You jolt awake, heart racing. Another dream—Ruby running through the forest, calling your name, her eyes glowing silver under the moonlight. But this time, when you open your eyes, you see her silhouette at the window, framed by the pale glow of the night.

“Ruby…?” you whisper, sitting up.

She steps closer, her expression serious. “I need to talk to you. Those dreams you’ve been having? They’re not just dreams. I’ve been seeing them too.”

A shiver runs through you. “Wait—you mean… we’ve been inside the same dream?”

Ruby nods, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her red cloak. “Something’s pulling us into the Dream Realm. I don’t know why, but I think it’s connected to me. To… my wolf side.”

Before you can respond, Ruby’s eyes flicker silver, and suddenly the room shifts. The walls melt away, the floor dissolves, and you find yourself standing in the forest you’ve only seen in dreams. The trees are impossibly tall, glowing faintly with silver veins, and the air hums with energy.

Ruby grabs your hand. “We’re here again. And it’s not safe.”

You glance around, tension rising. “Safe from what?”

As if on cue, a low growl echoes through the woods. Dark shadows flit between the trees—beasts shaped like wolves, but twisted, their eyes burning red. Ruby bares her teeth, her instincts flaring.

“They’re fragments,” she explains quickly. “Pieces of my fear… my doubts. The Dream Realm turns them real.”

The beasts begin circling. Ruby squeezes your hand, steadying herself. “I can fight them, but I need you. You’re the only thing that keeps me from losing control here.”

You lock eyes with her, nodding firmly. “Then we fight together.”

The battle erupts—Ruby shifting partially into her wolf form, claws flashing as she takes down one shadow beast. You cover her back, grabbing a fallen branch, swinging it like a weapon. The creatures dissolve into smoke with every strike, but more appear.

At one point, Ruby falters, overwhelmed by the shadows. You rush to her side, holding her face in your hands. “Ruby! Focus on me! You’re stronger than them—stronger than this dream!”

Her glowing eyes soften as she stares into yours, her breathing steadying. “You always know how to pull me back…”

With renewed strength, Ruby lets out a piercing howl, silver light exploding from her body. The shadows disintegrate in a wave of shimmering magic, leaving the forest quiet again.

The dream fades, and suddenly you’re both back in your room—sitting on the floor, hands still clasped, the moonlight pouring in.

Ruby smiles faintly, exhausted but relieved. “Guess we just survived our first dream battle.” She leans against you, her voice soft. “Whatever this is… I want to face it with you.”