It turned out that the Dream Beasts fed on the emotions and desires of their victims, growing stronger with each passing moment. Layla, lost in her dreams, was an especially rich feast for them; her intense yearning to survive and find her brother fueled the beast.
But within her soul lurked deep anxiety and fear, doubt in her own abilities. Gnawing guilt and regret over her sister's death made her even more vulnerable. Her emotions were an abundant source of sustenance for the Dream Beast, which grew more powerful by the second, feeding off her weaknesses and intensifying the darkness in her consciousness. Layla felt her will weakening, as if this beast was draining her strength, leaving only emptiness and fear.
Anfar, gritting his teeth in rage, relentlessly pursued the beast. Each step he took was accompanied by the pounding of his pulse in his temples. The fire in his heart blazed anew, transforming his fury into unwavering determination. Despite the challenges, he was nearing his goal, sensing that the battle was about to reach its climax.
Meanwhile, Layla was deep within a dream where her sister was alive again, forgiving her and calling her a good sister with a warm smile. Her sister assured her that she knew it had not been intentional and that her heart had long forgiven Layla. Then Layla saw herself in the dark desert, bravely rescuing her brother from the clutches of assassins. He embraced her and said:
– You truly are the best younger sister. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have survived.
A wave of happiness washed over Layla. A blissful smile appeared on her face, and she found comfort in this warm feeling, sinking further into the sweet world of dreams.
In her dream, they left the desert and journeyed to distant green meadows where life seemed peaceful and carefree. They settled in a cozy village; her sister married, and her brother found a wife. Layla also fell in love, and this feeling filled her heart with joy. Her dreams turned into a paradise where each day brought nothing but happiness and peace.
With each passing day, her dreams grew more vivid and real. Layla felt the warmth of the sun on her skin and a gentle breeze playing with her hair. Peace reigned in the village; the villagers greeted her with smiles, and evenings by the hearth with her sister and brother filled her heart with warmth and serenity.
She heard the cheerful laughter of children running across green meadows and enjoyed the scent of fresh bread her sister baked every morning. Everything felt so real that Layla could no longer distinguish dream from reality. It was a world she wished to remain in forever.
Days passed, and Anfar continued his battle, his fiery strength growing brighter, consuming the entire Dark Desert. The flames raged like a living entity, devouring every particle of that place, leaving the Dream Beasts no chance for escape.
This desert was always known as a place where even the brightest light would die, but now it was ablaze with relentless flames. Those who watched the hellish firestorm from afar could not believe their eyes as they saw one of the world's most enigmatic places vanishing under the onslaught of a raging fire.
But this was no ordinary fire – it was the Flame of Life, burning against all natural laws, growing ever brighter and more unyielding.
Finally, the entire desert was encircled in a ring of fire. Anfar cornered the last Dream Beast, and under the scorching heat of his blade, the beast disintegrated into ash, swept away by the wind. At that moment, Layla collapsed onto the hot sand, waking from her deceptive dreams.
When she opened her eyes, the cold, harsh reality pierced her heart like an icy blade. Everything she had seen in her dream was a lie, a deception born of her own fears and regrets. The happiness she had felt vanished, leaving only emptiness. Her face was wet with tears, and a cry of despair escaped her:
– Why? Why did you wake me? – she shouted, looking at Anfar and the Flame of Life, her voice trembling with pain.
Anfar, watching Layla, saw her inner wound reflected in her eyes. He wanted to embrace her, to offer comfort and reassurance, but he knew that words and warmth alone could not heal her pain. Only by confronting her fears and inner doubts could she find true freedom. Only she could find the path to her healing; he could only walk beside her, supporting her with his presence.
– Layla, the world of dreams is a beautiful but deceptive illusion, concealing real pain. It won't give you the strength to face your fate, to overcome challenges, and to find freedom. Dreams take away your will and the ability to fight for real happiness. You must fight for your reality, no matter how difficult it may be. Only by overcoming hardships can true happiness and strength be gained, – he said, trying to be gentle, though his words held a firmness.
Layla looked at them, her voice trembling like leaves in the wind, her eyes clouded with tears.
– Why must I suffer? Why can't I stay where I'm happy? – she continued.
– I deserve peace! – In her words was a mix of anger and despair, as though she was trying to justify her desire to escape the harshness of reality.
– True peace can only be found here, in this world, where you can learn to accept both pain and joy. We'll help you walk this path, Layla. You deserve genuine happiness, not illusions that fade upon waking, – replied the Flame of Life softly yet resolutely.
Layla knew that her reality was filled with pain and loss. Every time she closed her eyes, her dreams offered her an escape from this world, where the weight of memories about her sister and her failed attempts to save her brother pulled her down, depriving her of breath. In these dreams, her sister never died, and her brother was always there to protect her. There, she felt needed and loved, as if everything that had actually happened was nothing but a nightmare.
– Why return to suffering? – she thought. – Don't I deserve even a little happiness, even if it's in a dream? – Her soul was weary from the struggle, and the longer this inner conflict raged, the more Layla wished to remain in that illusory world forever, where she didn't have to account for her mistakes, where she was loved and accepted unconditionally.
– Layla, you must understand that dreams are merely reflections of our desires and fears. They deceive us, leading us away from reality, – Anfar tried to speak gently, but there was unwavering resolve in his voice.
– I don't care! – she shouted, her eyes shining with desperation. – I don't want to hear this! – her voice wavered once more.
The Flame of Life tried to console her:
– I am your friend, Layla, and that's why I can't let you be lost in false dreams. I want to help you find the strength to live in the present and to achieve a happiness that can't be destroyed, unlike illusions.
But Layla interrupted, her voice filled with anger and pain:
– If you're my friend, you shouldn't limit me or tell me what to do! You should let me choose for myself! – her words were like shards of ice, wounding hearts.
The Flame of Life sighed, its light dimming slightly, a shadow of sadness passing through its flames. Silently, it illuminated the path leading out, giving Layla the chance to decide for herself. It knew that sometimes the greatest support was to allow someone to make their own choice, even if that path led into darkness and the unknown.
Only through experiencing mistakes and defeat can one grow stronger. Without looking back, she ran away from the desert, seeking another realm where she could once again plunge into blissful dreams, where reality would no longer trouble her.