Episode 31: Locked in Illusions

When Alastair went to sleep that night, he had a dream about his twin, but he sure wished he hadn't. En came out of his room and glared at him when he saw him.

Atty smiled slightly and waved. "Hey, brother."

"Oh?" En said, crossing his arms. "What are you doing back home?"

Tears poked out of the corners of the short kid's eyes. He ran over and gave him a hug. "I missed you, Noh, and the others."

"Look at you." En scoffed and pushed him away. "You've only been gone for a month, and you've been reduced to nothing more than a sniveling child. You're almost eighteen. It's pathetic."

"En, I'm doing the best I can!" Alastair said, moving his arms up and down. "It's been hard!"

En clicked his tongue. "Why did Hannah think a kid like you was ready to go to work? You were so far from ready that it isn't even funny." He swatted Alastair's hand away. "I would have taken my work in stride if I had ever been chosen over you." He turned away and vanished into the shadowy hallway.

"Enji!" Alastair yelled, chasing after him. No matter how much he ran, he wasn't getting any closer to him. It felt like he was running on a treadmill. He looked over his shoulder and saw a gaping Lion's mouth with glowing eyes.

He screamed as it devoured him.

The boy shot up and panted. He was happy that it was only a nightmare, but I was still in for a long night...

"Huh? Where's Honey?" the boy asked, looking around. He looked at the door and saw a man with dark hair standing by the doorway. He looked a bit familiar, but he couldn't quiet place where he'd seen the guy before. "Wah! Who are you?"

The man snickered. "It's a nice morning, isn't it, Key Keeper?" His voice was distorted. It reminded him of a kidnapper from an old kids' show.

"Who are you?" Alastair said. He struggled to keep his voice steady as lightning coursed through his veins. "What do you want? How did you get here? What did you do to Cyan and Honey?"

He laughed. "A Key Keeper should know the reason why I'm here."

Electricity tickled his palms as it inched closer to discharging. "You're a Lock who wants my key." These pesky people were so annoying! A working Key Keeper always had to deal with at least one person who wanted to take their key for whatever selfish reason. This was his second one already.

"Of course, we do." His words dripped with acid. "Nachima itself has no need for you anymore."

"Do you have any idea what you're saying?" His voice cracked and it crashed with thunder. "Worlds without Key Keepers to restore and maintain their order fall to ruin!"

"Well, you're the first on Nachima in more than five years." The air was heavy. "We were doing just fine without you."

Alastair glared at the Lock. This guy's words reminded him a little of Wilhelmina. "If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is..."

The man smirked. "Your bravado can't hide your fear and confusion. Your golden eyes reveal your inner thoughts. You're scared, aren'tcha, kid?" The man put his hands on his hips and laughed. He came off too arrogant for Alastair's liking. "You question why you were even summoned here, don't you?"

Alastair gasped. "How do you know?"

He laughed. "The princess you hurt figured as much. Before you figure it out, I'm going to stop you!" He rushed at Star.

Alastair rolled out of the way. The man's hand punctured through the wall as if it were nothing. His fingers and nails had turned into dragon-like claws. Was this guy a lizardman like in those conspiracies En loved to read?

He laughed. "Not too shabby, kid."

The Key Keeper smirked. "I'm gonna crush you like I crushed that old man!" Arcs of electricity flew at the Lock.

The man jumped into the hallway as the lights in Star's room went dark.

Alastair ran out and flew at him.

The man held out his hand, stopping his fist. He knee-kicked him in the gut, causing Alastair to puke out blood.

"You think because you defeat a senior citizen that you can defeat me? That's adorable!" He leaned into his ear. "But you're too weak, Alastair."

His eyes widened. H-had Wilhelmina also given away his name to him?

The man threw him to the floor. "One other thing, my master told me to ask if you're aware of how your parents died."

"Huh? Of course I am, they died in a car crash!" Star said, avoiding the man.

"Did your guardians ever tell you if that was all there was to it?"

"W-what? There's more?"

He cracked a smile. "That car didn't just crash. The brakes were cut." He made a snipping sign.

Alastair's eyes widened. "W-what?"

"She never told you?" The man's entire body shook. He clearly was holding in a laugh. "Someone who withholds pertinent information to a child can't be a worthy Gatekeeper."

Lightning struck behind him as Alastair flashed behind him. "What do you know about my beloved Gatekeeper?"

The man gripped his side. Alastair had cut it with his electricity-cloaked left hand, leaving behind a burn. "The truth always hurts, doesn't it?"

Crackling sparks flew out of his hand. "You'll pay for insulting Grandauntie Hannah, creepy man!"

He rushed at the boy, nicking his cheek.

Alastair let out a pitched scream, causing the man to recoil. He slashed Star's side, causing blood to gush out. 

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. A cut for cut! That is the law of my homeland. And thus, it is the means by which you will perish."

***Honey***

Honey was laying on Coco's chest. It made her happy to watch her human smile in his sleep.

He suddenly started to turn, throwing her off.

Honey barked. Her human was restless! Was he having a nightmare? 'Coco! Coco! You need to wake up!"

After some time, Coco started to scream in that funny pitch that meant he was about to get really, really upset.

Cyan ran into the room and stared at Coco.

He was breathing heavily.

"Collin, hey! Collin, wake up!" Cyan yelled.

Honey jumped to his stomach which got him to calm down a little bit, but only for a few minutes.

"I got cut! I got cut! I got cut!" Coco yelled as rolled around like he was on fire. He had his arm around his stomach.

The light-eyed girl patted his head. "You just had a nightmare. You're okay."

Coco screamed again.

Honey didn't think he was awake yet. Sleeping was making him feel dizzy.

She licked his cheek.

"Alastair, wake up!" Cyan yelled, hugging him.

That was when his eyes opened. "Cyan. You're okay." He glanced at Honey and smiled. "Honey."

Cyan went to grab his hand, but didn't. "You were having a bad dream."

Coco touched his side again. "It hurt..."

"Well, you'll be okay now." She smiled. "Why don't you come lay on the couch? That way I can help if you have another nightmare."

"I don't wanna get out of bed," Coco whined. "My head hurts."

"Alright... Have Honey come get me if you need me," Cyan said.

Honey snuggled up to her human. Coco sure was cared for. But, it seemed he was still anxious. His heartbeat hadn't slowed down.