Now

Branches whipped past Bora's face, their leaves whispering secrets of the dream forest as she darted through them with the grace of a shadow chased by moonlight. Her feet scarcely touched the mossy undergrowth, her form flickering between the ancient trunks like a wisp of mist. Siyeon's steps tread softer in her wake, each footfall a testament to a mind plotting the path of least resistance.

"Admit it, Siyeon," Bora called over her shoulder, her voice a playful lilt that merged with the rustle of leaves, "you're just jealous you can't keep up with my superior agility!"

Siyeon huffed, her breath forming puffs of fog in the cool air of the enchanted woods. "Superior recklessness, you mean," she retorted, ducking beneath a low-hanging branch that Bora had vaulted over moments before. "One of these days, your quicksilver feet will land you in trouble."

"Trouble?" Bora laughed, the sound scattering birds from their perches. "Trouble is what makes this all so exhilarating!"

The two friends pushed on, their banter weaving through the trees like the playful dance of fireflies. The forest was alive around them, a breathing entity of muted greens and browns, punctuated by the occasional splash of wildflower color. It pulsed with an energy that mirrored their own zest for adventure.

"Careful!" Siyeon exclaimed as Bora leaped over a twisted root that seemed to snake across their path with a life of its own. "You don't know what may be hidden beneath the next pile of leaves."

"Where's your sense of mystery, Siyeon? If I wanted predictable, I'd stick to the waking world," Bora quipped, weaving through a cluster of ferns that tickled her ankles.

"Predictable keeps us safe," Siyeon reminded her, although a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying her enjoyment of the chase. "Remember, it's not just our dreams at stake here."

"Always the cautious one," Bora mused, her tone softening with affection. She glanced back to see Siyeon navigating the terrain with careful deliberation, her eyes scanning for signs of danger that might lurk in the beguiling beauty of their surroundings.

"Someone has to be," Siyeon said, now only a step behind. "And besides, if we didn't have each other, this dream world wouldn't be half as much fun."

"Agreed," Bora replied. Their laughter mingled and echoed into the far reaches of the forest, a declaration of their bond and shared courage in the face of whatever mysteries awaited them in the depths of the dream.

Bora's laughter still hung in the air when a glint of metal caught her eye, and her heart stuttered. Without breaking stride, she twisted mid-leap, narrowly evading the jaws of a trap that sprung up from the underbrush, its teeth clashing with a menace that sent shivers down her spine.

"Trap!" Bora cried out, her voice laced with an edge of panic.

Siyeon skidded to a halt, eyes wide. "Are you alright?" she called ahead, her voice steady despite the spike of alarm that pierced her chest.

"More than alright," Bora answered, with a forced bravado as she landed lightly on the other side, "I'm free." But the word 'trap' lingered ominously between them, echoing Bora's deepest fears of confinement.

"Watch your step," Siyeon advised, more to herself than to Bora. She navigated around the now-exposed trap with a precision that spoke of her methodical nature, her gaze flicking ahead to where Bora had already resumed their spirited dash.

"Always do," Bora tossed over her shoulder, though her pulse still raced from the close call. Her breath came in quick bursts as she refocused on the path ahead, where the forest seemed to grow darker, the trees bending inward as if whispering secrets to one another.

"Wait for me, don't rush into—" Siyeon's cautionary words were cut short when the forest opened into a narrow passage framed by two ancient trees, their bark gnarled like the furrowed brows of watching giants.

"Siyeon," Bora said, pausing at the entrance to the passageway and turning to look back at her friend with concern etched in her brow.

"I see it," Siyeon replied, swallowing hard. The space between the trees was suffocatingly tight, the shadows within seeming to pulse with a life of their own. "It's... cozy."

"Too cozy for my taste," Bora admitted, understanding the unspoken dread that flickered across Siyeon's features. "But we're to explore, why don't we go in? Anyways, we can both run out if we ever need to."

"Alright, alright, let's not keep waiting though," Siyeon said, gathering her resolve like a cloak around her shoulders. She took a deep breath that did little to fill her lungs, which felt compressed by the mere sight of the passage. "After you."

With tentative steps, Siyeon followed Bora into the narrow crevice, her hands skimming the rough texture of the tree trunks, seeking some semblance of control. The space was close, too close, pressing in on her from all sides, and she could feel her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

"Almost there," Bora encouraged, her voice soft but unwavering, a beacon in the dim light filtering through the entwined branches overhead. "Just a few more steps."

"Easy for you to say," Siyeon muttered under her breath, but she pressed on, inspired by Bora's unyielding spirit. The closeness of the trees was like a vice around her chest, but she refused to let her fear dictate her actions. Not when Bora was beside her, not when they were on another adventure Siyeon had been dragged to.

Together, they emerged from the passage, the open air a sweet relief against Siyeon's skin. She breathed in deeply, finally allowing her lungs to expand fully, and cast a grateful glance at Bora.

"Thanks for waiting," Siyeon said, a smile ghosting her lips, though her eyes remained vigilant, ever watchful for the next challenge the dream world would throw their way.

"Always," Bora replied, her own smile reflecting the strength of their bond. "Together, we can face anything this world conjures."

And with that promise hanging between them, they raced onward, their hearts buoyant with bravery and love, even as the shadows lengthened and the unknown dangers of the dream world beckoned them deeper into its embrace.

The forest's whispering leaves fell silent, as if the trees themselves held their breath in anticipation. Bora's feet, which had been rhythmically thudding against the soft earth, now seemed loud and intrusive in the unnatural quiet. She slowed her pace, senses straining against the stillness that enveloped them.

"Siyeon," Bora whispered without turning, her voice barely a murmur, yet in the silence it was as clear as a bell.

"I hear it... or rather, I don't," Siyeon replied, her words laced with apprehension. The lack of sound was more disquieting than any cacophony could ever be.

Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. Both knew there were occasional troubles on their adventures, but this time they didn't know what it is.

"Stay alert," Bora instructed, her gaze scanning the shadowy spaces between the trees. She flexed her fingers, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"Always am," Siyeon responded, her cautious nature keeping her one step ahead of the lurking danger. Her hand unconsciously reached for the pouch of herbs that hung at her side—a meager defense, but a comfort nonetheless.

"Probably just an animal or some dream creature," Bora said, feeling confident. "We've battled bigger problems before."

They continued on, each step a defiance of the foreboding quiet, until light pierced the gloom. The dense canopy gave way to a clearing where shafts of sunlight danced upon the vibrant petals of wildflowers. Here, the gentle breeze stirred the grass, inviting them into moments of solace.

"Look, Siyeon," Bora breathed out, a smile breaking across her face as she stepped into the wash of warmth. "It's beautiful."

"Like a painting come to life," Siyeon agreed, allowing herself a small laugh despite the lingering unease. For a moment, the dream world showed them its gentler side, a reminder of what they fought to protect.

"Let's rest a moment," Bora suggested, sinking down onto the lush greenery. She tilted her face towards the sun, letting the light chase away the chill of fear from her bones.

"Only a moment," Siyeon acquiesced, joining her friend on the ground. She plucked a flower, twirling it between her fingers, studying the intricate patterns nature crafted with such effortless grace.

"Remember that day we both thought we encountered a dream creature, but it was actually a small bear?" Bora gazed at the azure sky peeking through the foliage. "We both got so scared at first because our weapons weren't there, good thing we had a tree to climb nearby."

"That was not fun at all," Siyeon laughed, her mind opening up a new flood of memories as she cherished the fleeting peace. "I still absolutely suck at climbing. You literally had to pull me up!"

They both laughed, forgetting about their surroundings. "What about the time we saw a random cloud of shadow in the air?" Siyeon asked, finally feeling comfortable in the woods.

"Oh, that was so fun, it evaporated with one flick of the dream caster! We were originally going dream hunting, but shadow hunting sounds easier."

And in that tranquil clearing, surrounded by the serene beauty of their dream world, the two friends found renewed strength. They would stand shoulder to shoulder against the encroaching shadows.

Bora's breath came in soft whispers, her chest rising and falling with a rhythm that mirrored the gentle undulations of the grass around them. The sky above painted their faces with strokes of gold and azure, but beneath the idyllic facade, an undercurrent of darkness shifted – a silent reminder of the threat lurking at the edges of this dreamscape.

"Siyeon," Bora began, her voice a tremor barely heard over the breeze, "Is it me or does this shadow feel suffocating?"

Siyeon turned toward her friend. "Well yeah, maybe cause of that day where we both got trapped in the cave. That was the day both our fears started."

"About being trapped," Bora thought. "The day ten years ago we went exploring, we stepped into an entrance thinking it was going to be cool and got lost in a cave? The darkness... it was suffocating. I couldn't see, couldn't move. I think that's why now, every shadow feels like a shackle, every silence a cell."

The admission hung between them, heavy as the clouds that dared not mar the perfect sky.

Siyeon's hand found Bora's, her grip firm yet gentle. "I was there, I also felt that fear. Claustrophobia, it's called in the waking world. It makes me feel like walls are closing in, stealing the air from my lungs." She exhaled deeply, demonstrating the slow, deliberate breaths she had mastered over countless restless nights. "But wait, you just realized?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood. She made a failed attempt to laugh. "Sorry, don't worry, we're in this together."

"Even if the shadows come alive?" Bora asked, her agile mind leaping to the worst of possibilities, as it often did.

"Especially then," Siyeon assured her, her methodical nature shining like the beacon in a lighthouse, guiding ships through treacherous waters. "We'll continue exploring this dream world side by side, and nothing can stop us."

Their hands remained clasped, two friends bound by shared fears and unyielding courage, ready to face the encroaching dark as one.

Their fingers reluctantly parted as Bora and Siyeon turned to face the foreboding forest, where the silence was shattered by an unsettling rustling. It echoed through the trees, a susurrus growing in volume like an approaching storm. Bora's eyes narrowed, her body tensed for action; but she wasn't afraid, they've been through this multiple times before.

"We've been through this a thousand times already, why does it feel different," Siyeon murmured, almost reading her mind. Her voice barely above a whisper, but it cut through the quiet with the sharpness of a blade. Her gaze darted methodically from shadow to shadow, anticipating the unseen threat.

"Probably because of the suffocating air," Bora replied with fierce determination, pushing her fears into resolve. She crouched slightly, ready to spring forward or leap aside—whatever the situation demanded. "Where's the dream caster?"

Siyeon handed her the mystical stick of dreams that could shatter illusions and most of all, evaporate shadows. Bora grabbed it and wrapped her hand around it, already prepared for whatever else came.

The rustling amplified, now a cacophony that seemed to come from all directions, and yet their seasoned instincts pinpointed the source straight ahead. They exchanged a glance filled with mutual understanding: protect the dream world. For Bora, it was a realm where she could run free, unbound by the chains of fear; for Siyeon, it was a vast expanse where the walls could never close in. And for both of them, it was a place where they could continuously explore with a different scene and adventure each time.

"Stay alert," Siyeon cautioned, her eyes scanning for traps and snares, her mind already devising plans A through Z.

"Always," Bora shot back with a grin, her spirit buoyed by the thrill of the unknown.

But the forest had begun to change around them. The shadows stretched out like long, dark fingers reaching across the clearing, as if the very essence of the nightmare was seeping into their sanctuary. The sunlight, once golden and warm, dimmed as though an unseen eclipse was stealing its radiance.

A shiver cascaded down Bora's spine, but she stood her ground. Siyeon, too, felt the chill, a coldness that seeped into her bones and gripped her heart with icy fingers. Yet, her breathing remained steady, a testament to her methodical control.

"Can you feel it?" Bora whispered, her agile mind racing to comprehend the shift in the atmosphere. "I don't think we've ever encounted this before."

Siyeon nodded, her lips pressed in a thin line. "I can sense it—the oppression, the dread. But we cannot let fear dictate our actions."

"Agreed," Bora said, squaring her shoulders. "We've faced darkness before, and we will do so again, together."

The breeze picked up, carrying with it not the fresh scent of pine and earth, but a smell of decay, a harbinger of corruption.

"Whatever happens," Siyeon said, her voice firm despite the terror clawing at the edges of her thoughts, "we face it as one."

"Always," Bora affirmed, her eyes reflecting the last rays of fleeing light. "Together."

The clearing was now cloaked in an ominous twilight, the once vibrant flowers bowing their heads as if mourning the loss of the sun. The rustling grew deafening, the sounds of the Nightmare's approach a promise of the chaos it sought to unleash upon their realm.

Bora clenched her fists, feeling the power of the dream world coursing through her veins. For a moment, she was everywhere—the wind, the earth, the sky. And then, she was simply Bora, standing beside her dearest friend, facing the encroaching darkness with unwavering courage.

"Let it come," she said, her voice a defiant challenge to the shadows. "We are of this place, and we will not yield."

Side by side, Bora with her agility and quick wits, Siyeon with her meticulous care and thoughtful strategies, they prepared to confront the creature like they've done many times before. The creature's malignant presence loomed large, but so did the strength of their bond, unbreakable and fierce as the hearts that beat in unison beneath their chests.

The shadows twisted and writhed as if alive, the remaining light in the clearing flickering like a dying flame. Bora's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the sinister dance of darkness closing in. The air grew thick with an unspoken dread, a tension that gripped Siyeon's lungs and squeezed, threatening to turn her methodical breaths into panicked gasps.

"Show yourself!" Bora's voice cut through the silence, her command leaving no room for doubt or fear, even as her pulse raced with the thrill of impending confrontation.

As if summoned by her defiance, a chilling laugh reverberated through the trees, low and resonant, laced with cruel amusement. It was the sound of nightmares given voice, and it sent a shiver down Bora's spine—a reminder of her deepest fears made manifest.

From within the darkened thicket, a form began to emerge. It was a silhouette at first, amorphous and shifting, but soon its features sharpened into a figure both majestic and terrifying. The creature stood before them, towering and obsidian, its skin a tapestry of void against the twilight.

Bora tensed, ready to spring into action, while Siyeon's eyes widened, taking in every detail of their foe—their calculations already forming a plan of attack. But nothing could have prepared them for the sight of the creature's eyes. They glowed with a malevolent luminescence, two orbs of sickly green that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of the dream world.

"Who—what in the dream world are you?" Siyeon asked, unimpressed by the creature.

"That looks just like the shadow we defeated before," Bora said. She pulled out her dream weaver, and without hesitation, shot a blast of etherial light at the creature. "This should be a blast, literally."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the creature said, unaffected by the light.

Siyeon crossed her arms, staring into the creature. "So who are you?"

"I'm the Nightmare. Now, I would kill you, but I'm looking for some helpers. I'll give you an opportunity to live. But first off, don't underestimate me. Second, come with me."

"Never!" Bora stated with force. "How do we know you can be trusted? Why should we come with you?"

The Nightmare laughed again, the sound a cold caress against their skin. "Such bravery. I'd be delightful to watch it crumble." With a wave of its clawed hand, shadows writhed and stretched, reaching toward the pair like tendrils seeking to ensnare.

"Get ready," Bora whispered, her muscles coiled like springs, her agile mind racing through potential maneuvers.

"Always ready," Siyeon murmured in response, her analytical gaze dissecting the movements of the encroaching darkness.

The Nightmare advanced, a predator confident in its dominion, but Bora and Siyeon held their ground. The bond between them, forged in countless shared dreams and challenges, was a beacon of light in the enveloping gloom.