I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

Raiden's head spun, his vision growing blurry until the dead trees around him felt distant and unreal. He gripped Ash tightly with his left hand while his other hand flew to his head in agony. Through gritted teeth, he felt his heart pounding at a frantic pace. And yet, he couldn't help but wonder once more. What was happening?

"Who are you?" He turned in all directions, his movements steady despite his confusion. "Where am I?"

"I am the Lost Child." The voice drifted lazily through the air. Raiden narrowed his eyes, his mouth trembling as the bitter cold penetrated his skin. But what truly caught his attention was a flicker of movement from the mansion he had been trying to reach.

"I am here to grant you the wish you've always wanted." Raiden's heart skipped a beat, confusion and suspicion darkening his features in an instant.

He began to take steady backward steps. The Lost Child's words were perplexing enough, but now he could see the figure atop the mountain slowly closing in on him.

"This is my dark dream. All your darkest secrets could be granted, if only you wish for it."

Raiden gulped down his fear, his mind and body slowly forgetting the headache and predicament as something else consumed his attention.

"What makes you think I would want something from you?" Raiden demanded, but his voice cracked, betraying his fear.

The figure crept closer, paused, and released an irritated laugh. "Your brother."

Just those words made Raiden stop cold. His eyes went wide, his heart plummeting. "My brother?"

"Yes, your brother," the Lost Child purred with mock enthusiasm. "You can finally become like him."

That alone caused Raiden's expression to change, confusion clouding his features. "Become like my brother? What do you mean?"

"I can feel it… Yes, there it is. Your darkest wish. You want to be like your brother."

Raiden's face began shaking with emotion. His fists clenched as he fought every instinct to retaliate.

"Okay, okay, Lost Child." His smile came slowly, forced. "I will give you another opportunity to correct yourself."

The Lost Child sighed, almost disappointed. "Are you saying you don't want to be like your brother?"

"That's it, shithead." Raiden brushed his fingers through his hair, shaking his head. "I don't know what that was, but you almost had me believing you knew my wish."

His body began trembling from annoyance, every muscle fighting against his desire to act out. Getting on the Lost Child's bad side could mean serious trouble. He needed to keep his cool.

"No one, I mean no one, can be like my brother. You get it?" He activated Gaze Beyond, trying to pierce through to the figure's eyes. Nothing. Just shadow. But Raiden refused to let confusion cloud his judgment.

"Say it… one wrong word about my brother, and I will feed you your own fucking throat." The words exploded from him, echoing into the distance and startling Ash awake.

"If your memories serve correctly, your brother is dead, isn't he?"

The instant he said that, something exploded within Raiden. His attempt at keeping things peaceful with the Lost Child was falling apart, slipping through his fingers. His mouth parted in shock, and suddenly all he could hear were his racing heartbeats and his brother's voice—those last words before he died.

"Don't speak about my brother," he muttered, his golden eyes flickering before falling to the floor, his aura turning calm and gentle.

"If you say a single thing about him, I will kill you, I swear." The words came out dead—no echoes, no life in his voice.

He began his transformation into moon dragon form. Dark veins snaked across his arms and up his neck, while a dragon mark blazed on his forehead.

His dark hair lightened to brilliant white, becoming cloud-like and wild, whipping in every direction. The gentle blue of his aura died, consumed by crushing darkness that unleashed violent winds around him.

Ash looked bewildered; she'd never seen Raiden's aura this intense. She slipped from his hand, landed gracefully, and positioned herself beside him in silent support.

Every nerve in Raiden's body was primed, waiting for the Lost Child to dare speak against his brother. He had no plan, but his resolve was absolute—he would find this thing and end it.

"Who are you anyway? What a bother." The Lost Child laughed softly. "Whatever path you choose, the outcome is the same—death by madness or death by my design."

The child paused, then added almost casually, "Your friends are already dead."

The moment he heard that, Raiden's eyes widened as fragmented memories surfaced. The bewilderment he'd felt upon waking, his comrades' absence, and the mystery of how he'd arrived in this Dark Dream—the Lost Child had orchestrated it all.

He shook his head gently, struggling to break through his anger and focus on the immediate threat.

[It's true, Papa.] Ash's mental voice was gentle but urgent in his head. He turned to meet her gaze. [This is the third time he's tried to trick you into dying.]

"What?" Raiden whispered, immediately clutching his head as waves of agony crashed over him. The pain was exponentially worse, electric jolts that felt like they were eating his mind alive as he pressed frantically against his skull.

"You're a dead man. The pages are already taken, and none of you are getting out alive… I'll make sure of it." The Lost Child's shadow flickered and vanished completely.

"Why does my head hurt so much?" he gasped through clenched teeth.

"I think the headaches are from him rewinding time on you… twice now. It must have side effects," Ash said softly, chin resting on her paw. "I just don't know why it doesn't work on me."

Raiden dragged himself through the pain and stood up straight. His skull felt like lead, everything spinning so violently he lost all sense of direction. But he held his ground.

"If this is a side effect, then it's probably just a migraine. The regeneration will take care of it."

"Are you sure, Papa? You look awful."

Raiden nodded with certainty. "I'm sure you're the reason I'm still alive. Thank you." He forced a smile and patted her head tenderly.

However, his face grew dark immediately. "If this is how he works, then the others are in grave danger."

Ash bobbed her head in agreement.

"We have to go after them." Raiden gestured left. "You search that way."

At his words, Ash immediately shifted to her moon dragon form, poised for action.

"I have no idea what his powers really are or how they work." His smile was genuine now. "Take care of yourself."

"You too, Papa," she said with a warm smile.

Then she was gone, vanishing without a trace except for the smoky darkness that hung in the air. No sound, no movement, no sign she'd ever been there.

Raiden let his eyes fall shut and took a steadying breath, calling up Ash's guidance. "Embrace the darkness and command it. You are the moon dragon—darkness bends to your will."

The instant he finished speaking, he let out a deep breath and disappeared, mirroring Ash's departure perfectly.