A Night of Men and Monsters

Bewildered, I gawk at a figure wearing my own face. "Can't you tell?" it says. "This is only a dream." "You mean you're merely a character in my dream?" I reply. "I'm sorry," the answer bleakly tolls. "I'm not."

1

Darkness had descended upon the fields surrounding the capital city of Highcrest, sending the weary residents of the outlying villages and townships to their beds. But there was a monster winding its way through the broad plains and rolling hills—a vast serpent that bellowed vapor and travelled with a deafening roar. It wrapped its lanky coils around entire hillocks before speeding on, unraveling its massive length across the fields. In spite of the commotion, the sleepy communities paid the creature no mind—this was a common sight, here if nowhere else in the vast empire. It was a steam train, rumbling along its tracks on some late night errand.

As the vast machine charged through a blanket of deep shadows, two dark figures stole their way onboard, leaping deftly from an arched bridge overhead. By the time the cars sped into the moonlight once again, the pair had already vanished from sight.

Many of the cars were loaded with freight of every kind, transporting goods from one end of the capital to the other. This had always been the key purpose of the rail system—which was, without a doubt, the greatest technological achievement of the empire. But some saw profit in using the system as a means of transit, as well, and coaches near the front of the train were meant for carrying travelers.

The passenger cars were dotted with windows on either side, displaying their brightly lit interiors and luxurious, cushioned seats, alongside dark and elegant woodwork. At this late hour, the seats were all but vacant. However, a young woman peered out from one of the softly arched windows, wonder in her eyes. Her complexion was fair and she had chestnut locks, and often she would turn her gentle eyes to the interior of the carriage to flash an unseen companion an innocent smile.

She pointed with glee as the train rounded a bend and shot out across the edge of a lake, the surface of the water reflecting the bright sea of stars above, as if the heavens had come down to touch the earth. The radiance shimmered as the train sped by and, before she knew it, the lake of stars had given way to other lights—hundreds of houses stretched across the landscape, one more footnote in the vastness that was the capital.

She felt another hand rest upon hers, softly, caressing her skin as delicately as a cool breeze. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to face the other passenger, a man with dark, shoulder length hair. He was dressed elegantly and, though he was clearly many years her senior, the girl seemed captivated by his charming words and striking looks. Aside from these two, the carriage was eerily vacant, leaving the courters alone.

The man leaned forward and whispered softly in her ear. She blushed and smiled, drawing closer as he spoke. She felt his fingers slide slowly up her back and into her hair. He wrapped his fingers through the long, soft strands and pulled them, tenderly, and the girl gasped with both surprise and pleasure. He kissed her lips passionately and, for the young girl who had never been kissed before, his embrace seemed almost magical. She shivered with anticipation as he ran his lips down her soft neck, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.

She shut her eyes tight as the world began to whirl around her. She felt embarrassed—she knew she was trembling, but she couldn't contain her excitement. Rapturous waves of sensation cascaded down her body. This feeling wasn't merely confined to the flesh her companion was kissing so tenderly, but seemed to envelop her entire being, sinking deep into her heart.

With her eyes closed, she wasn't certain what was happening to her—her body felt hot all over, like she was burning up. But the man's flesh was cool to the touch, mild and soothing. She felt herself breathing rapidly, sharp intakes of honey-sweet air. She couldn't seem to open her eyes. But she didn't find herself in a muted darkness—her entire world had slipped toward an oppressive shade of crimson.

What was happening to her?

She snapped to her senses with a gasp as her companion pulled away. Her arms were still wrapped around him, hands clinging desperately to his back, fingertips aching under the trembling pressure. She felt light headed, as if she might faint, and tears were running down her cheeks—she couldn't imagine why.

Her eyes filled with longing and desire, she gazed upon her companion. But, as her lustful vision began to clear, her expression changed. Desire gave way to abject horror.

This wasn't the man she'd boarded the train with—his eyes were no longer kind and gentle, but reflected a savage monstrosity. He was like a feral beast; a nightmare. Long fangs stood exposed behind his lips, and bright red blood was smeared across his chin. Her hand shot to her neck and, when she pulled it away, her white palm was stained scarlet.

She screamed, trying to push the man away, but he pinned her arms above her head with monstrous, inhuman strength. Powerless, the young girl went limp and began to sob, shutting her eyes tight. Her lips moved rapidly as she begged for mercy, or cried for someone to help her, or simply said her final prayer to Aura. She bore the countenance of one who knows she is about to die—unprepared and hopeless. She could do nothing as the monster drew close and began to feed once again.

Her fear subsided as the sharp fangs penetrated her body—terror overwhelmed by lust. She didn't notice when her attacker released her wrists; she didn't use her freedom to try to escape, nor did she scream for help. She wrapped her arms around his body, drawing him in close, and wouldn't let go. Her entire being was filled with ecstasy like nothing she had ever known, and she cried out with pleasure.

2

"Is she alright?" A train official asked uncertainly as a young woman stooped over the motionless girl, placing her fingers lightly upon her pale wrist.

The woman was short, with long blonde hair, and her frame and demeanor seemed almost childlike. The official would have thrown her off the train immediately for not having a ticket, were it not for the bronze amulet she wore around her neck, molded into the shape of a blazing sun. The token designated her as a lightwielder, a child of Aura, and interfering with the work of their holy order was a criminal trespass, sometimes worthy of execution.

He watched attentively as the girl cast her lovely, blue eyes toward the ground and her fair, delicate features grew still as stone. She wore a modish dress of the purest white, traced with fine and elegant embroidery; it laced over her curvaceous chest and fastened tightly just under her neck. The man couldn't help but admire her beauty, but as he looked on he saw her bottom lip had begun to quiver.

"She's dead," the girl whimpered, slumping down to the ground and wrapping her arms around her knees.

The official saw her eyes were red and glossed over with tears. He hadn't expected such a reaction from a lightwielder.

"Miss Peril?" he questioned as he stooped down, bringing himself as near to eye level with the young girl as he could.

"This is the...