Shadow Slave - After the Third Nightmare - A different Story

In the office of the Brilliant Emporium there was a meeting. It was a rainy night. Aiko was taking care of a good atmosphere. It amounted to more sweet snacks, comfortable chairs. Surprisingly Aiko had her own collection of alcoholic beverages meant to improve the mood of various people, but she didn't use it.

She doesn't possess much expertise in this field, but there were some loose rules she had to follow. Awakened are somehow more resilient to everything with exception for taste. They can drink more mundane alcohol than ordinary humans, and not get drunk. There is much less information about the influence of alcohol on Masters, but when it comes to Saints... it seems useless. And that doesn't account for the diversity of aspects, and attributes. It makes a lot of sense. If Awakened or Nightmare Creatures were vulnerable to alcohol poisoning it would be a very exploitable way to kill them.

The Saints don't have much of a crave for alcohol. Anything of pleasant taste would do the same.
The chairs on the other hand were something else. Not only were they the result of Bastion's fine craftsmanship, but were also made of the same fine wood that remained of the forest-Titan that formerly surrounded it. The furnitures were not the same level of sturdiness as the Shadow Chair, however it was enough to show some wealth, and another opportunity to experiment.
Jet used the opportunity to relax. The woman was fresh, but behind that facade there was a walking corpse. Dead gods know what kind of hard work the government threw at her.

"So you know Cassie as my friend."

"Your little secret is safe, but my words hold no weight. It saddens me that we're not all friends. That would make things easier."
Jet looked at the ceiling trying to make the best of the comfy chair. She looked at the ceiling, not bothering to look at the inviter. The silence stretched for a few seconds, when she decided that unfortunately it can't continue.
"Yeah, a shame. It would be great if all people could trust anyone about everything, but it isn't realistic. However, you're wrong about something."

Is it possible that she remembers him? No, so Sunny wondered.

"And what am I wrong about?"

"It's really simple to build some trust. I can even bring someone to check if you're telling the truth, but that's not necessary."

Sunny let himself drift into thoughts how nice it would be to meet that charming archer, exchange a word or two, maybe even get a hug from him, if he only could find a good way to reignite that friendship. He had almost to remind himself he isn't in love with Kai.

"Did she tell you about me?"
"Smart. But also foolish. She did that meanwhile on my request."

In his mind resounded a voice, strange yet very familiar voice .

[Don't have to thank me, Sunless.]

'Dammit, Cassie. You could at least warn me.'

[To complicate things for all of us? You said you want to learn to live with being fateless. Isn't it important to tell here?]

'Okay. You got me. Hey... you didn't by chance hear my thoughts about Kai, did you?'

This time he was met with silence as if Cassie wasn't listening anymore. But he was sure she was. Sunny internally sighed.
"So if there's a trust between us, I can skip explanations about, and state my business."

"Your proposal."

Jet reminded.

"Yes, my proposal, but you have to be patient. There's some ground to cover so it'll become clear what I'm talking about. Short story is: I discovered a method that can turn a human into an Awakened without going through the Nightmares, and without access to the Spell, but I need some help from a Saint to make it safer."
She didn't look surprised that much.
"I heard something about it from Nephis, but I didn't suspect someone would put that to use. Why would you want to have such Awakened?"
"I want to try. They could serve me in some tasks. But there are dangers that can put their lives at serious risk."
"And that risk is?"
"The Dream Realm itself."

"I don't understand."

Sunny smiled in an apparent abashment at that.

"Because we're lacking context. This requires an explanation. We know that the features of the Nightmare Spell are somehow related to the Dream Realm, right?"

"Yes."

"But that doesn't mean that Dream Realm, and the Spell are the same thing. Professor Obel, may-his-soul-rest-peacefully, believed they can be actually very separate."

"That's an idea. But what does that mean?"

Sunny wondered for a moment if he really wanted to answer that. The next thing he's going to be a little bit embarrassing.
"There's a word that some deep fiction books use for such a thing. I can't believe I consider it accurate here, but it's a very simple thing. There's a world that we know, and there are worlds beyond that, and usually they can't interact with each other. It's called 'multiverse'. Do you follow?"
The Saint before him looked at him strangely. Then she laughed, mocking him for thinking taking like in fiction is embarrassing.

"I read a few many years ago. This is really stupid... But also it makes sense. It's actually one of many theories behind the Dream Realm. The geography of the Dream Realm is a chaos. It rather looks like someone put many different realities together, and made them one."

It wasn't all that strange. There are many intellectuals in the world. Why wouldn't some consider something so wild?
"I never thought you would be deeper into such theories than I. But there's a reason to think it's true. Once upon the time I met a Saint that revealed that her world was devoured by the Dream Realm. That's my clue here."

"Really? What was her name?"

Sunny would like to not have to answer that question. It's dangerously close to the knowledge of his past. If she asks too decent questions, he still has to answer them, and then it would lead to an episode of forgetfulness.
"I only know her True Name, Wind Flower. Quite a beauty even among Transcendents."
Jet looked at him with widened eyes. She didn't seem careless anymore.
"I remember that name..."
"You should remember it, but it doesn't matter. The implications are more important."
Sunny grew somber. There was a note of truth he didn't want to hear even if it could save him in the future. But the reason he would like to not learn that is also the reason why it's so important to say it.
"So then I thought: 'Why would Earth be the only one separate world in this situation?' My idea is that regions could be at some point separate realms. It was till something started to merge them, tugging them into Dream Realm. The Gates might be just the way the process is realized. Somehow they also tug Awakened into the Dream Realm messing with their anchors."
"But there are some holes in your little theory. For example, why doesn't it happen to normal humans? They should experience the influence of the Call, but instead they don't feel a thing."

He nodded.

"I can't tell now. That's our main problem. There are various possibilities, but we didn't eliminate them. For the sake of knowledge, to find a way to resist the Dream Realm, and the Spell, it's important to eliminate some possibilities. For now I think it's something related to the ability to anchor. Gates in general interfere with anchors. Mundanes can't anchor. Awakened humans can anchor. That's a world of difference between the two. Still it's only a draft theory."

"And I thought the Chain of Nightmares was terrifying..."
Jet muttered quietly giving a long sigh.
"The world is already a scary place, and it will undoubtedly become even scarier if Earth it's going to become part of the Dream Realm. We may think that it's all foolish, but in my theory there are some things worth testing. If we'll make Awakened without the Nightmare Spell, then we will have to know if the Call is a feature of the Nightmare Spell. If we will bring them to the citadels then we will learn if they can use Gateways. Regardless of the result we will obtain precious knowledge of the Spell.
So my first offer is: You'll help me to transport my Awakened before they'll fall asleep so the Dream Realm won't take them somewhere randomly. They will try to anchor in your citadel. In exchange the Government will obtain that knowledge. How is that?"
Jet looked at a window then at Sunny, then again at the window. She was processing what Sunny just told her. In the end, to do what he wants she doesn't even need to use her authority that much or take many costs. That doesn't sound right.

"So all of that to test a crazy theory? I heard you use hundreds of soul shards."

It was indeed Sunny that took care of the costs.
"I'm pretty certain that if you wanted you would have much more. I heard about your recent official rise in ranks. Congratulations by the way."

"We both know it was only a formality. Sadly I didn't have an opportunity to celebrate that. I didn't even have much choice if I wanted to be a Saint. I don't know why I'm telling you this.

So listen. There's not much problem with making a request to a Saint to bring them to their citadel. Even a weak Awakened will be accepted practically everywhere, unless there's a serious reason to reject them. They only have to fill in some paperwork after Awakening. You did that once so you probably know that. Why not do it that way?"

"Because it would lead you to wonder what's going on, and then you would probably end up here anyway. Also I don't want them to go to Great Clans. Then I would end up playing by their rules."
In Jet's expression there was an approval. She smiled beautifully. Before she was dangerously relaxed. Now Sunny could find a glint of sincere friendliness.
"Now I know why Lady Cassia seems to like you. Fine, you can have that."
"So we're good. You know we're making no crime. We're not having any problems with paying taxes. We're not going to kill anyone. We're not preventing any Sleepers from attending to the Academy nor hiding infected by the Spell."

"I still would like to know why you want me to take you to my citadel instead of them."

"I have some ways. Do you know the Memory possessed by Saint Athena that enables her to take living beings inside, and out?"
"Another one of our secrets... Of course, we use it quite a lot. What's about it? Do you want me to call her?"
"I'm asking if you know its features. We don't need to call her. Aiko, come in. It's time to give it to her."
He said audaciously as if he was calling an audience. He knew that Aiko tried eavesdropping. He could easily prevent her from doing that. But there's no point in keeping secrets from her. If you don't consider caring about her wellbeing as a point.

Aiko went in, but her make-up was affected. A sign of breaking into tears. Maybe someone like Jet could take the truth about the waking world being about... to end with thick skin, but not her. Even then she still maintained enough facade to not disrupt the conversation. Though the facade was currently meant only to not show emotions. It didn't match her usual self.

'Good enough, yet damnation...'
"What's going on?"
Jet asked in wonder.
"A little gift from me. I figured out it can be of great use to you."
Without saying much Aiko put a hand on Jet, which got a notification from the Spell.
"Blue-eyed Boulder?"

Sunny wasn't really creative thinking about the name. The Memory was made from the same kind of creature as the Purple-eyed Boulder. The difference is that this Devil had blue crystals. He planned to make a storage for Nephis, who has seven cores, but he realized he can also make another one for Jet.

He started talking to take the attention away from Aiko so she was safe in case she couldn't maintain the facade.
"It's a spatial storage, but not an ordinary one. Unlike other storages its capacity matches the capacity of the Soul Core. Assuming a Titan could wield it, its volume would be many, many times greater, but it can also work with someone having for example, one oversized core."
"And another secret of mine revealed just like that. Master Sunless, I have to ask that question. You seem to know me very well. Are you spying on me or something?"

The way he put it made it obvious he knows the secret behind her abnormal power.

"No, I swear I don't do that. I never had any malicious or inappropriate thoughts about you."
"Somehow I'm not sure about that."
"I'm the most truthful person in the world. Why would you not believe me? Also if you don't like the Memory, you can just return it to Aiko. I can't take it myself"

Jet stopped for a moment to consider if it's worth pursuing the matter.

"I'll gladly accept it. It's probably a great Memory that matches my aspect. How did you get it?"

"From a minor Death Zone in the Song Domain. Do you know what Brilliant Emporium does as a business?"

"Not much. I heard that you're specialized in trade between citadels, and turning some things into Memories."

"Exactly. We're using spatial storages to carry things from waking world to Dream Realm, and vice versa. We're having employees in many citadels. Aiko took care of that. Aiko, how many citadels did we cover?"

Aiko replied without hesitation.

"Thirty, boss. It costed you a lot of work."

Jet widened her eyes in shock.

"Thirty... I don't understand something. How did you procure so many spatial storages? The Spell gives us Memories, but it's very intractable about that. I killed hundreds of them, and lately didn't get anything good enough. Unless..."

Sunny felt reluctant about telling everyone he can do such things. Then everyone would go to him, and he would end up being under pressure of fulfilling many orders. But for his former friend, Jet, he could make an exception, and let her do a few more demanding commissions. In contrary to the rest of his crew inside the Nightmare she didn't obtain any significant upgrades to her soul arsenal. She's making for it with a soulbound weapon from her freshly unlocked aspect legacy, but that wasn't nearly enough to satiate her needs.
"Yeah, I made them. I'm a proud sorcerer. That's my main thing lately. Just don't tell everyone I can craft such powerful Memories from scratch. I won't be able to meet the demand."
He's a single sorcerer that recently can make even a few Memories daily, unless they're Memories without any additional enchantments. Then he could make tens of them without bothering much. There are thousands of Awakened. There's Valor that can craft Memories, but they mostly keep these for themselves or for the ones who pledged their loyalty to them.

Demand for Memories is a bottomless well, and he could drown making substandard Memories them, and most of them would be still underequipped.

"And you didn't join the Valor Clan... Did you consider working for the government? We can't support you as much as Valor, but I'm sure we could help you."
He didn't even have to think about that.

"Rejected."

"?"

"If I ever wanted to join the government I would have done that a long, long time ago, don't you think? It's hard to be neutral in this world. Also I don't need to join the government for it to help me."

He lost his fate just to be free. To trade it just for a little of privileges from the government? Laughable.

"Neutral... Do you think you can be neutral in this world or it can work for you? It sounds funny. The government always was trying to remain uninvolved in clan matters, but what if the clans wanted you?"
Sunny understood pretty decently. There was a time Morgan wanted to recruit him through threats. That damn woman took Fire Keepers as hostages. If she really tried that on him again... This time Valor would end up paying the price for such a level of insolence. But he wouldn't tell Jet that.
"Then going with the government might happen to be a necessity, though clans usually don't pick on people just because they can do something. Sides are an illusion. I don't have to side with them for them to be able to benefit from my existence. And even if I pledge my loyalty to the government, what's the guarantee I won't go later to Valor, Song, or even Night?"

"If they would take a traitor."

"The government took you, a traitor, a renegade Master. So who knows? Anyway, you know my stance. I want to continue what I'm doing here for as long as possible."

The icy beauty faltered in irritation.

"Geez. Another secret of mine. Are you a seer or something?"
"Just knowledgeable. If you know many opinions, and are a witness to that mess for long enough, everything is not so secret anymore. At least normally. I'm not normal."