We all fear things. Whatever it be, death, losing a loved one, or just feeling pain. Everyone has their fears. Fears that we can diminish. Some people have fears of heights or going in front of a stage and talking. But what does true fear feel like? Is it the heart pumping uncontrollably? Or is it the feeling of butterflies inside your stomach feeling as if you're about to vomit? At this moment, Anima felt true fear. He feared the man in front of him. He felt like his heart was racing as if it were trying to outrun death. Sweat went through his body uncontrollably as he was staring at the sun. His muscles became tense, unable to move, unable to relax. He struggled to breathe, pouring his soul to catch his every breath. He felt shivers through every inch of his body. Inside his soul, he felt like he was about to vomit just by looking at this man. Staring right into his vibrant, but murderous blue eyes. Anima felt true fear for whatever figure was standing directly across from him.

???: Cassius, The Great Betrayer is my name.

Anima: Cassius the great betrayer...?!

???: Why do you look so surprised, Pretender?

Anima: Wha-wha-a-what are you?

Anima had the face of a man fearing for his life. He was frozen in place.

Anima: Who are-yo-you?

???: Like I already said, Pretender, I'm... I'm the fallen angel. The angel of abyss. Cassius The Great Betrayer.

Anima: Cassius the great betrayer??

Anima's mind could not comprehend the words being told and said. He didn't understand this man. He let out so much aura, he was a man that Anima could not comprehend. How could he? He didn't understand. He simply didn't get it. His brain couldn't comprehend what was being told. He needed to understand. He needed to relax.

Anima: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer

Anima kept repeating his name over and over again, trying to understand the figure. He was losing his mind. Yes, this was him losing his humanity. He was going completely insane. A struggle of his humanity with a man simply on a chair.

Anima: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer: Cassius the great betrayer

Anima: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Anima had both his hands on top of his head, losing his mind, not sure what to do in extreme, severe pain.

Cassius: Who allowed you to think of my name? Oh well, I'll give you a pass for now, Pretender.

The pain disappeared from Anima's head. He could finally breathe and relax, finally think and talk properly, finally process all the information. He could now stand up to the figure in front of him and withstand the fear that's undeniably inside him.

Cassius smiled as Anima stood up.

Anima was heavenly breathing, finally having the courage to speak to the figure.

Anima: Hey, asshole, I'm not going to ask you again who the fuck are you? And what the hell do you want with me?!?

Anima threw a pocket knife he had towards Cassius, but it simply disappeared.

Cassius: What am I? Who am I? How am I?

Cassius: Like I said before...

Cassius stood up from his chair. Both his arms were down, the white collared t-shirt, the black feathered cloak, and spread his black wings across his dark blue crown, glowing. Anima was still staring into Cassius's murderous light blue eyes.

Cassius: I'm Cassius The Great Betrayer, a fallen angel. I was named the angel of abyss.

Anima: Why? Why do you keep showing up in my dreams? What the exactly is your goal?

Cassius was laughing manically.

Anima: Dammit, answer me, bitch!

Cassius: All your questions will be answered in due time. For now, just remember this: you can't tell anyone my name.

Anima: And why is that?

Cassius: Because it will instantly kill everyone you tell. To my name is forbidden knowledge. The second anyone thinks of my "real name," they will die.

Anima: What exactly are you? Why did you keep appearing in my dreams over a month? And how are you here? Why did you show up?

Cassius: So many questions, but I can't exactly answer, not yet at least. But in due time, Pretender.

Anima: At least tell me why did I dream about you? Is this why you're here?

Cassius: Dreams. Some say dreams show your truest desires, your truest, most fruitful desires and wishes that reside deep inside your soul. Some people say dreams show you the thing you fear most deeply. Some people say they show you your true self, your shadow. But I personally believe that it's all dreams can do a lot, at least for most people. Sometimes you can have a recurring dream. But what does it mean when you have the same one for the rest of your life?

Cassius: Better yet, was it a dream? Were you sure?

Anima: What?!?

Cassius was manically laughing at Anima.

Anima: What's your fucking deal with me?

Cassius: You will learn that in time. But you really could have ended this all if you just experienced the rest of your trials.

Anima: What are you talking about?

Cassius: After all, I messed with your trials.

Anima: What?!

Anima had a shocked expression on his face.

Cassius: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAH

Cassius: You're a fool, Pretender. Your first trial was real, but you were never meant to recover those lost, sealed, painful memories. I unsealed them.

Anima: Why?

Cassius: To mess with you, why else?

Cassius was manically laughing.

Anima had an angry face.

Anima: You are a twisted fuck, that's for sure.

Cassius: Your second Trial wasn't even a dream, it was real. The little girl you met, Sera, her parents, even that friendship bracelet you wear, was all real. I needed you to speed up the process of becoming a dream walker. Also, I couldn't let you see your real 2-5 Trials, it would reveal too much. You did have a chance, but knowing you, I knew you would skip it. I mean, you're finally a dream walker, I congratulate you, Pretender.

Anima: You

Anima: You damned bastard! Fuck you!

Anima stuck up the middle finger.

Cassius stuck up one back.

Cassius was manically laughing.

Anima: And what do you mean by knowing me and why do you keep calling me "pretender"? I ain't pretending shit for all I know.

Cassius: HAHAHAHAHAHAH. Do you wish to know me? Wish to interact with the true me? This version of me is simply an avatar. Why I always appear in your "dreams." Do you wish to know who and where your mother is?

Anima: Wha...?!

Cassius: Go beyond the leveling system. That's the only way to know the truth, enter the shattered dreams, become strong. It takes thousands of years for people to level up. Use the pretender method. Pretend to be a god to get favors from other gods and beings. I mean, didn't you do it before, Pretender?

Anima, with wide eyes and no words to respond.

Cassius was disappearing with the darkness.

Cassius: Until next time.

Anima: WAIT!!

Cassius: Mr. Miracle.

Chapter 8 End