As soon as his head hit the familiar pillow of his Academy bed, Kir was back to sleep.
His dreams were fitful, marked by pain. Sometimes with a sense of victory, but most of the time full of feelings of loss and suffering.
He dreamt that he was running through the halls of a hospital-like interior, only the whole thing began to twist and bend upon itself as countless, monstrous limbs and faces began to melt out of the walls and every surface. He was panting, saying "I'm sorry" between every breath... But the monsters didn't hear or understand. Instead, they watched him as he ran. Whispering, shouting, groaning a name-
"Kir!" Rainier's voice woke him with a sudden jerking of his whole body.
Rain had both his hands on Kir's shoulder and had clearly been trying to shake him awake for some time.
"Rain?" Kir said, his voice hoarse. From the lighting in the room, it was still dark outside.