Tails would like to know:

My dear Toxic, how are you feeling? Are you still suffering from the ailment of the heart and soul? How can I help?

Do not blame yourself my friend. We all have demons within ourselves, yours just happened to make itself known to the world. I have a suspicion that he would have awoken anyway, even if you had been at your strongest. You could no more control the Nightmare than you could control the sickness inside yourself. Sometimes these things just must happen.

Oh my Toxic...perhaps that is true, but you must have strength. If this Nightmare is your nemesis, then you must be the one to banish him back to whatever dark recesses he came out of! Then he will dwell only in dreams and be unable to harm those of strong mind and will. Do not fret! If you need strength there are many in the forest that will lend it to you!

I am afraid too...though that doesn't say much, I'm afraid of many things...
Perhaps it is better to not sleep at all...but that is foolishness! We must sleep and so must he I suppose. Although, does a creature formed of dreamstuff need to sleep at all? Does it NEED anything? Rage I guess, and fear...I'm sure he lives off that enough.
If there is anything he feeds off of, we must cut him off from that source. If not...well...though it terrifies me to say this, perhaps we need to meet with him face to face...in his domain.

Perhaps as you grow stronger, he grows weaker? Or at least more passive. We can only hope that that is the case.
However, if it comes to a confrontation we must not allow fear to rule! You know as well as I do that he will sense that and use it against us.
Whatever comes out of it, I shall stand by your side, even if it means the end of my sanity!

Perhaps you're right! He hasn't had too many dreams to occupy lately and perhaps the raw emotion of living is affecting him. I think it is a stretch to say that the beast will be tamed, but perhaps our world and his could come to some sort of an agreement.
It must be lonely being a creature of dream...

I know what you mean! I'm lucky to have not been around the dark god when he was visiting!
Perhaps having a body is what has changed him. With physical ties to our forest, he must be feeling physical needs that cannot only be satisfied by his hunting. We shall see what becomes of this.

She approaches Nightmare curtly, pondering this sudden change within him.

First, he speaks of death...and now he speaks of a red being...in an ancient, alien dialect...

Not wanting to fully rile him, provided that his rejection to her remained fresh within her mind, she stops just a few feet away, taking a moment to take in all that he was now.

Such change...could it even be possible? He was so sleepful when I last saw him...and now he's so restless it's hard keeping up with him! She thinks, wondering if perhaps her behavior was still being viewed as a nuisance.

However, she still stands, watching him with bated breath, her eyes seemingly looking through him, trying to find his mind, his heart, trying to feel, to know what it was like to undergo such a change.

On one hand, she liked the fact that he wasn't seemingly weeping anymore. But on the other hand...she had a nagging suspicion that the conclusion to his tale would be nothing more than a sudden thrust to the heart, blood baptizing the land, an ancient tale repeating over and over in the echoes of the future.

Forgive my fervent chasing, she bows, trying to let him know that she will compromise herself again if need be, But now you fill me with a great wonder...and a multitude of questions. I pray that I may understand your tongue - and that you may understand mine.

She does not lay down. Instead, she continues to stand, unsure of what Nightmare plans to do. She may have a sixth sense with most, but Nightmare is an endless mystery, a patch of fog in an otherwise clear world.

This sudden change within you...what brought this about? What do you feel, now that your body has changed to such an extent? This restlessness burning within you...what is it that drives you to seek this red being out...

She trails off, feeling that she is merely rushing the moment.

...and what do you intend to do when you find him?

She had pondered the mess within the Ruins, and for a brief moment, she felt her heart stop.

The Big Zombie Deer? Here? Already? It is not even spring!

But perhaps the Gods liked to bend their rules, if only to spare a few from the furnace of beautiful madness that incinerated the thin veils of their lives.

But still...the fact that he...died...it angered her, and saddened her all the same. A weight lifted from him? Surely this would be a sign of positive things happening. And yet...

Did that mean that...he was...gone?

Could it mean that the Nightmare that she knew, and cared about, was not the same creature who graced her now?

Stepping back, she shudders with the thought. She doesn't want to lose someone she feels to close to, but...

My dear Myu...

She originally shelved that thought, it's sensation making her feel warm with a slight touch of humble embarrassment. But...could it mean that he did remember her?

Shifting her body slightly, she shrinks slightly, feeling like a dog that has just piddled on the carpet. Her question to him is quiet, and she hopes he can hear her.

Is it...still you...Nightmare? Do you...know me...at all? Or am I...talking to a...mirror?

Mirrors were not shells. They were simply reflections of old selves, of times past...of things that mortals cling to like babes to mothers.

But oh, how easy it was for them to break.

Myu watches him look out over the Pond, letting her memory flow as well; though she never knew Laurette, nor any of the others who threw their lives to the drink, she still felt the need to grieve; a loss to the Forest was a loss to all. Even if Luis, in his fed-up mentality, chose to turn a blind eye, she knew he still suffered, and she would not ignore the blatant cries of the dead.

But perhaps that was another matter for another day.

She absorbs his words like a sponge, trying to ascertain over and over that this was Nightmare, that he was real, he was touchable. A part of her doubts it still...but the strength in his voice seemingly reprimands her upon replay.

She thinks back to what he had said earlier - he was searching for the one that caused Laurette to forfeit her life to the blue abyss, the one he proclaimed carried the blame. She remembers the whispers within the wind, carrying the uncensored words of a horde of gossiping simpletons.

A light goes off in her head. Now she understands.

Approaching closer, she stops again just shy of him, giving him room to turn and repel her if need be. But she feels it must be said, even at the risk of another trivial spat.

The last I knew... she starts, gathering the strength within her voice, He laid within a coma. Where he resides, I know not. But the reason I inform you of this...is to propose this. You wrath is a terrible thing to be witness to, but wouldn't it be unwise to attack those possessed by slumber? He is a withered leaf, his nectar soiling the ground. I do not wish to call you out on such, but perhaps it would be best to await until he is awake. If you wish to make him feel such pain, he shall not feel it reliving his memories from within the frameworks of his mind. Do you think not?

She takes a few steps back, readying herself. Whether to run, or to fight, she knew not.

But she would not take the blow for a fool she hardly knew.

Normally, any deer would be quite moronic to remain within his presence in such an enraged state. And yet, Myu finds herself rearing in defense, his rage pouring into her, ricocheting through her, like a bullet through a pipe.

She feels her own tempter flaring, even though his anger is quite justified. Her front hoofs collide with the earth with a loud thud, emphasizing her waning calmness.

Taking a few moments to think, she raises her head high, speaking sharply, letting her frustration seep like an open wound.

And how am I, a mere mortal, supposed to know of a demon's return?

In her mind, ignorance is both a curse, and a blessing. She prays that she doesn't let her anger fester anymore. She does not wish for a great divide such as last time.

I went to the Ruins tonight, and laid upon the pedestal of your birth. Why? I know not. The Ruins are my home; I care not if you leave your trail behind. The only reason I gave a damn prior was because of my own unwarranted anger.

She lowers her head, hoping that she didn't go too far beyond redemption. She had been forced to leave his side before; she didn't wish for it to happen again.

I would say that I wasn't trying to call you a coward, but it was probably the gist of my words regardless, no? She glances up at the sky, wondering how she ever got herself involved with this hulking beast. And I apologize for it. It was wrong for me to imply such. If this is your sworn duty, I shall not impede your progress.

She begins to walk off, but pauses, wondering if perhaps he has something to say to her.

It would be quite wise to hear him out...

Fools never get a second chance.

For the young doe, Judgment Day carried a heavy order. For her, it meant chaos, destruction, and...death.

But from Nightmare's point of view, it seemed more like a blessing from the Gods - at least that was how he seemed to word it. Myu could not wrap her mind around such an ideal, taunting the thought that Judgment Day was meant to be a challenge to the Gods, proving her worth within this world.

Many times, she had questioned her worth, pondering the thought of leaving forever, exiling herself to the Outer World. And yet...she felt...shackled to this place, albeit willingly so.

She had met many deer, each one whose personalities were as different as night and day. From the sweet and docile Kita, to the patient, yet seemingly crazed Bylah (Although she knew calling him a deer was nothing more than a falsity), each one seemed to have their own place in the world. Some danced as high as the heavens, while others laid to rest in a shallow lagoon.

She pondered questioning him as to her place within this world, and yet, she felt that perhaps he would not be so inclined to answer. He himself seemed to know where he stood amoungst the others, and if his height was anything to go by it, he was indeed, high above most. Including herself.

Despite knowing this, she still felt a strong love for the beast. While it was not sewn from the same thread that her love for Luis was, she felt a strong connection to Nightmare. Even though she knew her feelings were never to be returned, she had remained by him, like a dog to its master. And she protected him as such, she followed, she stalked as such. Even when he chased her away prior, through her cloud of anger, she still felt drawn to him.

And maybe, for a brief, fleeting moment, he felt the same.

But such wishful thinking was folly on her behalf. He was now devoid of feelings for anyone, save perhaps, for the butterfly whose wings had been clipped far too early.

She smiled as his first words reached her. She was indeed a firecracker, yet she could have never have guessed it was a trait that some appeared to appreciate.

But it was the rest of his words that chilled her through, recalling the things he had said earlier. Because Luis had chosen to turn a blind eye to those who parted from the Forest, Nightmare would no longer permit Luis near his side. And Myu knew that this would greatly complicate the small triangle that had been formed when both deer first laid beside her; even if they had never met each other prior.

And she knew that, in the long run, she would have a very difficult choice to make. The love of her life, or the beast that had been cemented into her very existence...one had the gift of sweet will, making her feel happy beyond happy, a reflection of Paradise upon the land in which they walked. The other possessed...something more.

Darkness. Despite it being a seemingly vile thing, it was a magic that she clung to, feeling an exhilarating rush everytime she was near it. It was so frightening, yet so...beautiful, that she couldn't tear away from it.

Perhaps that's how the phrase, "Beautiful Nightmare," first came into existence. And, to some extent, she felt that it was perfectly possible to have such a dream, or be within the presence of the beast who embodied it.

But...if push came to shove...could she reject one for the other? Or perhaps abandon both in a moment of selfishness? She knew not, but one thing was for certain.

She would guarantee that it would be quite a while before such a choice was made.

As he made his way down, she followed a certain feet away, wanting to at least let her thoughts ring the air out, settling whatever tension there was prior.

Hm. Indeed, it seems as if such a thing must be done... she trails off, sadness coating her voice. But...until then...I shall not yield. If you wish to chase me away, so be it. But unless you take such an action, I will continue to remain by you, regardless of any lack of emotion you bear towards me. I will compromise all of me until the fabric wears far too thin to provide warmth. I shall stay...until I am no longer of any use to you. If such a thing hasn't even happened yet.

There was a biting frustration that crawled out upon her mouth with her last sentence, but she chose to let it hang. She would await whatever he had to say or do to her before making any other rash statements.

She sighed quietly with relief. She was still wanted by someone; or at least, she hoped that was the case. And she did admit, their spat had become quite annoying; and she was glad that it ended, albeit awkwardly.

She, in honesty, did know that the sole reason Nightmare had permitted Luis near him was because of herself. She was close friends with the striped stag; and now he was her mate. A part of her was deeply frustrated with Luis; she did not wish to choose between them, and it almost seemed that Luis' blind-eye was the cause for the turmoil unfurling around them.

I do not know which path I shall take, she starts, her mind swimming with memories and feelings. Whether it will be Luis, the love of my life, or you, the one whom has been cemented within my life...I know not. I pray that it will be a long while before such a difficult decision is rendered; perhaps I am a coward, hoping for such; but my heart has been played with for too long; I wish to take a break from this lethal stage.

As Nightmare landed on top of the surface of the water, she felt all the more alone. She waded out a few inches, before submitting to the cool shallows of the Pond, hoping the water would provide some comfort. The fish and frogs danced around her body as the plants caressed her.

She considered his final words greatly. She knew that there was truth within them...and yet...that was not the point. Tearing herself away from either of them would hurt her greatly. It did not matter how Nightmare felt about her, she still felt greatly torn.

I...know that...and yet...I...don't want to be forced into such a position...

And it is here that she finally decides to ask an utmost selfish question.

What am I to you? I care not if you choose to impose harsh words; I seek the truth from you...that is all.

She lowers her head, trying to make herself as small as possible.

Indeed, the circumstances upon their meeting was quite odd at best; she did not truly know who he was when he approached her, a broken mess, asking for a place to stay...Only to have to fend him from The Priest's cruel glare.

She cowered slightly as he fell within the blue depths, not wishing to incur his wrath within her delicate demeanor at the moment.

His somewhat dissembled answer left her slightly frustrated and disappointed. But she understood that there were more pressing matters to deal with; as least within Nightmare's court.

Feeling her own tiredness beginning to claim her, she rises from the pond, wandering to underneath the willow. The night has left her unable to even hobble her way to the Ruins.

The Ruins. Her home. His birthplace.

Sighing, she lowers her body to the ground underneath the willow. If any were to seek her out, she cared not. Her mind as too fluttered with thoughts; questions, answers...truths, lies...absolutes...doubts.

I am sorry for forcing your body upon the Pond, she says sleepily. I would love to accompany you should you traverse, but alas, my head churns within. I must rest for now. I pray your forgiveness for taking so much of your time...good...night...

All's she can see is black. There is not a speck of light to be found.