Chapter 1: Nightmare Begins
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A young woman with light brown hair and tan skin, well dressed and well groomed, sat at a restaurant with plates of mouth-watering, real food in front of her. She had ordered the most expensive items on the menu, eating until she could no longer. Her bleary eyes and apathetic expression seemed out of place with the scene, however.
Suddenly, she got up, grabbed her stuff, and bolted out of the restaurant before a waiter could bring the bill. She hurried into back alleys, hopped fences, and made her way to the metro station before she composed herself, acting as if nothing had happened.
If the restaurant staff had known her circumstances, they would empathize.
After all, who wouldn’t want a free, delicious last meal?
Swiping her metro card, she boarded a train car heading to the city center.
‘So tired. So full. I just want to take a seat and sleep…’
Pinching herself, she wearily raised her drooping head and remained standing until her stop. After she exited, she took dogged, exhausted steps to the police station. People around her made way for the strange girl.
A cold rush of stale air hit her in the face as a set of automatic doors opened, sobering her slightly. She had arrived.
The officer at the front desk looked up from his communicator at her.
“Someone stole your stuff, miss?”
After a slight pause, she simply responded, “I think… I am a carrier of the Nightmare Spell.”
The officer’s eyes went wide before he snatched a walkie-talkie from his shirt and shouted, “Code Red. I repeat, Code Red.” Reaching for something from his desk, he provided a small vial in his hand to her. “Here. Smelling salts. Sniff it. It’ll wake you up for long enough to explain what’ll happen.”
She obediently took the bottle and inhaled deeply, only to begin coughing violently.
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“What the hell was that?” she asked between coughs.
But no answer came. Instead, the officer at the front desk and another one had grabbed her by the arms and were dragging her to a lower floor. She was gently but firmly placed in a large chair that looked more like a bed and restrained.
“What’s your name, girl?” the other officer asked.
“Robin Ertra.”
“Would you like me to contact your family?”
“Don’t stress my parents like that. I’d rather they know after I’m dead or after I survive.”
He nodded gravely. “Ok Robin. How long can you stay awake?”
“Long enough. Pinch me if nee-”
A loud bang interrupted her as several police officers with shields and rifles slammed open the door, followed by an older officer accompanied by an extremely beautiful woman. 3 stars adorned the patch on her left shoulder, though the weight of her presence alone already betrayed the fact that she was a Master.
The older woman spoke first. “I’m Ascended Jet. How much do you know about the Nightmare Spell?” Her manner of speech was curt and authoritative.
“I uh, I find myself in a situation and have to complete a task, usually killing a Nightmare Creature or something like that.”
“Good, but not enough. You will more likely than not have powers to use. Learning to use those powers and being sharp are the keys to beating the Nightmare. If you kill a Nightmare Creature and your Nightmare does not end, just try to survive. You may have to kill people. They are not real. Any questions so far?”
Robin nodded. “Did you get a Memory or anything during your first Nightmare? I… I can’t face a Nightmare Creature barehanded.” Though she tried, she could not stop her voice from quivering.
Ascended Jet studied her for a moment before answering. “Yes. I’m sure you will too. Regardless, most people get a combat Aspect. Some get a sorcery or utility Aspect. Regardless of which one you get, you’ll have to try your best to survive. Did you understand all of that?”
She opened her eyes — when had she closed them? — and nodded. “I’ll get an Aspect. It’ll be…” A pinch jolted her awake. “It’ll be a combat Aspect most likely. I need to survive.”
Ascended Jet smiled. “Good. I’m telling you this now so you’ll remember. Look at me.” She grabbed her face. “Immediately check your Aspect as soon as you find yourself awake. And keep in mind, the Spell creates trials, not executions. Good luck, dreamer.”
Robin barely managed a nod as she drifted off.
The world went dark, and from all directions in the darkness, a faintly familiar voice rang:
[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your First Trial…]