Page 131 of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

“If it turns out,” he said, opening his eyes, “that nothing comes of this…then yes, Akane. I’ll get help.”

She nodded toward the others. “Why don’t I tell them this was a drillof sorts? Us trying to figure out how quickly we could gather a force to protect the city in an emergency.”

“No,” Painter said, taking her arm. “Don’t lie to them. If you decide you need to dismiss them…tell them the truth. That you were humoring me. In remembrance of our former friendship.”

She hugged him then.

“I’m truly sorry,” he whispered, holding to her. “About everything I’ve done. Said. And the things I haven’t said most of all.”

“We know,” she said, pulling back. “I can’t speak for the others, but I forgive you, Nikaro. I know you didn’t want to hurt us.”

He smiled.

“Uh,guys?” Masaka said, hurrying over. “Have you ever seen it dothatbefore?”

Painter turned.

The shroud was undulating. Agitating,frothing.

“Grab your things!” Painter shouted. “They’re coming!”

People scrambled to their feet, gaping. Stunned.

As the nightmares began to emerge.

Yumi knew, asshe approached Torio City, that she needed to let the tree land.

She couldn’t defeat the machine while dealing with the nightmares who were still down there hunting her. She needed to confront them first. Instinct propelled her, but also good logic. Because she remembered something Design had told her.

Her tree floated down, unraveling as it lowered. As she landed, she stepped free, allowing it to vanish fully. Four ghastly figures stood beforeher, blocking the way into Torio City. All around was eternal night, barren stone veiled by a pervasive black smoke.

The four nightmares came for her and slammed their claws into her. Seeking to draw out her strength, to sap it, to freeze her.

But she was stronger than they were.

You could consume them.

As they tried to pull her strength away, she simply…refused.

“I am the one who the spirits chose,” she said, feeling their claws pass through her harmlessly. “I am the thing you had to lock up.”

They stumbled back from her, shrinking. As nightmares sometimes do when no longer feared.

“I am the one that nightmares fear,” she said, imagining them. Knowing them for what they were. Forcing the figures to coalesce into four spindly scholars. “Andyoushall bow tome.”

Color flooded them and they gasped, falling to the ground.

Yumi walked to the lead scholar, who sat up first, looking at her with frightened eyes. She didn’t attack him though. She sat before him in a pose of meditation.

“Tell me,” she said softly, “how to destroy the machine.”

“You…” He glanced toward his colleagues, who lay in a lump. “You can’t. I’m sorry.” He bowed his head and began to shake. “I’m sorry… Oh, what have we done? What have we done…”

“It’s all right,” Yumi said. “What has happened is in the past. I am the yoki-hijo. My word is law. You may rest, once this is through.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking her by the hand. “But you can’t stop it.”

“There is no need to protect the machine. You are free from its control. It cannot hurt you, no matter how much it wants to.”

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