The Dreamer Army had been divided into three groups: the vanguard, the defensive lines behind them, and the support team. Those whose Aspects were suited for battle joined the vanguard. Any creature that managed to get past the vanguard would be stopped by the defensive line. The support team consisted of those who couldn't fight or whose Aspects provided assistance. They supplied aid to the fighters. Morpheus was considered part of this team. In battle, unless something unexpected happened, he wouldn't take an active role. He left command to Nephis and Gunlaug. Since they had been seen as the leaders from the beginning of the plan, it would be easier for them to manage the army. People had faith in them.
The plan was to break the seal of the Crimson Spire and reach the gateway. They relied on Sunny to break the seal. Gunlaug joined the vanguard to lead them and the defensive lines. Tessai, Gemma, Kido, and Harus followed him. Effie and Caster were also in the vanguard. Kai and a few archers were tasked with countering threats from the sky. Cassie and Morpheus stayed with Nephis to oversee the battle. Everyone was ready. They were going home.
They began advancing toward the tower. As they moved forward, they saw the horde guarding it. Normally, these creatures would attack each other, but now, they were united in defense of the tower.
"From now on, unless it's an emergency, do not speak to me. I need to focus all my attention on healing," Morpheus said, sitting on the ground. He closed his eyes and raised his arms. His fingers moved like a puppeteer's. He had given his blood for everyone in the army to drink. He could control his own blood better than anyone else. Healing with it also cost him less energy, so he used this method. By controlling the blood inside each of them, he gave them a slight enhancement. This way, the army would be more resilient.
As they moved forward, the creatures took notice, and the first clash began. The monsters surged toward them like a tidal wave.
From his position at the back, Morpheus could clearly see the bodies of those in the front line tremble, some taking an involuntary step back. Someone even dropped their weapon. A moment later, Effie's loud voice rolled over the ranks of Sleepers:
"Stand your ground, wretches! If anyone runs, I'll kill you myself!"
Strangely, her irritated shout calmed the fear in their hearts. But even Effie was afraid. This scale of battle was overwhelming even for her. She glanced at Gunlaug beside her and saw him nod in response. They readied their weapons.
The first wave of creatures was met with arrows. Some died instantly, while others weren't even scratched. They kept coming. Seeing this, Gunlaug raised his sword.
"Attack!" he roared and charged at the monsters.
His action ignited the battlefield. The others followed, engaging the creatures with renewed courage. Effie, Caster, Gunlaug, and his men fought without wasting their strength. The enhancement Morpheus had given them allowed them to hold out for a while.
While they fought on the ground, several creatures appeared in the sky. They circled above the army—Spire Messengers. They were dropping monsters onto the battlefield. But their efforts were in vain. High above the battlefield, a web of steel wires blocked their descent. Kai was already handling them.
The battle raged on. Many were injured—some from exhaustion, others from distraction or carelessness—but none died. Thanks to Morpheus' healing, as long as they withdrew and waited for a while, they would recover. The critically wounded were taken to the support team for further treatment.
Meanwhile, Morpheus, who was healing them, was covered in blood. It gushed from his body, especially his arms. This was the first time he had attempted such high-level control, and his body was being pushed to its limit. Blood poured from him, yet he continued. He would bring everyone home safely.
Nephis, Cassie, and Sunny wanted to help, but they were afraid that any action might break his concentration and cause him more harm. They could only watch as blood sprayed from countless wounds on his body, then flowed back into him. He didn't stop.
Then, he opened his eyes and looked at Sunny.
The moment Sunny and Nephis received his signal, they moved. Nephis rushed to join the vanguard—they would clear the way for Sunny. The moment people saw Nephis advancing, they erupted into cheers. Their morale soared.
Morpheus closed his eyes again. He tracked the battle through the blood around him. The vanguard had performed well. A path had been opened for Sunny. Kai had done an excellent job in the skies, fighting as if he had declared war on the heavens themselves.
Morpheus continued healing everyone, but the burden on his body was too much. He began to lose control over the blood spilling from his wounds. The blood pooling on the ground no longer returned to him. His sole focus became the vanguard and Sunny.
Thanks to the enhancements, Sunny broke the seal faster than expected.
Morpheus felt the rays of the sun pierce through the clouds and touch him. It should have been comforting. But instead, it attacked his soul.
His eyes snapped open. He looked around. The sunlight had annihilated all the creatures. But the humans—his allies—were writhing in pain.
The moment he realized what was happening, he summoned his Echo.
[Plagued Charger.]
A massive white horse, adorned with vine-like patterns, emerged. Morpheus summoned his armor and immediately climbed onto its back.
"Cassie, get on! We have to leave now!" he called, extending his hand.
Blood still poured from his armor, but he didn't care. This wouldn't kill him.
Cassie, still in shock from the sunlight, froze when she felt the power of Morpheus' Echo. Morpheus grabbed her arm and pulled her up. He spurred his horse toward the gateway. His Echo was one of the fastest creatures he had encountered—it didn't take long to reach their destination.
When they arrived, he saw Nephis, Gunlaug, Effie, and Caster heading toward the Crimson Terror. Sunny was carrying the wounded Kai and leading people through the gateway.
The moment Morpheus arrived, everyone froze—stunned by the soul damage from the sunlight and the sheer power of his Echo.
Dismounting, he set Cassie down and called out to Sunny.
"Once everyone is out, join Nephis."
He sent his Echo to retrieve any stragglers, then moved to follow Nephis.
Cassie stopped him, whispering something in his ear.
Morpheus frowned. He shot her a disapproving look but didn't dwell on it. He would deal with it later.
By the time he caught up, the others were already engaged in battle. No one had suffered major injuries, but they didn't seem to have the upper hand either.
Nephis wielded her flaming sword, healing the wounded while fighting. Gunlaug absorbed most of the damage. Effie and Caster tried to strike from openings. But the Terror's eyes shone with blinding, annihilating light. Defending against it was nearly impossible.
Gunlaug couldn't hold out any longer.
Morpheus pulled him back and began healing him. His body was weak from blood manipulation, but he could still use his powers.
While healing Gunlaug, his eyes never left Caster.
He knew Caster had been sent to kill Nephis. He had tried to reason with him. He knew what choice Caster would make. But he still hoped he wouldn't go through with it.
Sunny rushed into the battlefield and immediately joined the fight. They were at a disadvantage against the creature. Morpheus was no longer strengthening them. Only Nephis' Memory provided a boost, but it wasn't enough. They were going to lose.
"Just when we were about to get out of here..." Gunlaug grumbled.
Then, he heard a chuckle.
Morpheus, sitting beside him with one hand placed on his body to heal him, was laughing.
"I'm still here," Morpheus said and extended his hand toward the creature.
In an instant, his fingers clenched into a tight fist. The creature let out a deafening scream as blood poured from the places where its eyes should have been. It could no longer use its power.
Gunlaug pushed himself up and charged at the creature. The others did not waste the opportunity either—they all attacked together.
However, among them, only two weren't focused on the beast.
One was Caster, who had set his sights on Nephis, preparing to strike.
The other was Sunny, his blade poised at Caster's neck, ready to strike.
The moment he had entered the battlefield, Morpheus had given him the signal.
Caster had not wavered from his target.
Sunny did not hesitate. He killed Caster.
At the same time, Nephis, with the help of the others, slew the creature.
Caster's eyes widened in shock as he realized he had been killed by the very person he had always looked down upon.
And then, he died.
The moment the creature perished, the entire place began to shake violently. The Crimson Spire was collapsing.
The passage was going to be destroyed.
They had to leave immediately.
But there was a problem.
One of them had to stay behind.