Cimper Sti
Chapter 56
Linda didn’t press for answers,
There wasn’t time for it
She slipped down into the well with Claudio. The opening was tight they had to huddle close together. Linda guided him gently with a stream of water, making sure he didn’t fall.
Claudio stared at Linda, not making a move.
Linda looked back at him.
She wondered. Does Claudio remember anything from before, even in this dream?
Should I do something to him?
After all, Claudio was so vulnerable at the moment. It wouldn’t be hard to cast a quick binding spell on him.
But thinking about Laura and the others waiting outside, Linda decided not to try anything risky.
Forget it, she told herself.
Footsteps echoed outside the well. Someone had entered the estate to investigate. If Linda remembered right, the first ones in would be from the First Unity Coven.
Then, a surge of demonic aura swept through, vast and menacing.
In just a moment, the demonic mana condensed into a haze of blood–red mist that covered the well opening, yanking Claudio out.
Linda saw that Claudio stared at her, his gaze empty and emotionless. The moment he was about to be dragged away, Linda reached out and grabbed him.
Claudio’s eyes finally showed a hint of emotion.
Linda pulled him with her and plunged to the bottom of the well
With a flick of her fingers, the well water gathered into a torrent, shooting upward to take Claudio’s place as the blood mist tried to snatch him away.
In the next instant, Linda hauled Claudio up and leapt out of the well.
She shouted, “Sir, help me!”
The old man who entered instantly spotted the blood mist, formed a blade, and slashed at it. “Demon, how dare you cause trouble in the mortal realm?”
Without a second thought, Linda grabbed Claudio and bolted.
She dashed out of the Gonzales fa,o;y, tore down the street, sprinted past the city gates, and left the chaos of the mages‘ fight far behind.
Finally, they reached somewhere even Claudio’s dream couldn’t touch. Linda glanced down at the boy in her arms.
“So?” she said.
“We’re out,” Claudio replied.
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11:53 Fri, Jan 23 DDO
Chapter On
Gaudin stared at Linda, still looking a bit stunned.
Inda said, Told you, it was that easy.
Honestly, most things really are just that simple.
If you don’t let it bother you, you can get through anything. If you just reach out to someone, you can escape your nightmares.”
63%
Linda glanced at Claudio. He was still just a three–year–old. Iisund checks were soft with baby fat. His big eyes were clear and bright.
They usually hide a stubborn streak, but now all she saw was confusion, like he had no clue what she was talking about.
Linda steadied herself and said, “Let’s go.”
This dream was not over yet.
Her solution was simple. She’d rewrite Claudio’s dream from scratch.
She wanted to open up a new path that branched away from the tragedy that had destroyed his family.
Linda set him on a road he’d never even thought about. a life where, from childhood, Claudio was the one responsible for taking care of her.
Claudio was totally at a loss.
“Claudio, only the strong get ahead. You gotta work your butt off so I can live a good life,” Linda teased.
Claudio was still pretty doubtful, but with Linda nagging him nonstop, he finally gritted his teeth and joined the army.
Linda stuck by his side, never interfering, just watching as Claudio fought his way up from a lowly foot soldier to a young general.
She’d nudge him, “Kiddo, don’t get too bloodthirsty. Otherwise, how are you ever gonna make it as a mage?”
“What’s the point of being a mage?” Claudio muttered.
“Doesn’t do much, but it sure sounds badass,” Linda shot back with a smirk.
“What if I become a Shadow Caster instead?” Claudio asked.
“Then you better keep it on the down–low and make sure nobody catches you,” Linda replied.
“I thought you’d try to talk me out of it,” Claudio said.
“Everyone’s got their own path. I’m not gonna meddle in yours,” Linda replied.
“Then what path are you on, Linda?” Claudio asked.
“Whatever path I take on will be the right one,” Linda said, her eyes locked on twelve–year–old Claudio, a confident grin on her face.
She said, “No matter how the world defines it, the path I choose will be the right one.”
Claudio glanced at Linda, then sat down cross–legged beside her and started training.
This time around, there was no massacre and no epic clash between immortals and demons.
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11:54 1h, Jan 21 0 0 12:
3.liberalis dropang Ciputin song as tiny rvsmed.
Plure. The #randes pot esperi
Jus as expected people darted faming him down
kept him hidden to fight. How the hell did they sniff him out!
Can’t the kid just rauch a break and live in peace for once?
Claudie looked at her eyes llaving Linda, am I really born to lie evil
Linda blinked, a line lamed ‘Didn’t I tell you already! Of course you are.
You’re the one and only demon seed in all of the realms, a total one–of–a–kind super demon. If you go down the evil path, you’ll be unstoppable”
“Then why don’t you just show me how to be a Shadow Caster? Bould wipe out these fools in no time, Claudio said.
*Claudio, did it ever cross your mind that maybe I’m not teaching you because I don’t actually know how? Linda replied.
Claudio fell silent.
“Come on, kiddo, let’s hit the road, Linda said,
At that moment, in the dreamscape, Linda and Claudio sat face–to–face while Emmett and Dermot kept watch nearby.
Five Gilded Cores floated around Linda, creating a shimmering shield to protect her body,
“It’s been three days. Why are they still not awake?” Emmett said, his voice full of anxiety,
Dermot looked puzzled. “Honestly, looks like that boy is actually in a good mood.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the dream threads tangled behind Claudio,
They were already loosening up as Claudio broke free from the nightmare of his family’s massacre.
Suddenly, an even bigger blue rope appeared.
Emmett was stunned. “What the hell is that?”
Dermot looked conflicted. “He’s got a whole new obsession now
The tiny dream threads had all unraveled, but this big one seemed way stronger than the others.
Einmett asked, “So, are they ever gonna wake up?”
Dermot’s eyes spun. “Who knows? The longer they’re stuck in the dreamscape, the more their memories start to blur.
“In the end, they’ll forget who they were outside and just stay in the dream for good.”
Emmett’s face went pale. “Why didn’t you mention this before?”
Dermot smirked. “Why would I bother telling you?
“If they don’t make it out, they’ll be trapped in eternal sleep, and I’ll feed on them forever.”
Dermot burst out laughing. Emmett watched in horror as Dermot began to break free from the binding spell.
It was actually trying to bust out of its cage.
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11:54 Fri Jan 23 DO
Chapter it
Dermot had been farming to get loose the whole time. With Lim stuck leeg is the dream, it really get in the
Emnicu instantly caught on that Dermot did it on purpo
It numel out that it wasn’t Claudio keeping Linda trapped. It waDermot all along
Emmen sprang back, dodging Dermot, but those blue threads whipped out and staked around his little stone form.
Dermei hissed. ‘Kid, bet you’d make a tasty snack too.”
Emmett yelled, “Linda”
Dermot sheered, ‘Give it up. I told you, once they’re in, there’s way out. In this dreamscape, I rule. Every mage here will feed me.
“They’ll all become my strength.”
As Dermot cackled, it broke free from the binding spell. The moment the spell snapped, Linda’s body shuddered. Dermot instantly lunged at her.
It had to take her out first.
Linda was just too much of a threat.
But Linda’s Gilded Cores spun around and knocked its attack away, keeping Linda safe.
Dermot’s eyes grew cold. “These damn orbs. Just watch me smash through them!”
It gathered up the power it had stolen from the dream threads and charged at Linda’s barrier with brutal force.
But the five Gilded Cores flared to life, blocking its attack. At that moment, a soft whisper echoed from behind it.
“What’s this? Thinking of turning on me?” Linda said.
Dermot froze, then twisted its neck around like a pretzel. Linda and Claudio stood behind it.
There were two of each at that moment.
Dermot recoiled in terror. “No, this can’t be. You’re inside my dream. Why should I be scared? I run this place…
Dermot puffed itself up again, regaining its swagger.
Linda tapped the Gilded Core barrier in front of her, her voice so cold it could shatter Dermot’s heart. “Who said we’re in your dream?”
Dermot was stunned.
Linda murmured under her breath, “Dreams come and go. Destinies meet and part, crossing endless realms. Break!”
Linda and Claudio, who had been sitting cross–legged behind Dermot, suddenly shattered like shards of a broken mirror, and the darkness split apart.
They found themselves back in the Hermit’s Sanctum.
Linda curled her finger, and Emmett flew out of the stone, darting back to her side.
A burning charm still smoldered nearby. Linda and Emmett shared a sly, gentle smile.
Linda said in a soft, gentle voice, “You’re not the only one who knows how to spin dreams, pal.”
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5/5
11:54 Fri, Jan 23 D
Chapter 36
Denner drought. Holy crap. I’ve actually run into a real oppone!
AD
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