Step.
Step.
The ground rippled under his feet. Beneath its murky depths, specs of starlight quivered in the aftershocks.
Darkness.
That was all there was.
He put one leg ahead of the other regardless unsure if he was coming or going or even moving at all, acting on instinct alone that something would go very wrong if he stopped.
Step.
Step.
Something caught his eye. A bright light was erupting in the distance.
Step by step, his walk ascended to a marathon sprint, hellbent on only stopping when he reached its source.
It was a tree.
It was black, withered like charcoal, its tips of its bends refracting whatever strange light source that was allowing him to see. The true source of light was a luminescent pond sat at the tree's roots, but in its branches held someone familiar in face alone.
“…Luna?”
She jumped, as if she wasn’t expecting to hear her own name, although unsurprised to see who it was.
“Oh. Hello August.”
“So uh. Where are we?”
“We’re dead.”
He stepped back and she chuckled.
“Sorry, I’m only kidding. This is your dream, although it's not very much of one.”
“Oh. You’re some kind of dream creature?”
“...Dreams are my Specialism. I’m able to travel through the dreams of other people.”
“I thought you didn’t have… Did you make this place?”
She shook her head, brown curls fluttering unnaturally; his dream incorrectly projecting the physics her hair should have.
“Huh.”
He slid down the base of the tree until he sat on the darkness emulating the ground, and she joined him, legs held close to her chest and head resting on her knees.
“I’ve had this same dream every night but I’ve never seen this place before.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s quite a vast area.”
“...It’s really pretty.”
He quietly observed her expressions, or lack thereof as she watched the lakes edge ebb and flow off the coast off nothing.
“Hey, look” He had to break the silence again, “I’m…so sorry about before.”
“Which before?” She replied without missing a beat.
August's forehead creased, trying to remember what she would be most upset about.
“Three days ago. That’s how long you’ve been unconscious for.”
“Oh, that?”
The big fight.
“I really don’t know what came over me. When I woke up you were…It’s my fault you’re like this now.”
His magic came at her faster and more brutal than it ever should have been; Shadows snuffing out light and air until it formed the subconscious they were sitting in now.
“It doesn’t matter.” She said.
“...It doesn't?”
“Well, I’m alive for one, or I wouldn’t be here.”
“...Right.”
“Second, you’re a combat mage. It would’ve been bad for your ratings if you lost your first fight to someone like me. ”
“People keep praising me, but it feels wrong.”
“I think it’s impressive honestly.”
She still hadn’t looked at him, but felt him spin around in confusion.
“Your Specialism, I mean. You must have a strong sense of self to be able to exert it so easily.”
He hadn’t hesitated at all in that moment.
“That’s the kind of power we need to survive here. You would’ve won that fight regardless, so please don’t feel bad on my account.”
“But I’m grateful to you for saving my life! I already owe you so much. What I did was –”
“August.” Harsher than she meant it to.
Her hand was on his and she looked up at him, head tilting in an attempt to look sympathetic.
“I’m fine. I promise.”
He looked back at her. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to see.
“Luna… if this is real, and I’m talking to the real you right now… Please wake up soon.”