Bip Bip Bip

The rhythmic beeping of the medical machines echoed through the sterile white hospital room, a monotonous melody that seemed to underscore the eerie stillness that pervaded the space. In the center of the room, a single bed stood as a solitary fixture, its crisp linens neatly tucked around the unmoving form of a young man.

It was Henry, his once-vibrant features now pale and drawn, his long, disheveled hair fanning out across the pillow like a dark halo. His eyes remained firmly shut, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady cadence that belied the turmoil raging within his unconscious mind.

As the machines continued their incessant beeping, a nurse entered the room, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpeting that lined the floor. She moved with a practiced grace, her movements slow and deliberate as she approached Henry's bedside.

With a tenderness that seemed at odds with the clinical surroundings, she began to carefully shave the stubble that had accumulated on Henry's jawline, her deft strokes revealing the smooth, youthful skin beneath. As she worked, her eyes flickered towards the window, where the warm rays of the sun filtered through the blinds, casting a soft, golden glow across the room.

Outside, the world seemed to have awakened from its winter slumber, the vibrant hues of spring painting the landscape in a kaleidoscope of colors. The melodic chirping of birds drifted in through the open window, their joyous song a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere within the hospital room.

As the nurse finished her task, she stepped back, her gaze lingering on Henry's motionless form for a moment longer before she turned and exited the room, leaving him once more to the steady rhythm of the machines and the faint echoes of life that filtered in from beyond the hospital walls.

The door creaked open, and a large, imposing figure stepped into the room. It was Bob, his broad shoulders straining against the confines of his crisp, black suit. His face, etched with worry, seemed out of place in the sterile environment, a reminder of the humanity that lingered beneath the stoic exterior.

Bob's eyes immediately found Henry's motionless form, and a flicker of pain crossed his features. He moved closer, his footsteps heavy against the tiled floor, until he stood at the foot of the bed, his gaze fixed on the young man who lay before him.

His brow furrowed, and he let out a slow, heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down upon him like a physical burden.

For a few moments, he simply stood there, his eyes roaming over Henry's pale features, searching for any sign of change, any flicker of life that might offer a glimmer of hope. But there was nothing, just the steady rise and fall of Henry's chest, the machines keeping their monotonous rhythm.

Bob's gaze drifted to the calendar that hung on the wall, its pages marked with a series of crossed-out dates, a silent testament to the passage of time. March 27th. More than three months had slipped by since that fateful Christmas night when everything had changed, when the world they knew had been irrevocably altered.

The heavy door swung shut behind Bob with a dull thud, the sound reverberating through the stillness of the room. His departure left a palpable silence in his wake, broken only by the steady beeping of the machines that monitored Henry's vital signs.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with a tension that defied explanation. The world outside continued to spin, oblivious to the drama unfolding within these four walls.

Suddenly, without warning, the window flew open, the curtains billowing inward as a gust of cool air swept through the room. A large silhouette stepped over the sill, the crimson folds of a robe obscuring its features.

In that moment, time itself seemed to freeze, the world around them grinding to a halt. The machines fell silent, their beeping ceasing abruptly, and the birdsong from outside faded into nothingness.

Nick, the embodiment of the yuletide spirit, strode purposefully towards Henry's bedside, his movements unhurried and deliberate. With a fluid motion, he reached up and pushed back the hood that concealed his face, revealing a visage that radiated warmth and kindness.

His eyes, shining with an ethereal light, fixed upon Henry's still form, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It was about time you came back, dreamwalker," he murmured, his voice rich and resonant, cutting through the silence like a knife.

At the sound of Nick's words, Henry's body began to twitch, a subtle but unmistakable sign of life stirring within him. First, a single finger moved, then his entire hand, as if he were struggling to break free from the bonds of slumber that held him captive.

Henry's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and unfocused. As the world around him slowly came into focus, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Nick's towering form, his crimson robes billowing gently in an unseen breeze.

"Nick? W-What happened?" Henry croaked, his voice weak and hoarse, as if he hadn't used it in ages.

Bewilderment clouded his features as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. According to his understanding, he should have returned to his own world, his journey through the dreamscape complete. If Ad'Ol's words were to be trusted, Nick should have been able to easily subdue his brother, Krampus, once the barrier between worlds had been shattered. But that required Henry's vessel to perish, forcing his soul back to its original realm.

Yet, here Nick stood, his presence a tangible reminder that something had gone awry. Had they failed in their mission? Or had some unexpected turn of events transpired, preventing Henry's vessel from meeting its demise and, in turn, preventing his return to the world he once knew?

A myriad of questions swirled through Henry's mind, each one more perplexing than the last. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat, his voice failing him in that moment.

Nick simply smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth and amusement. "Everything worked as intended, dreamwalker," he said, his rich voice carrying a reassuring tone. "My brother has been sealed once more, this time in a prison far more solitary and small than before. Everyone is safe now."

Henry's brow furrowed, his mind racing to process Nick's words. Relief washed over him, tempered by a lingering sense of confusion. "But... how?" he rasped, his throat still raw and parched. "I thought... I had to..."

He trailed off, unable to give voice to the grim notion that his own demise had been a necessary sacrifice to ensure Krampus's defeat. The idea of his own mortality, of leaving behind the world he had fought so desperately to return to, left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Nick's expression softened, and he reached out, placing a massive hand on Henry's shoulder. The gesture was gentle, almost fatherly, and Henry found himself drawn into the depths of Nick's ancient, knowing gaze.

"This is your world, dreamwalker," Nick said, his voice resonating with a profound sense of finality.

Henry's brow furrowed, confusion etching deeper lines across his features. The notion that this was his world, the world he had fought so desperately to return to, seemed almost incomprehensible after the harrowing journey he had endured.

Fortunately, Nick was there to dispel his doubts. "I am just a shadow of my true self that was left behind when the curtains between worlds fell once more," he intoned, his words carrying the weight of ancient wisdom.

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In Henry's mind, Lumen Veritatis, the Light of Truth, spun and whirled, casting its radiant illumination upon the tangled web of events that had transpired. Suddenly, understanding dawned upon him like a brilliant sunrise – the figure before him was not the Nicholas Clauss he knew. Instead, it was a mere echo, a clone left behind when the veil between realms had been sealed once more.

A wave of relief washed over Henry, his shoulders sagging as the tension he had carried for so long began to dissipate. He was home. It was over.

"Don't worry, dreamwalker," Nick's echo added, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Soon, I will be gone."

Henry's eyes widened once more, his relief giving way to a sense of unease. Even though this was not the Nick he had come to know, the idea of him simply disappearing filled Henry with a pang of sadness. He hesitated, his mind racing as Lumen Veritatis spun and whirled, pouring knowledge into his consciousness.

As he delved deeper into the depths of this newfound understanding, Henry realized that there was no reason why Nick's echo could not remain in his world. The barriers that had once separated the realms had been mended, and the threat of Krampus had been neutralized.

But then, a realization dawned upon him – Nick felt that his presence in Henry's world would be an intrusion, a theft of the life that Henry had fought so hard to reclaim. He did not want to be a lingering remnant of the dreamscape, a constant reminder of the trials and tribulations that Henry had endured.

Henry's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination, his gaze locking with Nick's as the words tumbled from his lips. "This world might just need a bit of magic," he declared, his voice carrying a conviction that belied the weakness of his physical state. "And maybe even a protector."

Nick's expression shifted, his features softening as a warm smile spread across his face. In that moment, Henry could see the weight of eons lifting from the ancient being's shoulders, a burden he had carried for far too long. Nick had expected this result, yet he had not dared to hope, fearing that his mere existence as an echo, a clone of his true self, would be an intrusion upon the world Henry had fought so hard to reclaim.

Yet, here Henry stood, offering him not just a place in this new realm, but a purpose – a chance to fulfill his greatest desire once more, to bring happiness and protection to those who called this world home. It was a gift beyond measure, one that Nick had never dared to imagine he might receive.

The room seemed to grow brighter, the air itself vibrating with a newfound energy as Nick's form began to shimmer and shift. Gone was the towering, crimson-robed figure, replaced instead by a more human-like form, his features taking on a warmth and approachability that Henry had never witnessed before.

Nick's eyes sparkled with gratitude, his gaze meeting Henry's as he nodded slowly, a silent acknowledgment of the profound trust and responsibility that had been bestowed upon him.

In that moment, a bond was forged between the two, transcending the boundaries of mere friendship or camaraderie. It was a connection that ran deeper, a shared understanding of the sacrifices and struggles they had both endured, and a mutual commitment to protect and cherish the world they now called home.

As Nick's form solidified, Henry could sense a shift in the very fabric of reality, as if the universe itself was realigning to accommodate this new paradigm. The air crackled with energy, and a warm, golden light began to suffuse the room, bathing them in its radiant glow.

Henry felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, a familiar yet exhilarating sensation that he recognized as the Lumen Veritatis, the Light of Truth. It was as if the very essence of this world was welcoming Nick's presence, embracing him as a part of its tapestry, a guardian and protector whose influence would forever be woven into its fabric.

Henry felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins as Nick's hand extended forward. A small tempest was created upon it, the chilling wind blowing across the room. The swirling vortex coalesced into a single glowing rune, a symbol of Nicholas Clauss himself.

The rune flew from Nick's hand and bore itself into Henry's forehead. Instead of pain or discomfort, Henry felt warmth enveloping him, as if he were in his mother's embrace once more. If Ad'Ol's gift had been like being seared by molten lava, Nick's was a soothing balm, washing away the lingering aches and pains that had plagued him.

"The ancient contract requires a reward," Nick added, his voice resonating with the weight of ages. "My brother, in his own stupidity and selfishness, ignored this step." He paused, his gaze holding Henry's with an intensity that seemed to pierce straight into his soul. "As his brother, it's my duty to correct this wrongdoing."

Then, the mark resembling a crimson snowflake, which had been imprinted upon Henry's forehead, began to melt, its edges blurring and bleeding into his skin. It was as if the symbol had never been there at all, absorbed seamlessly into Henry's very being, leaving no trace of its existence behind.

Henry nodded, his mind still reeling from the profound revelations and events that had transpired. He did not understood everything, but for now he just wanted to return to his normal life.

Gritting his teeth, Henry summoned his strength and rose from the bed, his limbs trembling with the effort. His body ached, a tangible reminder of the toll his journey had taken, both physically and mentally. Slowly, he made his way towards the window, driven by a yearning to gaze upon the world he had fought so desperately to return to.

However, as his eyes fell upon the view beyond the glass, they widened in shock and bewilderment. The sky was painted with a strange, pulsating pattern, resembling airplane trails but radiating a prismatic energy that danced and shimmered before his eyes.

"Dreamwalker..." Nick's voice rang out from behind him, jolting Henry from his stupor. "There's nothing to worry for now. Everything will become clear soon."

Henry turned, his gaze meeting Nick's, and in that moment, he felt a profound sense of trust wash over him. Despite the enigmatic nature of the world he had returned to, he knew that with Nick by his side, the answers he sought would eventually reveal themselves.

Henry's eyes narrowed as the wispy smoke emerged from his tattoo, coalescing into the familiar half-beast, half-human form of Ad'Ol. The enigmatic being stood before them, clad in his signature three-piece suit and twirling his intricate cane, a sly grin playing across his features.

"He he he," Ad'Ol chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement as he surveyed the scene before him. "I must admit, dreamwalker, you never cease to entertain me."

Despite the frozen state of the room, Ad'Ol moved with fluid grace, his movements unhurried and deliberate. He circled Henry and Nick, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous light as he took in their bewildered expressions.

"You two make quite the pair," Ad'Ol mused, his tone laced with a hint of mockery. "The dreamwalker and the yuletide spirit, bound together by fate."

Henry felt a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through him – a mixture of frustration, bemusement, and a begrudging sense of familiarity with Ad'Ol's antics. The demon's mocking words ignited a spark of defiance within him, urging him to retaliate, to put the smug creature in its place.

Yet, something held him back. Perhaps it was the realization that bickering with Ad'Ol would only feed into the demon's twisted amusement. Or maybe it was the newfound sense of tranquility that Nick's presence instilled in him, a calming force that tempered his impulses.

On the other side of the room, Nick let out an exasperated sigh, his hand meeting his forehead with a resounding smack. The gesture was so human, so utterly relatable, that Henry couldn't help but quirk a bemused smile.

Nick had encountered countless demons throughout his eons of existence, beings of unfathomable power and malice. Yet, even for an ancient spirit such as himself, Ad'Ol's peculiar brand of mischief and irreverence was something entirely new, a departure from the norms he had grown accustomed to.

Ad'Ol, for his part, seemed to revel in the reactions he elicited from the pair. His grin widened, revealing a row of gleaming fangs, as he reveled in the knowledge that even among demons – a race renowned for their eccentricities – he stood apart as a truly unique and singular entity.

"Well now that you're awake, dreamwalker," Ad'Ol added, his feline features twisting into a bemused smile. "We should go." He paused for a moment, allowing the words to linger as he studied Henry's reaction with those unnerving crimson eyes. "They are waiting for you!" The demon finished with a theatrical flourish, clearly relishing the opportunity to sow confusion and intrigue.

"Who is waiting?" asked Henry, his brow furrowing in bewilderment as Ad'Ol's cryptic words only deepened the confusion swirling within him. He found himself utterly baffled, unable to decipher the demon's intent or unravel the layers of mystery shrouding their exchange. Instinctively, his gaze flickered towards the shadows enveloping the chamber, half-expecting some sinister presence to manifest from the darkness at any moment, answering the riddle that had been posed.

"The Aesterian Council, of course," Ad'Ol replied, his tone dripping with condescension as if the answer should have been obvious.

Henry's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind struggling to process the demon's words. The Aesterian Council? He had never heard of such a thing before, and yet Ad'Ol spoke of it as if it were common knowledge.

"What are you talking about?" Henry demanded, his frustration mounting. "I don't know anything about a council."

Ad'Ol let out a theatrical sigh, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Really, dreamwalker, you disappoint me. I thought your little adventure would have expanded your horizons, but it seems you're still as ignorant as ever."

Without waiting for Henry's response, Ad'Ol's form dissolved into a billowing cloud of smoke that enveloped Henry completely. Before he could react, the smoke surged towards the open window, propelling him forward with dizzying speed.

A deep, desperate sigh escaped Nick's throat, his chest heaving with the exertion of it. Before he could catch his breath, his form expanded, billowing outward like a cloud of crimson smoke. The ethereal vapor surged through the open window, propelling him forward at dizzying speed as he gave chase after the demon.

*End of Book 1*