Note: The character Akira is made up by me this is NOT Megara’s baby or whatever from her fanfics. Plus Rose, Kain and other characters are copyrighted… somehow by me. Besides ones recognizable as Sega characters, i.e.: NiGHTS, Reala, Wizeman etc. they are obviously created by Yuji Naka from Sega. The reason for the name Akira is not because it was a classic Manga but unknown to some Akira means "smart" which is what a assassin is. Right?

NiGHTS into dreams... -- Stubborn Soul

A temporary reality of unknown sources. An entire land lies in the clutches of two different series of creatures with humans extremely rarely wandering about. These lands are in the dream world a place where two forces struggle to grasp control. The Nightmarens, evil creatures with no limits as to what they can do or gain. The Nightopians, peaceful creatures forced to defend themselves against the Nightmaren with the only advantage of their ability to sometimes every 100 years enter the waking world through a portal. Both sides have large castles, with leaders aswell. Wizeman a dark character with little known about his origins. Very little is known about the Nightopians leader, as he has never been seen by a Nightmaren besides NiGHTS. Before the Nightmare world seemed to almost destroy the Nightopians as they cowered away. But two humans with the ability to summon NiGHTS entered the dream world at one stage, destroying Nightmares finest warriors and abolishing Wizeman. NiGHTS, once a Nightmaren of the first level with his ex-partner Reala were long ago good friends. But now Reala and Wizeman, Nightmares two only hopes for conquering Nightopia have now supposedly died, killed by NiGHTS who rebelled against their actions. Many secrets and forgotten events have disappeared waiting to be uncovered…

Reala looked around at his surroundings. No light, no color, a completely black space. Death crept into Reala’s mind. A pale green smoke engulfed him, blinding his view. In front of him Wizeman emerged from the eerie smoke as if beckoning him. Reala blinked and gasped in shock. Reala managed to stuttered some words out, "Lord Wizeman... I... I thought you were dead?"

Wizeman chuckled gleefully his cloak rattling slightly with each word. "No you fool", he replied, "I was merely transported to Nightmare’s underworld. Which I command aswell".

Reala blinked and replied, "Underworld?" in confusion.

Wizeman chuckled, "You never knew of this place? It is were the mighty warriors of the Nightmare go after they die. But they never do. Here they rest and re-emerge much stronger and powerful. As I will soon. Only you and I made it for we are the higher levels of the Nightmaren. We can die and vanish but how to is still unknown, even to me." Reala began to grin evilly.

"Then I too will become powerful?" asked Reala in hope.

"Of course"

"Then I will destroy NiGHTS as soon as I am free my lord..."

"No, instead we must build our empire stronger. In order to take over Nightopia and crush the Nightopians including NiGHTS."

Reala bowed to Wizeman and looked around. "How long do we wait? I feel more powerful but yet strange..." he asked.

Wizeman replied, "You wait until the Underworld thinks you are ready"

Reala bowed his head solemnly. Reala looked up and his ego lifted, "My job to you is to destroy NiGHTS and retrieve his Ideya after your kingdom has reached it’s full potential."

Wizeman nodded and soon his body was engulfed and lifted in a Black smoke. Wizeman smiled and started to cackle gleefully. "Reala gain your strength here and then you shall become my main Commander for my army." Reala bowed and soon enough Wizeman was gone. Reala looked around the black space around him; he sighed and waited while thinking of his future actions....

A calm breeze blew through the empty area of dark watching trees. They rustled in the breeze like a scene with a plagued village with the deadliest disease. The moonlight managed to shine on in the night shedding light on some patches of grass under the trees. A Dark figure darted through the trees then it left the ground jumping up into one of the trees. Another figure walked cautiously through the forest glancing all around him, seeming extremely nervous. The grass under his feet crunched like rotting bones under the figure's weight. More figures began to emerge, Nightopian Soldiers. A shadow seemingly flew behind the nervous Nightopian; turning around quickly he raised his weapon, a simple sword. Nothing was there. The figure up front leading the soldiers was a General, high in his position yet scared of the shadows around him. A breeze blew through the area and the General turned around to see his soldiers. Then the dark figure leapt down from one of the trees; the glint of a blade reflected the strange light in the sky. It was pointed closely to the Generals back with the owner of the weapon standing behind him. The Nightopian General froze while feeling the point on his back, managing a stutter he said, "Who…who…are you?" The dark figure behind him seemed to smile he replied, "Your worst Nightmare…." With that he pushed the blade forward, with the Generals expression frozen in fear. The dark figure smiled and moved back. He raised a foot and kicked the dead body in the back. It fell over and a puddle of blood began to flow onto the once green grass. The dark figure moved into the little light available through the trees, Infact he wasn’t really dark but was wearing a black cape with White clothing underneath. The stranger walked forward to the corpse and brought his sword down on the neck. A few soldiers gasped others just stood watching in horror. The figure grinned and kicked the Generals head so it flew through the air and landed at the feet of a cowering soldier. The stranger chuckled loudly speaking at the same volume he stated, "By now your pitiful army should know me by now. Obviously I completed another job but I guess if I kill his small army…" he paused, "Which is you guys then I might get a little more praise." Soldiers started running others took out their weapons and leapt forward to attack. Moving with ease the cloaked figure took out the same blade that killed the General. A soldier screamed as he attacked weapon raised high, "Aki-*" with that the figure stabbed the soldier through the chest. Looking around the area, the figure saw the number of soldiers that gained their courage and were now charging towards him. Sighing he leapt forward and kneeled down at the General’s head, opening a white bag he grabbed the head by the hair and shoved it into the bag. He leapt up into the trees like a shadow and was gone. The soldiers looked around with many sighs they sheathed their weapons.

* * *

A large crowd gathered in the giant hall, murmurs of chatter and other talk sweeping the room. Old chandeliers hung above providing light, casting shadows across the room as well as on the stage towards the front. Nightmaren soldiers and other alike gathered around in the cramped space to look on to the large figure on the stage. Purple light flashed and Wizeman appeared. Some Nightmaren gasped with murmurs of "I thought he was dead…" and "He’s Alive?" floating around the large hall, the voices echoing. A cloaked figure towards the front, leaped forward with a dagger in hand. A dark grin formed across Wizeman’s face, then with the wave of one of his hands, the figure froze a ray of purple light emitting from the ground beneath the armed attacker. Wizeman chuckled and looked calmly to the Nightopian. "How pathetic". Beads of sweat appeared on the Nightopians face. One of Wizeman’s hands moved in closer to the frozen figure, the dark purple eye blinking as it studied its subject. The Nightmaren in the room moved in as close as they could to see what Wizeman would do. Wizeman smiled and said to the Nightopian, "A female assassin? The Nightopians are running out of good soldiers it seems…", he trailed off. The assassin managed to choke out some words, "When NiGHTS arrives…", she coughed, "you won’t be so cocky!". Wizeman burst out laughing with a swift motion of one of his hands, the female Nightopians right arm began to twist and eventually a sickening snap sounded followed by a scream. Wizeman waved a hand in a circular motion and the female Nightopian dropped to the ground. She quickly held her right arm, tears forming in her eyes. Two Nightmaren soldiers grabbed her by the shoulders and tugged her away. The Nightopian screamed at Wizeman, "You won’t get away with this! You’re not invincible!!!" her voice cutting off as she was led out the door and down to the dungeon. The Nightmaren just looked on in awe. The crystals above which provided light, glowed dimmer, sending shadows across the room. The crystals regained their energy and continued to shine. "As you can see, my powers have increased greatly. Far more then it was before. With this power I shall lead you, my fellow Nightmaren into battle where we will crush and destroy the rebel NiGHTS and the Nightopians. Along with the two dreamers" Wizeman said with an eerie echo following the words. Some Nightmaren cheered, others saluted. Wizeman began emitting a purple light from underneath him, his hands glowing like they were lit up with a purple flame. "Now train as hard as you can. Make the Nightmaren and all other evil creatures in this land proud. Never take mercy upon those who disagree with our goals!" bellowed Wizeman. Then the whole room cheered, fists raised and a chant began, "Wizeman! Wizeman! Wizeman!" A loud bang came from the back of the hall, the door flew open with a cloaked figure in white walking in, carrying a white bag stained red. The chants silenced almost instantly. He walked right through the cheering crowd either pushing Nightmaren aside or the Nightmaren making way for him. Wizeman smiled his hands moving close in on the stranger. The cloaked figure threw the bag forward, blood leaking out and the cloth falling off the object, the General’s head. Taking off his hood, the stranger smiled. "Welcome Akira, your assassination is successful I see." Said Wizeman with pride. Akira simply smiled. Speaking softly, "The general as... Reala had ordered me to kill" His calm Green eyes gleaming in the candle light of the room.

Wizeman nodded, "Well done…"

Akira cut Wizeman’s speech short, "Before you continue, it is great to have you back but with all due respect I am quite beaten and tired"

"Yes, very well. Get some rest and I will fill you in on the details of your next mission."

"Fine. I will contact you when I am ready.." Akira headed out the door.

NiGHTS paced back and forth, a soldier kneeling before him in the cold room. "If only he knew the truth, then he wouldn’t have killed so many.." muttered NiGHTS. He looked up to the misty figure, the Nightopian ruler. "How would we tell him? Would he even believe us?" asked NiGHTS. The Nightopian ruler looked like a human only with transparent wings dressed in Blue robes. A permanent blue aura glow lit up the area around him creating dancing shadows across the room. With a serious face all the time you would never see him laugh.

"Leave it for now, once he comes for you or me then we shall tell him only then when his mind is on one thing. Which is killing..", the Nightopian ruler trailed off. NiGHTS nodded and looked at the tower window onto the vast plains of Nightopia. He broke the silence, "I think we should retrieve the dreamers from the waking world for they would be in danger after Wizeman’s return."

"That would be wise"

"Ok I’ll be on it right away"

"Before you go, do not kill Akira if he does attack you. It wouldn’t be right even if it is in self-defense, he has a high position in Nightopia and Nightmare"

"But.."

"Just do so"

NiGHTS let out an exasperated sigh and nodded, he left the room.

The halls were empty when Akira walked down to his room. Crossing the courtyard he glanced up at the Tower looming behind him. The courtyard was plain dirt with some strangely shaped trees providing shade, but there would be no need for Nightmare always seemed Dark.

The land was in two areas, Nightmare and Nightopia. And in the center the Zones there were continually changing depending on the dreamer’s thoughts. There was no sun, neither a moon but forever the sky was glowing multiple colors, which are quite beautiful at times. There was weather though, rain, thunder, hail, storms and strong winds. After Wizeman had died and the Dreamer’s returned to the waking world, the Ideya was scattered across the land to be found once more.

Akira stopped looking up at the sky and lowered his hood. Hearing footsteps, he spun around to face the one coming. It was a Nightmaren soldier, small but agile. Akira blinked as the soldier shyly shoved a small piece of paper into his hand. "What’s this?" Akira asked, looking down at the note. But the soldier was off, gliding towards the tower. Sighing he passed the Dungeons and continued onto his room which was in the assassin’s hut towards the back of the castle. Screams and moans floated along the air as Akira made his journey to the hut. He tried to shut his mind off but the wails of pain crept into his skull and remained there, haunting him. He broke off into a sprint reaching the hut quickly; he slammed the door shut behind him. He took off his hooded cloak and hung it up on the hook behind the old wooden door. Shaking his head to rid his mind of frightening thoughts. There were only three assassins’ that lived here, Kain a shadow Nightmaren and Rose, a human who was captured during a raid on a Nightopian fort near what was the Mystic Forest. The Nightopians always seemed to get Humans some how to help them, one of the reason for them coming is that you age fast as a child but once you reach over 16 or so, you don’t grow so much. The Dream world being a place with no time. Akira was the only one in the hut for the others were on their missions. Walking over to his room, he took off his jacket and flinged it onto a wooden stool. Placing the small note on his table he fell back onto the bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

***

Weeds and vines had overgrown Puffy’s old domain. The once beautifully designed Roman pillars now lay in ruins. Rose and Kain walked slowly through the undergrowth that led to Puffy’s main chamber. Kain like all shadow Nightmaren blended in leaving only two red eyes and a shadow with the dark outline of a human like figure, this is one of the reasons why they were called shadows. They could make their body turn into a black outline with only the eyes showing with the ability to reappear at will. Rose tightened her hood and fumbled on her belt to find her dagger, she grasped it in her hand just in case something was to happen. A large rock approached them after a couple of minutes. Kain having no trouble disappeared and appeared on the other side. Rose climbed up a vine on the side of it. A rock fell off, crashed onto the ground and echoed down the hall. Scrambling onto the top Rose looked back to see if anyone was following, no one was from what she could see. Leaping down the stairs of rocks, she saw a glow up ahead. Kain was already there, inspecting it. Rose ran up to him and murmured a whisper, "What is it?" Kain’s red eyes gleamed and his now visible Black Hand gestured towards the large slab of Marble. Rose stepped towards it cautiously, some inscription were engraved on it. "This mission is a secret so don’t reveal ANYTHING to anyone. That means Akira too." whispered the shadow. Rose nodded briefly and stepped forward to take a closer look at the slab. A marble slab of rock with what seemed to be a burn mark lay on a pile of jagged rocks. Barely visible was a long small case just at the top of the slab of marble.

"Could it be one of the Ideya blades?" Rose asked.

Kain had noticed it too, "I’m not sure. Read what the words on the marble rock say" Rose leaned forward and squinted to make out the jagged words.

Rose read, "To those who come upon here listen carefully for this is a deadly weapon before you. There are five altogether, all being the colors of the Ideya. These swords or blades were created at the beginning of dreams, nightmares in other words the beginning of life" Rose paused to catch her breath, "Carved out of actual Ideya these weapons were hidden away for they were not only valuable but extremely chaotic. So be warned to those who want such power. -- The Mages of time."

"So it really was true. They weren’t a myth after all"

Rose reached forward and lifted up the beautiful case, she handed it to Kain. He opened the case and looked in awe at the Blue colored broadsword. Rose looked on and managed to mutter, "The Blue Ideya..."

Kain studied it a bit more before shutting the case; he handed it to Rose.

"Keep it safe make sure you get this to Wizeman no matter what happens, not that anything should"

"Yes but.." Rose was cut off as an arrow whizzed through the air and found it’s target on her side. Kain quickly turned around, Nightopian commando’s stood there with their weapons raised. Kain looked to Rose who was struggling to breathe. She collapsed to her knees and winced in pain.

To be continued… don’t ya just hate that?