"We conquered our second Nightmare some time ago. Sunny found a seed, and our cohort—consisting of Sunny, Cassie, Effie, and Kai—set out to challenge it. But when we entered, the Spell announced that six challengers had arrived, not five."
"When we eventually reunited inside the Nightmare, we figured it out. It was the long-lost prince of Clan Valor—or should I say the imprisoned one—Mordret. Somehow, Sunny freed him. We don't know how, but even when he tried to conquer the Nightmare in a way that would get us all killed… we still succeeded."
"After that, he vanished. Clan Valor was furious, but they couldn't do anything about it. Everyone knew his only wish was to destroy Clan Valor."
"I'm already a Master. So when will you come back? It's been almost two years."
After talking to the sleeping me, Nephis left.
A casual meeting happened not long after.
"Master Jet asked if I'd be willing to go on the Antarctica campaign," Sunny said. "Do you know anything about it?"
"A chain of gate outbrakes are going to happen." Nephis said bluntly.
"I talked with Gunlaug, and he said they're working overtime at the House of Night, preparing to transport large number of people there." Cassie added.
"I think I'll go with Master Jet," Sunny said. "She told me to give her my answer within a week. We leave in about a months."
"Clan Valor and Song will send some forces for show, but not too many," Nephis added.
A few days passed.
Nephis was on her way to the academy for her usual visit to my sleeping pod.
But before she could arrive, a sudden, domineering presence descended upon the academy.
At the same time every member of the Dreamer army felt something and they were sure what it was. He is back.
Anyone weaker than an Awakened could hardly breathe. The air was thick with anger and sorrow.
Then the sirens rang loud—announcing the arrival of a Nightmare creature.
For a moment, Nephis was stunned.
But in the next, she started rushing forward—as if nothing else mattered.
The closer she got, the stronger the pressure became.
It was overbearing.
But then she heard it—a roar.
A roar of utter loss.
When she finally arrived, she froze in shock.
The entire room was in ruins. Everything had been blown away by the sheer force of my presence.
And then—she saw me.
Kneeling in the center of the devastation, engulfed in a red and golden glow, roaring in anguish.
She pressed forward, calling out—
"You have to come to your senses, Chris! Come back!"
"You wanted to protect the people! Not destroy them!"
She reached me and shouted.
"Come back! King of Men!"
The pressure subsided.
Slowly, I opened my eyes—
And saw Nephis kneeling before me.
Her eyes a bit wet.
I couldn't help but smile.
"...I came back, my little Star."
And with those words, I fainted.