With a sudden jolt, Noah moves his head to look around desperately with blurry eyes. The muscles throughout his neck and shoulders flare with pain, as they were moved rapidly after having been resting in odd positions.
He feels resistance preventing many of his attempted movements. Immediately, Noah’s thoughts jump back to the dream memory, as the inability to move is quite similar.
But after struggling a bit more, he realizes there is a stark difference with his current inability to move compared to the dream memory.
Here, it's as if he is bound and restrained, still able to control his own body to a certain extent. As evidenced by his head and eyes that move on his command.
He is not forced to simply observe through the senses of another, he has total control of himself, only being fastened to the desk at which he sits.
Looking down at his immobilized hands, Noah sees a sort of cloth or rope tying them securely together at the wrist.
His arms are pinched to his sides as another cloth like rope is wrapped around his chest and is even pressing him into the back of the chair he is sitting in.
Noah discovers all this during his initial attempts to move. He is not making any major movements, only fidgeting around slightly to find out where he can and cannot move.
He is bound in three locations: around his wrists, around his arms which are together with his chest and lastly his legs which are fastened together around the leg of the desk.
The desk and attached seat are directly bolted to the floor, incapable of being moved. Serving as a solid anchor to which Noah is restrained.
Feeling his current tight bonds, Noah affirms his own immobile situation before looking around himself with his now clearer vision.
He sees a dark classroom with dozens of other desks that are mostly filled with others that are in similar states to himself. Many of them have their heads lowered, either looking with empty gazes or have their heads lulled to the side in a deep sleep.
The room is unnaturally quiet as even the breathing of all the bound individuals are stifled. Noah himself gets taken in by the lingering oppression and quiets his own breathing, making each breath slower and shallower.
Besides the initial shuffling sounds produced by his earlier movements, he makes no other noise. The strong aura of the classroom presses down on him, making his breathing all the more uncomfortable.
Having assessed what exists around him, Noah again turns back to himself. More specifically what it feels like. Not the surface sensations of the ropes around his arms and legs, but a deeper feeling.
What he feels after being back within his own body and not the sensations of being in the male student’s, like during the dream memory.
He felt wrong and out of place while observing through the male student in the memory. But now, he feels correct, this is how it should be.
Noah has a growing appreciation for his own body. As he is meant to be in it, it is designed for him. It is his own.
The most striking difference actually lies within his mouth, specifically, his unique fangs. There is a subtle distinction between the fangs now present in his mouth and the student’s teeth from the dream memory.
The student’s mouth had felt empty, forgettable, like there was nothing even there. But his own mouth has something else, some sort of other ‘power’ resonating within it. The origin being his fangs.
Noah had never been aware of this power, as from the moment he first awoke inside the locker, he had immediately claimed the Boon: Fangs (Tier 1).
He was never able to discern any different or unique feelings within his fangs compared to his prior teeth.
Because as soon as the initial pains had subsided after claiming the boon, he had run away from a hall monitor, never really being given the opportunity to assess his new fangs.
But now, that power he had overlooked within his fangs is obvious as he has a reference point, being the male student within the dream. Noah is now aware of what his fangs truly are, they are not something ordinary.
The feeling of power they exude is small, but noticeable. Not overbearing, but it is empowering. Like a stream of energy is flooding out of them and into the rest of his body.
This power, the energy Noah feels stems from the method the boon originates. The Method of Indomitability. The method best known for its sheer might and power.
Now that Noah is aware of this, he can feel the raw energy in his fangs moving through his jaw, he can feel the raw strength they possess.
Their ability to bite, rip and tear through even very solid objects. Noah has a slight anticipation to eventually make use of this strength, something that may very well be fulfilled in the future.
With his tongue energetically tracing the sharp points of his fangs, Noah looks around the classroom once more. Making a deeper analysis and observation of what is around him.
That's when he spots it, the simple worn mop that the Janitor had given him. It is leaning against the side of his desk, an oddity that seems out of place in this classroom.
The experiences Noah has had with this mop filter through his mind. The many fights and engagements with various shadows, ghosts and hall monitors. For such a seemingly ordinary mop, it has been useful through many impactful events.
It has even been brought along with him, into this oppressive classroom by the hall monitors. Noah cannot help but have the impression that this mop is more than what it seems. The many times he wielded are proof of this statement.
Looking farther, Noah sees the many other people similarly bound to their desks like himself. Most of them are still asleep, most likely experiencing things similar to what Noah himself had, dream memories.
The ones that are awake are no better than those that are still asleep. Their vacant expressions and hollow eyes make them appear like empty shells. Blankly sitting in their seats, slumped forward while staring into nothingness.
There is defeat in their postures, hopelessness written upon their faces. They are all lost to the oppressive aura of despair that permeates the room. The source of it all, the dark shadowy figure that stands at the front of the room, similar to the figures that patrol the halls.
Three individuals capture Noah’s attention. The first being a man who looks across the room with a sharp gaze. He is slumped over, his shoulders tucked close to himself, a defensive posture to be certain.
He is trying to blend in with the rest of the room. But the way he observes betrays his goal of eventually breaking free.
When Noah first stirred, he was the first to notice and look over, making note of the only other to have been brought into superior detention with a tool.
The sharp eyed man’s own desk has a small object laying across it, nothing more than a standard ruler. A device used for measuring short items or distances. A tool commonly found in schools.
The other two that catch Noah’s eye sit adjacent to one another, only a small space between their desks. Despite being bound and restrained like Noah, they are still making attempts at movements.
Moving their fingers as if sending messages. They make eye contact frequently, trying to be as subtle as possible. While also attempting to loosen their bonds by struggling against them.
Only these three remain out of the entirety of the room. The rest are all lifeless, in title and in action. Being closer to that of the dead, than to that of the living.
These are the only three that still retain hope, who are still fighting back against the pervading despair that is spread by the dreams of darkness in the classroom.
Noah is unaware of the unseen battle that these three are fighting. He does not know that the dreams of darkness are extremely dense in this superior detention room.
It is sapping away all motivation, all drive and hope from the Lifeless. This is a room of hopelessness, a room where the Lifeless are to be punished and disciplined.
In his obliviousness, Noah allows himself to be taken in by the despair, he is pulled away by the hopelessness. He is being drug down into its hollow depths where the futility of his situation becomes apparent.
There is no chance at escape, his restraints are firmly secured. There is nothing left to do besides fully accept the fact he is powerless and weak. A helpless and hopeless individual, forced to serve his detention sentence.
These are the thoughts going through Noah’s mind, many of them not being his own, but originate from the despair of the room.
At the mention of being powerless, at the thought of being helpless. Something inside Noah resists. A stronger pulse of energy that spreads from his fangs and into the rest of his body. This part of him refuses to acknowledge itself as weak.
New emotions blossom in Noah’s mind. The memory of his own strong feelings just prior to being subdued by the hall monitors.
The frustration, that strong desire for strength. The unwillingness to be captured. Noah feels that surge through him. Stronger than what he even felt in those past moments.
The emotions accentuated by the will of Indomitability that resides in the Boon: Fangs (Tier 1). The deep hatred that exists within, a hatred directed at inability, paired with a desire to prevent it at all costs.
Noah’s head that had begun to droop, again rises. His shoulders that had slumped forward in futility, straighten and strain in their defiance.
The light in his eyes that had dimmed, brighten into an indignant spark as Noah seems to feel a strong energy course throughout his whole body. Like a rising tide of flames, it spreads to consume him, bringing with it vigor and strength.
He strains his body, pulling against his bonds. He relishes the feeling of the tightening rope as it digs into his flexing muscles.
But his moments of euphoria are interrupted. As a commotion breaks out two seats in front of him, absorbing all of his attention.
A Lifeless that had been sleeping until now suddenly wakes up with loud shouts and cries. He is obviously delirious, still thinking he is experiencing the dream memory he was in just prior.
“Noo! Get up-ahh!” He initially shouts after flinging his head from side to side. Feeling the restraints impeding his movements, he struggles and shouts even louder. “Get off me! Get a-wayy! Noo!”
While Noah’s attention was still fixed to the shouting Lifeless, a figure that had been standing at the front of the room moves for the first time since Noah awoke.
Rapidly shifting over to stand right beside the shouting Lifeless, a shadowy limb is raised to smother his cries and calm his struggles.
No more than a few seconds had gone by since the man began his panicked cries, to the moment the disciplinary teacher had smothered him in its shadows.
The now unconscious Lifeless’ head limply rolls to the side, resting in an uncomfortably crooked position.
With silence once again prevalent in the classroom, a deep rumbling voice sounds out from the teacher's shadow.
“NO noises, NO talking, NO disturbances.” It says with long pauses. “There is NO hope for violators, so OBEY.”
Every emphasized word causes Noah to physically flinch. The strong words release a wave of power that hits every Lifeless in the room. They all flinch as those powerful rumbles hit them in full force.
This is the ability of a boon that resides within the disciplinary teacher’s shadow body. The Boon: Commanding Word (Tier 1), which contains the will of Authority, allowing all others to experience a small portion of its power.
It is all the more effective against weakened and cowed targets. Especially if they hold fear towards the user, which the Lifeless in detention hold in abundance as they are under the oppression of the dreams of darkness’ despair that is prevalent in the room.
The Boon: Commanding Word (Tier 1) is an ideal example of the Method of Authority. From such a simple start, the boon has the potential to grow to substantial heights, at its very peak, even having the ability to control infinite masses.
Finished with its powerful words, the Disciplinary teacher drifts back to the front of the room, where it stands motionless once again. Observing the entirety of the superior detention classroom. On the lookout for any other disallowed actions.
The vigor and energy that Noah had felt, is entirely gone. His whole body is limp, his head drooping low. There is no longer any light within his eyes as the strong commands from the disciplinary teacher had completely broken him.
The small resistance that he had mounted against the oppressive despair was destroyed. He is totally consumed by futility, pulled into the depths of hopelessness where he is currently drowning.
His bonds are too tight, there is no reason to strain against them. He cannot escape the detention room, his trials will be left incomplete. He will fail his trial regardless, there is no possibility of success.
Why does he have to complete his trial anyway? Because the announcing voice in his mind tells him to? Does he even want to do the trials? Or are they just another useless distraction?
These thoughts of futility, of doubt and hopelessness dominate Noah’s mind. Overshadowing everything else that exists within. There is no room for other thoughts. No means to which Noah can resist.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
He falls further into the despair, spiraling ever deeper as the negative thoughts compound upon each other and lead him into the depths of the abyss. Touching upon thoughts that Noah has avoided all this time.
The sensitive topics that were best never approached. Now, all those doubts and questioning thoughts hit him all at once. Releasing the dam of suppressed insecurities.
Why is he even here? Why is he in the Afterdeath, competing in this game? What did he do in his life before he died? Was he so terrible that he now has to suffer the consequences?
The thoughts roil and surge. All these questions, all these doubts. They rampage and ravage his mind. But in the end, they are left with no answers, only leading to more questions.
What is he now? He is named Noah and came from earth, no, more specifically, he came from the United States. But what does that even mean?
Is that identity still him? Is he the same person with the name Noah? There is nothing else in his memory, he remembers nothing more. Who is he right now? What is he now?
A Lifeless that is competing in the Afterdeath Trials? Was he a student in this school? What even is this school and why is he here doing stupid tasks and helping people?
What of the Janitor? Is he a Lifeless in the trials too? Did he really fight in a war wielding his mop or was it all a dream just like how he observed through the student in the memory. Was it all fake? But it felt so real.
He doesn’t know. He doesn't Know! He Doesn’t Know Anything!
Noah’s doubts and questions reach a climax, as his mind screams at him internally. He knows nothing, confused by all the sudden influxes of stimuli and information.
He is overwhelmed, he has been overwhelmed since he first came to consciousness in the suffocating darkness. Ever since the first confusing words he heard in the large colosseum.
He has been inundated with new things, confusing things, complex things. It is all too much! Far too much for him to handle!
Which is why he had always just ignored it all, taking the most simple approach of ignoring everything else and focusing on just one goal. His goal had been his trials, trying to complete his next trial.
It had been simple, he just had to walk around at first, finding some item called a diary. He didn’t know what that was, but it didn't matter. He doesn't even know what this whole place is either.
But slowly, things had come to him, vague knowledge, obvious knowledge. The little things that most overlook. He realized this was a school, a diary was a book that someone writes in.
But now, everything just gets more and more complicated. It started with the nurses office. Then in the band room, to the janitor’s closet. Everything has just grown to be too much for him.
Why does he even have to do these trials in the first place? Why is he being forced to do these stupid, useless tasks in this school?
What happens if he doesn’t do his trial? Can he just live in this school of dreams of darkness indefinitely?
Is there even a reason to do the trials?
Noah’s thoughts spin and loop back on themselves. Sending him in confusing, dizzying circles of doubt-filled logic. Around and around he spins, falling deeper and deeper.
The pervading despair of the classroom heavily weighing down on him. Forcing him ever downward into the abyss that he is actively pushing himself into.
For uncountable minutes Noah’s mind is absorbed in its questions and doubts. For endless circles he spins, growing ever closer to the center of the abyss, the black hole of depression.
For all his questions and all his doubts, he touches upon one conclusion, one final inference about his situation. That is: it is futile to do anything.
So he sits, his eyes vacant, his shoulders slumped. He sits as a dead man would at a school desk. The only thing keeping him in place are the restraints around his legs, chest and arms.
He is like all the others in the room, a vacant empty husk. Staring at a non-existent space before him. Lost to the depths of the inner abyss. Just one amongst many that have fallen to the dreams of darkness.
The monotony of the classroom is finally broken as the classroom door swings open. In waddles a large hall monitor who slowly approaches one of three remaining empty desks.
It deposits an unconscious male Lifeless into the seat before turning towards the disciplinary teacher with its report.
“This delinquent broke school code on multiple occasions. Violations include: running in the hall, vandalism, violence and bullying of fellow peers.” It says with its deep and vibrating voice.
Taking out many strands of the cloth rope that it uses to bind the Lifeless in the superior detention, the disciplinary teacher drifts over to the newest arrival, even before the hall monitor finishes its report.
The teacher wraps the longest strand of the rope around the Lifeless’ chest connecting it to the back of the chair.
The hall monitor is still standing at attention, waiting to be addressed by the disciplinary teacher, as it is in a higher position of authority than itself.
“All is in order. You may continue with your patrols.” The disciplinary teacher states in its own rumbling voice, which is devoid of its earlier powers.
The hall monitor says nothing further as it immediately turns and exits through the still open door. Which it slowly closes and latches with an almost inaudible noise.
The teacher finishes tying the last rope around the still unconscious Lifeless’ legs. Pulling itself upright, the teacher suddenly moves with a speed it has not shown until now.
It arrives directly in between the pair of Lifeless that had been communicating with signals for quite some time. The same pair that Noah had noticed earlier.
Both of the disciplinary teachers' arms surge forward, smothering the heads of both the male and female Lifeless that were communicating.
Exerting the same power it had used earlier, the teacher forces the pair into a deep slumber before speaking once more with its Boon: Commanding Word (Tier 1).
“NO communication. NO collusion. You will NOT escape. You WILL serve your full sentence.”
The teacher pulls away from the Lifeless as both their heads lull to the side, evidence of their lacking consciousness.
Drifting back to the front of the room and remaining still in its same position, the disciplinary teacher observes the room. Willing to immediately react to quell any sort of dissident.
All of this occurs outside of Noah’s perception, as his mind is still lost deep within the abyss, totally consumed by doubt and despair.
Even the emphasized words were not enough to pull him out of the abyss, the powerful words only causing him to flinch unknowingly.
Only one Lifeless witnessed this entire sequence of events. The very same man who has been observing the classroom long before Noah even woke up. He has witnessed this kind of scene nearly a dozen times already.
Yet he only observes, not daring to take action, only silently biding his time for an opportunity that may never come.
Noticing something from the entrance of the classroom, he turns his head slightly to look.
From outside the door two consecutive flashes of light along with various crackling and popping sounds can be heard.
No one else in the room stirs besides the sole cognizant Lifeless and the disciplinary teacher. Both of them direct their attention to the door where signs of a struggle are present.
But the flashes of light seem to mark the end of the struggle, as it reverts back to an unusual calm. The disciplinary teacher starts to move closer to the door with the intention of investigating the strange light.
Stopping right in front of the doorway, the teacher calls out in its rumbling voice. “What is the situation?” It receives no reply even after many long seconds.
Deciding to continue, the teacher calls out, “CEASE all actions. There will be NO violations of school code.” This is addressed towards possible delinquents outside the door as well as towards the students in the detention.
The disciplinary teacher will not take any risks in its responsibility of managing the superior detention classroom.
Bringing its large shadowy limb up towards the door handle, the teacher pushes the door outward to see what has occurred outside.
But no sooner had the door opened a crack when it was violently pulled out of the teacher’s grasp, being flung wide open.
A few small objects are thrown that collide with the shadow body of the disciplinary teacher, immediately exploding with loud sizzling pops and blindingly bright light.
Four of these white explosions hit the teacher’s body, forcing it further into the classroom onto its back.
As soon as it hits the floor, it lets out a loud shout with more force than it has ever released before. “HALT!” It shouts in a deep rumble.
This powerful shout does not stop its assailants as another command is yelled from outside the door. “Finish it off!”
Three male Lifeless all come running into the room, wielding kitchen utensils in their hands that they use to stab or slice into the semi-physical shadow body of the teacher.
They repeatedly attack, dissipating small portions of the teacher with each swing. Their strategy consists of many minor wounds that will accumulate into a far larger one.
Finally, after a few exhaustive seconds of rapid attacks, the disciplinary teacher’s shadow body completely breaks apart, having been dissected at its waist. Too much damage was sustained, forcing it to completely dissipate.
Now standing up straight, the three attacking Lifeless look across the detention room. Noticing the ropes that bind each of the Lifeless to their desks.
One of the Lifeless speaks up first, seemingly the leader of the small attacking band. “Get Rob free first. Dan, go keep a lookout in the hall. We only have one of those firecrackers left and it takes two to kill a hall monitor.”
The Lifeless named Dan that the leader addressed raises his hand in a mock salute, “Aye, captain.”
He heads back out into the hall, stealthily sliding a valuable boon he had obtained from the teacher, into his pocket. His leader being completely oblivious to his actions.
Looking around the room, the leader makes his observations. “That last hall monitor took four direct hits from the firecrackers and was still alive. It should be an upgraded one or something.”
Approaching the desk that the most recent Lifeless had been bound to, the leader reaches for the ropes binding him. “And seeing how everyone here is all tied up, I’d wager this is some sort of higher security detention.”
The third Lifeless that rushed in with Dan and the leader speaks up. “I agree with that. We already freed three other detentions, and none of them were tied up.”
“Exactly, they also had only one regular hall monitor guarding the room too.” The leader agrees. Raising his hands, the Leader slaps Rob's face a couple of times in an attempt to wake him up faster.
Which ends up working as Rob’s eyes flutter open in confusion, having just been torn out of an intense dream memory.
“Hey, Rob! Do you remember?” Seeing the confusion on Rob’s face the leader gives him another slap on the cheek. “Better get your brain working or we’re leaving you behind.” The leader says not just as an empty threat.
Directing his attention back towards the rope, the leader says towards his other ally. “Help me untie him. We will probably have to help the rest of them too.”
He points towards the rest of the classroom. Where many of the Lifeless are beginning to slowly stir from their slumbers or coming out of their states of despair. Noah included amongst them.
On the opposite side of the room, as soon as the disciplinary teacher was defeated, the sharp eyed Lifeless had begun to act. His long anticipated plan was set in motion.
By the time the attacking Lifeless group had freed their member named Rob, he had already released himself from his own bonds, making full use of the sharp metal edge on his ruler to free himself.
Standing tall he speaks across the room. “You said you freed three other detentions already?”
Looking at the Lifeless addressing him, the Leader of the group replies. “And what of it?” Arrogant hostility present in his tone.
Not anticipating such a blatantly aggressive response, the ruler wielding Lifeless hesitates with his next question. “Well, I was just going to ask if you were allowing others to join your group. You are working together to complete the trials, right?”
Dismissively waving his hand the leader replies. “Nah, our group is not taking in extras. Why would we bring in baggage that will just slow us down? We aren’t a charity.”
“Then why are you helping us escape from detention?”
Responding with an even louder voice the leader makes his intentions clear. “Don’t misunderstand our actions. The trials are all interconnected you see.” His voice turns into a condescending one.
“We can’t finish our own trials until you worthless dregs finish yours. That is how the first trials always go.” The leader takes a brief pause. “So it's not that we are helping you, but instead we are helping ourselves so we can get into the real trials.”
“That is when all the failures, like you, will start to be eliminated. The first trials progress slowly because we are forced to wait for the incompetent ones to complete their trials too.”
Clearing his throat, the ruler wielding Lifeless speaks up once again. “I understand that, but-”
He is quickly cut off as the Leader yells across the room. “I don’t think you do! Now shut up and start freeing your ‘friends’ that you want to work alongside. At least that way you can be useful to us.”
Turning his head to look at his group member that is helping Rob stand up, the Leader calls him out. “Cam! Quit wasting effort on him and start untying the rest of them. I want to get out of here before the hall monitors show up.”
Grumbling under his breath, Cam steps away from the still unsound Rob and approaches another semi-conscious Lifeless to begin freeing her.
After all these developments, Noah finally starts to have clarity of mind. As the permeating despair in the classroom was removed along with the defeat of the disciplinary teacher.
Growing more aware of his surroundings by the second, Noah pays attention to the most prominent figures in the room. The arrogant and straight backed leader of the group, the nervous and hesitant Cam along with the sharp eyed, ruler wielding Lifeless he observed before.
All of them are currently working on untying the Lifeless that are bound to their desks. The Lifeless with the ruler having the easiest time of it. As he is able to rapidly saw through the cloth ropes that bind the arms and legs of the Lifeless.
The classroom falls to silence as the only noises heard are shuffling scrapes and bumps from the efforts to free the bound Lifeless.
After a minute or so, the leader of the group approaches Noah and starts to work on his bonds. His eyes pause slightly on the mop that is leaning against the desk, but quickly moving on as he sees nothing of value in it.
But the presence of the mop itself makes the Leader observe Noah a bit closer. Noting down his appearance. The dark brown, nearly black hair and the even darker black pits that make up his eyes.
The leader of the group is not the only one noting down appearances. As for the second time since waking up in the Afterdeath, Noah truly observes a person’s appearance in detail.
The leader of the Lifeless group has short and brittle blonde hair. He is also wearing clothes nearly identical to the ones Noah himself has on.
But the most striking feature Noah observes from him is not his appearance. It is the confidence he exudes around himself. The sense of purpose, like he knows exactly why he is acting as he does.
The confident blonde leader takes around 20 seconds to untie the ropes around Noah’s chest. The same rope that binds his arms to his sides. Pulling that rope aside, he continues to untie the rope binding Noah’s wrists.
The whole time he has stood by Noah, he has not said a word, working in silence as they both are in tacit agreement that words are not necessary.
Freeing Noah’s wrists, the blonde leader finally speaks. “Untie the rest yourself, then get out of here or help the others. I really don’t care.” Is all he says, not bothering to make eye contact.
He is already stepping closer to the adjacent desk to untie the next Lifeless that found their way into detention.
Noah sets about untying his legs, pulling at the rope ends to loosen the knot before unlooping them. It was not a long process as the rope had already come loose during his prior struggles against them.
Standing up and looking around the room briefly, Noah does not utter a word as he grabs his mop and heads towards the doorway.
Not turning back at all, he walks out the door and away into the hall. Passing by the Lifeless that is keeping a lookout in the halls.
Noah begins the next stage of his journey as simple as that. His mind still in turmoil as the doubts, questions and worries are still present.
Merely pushed down beneath the surface, attempting to be ignored. Noah never found any of the answers to his questions, no truths that would assuage his doubts.
He still has no reason to carry on with his trials. He has no definite goal and has yet to make a decision. But he still enters the hall and walks.
He walks not because he is going anywhere and not because he has a plan. He just wants to get away from that room, the place where he had fallen deep into the abyss.
Noah does not need to find answers, nor does he need to make a decision. Just as long as he keeps on moving, things are sure to turn out for the better.
For this is just the beginning, the lowest point of his journey. He has barely taken his first steps into this new realm of existence. There is no one that would blame him for running away from these things.
It is only normal for him to avoid such frightful questions. The doubts, worries and fears. We all have them, or had them once. It is the nature of individual beings after all.
But for his own sake, for the future of his trials. It would be best for him to face them head on. To confront the doubts and fears, to prevent them from impeding his future journey.
The way it is right now, they are ticking time bombs, fatal flaws that will lethally strike at an inopportune time.
Maybe this is the reason why he was brought to superior detention. The correction of flaws and mistakes, maybe this is the true nature of the trials themselves.