As Danny exited Miss Cynthia's residence he heard the sounds of Neighing horses, ultimately his young mind could not ignore this sound and as such curiosity got the better of him as he went to investigate this sound.
Hey walked around for some time finding nothing thus far until he reached the bustling side of the central area there he eventually found the horses he was looking for and to his surprise he saw a familiar looking carriage accompanying them heading somewhere and as soon as he saw this carriage a great deal of enthusiasm came over him as he hurried back home.
Danny ran home excitedly and by the time he arrived the shirt he had been wearing had been completely soaked by all the sweat accumulated thus far but this didn't matter to him. Upon arriving he saw the very same horse drawn carriage stationed outside of his house. As Danny approached the door his eyes began to widen, he heard a familiar voice on the other side and without wasting a second he barged into the house.
In the house appear Danny's father talking to a broad man clad a platinum armor from head to toe. The strange man the abruptly silenced himself and turned around towards Danny, he then got down on one knee and removed his helmet.
DANNY MY BOY!!
UNCLE ALARIC!!
The two the quickly hugged each other in a loving embrace. The hug lasted for a few minutes until Danny's father called out to them both. Alaric then turned towards Danny.
Wow it's been a while kiddo and it looks like you're growing up fast aren't you kiddo, tell me how old are you now.
I'm eight years old now uncle.
Wow eight years old pretty soon you'll be going to an academy.
Thanks uncle, but wait what are you doing here dad says you've been away for work.
Well you're dad was right I have been working but my work just brought me around the area for the time being and I thought I'd just come and visit you guys.
Woah that's amazing.
That's not all kiddo, I also came with a present just for you.
Alaric quickly headed outside to the carriage, he opened the door and rummaged though all the things inside until he pulled out a sword. He then came back inside and handed the sword to Danny. Danny looked at the sword with astonishment.
THIS IS AMAZING OH THANK YOU UNCLE.
Hehe you're welcome kiddo and since I'll be nearby I can train you and prepare you for when you'll enter an academy.
Absolutely not! Danny's father interjected with a stern look. I will not allow Danny to begin learning swordsmanship at such a young age.
Oh come on Aldric you have to allow him to do so, all other kids his age are already making preparations for the day the enroll at an academy and besides I'm sure Danny will pick up the ways of the sword quickly I mean he is your son after all. Look we both know the kid can't use magic so training to be a knight is the next best thing.
I stand by my decision, look I have no problem if Danny learns theory work in preparation but training with a sword is another thing entirely. I'm sorry Alaric but my answer is no.
But dad I wanna train with Uncle Alaric.
It's alright kiddo if your dad says no then you should listen to him, remember everything he does is for your sake alright.
Aww.
Danny go to your room, me and your uncle need to talk.
In a sulky mood Danny went to his room and sat on his bed, in the next moment his mother entered the room.
Hey there sweetie what's wrong you look upset.
Uncle Alaric gave me a sword as a present and promised to train me to become a knight but dad said no.
It's alright sweetie no need to be upset, look I know what your dad is doing seems unfair but I promise you he's only doing it for you.
That's exactly what Uncle Alaric said.
If your uncle also said that doesn't that mean it's true huh. Okay I'll tell you what I can convince your dad to let you keep the sword but you have to turn your frown upside down.
At that moment Danny began smiling and seeing this his mother just kissed him on the forehead and left the room. Time passed as Danny sat in his room waiting until his father called him. Danny rushed to the kitchen and to his dismay he saw his uncle preparing to leave.
Aww Uncle Alaric are you leaving already.
Sorry kiddo I still have to get back to work but don't worry like I said I'll be in the area for some time so I'll be visiting more often okay.
Alaric then brushed Danny's hair before turning to Danny's father with a serious look on his face.
Aldric I know you're reasons but I'm asking for you to at least consider it. I hate to say it but things are more dire than you know.
Alright I'll give you that much at least but don't expect a change of heart.
Giving an understanding nod Alaric got on the horse stationed outside and began to ride away. After saying goodbye to his uncle Danny went back into the house and headed towards his bedroom room but before he could get in his father called him.
Daniel! Come in here, we need to talk.
Hearing his father's words Danny got into the common room and sat beside his father. Judging by his father's tone perhaps he was going to about something serious at least that's what Danny could make of the situation.
Look Danny I called you because we need to talk about the nightmares you've been having. I was going to talk to you about this earlier but we were distracted.
Hearing the mention of the nightmares Danny felt a bit unease overcome him, his father noticed this but decided to continue.
These nightmares of yours are getting more and more problematic, it's to the point that they're happening everyday now. I know you're scared but you need to tell me if you know the reason you keep having them.
I... I don't know. Dad is there something wrong with me.
No there's nothing wrong with you son, honestly I shouldn't have expected you to know something like that after all you're just eight years old. I talked to your uncle about your nightmares and he suggested we go see a friend of his who happens to be a doctor. Unfortunately this doctor is far away so we'll have to go on a trip for about a week but we'll make it work. I still have some work to do these days so we'll have to go next week.
Dad do you think this doctor will make the nightmares go away because I'm scared of sleeping these days.
Don't worry I believe the doctor will help you okay, in the meantime I need you to stay strong alright and you'll see this week will go by quickly than you can imagine.
Danny began crying silently but before he could cry more his father hugged him in a warm embrace easing his mind. Once that was over Danny went to his bedroom and with fear in his heart he slowly made his way to the bed, getting in he closed his eyes hoping that he would not have a nightmare this night until he eventually fell asleep.
Danny appears as a figure surrounded by a strange energy, he marvels at this energy surrounding him before noticing his surroundings. Danny finds himself in a strange room, curious he begins to explore the room until he comes across a strange door.
Danny stands by the door, gazing at it intently suddenly the energy surrounding him begins flowing towards the direction of the door. Seeing this as a sign Danny decides to open the door, on the other side there was a large spacious room and in the middle of this room stood a large round table.
Danny began looking around the room with excitement and wonder in his eyes and as he got closer to the table the energy around him began flowing once more this time towards the direction of the table. As the energy made it's way to the table it began swirling around the table until it began taking the shape of a chair, swirling around the table again it took the shape of three more chairs.
The four chairs stood on opposites sides around the table. Danny found this peculiar turn of events interesting and as such he began approaching one of the chairs slowly, he then sat down on the chair and as soon as he did so he felt something resonate within him. At that moment three other figures began manifesting on each of the other chairs, the figures then gained form and to Danny's surprise they looked exactly like him.
The figures then looked at Danny before reaching out their hands at him. Danny in turn began to reach out his own hand towards them but before he could touch them a suddenly earthquake struck vigorously. Confused Danny began looking around, the earthquake continued getting more vigorous by the second Danny then went back to the door and looked into the previous room.
In the previous room Danny saw a large cloud of darkness eating at everything in sight, the darkness then started moving towards Danny rapidly causing him to run away in fear. Danny ran past the round table to the edge of the room. The darkness seeped into the room still swallowing everything in sight, it then reached the table and began swallowing it as well along with the three other Danny figures. With nowhere to escape Danny could only watch the darkness drift closer and closer to him until it began swallowing him from his feet all the way to his shoulders, it continued on covering his face little by little until everything was enveloped by darkness.
In the next moment Danny woke up screaming at the top of his lungs. His parents quickly rushed in the room and embraced him but still he continued screaming until he regained consciousness. Seeing himself surrounded by his parents he began crying on his mother's lap. His parents comforted him until he fell asleep again.