Hᴇʀᴏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Gʟᴀᴅᴇ

❝  It's...  air,  I  think  is  just  the  Lums  that  are  part  of  my  body...  magical  creatures  made  of  light.  Clothes  get  the  forms  of  my  'limbs'  but  I  don't  feel  them.  I  can't  get  injured  in  those  parts  either...  ❞

He  was  a  mysterious  humanoid  which  he  doesn't  have  enough  of  his  species...  sure  in  the  old  continent  and  the  Glade  there  are  more,  but  in  the  main  continent  of  the  Glade?  Not  much  Limblesses  are  around...

❝  It's  strange  I  think  it  has  to  do  with  how  I  was  born...  a  hero  that  can  be  versatile.  That  doesn't  fear  to  get  injured  and  that  people  doesn't  find  threatening  to  not  be  feared  by  them...  ❞

"I JUST TOLD HER THAT SHE SHOULD JOIN US IF SHE WANTED TO BECOME ONE OF US! I DIDN'T INTEND TO GET HER KILLED! I WAS JUST TRYING TO TOUGHEN HER UP! YOU ALWAYS GAVE HER SPECIAL ATTENTION AND TREATED HER LIKE SHE WAS SPECIAL!

I'M THE OLDEST OUT OF ALL OF US YET YOU SHOWER HER WITH SO MUCH ATTENTION! I COULD BE SPECIAL TOO IF YOU'D JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE TO PROVE MYSELF!!!"

"Foolish lum! Why do you think I appointed you to watch over her? As the oldest and have served under me for so long, I trusted you to protect your sibling since she was not ready to join the others. I considered you the most capable of keeping her safe when I could not be there! That is why I gave you your name! You are a born leader for your siblings.

Your sister is different than the others and I knew how much danger she would be in within this world. That is why I trusted you to watch over her, and THIS is what you do!? Do you understand why I'm being so tough on you right now? I trusted you the most out of every single one of your other siblings, and that trust was broken!!"

The sudden realization hit the lum hard. That anger immediately faded and changed to shock. Demona gave a low, growl-like sigh.

"Ramon, If you have any further words for Chief, say them now. Chief, return home after. We'll talk more later."

Chief suddenly vanished once Ramon was finished. With that out of the way, the nightmare turns to the blonde to answer his question from earlier.

"I will know when you arrive. I have eyes and ears all over the city of Eden right now. Greater nightmares have an ability to communicate telepathically with those we trust the most. No one but myself and the person I am in communication with can hear this. You hear the voices within your mind, and you will be able to respond through that same connection. As a bond grows tighter between a greater nightmare and another, the connection will allow others to contact them the same way. Through that same telepathic wave."

❝  I  think  that  he  learned  his  lesson  already,  if  he  does  something  similar  again.  Let  him  come  to  me,  I  have  my  ways  to  make  them  respect...  ❞

Of  course  he  was  acting,  but  his  face  was  veryconvincing,  he  threw  a  look  at  the  Lum  that  was  enough  to  scare  a  man,  the  same  one  that  he  threw  to  the  Hunter...  but  if  Demona  knew  him,  she  knew  that  he  was  uncapable  to  harm  anyone,  and  less  a  child.

❝  Go  now  and  don't  you  DARE  do  something  like  that  or  you  will  be  facing  ME.  ❞

Another  bluff,  but  for  a  good  cause,  to  educate  this  kid  from  the  bsd  psth  with  his  siblings.  He  wasn't  this  lum  father,  but  that  didn't  mean  that  he  couldn't  scold  him...

Once  that  Chief  left,  he  relaxed  his  body  again,  looking  at  Demona  before  he  just  smiles  at  her,  he  can  hear  her,  then  she  trusts  him  a  lot?  After  everything?  so  does  he....

❝  I  can  hear  you,  now  can  you  hear  me?...  I  have  memories  of  you,  like  when  we  played  together  in  these  same  grass,  like  this!  ❞

Says  him  mentally  but  laughing  as  he  jumped  on  her  in  a  very  playful  manner,  rolling  down  on  the  grass  and  separating  from  her  with  such  a  happy  laugh.

❝  I  missed  you,  so  much....  even  tho  you  think  is  not  true...  it  is!.  I  wish  we  could  return  to  our  childhoods  before  all  of  that  happened...  ❞

Says  him  before  he  just  hugs  her  as  tight  as  he  could...  he  was  just  happy  to  have  her  back

❝ With my feet... ? Oh... you mean how I am in one piece not having limbs? Magic... ❞

The only truth, magic, not even him has an answer! he was created by a nymph to protect the universe, that would be the short answer...

"If they tried that, they'd get my axe straight down the middle then! I'd make them learn that lesson real quick." Nobody touched her loved ones. It's practically the reason she was here now joining Rayman and the others on their quests. A soft smile spread across her face as she looked towards him.

But  it  made  him  be  calm  that  she  was  able  to  defend  hose  she  loved  more  from  the  enemies  that  would  try  to  hrt  them  if  they  can't  hurt  her  first...

❝  That's  the  spirit!  If  you  ever  have  a  magical  evil  clon  you  can  show  them  who  is  boss  with  no  problems!  ❞

He  was  trying  to  make  her  feel  much  better  about  it,  but  in  reality  he  was  just  glad  of  her  strong  mentality.  When  she  said  that  him  and  the  others  entered  in  that  cathegory,  he  just  hugged  her  softly  with  a  smile  in  his  features.

❝  You  are  in  that  cathegory  too!.  But  don't  be  like  that.  It  was  a  curse!  I  don't  sleep  that  much!  ❞

Not  that  much,  he  sleeps  much,  but  that  would  be  more  than  8  hours,  when  he  was  tired,  almost  24  hours  straight.  If  not  a  bit  more,  he  has  to  be  honest,  but  truth  had  to  be  told  tho…

❝  My  back  hurt  after  that  sleep…  100  years  sleeping  makes  your  back  hurt  a  lot!  ❞

Sharing WIP. Will release more artwork on both socials soon!

Yes. We are in a completely new world, but a contained one that changes when I want it to. My own little world to weave exactly how I want it to be."

She listened as Ramon explained how The Emperor manipulated his twin, and how he tried to do the same for him. A devious smirk grew across Demona's face.

"Find a way into the circle of trust expecting them to betray you with honeyed words, it makes it harder for them to manipulate you. Study their eyes, posture, the way they speak, even body language. Learn the difference in how one speaks the truth compared to a lie.

Raymona's way is to form bonds and alliances through mutual trust and gain. Everyone gets something beneficial out of it and everyone is happy. It sounds like this is impossible to accomplish with The Emperor, which is where I come in. Out-manipulate the grand manipulator."

Demona nodded in agreement at Ramon's answer involving Alma. It was fair and understandable. She wasn't going to force Alma to do something she didn't want to either. She remained calm, as if she knew what to expect when they would ask her.

The nightmare put two fingers to her lips, giving a distinct melodic whistle. A larger black lum forms beside the limbless, bowing their head in greeting. Her expression quickly shifted to one filled with rage, glaring at the larger lum with a look that causes them to wince at her gaze.

"Chief, What. Have. You. DONE!?

You were supposed to be watching over your sibling! WHAT WAS SHE DOING IN THE HORDE!? YOU KNOW SHE IS NOT READY TO JOIN THE RANKS YET! I TRUSTED YOU TO KEEP HER SAFE!

But  she  was  so  right  about  the  Emperor,  he  was  cunning,  trying  to  get  a  weaker  mind  to  get  them.  Like  a  snake  or  a  prasyte  that  feeds  from  the  host.

❝  The  Emperor  has  no  empathy  for  anyone...  He  lies  and  manipulates  to  get  to  his  own  goal...  But  that  helps  me  to  know  how  he  could  lie  to  us...  only  if  he  wasn't  behind  a  mask  and  robes  that  makes  it  impossible  to  read  his  body  language,  like  you...  All  the  council  wears  robes  and  masks  so  all  that  is  known  about  them  is  their  voices.  ❞

If  he  remembers  correctly  it  was  for  the  'anonymous'  thing...  but  in  reality  it  was  to  not  know  who  they  are  when  they  get  enemies  for  their  horrible  manipulations  and  harms...

❝  You  can  out-manipulate  him...  and  one  more  thing,  Demona.  When  you  get  back  to  Eden...  how  do  we  make  contact  with  you.  without  'fighting?'  ❞

That  was  another  question  he  had,  they  could  call  her,  send  her  stuff,  of  course,  but  that  can  get  her  and  them  in  trouble...  They  must  be  careful,  if  she  was  a  nightmare  there  must  be  nightmare  tricks....

His  line  of  thought,  tho.  It  got  cut  with  the  screaming,  the  blonde  looked  at  the  Lum,  that  was  the  one  that  almost  get  her  killed?!

❝  Your  mother  is  right!  Were  you  out  of  your  mind?!  Was  that  a  prank?  Or  you  wanted  to  hurt  her  for  real?!  ❞

He  wanted  to  make  sure  what  were  those  intentions  first...  But  they  will  see  what  will  happen  with  Alma,  when  they  return,  even  tho,  the  screams  of  Demona  made  him  jump  and  he  almost  stops  her,  he  didn't...  that  Lum  deserved  that  scolding.

Hearing the request to speak in private caught her attention, causing her to grab his hand as he began to walk towards the bathroom to stop him.

"I have a better idea. Just stay calm and trust me on this."

A black, ink-like pool forms at their feet. Tendrils shot out from beneath and pulled the two within the pool. Ramon could feel himself falling for only a moment, then a steady glide downward without any assistance. The sky was clear with a sunny sky, and he landed within... Wait... This looked like Dimension X! Back before the destruction! When he landed softly within the grass, he found Demona waiting for him close by. She motioned for him to walk with her.

"Behold my personal pocket dimension. Powerful nightmares have the ability to weave little worlds like this that only they can access. While we remain inside, no one can see or hear us. I can shift this world to my will, changing it from my little paradise where I collect my thoughts without having to worry about spies or eavesdroppers, or I can change it into a "Nightmare's playground."

It's another term for a section within the nightmare that we can send threats or targets to that will face our wrath and torment until they are released. If one wants to release them, that is."

She listened to Ramon as they walked together in the private plane. One that looked just like their old home. She still remembered what it looked like, even down to the last plant and grass blade. Yet this place was devoid of other people. Quiet, calm, peaceful, yet lonely all at the same time.

She stayed silent as he spoke, letting him voice his concerns while taking them to heart. She began to tap her chin with a hum of curiosity escaping her lips.

"I knew The Emperor had some kind of vendetta against the original Hunter after he broke away from the council, and about his obsession with magic. I always had my suspicions about him, but I allowed my own fury overpower my senses. I should study him more. Once I learn enough about him, he'll be caught within my grasp with no escape. I am aware of one thing. He not only obsesses over magic, he fears it. I can tell you know this already, but there is more:

When one gains The Emperor's trust, his TRUE trust, he latches onto them quite hard. I believe this attachment is why he's so desperate to get his voice back. Be it you or your twin. We can use this to our advantage, but I need more time. I will be in touch with Murfy and The Mayor, and you if you'll allow me.

But  life  moments  like  these  are,  and  that  is  the  truth...  The  voice  was  different,  everything  was  different  now...  she  was  another  person  totally...  as  he  is  now,  He  is  still  a  Rayman,  but  he  is  now  different  from  his  brother,  he  was  a  bit  more  rought,  more  serious,  but  he  was  still  the  same  person  in  a  way...  but  for  her  it  was  different...  He  was  not  one  to  judge.  But  the  change  of  dimensions  made  him  to  wonder,  to  try  to  remember  everything.

❝  Nightmares  all  of  them  were  able  to  do  that?  I  don't  really  remember  much...  And  nobody  can  hear  or  see  us,  so  it's  like  we  are  in  another  place...  not  only  mentally  but  physically?  ❞

With  the  initial  confusion  out  of  the  way,  the  blonde  listened  to  her  plan,  win  the  Emperor's  trust  like  it  was  that  easily,  it  wasn't,  at  least  not  like  that...

❝  He  had  my  brother's  trust  too,  until  he  saw  the  truth,  he  thought  he  could  do  the  same  or  worse  to  me  because  I  was  alone,  so  he  tried  to  lie  to  me  about  everything...  But  I  got  warned  at  time  and  saw  the  reality  with  my  own  eyes...  ❞

That  she  was  wary  of  him,  calms  him  a  lot,  there  will  not  be  problems  of  her  falling  for  the  Emperor's  lies  that  easily,  he  knew  that  somewhat,  somehow.  His  friend  was  still  there  and  he  was  right...

❝  I  trust  that  you  know  what  to  do.  You  aways  have  been  the  voice  of  reason  between  the  two.  I  will  keep  in  contact  with  you  too.  ❞

But  her  last  sentence  made  his  eyes  to  widden  a  bit,  she  was  asking  him  to  keep  Alma?  Sure  he  can,  for  him  it  would  be  great  to  have  her,  but  whatabout  Alma,  would  she  like  that  too?

❝  For  me  is  a  yes  and  I'm  sure  that  Mona  would  love  that  too...  We  can  keep  her,  she  will  be  safe  and  taken  care  of  with  us...  but  only  if  Alma  wants  I  will  not  force  her  if  she  doesn't  want  it...  ❞

The notion actually brings a thought to Barbara's mind as a hand comes up to her chin. "I wonder if I'll get an evil magical duplicate of myself one day. You think a villain would hate me enough to do something like that?"

But  then  her  question  got  his  attention,  an  evil  duplicate,  why  would  she  want  that?  Sure  it  was  something  that  enemies  can  give  them,  but  having  someone  with  your  face  tainting  your  name  and  reputation,  or  trying  to,  having  to  be  careful  even  of  your  own  shadow.

❝  Sure!  It  has  to  start  somehow,  we  have  been  together  a  long  time,  you  have  a  name  now  in  the  Glade,  one  evil  magician  can  give  you  your  nemesis.  But  it's  not  as  cool  as  it  sounds,  the  evil  counterparts  are  born  from  you  too,  so  they  might  have  your  memories  too...  So  it's  something  to  be  careful,  if  they  can't  target  you  they  might  target  your  loved  ones...  ❞

Same  weapons,  same  thoughts  but  darker,  same  strategy,  same  speed...  everything  is  similar  from  Dark  Rayman.  He  only  has  to  think  different  to  fool  the  evil  counterpart,  not  letting  the  other  find  out  his  next  move.

When they knock and enter the secure hospital room, they find the other Raymona dressed in her council robes. Her hood was down and mask remained off. The grey hue of her skin and her brunette hair was now a deep, dark black color. Her eyes held a yellow glow that could pierce into one's soul. Her mask was resting on the room's dresser, and it was now completely blank.

She looks towards Theo, giving the child a smile which causes him to hide behind Ramon. She didn't approach further, instead allowing him to come out when he felt ready. She turned her attention to the black lum with the purple glow, holding her hand out for her to perch on.

"I must admit, I am quite surprised you're here and brought your family after our encounter. I am glad you seem to be doing well. Thank you for taking care of this little one while I was in recovery.

❝  Before  everything  I  didn't  know  you  were  still  alive,  now  I  do,  and  I  will  visit  you  even  at  the  center  of  Earth  if  needed  to.  You  are  my  friend  Mo-  Raymona...  You  are  my  best  friend  when  we  were  in  Dimension  X  and  I  don't  want  to  loose  that.❞

Says  the  blonde  as  he  allowed  the  little  Lum  to  be  with  her  mother,  but  he  has  his  doubts  in  speak...  but  he  wanted  to  do  what's  best  of  Alma  and  Raymona...  or  well...  now  Demona.

❝  Raymona....  I  must  warn  you  thought...  but  I  want  to  speak  with  you  in  private  if  possible?  it's  to  not  scare  the  children...  come  to  the  bathroom  with  me,  Alma...  can  you  stay  with  Mona?  And  you  too  Theo  stay  with  your  mother  for  a  bit.  ❞

Says  him  as  he  opens  the  room's  bathroom  door  to  let  her  pass  first  and  he  then  closes  his  door,  breathing  deep  to  keep  calm  on  everything  that  he  will  say  to  her...

❝  Alma  if  she  goes  to  Eden  can  be  in  danger...  the  Emperor  is  not  one  to  trust  and  less  with  magic.  He  will  say  that  he  won't  do  nothing  to  her.  But...  I  fear  for  her,  if  he  was  hurting  kids  to  make  the  next  Hunter  and  they  have  no  magic...  What  can  he  do  to  a  Lum?  And  not  only  that  a  Lum  created  by  a  nightmare...  Don't  take  my  words  wrong  I  am  not  here  to  take  away  your  child,  not  even  close.  But  as  a  father  warn  you  of  the  dangers  of  that  monster...  ❞

A  fair  warning  from  a  father  to  a  mother,  and  from  a  long  old  friend  to  aother,  he  doesn't  sugarcoat  it,  he  doesn't  make  it  sweet.  He  knows  the  dangers  and  as  thus  he  warns...

Barbara would soon join Rayman on the spot as she started getting the water out of her hair. Her gaze ventures over to him as he speaks about the balance of the world to which she does ultimately agree upon. What was it called that she heard.......yin and yang or whatever? Something like that.

❝  Don't  say  that  about  yourself.  You  are  even  more  intelligent  than  Minimus  sometimes  and  he  is  a  Teensie.  you  found  the  solution  to  a  lot  of  riddles  that  me,  Globox  or  Minimus  couldn't.  So  the  people  that  talks  about  you  like  that  doesn't  know  you  at  all.  ❞

And  it  was  true,  they  didn't  know  the  princess  at  all...  And  that  was  a  fact.

❝  The  nightmares  can  say  all  what  they  want  we  know  what  is  true  about  each  other  and  what's  not...❞

"He absolutely would. The Emperor both covets and fears magic. He studies anything related to magic, be it object, flora, fauna, or people. Or rather, he had The Hunter study them for him.

❝  We  will  speak  it  at  the  hospital  this  corncerns  to  all  of  us...  after  everything  even  to  theo...  to  know  that  she  won't  hurt  him,  so  let's  go  to  the  hospital.  ❞

Says  Ramon  as  he  makes  a  recount  on  his  head  to  see  if  everyone  was  on  board  and  following  him,  he  placed  Alma  into  the  hood  of  his  hoodie  to  protect  her  from  the  direct  sun  and  let  her  rest  before  going  to  the  hospital,  where  he  just  goes  to  the  room  where  his  Raymona  was  resting  in.  Knocking  on  her  door,  and  entering,  he  placed  his  hands  near  his  hood  to  let  the  Lum  go  out  and  perch  on  his  hands.

❝  This  child  over  here  is  Theo...  he  is  my  son...  Theo,  don't  be  scared,  she  won't  hurt  you...  and...  the  little  Lum,  healed,  she  is  fine...  we  called  her  Alma,  I  hope  you  don't  mind  that.  ❞

Says  him  as  he  just  leans  in  to  hug  the  nightmare  version  of  his  old  beloved  friend,  letting  the  family  know  each  other.

Alma was settling in quite nicely, having bonded very strongly with Ramon, Raymona, and Theo. Such a sweet and innocent creature woven from nightmare was unheard of even within Dimension X. The young lum rarely left the side of her caretakers, trusting them deeply.

Ramon received a phone call from Floyd with an update on the condition of the Raymona from his Dimension X. She's made a full recovery from her emotional outburst and was due to be discharged from the hospital soon.

But  the  news  came,  she  was  going  to  be  taken  out  of  the  hospital  and  that  means  that  she  was  going  to  return  to  Eden.  He  can't  let  her  go  without  him  and  his  family  saying  goodbye  and  without  her  little  Lum  not  going...

❝  How  about  we  go  to  see  Raymona?  All  of  us?  It  will  be  the  first  time  that  you  meet  her,  Theo.  Don't  be  scared  of  her,  she  won't  hurt  you  even  thought  she  is  the  new  Hunter,  she  is  a  sweet  woman,  I  promise  you...  and  We  have  to  return  her  to  her  own  mother  too...  But  if  she  goes  to  Eden...  Mona...  do  you  think  that  the  Emperor  can  do  experiments  with  Alma?  ❞

That  was  a  good  question  that  he  was  scared  to  know  the  answer  of...