Luxiana Sommeris“Relax, it was just a dream.” Damien chuckled softly, his warm fingers brushing against my cheek soothingly. “Even you can still have dreams that feel so real.”I hesitated momentarily, biting my lower lip before whispering, “Is that so? Because in that dream, you were my boyfriend, and we were having the time of our lives. Grandma was there too.”His expression shifted, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes. “That must have been difficult for you,” he murmured, his voice gentle yet firm. “But believe me, it was only a dream—a false awakening. Those happen for many reasons, but they’re usually caused by stress.”Hearing his explanation made it easier to breathe, but a heavy sigh still escaped my lips. I gave a small nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry… I-I’ve just been through a lot. Am I overreacting to everything?”Damien shook his head without hesitation. “No, you’re reacting exactly how anyone would. Stop overthinking it, alright?”I ex
Luxiana SommerisI went home carrying the picture book that the strange boy had left on my desk. It was about angels and demons.His words lingered in my mind, clinging to me like a shadow I couldn’t escape. Something was unsettling about them, sending a quiet shiver down my spine.When I arrived home, I prepared my dinner before taking a bath. The book never left my side. I carried it to my bedroom, curiosity tugging at me, urging me to see what lay within its pages.My eyes landed on the cover. It looked ordinary—aged, perhaps a little worn, but nothing unusual. I flipped through the pages, skimming over illustrations of angels and demons, their worlds coexisting in an unnatural harmony.At first, everything seemed straightforward. The book explains their differences, their roles, and their nature. But then, my fingers stilled on a particular page—one that made my heart skip a beat.An angel and a demon had fallen in love. But their love was forbidden. They were being torn apart, t
Luxiana SommerisI swallowed, glancing back up at the treehouses with a newfound sense of understanding. It made sense now—why this place felt so eerily silent, why the air around it carried an almost heavy stillness. The higher the houses sat, the more isolated they became, removed from everything below. If someone wanted to disappear from the world, this was the perfect place to do it.“I see,” I murmured. “Now it makes sense why I was brought here.”Damien gave a slow nod before stopping, tilting his head back to look up toward the highest treehouse. “He’s up there,” he said, jerking his chin toward it. “Let’s go.”I turned to him, blinking in slight confusion. “Wait—are we using our powers to go up there?”Damien’s lips curled into an almost mischievous smile. “We can, but this time no,” he said simply. “We’re flying.”Before I could ask what he meant, I heard the faintest rustle of air. Then, right before my eyes, a pair of magnificent wings unfurled from his back, stretching wi
Luxiana SommerisRay stiffened at Damien’s words, his jaw clenching. “They’re not hunting me. Walkers can’t come here.” His voice was sharp and irritated, but something else was underneath—hesitation, uncertainty.Damien, however, didn’t falter. His expression remained grim as he took a step closer. “Yes, they are.” Without warning, he grabbed Ray’s shoulder and spun him around, his fingers digging into his skin.That’s when I saw it, the mark. Dark, swirling like smoke trapped beneath his skin, pulsing with an eerie glow on his bare back. It stood out starkly against Ray’s skin, it was a sinister mark. One that sent a shiver down my spine.My breath hitched as I turned my wide eyes to Damien. Was he saying that I had the power to save someone teetering on the edge of death? That I, a mere oneiromancer, could interfere with something as final as the Walkers’ claim?Damien’s voice was steady, unwavering. “Do you believe me now?” His golden eyes burned into mine. “This mark means they’r
Luxiana Sommeris“Ray! Snap out of it, damn it!” Damien’s furious voice cut through the chaos, raw with frustration. He had been yelling at Ray for what felt like forever, but there was no response—no flicker of recognition in his blank stare. Ever since we had pulled him back from the depths of his troubled mind, he had been like this, trapped in the lingering grip of those cursed walkers.We had been fighting relentlessly, doing everything in our power to cut down the Dream Walkers before even one of them could escape and report back to Morpheus. But more than that, we needed to stop them from draining Ray’s soul before it was too late.“Can you purify him now?” Damien demanded, summoning a roaring flame in his palm. The heat licked at the air between us, casting flickering shadows over his sharp features.I gave him a firm nod. “I can...watch over me—I’ll hold onto Ray this time while I purify him.”Without hesitation, Damien moved closer, ensuring I was fully within reach befor
Luxiana SommerisThe walkers who had tried to kill him vanished into thin air, their presence dissipating as if they had never existed. My knees buckled beneath me, and I collapsed onto the ground, my entire body trembling from exhaustion. A sharp breath left my lips as I struggled to understand what had just happened.Had I pushed myself too far? That light—what was it? It had burst from my mouth like a force beyond my control. My powers… I could feel them slipping away, draining from my body like sand slipping through my fingers.Before me, Ray lay unconscious, his face peaceful yet eerily still. The world tilted, and darkness consumed me before I could process anything further.When I finally stirred, a warm, gentle touch glided through my hair. My lashes fluttered as I adjusted to the soft glow of light filtering into my vision. Blinking slowly, I took in the sight before me—Damien.He gazed at me with quiet patience, his expression calm, as if he had been waiting for this moment
Luxiana SommerisAfter sharing a lavish dinner, we sat back, letting the meal's warmth settle in as we studied the map before us. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows over the parchment, marking the various destinations we had yet to explore.“Are you curious about what each point looks like?” Damien asked, his voice smooth as he reached for my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.I couldn’t help but smile, but something about his touch felt different tonight—softer, more lingering. It made my heart race. I tilted my head and studied him. “What’s up with you today? You’re acting so... I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”Damien chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent shivers down my spine. “What do you mean? Acting how?”“Like I might lose you again,” I murmured, eyes searching his. “So you’re being extra sweet to make up for it.”His laughter echoed in the dimly lit space, full and unrestrained. “No, love. You’re not going to lose me. And I’ll make sure no one takes you fr
Luxiana Sommeris“The make-out point is down, and the touch point is next,” I said, scratching the back of my head while glancing at the map. A sigh escaped my lips as I looked around. “Can we just get out of this park already?”Damien shook his head with a teasing grin. “Nope. We’ve already started, so there's no turning back now.”I groaned in frustration, exhaling sharply. “You should’ve warned me before we came here!” But instead of dwelling on my annoyance, I chose to see the silver lining. I shot him a playful look. “Not that I mind doing these activities with you. We could've just done them in your room or mine, you know.”He smirked, his voice dropping into that smooth, confident tone that always made my heart race. “I know. But it’s more thrilling out here. Makes me appreciate you even more... from head to toe.”Heat rushed to my face, and I nearly choked on my next words. “W-Well, um… shall we check out the touch point?” I stammered, hoping to shift the conversation.Damien
Luxiana Sommeris“How can we reach him?” Mira asked, her voice low but laced with worry, the concern lingering in her eyes despite her valiant effort to mask it.A sudden surge of hope rose within me, a warmth that spread through my chest like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. I was just about to tell her what to do, to explain the next step, when a sound tore through the stillness—a scream, raw and anguished, that shattered the moment.Damien was down on one knee, his flames sputtering like a candle on the verge of going out, his breath ragged and uneven. Across from him stood Morpheus, towering and bloodied, yet crackling with the vicious energy of victory, his form coiled and ready to deliver the final strike. Time stretched unbearably thin in that instant, as if the world held its breath with me, one heartbeat, one second suspended in the space between what was and what could still be.“Damien! No!” The words ripped from my throat like a bolt of lightning, sharp and despe
Luxiana SommerisFor a fleeting moment, I saw fear flicker across Morpheus’ face—a brief crack in his mask of arrogance—but he quickly smirked, recovering his composure. I had been told before that he never liked Damien, and now I understood why. It was the white flames. Something about them, something pure and ancient, unsettled him.“You’re making this even harder,” Morpheus sneered, rising slowly from where Damien had brought him to his knees. He dusted himself off as if the attack was nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but I could see the tightness around his eyes, the tremor in his voice. “Do you really think the two of you can be together?”Damien took a cautious step forward, eyes narrowed in disbelief. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Morpheus to recover so quickly—not after being consumed by white flames, the same flames that had once been powerful enough to destroy entire darkness.Despite Morpheus’s attempt to appear unshaken, I could tell the damage was real. He was hur
Luxiana Sommeris“Where’s Anton? If you hurt him, I will end you.” I clenched my fists, which made him chuckle.He didn’t say anything, but he moved forward. I didn’t flinch—not when the shadow moved like a living creature, snarling without a mouth, nor when Morpheus hovered a little closer, like he was trying to study me, savor me, as if I were a guest of honor at some twisted performance he’d been rehearsing for centuries. My fists clenched at my sides, and though my heart thudded hard against my ribs, I refused to let him see fear. Not now. Not when I had come all this way.“What kind of show are you planning to put on this time?” I asked, my voice firm, even as the chill of his presence settled into my bones. “Another nightmare? Another illusion to trap me in?”He tilted his head, his expression between amusement and curiosity, like a child toying with a fragile toy, waiting to see how easily it would break.“Oh, this one’s going to be special,” he said softly, almost sweetly, as
Luxiana SommerisUntil I reached a clearing—something that might once have been a beautiful place. A forest, frozen in twilight.The trees were twisted now, unmoving, but not dead. The air hung heavy with silence that pressed against my skin, sharp enough to hurt.And then I saw him. Anton stood at the center, his back to me. He was still—too still. His shoulders were stiff, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his head was tilted slightly, as if listening to something only he could hear.But I could feel the wrongness in the air. His energy wasn’t right. It vibrated dark and low, coiled and waiting like a snake beneath the surface.“Anton,” I said, almost tearing up, my voice piercing the silence like a blade. He didn’t move or answer.“Anton, I know you’re in there. I know what Morpheus is doing. But I also know you’re still fighting.” I called out again.A gentle but biting wind passed through the trees. When it stopped, it became extremely cold, so when Anton laughed, I
Luxiana SommerisAfter drinking from the cool, rushing river, a wave of exhaustion washed over me so heavily that I decided to set up camp nearby, letting the gentle murmur of the water soothe my weary senses. As I sat alone beneath the twilight sky, the fire crackling softly beside me, my thoughts spiraled into a restless haze, each clinging to the next as I tried desperately to anchor myself in some semblance of calm.If Morpheus had taken Damien, I was certain I would have felt it—some thread between us tugging, snapping, crying out—but the silence was deafening. Could it be that those who took him were not of Morpheus’ kind at all? What if... the grim reapers had come for him instead?The thought struck me with a cold, paralyzing dread. Lying within the thin walls of my makeshift tent, I stared at the fabric ceiling, my heart pounding louder than the night sounds beyond. Damien could hold his own against nearly anyone, but when it came to the reapers... it was a different game e
Luxiana SommerisAfter the incubus delivered his cryptic message, he vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but unsettling silence. I stood there, rooted in place, unsure of how to process what he had said—unsure of what I was supposed to feel.“For some reason… I don’t want to continue this journey anymore,” Damien murmured with a bitter laugh that held no real amusement. His voice pulled my attention upward, and I found him looking off into the distance, his expression tight with worry.“We don’t have that luxury, Damien,” I replied, my voice steady and resolute despite the turmoil churning inside me. “I have a responsibility to protect both the dream realm and the waking world. I’m the only one who can.”His eyes met mine then, dark and stormy with concern. “But going back there means risking your life,” he said, each word heavy with truth. “If Morpheus really wants you, he’ll find a way to take you. He’s done it before, and now… now he’s stronger, more prepared. You know that.”
Luxiana SommerisThe first light of morning filtered through the seams of the canvas tent, casting a soft golden glow that kissed the curves of our tangled bodies. I stirred first, my eyes fluttering open to the quiet rustling of leaves outside and the low hum of a world slowly waking up. The fire had long since died out, leaving behind the faint scent of smoke and warm skin from shared heat.I shifted slightly, muscles sore in the most satisfying way, and felt Damien’s arms instinctively tighten around me. He was still asleep, lashes resting gently on his cheeks. His hold was protective, possessive in a way that didn’t suffocate—but comforted, like a promise unspoken.I smiled faintly, running my fingers lightly down his back, tracing the fine lines of old scars and new warmth. His skin was hot beneath my touch, his heartbeat steady beneath my palm, grounding me in a reality that still felt like a dream.“You’re awake,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep, eyes still half-closed bu
Luxiana Sommeris“We’ll camp here for the night,” Damien announced after finding a dark cave nestled between two jagged cliffs, its mouth yawning like an endless void. Shadows curled inward, and the further I looked, the more it seemed to stretch forever, as if it led to another world entirely.I glanced around, half-expecting a bear to lumber out from the darkness. The sky beyond the cave was painted in soft shades of pink salmon, slowly fading into lavender as dusk settled. Tiny stars began to blink into view, scattered like diamonds across a deepening canvas.“You can use your power to make a fire,” Damien said, his voice steady as he turned toward the cave’s entrance. “I’ll go gather some firewood.”“No need,” I replied, lifting my hand. “I can summon both the fire and the wood right here. Just stay with me.” I snapped my fingers, and just like that, a gentle flame flickered to life, dancing warmly in the growing chill of evening. He was always right—it really was easier when I
Luxiana SommerisThe moment our eyes fluttered open, reality returned in a soft, quiet rush. The dreamscape faded into the background like mist at dawn, leaving only the stillness of the waking realm. I blinked slowly, grounding myself in my room's familiar surroundings—dimly lit, the air cool and still, and humming faintly with energy. The protective sigils embedded in the walls shimmered for a brief second, reacting to our presence before settling once more into silence.“I’m really back in the waking realm,” Damien muttered under his breath, taking a cautious step forward. His eyes roamed over every corner of the room, calculating and observant. “Whoa… This place has a very distinct kind of barrier. It's not just protective—it's layered. Personalized. Was this your doing?”I nodded, unable to stop the smile tugging at my lips. There was something oddly satisfying in hearing him notice the effort I had put into securing my space. “Yes, I set it up myself,” I replied, my tone lig