I was walking through the ruins in the middle of the night when suddenly I heard the spell.
[Welcome to the dream realm, #####!]
And so I opened my eyes in an alleyway...
I groaned, the numbness and cobwebs in my mind disappearing. I looked around and suddenly realized I was naked. I quickly summoned the [Assassin's wear] and walked out of the alleyway. I saw people walking the streets, as if they weren't in the dream realm, they looked to be even living here, semi-permanently at least. Soon I approached the closest person to me, clearing my throat.
The man turned to me, a scowl on his face.
"Why do you want, a boy?"
I shuddered from the sudden oppressive feeling I got, realizing this person was at least a master.
I gulped, then spoke.
"Hello, I just arrived here because of the winter solstice, do you perhaps know where I could find a gateway?"
The man seemed to be taken aback for a moment; the pressure lifted, and a small smile replaced the frown.
"Ah, yes, of course, right this way". And so I followed the man dozens of eyes locked onto my back, I felt like a target. Like I was not supposed to be here.
I followed the man through long roads, on the side of them stood stalls, stores, and houses. People seemed way happier here than in the outskirts, which made sense; no one was happy in the outskirts.
Soon we started going uphill, what seemed to be hundreds of stairs leading to a tower.
And soon I saw it, the gateway.
The man sent me another smile, patting me on the back.
"You got lucky, you appeared in a citadel, just step inside that circle and wait for a few moments".
I gave the man a mock salute and did as he told me.
And soon enough I was in the spell once again, the stars brighter, the void dark as ever. And the stars connected by what seemed to be strings or webs.
[The second seal is broken.]
My eyes widened, and I immediately tensed my body, but I was not prepared for what followed.
[Awakening Dormant powers...]
I immediately fell to the ground, agony tearing through my body. I hated this fucking spell; tears brimmed, blood ran down through my nose and ears, my form was covered in sweat, my long black hair sticking to my face.
Then it stopped, only to continue. I knew something was wrong. Even as my mind shattered, I understood this was not normal; this was the spells doing.
I activated Warp, trying to replace myself in a different direction. Nothing, blocked by the spell.
Then, in a last-ditch effort to escape the pain, I entered my soul sea. And suddenly I was safe, calmness flowed through my body, and the pain disappeared.
I heard the spell it's monotone voice sounding harsher.
[Awakening aspect ability...]
[Aspect ability acquired].
[Aspect ability name: Concept's Heir].
I summoned my runes, the ability sounding powerful just from the name.
Aspect ability name: [Concept's Heir].
Ability description: [Concepts bent to the -Unknown- and now they bow to you as "his" heir. Time stops for the Apex, Space listens to the prince and the fundamental buildings blocks of reality whisper the prince's name].
I stared at the runes, now sure that this -Unknown- person was some sort of God. Because who else could wield such power? The power I have just received, even if only a fragment of it, even if I probably couldn't do such things as stopping time. Because either way, this only raised my arsenal higher.
I had the versatility, movement, and now with this, I would have the raw power. The only thing was. "How the fuck am I supposed to learn that?!" I shouted out, in my own soul, of course, no one answered, it would be horrifying if something did. I haven't even managed to figure out Warp, just forcing my will to replace my location. Which was so draining it wasn't even worth most of the time. But now, with soul essence and being an Awakened, my will undoubtedly grew stronger, it should be easier, at least I hoped so.
[Wake up, Apex Of Nightmares!]
And so I awoke, to find myself in my base, which I had fixed up a little, now in livable condition. After all, I spent more than a month here. I saw Fenrir lying by my side, sleeping, injured. My eyes immediately noticed the slash wound, relatively shallow yet, slightly glowing a sickly green color. Poison, I frowned, slightly shaking my partner, no response. My mind buzzed with ways to help my bond, my closest friend, only to come up with nothing.
Then a thought struck me, I should be able to just replace the poison in my friend with Warp.
And so I focused, making sure not to make a single mistake, making sure to only select the poison.
Then I activated Warp, fueling it with my will for it to be transported away, then I poured in my soul essence, trying to boost up the healing rate and to make sure no poison remain. And magically it worked, the poison vanished, and it appeared in a bowl by my knees.
Fenrir weakly opened his eyes, confusion, then happiness blooming inside them like flames.
I hugged my friend as tightly as I could, Fenrir nuzzling his snout in my chest. I would have lost my friend if I hadn't appeared in a citadel. And then I knew, I would need to step up my training. I have been relying on Fenrir and my memories far too much.
***
And so as the sun rose, I did not rest, I did not sleep in, I left Fenrir to sleep and went outside. Willing Warp to transport me a few meters at a time. Sweat was pouring in waves, the amount of soul essence and concentration required was insane without practice. But it was getting noticeably easier. Hopefully, when I get used to it, I won't require soul essence for short ranges, and my will will be enough. Soon enough, Fenrir woke up, rushing outside, looking for me.
We played for a bit, then Fenrir grabbed my hand with one of its bone tails and started leading me.
I recognized the place somewhat; it was the place where we went before I entered the dream realm.
And in the middle of the street, a giant body lay.
Monstrous yet humanoid, spell confirming it as a Fallen Demon. My eyes widened, shock apparent in my gaze.
"How," I paused, taking in a breath to steady my voice, "how did you manage this?" My friend only barked, then I felt it, dozens of creatures appeared, the same ones from my appraisal. One could say my extended family, I grinned, happy to see they didn't abandon me or Fenrir to this thing.
Soon enough, I collected the soul shards, the counter rising to 142, not bad in a month, yet I would need the bonus essence for my abilities. Right now, I barely have any, just enough to augment my body slightly, and I had my nightmare augmentation for that, which was basically a full reservoir worth of soul essence. And it didn't run out, making me basically have two cores, which put me in a lead against other awakened.
***
I had made a schedule for myself, which I followed with full focus. I would wake up, train until Fenrir woke up, we would play for a bit, then head into the ruins. We would hunt and collect food for myself, which I didn't need to do much of these days, considering I had a small farm outside my home. Then after I ate my lunch, I would train myself to soul essence exhaustion, then work on using Warp only with my will, which I was now barely able to do. Yet even if it was a small distance and required insane amounts of concentration, it was proof of my training, proof that I wasn't wasting my time, and so I continued, until one day.
***
I had just tagged teamed with Fenrir to take down an Awakened Demon, when three things happened.
First I got two notifications in my runes.
Telling me that the progression counter on [Assassin's wear] and [Vampiric dagger] had reached full capacity.
Then Fenrir collapsed on the floor, in obvious pain, yet his eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement.
And I sensed it Fenrir had evolved. He had become a Fallen. Fenrir barred his teeth, trying to mimic a grin. I grinned right back, and I sat next to him, a hand on his head, accompanying him through his pain.
In the meantime, I summoned my memory runes.
Memory name: [Assassin's wear].
Memory type: [Armor].
Memory rank: [Ascended].
Progression: [0/500].
Memory description: [A weapon specifically made to hunt and kill, to remain unseen and hidden, the assassin's location is only revealed when he strikes].
Memory Enchantments: [Stealth], [Growth], [Bluntness], [Soul shielding].
[Soul shielding] Enchantment Description: [Provides a small defense against soul attacks].
A new attribute, eh? And a very useful one at that, even if quite weak, it would most likely evolve.
Then I summoned the runes for my Dagger.
Memory name: [Vamparic dagger].
Memory type: [Weapon].
Memory rank: [Ascended].
Progression: [0/500].
Memory description: [A great vampire sat in his office, preparing to fight against the sunlight with the protection of the moon, yet before he could act upon the ingenious plans, he was betrayed, and the army that followed the light killed his followers and him].
Memory Enchantments: [Vampirism], [Growth], [Rejuvination].
[Rejuvenation] Enchantment Description: [Any blood meeting the surface of the blade will heal minor injuries].
I grinned wickedly. This dagger was making me into a vampire without any of their flaws, which made sense; I was "perfect" after all. I let out a chuckle at my own joke, turning to Fenrir, I saw him standing up, noticeably larger, with another bone tail from his back, and what seemed to be a crown of small horns on his head, unusual, but cool.
I grinned at my friend, giving him a high five/four.
Then we turned and slowly made our way home, the sun setting behind us.