Dense fog is stopping me in my tracks, not letting me advance. I do not move. I stay calm, waiting for the fog to disperse. I do not know how long I will stay in this position. After all, time here flows differently. I can't tell how many minutes pass before the fog begins to clear and the path is visible. Finally, the same stone arch greets me with its imposing height and chilling aura.

¨Here again.¨ - I say, not without a slight feeling of resignation.

¨You have come back.¨ - said a voice. One could not distinguish if it belonged to a man, a woman, a boy or a girl.

¨I did not have much of a choice.¨ - As always.

¨You always have a choice, human. You are just too stubborn to go past your own beliefs.¨ - I remained silent.

¨Is silence your answer?¨- asked the voice.

¨There was no question.¨ - I replied.

¨Quite cheeky, aren't you?¨

¨I beg to differ. It wasn't posed as a question so I have no reason to answer. That's all.¨

¨... Let's leave it at that for now. I think you have more important things to take care of. Stay safe.¨ - and the voice vanished.

¨Will do.¨ - I said, even though that voice has long since disappeared.

That's right. I had something important to do. A mission. One that I did not want to but had to do for several reasons: because my heart could not let those poor souls wander this world suffering the aftermath of the injustice of their past life; because I was the only one with the ability to pry into their past lives, because I was the one chosen by them to dream.

The stone arch, which until that moment stood silently like the ancient monument over five thousand years old he was, began to tremble. And then ... And then there was no ground beneath my feet, no sky above my head, no sound around me, no room to breathe, no light to guide me, nothing. Just a black world, where I existed alone. Alone ... until a glowing light ball appeared before my eyes ... and the whole world lit up again.

¨Will you help me?¨ - asked a child's voice.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

¨This is why I am here.¨ - I said, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

¨Thank you.¨ - said the voice once more.

And suddenly everything became blindingly white.

Somewhere unknown, a tall man was standing beside some bed where a woman had been peacefully sleeping for twelve hours.

¨So you are the one.¨ - said the man, with a look of sheer wicked joy.

¨My Lord, are you sure you want her to be your ...?¨

Faster than lightning on a stormy day, dark red claws surrounded his neck in an instant. The black-haired creature that was interrupted when talking didn't even try to resist. It was futile anyway. The unfathomable power of that man made it impossible to even move a muscle.

¨You dare to judge MY decisions?¨ - asked the man in an amused voice, albeit just a little bit angry.

No. Now he didn't dare to speak whether allowed or not.

Seeing his silence, the man decided not to pursue the issue any further. After all, he was in a good mood. The smile hasn't left his handsome human face. He retired the claws, transforming them back to a human hand.

¨You fool ... she'll be way more useful to me than some petty evil human. She can connect to the Lost Souls in her dreams. Don't you know what that means?¨

The little creature didn't need much time to think. Of course he knew what it meant. Where there is a Lost Soul there is also a ...

¨Exactly.¨ - a mischievous laugh sounded in the otherwise silent room. - ¨All that's left is for her to wake up and make a contract with me. Although she sure is taking her time.¨ - sighed dramatically the man.

¨Will she accept? The sacrifice is not to be taken lightly.¨ - commented the creature, with a hint of doubt.

¨Such a worrywart, aren't you? But don't worry. She will. I'll make sure of it.¨ -declared confidently the man.

Just at the same time, a woman was beginning to open her eyes, waking up from her slumber.

The tall man took quick notice of the movement and made a sign to the creature to leave. The latter did as he was told and vanished into thin air.

He had to admit. He was excited. Very excited. A new game was going to start, and a very fun one at that. But first things first.

¨Good morning, dear! Or, perhaps, should I say: Good Afternoon?¨ -asked the demon with the most brilliant smile he had.

Yes. Let's commence our game.