The place before you was unnaturally silent.
No walls.No guards.No warning signs at all.
Only a vast open space,the ground like shattered glass,reflecting a distorted, dim sky.
"This is it," Pegasus said softly."His place."
Before you could respond,a shadow moved.
Nightmare man stood before you,relaxed—as if he hadn't been waiting,yet knew someone would come.
His gaze lingered on Pegasus.
Longer than it should have.
"…Interesting," he said.For the first time,the word sounded sincere.
"I thought you'd never return."
Pegasus fluttered its wings lightly.It neither stepped forward nor back.
"I thought so too," it replied calmly."But it seems you still like leaving things unfinished."
Nightmare man chuckled softly—not amused,but acknowledging.
"You've changed," he said."Your color is different."
"You still remember," Pegasus replied.Not a question—a statement.
"I remember everything," Nightmare man said."Especially what was abandoned."
His voice was cold.
You stood there, listening—not interrupting,but not retreating either.
Nightmare man glanced at you briefly,then turned back to Pegasus.
"You brought him here?" he asked.
"No," Pegasus answered immediately."He came on his own."
The corner of Nightmare man's mouth lifted slightly,as if satisfied.
"So you chose again," he said."Chose to stand beside someone."
"No," Pegasus replied."I just chose not to stand beside you anymore."
A brief silence fell—tense.
Nightmare man turned to you fully.
"You arrived faster than I expected," he said."People driven by anger usually get lost longer."
You didn't break eye contact.
"Because I'm not here to find a way out," you answered."I'm here to find someone."
Nightmare man nodded slowly.
"A good answer," he said."Those who seek escape aren't ready to fight."
Pegasus shifted slightly,as if about to speak,but Nightmare man raised a hand—a quiet signal to stop.
"I didn't call you here," he said."But I knew you would come."
You gave a faint smile—not from confidence,but understanding.
"Because you left clues," you replied."Not to make me lost—but to see if I'd keep going."
Nightmare man fell silent for a moment.
"…Correct," he admitted."You listen better than I thought."
Pegasus let out a soft laugh."He's not listening to you," it said."He's listening to himself."
Nightmare man turned to it,his gaze sharp.
"And that," he said,"is what makes him dangerous."
You stepped forward.One step.Without drawing your sword.
"You want me to fight," you said."But you want to talk first."
"Of course," Nightmare man replied."Those who rush to killdon't understand what they're losing."
Pegasus tilted its head."You speak as if you still have something left to lose."
Nightmare man smiled—more clearly this time.
"That's because you don't knowwhat I still have."
The atmosphere grew heavier—not from power,but from clashing thoughts.
No one rushed.No one moved.
The battle hadn't begun—but all three of you knew:
Every wordwas positioningfor the first strike.
And in the silence between you,the dream world itselfseemed to hold its breath.
Waitingfor the outcomeof the next choice.
Nightmare man spoke first.
His tone was flat,like offering a business deal—not deciding someone's fate.
"I have a shortcut for you."
He clasped his hands loosely.
"The rabbit…and the princess."
The shadows behind him stirred,as if their names were pulled from something deep.
"I'll release them.No other conditions."
Pegasus froze instantly.Its wings stiffened.Its breath faltered—just for a moment.
Short—but you saw it.
Nightmare man glanced at it briefly,like a hunter noticing a flinch.
"In exchange for one thing," he continued.
"Pegasus…returns to be by my side again."
No force.No command.Just a trade.
Silence fell—heavy,solid.
Pegasus didn't speak.Didn't look at you.
As if it knew—if it did,the answer might change.
Nightmare man turned to you,his voice deliberately softer.
"You don't have to fight.You don't have to risk anything.You don't have to prove anything."
He smiled—not mocking,but understanding.
"You'll get everything you want.And him—"
His eyes slid toward Pegasus—
"—he simply returns to his role."
It sounded… merciful.
Pegasus slowly closed its eyes.
"I could do it," it said quietly."If it ends here…"
You stepped forward.Standing between them.
No weapon drawn.No shouting.No rush.
"No."
Your voice was short.Clear.
Nightmare man wasn't surprised.He only raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Think carefully," he said."Two lives…for the freedom of one creature."
You looked straight at him.
"You call that freedom," you said,"when it's just the same chain."
He paused—just slightly.
"You don't want Pegasus," you continued."You want to provethat everything can still return under your shadow."
Pegasus opened its eyesand looked at you.
Nightmare man smiled—thin, sharp.
"And you?" he asked."Are you protecting him…or protecting your own guilt?"
You didn't hesitate.
"I don't know," you answered."But I know one thing."
You glanced at Pegasus,then back at him.
"You're not worthyof having anyone choose to stand beside you again."
The words weren't loud.Not harsh.
But they cut.
The shadows behind Nightmare man trembled—for the first time,he failed to control the moment instantly.
Pegasus spread its wings—wide.
Pure whiteagainst the dim light.
Nightmare man exhaled slowly.
"…What a shame," he said.
No anger.No smile.
"Then we have only one path left."
He lifted his head.All the shadows around him began to stir—not attacking,not rushing—just… awakening.
"Prove it to me."
"That you're worthyof what you refused."
The ground cracked—not from power,but because the choicehad already been made.
Pegasus stood beside you.
No words needed.
And for the first time—Nightmare manwas not standing above anyone.
The real battlewas about to begin.
Not because of hatred—but because
you chosenot to trade anyone away anymore.