Gathered in the dining room, a lower-middle-class family was having a silent dinner. The small apartment they lived in was modest but cozy enough to house love, memories, and sacrifices.
The family consisted of a father, a mother, and their three children. The youngest was eight, the middle sister fourteen, and the oldest… The oldest was sixteen — and that night was dedicated to him.
Kaelis, the eldest, had an athletic and healthy body for his age, but his eyes betrayed the truth: deep, ringed with dark circles, his blurry vision shifted between nausea and dizziness.
He was so exhausted he could barely stay conscious.
On his right arm, a medicinal patch glowed — an expensive stimulant, bought with great effort by his parents to keep him from falling asleep.
On the table, juicy meat steamed, accompanied by fries and rice. Beside his plate rested a small chocolate cake. For a family like theirs, that was a feast-worthy meal.
But it wasn't a celebration. It was a farewell.
Kaelis's life was about to change — or perhaps end.
Turning his eyes away from the food, Kaelis looked at his family. His siblings were crying softly. His mother, face buried in her hands, tried to hold back sobs. His father watched his son in silence, a firm gaze hiding an abyss of pain and worry.
"Kaelis."
The boy raised his eyes to his father.
"Your mother prepared all this for you. Please, eat. Let's enjoy this moment while we still have it."
Kaelis nodded. He cut a piece of meat and began filling his plate with all the things he liked.
Little by little, the mother and siblings wiped away their tears and sat at the table. The dinner passed in silence — a dense silence, heavy with unspoken words and unsaid goodbyes.
After the cake, Kaelis stood up. He smiled gratefully and said in a calm, albeit tired, voice:
"Thank you so much... I'll go change and get ready."
He walked into the room he shared with his siblings. Toys were scattered, Zoe's school papers lay across the desk, the bunk bed he and Michael shared sat opposite Zoe's — who still complained about the curtain hitting her face at night.
Kaelis smiled, nostalgic. So many memories in that little room...
He put on jeans, the white shirt his mother had recently bought him, and the worn jacket he got from his father. Then, he went to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror.
He was handsome for his age. A sharp face, defined features, eyes tired yet intense. His short black hair, slightly messy, completed the image.
He gave a crooked smile.
"Hmph. Guess I got Mom's looks."
After brushing his teeth, he returned to the living room, where his family stood waiting by the door.
Kaelis forced a smile and walked up to them. He didn't want to show them how afraid he really was of what was to come.
He hugged his mother tightly.
"Thank you for everything, Mom. For the food, the scolding... for raising me and never giving up on me."
She held him close, crying silently.
"I'm sorry, Kael... I'm so sorry I couldn't get you into a better school... Maybe if I had—"
"Dear," — the father interrupted, placing a hand on her shoulder — "Not now. Have faith in your son."
Kaelis stepped away from his mother and turned to Zoe. He rested his hand on her head.
"Thanks for the laughs... and for being the responsible little sister who always helped me."
She tried to respond, but tears held her back. Kaelis smiled, lifted her chin gently, and kissed her forehead — an old gesture between them.
When he turned to the door, Michael ran and hugged his leg.
"B-Brother... please... Don't go... I still want to play with you..."
Kaelis's heart clenched. The pain was suffocating. He crouched down and looked his brother in the eyes.
"Hey, what are you talking about? Of course we'll play. As soon as I wake up from this 'nap,' we'll go to the park. We'll play all day, just the two of us, okay?"
Michael nodded, wiping his tears.
Kaelis held out his pinky.
"Promise me you'll be strong, alright? When Dad and I aren't home, you take care of everything, okay?"
"Y-Yeah! I'll be strong for you!"
They sealed the promise with their fingers, and with one last smile, Kaelis opened the door.
He gave his family one last look and left, accompanied by his father.
Once they left the apartment and took the old elevator down, they stepped into the street, walking toward the place where Kaelis would either sleep or die that night.
He looked at his father — a strong, athletic man who worked as part of the city's barrier maintenance crew. A dangerous job, since many accidents happened during barrier reconstruction, but it showed his willpower not to give in to poverty and join gangs that profited from crime.
His father had brown hair like his daughter Zoe's. He was a calm and serious man, but playful and funny around his family, with an explosive temper when needed.
They weren't speaking as they walked through the empty streets, but Kaelis could see the worry beneath his father's calm, serious gaze.
"Kaelis."
Hearing his father call, Kaelis answered, wondering what he'd say since he had barely spoken a word today.
"Yes, Dad?"
His father took a deep breath, stopped in front of him, grabbed his shoulders firmly, and, staring with total seriousness, said:
"I know you know this, but it's always good to remember. You are one of the young ones infected by the Nightmare Spell. As soon as you fall asleep, you'll be sent to the Dream Realm, and who knows what you'll face in your First Nightmare trial, but let me warn you."
"This world tests all of us in unfair ways. The real question is how we react to those trials. Many fall into evil out of selfishness, others become evil because they have no choice… But I tell you, my son…"
"Don't let the injustice and wickedness of this world destroy your heart. As someone chosen by the Spell, you'll be tested in inhuman ways. You'll suffer in ways I'd never wish on you or any child of mine. If I could take that pain from you and bear the Spell myself, I'd do it without hesitation... But the world was unfair and chose you to suffer."
"And that's why I remind you: you will suffer, cry, lose people you love, and see horrors no child should ever see — but even with all that pain, I remind you to follow your heart."
"Fight for the people you love, destroy if it means saving them, and above all, have conviction that what you're doing comes from the goodness within you."
Hearing those words, Kaelis froze for a moment, a storm of emotions building in his chest — and before he knew it, his sleep-heavy eyes were shedding tears.
He looked down and clenched his fists, feeling the weight of reality crush his back.
Kaelis cried.
His father hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear.
"You are my greatest pride and the strongest son I could ever dream of having."
"Do whatever it takes to survive. Do whatever it takes for the ones you love."
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In front of the station, Kaelis knew the time had come.
"I'll go alone from here. Thank you, Dad."
He gave one last hug and walked up to the doors. His father called out one last time:
"Kaelis!"
"I love you. And I know you'll survive. I believe in you."
Kaelis smiled, eyes glistening.
"I love you too, Dad! I will survive. One way or another."
After saying goodbye, he entered the station.
Inside, officers were seated, reading files or answering phones from their booths.
The walls were reinforced with metal. There seemed to be hidden turrets in the ceiling... everything suggested danger was a constant reality.
"Hey, kid. You lost?"
Asked a young female officer at the front desk.
She seemed young and pretty, but Kaelis barely registered her face. Sleep was overtaking him.
"Didn't you hear me?" — she asked, a little irritated by the boy's sluggishness.
"Huh? Oh... Sorry."
"My name's Kaelis. I'm here to turn myself in under the Third Special Directive."
"I carry the Nightmare Spell."
As soon as he said those words...
The station froze. Everyone looked at him cautiously.
"Are you sure?" — asked one of the officers near Kaelis.
Kaelis rolled up his sleeve and pulled off the patch.
"I've been using this stimulant to stay awake for three days... So, yes. The symptoms started over a week ago."
The officer trembled for a moment before saying, shocked:
"Holy shit... Another sleeper this week!"
She pressed a button on her terminal, grabbed her walkie-talkie, and yelled:
"Attention! Black Code at reception! I repeat: BLACK CODE!"
And in an instant, the station descended into chaos.
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The Nightmare Spell first appeared in the world a few decades ago. At the time, the planet was only just beginning to recover from a series of devastating natural disasters and subsequent resource wars.
In the beginning, the emergence of a new disease that made millions of people complain about constant fatigue and drowsiness didn't attract much attention. But when they began to fall into an abnormal sleep, showing no signs of waking even days later, governments finally panicked. Of course, by then, it was already too late—not that an early response could have made any difference.
When the infected began to die in their sleep, their dead bodies turning into monsters, no one was prepared. The Nightmare Creatures quickly overwhelmed national armies, plunging the world into complete disarray.
No one knew what the Spell was, what powers it possessed, or how to fight it.
In the end, it was the Awakened—those who survived the Spell's first trials and came back alive—who put an end to its rampage. Armed with miraculous abilities earned in their nightmares, they restored peace and established a semblance of a new order.
Of course, it was only the first of many disasters caused by the Spell. But as far as Kaelis was concerned, none of that had anything to do with him—not until a few days ago, when he began having trouble staying awake.
For an ordinary person, being chosen by the Spell was both a risk and an opportunity. Children were taught survival skills and combat techniques in school, hoping for the remote chance of being infected. Wealthy families hired private tutors to train their children in every martial art possible. Those from Awakened clans even had access to powerful legacies, manipulating Memories and Echoes inherited on their first visit to the Dream Realm.
The richer your family, the higher your chances of surviving and becoming an Awakened.
For Kaelis, who came from a somewhat poor family, his chances of survival were slim to none. He could barely attend school because his parents couldn't afford education for all three of their children and had to work in shops since he was little.
Last year, he had to drop out of school so his parents could allow his sister Zoe to continue studying. Kaelis was a good student, but not as good as Zoe—the girl was the star of her class, and cutting her education instead of his wasn't the right choice.
Even with his limited time in school, Kael had basic survival knowledge and a distant understanding of the Dream Realm, and he had learned a lot about hand-to-hand combat in physical education classes—and mostly from his father, who taught him how to fight.
A few minutes had passed. Kaelis watched, drowsy, as several police officers firmly handcuffed him. Soon, he was strapped to a bulky chair—a strange fusion between a hospital bed and a torture device. The room they were in was in the police station's basement, surrounded by thick concrete walls and sealed by an imposing vault door. Other officers stood against the walls, holding automatic rifles with grave, silent expressions.
Despite being surrounded by so many weapons, Kaelis could barely pay attention. His eyes were heavy, consciousness slipping—he was on the brink of sleep.
The vault door opened with a metallic creak, and a graying officer walked in. His face was marked by time, eyes hardened by decades of service, and the kind of expression that said: "I've seen too much." He checked the maximum-security handcuffs and threw a quick glance at his wristwatch before stepping closer to Kaelis.
"What's your name, kid?"
Kael blinked a few times, struggling to focus. He tried to move but was immobilized.
"Kaelis."
The officer raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Unusual name… sounds biblical."
Kaelis tried to shrug but couldn't even move his shoulders. His body was already giving in to sleep.
"Yeah… my mom's religious. The name comes from Kaeliel. It means 'he of pure heart'… or 'God is purity'."
The old man frowned, more serious now.
"Want me to contact your family?"
Kaelis slowly shook his head.
"I already said goodbye to them before coming…"
For a moment, the officer's expression darkened. Then he nodded.
"I see. Kaelis… how long do you think you can stay awake?"
"Hm… just a little…"
"Then we don't have time for the full protocol. Listen carefully, alright?"
Without waiting for a reply, he continued:
"How much do you know about the Nightmare Spell?"
Kaelis looked at him, confused.
"As much as anyone, I guess. Everyone knows about the Spell, right?"
"I'm not talking about the nonsense from dramas or the pretty versions in propaganda. I'm asking: what do you really know?"
Kaelis hesitated. The answer seemed obvious… but was it?
"I just go into the Dream Realm, kill some monsters, complete the First Nightmare, gain magic powers, and become Awakened, right?"
The officer shook his head.
"Pay attention. When you fall asleep, you'll be taken to your First Nightmare. It's a trial created by the Spell. You'll find monsters, yes… but also people. And you need to remember one thing: they're not real. They're illusions, created to test you."
"How do you know?"
The old man stared at him silently.
"I mean… no one really understands what the Spell is, right? So how can you be sure they're illusions?"
"Because, kid… you might have to kill them. Do yourself a favor and believe that."
"Oh…"
There was a brief silence. Then the officer spoke again.
"A lot in the First Nightmare depends on luck. In theory, it's not supposed to be impossible. The setting, the tools, the enemies—everything should be within your capabilities. The Spell tests. It doesn't execute. But you… well, you're at a disadvantage because of your circumstances. Still, kids from the outskirts tend to be tough. Don't give up on yourself."
Kaelis just murmured something inaudible. He could barely follow the conversation.
"As for the 'magic powers'… yes, you'll gain them if you survive. Which ones? That depends on your affinity and the choices you make inside the Nightmare. Some, though, will be with you from the very beginning…"
The officer's voice was starting to sound distant. Kaelis's eyelids trembled, about to close.
"The first thing you should do when you wake up is check your Attributes and your Aspect. If it's something combat-related—Swordsman, Archer, anything like that—great. Even better if it comes with physical Attributes. Combat Aspects are the most common, so you've got a good chance."
The room began to darken, or maybe it was just the sleep.
"If the Aspect is magical or support… don't panic. You can survive—it'll just require creativity. There are no useless Aspects. Well, almost none. Do whatever it takes to survive."
— If you survive, you'll be halfway to becoming Awakened. If you die… you'll open a portal for a Nightmare Creature in this world. Which means my colleagues and I will have to deal with it. So… please, don't die, Kaelis.
Already half-gone, Kaelis felt something strange: a soft warmth in his chest. Maybe it was emotion.
— Or at least, try not to die immediately. The nearest Awakened won't arrive for a few hours. We'd really appreciate it if you didn't leave us alone against that thing…
"What?" — Kaelis thought, confused.
But it was already too late.
With that final thought, he fell asleep.
And everything went dark.
[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your First Trial…]