The Beast called Nightmare

 Night's Angel

 Chapter 21

Everything
seemed still. From the son soundlessly crying over the lose of his
father, the blind mother holding her lifeless child, and the sobs of
the rooster trying to save his friend, to the war raging between Alex
and Pinaco. As the soft voice of a young witch sang into the night.
“Promise saved and promise kept.” she sang holding the golden
apple close to her chest.

“These
words I give to you be held till day becomes night.” She dropped to
her knees. “My promise saved my promise kept.” A low hum could be
felt as the air began to cool. “Dear sweet children I give to you
my dreams tonight.” The apple's glow grew with each verse. “My
promise saved my promise kept.”

the
streetlights darken as the stars shown brighter. “Fear no darkness
sweet children for my nightmare will guide you.” The demon's bodies
began melting into the same silver color gel that cut the rock they
lay upon. “My promise saved my promise kept.” The hum grew
louder. “Build your love sweet children with my day dream to
support you.”

Sheba
found it hard to continue as the short time with the beast replayed
in her mind. “My promise saved my promise kept.” The apple pulsed
in time with her heart beat. “Share your hope sweet children as my
wish teaches you.” the tears for the fallen glowed with a soft blue
light. “Promise saved and promise kept.”

Sheba
heard voices joining her as she sang. “Come sweet children and lay
to rest and dream of starlit angels.” she heard her mother's voice
right next to her and see could see every witch in their line and the
person that made the bond of love use to summon the great beast.
“Promise saved is a promise kept.”

The
apple pulled free of her hands as the last of the demons melted away.
“Upon thy keep this oath I do say.” Pinaco and Alex both saw the
apple pull away and fly to the middle ring. “Promise saved and
promise kept.” They raced to it from ether side. “My dreams will
aid the world but will never force their will.”

The
light became blinding, as the streetlights started blowing out. The
air pulled to the heart of the light as the gel pulled from the
ground drew itself to the light. “This promise saved this promise
kept.” in the blink of an eye the light was gone. “All before day
becomes night.”

The air
pulsed out sending all in its wake projected backward. Alex and
Pinaco both were launched into the air. Sheba was push back and
rolled back over to Jessica and Meg who caught her. Alex crashed into
a dun of loose dirt and sand a few yards away. Pinaco was thrown back
smashing through twisted spikes of steel and rock.

The
stillness in the air was broken by the hum a soft breathing. Silver
armor dress with the same black apron the beast wore was overlaid by
a soft gray robe under a night black cloak. The hood was drawn fully
over the figure's head but the gold and silver glow of two eyes shown
through the blacken pitch.

The
weapon beasts wheeled by the three fallen demons raced to the figure.
The golden snake took its place around the figure's neck. The silver
bird landed on the figure's shoulder. As the black drake took to the
other shoulder. The figure sighed heavily as he looked to where the
fallen lay and to the places the once great demons fell.

“This
is a bad time for a joke” the figure said his voice weighted.
Everyone felt something heavy and thick in the air, it was hard to
breathe. “Well, we don't need this anymore now do we” he said
kneeling down and laying and open hand onto the stone. The pale skin
of his hand shown through thin hairs about it as the ruins cut across
the platform slipped away drawing into his hand.

Alex
pulled free of the dun watching the figure draw in the power of the
keep. The figure stood up turning to face the young witch. He made
almost no sound as he walked over to the little witch. Alex recalled
seeing this same figure in his dream. He helped Sheba to her feet and
back on to the platform, and standing behind her.

Sheba
stood scared once again facing a something far more powerful then she
could imagine. “Well, young knight, you show me great honor” the
figure said when he was just a few feet away. “Just keeping my
word, Caretaker” Alex answered. “Chartun” the figure said
“Chartun Daliavoid .” Alex was taken for a moment before
recalling and answered “Alexander Hunter Greenvolt, and this is
Sheba Katrina Bloodgold.”

The hood
turned down to the young witch, the open wound upon her face caught
his eye. “I failed to protect her” Alex answered. The hood turned
to look passed them to Jessica and Meg. “No, this is result of a
protector” the figure answered “she risk harm for another thous
you have not fail.”

Sheba
looked up at the figure, rage and pain in her eye. “You know damn
well I can't bring them back,” he said “because they were always
part of me.” Her gaze never broke. “Yes it is my doing they fell
with so little of a fight” he answered “The keep was meant to
draw in power from where ever it could, that's why it never broke
from any other force.”

The
figure lifted his hand to his hood and withdrew it from his head. He
flicked his long hair free of the hood and cloak to let it hang free.
His thin and flat face showed both youth and age, with the same thin
hairs dressing his face and neck. From his soft brown eyes roll tears
for his dreams, his sons. Sheba looked into his eyes seeing the same
loneliness and longing that her faithful Nightmare had.

“There
is enough power left from the keep,” he said hold up his hand with
a ball of pure light “for you to use as you wish.” Sheba turned
to the others who each had lost someone in this fight. “Is there
anything that can be done for them,” she asked “they never should
have been part of this.” “If there is it may be too much for you
to do alone” he answered.

“If
you can help them I will take on any coast you have” she said. He
with drew the power and patted the young woman on the head. “like I
said kiddo, it's your energy” he said turning and walking off. As
he walked away bright gold wings opened from his back as he past each
of the fallen. The angel stopped in front of the mute wolf and his
father.

“Well
all I can do for you, Louis Wilds” the angel said “is give you a
chance to say good bye.” the young wolf turned and looked up at the
being. “I see, don't worry about that” he said “I'll take care
of it.” the angel bent down and touch the old wolf's neck. “Good
bye Peter, take care of yourself, tell your mother I love her when
you go to see her in heaven” the old wolf's voice broke.

The
angel released the old wolf and caught the younger one off guard
grabbing his neck. “His last wish will find him seeing your mother
sooner then you will” the angel said releasing the the young wolf.
The wolf started coughing as his own voice broke. He eyes grew wide
with understanding. “Dad” he yelled fresh tears filling his eyes.

The
angel stood up, with a sad smile. “His last wish was to give his
son a voice of his own” he said as he turned away. His soundless
steps skipped him over to the blind mother and her still child with
the son and brother quietly crying. “A mother should never have to
watch her child die,” he said “that being said, may I?” The
minx turned her head to face the voice speaking so softly to her.

It took
her a moment to turn her child's body over to this being. The angel
took the child carefully and held her close. He whispered in her ear
then hugged and kissed her on her forehead. He handed her back to her
mother. Within seconds she took a sharp breath and opened her eyes.
“Mommy” she said smiling.

“Yes
baby, Mommy's here” the minx answered her eyes watering with joy.
She turned to the angel to thank him. Before she could speak she met
with his soft kiss. She closed her blind eyes only to feel him pull
away. “You can repay me by using this gift to be the good mother
that you are” he said as he stood up and walked away.

The
small child giggled drawing her mother's attention away from the
angel. The minx opened her eyes and blinked as for the first time in
her life she could see her daughter's face. “A good mother watches
as her children grow into their own” the angel said as he walked
away. He came to a stop over the rooster still trying to save his
friend.

The
rooster looked up at the angel before falling kneeling and bowing.
The angel rolled his eyes and picked up one of the pieces the rooster
had. “I'm not a god,” the angel said flicking the piece to the
side “but I work for him.” the piece stopped midair as the rest
float up to join it. In seconds the clockwork crocodile was rebuild.

“Try
not to break him this time” the angel said. The demon stood still
like new. The rooster jumped to his feet leaped onto the angel
kissing him as hard as he could. When he finished the rooster stepped
in shock of his own actions. “Your going to make your boyfriend
jealous” he said as he turned away.

He
tapped the demon on the shoulder as he walked away saying “take
care big guy, and look out for them for me will you.” As he walked
away the demon's body rumbled. The rooster stood in horror as his
friend's metal skin broke apart. Under the bits of broke metal thick
dark green scales could be seen. Soon chunks of metal broke away
leaving the crocodile's new body naked to the world.

“A
life given to protect is not so easily taken” the angel said
lightly skipping away. He returned to the young witch, her knight and
their family. “There is still one last thing I should” he said
raising his hand to Sheba's face. She grabbed his arm before he could
touch the gash around her eye. “No, you have done enough for us”
she said.

“It's
going to leave a really bad scar” he said. “Maybe but it will
remind me that I don't have to be scared anymore” she answered.
“Well aren't you a keeper” he said smiling “but do you think
you have the power to stop me from doing what I want?” she looked
up at him. He had the same sad smile Nightmare had.

“No
but stories about you say you never do anything for free” she
answered. “Then you misheard them,” he said taking her hand with
the same hand she was holding “yes there many things I won't do
with out a price, but when I choose to do something then I have my
reasons.” She shook her head.

“How
about this,” he asked “let me heal that for you, I'll leave a
scar like you want but I want you to give me something in return.”
“I have not...” she said as he cut her off with a little kiss.
“And done” he said and turned to where Pinaco was last seen. He
started walking. Sheba checked her face and felt a small thin scar
across her eye along with all the blood she lost gone. She open her
eye seeing everything like nothing happen.

Alex
stepped up calling the angel back. The angel stopped and turned
around. “Lad, this is over your head” the angel said. “Ranger”
Alex called his black and burning wolf to his side. The wolf came and
shifted to her ax form with her blade edge burning red. “No, this
is my fight,” he said “I made him a promise.”

the
angel walked back stopping just past the young rat. From where
Jessica stood she was looking up to see the two the same as from her
dream years ago. “Greenvolt” the angel said “you do this you
will be doing so alone.” “No, I understand now” he answered
“Nightmare said he is happiest when he is weak because it means
there is no hate or fear to fed off of. I'm only alone when I give
into the darkness.”

the
angel smiled and said “then let's shed some light on the matter.
The angel tapped his foot causing the platform to glow. The soft glow
broke the dark air about them. On the far side of the platform stood
a shadow with glowing red eyes. “This is going to be fun” Alex
said. “Wait” Sheba said removing her rain drop pendent. Jessica
did the same and ripped part of her shirt.

She
climbed up next to Sheba giving him the metals and tied the rag about
his neck. “A knight shouldn't go into battle without his lady's
blessing” she said and kissed him. “Hey” Meg said throwing her
pump-action shotgun to the rat. “Right everyone ready” the angel
spoke “good ladies step back, lad let's go.”

“I
thought you said I was doing this alone” Alex said. “You are”
the angel said “but I like to be fair.” the rat and the angel
walked to the middle of the platform. “HEY TINY” the angel
called. “What are you doing” Alex asked. “Killing time so this
story doesn't end too quickly” he answered. “What” Alex asked.
“Never mind that,” the angel said “making it a fair fight, or
just sweetening the deal.”

Alex
shot the angel a glance. “What, I'm an omni-dimensional being, I
don't have a rule book” the angel answered. “Really, how
anticlimactic would it be if I did all the work, and didn't give you
a risk of failure?” “No really guys what do you think?” “Who
are you talking to” the rat asked cutting in. “Who knows,” the
angel answered “anyway, enough chitchat let's get this show on the
road.”

The
angel stopped Alex on the edge of the middle ring. “Wait here” he
said still walking. He turned back to Alex. “Stay, good boy.” The
angel went to speak with the demon Pinaco. Pinaco swung his arm
crashing it into the angel who didn't even react to it. “Really
bro” he asked “you people keep calling me a god, and you think
you have have enough power to take me down?”

Pinaco
pulled back. “Thought so” he said “here's the deal, you two
fight winner take all. If you win, I'll give you a shot at the belt.
You lose, then the kid decides your fate. Got it?” “You talk too
much worm” Pinaco answered. “I am Chartun Daliavoid, the Ninth
Night, born the ninth child to Orviaus Don Daliavoid, ruler of the
void. I am the Caretaker to the Great Library of Deeds, master of the
nova forge and keeper of its flame” he said “I have lived ages
beyond this world or its star. And I am also a stellarphilim of
chaos. Don't call me a worm, but next to you they have more class.”

The
angel turned and headed back to the rat. Pinaco raised his arm again.
“Lad, you even think about it I will put you down” the angel
walking away. The wood demon back off once more. The angel walked
right passed Alex who heard everything. “Lad, I set the stage, it's
up to you to finish the show.” “That was a bit long winded”
Alex laughed.

“That
didn't even touch on a drop of the things I've done” he said “I'm
not a god just a god moder.” The young golemor minx rushed onto the
platform trying to pass the angel. “Lively ones out tonight” he
said lifting the young minx into the air without even touching him.
“I can fight I can help” he said swing and kicking the air.

“I
just finish telling every one who I am” the angel said “were you
even listening?” the minx became still. “That's better” the
angel said floating the young male back to his mother and sister
“don't break your mother's heart like that, or your girlfriend's.”
The angel jump off the platform next to Sheba as a clear dome seal
the dragon rat and wood wolf inside. “You're an asshole” Jessica
said to the angel moving Sheba away from him.

“Can't
say you're wrong,” he answered “but all the same he has a reason
for this fight, he made a promise to the real Pinaco.” “The real
Pinaco” the vixen asked. “You'll see” he said. Too much the
same as his sons, the angel didn't really look at anyone. “Looks
like the final boss battle in a video game” he said.

Alex
stood ready as the shadow of the demon drew closer. Alex looked up to
meet the glowing red eyes of Pinaco. The shadows broke away revealing
the damage he had taken. Half of one of his arms was replace by
broken concrete and spikes of rebar. He stomach was gone and replace
with a cage of twisted steel over pounds of rocks and stones. His
tail was replaced with the scooping arm from one of the heavy
dossers.

He
dragged with him the long flag pole that was never used. “I'm done
playing games with you stupid STREET RAT” he roared swinging the
flag pole. Alex barely had time to dodge the strike. The young rat
recalled his training under Nightmare and laughed to himself. “Then
stop trying to hit me and hit me” he said sidestepping another
swing.

Chapter 22

Pinaco
swung the pillar he had used to replace his arm, but the vermin was
quick to runaway. “Give up vermin, you will never win” he growled
swinging his weapon again. The rat fired two shots from the shotgun
into the wolf's leg. “You're going to have to better then that,”
he growled “little piece of shit.”

“Breaker”
Alex commanded as his hand lit up meeting Pinaco's pillar fist head
on. The pillar smashed apart as black thread latched onto the rumble
pulling back together into a loose fitting hand. Pinaco spun around
whipping the rat away with his makeshift tail. Alex was knocked back
and rolled across the ground to a stop. “Damn, he hits like a
truck” Alex said to himself getting back to his feet.

“Ranger,
meet me over there” he said to his ax dropping her. The wolf paused
before following his orders keeping herself safe. Alex rush the demon
head on. Pinaco swung his pole after the rat. Alex dodged it by
rolling under it and sliding between the demon's legs. He fired one
shot for the demon's face.

Alex
then dropped the gun and grabbed the demon's tail and half swung
himself into the air. Once airborne the rat turned and dove for the
demon's head. “Breaker, repel” he yelled throwing a heavy punch.
Pinaco turned his head just in time to catch the attack with half of
his face. The wolf was thrown off balance and staggered.

The rat
hit the ground and rolled back to his feet. Pinaco wasted no time and
grabbed the rat in his stone fist. Alex was caught under his arms
leaving his rib cage unprotected to the demon's crushing force. “I'm
going to enjoy squeezing the life out of you” the demon growled and
began crushing the rat into his fist.

“Well,”
Alex said grabbing at the rocky fingers “I'm not going to die
tonight.” Alex began pulling Pinaco's hand open. Before Alex could
free himself, Pinaco slammed into the ground. Pinaco lifted the pole
up and turned it to crush the rat's head. But something crashed into
the demon causing him to miss the rat's head by just a few inches.

Alex
couldn't see what was going from the way he was pinned down. But he
could hear a fire going and the demon above him grunting in pain.
Pinaco was dealing with whatever it was that hit him forgetting the
rat he was holding with his stone fist. Alex looked around for any
means of escape. Before he could move Alex felt very cold, like
someone just dropped him into a pool of ice.

He took
a chance and pushed up against the demon's stone hand. The sounds of
ice breaking followed as the rock gave way. He pushed himself free
before find the demon's hand had been frozen solid. A bit dazed he
rolled away. Before he could get back to his feet he saw the flag
pole coming down again. He threw up his hands to catch it but didn't
think he had time to.

He felt
something in his hands the second before the pole could crush him.
Alex push against what looked like a long golden spear with markings
like a snake. He turned the spear and moved himself out from under
the broken pole and got back to his feet. Looking around he spotted
Ranger trying to bit at Pinaco's leg.

And
right next to her at his full size was the winged snake dragon. He
quickly recalled the gold spear in his hand. Pinaco swung his weapon
to remove the two weapon beasts from his side. But a small silver
bird flew into the pole's path shifting into a free floating shield
and stopping the counter cold. Buying Alex time to recover the flame
color canine with her seven blazing tails leaped onto the demon's
face, biting at his eyes.

Sheba
looked around after seeing her own item beast on the battle field.
“Like I said, I like to keep things far” the angel answered when
the young folf look up at him. She just noticed his items were gone
as well. “And no, I didn't make them help him,” he said “the
children if you will, that are born from the fires of my forge, have
a will of their own. And if they choose to give their aid they will
do so.”

Alex
turned the spear in his hand ready to strike but before he could move
he felt a sharp pain in his back and running through his gut. He
looked down at himself seeing a blood covered blade protruding from
his stomach. “Did you really think, you stood a chance against me,
street rat” the demon's voice rang in Alex's ears.

The
shock overthrew Alex. Pinaco's new body kick the rat off his blade
laughing with pride. Hitting the ground all Alex could thinking was
“I can't let it end like this.” From the side lines Sheba and
Jessica were ready to rush to Alex's side. The Angel held out his arm
saying “You too have already gave him aid, just watch.”

it was
hard to breathe, the armor felt too heavy. Alex open his armor the
best he could. Pinaco stood watching him, toying with the rat over
what little time he had left. “Did you really think this was going
to be easy,” the demon laughed “that when this was over you'd go
home and screw your little sluts.”

Pain and
rage kept Alex down holding his gut. The white fur his hand was
untouched by all the blood he lost, half of his forearm had turned
white. “To face a nightmare head on, one must be faithful” Alex
said fighting his way to his feet “to have a wish for a better
world, one must have hope,” he was coughing up blood “to have a
true dream, one … must … have … love.”

“Bullshit”
the demon answered stepping closer to run the rat through the head to
shut him up. The three metals about his neck glowed brightly knocking
the demon back. Alex's heart raced as he wiped the blood from his
face. His right arm glowed turning his whole right arm pure white. A
blue light shined from the closing gap in his stomach. As his eyes
glow solid gold.

The
spins along his back span out their full length. “With enough will
power and a touch of Genesis power” the angel said to the little
witch and the vixen “a part dragon like Alex can boost his own
power to match a pure dragon.” Alex pulled back his fist and
punched Pinaco right in the face. The demon flew back hitting the
ground.

The
weapons and items held off the lager body. “No, I knew this wasn't
going to be easy,” Alex picking up the demon and punching him in
the gut “And when this is over, I'm going to build a new home with
my family.” Alex didn't let up, with blow after blow the demon's
body cracked and broke. Each time Alex pulled the demon back up to
his feet.

Alex
punched through the demon's chest catching something small and round
in his fist. “When this is over I will save the real Pinaco and
sent you back to the hell you came from” he said ripping his hand
free of the demon. The wood body matching Alex's size fell over and
into pieces. Thin black threads burned away into his hand.

Alex
looked at what he was holding. It was a small cork wood bobbin. He
remembered seeing one just like it hanging around the small puppet's
neck. “If I'm right,” the angel said “Pinaco was born using
soul thread.” Sheba looked up at the angel. “The thread is made
by infusing a life force into the thread. With it Pinaco can do a
great deal of things with it. From replacing body parts to taking
control over another living being” the angel said “it is both his
strength and his weakness.”

“How
is it his weakness” she asked. “Because every use burns away his
life force,” he answered “if he can't replace it he will return
to being a lifeless toy.” Sheba thought about how much her
Nightmare was the same. “Yes they were the same,” the angel added
“my sons were made to act in my stead, but had the free will to do
as they saw fit.”

Alex
threw the bobbin aside looking back at the demon before him. “I get
it now” he said his golden eyes fixed on the demon. The young
dragon rat rushed the demon with all his might driving his shoulder
into the demon's stone gut. The cracking of stone and the wine of
metal bending was followed by a bellow of pain from the demon.

The
demon's wooden hand grabbed Alex lifting him off the ground. “WHY
WON'T YOU JUST DIE” the demon bellowed. “I have a damn good
reason to live” Alex answered twisting and breaking the fingers
apart. The demon howled in pain as the black threads burned away. The
beasts backed away ready to fight on if need be.

The
demon shook the stump of his arm as bits of broken stone steel and
wood rebuilt his hand. The broken blade his lesser copy had was now
fixed to the back of his hand. “You can't kill me boy” the demon
laughed. Alex flexed his white arm and smiled. “I'm not trying to
kill you” he answered “Dreamcatcher, Divine Dragon.”

Alex's
body glowed jade all but his right arm which glowed bright white. In
a flash of light Alex was gone and in his place was as massive jade
green wingless forest dragon with a pearl white limb. And at it's
core was a mass about the same size as the young rat. The demon was
now more in raged and lashed out driving his blade towards the
dragon's heart.

“What
is that thing” Meg asked. “That my dear, is Alex's soul,” the
angel answered “well maybe not his soul per say but it's the
manifestation of his soul gifted by his great grandmother.” The
otter turned her head to the angel. “What, you asked” he answered
raising his brow and hands. “Is that his Dreamcatcher doing”
Sheba asked. “Yes and no” he answered “the spell my son gave
him is just a channel, or focus point the rest is Alex's doing.”

The
dragon reared up backing away from the attack raising it's claws to
grab the demon's arm. Once caught the demon fought to free himself.
The bellow of a woman's voice rang out from the dragon's maw “You
will harm this child of mine no more, beast of the last realm.”
“Not even you have the power to stop me, Volts” the demon
answered.

The
dragon's white arm slashed upward through the demon's arm ripping it
clean off. The demon withdrew several steps. The dragon moved swiftly
around the demon claws ripping limbs free and casting them out of his
reach. Smoke followed the hiss of the burning threads as the demon
howled in pain.

The
demon broke apart forced to rebuilt him smaller once more. Bloody
meat, broken bones, twisted steel, and what wood and stone remained
stood as monstrous as the horror found in most nightmares. The
dragoness raised her claw one last time to end the demon once and for
all. Her head shook as her hand was held back.

Alex's
voice spoke over her's “NO, he is still in there.” “You have
given me all the power I need” the demon laughed black threads
poring out in mass. “PINACO” Alex yelled breaking himself free of
the dragoness' form. The dragoness faded quickly leaving Alex diving
right for the demon. The threads shot up at him encasing him in a
black mass.

“Well
that was more drawn out then I thought it would be” the angel said
breaking the seal. “What” all three said at once. “What what,
I've got work to do,” he said “and thank you I don't have all day
so let's go.” The three look between themselves and the angel. The
angel stopped turned around looking at the three. “I've got a lot
of work to catch up on, he's going to need help here in a minute, and
I'm getting bored standing around doing nothing.”

The
angel turned around again and began walking towards the demon. The
demon laughed “that's right ...” “Shut up, you lost” the
angel said collecting his beasts and checking their well being.
Sheba, Jessica and Meg joined him seconds later. The demon had pulled
the black mass of threads into himself. “How did he lose” the
angel asked question they were all thinking.

A
crackling sound bubbled up from inside the offset mass in the demon's
chest and stomach. “I'd say,” the angel said taking a step back
as did the others “it was someone you ate.” blinding white light
broke free of the demon's gut as bits burned away. It was no time
flat before the young rat pushed himself free crashing to the ground.

The
demon fell back soundless and lifeless. Alex rolled over to his back
with something small hold close to his side. “That took longer then
I thought it would” Alex said easing himself up. “Well did you
keep your promise” the angel asked. Alex lifted up a toddler size
wood puppet shaped like a wolf and painted black with white and red
markings around the eyes and face, dressed in old style clothes.
“Thank you” it said in a light and friendly voice as a thin light
blue thread finished burning away.

Jessica
looked down at the small toy. “How can something so small cause so
much hell” she asked. “If I really have to answer that then,”
the angel said messing with Sheba's hair “you over looked a great
deal of matters. Your hair is a knotted mess kiddo.” Jessica looked
at the angel then to the young folf standing next to him.

“Size
doesn't equal power,” he added “maybe if you cut it then let it
grow back, but then again you could pull it off.” The angel messed
with her hair a bit more before giving up on it. Meg tapped the angel
on the shoulder. The otter was pissed and with good reason but when
the angel turned and looked her in the eye all she could think to say
was “what are you?”

“I
think I answered that one” he said. The otter shook her head her
eyes never moving from his. “are some kind of ape or something”
she asked nodding to his thin fur and pale skin. “Oh, ok,” he
said “what species is my form, human, it's not something found on
this world, but one much like it. On that note anyone else hungry?”

Alex's
stomach answered. “Dragons, they never change” the angel said
helping the young rat to his feet. The angel tapped the side of his
head with his finger taking a few steps around. “You know, I know
I'm forgetting something, well more like someone” he said. The
angel turned around sharply as the others watched when a long thin
piece of metal jetted out his back.

The
metal was the damaged blade of a sword and was cleanly sticking out
of the angel's back. In front of him stood the feline dragoness,
fully uncovered and soaking wet. “Well aren't you cute” he said
gripping her wrist. He looked her over adding “and a nice build to
go with it, tell me Hun, did you really think that was going to do
anything to me.”

The
feline locked eyes with the angel and tried to pull away. “Nope,
your going to pay for that, so stick around” he said bopped her on
the head. The feline's legs gave out before she fell to the ground.
“And out like a light” the angel said withdrawing something from
his robes. He covered the feline with a blanket of some kind and in a
flash she was gone.

“No
matter, she's fine” he said “I won't feel right her leaving out
here like that.” “You're not going to kill her are you?” Sheba
asked. “No, just going to repay her for jamming something long and
hard into me” he answered taking the hold of the blade's handle and
pulling out of his gut. He dropped the broken weapon and turned
around.

“You
know I think I should get going” he said. “Why leave when you
only just got here” Sheba asked watching the angel. “Well for
one, I think I cause enough trouble for one life time, and two,” he
said patting her on the head “I've been here the whole time, I knew
the Bregold sisters just like I know you. I have seen kingdoms rise
and fall. I have see the wonders of this world and I can see now.
That what one would call an old god is no longer needed.”

“We
both know that's not true” Alex said resting the lifeless puppet in
his arm “You're still needed, even if to the rest of the world
thinks your just an old story, you're the Caretaker, you've watched
over this world much like any other.” He paused looking to the
others. “You're what can make dreams come true” he finished.

“Hey
now, I never said I wouldn't be back” the angel said “after all,
who's going to stop me?” They all loosely nodded. The angel
shrugged and trotted off to the middle of the platform. “But,” he
said turning to them “there is one last thing I need to do. To
honor those who have fallen because of me.” they all slowly backed
away as the air became thick hard to breathe.

With
just a flick of his wrist the ground and the platform moved and
quaked. In seconds the platform began reshaping. First, part of it
sunk into the ground as the parts around curled into a low wall. More
of the platform pulled under itself raising under the angel. The
shape of a round base with a low bowl to it as small pillars rose
with shapes growing on each.

Soon the
forms of Nightmare, Wishmaker and Daydream took hold. The spot where
the angel stool rose higher reaching several feet into the air. Water
began filling the newly formed pool and flow freely from the base of
each statue and from under the angel's feet. Without wasting time the
fountain was working fully, with the angel still standing at its
peek.

“Hay
lad,” the angel called. “Yeah,” Alex answered. “You still
have that coin Daydream gave you” the angel asked. “Yeah” he
answered. “Good hang on to it,” the angel said “might come in
handy.” “I will,” he answered “will we even see you again?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said “let's see what happens.” the
angel held out his arm. “Good luck” he said and turned his over
so his palm face the sky and in the blink of an eye the angel was
gone leaving one last statue in his place.

Chapter 23

several
months had past since that night. Jessica and Alex stood together
before the Caretaker's fountain, matching rings on their fingers.
Jessica rubbed her growing belly cuddling up to her new husband. “I
think we should name him Hunter, after your father” she said. “What
if he is a she, I think that be the case,” he said “we should
name her.” “After your mother” Jessica finished “I want our
baby to have the thing we never did.”

“We'll
do the best we can” Alex said holding his wife close. “Wow, and
here I thought you had always babied me” Sheba giggled at the two.
The young folf and her minx boyfriend had joined them after school.
They held hands as they watched the water flowing from under the feet
of the Caretaker and his dreams.

“How
was school” Jessica asked. “It's ok I guess” Sheba answered
rubbing the lower half of her scar with her blue furred hand. The
scar added a bit of charm to her smile. Her short hair fit her girly
tomboy look. And her golemor minx had loose baggy clothes that didn't
seem baggy on him. “Ever think about what he's up to” Sheba asked
looking up at the angel.

“No, I
don't think my mind could handle it” Alex answered. “It would be
nice to see him again” Sheba added. “Yeah, we had even save him a
seat when we got married” Jessica said “then people started
asking why we had a puppet sitting at our table.” “The gardens
look great, Alex” Sheba said changing topics.

“Yeah,
seems forest dragons, are better at growing things then destroying
them” he said rubbing the back of his head. “Doctor Panbrook said
since that night more and more magic users have been popping up”
Henry said “he also said there are these creatures calling
themselves dream beasts have also started showing up.”

Alex
laughed. “when one dream ends another begins” he said when the
other all looked at him “maybe it's just his way to remind us he's
still watching over us.” looking up Alex saw something small and
dark in the bright blue sky. He could almost swear it had looked back
at him before taking off and breaking the sound barrier.

So the
days went by in a melancholy way. Weeks and months passing into
years. And eight years later Sheba stood alone in front of the
fountain. “With all the good things that have happen over the
years,” she said more to herself “I only have one last wish.”
She pulled a coin from her pocket. “I'm getting married tomorrow,
and I was hoping to find a way to ask you to come by if you had the
time” she said looking up at the angel statute.

“Aim
for his hand” a voice said walking up behind her. She turned to see
who was talking. What she saw was a canine who looked to be just a
few years older then her. “Yeah,” he said “they say he'll
answer any wish if they can land a coin in his hand.” “Yeah I
guess that makes scents, you can't get anything for free,” she said
looking at the coin “you've got to earn it.”

“Or
just have faith things work out” he said “after all, it's the
little things that matter.” before Sheba could answer the canine
left. She thought it over and looked up at the angel. She ran her
fingers across the faded scar around her eye. “It's the little
things that matter,” she said to herself “because it's the little
things that change the world.”

she
smiled and closed her eyes then gripped the coin in her hand. “my
only wish is to ask you to come to my wedding tomorrow” she thought
willing her hope into the coin before throwing it as high as she
could. She didn't look to see where it landed but she did hear the
chime it made when it landed. “Hope it see you soon,” she said
beginning to turn away “maybe we could share a dance like I had
with Nightmare, but we'll be saving you a seat anyway.”

when she
had gotten home and picked up her mail she filed through it as she
always does. Before setting it down on the desk next to the folders
of school papers that she had started working at this year. Her soon
to be husband and her brother worked for the order along with
Jessica. Life had changed after that night. But the good they did was
changing the world.

Pictures
lined the walls a time laps of her life over the past nine years.
From her younger days when she was small and scared. To the day she
became a fully licensed witch. She had spent months hunting down any
picture she could find of the witches in her line. As well as
spending days renewing the family spell book adding her story in
hopes that its next owner can use and grow from her hardships.

She was
smiling as she changed and showered before going back out for the
party Jessica and Meg were throwing for her. She wasn't sure what
they had in mind but hopefully it wouldn't get too out of hand. When
she met up with the otter and the vixen and her son Hunter, who look
just like his father Sheba new how the night would go.

The
serves was held by the order and many of them were dress in suits of
armor or robes. The small church was filled with friends and loved
ones. Someone had made hunter a suit of armor just like Alex's that
he wore as the ring barer. Alex stood in the back as he waited to
give his sister away. “Excuse me sir” a voice asked with a loose
but friendly tone.

Alex
turned to answer. When he turned he was met by two men. One had a
dark cloak on with the hood fully drawn the was a reddish-brown wolf
dress for the day. “Yes, how can I help you,” he asked looking
the two over. “Mr. Greenvolt,” the hooded male said “this is
Eric Bloodgold, Sheba's father.”

Alex
held out his hand to the wolf. “It's an honor” he said. The wolf
took his hand and shook it and said “no the honor is mine, thank
you so much for taking care of my little girl, I wish I could have
been there for her.” the wolf looked like he was about to cry. Alex
looked to the hooded male. “You missed my wedding” he said to the
hooded one.

“That
depends on how you look at it” the male answered “I could have
been there and you just didn't see me, after all someone had to set
things up.” “I'll have to find a way to pay you back Mr.
Daliavoid” Alex said and shook the male's hand. “Yes, there is a
way,” he said “going fill your roll as best man and let a father
give his daughter away.” Alex nodded. “Oh, and one more thing,
the name's Chartun,” the male said “don't misuse it.”

“Alex
what's going on the pastor is waiting” Jessica said rushing over to
him. “Last minute change in plans” the angel said before giving
the vixen a hug “you're looking good.” “Thank you, I guess,”
she said oddly pushing him away “who are you?” “I'm an asshole”
he said “and I'll take care of the pastor.”

“Jess,
it's Chartun, the Caretaker” Alex said keeping his voice low.
Jessica look the angel over and spotted his item beasts around his
neck and shoulders. She raised her hand to chide him when he cut her
off. “Yell at me later,” he said and looking around “I need to
see the bride.” “What I'm right here” Sheba said vial lowered
over her face.

She
paused tilting her head as she looked at the hooded male. “Chartun”
she asked lifting her vial. He nodded and withdrew the hood from his
head. His face was still the same even after so many years. He still
held the same sad smile. “Hello Sheba,” he said “I'm sorry I've
been gone for so long.” Sheba dropped everything to hug the angel.
“That doesn't matter, I'm just glad you came” she said squeezing
him.

The
angel hugged her in return. “I have a gift for you” he said
easing her back. He turned the young folf to the wolf standing close
by. Sheba looked him over for a minute before pull him into a hug
“Daddy.” The wolf smile and held his little girl. “Look at how
much to have grown,” he said “you look just like your mother.”

The
angel walked off without a word taking Alex with him. “let's get
this show on the road” he said leading the way. As the angel walked
down the aisle the crowd dropped to their knees knowing the rank he
held. He looked sad by the unneeded sign of respect he was shown. He
stopped at the base of the altar and dropped to his knee.

This act
confused many of the people watching. As he rose he greeted the
pastor and spoke with him for a moment. The two agreed and the angel
stepped to the side. He folded his hands in prayer. The wedding
continued as planed. The fox gave his daughter away and the values
were given. After the kiss, the angel stepped forward. The pastor
spoke up “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the Caretaker, as he
wishes to speak.”

“Thank
you,” the angel said standing before them. “I have come to pay my
respects to the newly weds and to preform a deal that I have not done
in a long time” he said taking the drake from his shoulder as the
drake shifted into his weapon state. “Alexander Hunter Greenvolt,
Henry David Woodcut, and Eric Bloodgold, stand and be recognized.”

The
three stood before the angel. The Angel drew his blade to a salute
and open his massive golden wings. The three crossed an arm over
their hearts and bowed their heads. The angel spoke an oath that the
three repeated. “Kneel” the angel spoke, as the three took to a
knee. “Eric Bloodgold” he said “by the rite of god, the name of
the crown's holder and myself. I knight thee.”

The angel set the tip of
his sword to the fox's head and shoulders. Then repeated the action
for the other two. The return to his starting point and bring his
sword back to a salute. “Raise and be recognized as Knights of the
World Crown.” The three stood and bowed before turning to face the
crowd. The mass of people stood and applauded. The service finished
and the crowd moved to the reception area.

The idle chatter broke when
Alex tapped his glass getting everyone's attention. “Thank you
all,” he said “everyone knows I don't give speeches so I'll keep
it short. Sheba, Henry, I've known you two a long time, and I only
wish the best for the both of you.” Jessica bopped his elbow and
pointed the angel sitting at the end of the table. “Right, where's
my head today,” he added leaning over a bit “maybe we could ask
the Caretaker to share a few words, and maybe give a better toast
then I can.”

“Yeah sure,” the angel
answered before standing up. He took a deep breathe and sighed. “to
the newly weds, may your good days be long and bad one be short.”
the crowd joined with “CHEERS”. The Angel sighed again. “I
would like to say one more thing if I may” he asked. Henry nodded
as Sheba spoke up “of course.” He nodded and continued “To
friends lost and to friends found, may we all keep them in our
hearts.” It was quiet and sobering thought that all agreed with.

The angel sat down letting
others have there turn to speak. Once all the speeches were given the
band started up and people began to dance. Sheba took to the dance
floor and had her husband, brother and father dance with her. After
her last dance she looked around spotting the angel still at his seat
alone, he glass untouched. The look on his face remind her of just
how old he truly was, and how lonely he must have been.

And without skipping a beat
she walked right up to him. “Chartun” she said standing over him
“why don't you join us?” “It's ok,” he answered “go enjoy
yourself and leave an old man to his drink.” “I would,” she
retorted “but you haven't even touched it.” she held out her hand
to him. “Please, I know I'm asking a lot from you,” she said “but
you are as much a part of my family as anyone else here.”

He looked up at her. “Don't
me that look,” she added “I don't care how powerful you are,
you're coming over and joining the rest of us and have a good time.”
“Fine, but we need to do this the right way” he said standing up.
His robes and armor shifted giving him a fine pressed suit. “would
you care to share a dance with me, my dear” he asked and held out
his arm.

She smiled and took his
arm. “I would love too” she answered. With silent steps the angel
lead the folf to the dance floor. He turned a waved to the band for a
slow tune. He turned back to the folf taking her hand and her hip.
The music began as the two moved in time. Sheba didn't see the
angel's alien face nor felt his skin in her hand.

All she could see was her
Nightmare sharing this dance with her. “It's hard to believe,”
she said “that there was a time, that you were nothing more that a
bed time story.” The angel chuckled. “But now it's hard to
believe that I'm holding you,” she continued “my dreams, my
nightmares, all of my wishes, all in one place.”

“Sheba,” the angel
spoke softly “I'm not a dream, nor am I the dreamer, I am what is
needed of me.” “Why do you always look so sad” she asked. “That
is a question I can not answer” he said. As the music came to a
close and the pair parted the angel added “you know if this story
was ever made into a movie, this is a good place to throw in a
musical number.”

Time passes once again.
Homes and families grow, time still as kind or curl as it wishes.
Sheba Bloodgold lived a happy life, and was there to see her own
granddaughter get married. She died weeks later,time taking it's toll
on her. She passed peacefully in her sleep. Alex Greenvolt continued
to live, seeing his son married off.

He out lived his wife and
sister. But as fate is kind it was also curl. And took the lives of
his own son and his wife. Leaving him to care for his granddaughter.
Caring for her was hard and stressful for the both of them. He did
the best he could for her, always fearful it wasn't enough. But he
never failed her. Even to his own bitter end.

Blinding light. “GRANDPA”
she screamed as her world turned white. “Sheba, would you believe
me if I told you I met the Caretaker” the old brown rat said
holding a little hybrid in his arms. The two stood before a fountain
with great monstrous beasts cut from stone. The largest being the
black form of the demon Nightmare, the pearl white form of Daydream
and the gray form of Wishmaker. And high above the three stood the
angel known only as the Caretaker. “But Grandpa, Daddy said that
was over a hundred years ago” the little six year-old answered.

“A hundred and thirty-two
to be honest” the old rat corrected. “Grandpa is it true what
they said about the Caretaker” the child asked. “Is it what true,
Hun” he asked. “That if you make a wish and throw a coin into his
hand it will come true” the child spoke pointing up to the angel
who's hand was held out palm up.

“Sweety, it's not just
true it's a fact” he answered “tell you what, we'll come by here
any time you want and we'll try to getting your wish granted.”
“Grandpa, when's Mommy and Daddy coming home” she asked. He
sighed not wanting to hurt her but he also didn't want to lie to her.
“As soon as they can” he answered.

The flash of blinding light
over came the scene as her voice broke.