Nocturne stands amidst the wreckage of Aetheris' throne room, his gaze drifting through the tear in reality. So, this is where Orion sent his little princess. He surveys the world on the other side. It is quite… inferior. Primitive. A blue and green sphere swirling with clouds. An insignificant little marble.
But… there is potential. He can sense it. This world teems with life, with dreams. Every single person down there is a walking battery waiting to be drained. A fantastic source of Dreamflow energy.
Beside him, the Spider Dream Eater shivers with anticipation. Its mandibles click. [Click, click]. A clear sign of its excitement.
Its eight spindly legs twitch nervously on the once pristine marble floor, like some kind of demented arachnid ballerina. Its bulbous body glistens with an oily sheen. Its many eyes glimmer with hunger.
"Patience," Nocturne says, his voice a low purr. "There will be plenty for you to feast on soon."
"Your task is simple. Find the Astra Coins. And… indulge yourself. Gather as much Dreamflow as you can."
Nocturne turns his attention to the swirling energy before him. The ritual is almost complete. With a flick of his wrist, he sends the Spider Dream Eater through the portal.
He watches it disappear, a predatory grin spreading across his face. What wonders will I discover in this new world? What new nightmares will I unearth? One thing is certain, this world is now his playground.
Now, where did those coins go? He tries to extend his senses, searching for their unique signature, but to no avail. Strange. It is as if the world is actively concealing them.
Nocturne sighs dramatically, waving a hand dismissively. "Well, I suppose I have no choice but to wait." He glances around the ruined throne room again. Such a mess. The energy signature of the portal flickers and fades. Now, all he can do is wait for the Spider Dream Eater to find the coins.
* * *
The Spider Dream Eater emerges from the portal, its multiple eyes adjusting to the vibrant, chaotic city. Cars honk, people chatter, and lights flash. The air vibrates with a frantic energy unlike the decaying Aetheris. Nocturne is right: this world teems with life.
The Spider Dream Eater moves with unnerving silence, its spindly legs carrying its bulk across the pavement. It scans the surroundings, its senses honed to detect the faintest trace of Dreamflow. Then, it picks up a scent. A potent aroma of hope, ambition, and joy wafts through the air. Dreamflow.
The scent leads the Spider Dream Eater to a park, where a man stands on a small stage holding a violin. He raises his bow and begins to play. The music is rich and passionate, filling the air with emotion. The Spider Dream Eater can practically taste the Dreamflow radiating from the violinist.
The man finishes his set, a satisfied smile on his face as a few coins clink into his open violin case. "Thank you, thank you!" he says, bowing slightly.
The violinist puts his violin away and gets ready to head out, but the Spider Dream Eater drops down from above.
The violinist glances up, his smile vanishing as he takes in the huge, bizarre creature. "W-what is that?" he asks, his eyes growing wide with fear. "A monster!" He steps back, holding tight to his violin.
The Spider Dream Eater lunges forward, its mandibles clicking hungrily. It grabs the violinist with one of its legs and pins him to the ground. The violinist struggles, but the Dream Eater's grip is too strong.
The Spider Dream Eater begins to drain the violinist's Dreamflow. A visible aura of energy flows from the man, dissipating into the Dream Eater's bulbous body. The violinist's eyes glaze over, and his struggling weakens.
The Spider Dream Eater relishes the sensation, savoring each drop of Dreamflow. It feels like the most delicious meal he has ever had. The power surges through him, making him stronger, hungrier. He has an appetite for more humans.
The Spider Dream Eater releases the violinist, who slumps to the ground, dazed and empty. His eyes are vacant, devoid of light, as if the very spark of life has been extinguished.
The Spider Dream Eater begins its search for more humans with Dreamflow.
The violinist slowly rises to his feet. He looks down at his violin, lying discarded on the ground. He doesn't pick it up. He turns and walks away, leaving his violin behind.
* * *
Axl strolls down the street, a grin plastered across his face. The energy from his last performance still buzzes in his ears.
He pulls out his phone and checks his YouTube channel. His jaw drops. 10,000 views! His latest video has over ten thousand views. He pumps his fist in the air. "Yes!" oblivious to the stares of passersby. That is the most views he has ever gotten.
He flips the Astra Coin in his hand, its golden surface gleaming in the sunlight. It feels warm to the touch, almost alive. He never expected a coin to have that feeling. He feels that he has earned his fame. It was the luckiest thing he had ever encountered. He is so thankful for it. He owes it all to this coin.
Suddenly, a voice cuts through his daydreaming. "Wait!"
Axl spins around, nearly dropping the Astra Coin. He sees a woman with long, flowing silver hair that shimmers like moonlight. Her eyes are a deep violet, like amethysts. She is wearing a white-and-gold dress with intricate embroidery, making her look like she just stepped out of a fairytale. Axl stares, momentarily speechless. "Uh… hey," he manages, trying to regain his cool.
"That in your hand, please give it back." She points directly at the Astra Coin Axl is holding.
Axl raises an eyebrow. "This? What, you a magician or something? Found it fair and square. It's mine." He closes his hand around the coin.
"It belongs to me. I need it. It is vital to save my world."
Axl stares at her, a confused expression on his face. My world? He glances around, wondering if he's wandered into some sort of prank. "Okay, lady, I don't know what you're smoking, but this coin is staying with me. It's like my lucky charm. Maybe you should go back to whatever Renaissance fair you escaped from."
He turns to leave, but Marvella grabs his arm. "Please, you do not understand! This is of utmost importance."
Axl yanks his arm away. "Look, I don't have time for this wacko stuff." He shoves the coin into his pocket and takes off running, his leather jacket flapping in the wind.
"Stop! Return the coin! You must give it back!" she shouts while chasing after him,
Axl glances over his shoulder, a smirk on his face. He weaves through the crowd, dodging shoppers and tourists. "No way! Catch me if you can!" he yells, his laughter echoing through the air.
Marvella, unused to such pedestrian pursuits, struggles to keep up. She bumps into a hot dog stand, narrowly avoiding a collision with a stroller, and almost trips over a skateboarder. "Please! I implore you!"
Axl continues to sprint, and when he glances back, he is surprised to see Marvella still on his tail. He zigzags through the crowd, narrowly avoiding a collision with a mime. "You're persistent, I'll give you that!" he yells over his shoulder, impressed by her stamina. She must really want that coin.
Marvella, however, is starting to lag. Her elegant dress is hindering her movements, and her tiara is threatening to topple off her head with every step. She clutches her suitcase tighter, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Wait… just… a moment…" she wheezes, her voice barely audible above the city's cacophony.
Finally, Axl slows to a jog, then stops completely, leaning against a building to catch his breath. Marvella stumbles to a halt in front of him, her face flushed and her silver hair disheveled. They both stand there, panting and staring at each other awkwardly. Axl is the first to break the silence.
"Okay, okay," he says, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I gotta admit, I didn't think you had it in you. For a second there, I thought you were going to give up." He glances at her up and down.
Marvella glares at him. "I will not yield. That coin is essential."
The tension hangs in the air for a moment, broken only by the sounds of the city. Suddenly, a loud rumble echoes through the street. Both Axl and Marvella freeze, their eyes widening.
Marvella's face turns beet red. She clutches her stomach, mortified. "Oh, dear," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
Axl raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sounds like someone's hungry."
Marvella shrinks back, her cheeks burning. "I… I have not eaten since yesterday."
Axl hesitates, then shrugs. "Alright, alright. Truce, for now? How about I buy you something to eat? You look like you're about to pass out." He scratches the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward. "It's the least I can do after all this running around."
Axl leads Marvella to a small, brightly lit cafe a few blocks away. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries fills the air. "Alright, your highness," Axl says, gesturing to a table near the window. "Let's get you fed."
They sit down, and Axl flags down a waitress. "We'll take a couple of menus,"
Marvella's eyes widen as she gazes at the menu. All the dishes are foreign to her, unlike anything from her world. "There are so many options."
Axl chuckles. "Just pick something. Anything. It's all good." He glances at her, noticing the way her eyes light up at the sight of a chocolate cake. "Or, you know, go straight for the sugar rush. I won't judge."
Marvella, her stomach growling audibly, decides on a hearty-looking sandwich and a slice of that tempting chocolate cake. Axl orders a burger and fries, figuring he deserves a treat after his YouTube success.
When the food arrives, Marvella dives in with a gusto that surprises Axl. She devours the sandwich in a matter of minutes. She then proceeds to attack the chocolate cake with equal fervor, moaning with delight after each bite.
Axl watches her, amused and slightly concerned. "Hey, slow down there," he says, taking a bite of his burger. "You're gonna choke."
Marvella pauses, swallowing hard. "I apologize," she says, her voice muffled by a mouthful of cake. "It is just… I have not eaten properly in days. Ever since I arrived on this planet, I have been worried about finding the Astra Coins." She wipes her mouth with a napkin, leaving a smudge of chocolate on her cheek.
Axl raises an eyebrow. "Arrived on this planet? What, are you an alien or something?" He chuckles, but there's a hint of curiosity in his voice. It is strange that she calls Earth "this planet".
Marvella sighs, setting down her fork. "My name is Marvella. I am the princess of Aetheris."
"Princess of… Aether-what now? Never heard of it. Is that, like, a new amusement park or something?" Axl takes a bite of his burger, chewing thoughtfully. "Wait, let me guess. It's in Japan, right? They have all the weird stuff."
Marvella frowns, clearly not appreciating his sarcasm. "Aetheris is a kingdom, A kingdom in another dimension."
Axl bursts out laughing. "Okay, now I know you're messing with me. Another dimension? Seriously? Are you for real?" He shakes his head, grinning. "You know, for a second there, I almost believed you. But another dimension? That's a bit much, even for me." He thinks she's got a bit of a screw loose in her head. He's met his fair share of strange people, but this girl takes the cake.
"I understand that it sounds… improbable," she says, her voice laced with frustration. "But I assure you, I am telling the truth. The Astra Coins are vital to saving my kingdom. You must return them to me."
Axl rolls his eyes. "Look, I appreciate the story, your highness, but I'm not buying it. This coin is mine now. I don't know what game you are playing, but I won't give this coin to you."
"You do not understand! If I do not get the coins back, the Dream Eaters will come after you! They will come after everyone on this planet!"
Axl scoffs. "Dream Eaters? What are those, some kind of sleepwalking zombies?" He shakes his head, amused by her outlandish claims. He thinks that maybe he should call someone to take her to a hospital. "Seriously, lady, you need to chill out. There are no such things as dream eaters."
Axl thinks Marvella is completely bonkers. "Look, Princess Crazy-pants, I appreciate the, uh, performance. But I'm not buying any of it. This coin is mine, and it's staying with me. You go back to wherever you came from, and I'll pay for the meal."
Marvella's face crumples. "Please," she begs, her voice trembling. "You do not understand the danger! The Astra Coin is not a toy! It is the key to saving my world!"
Axl sighs, pulling out his wallet. "Alright, that's it. I'm paying the bill. And you? You're going to need to find your way back to the looney bin." He puts some money on the table and stands up.
Marvella, desperate, grabs onto the sleeve of Axl's leather jacket. "No! Please, you must listen to me! I implore you, return the coin!" She tugs on his jacket, her grip surprisingly strong.
Axl raises his eyebrows, annoyed. "Hey, hey, easy there! You're gonna rip my jacket! Let go!" He tries to shake her off, but Marvella holds on tight, her knuckles turning white. He glances around, noticing the stares of the other patrons. This is getting embarrassing.
"Lady, I am warning you," Axl growls, his patience wearing thin. "Let go of my jacket, or I'm calling the cops."
Suddenly, the lights in the café flicker, casting long, eerie shadows across the room. A low, guttural growl rumbles through the air, sending shivers down their spines.
Axl and Marvella both freeze, their eyes darting around the café. The other patrons, sensing something amiss, begin to murmur nervously, their voices hushed and fearful.
Axl glances out the window, his eyes widening in disbelief. Above the buildings opposite, a monstrous figure looms, its eight spindly legs silhouetted against the darkening sky. The Spider Dream Eater.
Marvella gasps, her face paling. "No… it cannot be…" she whispers, her voice trembling.
The Spider Dream Eater's multiple eyes fixate on them, gleaming with predatory hunger. It has found her.
But its gaze lingers on Axl. The Dream Eater can sense the immense Dreamflow radiating from him, a feast of epic proportions. It finds him very delicious.