Dash had several dreams, but nothing like the one about the Feline Goddess (known to many as the True Hunter) and.. who else was it? Dash wasn't quite sure who else was in the dream, but he was pretty sure whomever it was banged the Goddess.

The dream was so different. (Okay, maybe the part about the Feline Goddess being banged wasn't that unusual.)

Dash dreamed a good deal about this dream which wasn't quite a dream. It felt like a reoccurring dream even though Dash didn't remember having it before. It also felt like so much more than a dream. Although the events of the dreams blurred together, Dash's mind began to put them together even as he drifted in and out of unconsciousness.

His mind drifted in and out for a while, too. His mind's eyes saw spiral shaped bursts of blinding, pristine multi colored lights, and soul crushing darkness. Opening his eyes seemed to take as much effort as climbing a building once had. Or carrying someone one and a half times Dash's weight.

Then, suddenly, it started to become easier. And one such time when Dash opened his eyes, he briefly saw Aleena there, her form fuzzy and her colors not quite imposing themselves on Dash's eyes.

Then for several more seconds, Dash lay still, breath even but troubled.

Then he could hear her start to talk, and although her voice sounded more distant than Dash's home, which even now lie across the great waters, he could make out a word here and there. At times, his mind fought to understand her words and syntax. She seemed to be trying to comfort him.. and herself.

The elf smiled, seeing him awaken. She had perched on the side of his bed over the days and nights since she had been released. "Hey Dash."

Dash tried to sit up again but couldn't find the strength. "You're okay," Dash said, eyeing her. "I was worried."

"Heh!" Aleena chuckled. "You're the one who was stabbed. It's been three days hence. You can thank your quick recovery to my nanites... and the fact that we are still alive to Cattaras."

Dash looked puzzled by her answers, on many levels. "That doesn't make.. After Cattaras stabbed me? Why?"

"That was Catrina. I was still wrestling Cattaras at the time. I guess she's gotten more powerful than we know." Aleena smiled and pecked a kiss to his forehead.

Dash shook his head. "That's impossible. I was looking at..." Dash coughed, struggling just to talk. "At her.. I can't believe she'd.." Dash's words trailed off weakly.

Aleena did not respond, even after long minutes of sitting with him and gazing at him. Dash's eyes fluttered close before long, prompting the elf to brush her fingers through his hair tenderly.

Some minutes later, Dash awoke with a startled gasp. "Watch ou..." Dash's eyes came into focus as he laid back down.

"Dash?"

"Musta drifted... off," Dash said, frowning. "I felt the blades go through me again.. but.. just a dream."

Aleena caressed Dash's cheek. "I know, sweetie. Try to rest, you're going to be alright."

"Felt so real.." Dash sighed and then smiled slightly. "So.. what happened?"

"Cattaras defied his sister and carried us both here." Aleena nodded. "Sleep now, we have work to do."

Dash felt himself falling into unconsciousness and a dreamless sleep as elven nanites in his head worked to put him under. He needed his rest desperately if her nanites were going to see to his recovery by the next day. Though it was clear to Aleena despite all her efforts, Sebastian was still wrestling with Catrina had done to him.

And that he would be dealing with that for a very long time.

Lil shorter than some of the pieces, but that's because the early pieces were quite big.

It does the job, though. Shows the physical and emotional scars Dash still has to deal with, and Aleena's commitment to Dash as he recovers.

I am proud of Dash's struggle to piece together and understand exactly what happened, too. Next up, we'll check in with Fumblies and Fahari and then Scaros.