want steady meals from you for as long as possible, and also I want to know more about the situation with this demon you said that killed you. Do you know his name? And you said he probably killed other people that you know. What are their names again? I think I will look to see if they are dead.” Novaeris said looking very interested.

  “He didn't mention a name or tell me anything about what happened to himself. He used to be human. When he was recreated he transformed into a demon and he killed my friend Lucius and ate him.” Demetri shuttered at the memory. “Then he ate me. If Maxwell is dead that means he must have gone to our home base and killed Sigil, Zexich and Rocks in the same way. There were others at our base too. I hope he was not ruthless enough to kill them too.” Demetri gave Novaeris all of his friend's names.

  “Do you know how Vezaias could have returned as this demon?” Demetri asked solemnly.

  “It seems impossible. I've never heard of a human being resurrected before, but it sounds as though when he was recreated he returned with a Nightmare attached to him. How amazing!” Novaeris said dreamily. “But also very infuriating!” Novaeris growled. Demetri looked puzzled.

  “If there is a Nightmare in your world, it will wreak havoc and probably gorge on as much human flesh as it can. Nightmares are mean nasty demons who don't care at all about the human species it feeds on! We Dream Demons try to be as humane as possible when we feed, but not a Nightmare, nope! They are gluttonous creatures with no respect at all.” Novaeris said in disgust. Demetri watched him explain this, noticing that towards the end he seemed sad. It was quiet for a moment as Novaeris tried to reel in the unhappiness and straighten up. “Anyways, I'm starving! Let me have my meal then I will go check and see if these friends of yours are dead. Demetri was frightened but nodded. Novaeris approached quickly like a hungry predator and snatched Demetri by the back of the head and sank his fangs in. Demetri jolted at the pain and jerked about reflexively.

  “AHHHHH!! Not so much! Ughh please stop!!” Demetri struggled but Novaeris’s grip was like a vice and he would not detach as he slurped nutrition from Demetri.

  “But you taste so delicious!” Novaeris paused for a breath before clamping back on to Demetri to suck more nutrition. Demetri could feel himself weakening more and was now feeling faint as Novaeris detached and backed away dropping his meal to the bed. Demetri lay nearly helpless then a moment later completely unconscious. He woke up an unknown amount of time later and sat up slowly. Once again Novaeris was sitting on the chair waiting.

  “Ah! Finally I was wondering when you were going to wake! I have news for you!” Novaeris said eagerly.

  “How long have I been sleeping?” Demetri frowned, holding the sore spot on his neck.

  “About a week.” Novaeris said nonchalantly.

  “A week?!” Demetri jolted. “…Ugh…just tell me what you know!”

  “I found a few of your friends in the system. Rocks, Skyler, and Lucius have been processed as deceased and are in a deep state of sleep while being fed upon regularly. Sigil was processed as deceased and fed upon but has since returned to a living state. Zexich has only been filed during sleeping hours and hasn't been here for weeks, that means he is alive.” Novaeris mused. Demetri processed this information and was soon filled with tears.

  “If Zexich is alive that means he must have recreated Sigil! That means he might be able to recreate all of us!” Demetri was thrilled about this.

  “Oh? So you and your friends will be alive again? How fascinating!” Novaeris seemed to fall into consideration. Demetri cupped his neck for a moment feeling the area where Novaeris had fed.

  “Why don't I bleed?” Demetri asked suddenly.

  “Ah? Why, you are just a soul without a physical body right now. Of course you won't bleed! It is rather remarkable that you have kept your human form like this. But if you'd like I can make you believe that you are bleeding! That might up the fear gauge a bit though! If you become too afraid, you might turn this into a nightmare, then I will lose your location and a Nightmare Demon will snatch you away from me!” Novaeris said seriously. Demetri was curious about how this worked but still a bit afraid of Novaeris who was looking very hungry. “That's one reason we prefer our meals to be unconscious. When they are awake they get scared and it hurts, then their fear gauge goes up and if that happens we will lose them to a Nightmare. You do not seem as afraid of me as most humans would be though. How strange.” Novaeris said seriously.

  “I am but……well I'm already dead, and I'm more worried about seeing my friends again…..seeing Maxwell again…..I love him…..and I miss him so much….” Demetri began to cry then covered his face with the bend of his elbow. Novaeris looked concerned and a bit confused.

  “Humans are very emotional creatures aren't they?” Novaeris observed.

  “Haven't you ever been in love before?” Demetri sniffled and wiped his eyes.

  “Me? In love? Hmmm….” Novaeris looked sullen now. “Well, maybe once, but that was a long time ago.”

  “Really? What happened?” Demetri asked curiously as he calmed down.

  “I met him when we were young when we first split. Then I was sort of his slave and I wasn't supposed to talk to him because it was against the rules, but one day I was getting punished for doing a bad job at my chores. I was supposed to clean up after the royal's meal. I was so hungry that I ended up eating the stale scraps. The foreman got angry and beat me for it, but then the prince stopped him. He demanded I be fed, and then we made friends.” Novaeris looked dreamy as he talked. He let out a long sigh.

  “Then what happened??” Demetri was eager to hear more.

  “Oh, well he became my enemy. You see he was a Nightmare. I’m a Dream. Our kind do not get along, and we went to war. Dreams found a way to create a containment realm that would separate and lock Nightmares and Dreams out of the human world. We just don't believe in slaughtering humans the way Nightmares do. So locking everyone away would protect humans from that sort of suffering. That means we can only feed off of them through the Dreamscapes. It's safer, less violent, and usually humans don't even realize we are feeding. Then when they wake their soul regenerates. No harm done. Well when the war ended it split us apart. I haven't seen him in thousands of years. I'm sure he would be angry if he ever saw me again. I am the one who helped develop the seal that we have trapped everyone in.” Novaeris looked pained now and he wilted from the heartbreak. Demetri was captivated by the story.

  “Maxwell and I met when we were kids too. When we got older we couldn't be together because we were going on a dangerous mission that Maxwell knew he wouldn't survive. He died and I was devastated over it. Eventually he was recreated but when he returned he couldn't remember me, but he knew how he felt about me and he ended up faking a betrayal to get me angry enough to kill him so he could find his memories that were trapped in the Dreamscape. Then he was able to return with his memories and he confessed his love for me.” Demetri explained. He fell into dreamy aloofness as he remembered this.

  “That's an incredible story. I almost feel like we could be friends if you weren't so delicious!” Novaeris said with sincerity. Demetri smiled nervously.

  “Uh, yeah totally. Um….could you give Maxwell a message for me then? Please tell him I'm alright and if Zexich is really alive we may be going back to life and we will be together again soon.” Demetri said, looking rather emotional.

  “Gotcha! I'll will tell him as soon as I can. Now, can I get my meal? I’m so hungry!” Novaeris stood up gritting his teeth eagerly. Demetri looked frightened again.

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  “Aw, please don't be scared! If you get too scared, then you will fall under the Nightmare's jurisdiction! A Nightmare will feed off of you until you are too weak to regenerate! Then your soul will cease to exist! I won't do that to you!” Novaeris said worriedly.

  “It hurts. Of course that will scare me!” Demetri insisted.

  “Well I tried to put you to sleep. I can make you dream about anything that you want to see as long as it isn't scary. Then you won't feel it when I feed on you!” Novaeris said seriously.

  “Can I trust you that I will wake up and be alright?” Demetri said nervously.

  “You can! Like I told you, Dream Demons try to be as humane as possible! We don't want to hurt humans!” Novaeris insisted.

  “Okay…….I trust you.” Demetri said nervously.

  “Great, thanks because feeding on you while you are struggling feels terrible! Okay so what do you want me to make you dream about?” Novaeris asked eagerly.

  “I don't know? It's going to be fake, so whatever you make it will seem very selfish.” Demetri said, looking withered.

  “Aw, but you should enjoy it! Even if it's fake, it's only temporary to help protect you from the pain!” Novaeris said with concern.

  “I guess…..I want to see Maxwell. Even if it's only a dream.” Demetri looked crushed.

  “Aw, sure. I will try and make it believable, but I know you will be able to tell that it's fake. Just try and relax, okay?” Novaeris said soothingly. He approached Demetri quickly. “Now let me see what's in your imagination. That will help.” Novaeris reached up and put a hand behind Demetri's neck and seemed to look deep inside. Soon the surroundings faded away and Maxwell was cupping the back of his neck in place, then a moment later they were kissing urgently. Demetri knew it was fake, but he gave in to the dream, let his imagination shape it and ran wild with desire and expectation. The experience was saturating and lustful, as the dream brought Demetri to climax. Maxwell kissed him deeply. It was so fake.

  “I love you even if this is only a dream.” He whispered into Demetri's ear. Demetri's eyes filled with tears and he clung to Maxwell desperately.

  “I miss you so much.” Demetri huffed.

  “I miss you too Squirt.” Maxwell panted. Demetri felt drained now as he lay plastered against Maxwell's bare chest and soon he was asleep.

  He slept for what seemed like forever, unaware of the demon feeding on him. When he woke he was alone. He got out of the bed and paced about the room anxiously. It was a long while before Novaeris popped back into the room.

  “Oh good you're awake! I had something to tell you but you were still regenerating.” Novaeris said eagerly

  “What is it? Did you give Maxwell my message??” Demetri asked quickly.

  “I did! But I'm not sure if he believed me! He is one angry guy! Man, he is giving us so much trouble. He won't cooperate at all.” Novaeris said seriously.

  “Heh, well he is a troublemaker by nature.” Demetri grinned looking amused as well as sad.

  “What an understatement.” Novaeris chucked.

  “What did you want to tell me?” Demetri asked.

  “Oh! I've been keeping track of your friends, and the one named Lucius, he's alive again!” Novaeris said with intrigue.

  “Really! That means he's been recreated!” Demetri nearly cheered. “What about the others??”

  “All dead still.” Novaeris said seriously.

  “I'm sure he is working quickly to recreate us. I just have to be patient.” Demetri tried reassuring himself.

  “Well here's the thing, when you are alive again, I don't think you will remember being here. I've never been friends with a human before either, but I added you to my favorite's list. That way if you sleep and end up here while you dream, I will be able to intercept you and feed off of you again. I really do like your flavor, but also, because I want whatever intel you have on that demon that killed you. Is he still in your world? What is his name? I will keep you awake to find out. Is that okay with you?” Novaeris asked.

  “Sure I guess.” Demetri said mildly. “Can you make sure my friends are safe until they are recreated?”

  “I'll try, but I'm not the demon connected to their Dreamscape.” Novaeris said seriously.

  “Well I appreciate you trying.” Demetri said.

  “Can I have another meal now?? I'm starving!” Novaeris perked up now looking hungry again.

  “Uh! Sure. Just put me to sleep again. It was fake but at least I couldn't feel it.” Demetri said nervously.

  “Of course!” Novaeris approached quickly and smashed into Demetri's lips and suddenly he was in an intense make out session with Maxwell who dropped him into the bed and very passionately drove him straight into ecstasy. He fell into a deep sleep now and was quickly unaware of everything around him. It was an unknown amount of time before his soul fazed out of the Dreamscape and resurfaced inside a new body. His first sensation was a flash of memory, the last moments of his previous life of sharp teeth ripping through his flesh. He jerked and shrieked then flailed in a desperate attempt to escape the vicious attack. Next he kicked and slipped off the edge and crashed to the floor.

  “Demetri! You are safe! Please calm down!” A familiar voice urged him. He was gasping for air in a panic but blinked his eyes and focused on the concerned face in front of him. Zexich’s face soon came into a clear focus. Demetri began to calm down enough to think lucidly about what was happening.

  “Zex?!” Demetri couldn't help but shout.

  “Yes, Demetri. Everything is okay. It is just you and me and Sigil. Please steady your breathing and calm yourself.” Zexich spoke to him in a soothing voice. Demetri choked up on the memories that had flashed through his head then sat up and hugged Zexich.

  “Vezaias is alive!” He choked out. “….and he killed Lucius!” He sobbed. “…..he ate him Zex! While he was still alive!” He explained frantically. Zexich knew of the way in which they had both passed, but hearing Demetri choke out the frantic explanation was heart wrenching. Demetri was shaking and debilitatingly tense. He held Demetri tightly as he cried for a long while until he was able to calm down. He did manage to signal Sigil to go and fetch Lucius who was waiting anxiously for an opportunity to see Demetri alive again.

  “He threatened to come to base and kill everyone here.” Demetri said meekly and he clung to Zexich.

  “I'm afraid he did exactly as he said he would do.” Zexich sighed. “…..and he was nearly completely successful. I am the only member that was left at the base, fortunately the girls escaped along with Roman. Everyone else fell to the appetite of the Demon named Solaris that lives within Vezaias. Demetri cringed and began to cry again. Zexich continued to hold him until Sigil returned with Lucius. As soon as Demetri noticed him approaching he scrambled to his feet and threw his arms around Lucius and hugged him while sobbing.

  “I am sorry that I failed to protect you.” Lucius said, choking up as Demetri cried into his shoulder.

  “Don't apologize! I couldn’t save you either. I had to watch him eat you alive! Then I was next!” Demetri sobbed. Lucius sank to the floor with Demetri who was devastated for a long time. Eventually he fell into a shallow sleep after becoming exhausted from crying so hard.

  “Perhaps we should take him to the bed. I feel as if he is suffering from severe symptoms of PTSD.” Zexich said softly as he sat beside Lucius who was still holding Demetri while he slept.

  Novaeris's device buzzed. He popped up checking his device seeing that his ‘favorite meal provider’ was phasing into the Dreamscape. He had been at home in his modest one bedroom townhouse in the vast widespread cluster of empty dwellings that all Dreams lived in. His home was still considered nicer than most other dwellings because it had its own NDC built in. That was the reward for all his hard work after the war ended, but he didn't care much for having luxurious things, so his walls were bare and his furniture was plain gray and worn fake leather. He lived a very minimalistic lifestyle, so there were no shelves or bookcases, no decor of any sort. He hopped up from his seat and headed for the NDC located in the back of his dwelling next to his small bedroom, as quickly as possible. He swiped his ID and rushed to the feeding pod, a newer model metal capsule with a hydraulic sliding door with a small window. He entered and activated the pod from the control module, a panel of touchscreen buttons and fazed himself into the Dreamscape. He quickly filled the room with a relaxing scene, the same plain bedroom as previously utilized, where Demetri lay unconscious. It was only a moment later when he woke with a jolt looking around the strange unfamiliar bedroom in a panic.

  “You're awake! That was fast, you were only classified as alive again for an hour! You are asleep already?” Novaeris said cheerfully. Demetri looked frightened and scrambled into the wall.

  “Who are you?!” He shouted.

  “It's me! Novaeris! You forgot me didn't you? Hum…I figured this might happen.” Novaeris frowned.

  “I've never seen you before!” Demetri panicked and shouted.

  “Easy there fella! Relax okay? You are making your fright meter go up! If it goes up any more a Nightmare can take you away!”

  “A Nightmare?! What the fuck are you talking about?!” Demetri shouted in terror.

  “Oh geez, here let me make you more comfortable.” He waved his hand, shifting the room to look like Demetri's home at the base. This only seemed to scare Demetri more.

  “Relax okay! I'm not going to hurt you.” Novaeris said calmly. Suddenly the bedroom faded away and the surroundings faded into darkness. Novaeris jerked to his feet.

  “You cannot take him, he is mine! He just needs to calm down and his fright meter will deplete!” Novaeris growled as a pair of red eyes looked at him through the invisible barrier.

  “He is at 50%, that's fair game.” The red eyes growled back with a deep menacing voice. Novaeris growled and pulled out his device. He quickly tapped at the screen trying to try and force Demetri awake.

  Demetri fell into a new environment where he was surrounded by darkness then suddenly as if a vicious animal attacked he was smashed into the ground as teeth ripped through flesh.

  He let out a blood curdling scream and sat up in terror. He looked around the room gasping in fright but realizing he was in a secure holding room at the base. It was then he noticed Zexich sitting near the bed.

  “Zex?” Demetri asked softly.

  “I have something that I must explain to you. It will not be easy to accept but please listen.” Zexich began. Demetri was quiet but only nodded.

  “It is true that Vezaias came to the base and killed most of our members. I was allowed to live because I was important to achieve a certain goal. I have since recreated Sigil, Lucius, and you, but that is only because I was granted permission by our new leader.” Zexich explained solemnly.

  “Our new leader? Zex you don't mean that…” Demetri began.

  “He is going to offer you a deal, I suggest you accept the offer just as Sigil and Lucius have. If you don't, Solaris will kill you.” Zexich said, trying to sound positive. “I must leave you now. Please stay with us, Demetri. I do not want to lose you again.” And with that Zexich left quickly. Demetri sat in fear over the explanation for a long moment before Vezaias walked in looking very smug, behind him was Remington, Lux, and a very striking unfamiliar person. Demetri was tense and he knew if he tried to summon his Tritar to attack, Vezaias would only nullify his talent. He sat anxiously waiting for Vezaias to speak first.

  “Hey Dem. Looks like you're finally calm enough to speak with. I had Zex give you the run down because I'm sure you would be less likely to listen to me. I want to offer you a chance to join my team just as the others have. If you accept…”

  “You can take your offer and shove it up your ass!” Demetri snapped angrily.

  “Whoa, at least hear me out before you shoot this offer down. I will give you most of your freedom back and…”

  “You killed Maxwell! Why the fuck would I ever cooperate with you?!” Demetri yelled.

  “You're right I did kill him and he was delicious!” Vezaias grinned, showing his teeth that were growing sharp and longer each moment. Demetri cringed in pain and anger. “But I have to keep Solaris well fed, you understand. If I don't things will get very ugly! It is much better if I control who his victims are. Your friends can be recreated, but the rest of humanity is not so expendable.” Vezaias said smugly. Demetri looked serious and considered this excuse. “I know you are angry at me for everything, and I don't blame you one bit, but the honest truth of the matter is; If you ever want to see Maxwell alive again you will submit to me and accept the offer.” Vezaias said seriously. Demetri was quiet trying to comprehend this situation.

  “And if I decline?” Demetri asked in frustration.

  “Solaris is always hungry, Dem. I would be glad to accept the nutrition.” Vezaias chuckled. Demetri cringed remembering the attack and being ripped to shreds. It was a long moment before he could find the words to speak.

  “What do you expect of me if I accept?” Demetri choked out.

  “You will cease all hostility you may harbor towards me and my team. You will follow all of my orders, and do everything I expect you to do. You will help me achieve my goals that will remain classified until I feel it is appropriate to explain to you.” Vezaias said very seriously.

  “In exchange for what?” Demetri asked sourly.

  “In exchange for not being a fucking meal right now!” Vezaias snapped angrily. Demetri cringed.

  “Maybe I'd rather be dead then be your your fucking slave!” Demetri retorted angrily

  “Or perhaps my meat factory! I will have Zexich recreate you repeatedly only to be nutrition for Solaris!” Vezaias shouted angrily. Demetri cringed.

  “I won't join you unless you give Maxwell back to me!” Demetri shouted back at him.

  “Absolutely not!” Vezaias snapped back. “He is in fact very dangerous even without his talent. His combat skills are impeccable, and I believe he would be the least cooperative, and he has very little handicaps like you and your inability to fight without your talent, or Lucius's inflated sense of self.” Vezaias paused, looking smug. “But I understand you need some sort of positive motivation besides being allowed to live. So I will offer you a chance to have Maxwell back once my goals have been achieved. I have already promised Zexich and the others this same thing, all of your friends will return I swear it to all of you. I will also give you more freedom, and an opportunity to continue to be a member of the band. We have a replacement for you but it seems that no matter how exactly my brother can mimic you, it's still not as satisfying for us to be as amazing of a group without the original you. So do you accept the terms?” Vezaias asked once again.