After I recite the spell, we wait. Nothing happens. I won't find out if it worked until I go to sleep. I am not excited about that.
"Well, there isn't anything that we can do now, so I guess I'll be on my way." I walk towards the door.
"You know where to find me." He says.
I nod and walk out.
Small time skip
I pick up my diary and sit down on my bed.
I can't remember the last time I wrote an entry. I suppose I didn't really have the time. I see him practically every day. It's not just a once in a while thing anymore. I know he doesn't admit it, but he cares about me. He is so determined to stop these dreams of mine. I want to get closer with him, but I think he made it clear that he just wants to be friends. I'm so embarrassed that I kissed him. He never even acknowledged it. My cheeks flush at the bare thought of him. What's not to like about him...
I stop writing. I think I've developed feelings for Hunter.
I fling my diary on the floor and shove the covers over my head.
My wrist hurts. I look down and someone is holding it tightly. Oh my god. The spell didn't work. I think I'm going to faint. Hunter stops walking and bows in front of the emperor. I do the same, for the sake of my own life.
"Y/n. I know there are so many questions you have. All to which I have the answers to." The emperor says.
"Would you be so kind as to answer them?" I'm really walking on thin ice talking this way to the emperor, but I don't care anymore. What's there to lose? I'm already in too deep.
"You're right about the interfering dreams. I'm the one giving them to you." He says.
Welp. I didn't see that one coming. But I can't say it doesn't make sense.
"What do you want? And why are you telling me this in a dream? Why not just tell me in real life?"
"I need you to help me. I can't have you telling anyone what I'm about to tell you."
"Me, help you?" This has to be a joke. "You're the emperor. You don't need anyone's help."
"You have the key. To bring us to the human realm." He says.
Did I hear him right? I didn't know the human realm actually existed until now. I thought it was a myth. I look at Hunter, but he remains without saying a word.
"Why do you want to have access to the human realm?" It's clear why, but I want him to say it. He wants to have power over both worlds.
"That's none of your concern. All you have to do is cast the spell that opens the portal."
I'm so screwed. What do I do? I can't do much until I wake up. But the last thing I'm gonna do is help him get to the human realm.
"I'm waiting." He says.
I can't let him do this. I just have to waste some time.
"I forget how to do the spell," I say.
"Don't be ridiculous! I just taught it to you." Hunter speaks up.
"You won't be waking up anytime soon. Besides, even if you do, it's not like you can leave the boiling isles without me knowing." He says. "Either you live or you die. It's up to you."
All my life I've been told that I have choices. Never did I think that one of them would be between life and death. But what's the point of only helping myself? I need to make the choice that benefits people other than myself.
"I choose death." I swing out my blade from my belt. Before I can chicken out, I make a deep cut through the flesh of my neck. I fall to the floor seconds later.
The only thing occupying my vision is darkness. I try moving my head, but it's all the same. Is this what heaven is like? Because if it is, it really sucks. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. Either that or I've gone deaf. Did I really die?
I take a big breath of air. Am I in my room? I am! And I'm alive! I want to get up and scream for joy, but something's not right. My neck is burning. And I mean burning like I think I'm about to die kind of burning. I struggle to get out of bed and look into my mirror. I'm horrified. The cut that I made on my neck is still there. I bring my hand to touch the blood that seeps out. It's real. When I get hurt in my dreams, it affects me in real life too.
I have to get out of here or the emperor will find me. But I'm too weak to move. I feel the life starting to slip out of me little by little. I start calling for help, but my voice is too faded to be heard. I lose my balance and brace myself for the impact when a set of arms catches me.
"Y/n. You'll be fine just hang in there." He gently sets me down on the floor and rushes out of the room.
...
I can't tell you what happened next because I had been knocked out cold. I open my eyes to a different room. The walls are colored with all different shades of white and gray. I tilt my head to the side to see a needle in my arm.
"Oh thank titan she's awake." A nurse rushes over to me.
"Are you alright dear? How'd you cut your throat?"
"Slow down. She just woke up." I look to my left and see Hunter walk into the room, wearing his full uniform, including the mask.
He whispers to the nurse, who leaves the room immediately after. I wonder what he told her.
Hunter walks closer to me.
"Uh." He coughs. "How are you feeling?"
Really? What does he think? I've got a giant cut going through my throat.
"Could be better," I reply in a raspy voice.
"You lost a lot of blood. It's a miracle that you're alive." He pauses and scratches his neck. "I don't really know what else to say."
I can't help but laugh a little. He's still his same awkward self.
Without warning, he tenderly wraps his arms around me.
"I'm glad you're okay." He says.
My face heats up and I hug him back with the small amount of energy I have left.
"You saved me," I say. "If you hadn't found me I would be dead."
"That's true." He says arrogantly.
I smile. I feel protected when I'm with him. Belos' words replay in my mind. This isn't over yet.
"The emperor is not happy with me at all," I say.
I tell him about everything that went down in my dream. It's a lot for him to take in.
"Okay, we need to get you out of here. Somewhere he won't find you." He says.
Easier said than done. I'm not exactly in a healthy condition.
"But where?" I ask.
He picks up his staff and teleports us somewhere. It's an... island. There's a small house in the distance.
"I always come here when I get the chance. To be alone." He says wistfully as he takes off his mask.
I get the gist that he hasn't been here in a while. We start to walk to the house, but I don't get far before dropping to the ground. I wince in pain. My neck is killing me. Hunter sees the state I'm in. He picks me up bridal style.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"You can't walk. So I'm carrying you."
It doesn't seem hard for him to carry me. He does it with such ease. It doesn't take long for us to reach the house. He sets me down on the couch.
"How long will I have to stay here?" I ask.
"I'm not sure. Atleast until it's safe for you to leave."
"Will you stay here with me?" I look into his eyes longingly.
"I can't y/n. You know I have to go back."
"But you can't. Belos will hurt you, he knows that you helped me." I try to convince him not to go back.
"I'm sorry I have to." He looks away from me. "Don't worry about me, alright?"
Tears fill my eyes. I can't just stop worrying with the snap of my fingers. Hunter and I were starting to get closer. Now we're going our separate ways?
"I promise I'll visit." His voice sounds unsteady.
I have to be strong. Like he is.
"I'll miss you." I stand up.
He comes closer to me and takes my hand in his. He brings it up to his lips and places a soft kiss onto it.
"Bye for now." He takes his staff and teleports away.
I knew he had to leave, but why so soon? I'd give anything to share just a few more minutes with him.