3. Dream within a dream

                                    

                                          

21. Nightlife 
He nods his head intact with the music, fingers running flawlessly over the keys. He knows his Toccata, and not even the monotonous rhythm emerging from the club can disturb him. Pink and blue and purple light crashes through the window, illuminating the old Steinway. Laughs tickle the dust in this pristine room. But he doesn't open his eyes, wishing to witness his genius come forth. The kind of evil that can turn the Toccata into a nightmare. 
22. Angel of Death 
Once, the owner of white wings flew over the snow-covered peaks. 
In his arms – a lost soul.
Before he could land, a distant kindred of his emerged from the ground. 
The demon spoke. "That soul is mine." 
Laughter was his answer. "That which you seek is no longer here. This is no soul but the leftovers." The angel flew past him with his burden and landed on the cold ground. 
The demon stood; his interest lost. Yet he would not be a demon if he did not spit poison at his rival. "What words from a holy being such as yourself! Where is your compassion, where is your sorrow?" 
The angel smiled. The demon frowned. "What words you know, brother. No wonder hell has forsaken you." His smile was cruel. The demon stepped back, unknowingly admitting defeat. "Are you surprised? We all thrive on despair."
"But- you're an angel!"
"An angel of what?"
23. Spirit
The creature resembles an insect of sorts, a large caterpillar in form. Yet there is more to it, much more than she can take in. For one – it has eyes, large black voids that stare at the world around them. She can hear screams, from somewhere, but she's sure they are not battle cries. Screams of agony. Fear, because they don't want to die, not like this no! don't cut them! Ah too late. 
She wonders if these voids are staring at her with animosity or curiosity or if maybe they want help. 'But I cannot help them! There is no way to return them to normal...once they get like that.' 
Maybe there is a way. Something they don't know yet. 
The least they can do is give these poor unburied souls mercy. Poor unfortunate souls, forced to walk the land forever, stitched together like this. 
Mercy, she can give them.
24. Carcass
What was that thing?
 Joshua didn't want to approach it, but the Chief had already rushed behind the Keep Out sign, and so he reluctantly followed. It took all his willpower not to look away as Chief Weu turned the...body...around and requested gloves. Joshua's stomach lurched. The creature was big, and its claws and long leathery wings were anything but human even if its facial features were a stark contrast to the ones usually found on low-class devils. 
Chief Weu was examining its face, with her usual gentleness. Joshua simultaneously hated this trait and admired her for it. Probably because this careful examination was a form of respect, rather than a show of weakness.
"It's...not a demon." Joshua wasn't surprised but the dreadful feeling that had been gnawing at his insides intensified. 
"But it's not human, either." His superior turned around and nodded slowly, her gaze haunted.
25. Puppet
She dances to an inaudible tune. Left right jump! Left right spin! Huh? Wasn't there work to be done? Left right left right. She shakes her head What am I doing? Left right two steps back and jump! This is silly. Spin spin until you lose your mind! She does not know this choreography. Stop stop! Left right left right and jump! She lands ungracefully and hears clapping.