The Requiem Trinity Part 1 Final Light Chapter 8 The Dark

Chapter 8

The Dark
12/31/2115

After her little episodes, Requiem became distant. Whatever is causing these things, she doesn’t want her friends to know she’s suffering or catch whatever bug is doing this. But those dreams, those real and vivid visions, they feel so familiar, like she experienced them before. But that’s impossible; she’s lived in Teria her whole life. Why would they feel familiar if she’s never been to that place or seen those people before? Are they connected to that guy in black?
“Argh! What’s happening to me?” she whined as she held her head in her bed. Another of those deadly headaches hit, making her cry in agony. Why is this happening? And to her, no less?
Bahamut, now the size of a German Shepard, jumped onto the bed and nuzzled up next to his ‘mother’, trying to comfort her. He hates seeing her like this and wishes he could do something, anything to make her feel better, but like how her kind know little to nothing about dragons, he knows nothing about humans. Instead, he cooed and nuzzled her again.

It wasn’t the item Gabriëlle left behind that’s causing her this pain; it’s inert. Instead, it was coming from a source she encountered before.
Catalyst stood on the tip-top of the Judgment Ray’s tower, standing on a lightning rod. A black orb hovered in his right hand, sparking and pulsing a purple glow.
“You can try to play dumb all you like, sister. But sooner or later, you are going to have to accept the truth.” He kept this up for another 5 minutes but, when what he wanted didn’t happen, he stopped. “you’re trying my patience… Serenity…”
He hovered down from the building and to the ground. He landed gracefully and strode off to the town.
“This is a nice little hamlet you found; safe, small, out in the middle of nowhere. And out of my reach. For now.”
The Mogall from the ruins and River City hovered down in front of him. It’s pupil went wide, revealing a Satyr’s in it. “What is it, Cannabis?”
The goat-headed humanoid bowed to him. “My Liege, you were right. Ultimus is in that town. It’s energy signatures are matching that of Nexus’ and steadily growing strong.”
Catalyst summoned his sword and looked at it. The blue blade and angelic cross-guard shimmered in the moon-light. “But… according to the Mogall’s observations, Lady Serenity doesn’t seem to know that it’s even in the town. She probably doesn’t even know what it is. Guess that amnesia theory Rafael gave us is true.”
Amnesia. One of the oldest clichés in the book. But that would explain why she didn’t recognize him when he revealed himself and why she’s so unlike what he remembers. “Yet she’s still capable of some things.” Catalyst said.
“Like what?”
“The parkour she did in the ruins. Being able to tame a dragon…”
“but… but the demons aren’t born evil; you know that, Master.”
Right. He forgot about that part. “Forgot. And she has that body you can only find back home.” the Satyr rolled his eyes. That’s the one part everyone goes to. How perverted. “Regardless of whether or not she remembers, the plan will continue. Though…” he snapped his fingers and summoned the orb from before. “That doesn’t mean I can’t have fun.” He snickered and chuckled evilly.
Pain racked Requiem’s body again, sending her into spasms and soundless screams.

Damien lit a candle, illuminating a cave; a cave located in the side of the mountain-shaped hill near Lake Leibe. It’s located in a part of the mountain where you have to look at it just right to see it.
“Like it?” he asked Jessica and Adolf.
Jess whistled at how big it is. “it’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah. I found it the day after Christmas. I did a little exploration and it’s pretty big. Big enough to hide Bahamut until he gets really big.”
“So for a few months.”
Adolf shrugged. “Animals do grow faster then humans.”
Jess sighed as she headed back to town. “so when he becomes an adult, we’re gonna have to move him to the ruins. That’s going to be difficult.”
Damien put his arms behind his head and yawned. “how so?”
“we’re forbidden to enter the ruins. Dad thinks we’ll lead Demons right to us.”
Adolf groaned. “and yet, we keep getting found by them, like those Bonewalkers. And the festival in 2 months is going to attract the flying ones.”
Damien hasn’t anything about some festival. “What festival?”
“The Founding Festival.” Jessica explained. “It’s to celebrate the founding of our village. This year is the 65th anniversary.” Damien groaned passingly. Just sounds like a another party to him. “I’m trying to get Requiem to perform but she’s being stubborn.”
“Perform?”
Adolf turned around and walked backwards. “you heard Requiem’s voice back at Christmas, right? Angelic, right?” Damien nodded. Her voice was simply amazing. “Well, Jess is trying to make her sing during the Talent Show but Req is stubborn. Been saying No for the past 4 years.”
“Why?”
“Must not like crowds.” Both her life-long friends said.
They walked out of the woods and headed for the Judgment Ray, Requiem walked out, carrying a bag on her back. “Hey Req.” Jess called out.
Req had just put the bag in a can when she heard her. She looked in their direction and waved. “Hey, guys.” she groggily said.
“Whoa! Req, you look terrible.” that’s a understatement. Req had lines under her eyes, her hair is a mess, her eyes are blood-shot, and her voice is scratchy.
“Yeah. I… had a really bad dream last night. Very lucid, too.”
“yikes.”
“I had one of those.” Damien said. “Dreamt I was being chased by a Leviathan; a very big sea serpent. My actions in the real-world were so real, I ended up down in my old living room, ‘stabbing’ a pillow with my ‘harpoon’. Freaked out my mom quite a bit.”
“yeah? Well, I freaked out Bahamut good. Neither of us got much sleep.”
“Speaking of Bahamut, we found a good place to hide him.” Jess said with a smile.
“You did?” Requiem begrudgingly replied. She’s excited they found something but she’s just so tired.
“Yeah. I found a cave in the side of that mountain-shaped hill near Lake Leibe. Found it by accident but it’s large enough to hide Bahamut and for him to go in if someone else finds it.”
“Really?”
“yeah. I haven’t fully explored it but it should work. Least until he gets bigger.”
Req yawned again. “well, that should last him for a few months. Does tonight sound good?”
“Tonight? That’s a bit early, don’t you think?” Damien asked.
Req yawned yet again. “I’m gonna be up all night when I take this nap! May as well do it. Plus, the bar’s gonna be filled tomorrow for the New Years party.” Adolf groaned in agreement. It is going to be full tomorrow; packed, even.
Jess groaned with a moan. “Fine. We’ll do it tonight!”

Sopa walked up a hill, heading for Noah‘s residence, a large manse built so he can overlook the town. He had been called by him to talk about something important. Must be something huge cause his note sounded dramatic. It just said, ‘Sopa, come to my house. NOW!’
“Must be something big.” he muttered.
He avoided the main door and headed around back. With no one looking, Sopa pushed in a brick. Fully in, a hidden door opened up big enough for him to slip though. He did just that and climbed up the stairs hidden within. The door closed and went back looking like a normal wall.
Sopa climbed up the hidden spiral staircase and reached another wall. He pressed in another brick and it opened. It opened up to Noah’s study, a big room with more-then-needed bookcases and a big desk table in the middle. Noah sat behind the desk, drinking a glass of bourbon.
“This better be important.” Sopa said as he entered.
“Trust me…” the bookcase Sopa walked out of closed, pushed shut by a mysterious man in a black cloak. “It is.” Catalyst said with a evil smile.

Requiem sighed as she laid back down in her bed. She’s so tired, so out-of-it, she fell asleep instantly. She didn’t have time to say hi to Bahamut or even tell him what’s going to happen tonight; she’s just too tired.
Bahamut, however, didn’t let this get him down. Instead, he looked to Requiem’s bookcase. Curious, he jumped up to the lowest shelf and grabbed one with his mouth.

Sopa snarled and reached back to his Pole-Ax. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded as he pulled his weapon out. Without a response, Sopa charged at him. Without much of a care, Catalyst brought up his blade and blocked it with just the tip of his blade. Sopa was caught off guard by how fast this man moved.
Catalyst lightly swung his blade, sending Sopa all the way to the other side of the room. He quickly snapped his fingers, making Sopa’s ax red-hot. It singed his hands, forcing him to drop it. He quickly reached for his knife when Catalyst’s blade reached his neck, stopping just centimeters away.
“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.” Catalyst coldly said.
Sopa grunted out of both fear and anger. This man was able to overpower him in just mere seconds. How is that possible? Just who is he? He stopped reaching for his knife and put his arms out.
Catalyst smirked then put his blade away. “good to see you can be reasonable.”
“Just who are you?”
“I was just about to ask that when you walked in.” Noah said. “I walked into my study and found him sitting at my desk. Before I could ask anything, he told me to summon you here.”
So he was waiting for them. But that doesn’t explain this. “Who are you? And what do you want?” Sopa asked.
Catalyst snapped his fingers, summoning up a chair for him. “my name, you don’t need to know. For now, just call me Catalyst.” he sat down on the chair and got comfy. “and what do I want? It’s also what you want.”
What they want? What is he talking about? “Which is…?”
Catalyst sent his sword away and summoned up a drink. “concerning a certain girl.”

Bahamut hopped onto Req’s chair for the 5th time with yet another book. He opened it up and started reading it as he did all the others.
Meanwhile, Requiem was still fast asleep and for the first time in a long while, no bad dreams, no horrifying pain. Nothing. Just blissful sleep.
The book Bahamut was now currently reading was on anatomy of every animal Earth had before it became what it is. He’s a fast learner, going though 4 pages in a minute.

“A girl?” Noah asked. “What girl?”
Catalyst stirred his glass of scotch then chugged it down. “well, she’s always undermining you, always getting into trouble, constantly breaking your iron rules…”
He figured it out. “Requiem. You’re talking about Requiem.” Sopa wasn’t suspecting that. What does this man want with Requiem?
“Yes, her. The silver-blue haired barmaid from that little tavern across town.”
Sopa snarled. He must be trying to take his girl. “What do you want with her?”
“Nothing you should worry about, Mr. Sopa. I am not trying to steal her love. She’s still going to be all yours.”
Wait, how… “How do you know about that?”
“I know everything. I’m omnipotent.”
Noah scoffed. “yeah, right.”
“it’s true, Noah Aesir, father of Aura and Jessica Aesir, best friends to Requiem.”
“Everyone knows that.” Sopa said.
Catalyst angrily frowned at him. He’s gonna have to up the ante. “then how do I know that Noah plans to put the town under his complete and utter control - a dictatorship - by eliminating the towns Free Will though fear of the outside and a vindictive school teacher who’s in league with him? Whose idea of this came when your wife and unborn child met their untimely demise?”
Noah went into shock. How did he know about Marian’s death? And that plan… That’s Noah’s plan to a T. he is trying to do that, but people like Requiem, Damien, and that Ash fella are making it damn near impossible. “You are a God.”
“Well…” Catalyst put the glass down. “I wouldn’t go that far. By that, I mean I am a God. Just not any of the friendly ones.”
Noah and Sopa looked at each other. Whoever this man- this supposed god- is, if he knows all of this, he may know other things, like how to make Noah’s plan come to reality. “Just one question.” Noah asked. “Why Requiem?”
Catalyst got up from his seat and snapped his fingers. A portal made out of dark fire appeared near the bookcase Sopa came through. It’s sudden appearance surprised the duo. “I have my reasons.” he walked to it. “I’ll give you some time to think about it.” he entered the fire and disappeared. The fire dispersed, leaving Noah and Sopa feeling odd. Something about him just felt off.

Having read every book Requiem had, Bahamut felt sleepy. Even though his ‘mother’ never said anything, he knows something is going to happen tonight. He yawned, went to his bed, and fell asleep.
As if he waited for it, the dark fire appeared in Requiem’s room and Catalyst walked out. He quickly snapped his fingers, locking the door and plugging Bahamut’s ears with cotton. Better safe then sorry.
He approached Requiem’s slumbering form and looked at her. “Serenity… so peaceful… so tranquil… it’s practically sickening.” he raised his right hand and flexed it. The same orb from last night appeared in his hands. “You may not remember who you truly are, but I’m betting you will. I’m counting on it. Otherwise, killing you will be no fun.”
He removed Requiem’s blanket in a cool, clean fashion and moved his arm just above Requiem’s stomach. With a slight flick of the wrist, the orb lowered. Requiem’s stomach glowed as the orb slid though her skin. Requiem painfully grunted in her sleep. The pain grew worse, making her bare her teeth. It’s so excruciating.
“I can’t be here all the time to… do what I do best. So… this will do what I can’t at regular intervals. Plus…” he didn’t finish as he heard the dragon stir.
The orb went in fully and the glow, and the pain, stopped. Requiem went back to sleep, completely unaware of what had happened.
Catalyst snapped his fingers and went to the pillar of dark fire that appeared. “I’ll see you soon, Sister. You can bet on it.” he entered the fire and disappeared.

“You’re not going to go along with him, are you?” Sopa asked Noah, who was currently pouring another shot of bourbon. “He’s certifiably insane.”
“As are you, but I’m not stopping you.” he finished pouring and put the glass down. “and you heard all he said. He knows. He knows my plan.”
“Yeah, and I have to ask. Why did you decide to destroy the town’s free will and turn it into… what did he call it, a dictatorship?”
Noah sighed and went to sit down behind his desk. “It has to do with what happened 3 years ago, when me and my family were visiting another city.” he sat down and leaned forward. “Marian… my wife… she was killed by a thief who was trying to steal her pearl necklace. Stabbed her in the heart. After that, we learned she was pregnant with our 6th child.” Sopa winced outwardly. “when they caught him, they had to let him go due to a lack of evidence. When I returned, I vowed to make sure something like that never happens here. Under a iron-fisted rule, I‘ll make everyone listen to me.”
That would explain a lot. But it looks like he’s gone a little crazy over the years. “And you’ll willing to let that… Catalyst fella help you?”
Noah sat back in his chair and sighed. “Yes.”

Requiem groaned as she opened her eyes. That was arguably the best nap she has ever had. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked out the window and saw that it was night. The time she was waiting for.
“mmm…. Bahamut?” the drake’s ears perked up and he shot his head up. “time to get going. Time to go to your new home.”
New home? He was right; it was something big. The drake yawned and stretched like a cat, cracking it’s back and ready to go.
Req got out of her bed just as a pain came from her stomach. “Ow.” she grunted. It wasn’t big or anything massive. “must be a cramp.” she concluded. She got up and grabbed her winter coat.

She didn’t bother to try to walk softly in the snow; it’s still going to be crunchy. She did sneak down so she doesn’t wake up John or any of the inn-mates. Bahamut followed behind her. He’s still technically a baby and therefore lighter on his feet.
True to their words, Damien, Adolf, and Jessica were waiting for her outside. They heard the door open and saw both human and dragon sneak out.
“Took you long enough!” Damien harshly whispered.
“Sorry.” Requiem softly closed the door and headed over to them. “just had the best nap ever.” she stretched her hands with a long yawn. “got the food?”
Adolf tapped Damien’s pack. “yep.”
“you sure Bahamut will be fine in the cave?” Jessica asked. “it is winter and it should be cold.”
“Well, he’s surrounded by a forest; plenty of wood for a fire. Plus, he breaths fire so I’m sure that organ that produces it will keep him warm.” Bahamut nodded in confirmation.
“He understood that?” Damien asked.
“I saw that my books were open when I woke up.” Requiem said. “I think he read them all.” the 3 of them whistled. Fast reader. “Right. Let’s get going. Sooner we get this done, the better.”
The other 3 nodded and they went to Lake Leibe.
Req stayed back a few feet to make sure nobody was following them and nobody was, much to her delight. A jog in the middle of the woods would be hard to explain. “Whoa.” she exclaimed, surprised to see that her friends are long gone. “They move fast.” she picked up more speed and went after them.
A sudden ringing noise entered her ears, piercing her mind with mind-numbing pain. Her vision started to get blurry. Req stopped in her tracks and leaned on a tree. “N-no… not again… please no…”
She started to hear her own heartbeat and feel it trying to break out of her chest. She started panting and gagging. “w-why is this…” her whole body started to glow a bright orange, pulsing along with the heartbeat.
The ringing turned into a screech, bringing much more pain to the mix. Her whole body began to hurt like it was being burned and stabbed. She couldn’t bare it anymore; it hurts so much. She fell to the ground and screamed. “AHHH!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!”
Requiem held her head as her body spasmed in pain. She screamed at the top of her lungs as the unbearable pain grew more painful, making her screams louder. “STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!!!!!!”
Her surroundings began to twist and turn, distort and decay. Some of the trees burst into flame. Requiem’s screams grew once again, making her sound like a shrieking banshee. Her back began to glow, in a rather specific spot.
She can’t take it anymore. The pain; the horrible pain. She wants it to go away.
“MAKE IT STOOOOOOOOP!!!”
As if by command, everything went back to normal. Reality went back to normal, the glow stopped, and the pain went away. Requiem snapped her eyes open and panted heavily. Tears fell down her face as she got up. Her entire body shook violently as she got up. She gagged and threw up. She coughed after that and groaned.
“Oh god.” she whined. She wiped her mouth and coughed with a cry. “why… is this happening to me?” she wiped her eyes with her other arm and cried again.
Did nobody hear that? None of her friends were there with her. They must’ve reached the lake before she had her episode.
She forced herself up from the ground and shakingly stood. She took a step then fell. She’s so weak and so nauseous. Why is this happening to her? She’s just a simple barmaid. Why are these attacks and hallucinations happening to her?

Jessica walked out of the cave and stretched. Bahamut took to the cave quite well; plenty of room to sleep and stretch. And with the lake being so out of the way, and it being winter, he doesn’t have to worry about people finding him by accident.
Requiem saw her walk out and stood behind a tree. She doesn’t want her friends to know what happened to her. It’ll pass. She’s sure of it. She took multiple deep breaths, paused on the 5th, then headed to the cave.
Jess noticed her and waved her over. “There you are, Req. where were you? We were wondering where you were.”
“Un… I… I was… I… had to go to the bathroom.”
The bathroom? “The bathroom? Out in the woods.”
“Yeah. I… really had to go.” Req said with a laugh. “Couldn’t hold it in. and let me tell you, it’s hard to find good substitutes for toilet paper.”
“oh. Okay.” Jess softly said. “well… you want to check on Bahamut?”
“Yeah.” Req walked by her and headed for the cave. Jess stood there and watched her leave. Req is hiding something, something really bad if she’s thinking of that bad a lie. What is she hiding?
Req sighed. She hates lying to her friends. She always feels absolutely horrid for doing it. But what could she tell her friends; that she’s having vivid hallucinations? No, no this is likely a bug, a really odd bug, and it’ll pass. She just has to give it time and it’ll go away, right?
It won’t. And it will get worse.