Life is fickle in many ways. In one moment, a man may be with the love of his life, only for her to be ripped away from him in the next. In another moment, a city might be thriving with endless riches, just for it to be torn apart by the greed of others in the next. Life is a series of unpredictable events that not even the Gods have control over. Even the slightest flap from a butterfly can alter the very course of the world itself.
The future is not absolute.
For fate itself has begun to ripple and change. The weave that created the great tapestry has rewritten itself. The strings of fate are beginning to wrap themselves around a new victim, forging a new path for humanity.
***
A gaunt young man with dark skin and deep orange eyes stood before a massive bridge, staring at the fortress beyond. He was holding a tiny sack, which only held a few trinkets and basic clothing—not like he had anything else to his name.
'Just my luck. It wasn't enough for me to just survive off Synthpaste for the last twelve years. The spell just had to infect me too. I can't ever catch a break, can I?'
Feeling a bit frustrated about his situation, but nothing he could do about it. River decided to direct his attention to the Academy in front of him.
From the bits and pieces of information that River had picked up over the years in the slums , no one, not even a titan, was meant to be able to pierce the walls of this academy, and he could finally see what they meant. The defense system that the academy boasted included an expansive moat, high-caliber turrets that lined the walls, and, most importantly, awakened defenders of the academy all came together to create an impenetrable stronghold. It was a little much in his opinion. But altogether, this formed the Awakened Academy, the setting of countless plays, stories, and comics, all telling of a mystical place where rats like him could rise above and become champions who defended the human race.
'Like they'd ever let someone like me rise to fame…'
The reality, of course, was much crueler. It was a place designed to train new dreamers and awakened to the brink of insanity before they were thrust headfirst into the dream realm. The academy promises to equip you with all the strength and skills needed to survive whatever the Nightmare Spell would throw at you, but ultimately it was full of false promises. No one can truly beat the Nightmare Spell. At some point, everyone was brought to their knees. Yet despite this, River had only three weeks to train himself, and he was bound to be plunged headfirst into the Dream Realm. If he wanted to survive, he had to steel himself for whatever lay ahead.
But life isn't so simple, and for the time being, River glanced around, taking in the last few moments he had before his life was turned upside down, and ended up noticing two fellow dreamers waiting for the bridge to descend.
The first was obviously from a legacy clan, he was dressed to the nines. He was slightly taller than River, with a well-proportioned physique that even his brand-new clothing couldn't hide. It looked as if he had been training for his entire life for this very moment, a stark difference from the skinny physique that River possessed. His face seemed to be perfectly sculpted by the gods, with his hair perfectly complimenting his features. His hair was a shade of mahogany and neatly combed into the middle part, which seemed to remain perfectly styled despite the wind blowing on his face. But most striking of all was his black eyes, which seemed to be lit aflame by passion, something he didn't expect from a lofty Legacy. Just the sight of him made River feel a bit envious.
'I can't imagine the luxury he's been able to live in while I've starved day in and day out in the slums.' River bitterly remarked.
The other, though, completely contrasted the noble image of the legacy; he seemed animalistic in nature. His face, marked with numerous scars, was well-defined and masculine. He was much taller than the legacy, with a stocky physique that was more fit for a war veteran than a teenager. His physique was mainly covered by some sort of armor memory that covered his torso and legs made out of the hard shell of some Nightmare Creature, leaving nothing but his toned arms exposed. He also wore a weird necklace with things he couldn't quite discern hanging from it. But the strangest thing about him was that he also reminded River of someone he had met before, but he just couldn't place where exactly he remembered him from.
'His face is oddly familiar… a little too familiar for my liking.'
Despite his curiosity, River wasn't one to start any sort of conversation. He was far too tired and far too scared to approach either of them. Who knows what they'd say if they had the chance, and worse if they knew who he was. It was much too big of a risk, so he decided to wait, and after another five or so minutes, the large metal slab meant to be a bridge descended, and the bright red gates to the academy opened.
Full of confidence, the legacy strolled onto the bridge, gazing ahead. But that was nothing compared to the other sleeper, who seemed to sprint almost animalistically towards the entrance with no regard for anyone else.
'God damn it… it's him. Of all people to have made it here, it had to be him.'
The sight of the sleeper stirred up bad memories within Rivers' heart, but he had no time to dwell on them. So, River took a second to gather his thoughts, took a deep breath, and followed.
***
The section of the academy dedicated to the sleepers was quite small in comparison to the rest of the compound. It was dotted with a few modern buildings that hosted any number of Spell Carriers, though the majority of the sleepers were housed underground, the buildings extending deep into the earth.
As River followed behind the two sleepers from before, they were led into a large hall, where about a hundred or so other sleepers stood giddy with anticipation for the introduction ceremony. The introduction ceremony was held every month since it was impossible for the logistic team to figure out when precisely certain sleepers would be infected by the Nightmare spell. Leaving some to have years or mere days to prepare for the Winter Solstice.
Most of them were busy discussing their aspect ranks and their First Nightmare and trying to make as many connections as possible. Something River despised, they acted as if everything was a joke, like their lives weren't actually at risk.
All they wanted to do was talk.
'It's pointless, more than half the sleepers here will be dead the second they step foot in the dream realm. And all they cared about was comparing egos.'
Feeling slightly annoyed at the whole situation, River tried to tune them out and focused on observing his surroundings to get an idea of the capabilities of the other sleepers. Information was important after all.
Looking around at the crowds, River noticed a stark similarity amongst all of them. Most if not everyone there seemed to be well dressed, with a suitcase or a duffel bag of their own belongings. So, River, in his police issued clothes and sack of tiny belongings stood out in the crowd, and not in a good way.
'Is anything ever going to go my way?'
Ultimately, though, it wasn't standing out that River dreaded; it was having to talk and, more importantly, share. Everyone there was thirsting for knowledge about their fellow sleepers. They wanted to know every last bit about their aspects, their abilities, and their First Nightmares.
None of them were on edge, or even wary of others. They were instead, thriving, taking in every last word of their peers like it was their last. It was just too… comfortable here, something that outskirts never allowed him to have. It felt strange.
River just couldn't help but feel a bit insecure about the whole situation. The sensation gnawing at his brain. He wasn't used to such large gatherings, it was a distant memory for him, especially with people who were of much higher status. And out of a sense of doubt and insecurity, River summoned his runes to reread his spell status page yet again.
***
Name: River
True Name:
Rank: Dreamer
Soul Fragments: 4/1000
Memories: [ Viper's Lament ]
Echos: —
Attributes: [ Eyes of Averous ] [ Ruination ]
Attribute Descriptions:
[ Ruination ]: [ Once a noble with riches to spare, you have fallen into the depths of poverty. Within the depths of your soul you desire to regain that status. As well, the strings of fate have begun to wrap themselves around you, bring you ever closer to what you desire]
[ Eyes of Averous ]: [ You have an uncanny ability to detect things and peer into the essence of their beings, envious of everything you see ]
Aspect: [ A Desolate Crown ]
Aspect Rank: Sacred.
Aspect Description: [ A perverse desire has infiltrated your soul, driving you to seek more and more. The more you own and the greater you are viewed the greater your power is ]
Aspect Ability: [ Endless Greed ]
Aspect Ability Description: [ Your greed is so immense the abilities inherent to others souls can become yours.]
Stolen Abilities: [ Glacial Veil ] [ _____ ] [ ______ ]
Flaw: [ What A Joke ]
Flaw Description: [ People struggle to take what you have to say seriously, people are more inclined to treat you with less respect. ]
***
'So I really haven't been hallucinating the last four times.…I really have a sacred aspect…'
Tearing him out of his thoughts, a sleeper, who seemed more akin to a tree than a human approached him. The sleeper possessed long, thick dark brown hair that was styled into a long ponytail with bangs to the sides of his face with the help of a branch. His eyes were a vibrant green that reminded him of the forest during the spring. His irises in particular had multiple tree rings, each one growing smaller as they made their way to his pupils. His face was on the slender side, with bits of his face resembling that of bark on a tree, creating the illusion that he had some sort of skin disorder. Yet, this didn't take away from his attractiveness, it instead, somehow enhanced it, creating a unique sense of appeal. His body though, looked a bit strange, as if his limbs were elongated in a way that wasn't proportional to his body, they were like branches. The sleeper reached out with a wooden hand, taking the chance to introduce himself.
"Nice to meet you! I am Earl of Oak, you are?"
River stared awkwardly at the outstretched hand, and promptly decided to ignore it. It wasn't exactly a move made out of malice, he just simply didn't trust the man.
"River."
Earl, feeling a bit embarrassed by River's firm rejection, blinked a little in surprise, unsure of what to do. The man's reaction seemed to suggest that he's rarely been rejected before, but he quickly regained his bearings, pulling back his still outstretched hand.
"Ah. I apologize if my introduction made you uncomfortable in any way. I should have presumed someone from the outskirts wouldn't have any knowledge of manners. It just isn't in your nature."
River's jaw tightened at the remark, but he kept his expression neutral. His gaze flickered over Earl of Oak once more, now with a touch of scrutiny. The man, clearly, held himself with an air of effortless confidence, despite the awkwardness that had just passed between them. There was something oddly regal about the way he stood, like a tree that refused to bow to the wind.
'I really can't just be left alone…'
River exhaled sharply through his nose.
"Manners, huh?"
His voice was dry, unimpressed.
"As if those even matter anymore. Nowadays, all that matters is one's strength. No man bows before someone weaker than him."
Earl's lips curled into a faint smile, though now there was an edge to it.
"Oh? And do you have the strength to back it up? The strength to not bow down to someone with an ascended aspect?"
Earl took a step forward, taking the chance to look River up and down. His face clearly expressed how little he thought of River.
"I sincerely doubt that some random kid from the outskirts is even worth my time, let alone an aspect I'd be interested in. I'm starting to question why I even decided to spare you a moment of my time."
River scoffed at Earl's arrogance. It was always the act of underestimating one's opponent that led to their demise.
"Is useless bravado a common trait amongst all you legacies? It seems all you guys care about is honor and pride. Two things that have no value on the battlefield."
While River might not be able to take Earl in a straight fight, especially with the current state of his dormant ability, the outskirts taught him that people like him always have some sort of flaw to exploit. It was just a matter of finding out what that flaw exactly was.
Earl's expression didn't waver, but there was a subtle shift in the way he held himself, his wooden fingers flexed slightly, his weight shifted forward just enough to suggest the thought of confrontation. His ringed eyes gleamed with something unreadable, curiosity perhaps, or maybe amusement.
"How cynical,"
Earl mused.
"But tell me, River, if honor and pride have no value, then what does?"
River's gaze remained steady.
"Survival."
Earl let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"Survival is the lowest bar to set for yourself. That's the kind of thinking that keeps people small."
He lifted a hand, idly examining his bark-like fingers as if they held more importance than the conversation.
"I suppose that's why the outskirts remain in the outskirts. No vision beyond making it to the next day."
River's fingers twitched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay relaxed. Earl was trying to get a rise out of him, pushing buttons to see what would happen. He wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
"You talk a lot for someone who thinks I'm not worth his time."
Earl's lips twitched upward again, but this time, the amusement in his gaze sharpened.
"That's true. I suppose I find your skeptical nature and sharp words a bit interesting, it's different from how people usually talk to me. But, at the end of the day, it seems you're more bark than you are bite. I hope you can prove me wrong, I'll be keeping my eyes on you."
River stood in silence for a moment, watching Earl's figure blend away into the crowd, before beginning to grip his fist's tightly. Frustration burned within him.
'It's always those damn Legacies. Arrogantly staring down at you, acting as if they know everything about you. Like you're nothing but scum.'
River just couldn't stand it. Still, Earl's words lingered. He wasn't wrong about one thing. River was skeptical, always on edge, and never fully trusting.
But that skepticism wasn't weakness. It was survival. The same instincts that kept him alive on the outskirts would keep him alive here, even if it meant facing down someone like Earl.
River let his gaze wander one last time over the crowd. He would prove Earl wrong. He would prove all of them wrong. And when the time came, and he was forced to enter the twisted dream realm, River would be ready. Not just to survive. No no no, he was no longer satisfied with simply surviving.
He planned on taking everything.