A lucid dream is what it was. An island, flourishing with abundant wildlife, a girl, struggling, crying, begging for help.

“Mom... Dad... ” she said, sobbing

...

“Caleb” again she said.

Caleb was a new name. Other than that, everything else was same ... Not quite, I could feel more ... aware. So it is true after all. The closer i am to awakening, the more I can explore the dream.

* Stare *

My heart skipped a bit ... I had never before had such amount of apprehension, so afraid. Yes this dream was somewhat different but not in ways I expected. The girl whose name I knew not was staring at me almost like she wants to see through me but at the same time, it seemed like she was just staring at random space and that happened to be where I was.

“There you are” she said, a smile adorning her face.

' She can see me? '. I was unsettled at the thought.

...

Coming back to my senses after a time, i gazed at her still staring at me. Still airborne, I willed myself to meet her. Something which I did at every occurence of the dream. Other things too I had tried, speaking, shouting even, walking, moving around, but none worked, I was still... to still, to a frightening level. But this time I figured it will be different and different it was. I floated, moving closer to her at will, but there she was, staring at where i previously was.

10 cares away from her, i waved, but recieved no response. I was quite wary of any ... everything here. These were new experiences, other times were me just observing. Now, however, I could feel a connection to the dream and I felt some actions of mine were permitted. Sir Moloen theorized that these dream could affect my future magic path. Theory or not i wouldn’t carelessly joke with something that affects my potential.

* Whosh *

I felt a sudden rise in the wind, like a typhoon. I immediately tried away moving but couldn't. Something was restricting me. Again, I felt it, the connect and instinctually I knew i wasn't allowed to move not that i was ready to believe in some new connection but i was helpless. The wind was of great strength but somehow I wasn't pushed. Infact it didn't feel real ... then again one could argue dreams aren't real. The wind rose in intensity until it came to a certain halt and I saw a new terrain.

* Roar *

Startled at the sound of the beast coming from behind me, I lounged, rolling sideways and turned taking a fighting stance. But found out the roar was not for me but for the girl. I froze, taking in sight of the beast. Humanoid, yes, but with arms and legs full of muscles. It's body was disproportionate, large spikes sprouting from it's back and red fur covering it's entire body. I felt pressured under the shear amount of magical power it was spreading out. I couldn't move, this time not because of the dream but fear. A Matchor wasn't a beast I could fight with my current abilities. I doubt even Sir Moloen could, though father could certainly trash it.

Realizing the beast couldn't see me, I felt relieved. Or was it because it's focus was do much on the fight it didn't consider me? That was entirely plausible. True ... although I wasn't awakened, I had way more magical energy than the average awakened. Even then, it could not compare to how much magical power the Matchor was spreading out. I was no theat.

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Still trying my best to endure the pressure, I focused on the fight. It had been going on for a while now and now that I was somewhat used to the pressure, thought that was because I wasn't the focus of the it, I tried analysing the beast's and the girl's movements.

'Hmm'. After a time of being engrossed in the fight and analysis the beast's weaknesses and the girl's movements and techniques, I realized some things were out of the ordinary. First, the girl wasn't spreading out any magical power. Not even coating herself with it. No spells, no indication of use if magical power in any form. I knew of no such techniques. Overwhelming such a creature with no magical power being used was impossible. I did know of Barians and their strong bodies but even they use their measly amount of magical power to protect themselves when fighting. This girl was by all indications not a Barian.

Second was her gear. How her broadsword wasn't destroyed when hitting such tough skin I had no idea. But same as her, no magical power being emanated or coating it.

Finally, they should be way faster than I perceived them to be, but somehow I was able to follow them clearly. The first two were more of my concern than the last.

' Or this could all be specific to this dream '.

The girl lounged forward, narrowly escaping beast's claws and moved towards it's feet with a sudden gain in speed. By the time the beast could launch another attack she already at it's feet, a pose that told she would cut. Although their strength, reaction speed and all were supposed to be far above my understanding, I could tell ... It would cut.

* Beast's scream *

' Ughh '

Before the girl could cut through, the beast creamed, magical power spreading out erratically even more than what was already out. How I was still standing was a mystery to me. The girl for whom the pressure was intended suffered even more and faltered. The beast took a huge leap backward. Midair, the beast opened it's mouth, and I could feel it gathering an enormous amount of magical energy.

A beam of light was of unnerving magnetude was shot at the girl once the beast was on it's feet.

' It's over '

Unless she pulled some unknown card she wouldn't survive or be severely wounded. Although the beast was wounded as well, it would well able to continue the fight. Turning around, I sprinted with all my might. The typhoon which changed the scenery earlier didn't affect me but the Matchor's magical power did. I wasn't eager to know if the explosion from the beam could affect me or not.

* Explosion *

' By what ... '

Running, I realized that although I could somehow keep up with their fight, that didn't mean i had become faster. The beam hit before I could even run 6 cares. Closing my eyes, I thought to talk to the dream to see what I could do to avoid possible demise. The connection told me I wouldn't be affected but still, I wasn't going to take any chances. I received no reply. Before I could think of any other measures, the explosion engulfed me.

' No '

...

I felt nothing. No hurt, no ears ringing, nothing. I wasn't pushed away by the explosion. Once the explosion was past, I opened my eyes. Ashes were all I saw. No girl, and the beast who seamed to be pushed away by the explosion was inspecting the area.

* Stare *

I felt a chill run down my spine when I realized the beast was now staring in my direction. Like the girl, before it seemed to see me but also not. I slowly moved out of it's view but it was still staring at my previous position seemingly confused. I was already focusing all my attention on leaving the dream. Not like I wasn't trying before. I already did, many times at that but there were no results.

* Stare *

The beast snapped it's head to my new position. I stood still, frozen in my tracks.

' It can see me? '. No the reaction seems delayed and it seemed like it was more of a feeling someone was watching that it seeing.

* Magical power emanating *

Bearing the magical power emanating from the beast, I fell to my knees. The magical power was not targeted at me. It was just a scan of the surrounding but this was not something I was supposed to be able to withstand. Some time later, the beast relented, turned and left. I waited for the beast to leave, then turned my gaze to the area of explosion then to the sky.

******************************************************

" Young master "

" Young master "

I snapped opened my eyes at Cole's shaking and abruptly woke from bed.

" Young master? ".