Chapter 4)

It's slick, slender body moved in irrational movements, never standing in one spot for more than a second, it's upper body jerked and twisted as it's hands flexed, showing it's hideous hands. 

It's body was covered in a black mist, continuously flowing upwards towards the sky, then fading into the wind. As it's body moved, the black mist moved with it. You could not see through the mist, a never ending void.

I raised my sword towards the nightmare, the tip pointing directly towards its head. The nightmare did not inch their eyes towards the blade, it's white eyes still pointing at me. It took slow, silent steps, it's large feet were like that of a beast, black mist formed with each foot planted onto the ground.

A low, distorted grumble came from the nightmare, it sounded like it was ready to attack me at any moment, the distance between me and the nightmare slowly closed.

It's movements stopped, it's feet no longer inching towards me, and stood straight up, it's hand's towards its sides. The black mist no longer moving upwards, disappearing completely. It's body had now formed completely, it was hard to see from the dark, but it had seemed like the nightmare formed a long, insidious smile.

I couldn't react, as a split second later, it suddenly dashed, attempting to slash my body in half. In the nick of time, my blade had reflected it's claws, stressing my body as it's weight forced itself upon me. 

"Hngh!"

As it's claw recoiled from my blade, it's other hand wildly attacked me. I could see the mist slowly creep from it's hand, a small ball of aura. Instead of recoiling from my blade, it's claw clashed against me. I grit my teeth, a grunting sound fled my mouth.

As my blade clashed against it's claws, I could feel a weird sense burn through my hands. The black mist that covered it's hands had unexpectedly covered my katana, the black mist fiercely made it's way towards the hilt, now covering my own hands.

It felt like a fire. The sensation you get when your hands are covered in hot water for too long, and ends up going numb and feels cold instead. My hands began to shake, and the only thing I could do was release my blade from the nightmare's claw, creating distance between us. 

I saw that the black mist no longer covered my katana and hands, only covering the nightmare once more. Undecipherable, it cackled heartily through the alley, echoing throughout the dark streets. I could see its sharp teeth appear, its large mouth wide open.

The cackling didn't come from just the single nightmare alone, I could hear it throughout the area, the crazed laughing getting louder and louder, as I thought I saw the shape of four more eyes slowly form from the shadow.

The faint bodies of two more nightmares appeared through the alleys, their large mouths laughing crazily alongside the other nightmare, black mist formed from all three of their bodies.

There was no way I could fight all three of these nightmares by myself, I barely managed to dodge and reflect a single one, now I have to go against three? I had no idea if I would survive to go see Barsanti, or Iris. 

I raised my blade once more, my weak grip on the hilt felt like it would fall from my hands.

Just then, a murmur, coming from the street, went through my ears.

"Ogata?!"