I awaken to the vast blue space. My chest hammering like the salsa. I know I shouldn’t be here in this lane in between, but my feet believe otherwise.

The crack and booms of the storm off in the distance rattles me as I hold myself. Giving the only comfort I could. I had to find a way out. It was foolish of me to seek him out.

Damian?

I turned around and standing behind me was none other than my father.

Boom!

“Dad! You’re really here!” I cried. I haven’t lost him yet. There was still time.

“Better question is why are you here Damian? How are you here?” My dad asked worried.

“I’m fine dad. Really. I just…….” My mind was going a mile a minute. The storm was getting closer and when that happens “he” comes. Well he’s not having him! Not on my watch.

“Damian……how are you here?” My dad asked firmly. “The dreamway,” I answered as I grabbed his wrist and ran.

“You know that’s dangerous! I’ve told you this.”

I smiled.

“Have I always listened?” My dad rolled his eyes as he grabbed me and pulled me back as a streak of white landed right in front of me!

“Whoa! Uh, thanks” I said catching my breath.

The sound of the storm was getting closer, the weather even more intense.

“Damian, you have to let me go. I love you more than anything but you know what’s coming. I don’t want him to take you too.”

A cold chill went down my spine. I had no reason to leave. I was taking him home. Whether he wanted to or not.

Time passed as a black silhouette came into view. The storm surrounding him.

“Damian, for Novu’s sake listen to me!”

“Now what are we talking about here?”

A cold voice said happily. I jumped back.

“Nanashi” I muttered. As he walked around us, scythe in hand. “So what is the meaning of this invasion of my realm? Is it to browse around? No, it’s to take someone. One that can’t be taken.” He said as if he was singing. “It’s your fault to begin with! If you didn’t switch those candles,” his slimy finger touched my lip.

“My fault you say? No. You should have simply paid attention”

“I was four!” I screamed as ripples went over me like the sea. I reached my hand out but it wasn’t coming…not yet.

“It does not matter now. For a life extinguished is mine. Another filthy Godsend off the board.” He sneered.

Who was he to say that? He planned it! He took him from me and I just want him back. “You took him from me…….you took everyone………you…….”

It was here.

A gold line came crackling down.

Right into my hand.

I pounced with my staff in hand.

Thwack!

I slammed it right into his smug skeletal face and do you know what he did?

He laughed.

“You really think you can fight for your fathers freedom? A man who has died and could very well be sent to the gates of paradise, but instead you just want what you want.” He sweeped his scythe at me as I ducked and smashed his face again.

“Damian you have to let me go. There’s no other way out!” My father cried but the space became dark and cold.

“I was going to let you suffer with the guilt. With the simple fact that you had lost your father.” Nanashi hissed. “I was going to let you heal, to be with your mother who is only protected because of you…” his eyes of black flames seared into mine. “What do you mean my mother is protected? She’s a godsend too! You would just go after her next…” but both were quiet. Nanashi looked towards my father with a strange expression of respect?

To be continued…