Springing out of bed with a face filled with terror, Neal gave out heavy breaths before placing his palm on his forehead.
Sweat rolled down his body just like the previous time, making him feel rather unpleasant.
"Another one, I thought my dreams should have been over by now."
According to what he was told about dreams here, he wasn't supposed to have any. Though his situation was actually a strange one. His dreams so far had been nightmares, and the one he had was much worse than last time. However, it was still about the same thing.
Just like before, the tower seemed to be watching him and the skeletal monster was out to get him. The worse part of the whole thing was that it always did.
"Why do I keep on having these dreams?" Neal asked himself with a woren out expression.
Realizing there was no chance of him going back to sleep, he left his room for the fresh air outside. Instinctively, Neal's first idea was to go to the lake like he usually did. It was actually the best place for him to cool down in his opinion.
After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the location only to see someone by the lake. Taking a few steps forward, he identified this person as Xavier.
A weird feeling surged through Neal's body upon this realization; however, it was too late for him to turn back. He had already been noticed. It was clear though that this was going to be an awkward moment for him.
"You come here to clear your mind, don't you?" Xavier surprisingly tried to make conversation.
"Yeah. Do you come here to do the same?"
"Only on a few occasions when the past seems like it is too much for me to handle."
Neal who had already heard about his backstory could already tell what he meant. Soon after this brief exchange, the two were silent for what felt like minutes. This only proved his earlier opinion about the situation right.
"Let me make one thing clear," Xavier spoke out of the blue. "I don't like you a single bit, especially because you are always going against my orders. However, I am willing to give you an opportunity to fight among us. If you show any sign of weakness though, you would be forfeiting that opportunity. Don't make the mistake of thinking I am doing this for you."
As rash as this sounded, Neal could not help but respect what he said. At least he made his dislike for him clear.
Just then, Xavier turned to leave, though he was stopped by a question from Neal. A question that had been brothering him for something now.
"Xavier, how can I prove myself to you?" Neal's eyes brimmed with determination.
After a brief moment of silence, he would respond to the question he was asked. "Personally, I don't believe you can ever prove yourself to me."
Leaving the area in an instant, Xavier left Neal conflicted with what he had been told. The only thing he could tell from that sentence was that it was impossible to do so.
With his gaze moving to the lake, Neal was vexed at the fact that he had even more to think about now.
*****
In the dungeon, the group were currently hiding in different locations preparing for battle. In front of them were eight Lizard men just like before. The difference this time though was the changes they had made to their roles.
Nodding at Neal who was up above, Xavier signaled for him to begin the fight. In an instant, he launched himself from on top a wall, delivering a killer blow to one of the beasts.
Drawn to the aura emitting from the enemy, the monsters were catch off guard by an attack from the rear. At this point, Neal hid once again, waiting for any openings that could resurface.
This seemed to be unnecessary as the group made quick work of the monsters around them. Coming out from hiding, Neal joined the rest who seemed rather happy with the situation. One thing was clear to everyone, and that was the fact that the new arrangements worked perfectly.
Xavier on the other hand had none of that. He only seemed emotionless as he looked around for something that clearly was not present. Neal felt this was his way of keeping himself ignorant on the situation.
The changes made to the group were little but quite effective. Neal was still the scout of the group; however, this time he drew in the enemies attention first. With his body that just felt like it was created for sneak attacks, killing an opponent was rather easy. This in turn gave space for an ambush from the others.
Evans was to draw attention back to himself, giving Neal to opportunity to hide once again. This gave opportunity for an attack from his side once again.
The rest of the group though had no changes in their roles. With their current formula of attack, they could fight monsters twice before feeling fatigued.
Neal's eyes at the moment was laser focused on the red particles that emitted from the monsters bodies. Evans who was by his side noticed this and decided to speak on it.
"That's what happens when a person or monster dies in the tower. The red particles that once circulate the body escape, heading back to the Forge tower. The reason why this happens though is still unknown. Though in my opinion, I will say they are what gives us life in the tower."
Aware of the fact that such a thing could happen to him, Neal only felt the urge to grow stronger. He was determined to survive in the monstrous structure.