Snippet #2191920

Derran's state of mind went from bad to worse. He was beginning to dream awful dreams. Some were profound and emotional, others were simply strange and erratic but all had a central theme. Derran found himself running through fields as the vegetation and plant life faded into a dry desert. The ground cracked and the color drained as the earth began to split appart. Derran screamed as the earth intended to swallow him whole. Derran ran but the crevice grew into a canyon and Derran lost his footing. Derran held on to a loose chuck of hanging ground as he looked towards the abyss. When he stared the abyss stared back, two bulbous glowing eyes stared at him and the a cruel smile formed. The darkness of the canyon turned in to a gigantic Heartless and it spoke to him as it towered above him, blocking out the sun.

"Just give up Derran...the Darkness isn't all that bad." It mockingly spoke. "Take it from Nazo, your already on the edge so why hang on?" "Why not fall?" "Besides it's not the fall that kills you after all." The Nazo laughed manically as it brushed up against the canyon wall making it fall, Derran along with it. "NOOOOOO!" Derran shouted as he fell into darkness.

Derran kept on hearing Nazo mocking him as he fell deeper and deeper. . "Tough words for an injured man." "I promise you we will meet again." "We shall see if you've improved even the slightest." "You are no match for me." Derran twisted and turned as he scrunched his face wrestling with the voices and thoughts in his head. He can hear Maverick's voice as well as they started to come through.

"So Alliance members? Is this the kind of action you were looking for?" "Yes, you have kept this little bastion safe for years, but guess what?" "Nothing has happened such as this in recent years!" "You saying you kept this place safe means nothing!" "Don't delude yourself!" Maverick's voice faded as Derran began to mutter. "N-no...you're wrong!" Derran spoke as he continued his decent.

Maverick's and Nazo's voices began meld messing up their coherency but some last phrases managed to reach his ears. "If he wiped out the so called 'Protectors of the light' the best of the best already, then you guys have very little hope." Maverick spoke. "Remember my name," Nazo spoke, ""Now as for who i am..." Maverick then interjected. "Nazo," "My name is Maverick," "Remember it and hate it." " And this is only the beginning." As their faces and voices faded Derran saw a mysterious figure open it's mouth as Derran fell in. "NOOOO!" Derran yelled as he snapped awake.

Derran awoke in a cold sweat as he sprang up. He sat as he began to rub his hair but when he went to lift his left arm his shoulder throbbed. "GAH!" Derran shouted as he took his hand and placed it over his bandaged shoulder. Derran panted heavily as he placed his hand down. "That's right I was injured." "Nazo....Maverick..." Derran furrowed his eyebrows as he thought about those two. "Whoever they are...I can't let this happen again..." Derran thought almost as if giving a pledge. Derran looked over to see a cup of water on the table by his bed. Derran picked up the cup and gulped it down. Almost giving no time to breath, Derran was extremely thirsty. Derran dropped the empty cup on his bed as he wiped his mouth. Derran gave a heavy sigh as he looked towards the window. The curtains covered it from the outside sun but thoughts of the pillar of light soon entered his mind. Derran should investigate but judging by the radiance of the light others must be doing it by now. Derran can't exactly go even though he wants to. His wounds are all too fresh and the family servants would most likely stop him at the behest of his father. Derran couldn't help but feel as if something is going on and he should be there. Derran placed his hand over his face as he gave a sigh.

Derran immediately began to think about Dante. "Dante...how would you have handled things differently?" Derran muttered too himself as he laid back down against his pillow. As he did Miranda charged inside. "I heard you shout are you alright?" she asked. "Yeah I'm fine...I just want to be left alone right now if you don't mind." Derran spoke in a melancholy attitude. "As you wish." She kindly spoke as she left the room. The door closed behind her and Derran blankly stared at the ceiling. Derran was lost in the days of his childhood. Will things ever be the same again?