High on the hillside stood a figure most could distinguish easily. Looking down at the village that lay below it, the hooded being gave a look to the sky. “It comes down to this,” she spoke with no emotion. As she lowered her head, her hood fell off, and revealed the face of the mysterious woman: Nightmare.

Take the story back a decade. That was when the story began.

The girl known as Nightmare was not named that back then, but her real name is a story all its own, but at the moment, that story is not this one. Nightmare was like any average Valyarin child; her parents loved and cared for her, she had plenty of close friends, and lived in a good home. She loved her life; she had everything she every really wanted, until the day her parents vanished into thin air.

At the residence of Nightmare, her parents were enjoying their average day. It was getting close to the evening hours when two males broke into the house. They moved quickly, knocking both parents out and taking them when they left along with lots of valuables in the house. Nightmare walked into the house soon after all had been done, and was left only with shock at the event that had taken place.

She sat at the front door, her body shaking lightly as she took in what happened. W…what am I going to do…? her thoughts stuttered. Her parents were missing and she was all by herself. She needed to find her parents, since it would only be a matter of time before something bad would happen to them. Bolting out of the house, Nightmare began to search everything in hopes of finding something related to finding her parents.

Several hours passed. The sun had fallen, but Nightmare was still out searching.

Nightmare’s hope of seeing her parents again was growing thin. She was sure that they were gone for good, and that she’d have to find some way to survive for the rest of her life. However, some hope was regained when she heard the sound of two men talking nearby. “Well, that was easier than planned!” She took off running towards the noise.

It was as planned; the two men that had broken into her house were sitting in a clearing, talking about their victory in the robbery of her home. Things they had stolen lay scattered about around the two, some things even broken. Both her parents could be seen as black figures in the shade by a tree, but surrounding them was a dark red, nearly black in the darkness of the night, substance. Nightmare knew what it was, since the smell lingered in the air. “Shame they didn’t listen, though.” One of the men said with a large grin, “They would’ve been perfect workin’ for us.”

The men had killed her parents.

Nightmare sought revenge on the men from that day, and it was at time where she gained her new name. She wanted to make them see what they had done wrong; she wanted to make all of their worst dreams come true. She wanted to be their worst Nightmare …

The young Feryxonis girl stared out over the hills of Quesaria. Asione's wedding was to be in a week and she wasn't excited about it. Sure, the man she was to marry was an incredibly attractive and well off Feryxonis. He was very loving and attentive as well. The wedding would be perfect if not for one thing. She was in love with another.

Asione had met her love six months ago, in an open field far from her home. She could still recall the day with perfect clarity. Though she cared deeply for her fiancé, the flames she felt for her love were even deeper and hotter. She blushed, thinking with passion about the girl she somehow had fallen for so deeply.

Her love was an Athiyk girl, about her same age and very lovely. When they had first met in the field, she had known instantly that this girl was for her, despite her betrothal. They spent the whole day together, running around in the field, lying on the ground and looking at clouds while talking about boys, and briefly holding hands while they napped side by side. She wanted so much to go back to that day and repeat it endlessly, over and over.

Asione had been too shy to voice her feelings. Her love was not only a different race, but the same gender as her. It wasn't disliked or frowned upon in Quesaria, but she was engaged and didn't want to cause trouble. Her fiancé probably suspected something, as she was having trouble showing him the adoration she felt he deserved from a future wife. She sighed, wondering if there was any way to overcome her love for the young Athiyk girl, and stay true to her future husband, but she knew it was not to be. Asione knew she would love that girl forever and then some, and even if she had to keep it to herself, she could never betray that love.

"Sweetheart, what are you looking at this fine evening?" Asione's fiancé asked, walking up behind her with a gentle embrace. Asione looked back at him, and seeing the gentle features of his face, turned away abruptly. "Sweetheart, please tell me what is the matter. We can work though this together." Asione's fiancé took her hand in his, and she could feel the love he held for her. A love she could not return.

Asione tried hard but the tears came quickly. Her fiancé seemed shocked but he took her and held her close. "I'm so, so sorry..." Asione choked out. "Six months ago I fell in love with another...an Athiyk girl. I tired to push it away but I can't help but feel like she is the one...even though it would be much easier to stay with you."

Her fiancé did not break the embrace. "You have been hiding this away for all this time? Why did you not tell me? We could have worked something out, and ended the marriage preparations early. I only wish for your happiness, my beloved Asione." He pushed her away to arms length and looked her directly in the eyes. "If this is the way you truly feel, we should tell our parents, and stop before we are married."

"But..." Asione bit her lip as she pondered the words. "I have never told her, and I do not know how she feels about me. While I am certain of how YOU feel about me. Is it not better to be with one who loves you, than to eternally chase after someone who does not?"

Her fiancé answered in a kind tone. "To try to force yourself to love someone when your heart belongs to another is a terrible thing to do. I do love you, a great deal, but if I marry you now while your heart is in anguish like this, I will never forgive myself. If you are not sure, let us at least talk to our parents and postpone the date. It is still a week away, there is nothing that has been prepared that cannot wait longer." He embraced Asione again, and continued to talk, "After we talk to our parents, I want you to try to find the courage to tell this girl how you feel. If she wishes to be with you as well, then I will have no regrets if you wish to break off from our engagement."

Asione could smell her fiancé's scent, and knew that what he said was the truth. She nodded to him and, taking his hand, left together with him to break the news to their parents, as well as prepare herself for confessing her feelings to her true love.