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We only had minutes remaining together, and I wanted to spend them all studying his face.
The vast pit stretched out before us, its virtual sands untouched and serene.
The pressing reality of the upcoming battles in the pit began to weigh on my mind.
“Tix,” I began hesitantly, “how are we supposed to help you with your pit battles today?”
He sighed, his usually confident eyes clouded with uncertainty. “The battles will take place in a few hours, Grace. Most of my opponents aren’t asleep right now, which means we can’t sneak into their dreams and uncover their weaknesses.”
I frowned, recalling the first time I’d seen Tix battle in the pits, how he’d danced around his adversaries with the grace of a feline, anticipating every move. “So, what does that mean for you?”
“It means,” he said, taking a deep breath, “I’ll have to fight like any other warrior to be able to claim you tonight.”
That very thought sent shivers down my spine.
The pits were unpredictable; one wrong move and everything could go awry.
The warmth of Tix’s hand felt reassuring, but it also reminded me of how much was at stake.
“Before coming to Ikmal, I fought many times without the advantage of dreamwalking. I can handle myself,” he said, as if reading my mind.
I looked at him, my heart heavy with worry. “What if you get hurt, Tix?”
His gaze met mine, filled with a fierceness that took my breath away. “I won’t let that happen.”
A chill ran down my spine, bringing forth another fear, one I’d been pushing away since our time together began. “And what if… what if you don’t win? What if I get claimed by someone else?”
His grip tightened around my hand, and he pulled me closer. “Listen to me,” he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen. I won’t let anyone else have you.”
A rush of emotions swept over me.
The pungent aroma of the dreamworld’s rare blossoms wafted around us, reminding me of the countless times we’d wandered through its realms.
“But Tix,” I murmured, my voice catching, “the pit is so dangerous. There are so many warriors, some even stronger than you.”
He touched my face, his fingers cool and soothing. “Grace, every time I step into that pit, it’s with one goal in mind: to be with you. That gives me a strength that no other warrior possesses.”
The melodious calls of dreamworld birds echoed in the distance, their sweet songs easing the unease bubbling within me.
The softness of Tix’s touch, the gentle press of his fingers against my cheek, grounded me amidst the whirlwind of emotions.
“Promise me,” I whispered, leaning into his embrace, “promise me you’ll come back to me.”
Tix leaned down, his lips brushing against my forehead.
The sensation sent shivers throughout my body, the warmth of his breath mingling with the coolness of the dream realm. “I promise,” he murmured, sealing the vow with a gentle kiss.
As we parted and prepared to return to the waking world, the weight of the upcoming battles settled heavily on my shoulders.
The dreamworld’s sights and sounds faded, replaced by the harsh reality of Ikmal and the looming pit battles.
The uncertainty of what lay ahead left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Would Tix successfully claim me?
Or would Fate have other plans?
As the dreamworld receded and the familiar confines of the Prize Pool took its place, I couldn’t help but feel fear.
