“Could you fight him? Could even Adam?” Cheveyo looked accusingly to the prince, who was standing helplessly by the door. He hadn’t spoken since the report was brought to them, and tears gathered at his eyes.

  Belle brought his attention back to her. “Small mercy that it is I believe the Wolf will only fight Red. We don’t have to worry about him joining the fray. His pack may, but there are none as strong as their master among them. Our intelligence reports that the Troll has contented itself for now by settling at the base of Broken Tree valley, where he is eating up all the wildlife that remains.”

  “Then we must strike, while his attention is distracted, and before he regains his full strength.”

  “A plan is already in commission, but I have a problem. Many of the Pure, hearing how Red was defeated, have decided that they no longer wish to fight. Most of them want to leave Ateer for good. There are still kingdoms which hold fast against the threats which assail them. I have been told we should travel to one of them, and let Ateer burn.”

  Cheveyo looked at her as though she had run mad. “Do they not realise that the Witch is not targeting Ateer, but us? If she cannot have us here she will simply refocus her efforts. How many seek to leave?”

  “Snow spoke to many when they first arrived. Toma and Peter support her, and they have brought Jack to their side. Rapunzel came and spoke to me not long after she returned with the report on Red. She was never a warrior. I can understand her concerns, but she is one of the most sensible and level-headed of us. If she is not willing to stay and fight I worry others will lose confidence.”

  “We need some way to show them the true price the Witch will extract from us.”

  “To do that we would need some way to access the Witch’s plans.”

  The answer occurred to both of them at the same time, though their reactions were entirely different. “Absolutely not,” Belle shouted as Che’s eyes glinted with determination.

  “What better way to expose the true danger?” He said. “The Dreamscape is the fortress of the Witch’s power, as much as the castle is Charming’s. Let us enter, with all who doubt, and they can see for themselves what the Witch intends.”

  “Adam,” Belle looked to her husband, but he was nodding.

  “I agree with Cheveyo. We are going to lose them if we don’t do something. And besides, there may be some damage we can do to the Witch from within. If not then we will have leaned things we did not know before.”

  “This will provoke her, it will be open war.”

  “And isn’t that a better option than this sneaking and skulking? Where she stands a step ahead of us at all time?”

  “I will enter the Dreamscape,” Cheveyo said. “Whether with your blessing or not. At the least my death may serve to convince them of the severity of our failure.”

  “I will go with you,” Adam said.

  Belle stared at both of them, the mask of calm slipping for a moment as she looked to Adam, almost pleading. But then the facade returned, and she was once more the composed queen to whom so many owed their lives. “There is strength in numbers,” she said. “No one may face the Dreamscape alone. And if they are so convinced of the security in isolation, then any who doubt will join us.” She balled her fists and placed them on the desk. “Prepare the Terminals, and the weapons for when we return.”

  *

  Collecting the Pure took nearly half an hour. Most of them were still in Lips, or at least close by, but one or two had gone back to their own homes in the city. By the time they were all gathered Belle had managed to find a dozen Terminals and had them all set up in the parlour of Lips. On the table were spread guns and swords of all types.

  “Since some of you refuse to see the danger that faces us now I am inviting you to join us in a little afternoon jaunt.”

  The Pure looked from one to another, clearly unsure how to react to this remarkable pronouncement.

  “We are going into the Dreamscape,” Belle continued. “As I have heard Jack tell others you may expect to find nothing more than the usual assortment of depravity and danger. However, if I am correct we will come face to face with the Witch’s presence within the network. Her powers have been expanding, and I am convinced now that she is in utter control of the Dreamscape. Every mind within it is connected to hers, and she commands all of the Corrupted with but a thought.” She walked to the head of the table where her own terminal was placed and laid her hand delicately on top, not quite connected. “So who’s brave enough to face the Truth?”

  More nervous glances and muttering. Some glanced to the door, but Cheveyo stood there, his arms crossed and his face impassive.

  “So what if the Witch does control the Dreamscape?” Jack asked. “We can still escape from Ateer and leave it to rot.”

  “Then you should have no problem with this trip,” Adam said, gripping his shoulders and pushing him into a chair.

  The others seemed to decide that it would be safer to simply comply. One or two still muttered that it was a waste of time, but a glare from Belle silenced them quickly.

  “On the count of three,” she said as Cheveyo took his place. “One, two, three.”

  A dozen hands came down in unison, and the Terminals flared green with the connection made. A second later their eyes closed, heads bowing forwards onto their chests as before them the Dreamscape unfurled.

  At first it looked much like the room they had been in a moment ago, only dimmer and darker. Belle was first to rise, and with her came light and colour. The table became brighter than it had ever been in the real world, a highly polished mahogany that spoke of power and wealth. Her form changed as well, her height became statuesque, her beauty turned cold and harsh. Her clothes slipped in and out of focus as she settled on her image. Eventually she stood before them in battle armour of solid sky blue, so dazzling it lit the space around her. In her hand was a lance, the tip a shimmering electric crackle of blue-white.

  “Very impressive,” Jack drawled. “Also ostentatious.” He rose as well, his clothes becoming a deep dark green. A robe that veiled him almost entirely, his face in shadow. Around his hands glowed green fire.

  Cheveyo stood next. He kept his uniform, correct in every detail, but the rifle on his back was formless and always shifting. Now a sniper’s gun, now for close-range, now a blunderbuss. He inspected his hands, then saluted to Belle. “I should congratulate Charming,” he said as some of the others stood. “This could almost be real. The last time I visited the Dreamscape did not even offer clothing.”

  “The number of minds attached now makes it stronger,” Adam said. His own form had changed entirely, and he stood before them as the beast he had once been. A noble lion’s head sat atop a barrel chest contained inside a gigantic bronze cuirass. He had been tall before, but in this form he towered over them, eight feet of muscle and fur, for every inch of him was covered in coarse dark brown hair. His hands retained much of their human shape, but were tipped with vicious claws. His legs were those of a gigantic hound, and in his hand was a hammer that could have flattened a man in a single blow. “For every dream that is added, it becomes more sophisticated, and with it the Witch’s power grows.”

  “Look,” Toma now stood. His own armour was a deep cherry red, emblazoned with his own crest. His weapon was a lance. “I know that everyone calls this the Dreamscape, but the notion that it truly draws from people’s dreams is absurd. Nothing has the power to do that.”

  “And yet look at how we are dressed,” Belle said. “Jack knows how to control his form within the Dreamscape, but have you examined yourselves?” They did so now, noting a wide assortment of old fashioned armour, that seemed familiar yet strange. “The Dreamscape has chosen your form for you. It searches both your memories and your dreams, choosing the best way to lure you in. Toma, you wear armour such as when you bested the dragon. But instead of a battle scarred iron plate it is now finest dwarven steel, in house colours you only chose after you had defeated him. It is the armour you wear in your dreams when you face him.”

  “Well what about you?” Peter said. He himself wore finery such as he had never owned in life, a majestic coat in plush velvet that changed colour with every movement he made. “I have never seen you wear such armour.”

  Belle nodded and allowed her form to change. “I too learned how to control my form in here.” Her image settled, leaving her in a simple peasant’s dress. But a thin weave of gold was in her hair and on her finger shone a beautiful ring, brighter than any gold could shine. “This is how I was when Adam found me. But the dream has added my crown, and my wedding band.” She held up her left hand, the ring shining so brightly it almost blinded them. “The ring is the strongest part of the dream, so it shines the brightest. It is how the Dreamscape may draw men in.”

  They seemed to be more accepting, as they noticed certain parts of their own garments that seemed more detailed, or brighter than the rest. “How would this draw men in?”

  “My dream came true. Thus I can remain pure of heart because I know that outside of this world I am truly married to Adam. I need not dream to achieve happiness, and any other temptations are not sufficient to draw me away from the real world. But to a man who believes he lives in unhappiness? Whose dreams have never come true? He may come into this world and become whoever he wishes to be. An author who finds worldwide acclaim and the adoration of millions. The brave warrior who has bested every enemy he ever fights. The great orator who can turn away any barb with the benefit of his superior wisdom. But it is all a lie. There is no truth to be found in here.”

  “The Dreamscape still holds sway over us,” Philip warned them. “For all that we are Pure. Be careful not to let yourself be drawn in by your own thoughts.”

  Rapunzel had walked over to the window, and was now looking out of it. “I have a feeling that won’t be a problem.”

  They came to join her, and looking out they saw a bleak and barren city stretching before them. Everything was a dull grey, hints of sickly green flickering on the edges of their eyes. Every building was adorned with deadly spikes, and faint after-images of ghostly figures slid in between the streets, phasing cleanly through the walls of the houses. Here and there a few fires glowed in front of the doors, but almost everything was now open to any and all who wanted to enter. Instead of the flat surface that the Dreamscape had once been built on it was now a hill, growing taller and taller until it became a mountain, and in the very centre, where every eye was drawn, there was only oily black smoke.

  “I thought this was supposed to look like Ateer?” Toma said. “What happened?”

  Philip shook his head. “It looks as people believe it to look. So many have been drawn into Charming’s own image. His madness, his corruption. The Witch is using him as a conduit to spread the corruption.”

  “There’s a genius in her plan,” Belle said thoughtfully. When everyone turned to stare at her she met their eyes evenly. “It’s dark, no doubt. But he was already at the centre of people’s thoughts as their leader, the man who gave them the Dreamscape. His brand is on every piece of technology. Every time you log in you think of him. The Witch’s magic takes hold of those thoughts, building him into a mighty force.”

  “It all feeds back on itself doesn’t it?” Rapunzel said. “People think of him as being powerful, so he gains more power, so they see him as even more powerful than before. When does it end?”

  “When someone thrusts a blade through his heart,” Cheveyo said. “Now can we get a move on? Every minute we are here we court disaster.”

  “He’s right.” Adam was at the door. “We will doubtless find our path blocked.”

  They left the room into a twisted version of Lips. The walls were not only red, but actually dripped blood. The floor underneath their feet gave too much to be carpet or wood, and besides it looked far too organic. They followed the curve of the corridor down, trying to convince themselves it was only a dream, and none of what they saw could harm them as they sat in the real Lips.

  “I’m going to need a shower after this,” said Rapunzel quietly. “For a week at least.”

  “Everything seems, uh…” Toma trailed off, but ahead of him Belle nodded.

  “Whenever anyone thinks of Lips, all they think about is what exactly they do here. The brothel has changed to reflect the one thing people associate it with.”

  “That is disgusting,” Peter said. “So we’re walking in…”

  “A representation of one,” Belle finished for him. “And do try and grow up. It’s not real, and even if it were it could hardly hurt you.”

  “Says you.”

  Adam had been leading them, but he now stopped and dropped to one knee. “Shut up,” he hissed.

  They all crouched low while Cheveyo made his way to the front as well and the two men began to creep forwards, weapons in hand.

  Out of the shadows ahead of them a Corrupted charged, holding a blazing broadsword. He looked nothing like the Corrupted in the real world, who were emaciated shells of their former selves. He had muscles to rival Adam’s own, and ornate armour on his torso. He swung down for Cheveyo’s head, but was blocked by Adam’s hammer. Faster than should have been possible he recovered and charged them again, but Belle intercepted him, driving her sword straight through his chest. He looked shocked for a moment, then fell backwards, disappearing into a cloud of smoke.

  “How was that possible?” Rapunzel asked when they were sure he was gone. “He was able to fight hand to hand against Adam.”

  “I told you,” said Belle. “This world is a representation of your dreams. He dreamed he was a powerful warrior, and so he became one. Obviously he had spent so long in this place he could control his own form. None of us are used to this place, not as much as some of these Corrupted. We must be careful.”

  “Where did he go when you stabbed him?”

  “If you die in the Dreamscape you are returned to your body, unharmed. Of course, if he is one of the truly Corrupted the shock of awakening may have killed him anyway, but at the very least he will not be able to bother us again.”

  “We should get moving,” Cheveyo said. “Every minute we are here we risk the Witch finding us.”

  *

  Outside the city looked familiar, and yet different. Instead of the uniform rows of buildings, all regulation height, straight lines of windows stretching into the distance, there was a mishmash of palaces and hovels that resembled the old Ateer, before Charming had begun his development projects. Some of the castles on the street would have rivalled the palace itself, while other buildings were no more than tents with delusions of grandeur.

  “I suppose this is more of the Dreamscape’s influence?” Toma asked.

  It was Jack who answered him. “It’s been like this for a while now. Those who understand the system can twist it to suit their own ends, but they often do so at the expense of other users. Deliberately making them poorer so their own domains grow richer. Some of these hovels will represent the Dreamscape for a hundred people, while only one person might live in a castle.”

  “In the real world they are all packed into Charming’s housing,” Rapunzel said. “Is it any wonder some of them dream of castles?”

  “And what about the ones in hovels? Why come into a world which is poorer than the one you leave behind?”

  “You might live in a hovel, but if you can share it with a perfect representation of your ideal family, while you yourself are a famed figure?” Belle shrugged. “The Dreamscape we see may not even be the same one that they see. We believe we are masters of our own surroundings, no matter how others perceive them differently.”

  They continued to move towards the castle, the light growing dimmer with every step, while the eerie green glow of the magic that surrounded them became stronger yet, casting no light but engulfing them like a thick smog. Eventually Cheveyo came to a halt.

  “This is impossible,” Toma said. “Everything is darker, but the light is stronger than ever. How is that happening?”

  “The closer we come to Charming, the greater the Witch’s influence,” Philip said. He had grown much quieter as they moved through the city. “This glow is her magic. The darkness is Charming’s, spreading out to infect people.”

  “So do you believe yet?” Cheveyo asked.

  “This could all still be Charming himself,” Jack said. “You say the glow is the Witch, but I see no proof. And if it is Charming, I say we leave Ateer to rot.”

  “Fine,” Belle stopped. “What more proof do you require?”

  “Philip told us about a box with the Witch’s symbol and magic runes. That should do for me.”

  “And you need to see this with your own eyes?”

  “Yes.”

  “That might be a problem.”

  “Why?”

  Belle pointed to the castle. “We’ve been walking for minutes, but we’re getting no closer to the castle. Something is keeping us in place, and I don’t think it’s one of Charming’s protections. The modified Terminals Blue made us should allow us to bypass all security measures inside the Dreamscape.”

  That brought a thick silence over the group. “Maybe it’s Blue’s Terminal?” Rapunzel said nervously. “Maybe it doesn’t work.”

  Adam walked over to one of the castles on the street, putting his hand against the door. With a simple shove it caved in. As they watched a dozen of the ghostly images moved for the door, but bounced off the empty space. “There,” Adam said. “Protected against the other users, open to us.”

  “That’s worrying,” Jack said, his bravado giving way.

  “We need to get off the street,” Cheveyo said. “She knows we’re here.”

  Before he had even finished speaking trees sprouted from the ground around them, thick and twisted and dead, blackened branches reaching over their heads in a second and knitting to form a cage. Adam swung his hammer against the trunks, but it only glanced off. “We’re trapped,” he said.

 

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