Phlagaea's Bedroom
The room looks the same as all the guest suits, a nicely furnished room with stone walls and hardwood floors. It also has a small fireplace and a large bed. There are a lot of green candles burning as well, giving the room a mint-tea sort of scent. Beyond is a bathroom that is rather cluttered jars and pots and small cauldrons full of stuff. Glowing fluids, overflowing molds and fungus, and something that seems to wiggle in a jar of slime stand out the boldest. It's no wonder the castle keepers decided to give Phlagaea some lab space.

Alptraum is slow to wake, and his limbs all feel a bit stiff. He's in a bed, and his arms are wrapped around an Eeee, but it takes him a few moments to realize the Eeee he's holding is a female, and the room is Phlagaea's. It's dark, since the green candles are guttering now. There's also someone pressed up against his wings.

"Nng," mutters Alptraum as he first tests to see if his ears work and he's back to being an Eeee. He also checks that certain bits are where they belong with his hand that's currently not being laid on. Amusingly, the last thing he checks is … the state of his right hand.

For a moment there, Alptraum can't find one of the bits he's looking for; until he realizes it is just completely numb – but otherwise intact. His forearm is once again covered in a chitin carapace, with the pale orb at the wrist giving off a faint glow.

"Oh thank the Gods … it was a dream," Alptraum whispers to himself. The relief is enough that being a bit numb below the waist doesn't worry him too much at the moment. It's about then that the pressure against his wings register and he tries to turn his head enough to see who it is.

It is, of course, Yodhinala Mave. Her eyes glitter in the dim light. "Try not to make sudden movements," the priestess advises.

"Did you join in?" Alptraum whispers tiredly. "I don't think I can make any sudden movements. I either hurt, or feel absolutely nothing. That's temporary, right?"

"Yes, I injected a muscle relaxant and numbing agent directly into it, otherwise you would be in a bit of pain," Mave notes. "And congratulations, as well."

"Congratulations? For not dying?" Alptraum has to ask. "That stuff … you might wish to work on it more. It causes terrible dreams."

"Your name means 'nightmare', does it not?" Mave asks, and scoots to the edge of the bed to fetch one of the low-burning candles. "And that is not what I was congratulating you on," she notes, and leans across Alptraum (perhaps a bit perversely, given his condition) to better illuminate Phlagaea's face: patches of light brown have begun to replace the green of her fur, spreading outwards from her eyes and mouth.

Alptraum blinks a couple times as he looks at Phlagaea. "Wait, why is she not green anymore? I rather liked the green. Does this mean … she's no longer a priestess of Gorphat?" the Eeee asks. This is not what he expected, at all. And he doesn't expect Phlagaea will be too pleased, either.

"It means that Inala's love is greater than Gorphat's blessing," Mave explains. "Phlagaea is pregnant, and so will become a normal Eeee woman until she gives birth. If she still loves Gorphat in her heart, the blessing will return."

"Really?" Alptraum asks, unsure of what else to day, "That's … are you certain? Did she know that would happen?"

"She wanted a child," Mave notes. "Do not worry for her. She believes in the trials of Gorphat, and motherhood is the ultimate trial for a woman. Although this one comes from Inala, I am sure Phlagaea will not mind. She will find morning sickness and the other details quite novel."

"Hmph," Alptraum mutters as he relaxes for a moment, then leans over to nip Mave in a delicate spot. "Do you know if the child will … inherit aspects of each of us?"

The Yodh gives Alptraum an odd look. "That is how it usually works, you know. Perhaps being raised by gypsies has blinded you to the way that children inherit traits from their birth parents."

"Not just the natural traits, Mave. The more … unusual ones," Alptraum says with a sigh.

"I cannot say that it will not be green, or a vampire," Mave notes. "It may not have an affinity for magic or miracles, or turn into a blob under stress. Such unknowns are the worries of all parents."

"Even I don't turn into a blob under stress, unless there is something you aren't telling me," Alptraum comments as he carefully disentangles himself from Phlagaea, then sits up. He feels nearly every joint pop and complain. "Ow," he mutters.

Already sitting up, Mave returns to the edge of the bed and starts filling her fancy-looking pipe. "So what did you dream about?" she asks.

"That I nearly turned into a zombie, Vorgulremik took over my body, put me into a woman, then raped me with your help," Alptraum summarizes tiredly as he rolls his neck from side to side. It pops loudly. "He treated me like a toy for his enjoyment, the jerk."

"No dinner or flowers even?" Mave asks, puffing on her pipe now.

"No, he tied me to the bed, dosed me with that potion of yours, and … well, you can figure the rest," Alptraum mutters. "You wouldn't actually help someone do that to me, right?"

"You are not a woman, Alptraum," Mave notes. "The question is therefore meaningless."

"What if I was?" Alptraum asks and holds out his hand for her pipe.

The Yodh passes the pipe over, and just grins. "I don't know," she answers. "The potion would also work with two men or two women, however. Perhaps for Arkold's bachelor party… hmmm. He always did think you were cute."

Alptraum takes a long drag off the pipe, then lets the smoke out through his nose, testing both the taste and smell. "I'm not sleeping with Arkold," the Eeee comments, then offers the pipe back.

Mave accepts her pipe. "An unusual dream, however. Tell me, do you keep that magical dream crystal in your room next door?" she asks. The smoke has a fruity flavor to it, a bit like wine really.

"What are you smoking?" Alptraum inquires after the tastes hit. He also rubs the back of his neck and asks, "And what crystal are you talking about? I think my brain is still a bit foggy."

"The one you recovered from Dack," Mave notes. "You said that you were going to return it to its rightful owner."

"Oh, right. I have it locked away in my room," Alptraum answers. "Why?"

"Perhaps it is the cause of your nightmare, and not my potion," Mave suggests.

"Doubtful, but I have no way to test that. I think I will go check on it, though," Alptraum thinks as he slowly slides out of the bed. Remaining naked for the moment, Alptraum does grab his belt and the spirit blade that is secured on it and carries it with him. "Come if you like," he offers. He also can't help but touch the hilt and think, "Kaira, you in there?"

"Where else would I be?" the dragoness replies in Alptraum's head. "You aren't slotting the dagger, so I assume you want to talk privately?"

"Just checking. Had a bad dream. Is Vorgulremik still in his prison?" Alptraum inquires as he steps out of Phlagaea's room and heads to his own.

"Yes, why do you ask?" Kaira replies. "Was he in your dream, like that time after dealing with Smashengrab?"

Mave follows along, pipe in hand. She doesn't bother putting on any clothes at this point, however.

"Not the same. I dreamt it was right after the battle and I was infected by that black heart. Only, it spread much further and Vorg took over my body," Alptraum explains in thought. To Mave he does pause to comment, "You know, I do rather like you without clothing… And you never told me what you were smoking. It tasted pretty good."

"Special herbs and dried fruit," Mave says, wearing her odd grin again. "The ritual to prepare them is quite interesting."

"What is it for and how is it prepared?" Alptraum asks as he unlocks the door to his room and steps in. The Eeee then heads to his locked trunk where he keeps a few things, including the amulet.

"It is for the pleasure of smoking, and only women can properly prepare it," Mave notes, as she looks around the room.

"Maybe I can get you to make me some, sometime," Alptraum suggests as he crouches down and unlocks the chest. He lifts it open and looks under his nicer clothing for the amulet. The room itself is … rather plain for as long as Alptraum has been at the castle. A large bed, separate bath off to the side, and a writing desk. Maybe he just doesn't spend much time in it.

The glow of the crystal makes the amulet easy to find it. The molten-looking teardrop is flickering more than usual, and may even be a bit brighter than the last time Alptraum looked in on it. But even as he watches, it begins to dim and calm back to its usual state.

Alptraum picks it up and holds it in his left hand. "What are you up to?" he asks the crystal. "If you are responsible for that horrid dream, even if the last part had some enjoyment … well, stop it," he tells it.

The crystal doesn't respond, beyond going back to sleep itself. "It's very pretty," Mave comments from beside Alptraum.

"And potentially dangerous, so I'm keeping my eyes on it, I think," Alptraum comments and slips the pendant around his neck. To Mave, he asks, "So … how long was I asleep?"

"Only two days," the Yodh notes. "I kept you both clean. You were very boring otherwise, except when you would rub against one another as if you were still trying to mate… "

"WE actually did that?" Alptraum asks looking away so his embarrassment doesn't show. "You didn't mate with me while I was asleep, did you?"

"No, that would be silly," Mave notes. "I amused myself with Phlagaea instead."

"What did you do with her?" Alptraum asks, now curious. He slips the pendant under his shirt, then pauses a moment to see if he can feel it at all, it's presence more so than its contact.

"And to be honest, I always figured you preferred the company of other women," Alptraum adds as an aside and lightly nudges the Yodhninala.

The amulet doesn't give off any sort of aura that Alptraum can pick up on. It doesn't even feel warm.

"Everyone enjoys my company," Mave claims.

"But what company do you enjoy?" Alptraum inquires. "You know I want you happy and satisfied too."

"I enjoy everything, Alptraum," Mave says with a smile. "The love of Inala fills me, after all. How was Vorgulremik, by the way?"

"From what I remember … and he was using my body by the way … it wasn't. Well, it was," Alptraum waffles as he thinks about it. "He might have gotten what he wanted had he kept me that way, truth be told. It was rather, ah … addictive."

"Oh, so you got to make love to yourself?" Mave asks, eyebrows raised. "You know I have been curious about that. It is good to know that it will be worthwhile."

"Well, I was in a woman's body … so it wasn't like it was two Alptraum's … " Alptraum starts to say … then the comment from Mave hits. "Er … you still really want that? I'm not sure it's even possible for me to become female and look like you," he says quickly.

"I will settle for a duplicate of myself," Mave notes. "Instruct your dragon to arrange it with a spirit-body."

"I will see what I can do," Alptraum claims, hoping that will placate the Eeee. "So, you would prefer just the spirit, or that as an afterthought if … Melusine can't alter me to match you temporarily?"

"I suppose you could bring into your spirit-world and take on my form there, couldn't you?" Mave asks. "Are you not the god of it?"

"That I could probably do," Alptraum admits after some thought.

"I look forward to it then," Mave says. She takes out her pipe and gives Alptraum a kiss on the cheek, and then turns to leave. "I will go back to watching over Phlagaea now, if you need me."

Alptraum leans forward and kisses Mave in return. "If she wakes and asks for me, I think I will just be in here resting and stretching a bit," he tells the white Eee.

Mave nods over her shoulder, blows Alptraum a smoke ring, and then leaves him alone in the room.

Alptraum closes the door behind Mave and lets out a sigh of relief. He leans forward, resting his forehead against the door. "I am so glad it was just a dream. Vorgulremik was … at the rate he was, if he kept … I would have been his slave, a woman, and happy about it," the Eeee murmurs.

The crystal flickers once against the Eeee's chest, but that could be coincidence.

After a few minutes of resting his head against the door, Alptraum pushes him off it and walks back to the bed. He retrieves the crystal pendant from the shirt he tucked it under and then grabs the dagger from his belt. The Eee crawls up onto the bed and lays on his back, stretching arms, legs, and wings wide momentarily. Then the Eee brings the pendant up and drip sit on his chest, letting it land in the center of his starburst scar. "Did you cause the dream?" he asks of it, sounding tired and feeling all the more sore again.

Alptraum's lips draw back in a tired and playful smile. He pats the crystal next, telling it, "You can be my crystal heart for a bit. Just … no funny business." Okay, so maybe being tired makes the bat even stranger than usual.

And there Alptraum rests for a few minutes, just letting the crystal lie there while he watches it with a semi-glazed expression.

It's almost hypnotic, the way it flickers in different colors. It makes a person feel like they're already dreaming.

"You're pretty, you know," Alptraum mutters to the flickering crystal as he nudges it around till is sits nicely centered in his starburst patch of fur. "Pity I have to return you," he mutters. Finally, he reaches for the spirit dagger and takes it up in his left hand. "/Kaira, I'm coming in for a bit to interrogate Vorgulremik on a few matters. I'll come see you after I'm done with him," the Eeee thinks. He then takes the dagger and slides it gently into the slot of his arm, ready for the usual sensation of his body becoming part of the dagger as it eases deep into his flesh and chitin.

Thinking about entering is usually all it takes, but maybe Alptraum's thoughts are wandering, or still lingering on his dream, because he ends up in an odd place. The Eeee finds himself waist deep in hot, bubbling water, in the center of a circle of naked, black-skinned and white-haired elf women. All of them stop washing one another to stare at him.

Alptraum blinks a few times and sits up in the bubbling water. "Ah, hello there," Alptraum says and waves sheepishly to the women. "Must be because of my recent dream of Ravenia and … being her," he thinks … and double-checks that he's still Eeee. "Sorry for the interrupt. Ah, which way to the door?"

"Oh, you don't get out that easily," says one from behind the bat. The others hold up their scrub-brushes, sponges and soap and start to close the circle. Most have predatory grins, and the others lick their lips.

"No, really, you don't have to do anything. I'm not that sort of demon," Alptraum claims as he tries to find a hole to dart through. He tries flashing his fangs in hopes it at least makes them think twice…

Someone gives his rear a squeeze, and a few others grab for him… but then everything blurs and Alptraum finds himself back in the ruined office building. There are some repairs being made, with various creatures setting up new desks. "Ah, sorry, you got misfiled there," Kaira says, waving from her elevated desk.

"You could always misfile me there later," Alptraum comments and rubs the back of his neck. "They turned out to just be bit friendly. For those kinds of Elves, anyway. Why did I get misfiled there, anyway?"

The dragon looks at something on her desk, and says, "Well… you registered as a female dark elf for some reason." She then shrugs, and says, "Things are still getting back to normal. Verminous has been… surprisingly useful."

"I registered as a female elf? How is that even possible?" Alptraum asks as he starts walking towards Kaira. His eyes narrow a bit as he looks her over, starting to wonder if it's really Kaira.

"And I'm glad to hear Verminous has been useful. He seemed a reasonable sort, just rather … disgusting," the Eeee comments. "Glad I'm not one of his minions.

"You shouldn't ogle me in public," Kaira whispers out of the side of her mouth. "People will talk. And what's this about you wanting to see him again?"

"Over that whole dream I had of him. I wanted to see how much of what he said in it was real because it'll tell me if he influenced it any," Alptraum explains.

"After all, that dream did remind me how much of a bastard he is," Alptraum adds.

The dragon's expression turns to one of shock. "What? What do you mean by influencing it?" she asks with a hiss, then takes hold of Alptraum and shifts them both to her garden. "Why do you think that?"

"Well, I dreamt he took over my body and plotted to take over the world using it," Alptraum explains, "He told me about his family, how he was born, and so on. Even offered me a deal if I gave him access to my powers. You see, he could take the body easy, but the powers he could not. I wanted to see if any of his family information was true. It would tell me if he influenced it … or if it was just my tired brain messing with me. Ravenia played a part in the dream too, so maybe that's why I registered as a dark elf briefly. I don't register as one any more, right?"

"I'm basically being paranoid," Alptraum adds.

"No, you don't," Kaira says, sounding unhappy. "And you aren't paranoid. Vorgulremik is a bastard and could have influenced you somehow the last time you met. I don't like you talking to him. I should bury him in that cave instead of leaving him stuck to the ceiling."

"I can take care of myself. He's my responsibility as much as yours," Alptraum says and even draws Kaira into a hug. "Can you monitor me while I'm there and see if he's exerting any sort of subtle magic over me?"

"If I did that, then he wouldn't even try to do it," Kaira notes, smiling from the hug. "He shouldn't be able to do anything at all. But you're going to go see him regardless, aren't you?"

"Briefly, yes. Will you feel better if I came back out to you afterward so you could check me over?" Alptraum inquires. "I'll even try bring out the dragonish form I came up with and give you a backrub… "

"I'll want a full report this time, and as much detail as you can remember about the nightmare too," Kaira grumbles. "Try not to give Vorg too much information, or he'll figure out a way to hook you with it somehow."

"There are parts of the dream I'm not sure I'll want to talk about. You'll make fun of me," Alptraum comments with a frown.

"I don't need any excuses to make fun of you if I wanted to," Kaira notes. "And it was a dream. When I was a child I dreamt of… well, okay, I don't have those memories, but I'm sure there were silly or embarrassing things."

Alptraum crosses his arms. "He put me into the body of Ravenia, drugged me, and … raped me with my own body," Alptraum tells her, frowning. He also waits to see if she tries to not laugh.

"How was it?" Kaira asks, sounding serious.

"Far more enjoyable than it should have been," Alptraum answers. "And extremely disturbing."

"Was it a completely new experience, or perhaps something you'd felt before? For that matter, what were you doing before you fell asleep?" the dragon asks.

"I'm trying to take from it, in order to keep my sanity, that it was just symbolic of the faith I have in my abilities with women," Alptraum claims. "Being the woman was new. The drug feeling was not. We were testing Mave's fertility drug with Phlagaea."

"Ah," Kaira goes, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "So, when you were testing this potion – the one we helped make, I assume – did you feel as if you were in control of your body, or… just along for the ride?"

"More along for the ride when the potion took effect," Alptraum explains.

Kaira frowns again, and lashes her tail to and fro. "Damn, that's good plausible deniability. Enough real stuff to make it seem like a normal nightmare based on the day's events. But… what was the setting for all of this?"

"Old memories. It began right after the time we defeated Dack and I captured the shadow. Only this time I didn't stop the infection fast enough and it consumed my entire right arm. When I stabbed it with the spirit dagger to absorb it, Vorgulremik took over my body. Then I woke up in hi cave and he transferred me into Ravenia on a ship I distinctly remember when I traveled to Babel for the firs time," Alptraum answers. "Or did you mean where Phlagaea and I … well, in her room of course."

"No, the ship… " Kaira says. "So, he explains his plan for world domination or whatever while on a ship to Babel. A ship you remember from before. Good memories or bad? And did his plan depend on something happening in Babel?"

"He planned to use my body to claim the position of Sabboath, then uncover the secrets of the Light of Nala so he could get a new body. But, he claimed he needed the Barsunala to get it, and preferred that I allowed him access to it willingly," Alptraum explains. "The ship from before had a mix of good and bad. I got into several arguments with Yodhsunala Nekara there."

"Okay, now it all makes sense," Kaira says, angrily grinding her jaw. "But how did he figure out… no matter. I'll have to make sure I'm not leaking information to him over our soul-link."

"What makes sense?" Alptraum asks. "Did he actually influence the dream?"

"What was the point if he did?" the Eeee asks.

"I'm sure he did… somehow," Kaira notes. "You'll have to try to get him to tell you how. I know what he was trying for though: he wants to keep you from going to Babel."

"Why? I only intend to go there to settle matters with my father, not claim a throne," Alptraum says.

"Exactly," the dragon says, not looking exactly eager to explain things. "I suppose you'll want to go talk to him right away then?"

"What is the problem with resolving issues with my father? Does he hope to act as a surrogate father or something?" Alptraum asks.

"Who knows?" Kaira says, sounding like someone who does know, and just doesn't want to tell.

"You will have to tell me at some point," Alptraum says, brow arched. "Anyway, I think I'll go see him now. I want to wipe any smug grin off that scaly face of his."

"Right, just… don't think about naked elf women and I'll get you there in a jiffy," Kaira notes.

"And here I was going to turn into Ravenia to shock him," Alptraum comment s drolly. He gives the dragon a peck on her cheek, then says, "I'll see you in a few."

---

The cave is the same as Alptraum remembers, along with the howling wind and storm outside. As before, the steel dragon is partially melted into the walls and ceiling of the metallic cave, making it impossible for him to move. Only the monstrous head is able to dip down to look at Alptraum. "Surely, there isn't another problem you need my help with, is there?" the dragon rumbles.

Alptraum finds a rock outcropping to hop up on. His toe claws latch onto it and he crouches down, eyes narrow and breathing slow and calm. For the moment, he's content to just stare at the dragon. Inwardly, he thinks about how being near the evil creature makes him feel and if the event with him in the dream … left anything.

The scaly head turns slightly, so the scar-marked yellow eye is focused on the Eeee. "There is a joke about taking a photograph that comes to mind, but I imagine it would be wasted on you. Why are you here, Alptraum?" the dragon demands.

"For someone with all the time in the world, you are rather impatient," Alptraum comments calmly, remaining as still as a gargoyle statue. "Do you ever consider that perhaps I am curious about you? You have talked about how you wish me to show you compassion, and then you get … grumpy."

"Staring at me as if I were on exhibit is hardly compassionate, and a poor way to learn about me," the dragon notes, mellowing his tone somewhat. "What do you wish to know?"

"Staring at you tells me much about your reactions. It tells me if you are pleased to see me, to have a guest, or a myriad of other things. What it just told me is you care little for my presence. No hello, no greeting, just a harsh question," Alptraum comments as he now clicks his claws together. "I wanted to know about you. How you became the way you are. What your mother was like, for example. What your kind was like."

"My mother?" Vorgulremik asks, turning his head to look at Alptraum with his other eye now. "She was a good provider. And my kind were wiped out for the threat they posed."

"So, your mother raised you?" Alptraum asks next, "What was her name?"

"I never knew her name, and she did not raise me," Vorgulremik says. "She was a good provider. She gave me what I needed to survive in those first few weeks."

"Which was?" Alptraum asks next, brow arched.

"Meat," the dragon says, and switches eyes once more. "This curiosity about my kind; does it revolve around Melusine's request, by any chance?"

"Not exactly. While I could use another crystal heart, it is not why I am here now," Alptraum says calmly. "You devoured your mother, didn't you? Tore her abdomen open at birth and lived off her flesh. Your kind does not lay eggs, do they?"

"That is the way of it, yes," Vorgulremik notes. "Are you going to judge me based on my biology then?"

"Are you not curious how I know that? Kaira didn't tell me. You did," Alptraum says.

"Oh, you mean the dream," Vorgulremik says.

"Ah, so you do know about that," Alptraum comments. "Why did you do that to me?"

The dragon suddenly bursts out laughing! "Why did I do that to you?" he asks, finally. "You are the one with the power to invade dreams, Alptraum – or had you forgotten? You used that power to invade my mind before, and use it right now to enter this realm. You pulled me in."

"I never used that power to invade your mind. Dack opened that entrance," Alptraum comments. "And what you did in that dream did not help the desire you once expressed of me showing you compassion."

"Ah, but was it really me doing those things, or was I just a puppet to your own dark desires and guilt?" Vorgulremik asks. "Someone to blame for them, rather than admit to them yourself, perhaps? What makes you think that I could have any power over your own dreams, Alptraum?"

"I have no desire to be your servant," Alptraum says. "To be close to you on a … physical level. Nor do I have a desire to borrow Ravenia's body."

"But, as you said, it would be foolish of me to abuse you, knowing that it would damage our… relationship," the dragon croons. "Of course, there are those who would prefer that you continue to see me as a villain and nothing more."

"Ah, and so now you imply Kaira did it. Which would be a clever play, in order to drive distrust between me and her," Alptraum comments and huffs, amused. "And just how do you see our relationship?"

"Full of potential," the dragon claims. "And if I'm not mistaken, Kaira has pulled you into a dream before, hasn't she? Why right after my death she did so, to show you a bit of history about the Light and the Shadow."

"Potential for what?" Alptraum asks, "And yes, she has."

"Potential for further development," Vorgulremik notes. "As… disgusting… as certain aspects of that dream were, I sensed that you could see me as something other than a monster."

"I never claimed to see you just as a monster," Alptraum points out. "You are certainly not mindless and stupid, for one. You are dangerous and one thing I am certain of, is that you would destroy me the moment I was of no further use to you."

"That is a common feeling when dealing with dragons," Vorgulremik notes, sounding… a little hurt by the accusation?

"I've walked the worlds you destroyed. Far more powerful and important people occupied them than I am … and yet you destroyed them. I hold no illusions of how you may see me. I know very well you certainly don't see me as an equal," Alptraum continues and waves his hand. "I come here and you snap at me; you didn't even say hello, or try to act maybe even a little happy to have company. I have a nightmare and you laugh at the discomfort it caused me. I imagine if I went out of this cave and observed others of your kind I would find equal behavior from them."

"Forgive me for being a little… disrespectful," Vorgulremik says. "The last time you came here, I gave you good advice. And what was my reward? A thank you? An easing of my torment? No, nothing at all. So I was a bit short with you. Is that so hard to understand? Or would you have me grovel at your feet?"

"Your torment you forged upon yourself. Do not even try to saddle that guilt on me," Alptraum counters and points a claw towards the dragon. "I don't seek groveling from you. I don't want insincere things thrown at me in hopes that somehow it will save you. You really don't understand what I, in my stupidity, hope to see."

"I am already condemned to oblivion, Alptraum," the dragon grumbles. "This torture serves no purpose – surely you can see that? And have I not helped you and Kaira by suggesting Lord Verminous? Or do you believe I should suffer too, because of a dream? What is it you hope to see, Alptraum? That I am somehow not like every other immortal here? We are all the same."

"Something worth saving, Vorgulremik. Some act, some honest effort given that was done not to benefit you. A moment where you weren't thinking about yourself," Alptraum says flatly. "You said you wanted salvation. Then Dagh take it, understand what that means."

"Do you understand it?" the dragon asks. "You are mortal, and only mortals can be innocent. It is not a concept easily grasped by those like me. The closest any immortal has come… well, that would be Ravenia, who was granted a clean slate by this world of yours. Is she happy, out there?"

"Yes, she is," Alptraum replies, "She has a life and a future."

"I miss her company," the dragon admits. "That dream of yours drove home how much. You've made certain that she hasn't been taken advantage of, haven't you?"

"She is to be married. Her choice," Alptraum answers. "I don't intrude since it seems to make her happy."

"Married!" Vorgulremik roars. "To whom?" he demands.

"Does it matter?" Alptraum asks.

"She is my adopted daughter!" the dragon declares. "Of course it matters to me!"

"She is marrying your old friend, Arkold," Alptraum answers. "And settling down comfortably."

"Arkold," the dragon mutters, and then bellows, "ARKOLD! HOW DARE HE EVEN TOUCH HER! THAT… " The temperature rises quickly with the dragon's anger, until drops of molten iron begin to rain down from the ceiling.

"And I believe that is your way of telling me to leave," Alptraum comments, trying to look calm. He hops from his perch and backs into the cave passageway to avoid the falling metal…

Deep in the cave, Vorgulremik thrashes and roars his anger, until the ceiling collapses and buries him in a spreading pool of molten metal.

"He has one point," Alptraum says as he listens, "He does not need to be tortured. He has helped. Perhaps I can grant him at least that reprieve." As much as he was angry with the dragon, he cannot help but feel sorrow for him as well. But then, some people can't be saved from themselves. Shaking his head, he heads back out into the gray and horrid world of his kind.