Demetri woke in bed gasping and full of terror. It felt like only a moment before his flesh was being ripped from his bones. He cupped his neck where the first chunk of flesh had been. He sat in fright for a long moment before taking the time to examine his surroundings. He was in an unfamiliar bedroom, but it was dark and possibly late at night which felt strange. He could barely make out a wooden dresser on his left near the only door. There was a window with blinds shading the moonlight gleaming in from outside. He sat in a bed with a warm unfamiliar bluish comforter that had been covering him. He felt a hand on his bare back that caused him to shriek in fear again.

  “Squirt?” Demetri jerked to look, seeing Maxwell laying beside him looking half asleep but concerned.

  “Maxwell??” He dove into Maxwell's bare chest immediately and began to cry. He felt Maxwell wrap his arms around him.

  “Shhh Squirt, everything’s okay.” Maxwell hushed him. But everything wasn't okay. Demetri calmed down and listened to Maxwell's heart beating through his chest.

  “Where am I?” Demetri asked finally.

  “Are you alright Squirt? Did you forget where you live?” Maxwell said mildly in a mixture of concern and amusement. Demetri sat up in bed again and looked around.

  “I definitely don't live here.” Demetri said seriously.

  “Squirt, we've lived here for years. Maybe you should go to a doctor. I think your brain is broken.” Maxwell said in bewilderment. Demetri was now frustrated and got up from the bed and left the bedroom to go through the strange house. Nothing looked familiar. He found himself in the living room of the house where there was a large window. He looked out into the neighborhood feeling lost. He could hear footsteps approaching from behind him and arms snake around his waist.

  “I think I’m dead.” Demetri said in bewilderment.

  “You feel alive to me.” Maxwell sounded amused.

  “No. I went with Lucius to retrieve the key. Vezaias is alive. He shut my talent off. Then he killed Lucius, and then me. I'm dead.” Demetri summarized.

  “Sounds like a pretty insane nightmare you had, Squirt.” Maxwell mused. Demetri pulled away from him.

  “It wasn't a nightmare! This isn't real! I don't live here!” Demetri was even more frustrated. Maxwell looked worried now.

  “Squirt you are scaring me. We have lived here for almost three years. How can someone just shut off your talent? And what key are you talking about?” Maxwell asked, still full of worry.

  “The key that Remington told us about! Don't you remember?!” Demetri was now feeling overwhelmed.

  “No Squirt, I don't.” Maxwell said unhappily. Demetri began to pace back and forth now. He wasn't sure what to do. He felt trapped. He wondered what would happen if Vezaias was alive. This also meant that Remington really did fool everyone into believing he was seeking redemption. Maxwell was suddenly pulling him out of his anxious pacing and to sit on the couch. He put his arms around him and took a deep breath.

  “Squirt….” He paused. “Please relax. Everything is alright. You had a nightmare. That's all. I just want to enjoy our day together like we always do.” Maxwell said with a sigh.

  “This isn't real. I want it to be real, but it isn't real. I have to escape.” Demetri sniffled and clung to Maxwell for a few more painful minutes.

  “You have an impossible amount of lucidity Squirt. I think I will have to end the emanation.” Maxwell said in disappointment. Demetri jerked at the odd statement, and tried to jump away from Maxwell but he gripped him tighter as the house around them shattered and fell away leaving them in an infinite blank void. Maxwell also morphed and shifted to look like something unearthly, smooth snake-like blue skin like the color of the sky, large folded leathery wings, eyes like indigo jewels, black claw like nails, ears coming to a point, then a smile growing in amusement revealing a mouth full of sharp dagger like teeth with even longer menacing canines. Demetri automatically pushed away and tried to summon his Tritar, but nothing happened.

  “Who are you?!” Demetri shouted, looking serious and fearful.

  “You can see me? You are a special case aren't you?” The demon grinned.

  “Yes I can see you! Where am I?!” Demetri demanded.

  “Hmph, you are in your Dreamscape.” The demon said, looking intrigued. “I tried to make you a lovely sequence to enjoy while I siphoned some nutrition from you, but I guess it wasn't happy enough for you?” The demon said with much curiosity.

  “I knew it wasn't real! Why am I here?!” Demetri demanded.

  “Let me check.” The demon hummed as he pulled out a device that looked like a small pocket sized screen. “According to your exposition, you are dead and stuck in transit. Your soul is in a state of uncouplement.” The demon leaned to one side as he read the screen. “So you're stuck here! Now let me re-adjust your dream sequence so I can get back to consumption.”

  “What?! No! I won't fall for whatever this….” The demon snapped his fingers and suddenly it was dark and Demetri felt as if he was sinking into a pool of dark water. It was oddly soothing and soon his body came to a rest. He woke again in a bed that was more familiar. He sat up and looked around. It was his bedroom at the base, and this time Maxwell was asleep next to him.

  “This isn't real either?” He said in bewilderment. He felt Maxwell stir beside him and pull him to lay down then wrapping him up tightly in his arms.

  “Maxwell?” Demetri meeped uneasily.

  “Five more minutes.” Maxwell yawned. Demetri laid nestled in Maxwell's arms feeling as if he had forgotten something. He tried to sit up but Maxwell wrestled him back down playfully.

  “Just a few more minutes? Please?” Maxwell mumbled drowsily. He shifted and kissed Demetri lovingly.

  “There was something important that was happening. I cannot remember it.” Demetri said deep in consideration.

  “Yeah Squirt, it's called a day off. Enjoy it.” Maxwell said with a deep sigh. He snuggled into Demetri's body more and soon he was snoring. Demetri lay awake wondering what it was that was so important that he felt he had completely forgotten. Soon he felt groggy as if the energy was draining away from him very slowly and he fell asleep. It was a long but unknown amount of time later when he woke suddenly still snuggled in Maxwell's arms. He jolted to sit up and exited the bed quickly.

  “This isn’t real! This is all a dream! I'm dead!!” Demetri yelped as he backed into the wall of his bedroom. Maxwell sat up looking startled then quickly got out of bed to try and calm him.

  “Easy Squirt! You were having a nightmare! It's alright!”

  “No! It wasn't a nightmare! I'm dead! This isn't real! I'm stuck in limbo! You aren't fooling me at all!” Demetri shouted angrily. Maxwell looked surprised and morphed back into the sky blue demon.

  “Aw geez, you are one tough meal to fool. I tried to make it more real for you! I thought you would rather have your dream of being a normal human come true. That didn't work so I put you in your home, but that isn't satisfying either? Can't you just cooperate and enjoy the sequence I made for you? I am very hungry!” The demon said in disappointment.

  “I know that it isn't real! Why would I cooperate and enjoy it?!” Demetri shouted.

  “Hmph. I've never had this problem before. Quasar? QUASAR!” The demon shouted. Nearly immediately there was a squeal and POP as a small lizard-like demon appeared.

  “Yes master! Quasar at your service!” Quasar meeped.

  “We have a situation. What is the protocol for when a meal is lucid and rejects my attempt to reset its awareness?” The demon asked.

  “Ohh master, I don't believe there is protocol for that. We have never come across that problem before!” Quasar meeped.

  “Hum. Well it goes against code to consume while he is aware.” The demon said in seriousness. Quasar poofed and vanished.

  “Excuse me but….what the hell are you talking about?” Demetri asked in frustration.

  “Look, I don't normally converse with humans. This is very strange for me. I suppose I will start with introductions. My name is Novaeris Apollo Titania, and I am a Dream Demon here to feed on your soul.” Novaeris said with a wide grin. Demetri looked astonished. “I know that probably sounds very undesirable! But there are rules that I follow to make it as humane as possible as I consume your soul calories. Usually my meals are unaware they are being fed upon. So this complicates things for me!” Novaeris said in frustration.

  “Uh….well….am I really dead?” Demetri asked, looking unhappy now.

  “According to the exposition I have about you, you are.” Novaeris said thoughtfully. Demetri looked crushed now and covered his face and sank to the floor in tears.

  “Ah! Are you crying?? Whoa fella it's okay! You are safe here ya know! I am not going to consume you completely! I will give you time to regenerate!” Novaeris exclaimed in an attempt to console Demetri.

  “But Maxwell and my friends! They are in danger! Vezaias is probably going to our base to kill them! And I won't be there to stop him!” Demetri sobbed.

  “Maxwell? The one that is significant?” Novaeris asked in puzzlement as he sat down next to Demetri.

  “He is my boyfriend!” Demetri cried.

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  “Hum, well perhaps he has been processed by our database and I can check and see if he is dead.” Novaeris said thoughtfully. He pulled out his device again and tapped into the screen. Demetri perked up and looked hopeful. “Oh dear, it seems this human was processed three days ago. Hmmm. Yup he is also in some sort of limbo.” Demetri crumbled again and began to sob.

  “Whoa! Easy now, he will be fine! Or at least he will be as long as a Nightmare doesn't get a hold of him!” Novaeris said

  “I want to see him! I love him!” Demetri choked out. “But he's dead! Vezaias must have killed him!” Demetri sobbed. Novaeris sat looking very bewildered for a moment.

  “Okay, how about this? If you cooperate and let me feed off of you I will look for this human for you. He is in our system. I'm sure I could track him down.” Novaeris said. Demetri looked up eagerly.

  “You will??” He nearly shouted.

  “Only if you agree to the deal.” Novaeris said seriously.

  “Um, but feed off of me? What does that mean?” Demetri asked, looking worried.

  “I am a Dream Demon. I consume human souls. I will take the nutrition that I require from you by absorbing your soul calories.” Novaeris said looking hungry.

  “Will it hurt?” Demetri asked worriedly.

  “Not at all. I will just put you to sleep and…”

  “No! I won't go to sleep! How will I know if you are going to keep your word and find Maxwell if I am asleep?!” Demetri snapped in irritation.

  “Heh, well if I feed on you while you are awake it might be a spare bit uncomfortable for you, or probably painful, but whatever.” Novaeris shrugged.

  “I'm fine with that. Can you find my other friends? Lucius? Skyler? Zexich? Sigil….”

  “Hey whoa, that wasn't part of the deal, one search mission at a time alright? Just finding this one human is already against the rules you know! If the council finds out I'm doing this, they could force me into starvation! Then I'll turn into a weresove!” Novaeris said seriously.

  “Fine, deal.” Demetri sighed.

  “Great! I'm starving!” Novaeris quickly closed in on Demetri who backed up instinctively. “Now hold still you agreed to cooperate!” Novaeris closed in quickly then clutched Demetri by the shoulders and sunk his teeth into Demetri's neck.

  “AHHH!! Mmrphh Ughhh AHHHH!!” Demetri struggled but Novaeris was strong and wrestled him to the ground easily as he began to suck nutrition away from him. It was excruciating as if Novaeris was burning his neck as he sucked the life out of him.

  “Stop it! Ugh!! AHHH!!!” Demetri jerked about but Novaeris was now laying all his weight on top of him and sucking harshly. Demetri began to feel weak as if he could pass out from exhaustion. Eventually Novaeris pushed up from his spot and stood up.

  “Ah! That was delicious, you taste very juicy! I really needed that! I was getting too close to starvation!” Novaeris stretched his arms and then peered down at Demetri with a smile that showed his sharp teeth. Demetri cupped his sore neck and huffed with pain.

  “This is how I died.” Demetri cringed. “Some sort of demon like you….” He choked back a sob. “….ate me like I was a meal!” Demetri tried desperately not to cry again.

  “Say what? A demon ate you in the human world?” Novaeris looked puzzled. “That's impossible!”

  “All I know is….” Demetri paused trying to keep it together. “Vezaias died, then was recreated and he turned into some sort of flesh eating demon just like you.” Demetri said seriously.

  “Huh, what did this demon look like?” Novaeris asked very curiously.

  “He looked like you only with red eyes, and red skin.” Demetri said, trying to sit up but he was too weak to do it.

  “You don't say?” Novaeris paused in his intrigue. “Looks like I have some serious investigating to do. What did you say your friend's names were again? And the one who was recreated that came back as a demon?”

  “I tried to be sympathetic. I figured you have been back for 24 hours now. You are probably hungry. So I made you something to eat.” Ava stood near the bed with a tray of food. Lucius didn't look at him and was quiet for a while.

  “Empathetic, not sympathetic. Sympathy is when you feel sorry for someone. Empathetic means you understand how they feel.” Lucius said very seriously.

  “Oh..sorry….” Ava said, then downcasting his eyes to the floor. There was a long and awkward pause.

  “I cannot feed myself when I am restrained like this.” Lucius said flatly. Ava was thoughtful for a moment.

  “I tried to convince my brother to take the restraints off, but he only called me selfish and said he couldn't risk it yet.” Ava said solemnly. Lucius was quiet. “If you want me too I can feed you.” Ava said, sounding hopeful. He could remember Vezaias helping him eat when he was still learning how to use a fork. He would get frustrated when he couldn't coordinate himself enough to scoop food with the utensils. When Vezaias took the time to patiently sit next to him and help him hold the fork correctly, when he could have been eating his own food instead of helping Ava eat, it made him feel better. Thinking about this memory brought tears to his eyes as he felt gratitude for his brother's understanding and patience with him, which he had never felt before.

  “You're crying.” Lucius said softly. Ava looked up to see Lucius looking at him in concern.

  “Ah, it's nothing! I know you are probably hungry. That's all I came here for, was to help you. Then I will leave you be, if you want me too.” Ava said with resolve.

  “Come here.” Lucius said softly. Ava came over to the bed and set the tray down.

  “This is food from breakfast. I'm sorry I'm not very good at cooking so I had to bring you left overs.” Ava looked mildly ashamed for a moment.

  “Its the thought that counts Ava. Please help me eat it. I'm starving.” Lucius said down pulling at the restraints to sit up more as he eagerly waited for the first bite of food. Ava awkwardly scooped some rice and lifted it to Lucius. It was messy at first. Ava wasn't very good at using utensils to feed himself, let alone trying to feed someone else. Lucius didn't seem to mind, but only ate as fast as Ava could manage. He even laughed about Ava missing his mouth and spilling food down his face.

  “I'm sorry!” Ava was embarrassed now at his poor utensil skills. “I'm horrible at using forks.”

  “Don't be sorry Ava.” Lucius said mildly. “I appreciate your efforts. I thought I was going to starve to death.”

  “I won't let that happen Louie.” Ava said. Lucius fell silent now. Ava sat on the bed trying to be empathetic still. It was difficult to do this now because he wasn't sure how Lucius was feeling. He tried to compare Lucius's situation to his own but by this time Ava would have been angry and lashing out at Zexich after being strapped to the bed for so long. Lucius was not, he was only quiet and docile. Ava grimaced.

  “What are you feeling Louie?” Ava asked, watching him keenly as he seemed to be deep in thought.

  “I feel lowly and weak. Sigil has tried to teach me to be humble, but once again my arrogance has gotten me killed. Even more so, now my arrogance has gotten my family killed. I am realizing now that I am nowhere near as strong or invincible as I thought I was. I am closer compared to garbage than a powerful force to be reckoned with.” Lucius looked crushed. Ava pondered his response for a long while.

  “I don't know how to empathize with you on this. I don't understand it at all. But I do not think you are garbage Louie. You are absolutely amazing.” Ava said meekly.

  “I think you do understand how I feel. You just don't know how to identify the feeling. I feel worthless Ava. I am the reason my family is gone. The same way you feel worthless because your horrible mother left you.” Lucius said solemnly. Ava jolted at the comparison.

  “That's how you feel right now?” Ava said as tears filled his eyes.

  “I feel like I'm trash. To be thrown away. Worthless. It is all my fault that my family is dead.” Lucius elaborated. Ava gushed with tears now and impulsively hugged Lucius. Lucius tried to hug back but was immediately halted by the restraints.

  “In your case Ava, it was not your fault that she left you. In my case, I am to blame. I saw the signs. I knew Remington was suspicious. I knew there was something going on. I knew your brother could still be alive. I knew I was most likely walking into a trap. I let my arrogance fool me into believing I would win the battle. I'm so worthless.” Lucius said solemnly. “I cannot protect anyone."

  “That's not true! You have protected me Louie! You saved me from the pervert! You were so good at loving me and protecting me!” Ava began to sob. Lucius lay there quietly listening to Ava cry into his chest.

  “Your brother took you away, then Remington killed you and I could not stop it, Ava.” Lucius said finally. Ava sat up looking angry now.

  “That wasn't your fault Louie!” Ava shouted then he slid off the bed and began to pace around very anxiously. “Don’t say that you cannot protect me because I know that you can! I need you to protect me! I just never felt safe on my own and you and my brother are the only two people who have ever been able to make me feel safe! I cannot handle this feeling anymore! It's crushing me!” Ava shouted angrily.

  “Ava you would be better off with someone who is strong enough to….”

  “NO!!! I don't want anyone else! I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you!!!” Ava snapped angrily. “I cannot handle this emotion anymore! Why won't it go away like the stupid doctor said it would!?!” Ava yelled then he shifted into Sigil which was astonishing to see because Lucius had never seen him use his talent before. The feeling quickly vanished into blankness as Ava nullified all of his emotions with Sigil's borrowed talent. Then there was a quake as the room shook violently. Lucius watched in amazement as Ava sobbed on the ground and the whole base shook violently.

  “Ava you have to calm down!” Lucius shouted over the loud rumbling of the base.

  “I JUST WANT A HUG!!!” Ava screamed.

  “I cannot hug you, my hands are tied….!” Lucius shouted. Ava stood up and shifted to look like Skyler which shocked Lucius completely. Ava reached and grabbed the restraints then easily snapping them with his borrowed telekinesis talent. Lucius quickly jumped from the bed as the pressure from Ava's emotional response caused the room to begin to crumble around them. Suddenly Ava's talent drained away and he shifted back to himself then collapsed to the ground just as Vezaias entered the room through a portal. The room was calm now as Vezaias glanced at Ava on the ground then the bed that was destroyed. Lucius stood up not wanting to hide and appear incriminating. Vezaias watched him keenly to see what he would do now that he was free. Lucius approached calmly, keeping eye contact with Vezaias but heading straight for Ava. He pulled Ava into his arms.

  “Here is the hug you wanted. I'm afraid it may be cut short if your brother decides that he doesn't trust me enough to be free.” Lucius said still locking eye contact with Vezaias.

  “Louie…..I'm sorry!” Ava clung to him desperately. “I've never felt emotional like this before! It's so painful!” Ava sobbed.

  “I know it is Ava, but I will be here for you as long as l am allowed to be.” Lucius said soothingly. He hugged Ava tighter. Vezaias approached, causing Lucius to become defensive.

  “No Vee!” Ava shifted to shield Lucius and protect him. Vezaias ignored this and pulled Ava into a hug.

  “You shook the whole base Ava. I was worried.” Vezaias said mildly. Ava cringed at his concern.

  “I was hurting for Louie.” Ava mumbled and sniffled.

  “You are empathizing. That's amazing, I've never seen you do that before.” Vezaias paused and turned to Lucius. “I will propose a deal.” Vezaias said seriously to Lucius who was still tense.

  “I will give you more freedom and offer a truce to you if you are ready to accept the terms. If you love my brother, and want to continue a relationship with him then I expect you to cooperate with me and my team, set aside all hostility and resentment you might have and help to achieve my goals. In return I will cease all hostility. I will also offer up my protection. I am returning your friends one at a time as promised. Demetri will be next as soon as tomorrow. I assure you the others will follow. Let us make an alliance. Do you accept?” Vezaias asked keenly.

  “Opposing you would only bring about my death for a third time. I am going to admit that I am inferior to you because my arrogance always seems to be my downfall. I will accept your offer.” Lucius said solemnly.

  “Very good. I am glad to have you on my team. Thank you for what you have done to help my brother. You are welcome here as family as long as you continue to help my brother and I.” Vezaias extended a hand to Lucius who reluctantly took the offer. Vezaias pulled him to stand and hugged him.

  “I just want my brother to be happy. If you are the one that can do that, then I will gladly welcome you. You are free to roam the base now and attend our meetings in the morning.” Vezaias said seriously then he turned and left via a portal. Lucius stood a bit bewildered at the new freedom and alliance for a moment until he felt Ava stand and hug him again. He put his arms around Ava and took a deep breath.

  “Louie, I'm so glad you are going to cooperate. I really need you.” Ava sniffled.

  “It wasn't easy for me. I have too much pride for my own good. I want to see Zexich. He would want to know right away that I have accepted the alliance. Where is he?” Lucius said solemnly. Ava took Lucius's hand and led him through a portal to the laboratory.