• As I glanced around, all I saw was a vast pit of sand. No one existed here except for the numerous ravens that cried out in loud crackled and flew to the sky. I shivered and backed up, nearly tripping over a long forgotten tree that must have fallen years ago.

    “Is there anyone there?”

    Nothing answered as a shadow of Calen slowly formed in front of me; a second figure was close behind him, one that I was soon able to identify as Rainer. “Lonely, isn’t it?”

    “Why have you sent me here?” I asked as I skirted around the timber. “What have I done to deserve this?”

    “You were born, your highness, that’s what you did wrong,” he chuckled and forced Rainer in front of him. “Your beloved servant here shares the same feelings as you. What do you think I have in mind for him?”

    I felt a wave of panic as Calen drew his sword and impaled it deep into Rainer’s chest. Rainer cried out in anguish as the blade was twisted within him and yanked out violently. “I should do the same to you, but you’re very fortunate that the Fates don’t want you dead yet.”

    I couldn’t move. I was absorbed by the terror of what had just taken place. Rainer lay writhing on the ground, crawling away from his abuser inch by inch. Calen laughed at him and turned his back on us, fading away as he returned to reality. “Enjoy eternity trapped within your dreams.”