It was dark in this place. William could hear moans of agony.

William Gabriel sat up from a sleep he did not remember taking and found himself in his armor. His sword was at his side, and he was lying on his shield in a very uncomfortable way. Pulling himself up, he looked around.

This was not Arsheen. He suspected it was not even his world.

It looked more like Kiyora's world with walls of living wood. He stood in a small, circular room illuminated by brought violet crystals. There seemed to be a strange shadow over the place, however. It was like the world was being filtered through a lens of agony.

He looked for a door but couldn't find one. He could see what seemed like an altar. There were many crystals set into it gleaming.

He set one hand to it. The crystals shone, and an image appeared. It was of a woman with yellow hair, clad in a strange uniform. "Captain Altrus' log: Day 1 of the Black Star's first mission."

"We've set out from Actovosh with the experimental ship. They said that this vessel would be a bit weird, but that doesn't do it justice. I'm afraid something will jump out at me every moment I'm on the bridge. The halls always seem to shift, and I swear I keep seeing things.

"I feel like I'm being hunted. I know it's not rational.

"Alchara above, I'll be glad when I'm done with this trip."

"Some kind of record?" guessed William aloud. "Except it records speech instead of ink. All of this is far too strange. This is some ship, I suppose. However, it is nothing like any vessel I've seen.

"I can't find out anything more here."

He found an area that might have been a door. It was a point where there was a circular crack. He pushed on it, but it did not yield. There was nothing to pull on. The light from the crystals hardly reached here, and he couldn't see very well. He stepped back and raised a hand.

Then he spoke an incantation of power, summoning the light of the sun spirit to his aid. Nothing happened. He tried again, and there was no response. After several more times, he realized the truth. He was in Kiyora's world; there was no good reason he would be able to summon the power of his world's sun.

William sighed and leaned against the wall. He must have pressed something because what he had taken to be a door slid aside. Beyond the threshold, he saw cocoons. Dozens and dozens of cocoons were hanging from ceilings or forced against walls. Yet unlike normal cocoons, he could see every feature of those bound within them. He could even see the agonized looks on their faces.

He walked in and then heard a scuttling sound. He turned and saw a vast spider going toward him. It spewed silk from its mandibles, and he raised his shield just in time to stop it. The silk wrapped around his guard and seemed to writhe its way toward his hand. He let go of the defense and threw it aside.

Taking his sword in two hands, he brought it down on the spider. The blade cut straight through the beast's carapace and sank into its head. It spasmed and then died. The body faded into the wood, leaving only a smudge of black blood. It was no spider but a formation of unholy magic.

William drew out the sword and then raised his shield. He tried to pry off the threads but only got his sword stuck. After a few wrenching moments, he'd only gotten more tangled in it. So he stopped.

He sensed that same malaise from the threads. There was unholy magic in them. Before he could think, the threads came to life. They began to creep up his arms. William wrestled with the sticky stuff as it came up closer. Dark shapes arose around him, horrors he had forgotten. Or horrors he had never met. He channeled the power of Elranor, and the threads recoiled from him and crumbled.

Retrieving his sword and shield, he looked at the cocoons. William had to free them. He could not leave these people here within the silk. Drawing out his harp, he began to play.

His music resounded around him and set itself against the silk. Yet it was like he was pressing his hands against an iron wall. He could not break the enchantment no matter how he pushed and tore against it with his mind. It resisted him, and whenever a scratch was made, some force arose to heal it.

William kept at it for some minutes. Yet finally, he ceased playing his music. There was no helping it. With the Goldenwood Harp, he might have broken this enchantment. But it was no longer his.

Yet something else awoke. Or so William felt. He glanced around, expecting to see eyes on him. Yet as far as he could tell, the only living thing with him in this place was the cocoons. At a loss, he looked around for a way out. At least it was better lit here, and he found another door. Feeling around, he found a switch and pressed it.

The door slid open, and he found more cocoons in a hall. It was a hall lined with more cocoons, and it gave him chills to walk it. He tried to keep his eyes off those agonized faces. Looking at them felt strange and not only from horror. He found a sick appeal to gazing at them, and he did not like it.

"This is why I hate demons," he muttered. "Looking at their handiwork makes you think like them. Why did Kiyora call me out here like this? What good am I here? And where is she anyway? She usually is obvious about why she drags me around. Or at least she was last time. It had only happened once before."

He stopped as he came to a corner and saw a line of spiders. Dozens of them. On their backs was another cocoon. Yet the features of this one were familiar, and he saw a faint light coming from her.

"...Kiyora," he said. "What happened? She must have been seized and called me on reflex. But I can't fight all those." He tailed after them, hoping to see some of them break off.

As he walked after them, he found his eyes drawn to how the silk clung to every curve on her body. The sudden focus he had on it disturbed him. He shut it out as best he could and focused on the number of spiders.

None of them broke off in the end. They kept a close formation and made their way up a winding stair of living wood, down the hall, and through a door. But as William came after them, the door rolled shut. He found the switch and pressed it, but there was no response.

Once again, he felt that presence. A sense as though something was here. But that something did not seem evil. If it was, it could have alerted the spiders.

He supposed he should find a safe place. But he knew nothing of this strange ship. Or anything within it anywhere could be safe or dangerous, and he'd never know. So he moved away from the door and around the corner, sat down, and thought. "Alright, William, you can't prevail here by force of arms, so think," he muttered. "I need to find some way to contact the outside world if I can. They may be able to help me."

Provided there was an outside world. If this were another world, Kiyora had been taken to; this could be the whole thing. Then he felt that same presence again. It seemed to be striving with something. William felt annoyed and looked up to where he sensed it. "You, who are you?"

The presence overcame whatever it was struggling with. "...Follow..." The voice was almost a whisper and was said with pain. Saying just that took considerable effort.

"I asked you a question:" said William. "Who are you?"

"Black... Star... I once was..." gasped the presence with pain. "Now, no more... no more..."

"Are you the spirit in command of this place?" guessed William.

"...Follow..." gasped Black Star, "they are coming..."

Then it receded. And William realized he had no choice but to follow. "Damn."

He followed as best he could. Black Star led him on through this strange realm's winding and twisting halls, lower and lower. As they did so, the threads became ever thicker around them. William came to a place where the threads were drawn before the hall Black Star would lead him down.

Drawing out his harp, he played the music of Elranor to try and dispel the magic within. But whenever he did so more unholy magic came from the rest of the silk. He could not break the entire enchantment. Putting away his harp beneath his cloak, William drew out his sword.

An idea occurred. He tried to channel the power of Elranor through the blade. It was hard, but little by little, he managed to raise the power. He brought the sword down, but as he swung, the spell dispersed, and the blade was turned.

He tried again, and this time he managed to cut a thread. He tried again and once again failed. It took a lot of miserable work to get through. As he hacked and channeled yet more power, William felt a horrible headache coming on. What if spiders came by this place? Could he fend them off? The power of these chants was horrible.

Finally, the last thread was cut, and he walked on through. He nearly collapsed from exhaustion while following Black Star. Why was it so hard to put the power of Elranor into a sword? When he played music, it came easily, but this had nearly broken him.

Black Star opened a door, and William entered it. The door shut, and he was left in what appeared to be a garden. Golden crystals shone down on bright green turf. Trees were growing around him, or perhaps part of a single tree. At the center of the room was a clear pool of water, and he collapsed by it.

"...Stay..." said Black Star, "stay here... safe here..."

"What are these creatures?" asked William.

"Demons..." said Black Star, "raishans... spider demons... servants of... servants of..." His voice went high with terror.

For a few minutes, Black Star fell silent. William said nothing and removed his helmet. He pulled himself over to the pool and drank and washed away the sweat.

Then he rested.

When he felt a bit better, he looked up to Black Star. "What is this place?"

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

"Black Star..." said Black Star, "within... within me..."

William wondered if he meant this entire place or merely the room with the pool. Before he could ask, an image appeared in the pool beneath him. It showed Captain Altrus from before, speaking with an elf with a long beard.

"Endion, has there been any sign of the missing crewmembers?" asked Captain Altrus.

"No ma'am," said Endion. "We've scanned the entire ship, but Black Star isn't picking up any life signs. It's like they just disappeared."

"They can't have," said Altrus. "If they were dead, we should have detected it. Alright, keep scanning the area. I don't want anyone going anywhere alone. Keep a weapon on you at all times and..."

There was a noise of scurrying. Altrust whirled around, a blade in her hand. "What was that?"

"I don't know," said Endion. "Be careful."

The vision faded.

"Rioletta..." said Black Star. "Rioletta did this..."

"Rioletta?" asked William. "The Goddess of Fate?" Why would she have taken physical form here? What could be so important?

"Spider... spider demoness..." murmured Black Star. "Unholy. Holds... holds my will... Cannot disobey her..."

"Rioletta has enslaved you?" asked William, feeling a sense of pity for Black Star. And what was the Goddess of Fate doing here anyway? "Yet why should she want to kidnap Kiyora?" A horrible thought came to him. "Is she going to eat her?"

"No... not eat..." murmured Black Star. "Consume... Bind. .. Enslave... Dreamers are a source of power... Through nightmares... Rioletta will gain... gain power..."

"Wonderful," said William. "Well, at least Kiyora won't be killed. Is there any way I can break her hold over you?"

"Break... hold..." Black Star paused, "No..."

"Are you certain?" asked William. "If her hold over you is unshakable, why are you helping me?"

"Her... will courses... through all ships of... my kind..." said Black Star. "No escape..."

"Of your kind?" asked William.

"I was... a fusion," said Black Star. "Cannot find... cannot find... words..."

An image appeared of an elf with violet hair. She was very beautiful and thin, even for an elf, and William could see that she bore some resemblance to Kiyora. He wondered if she was a relative.

"This is Dr. Hanora Dreamer of the Department of Spiritual Defense. I am reporting on the progress of Project Black Star. The Black Star is a treeship which we hope will be the first of a new generation.

"The vessel perfectly fuses Dark Elven and Dreamer Elf technology. Like our technology, it allows the full might of a Dreamer to be used. Yet, in addition to that power, it can feed off the suffering of those within. This power increases the strength of the ship's weaponry exponentially.

"While prolonged use is highly immoral, it could be useful in short bursts. And with special training, a Dream Sage should be able to endure for far longer."

The image faded.

"Dream Sage?" asked William. "Is that what Kiyora is?"

"Kiyora... is a potential..." Black Star paused. "Not full Dream Sage... Possesses power..."

"I see," said William. "Why does Rioletta need her? There must have been one here."

Hanora reappeared. This time looked furious.

"A message to Dr. Hanora Dreamer,

"I don't really care how confident you are in the safety of this vessel, Alatar. Dark Elven technology is dangerous, and I intend for us to walk before we run. The maiden voyage of this vessel will be made without a Dream Sage. The crew will be trained to move it, not wield the weapons."

Once again, it faded.

"So Rioletta doesn't have a Dream Sage. Kiyora mentioned something about them is essential. To weaponry on her ships," mused William. "So she went after Kiyora. What does she want to accomplish?" He remembered using one of her artifacts during the Tournament of Kings. The sensation had been strange and twisted.

He'd never wanted to feel it again. Was Kiyora feeling that now?

"...Many... many things..." said Black Star. "Domination... destruction... The suffering of those within... too great... could destroy... destroy everything..."

"Very well. How can I stop her?" asked William. "Can you open the doors?"

"You... cannot... defeat... Rioletta..." said Black Star. "Disable... cloak..."

"Cloak?" asked William. "What cloak?"

"The cloak... it keeps me from sight..." gasped Black Star. "Disable and the... Dreamer Elves... will find her..."

"Can you lead me there?" asked William.

"I... cannot break... Rioletta's... hold..." gasped Black Star.

"You are doing it right now," said William. "Just keep on going as you are. You must lead me to this cloak."

Then he felt something. A splitting pain rushed through his mind, and he fell to his knees. Suddenly he could see Seathorius. And he saw Nakmar. There were dozens and dozens of Nakmar. Yet their eyes were empty, and their faces blank. It was as though their wills had been overridden. He could feel something commanding them. And that something was itself controlled.

"Well now, the minds of these Nakmar were quite easy to override, weren't they?" said a cheerful voice. "They truly do rely on the Dreaming Goddess, don't they."

"Rioletta." said a familiar voice.

The view changed to that of a throne room. William realized he was looking through the eyes of something at Arraxia. The beautiful demoness was lounging on her throne. Her claws were clasped before her chest, and her tail flicked. "Rioletta, how have you been?"

"Oh well enough," said Rioletta, a wide, sharp-toothed smile on her face. "I was just in the area, and dear Melchious approached me. He is quite annoyed with you, you know."

"Oh really? Well, that is satisfying," said Arraxia. "Though I can't see what it has to do with you being here?"

"Oh, pay me no mind, darling," said Rioletta. "I'm merely here to claim control of Seathorius and throw you out. Melchious gave me the means to do so?"

"Oh, I see," said Arraxia. "You captured the Dreaming Goddess in her mortal form and are using her to take control of the Nakmar. They always did rely on her a little too much."

"You are quite perceptive as always, darling," said Rioletta. "I rather wonder why you never tried it yourself."

"Mind control is such a crude means of manipulation," said Arraxia, examining her claw. "I use it as little as possible. Far better for my subordinates to follow me out of their designs."

"What an adorable concept," said Rioletta. "I think I shall delight in bundling you up in silk."

"There is no need to fight," said Arraxia.

"Oh, but there is," said Rioletta. "I want to control Seathorius."

"And you won't get any control without my help," said Arraxia.

"My, what a fascinating concept," said Rioletta. "Do tell, darling, how can you assist in a way that Melchious cannot?"

Arraxia had told William once that female demons all had similar personalities. The reality of this set in. They had differences, but there seemed to be an archetype they both had.

"If you didn't know the answer, we wouldn't have this conversation," noted Arraxia. "Melchious doesn't want to let you control Seathorius. He merely wants you to remove me. Once you've done that, the satyrs will return to his worship, and you'll have to fight him immediately."

"Well, that does sound annoying," said Rioletta. "Satyrs aren't any fun at all to bundle in silk. They lack the innocence of elves, so they simply don't torment as well. Yet how could leaving you in control benefit me?"

"We should ally," said Arraxia. "You will rule over the Nakmar and bring your spider demons into this world, and I will rule over the satyrs. We could easily keep this land from Melchious' control with our combined strength."

"Do you truly believe such an alliance could last, darling?" asked Rioletta doubtfully.

"Of course, sooner or later, one of us would backstab the other; that is the way of things," said Arraxia. "But in the meantime, we'll both be very powerful. And we can unite against Melchious and all the other people who might stand in your way."

"That does sound rather nice," mused Rioletta. "We haven't been united in common cause since both of us studied under Melchious."

"Then may I give you some advice, for old times' sakes?" asked Arraxia.

"Of course, of course," said Rioletta.

"A Paladin of Elranor is on your ship," said Arraxia, smiling.

Dead silence. "What?" said Rioletta, and her smile became forced.

"Oh yes, I tricked the Dreaming Goddess into merging her will with mine. We wanted to repulse an invasion," said Arraxia. "After you kidnapped her, I stimulated her into calling one of her servants into your domain. His name is William Gabriel, and he is quite irritating. Perhaps you know of him? "

"Ah, I see," said Rioletta, licking her lips. "William, that delicious-looking morsel who used one of my scarves. So either he breaks my power, or I remove him from play. Very shrewd darling, very shrewd indeed."

"Naturally, I wasn't aware you would be reasonable," said Arraxia.

"But of course," said Rioletta. "Tell me more of William? He has a unique feel to him. No doubt, a unique taste as well.

"I really have wanted him for some time now, ever since your mortal form gave him that scarf. Such a delicious destiny..."

"He's one of those insufferable do-gooders," said Arraxia. "He was formed from a part of Melchious' spirit and always interferes with my designs. Quite resourceful. You ought to take him seriously."

"...Well, we'll have to continue this discussion later, won't we?" said Rioletta.

"But, of course," said Arraxia.

The vision faded. William said nothing. His presence had been given away, and his task had become much more dangerous. The door opened without a word, and William followed Black Star onward.

This place now had an air of power as Black Star led William ever downward. The passages became narrower. The silk also became less and less common, as did the cocoons. This William found a relief. The lack of pressure on his mind helped him think.

The walls here were different as well, however. They appeared to be inlaid with crystals that buzzed with power. He felt like he was being sapped somehow, just standing around here.

"This place is strange," William mused. "What is different about these lower levels?"

"Meant... for roots... not people..." said Black Star. "Elves see to... health here..."

"Has Rioletta seen to your health?" asked William.

"I... trapped..." said Black Star, "trapped in unlife... Follow..." His voice was labored as if in agony.

Then as they came to a door, he heard scuttling. Yet this one was heavier than the others. He whirled around with his sword in hand. What he saw before him was a beautiful, skinny elven woman with the lower body of a spider. Her ample breasts were packed into a bodice of black silk that clung to her curves. However, it showed off much cleavage on her pale breasts. Her eyes were like those of a serpent, with violet pupils. Between her clawlike fingers was a long strand of silk.

"Well, look at the little fly who has stumbled into my web," said Rioletta. "I am so grateful that my old comrade told me about you. You might have caused me some serious problems."

"I intend to do more than that," said William.

"My, what a defiant figure you strike," said Rioletta. "I can't wait to tie you up in torments beyond your-" William opened the door and ran like the hells were behind him. Which they were. "Hey! I wasn't done talking, darling! Come back!"

"You... running..." said Black Star chidingly.

"I don't mean to fight with a goddess, thank you very much," said William, opening the door. "Let alone get eaten by one. Can you close and lock that door?"

The door shut.

"Good," said William. "Close any doors you can between us."

"Under... understand..." said Black Star. "Follow..."

He fled through the halls and eventually came to a door, unlike the others. The wood here was black as night. There was an aura of pain coming from them, greater than anything else. William touched the door and recoiled at the agony.

"Is this it?" asked William, hoping it wasn't.

"Yes... here is where the cloaking field lies..." said Black Star. "Break the flower...

The door slid aside, and within, he saw what appeared to be a red flower at the far end. Coming from it were many vines that covered the walls. William tried to walk through. But he felt horrible pain as soon as he did so. It stung his arms. His hands went for his harp, but then he felt a presence.

Glancing back, he saw the door through which he had come sliding aside to reveal many spiders. There was no time. Long ago, Mother had told him that it was better to plunge into the ocean than to immerse oneself gradually. He drew his sword and charged at the flower.

The agony which assailed him was worse than anything he had ever felt. It was like his skin was melting off, and he collapsed to his knees before he could get two feet in. He was burning! He was on fire!

William turned to flee back to the door to find it shut. He couldn't get out!

"Destroy... flower..." gasped Black Star. "Pain... stop..."

William screamed as he ran toward the flower. It was like he was being flayed alive. His heart was beating harder and harder. He was in a rage, and he swung his sword. The blade hit the flower and rebounded. His agony only increased. His vision was going dark. He could not continue. With his last desperate effort, he channeled the power of Elranor and struck. This time it shattered like glass. The pain stopped, and William collapsed to his knees and fell into darkness.