The next day, Epsilon awakened feeling incredibly groggy. Everything was blurry, and his eye lids felt heavy. He just wanted to sink back into his bed and fall asleep, but today was far too important to do that.
This never ending exhaustion, he had felt it in the past, just before he was subjected to the first nightmare.
Today was the day of the winter solstice, and later on they would take their first steps into the dream realm.
**
The cafeteria hall was quiet and tense, completely devoid of the usual lively chatter. Of course they were, most of them would die soon.
Epsilon had prepared as much as he could, so he wasn't particularly worried. He took his usual seat next Emma after stuffing his plate with Bacon, but today, he was joined with new guests.
That being Sylas, Smile Of Heaven, and two other legacy clan sleepers that Gracia personally invited, Rudo and Feliz.
Epsilon then asked her,
"Why don't we try inviting Anvil of Valor, and Ki Song? They're also on the—"
But before he could even finish his question, Gracia quickly cut him off,
"Lets go back over our formation and strategy? Shall we?"
Her face was a little pink. She wasn't too embarrassed to ask them, was she?
They usually didn't talk much in public for obvious reasons, but this was the last chance they would have before entering the dream realm, so they all sat together. Besides, far too many people were busy worrying for themselves to care about them. They didn't do much other than give them nervous glances.
Of course, they weren't hanging out for chit chat. They were going over the plans that they had made in order to find each other, as well as discussing their roles in the dream realm.
Gracia's Aspect allowed her soul to exist outside her body, turning her into a radiant Spector. That soul was not bound by ordinary physical laws like Gravity or mass, and since it was her dormant ability, it could last indefinitely. However, it did put her at slight risk as her physical body would be left vulnerable, but her soul was immune to physical damage, and could posses inanimate objects to take control of them freely.
This made her the cohorts scout.
Sylas's Aspect granted him incredible perception. With just a glance, he could analyse and conclude the connections between various concepts and objects, including people as well as battle styles and biology. He used this ability with his combat style, to target the weakest point of a weapon, and shatter it with a single powerful blow. But this could also work on Nightmare creatures, as he could deduce their most vulnerable body part/parts, or even divulge this information to other teammates.
This made him the cohorts secondary vanguard, but also its tactician.
Epsilons aspect was a versatile one, as expected for the divine rank. Once used, he could expel a formless sphere of white energy the size of a bed cabinet. It could be used for both offense and defence, and its shape could change at will. Additionally, he could absorb the energy into his body, instantly doubling his strength. There was his innate ability too, but he hoped he wouldn't need to use that.
This made him the cohorts primary vanguard.
Rudo's Aspect was an interesting one. Every time he took a hit, he didn't take any physical damage, and only the pain would be left behind. It took a little bit of willpower and sheer gut to get through it, but if he takes to much damage, he could pass out from the shock.
Armed with a shield, this made him the cohorts tank.
Feliz's Aspect allowed her to force herself into the 'zone'. A state of being where an action becomes an instinct, something that could be done repeatedly with perfection. Using it with a bow and arrows, her aim was top notch.
This made her the cohorts Ranged damage dealer.
Emma's Aspect was pure utility in the fact that she could produce a certain amount of water at a time. But that was it, she could produce water, and only water. She couldn't control it, so once she manifested some, it would instantly fall to the ground. Her only purpose was to provide the cohort with fresh drinking water, as well as handle some chores, but she wouldn't need to fight unless absolutely necessary.
This made her the cohorts chef.
And with that, everyone's roles were decided. It was a well rounded team, designed to stall and exploit the weaknesses of powerful creatures, one that Sylas and Gracia had worked on themselves.
The only issue was...
"So how are we going to meet?", Epsilon asked.
Sleepers were generally dropped in the same area, or at least, the same region of the dream realm. But for that period of time, they would be separated.
How would they meet back up? Sylas answered this question.
"Gracia can use her dormant ability. When in her soul form, she's actually quite fast, so she can scout the area she's in very well."
"I also have an awakened echo on me, so even if my physical body is attacked, it will be protected well enough for me to get back. I will still need to hide it first."
In the case that other teammates were too far, or in different regions, at that point the formation would be broken. In the end, it was ultimately up to luck, and how generous the Nightmare spell was feeling.
Other then that, this team of 5 was perfect really. If it had any flaws, then maybe it was the lack of someone who could heal injuries. A utility ability like that was 1 in a million among sleepers though.
Emma and Sylas both learnt how to do first aid in the wild though, so they should do, for now.
**
As the sun set, and their planning finalized, Awakened Orum gathered them all to the courtroom. From there, they were taken to a white building which was apparently the schools medical block. Other sleepers led by awakened were brought here too... like Bors..
They were all taken to a strange gallery. It was spacious, and illuminated by natural sunlight, all made to accommodate the numerous rows of wheelchairs that each housed a person. However, they were all unmoving, not even showing the slightest bit of reaction to the horde of sleepers that just entered the room.
They looked dead, and yet, they were still alive. If Nero was here, then he'd say they resembled the Night children an awful lot.
"There are quite a few of them all around the world, but most of the ones that came to the academy were kept here. Others, their family wanted to put down mercifully. These Hollow, I mean."
Awakened Gareth spoke as he emerged from the line of Awakened teachers. His tone was demanding, calling the attention of everyone in the room.
"All the Hollow were sleepers like you once, but do you want to know what they all had in common? They failed. Each and every single one of them had their spirits destroyed in the dream realm. Although there is chance of your physical body dying too, there is a very small one that it persists, and keeps you alive. However, the result is as you see before you. A soulless husk. A Hollow."
He walked down the row of wheelchairs, scanning each Hollow, before stopping in front of one of them. He rested his hand on their headrest, before continuing,
"This sleeper had two awakened parents who loved him very much. They weren't legacies, but they were stupidly lucky, and so the boy was absolutely spoiled. He was given an arsenal of memories, a horde of echoes, and soul fragments for days, but in the end, he still died."
He sighed, approaching the crowd of sleepers as his voice grew dark and intimidating.
"This is the price for being incompetent, but the weak won't be spared either."
He turned around, a walked back to go join the line of Awakened, but he quickly paused and said:
"Nightmare creatures won't be the only enemy you may encounter on the other side, but with that, I wish you all Goodluck."
**
All the sleepers were then taken to their own personal rooms. He was able to have one last talk with his mother over the communicator, reassuring her that he would comeback safe and sound.
He made sure to comfort Emma too, she looked to be very worried, but it would all be fine in the end.
And so he stood before his sleeping pod, with exhaustion slowly overcoming him. He sighed as he muttered,
"Nero... don't die. You're not that weak, are you?"
Climbing into the pod, he was surrounded with nothing but darkness. But not long afterwards, the Nightmare spell whispered,
[Welcome to the Dream Realm, Epsilon!]