Chương 13: Dreams

Two days back, in the Mapisto Manor-

A man with gorgeous blue eyes and flawless white hair stood in the office of Count Mapisto- it was Regulus. He was flipping through pages of a book while waiting for Adrian. The office was adorned with beautiful designs of foreign nations. It was a splendid sight to look at. In one corner of the room lay a portrait of the Mapisto family - Adrian, his wife, and Alina.

Sometime later, Adrian Mapisto had arrived. He banged open the office door, drew his sword, and put it against Regulus' neck. He furiously said, as the blade cut through Regulus' skin, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU BASTARD."

Regulus smirked as he touched the tip of the blade and said, "Oh brother, I wanted to meet you. Do you know how long I waited for you?"

Adrian pushed the blade further as it was about to cut his brother's neck. Regulus put his hands up, "Woah Woah. Calm down, dear brother. I just want to talk to you. A friendly conversation, you know?"

Adrian's eyes burned with anger as he glared at Regulus; the tension in the room was palpable. He reluctantly withdrew the blade, maintaining a cautious distance from his brother.

Regulus, still smirking, took a step back and gestured to the luxurious surroundings. "Nice office you've got here, Adrian. Quite the atmosphere for a family reunion, wouldn't you say?"

Adrian gripped his sword tightly and growled, "This is no family reunion. You lost that privilege when you betrayed us."

Regulus chuckled, a sound that echoed in the opulent office. "Betrayed? Brother, I've always had our family's best interests at heart. I am just on a different path."

Adrian's nostrils flared, but he remained composed. "Cut the cryptic nonsense. What do you want?"

Regulus casually flipped the book closed and locked eyes with his brother. "I've come with an offer, Adrian. An opportunity for our family to regain what was lost, to ascend to heights unimaginable. But for that, we need to work together."

Adrian scoffed, "Work together? After everything you've done?"

Regulus raised an eyebrow, "People change, dear brother. Circumstances change. I have information that could reshape the fate of Eldoria, but it requires a united front. The choice is yours."

Adrian sheathed his sword and looked at Regulus skeptically, "I am not interested."

Regulus sighed dramatically, "Always the stubborn one, aren't you, Adrian? What if I told you that within the Astral realm lies a way to bring back your beloved wife? To undo the tragedy that fell on her?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding his features. "You're lying. You'd say anything to manipulate me."

Regulus smirked, "Would I?" He walked toward a mysterious-looking portal that appeared in the corner of the room. "Come, brother. See for yourself. I'll prove the power that awaits us in the Astral realm."

Adrian hesitated, torn between skepticism and the desperate longing to see his wife again. Eventually, he followed Regulus into the mysterious gateway. The room transformed, and they found themselves in the vast expanse of the Astral realm.

Regulus pointed towards a distant landscape, "There, Adrian. The key to rewriting our destinies lies within our grasp."

Before Adrian could respond, Regulus conjured a magical force that enveloped them, and they were transported even deeper into the Astral realm.

The chilling voice of Nyx reverberated through the pitch-black void. "Come here, Adrian. There are truths to be unveiled, secrets to be discovered."

Adrian hesitated his senses on high alert. He could feel the tendrils of darkness reaching out, attempting to blind him. The voice took on an enticing tone, echoing with promises and half-truths.

"You seek answers, Adrian. I can offer you the knowledge you desire, the resolution you crave. Embrace the shadows, and all will be revealed."

Despite the tempting words, Adrian's instincts warned him of the upcoming danger. He tightened his grip on his sword, resisting the lure of Nyx's seductive promises.

The voice turned into a sinister whisper that seemed to crawl beneath Adrian's skin. "The Astral realm is a tapestry of destinies. Step closer, and you shall unravel the threads that bind your fate."

Adrian, though tempted by the hidden truths, remained steadfast. He mustered his willpower and took a step back, avoiding the trap set by Nyx.

In response, Nyx's voice grew cold and menacing. "You defy the inevitable, mortal. The shadows will not forget.

Suddenly a giant dragon appeared before him.

The colossal dragon emerged from the shadows, its scales gleaming in the darkness. Its eyes glowed with energy as it fixated on Adrian. With a thunderous roar, the dragon lunged forward, wings outstretched.

Adrian, undeterred, faced the formidable adversary. He brandished his sword, ready for the impending clash. The dragon's massive claws swiped at him speedily, but Adrian skillfully dodged the attacks.

The dragon, unfazed by Adrian's evasive maneuvers, unleashed streams of dark energy. Adrian parried the mystical dragon with his blade, the clash of steel against magic resonating in the Astral realm. Shockwaves were released into the realm.

When Adrian realized that going up to the dragon head-on wasn't the best course of action, he tried to exploit its weaknesses. He scurried between the enormous legs of the creature, hitting the joints precisely.

The dragon roared in pain as Adrian's blade found its mark.

As the battle intensified, Adrian tapped into his magical abilities. He summoned protective barriers to shield himself from the dragon's breath of shadowy flames. The Astral realm became a battlefield of light and darkness, each combatant vying for supremacy.

Adrian continued the battle, eventually wearing down the dragon. He struck first in the decisive battle, severing the dragon's heart with his sword. With an overwhelming roar, the beast vanished into phantom-like vapors.

Regulus emerged from the shadows, clapping sarcastically. "Well done, dear brother. You truly are great," he said with a smirk.

Adrian, exhausted but resolute, glared at Regulus. "Save your praise. What's your game here?"

Regulus chuckled, producing a vial filled with a dark, swirling substance. "No games, Adrian. Just an opportunity. You see, there's power in the darkness, and I'm willing to share it with you."

Adrian eyed the vial warily. "I want nothing from you. I'll never succumb to the likes of you."

Regulus' expression turned darker, his tone colder. "You're making a mistake, Adrian. This isn't a choice; it's survival. You can't escape the shadows that lie within you."

Against his better judgment, Regulus forced the vial to Adrian's lips, compelling him to consume the ominous liquid. As the darkness coursed through Adrian's veins, dangerous energy enveloped him, and his resistance began to waver.

Regulus grinned triumphantly. "Welcome to the shadows, dear brother. Embrace the power that will reshape Eldoria."

Adrian felt that he was drowning in an abyss, the weight of darkness pressing against his chest. The air grew thick, and he couldn't breathe properly. Colors and shapes are distorted, melding into an indistinct blur. Just as he felt on the verge of surrendering to the void, a voice echoed in his mind.

"You have chosen the path of shadows, Adrian Mapisto. Embrace the darkness that consumes you."

As the voice resonated, Adrian's consciousness slipped into oblivion, the line between reality and the Astral realm blurring into a void. Unseen forces wrapped around him, pulling him deeper into the shadows.

Adrian found himself in a dreamscape, a realm unbothered from the burdens of reality. He stood in a serene meadow, where the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. The soft glow of sunlight bathed the landscape, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As he wandered through the meadow, he heard the gentle laughter of his wife, Eleanor. Turning toward the sound, he saw her sitting on a blanket spread beneath a tall oak tree. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and a genuine smile graced her lips.

"Adrian, come join me," she called out, patting the space beside her.

He smiled back and approached, sitting down beside her on the soft blanket. They leaned against the sturdy trunk of the oak.

Eleanor reached for a picnic basket, revealing a basket of their favorite treats.

Adrian and Eleanor shared a heartfelt conversation. He looked into her eyes, a mix of love and regret lingering in his gaze.

"Eleanor, I miss you," Adrian confessed, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken emotions.

She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, a comforting gesture. "I miss you too, Adrian. But you must find the strength to face the challenges ahead. Darkness may surround you, but remember the light within."

Adrian sighed, the burden of his choices evident. "I've made mistakes, Eleanor. Choices that led me down a path I never intended."

Eleanor's expression softened, understanding and compassion in her eyes. "We all falter, my love. What matters is how we rise from the shadows. Feel the light within you, and let it guide you back to the person you aspire to be."

Encouraged by her words, Adrian nodded. "I'll find a way, Eleanor. I won't let the darkness consume me completely."

The dream continued a bittersweet journey through cherished memories and the pain of loss. Adrian thought, "I want to be here forever." As he was consumed by his dreams.