Chapter 90: Nightmare III

(Chapter 90 Nightmare III)

"My, my, so this is what you looked like when you were younger? Hmm!"

Furina's eyes gleamed as she circled him, her tone playful, almost teasing.

"You really are quite handsome, aren't you? I must say, it's hard to believe this handsome young man is supposed to be just sixteen when he looks like he's in his twenties."

She chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on him with an unsettling mixture of amusement and curiosity.

'What a cruel joke... She feels so real, almost too real...'

Tempest thought, his heart heavy with unease as he observed Furina. Everything about her, the way she moved, the softness of her voice, the warmth in her smile, was an uncanny imitation of the real Furina. It stirred something in him, making him question, for a fleeting moment, if this was just another one of the woman's twisted games or if he was truly standing before the Archon herself.

"Well, don't just stand there like a statue! Sit down!"

Furina exclaimed with a playful smile, her tone light and inviting. Before Tempest could react, she reached for his hand, her touch unnervingly familiar, and gently guided him toward a plush couch that looked eerily similar to the one in her real office.

Tempest hesitated, but her grip was firm, almost comforting, as she led him across the room. He could feel the warmth of her hand, the softness of her skin, and it sent a wave of confusion through him. His mind screamed at him to resist, to remember that this was all a lie, but the sensation was too real, and for a moment, he was tempted to forget the danger he was in.

"You look exhausted, Tempest. You've been through so much..."

Furina's voice was soft, almost maternal, as she sat beside him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Why don't you close your eyes for just a little while? Rest. I'll keep watch for you, I promise. You're safe here, with me. There's nothing to worry about."

Her words were laced with a soothing reassurance, her tone almost convincing. The tension in Tempest's muscles eased for just a moment, the pull of exhaustion tempting him to let his guard down, if only for a second. But deep inside, he knew this couldn't be real.

"I'm... Fine, My Lady..."

Tempest murmured, his voice shaky as he avoided her gaze. His body screamed for rest, every muscle aching, but his instincts told him not to trust this place, not even this version of Furina, no matter how real she felt. He knew deep down this was all an illusion, a cruel trick meant to break him. Yet, even now, part of him longed to believe her words, to surrender to the comfort she offered.

"I won't take no for an answer."

Furina said with a soft, almost tender smile. Before Tempest could protest, she gently cupped his face in her hands, guiding his head down to rest on her lap. Her touch was light, comforting even, as she stroked his hair with delicate fingers.

"There you go... just rest for a moment."

She whispered, her voice soothing, almost hypnotic. Tempest tensed, his mind screaming that this was wrong, that he couldn't afford to let his guard down. But the warmth of her lap, the softness of her touch, made it so hard to resist.

Every part of him wanted to trust her, wanted to believe, just for a moment, that he could let go.

'Tempest! Wake up! That person you're talking to, she's not Furina. You must snap out of it immediately! Listen to me, Tempest!'

Nahida's voice echoed urgently in his mind, louder and more desperate than ever.

But Tempest didn't respond. He barely even heard her. He had completely surrendered to Furina's embrace, her soft, comforting touch lulling him into a false sense of security. His body relaxed against her as if every ounce of his resistance had melted away.

He wanted to believe this was real, that he could trust her, even if just for a fleeting moment. Furina's fingers gently brushed through his hair, and her lap felt warm. But he was too exhausted to care, his willpower slipping as his eyes started to slowly close.

'Just a little longer.'

He thought, unaware of the danger surrounding him.

"How about a little lullaby, mm?"

Furina suggested, her smile radiant as she cleared her throat, ready to soothe him. With a gentle hum, she began to sing, her voice delicate and melodic.

"Ahoy, ahoy, sweet daughter of the Seas~

Ahoy this child be mine~

The Admiral's girl, his whole entire world~

For as long, as stars do shine~"

Furina's voice flowed smoothly, echoing the famous lullaby that had been passed down through generations of the Proudmoore family. It was a song sung to comfort their children, a melody imbued with love and warmth.

As she sang, the world around him began to fade, the haunting memories and the fear of the nightmare slipping away, replaced by a soothing calm. He let himself be carried away by the lullaby, its gentle cadence wrapping around him like a soft blanket, making it difficult to resist the pull of sleep.

"Ahoy, ahoy, sweet daughter of the Seas~

Ahoy this child be mine~

The Lady's girl, her whole entire world~

For as long, as sands of time~"

She continued, gently stroking Tempest's hair.

As Furina continued to sing, her fingers gently stroked Tempest's hair, each caress imbued with a tenderness that felt achingly familiar. The soothing motion sent waves of warmth through him, lulling him deeper into a state of relaxation.

'Tempest! Listen to me! Wake up!'

Nahida's desperate voice echoed in Tempest's mind, the urgency cutting through the tranquil haze enveloping him. Despite her pleas, he remained blissfully unaware, surrendering completely to the comforting embrace of the illusion before him.

The warmth of Furina's presence and the melodic lullaby dulled his senses, drowning out Nahida's frantic warnings. Each note seemed to weave a spell, drawing him deeper into a realm of peace where the horrors of his recent encounters faded into distant memories.

"Be strong, belong, my daughter of the Seas~

Be brave, don't you forget your seaside days~

Always the pride of our nation's eyes~

You will never go astray~"

Furina's voice floated softly through the air as she sang the final verse of the lullaby, her tone delicate yet powerful. The soothing melody wrapped around Tempest like a warm blanket, and in that moment, he felt utterly safe. With each note, the weight of his fears began to dissolve, replaced by a serene calmness that enveloped him completely.

As the last echoes of her song faded, Tempest's eyelids grew heavy, succumbing to the sweet embrace of sleep. His body relaxed against Furina's lap, feeling as if he were drifting away to a distant shore where troubles could not reach him. The horrors of the nightmare slipped further from his grasp, leaving only a tranquil dreamscape in their wake, where he could finally rest without fear or worry.

"Finally..."

Furina purred, a wicked smile spreading across her lips as she watched Tempest succumb to slumber. Her gaze was filled with a twisted satisfaction, reveling in the sight of him so utterly entranced by her lullaby. As he drifted deeper into unconsciousness, his body relaxed against her.

"No hard feelings~"

Furina cooed playfully, her tone dripping with mock innocence as she drew the knife she had concealed from him earlier. She held it delicately with both hands, the blade glinting menacingly in the dim light of the room as she aimed it at his throat.

'I won't let you hurt him!'

Nahida shouted urgently in Tempest's mind, her voice cutting through the fog of sleep that had enveloped him. In an instant, his eyes shot open, their golden hue shifting to a vibrant green, signaling that Nahida had seized control of his body.

With reflexes honed by instinct, she narrowly dodged the deadly knife as it sliced through the air, the blade grazing past her with a whisper of danger. Tempest's body rolled off the couch, hitting the ground with a soft thud, adrenaline coursing through him as he scrambled to regain his footing.

"Wake up, Tempest! I can't control your body for even a minute!"

Nahida urged through Tempest's mouth, her voice filled with urgency and a hint of desperation.

His eyes flickered erratically from green back to golden, a clear signal that she was losing her grip on the reins of his consciousness. Each oscillation felt like a battle.

Tempest's mind swirled with confusion, the remnants of Furina's lullaby clinging to him like a thick fog, but the sharpness of Nahida's words pierced through the haze.

"WAKE UP!"

Nahida shouted one more time, her voice resonating like a thunderclap in the depths of Tempest's mind. Instantly, he sprang awake, a rush of clarity flooding back as his eyes transformed to a golden hue, signaling that he was back in control of his own body.

"My... Lady...?"

He murmured, his voice thick with confusion and lingering fatigue. As he turned to face Furina, he felt a heaviness in his head, as if the remnants of the lullaby still clung to him like cobwebs.

She stood before him, her demeanor seemingly innocent, but he caught a glimpse of the knife she had been brandishing moments before. With an effortless motion, she hid it behind her back, replacing the threat with a smile that felt more sinister than reassuring.

"Oh, Tempest! You gave me quite a scare there."

She said, her tone light and playful, masking the tension that lingered in the air.

"What... what are you doing?"

He stammered, struggling to shake off the lingering effects of the lullaby.

"Just checking in on you, my dear. I was worried you might have fallen into a deeper slumber. But you're awake now, and that's what matters!"

Furina said her eyes sparkling with a predatory glint.

As she spoke, Tempest felt an unsettling sensation settle in the pit of his stomach, a growing sense that beneath her enchanting facade lay something far more sinister.

"You're not her..."

Tempest gritted his teeth, disappointment and anger boiling beneath the surface. The warm illusion of safety that Furina had wrapped around him shattered like glass, leaving only a cold, hard truth.

"Don't come near me..."

He warned, his voice low and steady as he took a cautious step back. Each movement was deliberate, fueled by a mix of fear and determination as he shifted toward the fifty-first door. The door loomed ahead, a potential escape from this twisted nightmare, but the weight of Furina's gaze felt like a heavy chain trying to pull him back.

"You're just a cruel trick of this dark realm, a mirage designed to keep me trapped!"

Tempest's heart raced, each beat echoing in his ears as he clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of courage he had. The closer he got to the door, the more he could feel the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on him, but he refused to let it deter him.

Furina's smile wavered for a brief moment, her true nature flickering beneath the surface like a flame battling the wind.

"Tempest, you don't understand! I can help you! Together, we can-"

"I don't want your help!"

He interrupted, his voice stronger now, cutting through her manipulative words. With one final glance at her twisted facade, he grabbed and turned the doorknob, but...

"Oh, it won't be that easy~ This door won't open unless one of you dies here in this room~"

The woman's voice boomed, echoing ominously through the space as Tempest's heart sank. The door remained stubbornly shut, refusing to budge.

His eyes widened in horror, panic clawing at his chest. He could never bring himself to hurt Furina, even if he knew it was merely an illusion, a cruel trick designed to torment him. The very thought of causing her harm sent a wave of nausea washing over him.

"I won't do it!"

He shouted defiantly, shaking his head as if that could dispel the twisted challenge laid before him.

"Do you really think you have a choice?"

The woman taunted, her laughter echoing through the room like a sinister melody.

"You sick bi-"

Tempest's words were abruptly cut off as a knife suddenly embedded itself in the door, just an inch from his cheek. His heart raced as he turned to see Furina standing there, her head bowed low, a twisted smile playing on her lips.

"Tempest, you won't hurt me, right? But you'll let me hurt you, right?!"

She said, her voice dripping with a twisted delight. A wicked smile spread across her face as she lifted her gaze, revealing a glint of malice in her eyes. In an instant, she charged at him, the knife gleaming ominously in her hand.

'She's not her, but I can never bring myself to hurt her! Even if she's an illusion!'

Tempest thought frantically as he dodged and weaved through Furina's frenzied slashes, her laughter echoing like a haunting melody in the confined space.

"Just a little slice, Tempest! As your Archon, I order you to stand straight!"

She shouted, her voice dripping with manic glee. Each word felt like a command that twisted through his mind, pressing down on him as he struggled to maintain his composure.

With every swing of her knife, he felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him, pushing him closer to the edge. Furina's eyes, once filled with warmth and kindness, now shone with a predatory glint that sent a jolt of dread through his core. He ducked beneath a particularly wild swing, the knife narrowly missing his shoulder, and felt a rush of adrenaline surge through him.

"You can't hurt your beloved Archon, won't you? But guess what, you have to~"

The woman's voice rang out with cruel mockery, her tone dripping with malice.

Furina lunged at him again, her knife glinting in the dim light, and he barely managed to sidestep the attack. Her laughter echoed like thunder, a sound that was both intoxicating and terrifying.

"Come now, Tempest! Just a little pain for a little freedom. Isn't that a fair trade?"

She taunted, her voice sweetened with a sinister edge that cut through his resolve.

"This is what you get for cheating, champion of the sun! I know a little bird is helping you, but that won't save you here, will it~?"

The woman taunted, her voice dripping with malice. Her laughter intertwined with Furina's, creating a cacophony that echoed off the walls, driving Tempest closer to the brink of insanity.

'Tempest! You have to fight back!'

Nahida's voice rang through his mind, urgent and insistent, slicing through the chaos surrounding him.

'I can't do that... I can never bring myself to hurt her...'

Tempest replied, his heart heavy with conflict. Each word felt like a dagger, twisting painfully in his chest. The image of Furina, her laughter, her smile, was all too real, even if he knew it was just a cruel illusion crafted to torment him.

'Listen to me, Tempest! If you don't confront this illusion, you'll never escape! You have to separate the truth from this twisted version of reality!'

Nahida urged, her voice growing more desperate.

"Got you!"

Furina exclaimed, her voice dripping with delight as she pounced on Tempest. He tumbled to the ground, the impact jarring him as Furina landed squarely on top of him. The blade of her knife hovered perilously close to his throat, gleaming menacingly in the dim light.

With sheer instinct and desperation, Tempest grasped the blade with both hands, his palms tearing against the sharp metal as blood began to trickle down his fingers.

"Don't worry, my good sir, I'll make it quick."

Furina said with a disarming smile, her eyes glinting with a sinister delight.

Her voice dripped with a false sense of reassurance, the kind that sent chills down Tempest's spine. Despite her sweet words, he could feel the weight of impending doom pressing down on him, the blade poised to draw his blood.

"After all, we wouldn't want this to drag on, would we? A swift end is far kinder than prolonged suffering."

She leaned in closer, and the smile on her face deepened, a twisted blend of affection and malice that made his heart race.

'TEMPEST! YOU NEED TO FIGHT BACK!'

Nahida's voice rang out in Tempest's mind, echoing with urgency and desperation.

He could feel the weight of her plea pressing down on him, mingling with the sharp sting of the knife's blade against his skin.

"I can't... I can never ever, hurt the woman I love..."

Tempest's voice trembled, heavy with emotion as a tear slid down his cheek, glistening in the dim light.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The knife wavered in her grip, her mouth slightly agape as if his words had struck a chord deep within her. In that instant, the cruel facade she wore cracked, revealing a glimmer of vulnerability hidden beneath.

Even knowing that she was merely an illusion crafted by his fears, Tempest's heart ached at the thought of causing her pain. It was as if his love for her transcended the boundaries of this twisted reality, compelling him to hold onto the essence of who she was, regardless of the torment surrounding them.

"You lo-"

"Oh my, a mortal falling in love with a god~?"

The woman's voice echoed, dripping with sarcasm and disdain. It reverberated through the room, creating an unsettling tension that twisted the atmosphere even further.

"My Lady... Even if you are merely a manifestation of this twisted nightmare, I will never bring myself to hurt you. I can never harm the woman who saved my life, the one who gave me a purpose. You are the woman I love..."

His words hung in the air, heavy with emotion, a testament to the strength of his feelings that transcended the boundaries of reality and illusion.

"What are you waiting for? Just kill him already~"

The woman taunted, her voice dripping with malice. Yet, despite the command echoing in her mind, the Furina before Tempest, though clearly an illusion, remained resolute and defiant.

"Don't make her lonely, okay? I hope that someday, you can express those feelings to her in person rather than to a mere apparition like me."

Furina said softly, her smile both tender and tragic. With a grace that belied the tension in the room, she grasped the knife tightly, turning its blade toward her neck, her eyes filled with an unwavering determination.

"No, what are you doing?! Stop, My Lady!"

Tempest cried out, desperation lacing his voice as he lunged toward her, reaching out to seize the knife. But Furina merely smiled at him, a serene expression on her face, as if she had made peace with her decision.

In an instant, she plunged the blade into her neck, and Tempest's heart shattered at the sight. Time seemed to slow as he watched her life force fade away. A moment later, she erupted into a puff of smoke, dissipating into the air like a fleeting dream, leaving behind only the faintest trace of her essence.