Two hours passed and Jay found herself pleasantly bored. That boredom was rather normal for her during the night due to Burlington’s size and population. Compared to many cities in the United States of America it was tiny, a decent number of its residents coming from the colleges that called the city home. The small population meant that only one Magral Knight was needed to keep it safe, as exceptionally less hostile nightmares and dreams would ever find their way to the city. Easily the busiest day of her life was when college students moved in for a semester, as they tended to have nightmares or dreams follow them.

Most of them weren’t hostile, she knew that, but making sure they weren’t planning to cause trouble was part of her job.

She shook her head as soon as the word “job” came to her head. To her, a job implied making money and being miserable, and being a Magral Knight made her feel neither. She found being in Burlington a hundred times better than being home most of the time. Helping humans, dreams, and nightmares alike made her feel like she was doing something important. She felt free of the confines that held America back, the words of a knight she had met a few years prior telling her.

“A singer once said “imagine there are no borders”, but we knights wished to do more than imagine,” They had said to her. “When one becomes a Magral Knight, the burdens of their countries' laws, beliefs, and ideologies no longer bind you. A Magral Knight fights for all humanity, just as much as it fights for itself, and thus patriotism for the land we call home must be removed.”

It was words Jay had taken to heart, and trips to visit other Knights either in the Realm of Reality or Realm of Dreams showed that. There were many knights who, due to their country or otherwise, now lived in the latter instead of the former. Laws forbidding the ability to be them, the danger of living in said countries as a Magral Knight, and many other reasons existed. She knew a handful from America originally from the USA that now lived in the Realm of Dreams, and they insisted that she might actually be happy if she did the same. If she wasn’t the only thing keeping her grandfather off the streets, she would have accepted the offer too.

Instead she stayed in Burlington, living with a man who drank more than he really lived.

With the night still young, she decided to take a seat in a currently closed waffle house. Her Magral Knight powers kept any cameras or alarms that might go off her to catch her blank, allowing her to make herself a crêpe without worry of police finding her. That also involved having the lights off and sitting in the darkest corner of the room, but after years of doing this same song and dance she didn’t care. She was alone, with a blueberry crêpe on her plate, earbuds in with pop tunes blaring at full volume, and she had learned to enjoy it.

Which caused her to not immediately notice the doll that had found their way inside until they had patted her thigh. Jay side eyed Vee as she chewed, knowing what she was looking at but confused at the oddly tame form the nightmare had. Pausing her music, removing an earbud, and swallowing her bite, Jay put on her cheery facade as she looked at the doll.

“Hello there. Wasn’t expecting anyone to find me here,” Jay greeted lightheartedly. “Giving greetings to the local knight?”

“Actually, I came to thank you,” Vee said. Its words caused Jay to look at her with a dumb expression on her face. “You don’t really know it but you saved my… skin, for lack of knowing what material I’m actually made from. The knight you helped earlier and her friend are with me.”

“Really? Then you are the one they got their pin from?” Jay asked, moving a hand in front of her mouth in exasperation.

“Not on purpose. I had someone else in mind but I kind of messed things up,” Vee explained, mouth-head tilted forward as they sat down. “I’m working with what I got, but she’s very green. Add on to that her fear of killing, and I’m worried I won’t get what I desire.”

“What you desire?” Jay asked. When Vee didn’t answer immediately, she turned back to her crêpe and cut another piece of it. “This place doesn’t exactly need any other Magral Knight. I would prefer to know why I suddenly have others like me living here.”

“I guess it would make sense that you only needed yourself up to this point,” Vee replied, somehow managing to jump from the booth up onto the table. Jay paid no attention to the superhuman feat as she took a bite of her meal. “However, it won’t be the case from here on out. If I don’t somehow stop Bael from freeing the Dark Triad and completely cracking the barrier, my dreamer is dead. For my sake, I can’t allow her to die.”

When Jay gave no response, Vee turned to look at the ginger. What it was met with was a face of pure horror, the cause clear. To Melissa, Lucy, Drew, and the others the name “Dark Triad” would only be known as a psychological theory. To Magral Knights that theory was turned into something physical, real, and extremely dangerous. What Vee said was an understatement, for if the Dark Triad broke free more than just one girl would be dead.

“Y-you're kidding,” Jay said, Vee shaking its head at her. “No, you gotta be kidding. No nightmare would be stupid enough to try and break them free.”

“You now see why we need more Magral Knights here,” Vee said, stepping away from the edge of the table. The rather “matter of fact" way the nightmare spoke told Jay that it wasn’t kidding. “We have to take him down before he can break the barrier, and for that I’m gonna need your help. Bael’s going to invade here as a show of power to them, and try to use it to bring them under control. You're possibly the best chance my group has of getting them trained enough to stay alive.”

Jay dropped her fork, body feeling stiff as she tried to consider what was being laid before her. When she had seen new Magral Knights she hadn’t expected the reason for them being around was so alarming. Vee might merely be requesting her assistance, but Jay knew this wasn’t a request she could turn down. A Magral Knight fought for all of humanity, and a threat to the entire world could not be ignored. With that in mind, she allowed her facade to completely fall away, a more serious expression taking its place.

“Have you informed Eden or any other Senior Knights?” Jay asked. Vee nearly flinched in shock at how different her voice suddenly sounded. “Just in case things… don’t go well.”

She gripped the cushion of her seat, trying to put all her fear and terror into her arms and hands so it didn’t show on her face. The idea of failure didn’t sit well with her when so many lives were on the line, but she needed to be prepared for the possibility. Of course, there wasn’t much hope that anything could stop Bael or the Dark Triad if the barrier broke, but they needed all options on the table. The military had a “expect the worst” mentality for a reason, after all.

“No, but if it would calm your mind we can do it together,” Vee explained, turning to look at the darkness the rest of the restaurant was engulfed in. “It would probably be a good idea to show Melissa and Lucy Eden too. They are knights after all.”

“Those are the names of the Magral Knights I battled with tonight?” Jay asked, getting a nod from the doll. She eyed the walls in stress, grabbing her fork and cutting another part of her crêpe apart as she did. “Sounds good. We’ll head to Eden on thursday. I know the world needs saving but those two are still green. They can take a day to relax before shit gets crazy.”

“I’ll let them know when they wake up tomorrow,” Vee said, starting to walk to the edge of the table farthest from Jay. “Name is Vee by the way. Your Jay, correct?”

“That is what I prefer, yes,” Jay replied, Vee flinching again as the knight’s facade went back up. It felt so strange to hear the drastic change in their voice and tone, like someone was hitting a lightswitch in their mind. “Oh, and while it is none of my business, do you have guise yet? I mean, I doubt I will be meeting you in public as a doll.”

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If the sudden shift in Jay’s tone hadn’t frozen Vee in place, that did. The doll giggled and turned around, rubbing the back of their head. It knew it was being painfully obvious right then, having completely forgotten the rules of the realm it currently resided in, but Vee couldn’t think of any way to hide the subject. It had been far too focused on the more important subjects to think about it all.

“I’ll… get back to you on what I’ll look like then,” Vee said. It took several worried glances back, and then jumped off the table and rushed out of view. “Meet you at Brisk Wind Cafè on thursday!”

Jay blinked for a moment at the strange reaction she had received, then giggled. “It’s certainly a funny little doll.”

----------------------------------------

When Nica awoke, it was met with nothing but darkness. It wasn’t just her half-asleep mind, but the area around. That shouldn’t be the case, considering last she remembered she was outside. Even if night had fallen over the domain, moonlight would still give a dim light to where she was. Though, now that she thought of it, it suddenly being night made no sense; the last thing she remembered happened during the day.

Her brain, recognizing something was wrong, finished waking up. While still feeling sleepy, Nica managed to open her eyes enough to get an idea of the area around her. All she could make out was that the sky was no longer above her, blocked by a ceiling. The room itself was square-shaped, small, and bare of anything directly in front of her. She thought she made out a door, but with no windows all she could do was guess. When Nica attempted to reach for the door, she found her arms couldn’t stretch their full length.

An oddity hit the dragon, and looking first down at her arms and then behind her she confirmed it. Someone had chained her to a wall, and given her last memory was of Roth Asta that was worrying. What wasn’t a worry was the injury said nightmare had put in her side, which she could clearly see was gone. It left her confused, but given she was currently held captive by her nemesis’ former best friend, she would take any upsides she could.

The fact she was captured also stood out, as she figured it would make more sense for her to be dead. She was a dream that had heavily opposed Bael and Ver in the past, and they had the opportunity to either shatter her or use her as food. Why they were easily the most worrying thing, and Nica knew she was currently exceptionally vulnerable. She needed some way to defend herself, though what that method was she had no real idea.

As her eyes darted across the room looking for anything that could defend herself, the door in front of her creaked open. However, light wasn’t what was shined through, Nica’s eyes widening as she saw Bael step inside. Roth Asta fell in behind him, out of view of the dragon until she was in the room. She took her place at her liege’s side, seeming extraordinarily content with her. Nica felt properly intimidated by what stood before her, not helped by the fact Bael’s form was near impossible to make out.

“It has been a while, Nica,” He said, voice laidback and tone calm.

Nica blinked in surprise as she heard him speak, only to immediately hide it underneath a wall of stoicism. “Don’t talk to me like we’re old friends. I wouldn’t be chained up if I was.”

“Perhaps not, but we did see you healed from your rather grave wound. Far faster than any domain would have too,” Bael replied, his tone never changing. He motioned with a hand towards Roth Asta. “You two have already met, but allow me to introduce to you my new best friend and assistant.”

“Roth Asta. Wonderful to meet you under more pleasant circumstances,” the lady nightmare said with a bow. The sudden friendliness of those before her was making the dragon uneasy. “I also feel I must apologize for hurting you earlier. Not a great way to start off, wouldn’t you say?”

“Uh, yeah. Thank you?” Nica said, glancing between Roth Asta and Bael nervously. “Now how about we skip these pleasantries and get on to the part where you kill me.”

“Kill you?” Roth Asta asked, tilting her head in an all too innocent manner.

“That’s what your plan is, right? Honestly I don’t see why you haven’t done it already,” Nica said, shifting and tugging against the chains attached to her as if she was strong enough to break free. “Go on then. Get me out of the way. It will leave you with one less obstacle in the future, won’t it?”

“True, and I won’t deny that was the original plan,” Roth Asta replied, nodding her head mechanically. “However, Bael does not believe that would be worth our time. We are here to discuss another option.”

Nica leered at the nightmares before her. “Another option?”

“We can still kill you if you want, but I believe none of us want to die. This new option will give you a chance to live,” Bael stated, taking a step forward. “An option that gives us all what we desire. Control of the dreamer population, a worthy ally… revenge against one who has hurt us both, and our lives.”

Nica, despite her better judgment, lessened the intensity of her gaze. Her muscles relaxed, and she stopped any struggle she had been making against the chains. For a second, she contemplated what the night terror was telling her. She knew that she shouldn’t allow him to talk but what he said intrigued her. Surely hearing out a way to escape death was worth listening to, despite past transgressions.

“Fine, you have my attention,” Nica replied. “So tell me what you want.”

“First, I assume you only know as much as what you overheard, correct?” Bael asked. Nica hesitantly nodded. “Then you would only know Vee opposed me, and not that we had arrangements to ensure both of you don’t possibly end up dead from this invasion.” The dragon’s eyes widened. Bael had to hold in the urge to smirk. “I offered the protection of your dreamer, Maria, as a measure to ensure Vee didn’t die. As you can imagine, this makes Vee’s recent actions concerning.”

“So you mean to tell me it puts our dreamer, and therefore our lives, in immediate danger?” Nica asked. She looked away, meaning that if either Roth or Bael gave a non-verbal response she didn’t see it. “I always knew it was a selfish thing, but to think it would be so idiotic.”

“Their protection can still be reobtained, but now that Vee actively seeks to put them in harm's way it can’t currently be guaranteed,” Roth Asta explained. “However, it has also opened an opportunity. The doll was one of Bael’s most respected generals, and a seat is now empty among the Arms of Fear.”

“A seat that I would give to an adversary of the doll. You are more than worthy of that seat,” Bael stated. Nica gasped in shock at what she was hearing. “All you would have to promise is that word of our coming invasion remains hush. Then, together, we could see this danger to your dreamer destroyed.”

“You offer a dream like me a seat in your war room?” Nica asks in shock. “Would that truly be alright, given all others are no doubt nightmares? Would they be okay with having me aboard.”

“Nica, we have been at each other’s throats for a long time. Where many other powerful dreams fall, you have managed to live,” Bael replied, taking another step forward. He leaned in, filling Nica’s vision with his eyes. “Having an enemy like that as an ally is something no nightmare would disrespect. You're powerful, graceful, and are willing to do what is necessary, and our arms would respect that.” He leaned away, holding one hand close enough for her arms to grab. “So, what shall your answer be? Life or death?”

While Nica’s mind thought of the choice put before her, the dragon's heart had already decided what it wanted. At the end of it all, Vee had taken a situation with no danger to either of them and put their lives on the line. The dreamer could get killed now, and that would shatter them both. Her only question is if she wanted to work for those putting the Realm of Reality in such grave danger.

Then, she realized that the opportunity presenting itself would allow her chances to visit said realm. A perfect opportunity to see if they were a race worth saving.

“You got a deal,” Nica replied, managing to reach out and grab the night terror’s hand. They shook, and then let go. “So shall I be staying in chain or…”

“Of course not!” Bael exclaimed, turning to Roth Asta. “Free her and show our newest Arm of Fear to her quarters.”

Roth Asta nodded and, with a snap of her fingers, the chains holding the dragon faded from existence. As soon as she was free, Nica stretched her front limbs and wings, enjoying having full movement once again. Roth Asta took a few steps forward, a rather genuine smile of the nightmares face

“It shall be a pleasure working with a dream as capable as you,” She said to the dragon.

“Likewise. You’re clearly rather qualified yourself,” Nica said, noticing how her simple comment seemed to only further boost the nightmare’s mood. “Shall we be off?”

Roth Asta gave another nod, though Nica noted it seemed far less mechanical than usual. Nightmare showed dream out of her temporary cell, leaving Bael as the lone individual inside. He smiled, for he knew that yet another powerful tool was now under his command. She would no doubt try and cross him at one point or another, but through the other Arms of Fear he knew she would become loyal. Perhaps even loyal enough to tell his true intentions to.