Kaelis enjoyed the comforting warmth of the shower after his conversation with Master Jet. She had ordered him to wash up, saying with a half-smile, "You smell like Nightmare."
Although the Spell induced a deep sleep that slowed metabolism and the medical equipment took care of the rest, Kaelis had still spent two full days completely unconscious.
Even after all that time, the imaginary scent of blood, fire, and despair still seemed stuck to his skin.
"Ahhh… I can finally relax." — He thought, as the hot water ran down his back, sliding over his wings and body.
Looking at his newly manifested wings, he found himself facing an unexpected dilemma: how did one wash wings? Shampoo? Conditioner? Body wash?
After a few moments of indecision, he decided to pour body wash over the feathers. Every movement, however, felt like a disaster waiting to happen — the shower stall was far too small to accommodate his imposing right wing with any dignity, and he kept knocking everything over.
After a few minutes under the hot water, Kaelis turned off the shower and began to dry himself.
Before the Nightmare, he had already been athletic, with lean muscles earned from calisthenics in the park near his home. But now… something had clearly changed. His body was taller, more defined, with dense, powerful muscles, as if sculpted from steel cables. Fat seemed to have vanished, giving way to an agile, lean — and for all intents and purposes — perfect physique.
"Impressive… It would take years of training to achieve a body like this."
He wrapped the towel around his waist and, curious, turned to the foggy mirror. In his hurry to enter the shower, he hadn't really looked at himself.
He wiped the damp surface until his reflection appeared.
And then, he froze.
The surprise hit him like a punch.
"But… how is this possible!?"
Hair, eyebrows, eyelashes — everything was now a radiant silvery white. His eyes, once red like his mother's, now shone in a vivid, intense, almost ethereal red.
'Has my body changed this much?'
After a few moments of silence, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
"Haaah… I can't even imagine my family's reaction when they see me like this."
He dressed in the training jumpsuit provided by the station. It was made of flexible material, with openings in the back to allow his wings to pass through. Ready, he headed toward the cafeteria to meet with Master Jet.
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As soon as he arrived, he saw Jet already seated at a table, with two steaming trays of synthetic food in front of her.
Kaelis cast a resigned glance at the watery porridge in front of him. Compared to his mother's cooking, it was of an almost offensive quality. But after two days asleep, he was starving — and devoured everything without ceremony.
Only after finishing did he notice the beautiful woman across from him, silently observing.
Blushing, Kaelis muttered awkwardly:
"I... I'm sorry, ma'am. In my Nightmare, they made me eat raw meat for a while. I guess I'm just... really hungry."
Jet let out an unexpected laugh, her shoulders shaking.
"Kid… you're a rare one."
Kaelis furrowed his brow slightly. He barely knew the Ascended, but her personality was... peculiar. She seemed cold at first glance, but her eyes — and her actions — revealed compassion. Even with the intimidating presence he had felt from her when his Flaw manifested, Kaelis could sense her genuine concern for him.
He smiled. A calm, gentle smile — so pure that, for a brief moment, even Jet seemed unsure how to react. It was as if she were in the presence of an angel.
"Anyway, let's get to what matters," Jet said, resuming a more objective tone.
"First: your family. You're the only Awakened in your bloodline, so your lives are going to change drastically."
She crossed her arms, leaning forward on the table.
"I spoke with your parents. They arrived at the station shortly after learning of your condition. From now on, the government will provide financial support for your family. Housing, school grants, monthly aid... all included. Your parents will handle the paperwork, but you've already received a substantial initial sum."
Kaelis's face lit up. He'd see his family soon. And more: they were now safe, with a promising future ahead.
With joy sparkling in his eyes, he asked excitedly:
"That's perfect! Is there any other benefit I can get?!"
Jet raised an eyebrow.
"There are, yes. But only in extremely rare cases. So rare that, if you're one of them, I'll have to send you straight to the Awakened Academy."
She leaned slightly forward.
"These special cases involve, for example, someone who has Awakened a True Name or an Aspect of—"
"—Divine rank!" Kaelis interrupted, leaping from his chair, which toppled behind him.
"Oh, right! Master Jet, I have both! I received a True Name... and a Divine Aspect!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
Everyone in the cafeteria froze.
All eyes turned to Kaelis as if he had just announced he was the new Messiah. Embarrassed, he stood still, feeling the weight of their stares pressing against his skin.
'Did I... say that too loud?'
Jet finally broke the silence, eyes locked on him:
"A True Name... and a Divine Aspect?"
Kaelis swallowed hard, trying to ignore the attention around him. He pretended only she was there.
"Y–Yeah. Is that... too rare?"
And just like that, with a simple question, Kaelis's day descended into chaos.
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Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Kaelis was alone in the small apartment where he had grown up with his family. The space, now quieter than ever, was filled with stacked boxes — clothes, toys, kitchen utensils — everything packed, waiting for the life change that had already begun.
He walked through each room with slow steps, absorbing for the last time the silent memories of the walls that had watched him grow.
Since the conversation with Jet, he and his parents had gone through a marathon of government interviews and questionnaires. Jet accompanied them in all of them, guiding and protecting Kaelis. Proving he had a True Name consumed hours of bureaucracy, but once he revealed his wings and high-ranked Aspect, the truth spoke for itself.
Under Jet's instructions, Kaelis also learned how to dodge the most dangerous questions. He revealed only what was essential — and, among all, only his True Name: Angel of the Broken Vow.
Jet had warned him: drawing too much attention was the same as inviting trouble. The Dream Realm wasn't dangerous only because of the horrors within — but also because of the Awakened themselves. And now, with his public and angelic existence being officially registered by the Awakened Academy, there was no way to avoid the eyes. A poor boy emerging as a high-rank being? That would attract interest, envy... and enemies.
Kaelis knew this. And still, he chose to move forward.
He picked up one of the last boxes with his belongings and walked to the door. He wore expensive clothes — dark jeans, reinforced boots, a leather jacket tailored to accommodate his wings. All brand new, gifts from the government. A cruel contrast to the days when his family barely had anything to wear.
Before leaving, he took one last look at the living room. A mix of nostalgia and melancholy washed over him.
He closed the door, locked it with the key... and said goodbye.
Downstairs, his family and Master Jet were waiting for him.
As soon as the elevator arrived, Michael, his younger brother, ran up to hug him.
The small boy wrapped his arms tightly around his waist. The joy radiating from him was so pure that it triggered Kaelis's Flaw — The Choir of the Silent — allowing him to hear his brother's most intimate thoughts.
'Big bro is strong! One day, I want to be like him. I want our parents to be proud of me too.'
Kaelis knelt down and returned the hug with intensity. A tear nearly escaped.
"Big bro, thank you! We're gonna live way better now, all thanks to you!"
"Thank you, Michael. But I only survived because I knew I had to be strong… as strong as you already are."
The smile Michael gave in response could have lit up any darkness.
Together, they walked toward the others. Zoe was talking with their mother; Kaelis's father was speaking with Jet, near a luxurious black vehicle — a four-door PTV, incredibly rare for common citizens.
As Kaelis approached, his mother turned to him with a tender smile:
"Did you get everything? Your clothes, your little games…?"
"All set. Now I just have to get used to the new life."
She placed a hand on his face, studying him in silence. And once more, The Choir of the Silent echoed — this time through his mother:
'My boy has grown up... From his first step to now. He's going to be someone amazing. He already is.'
Kaelis blushed, unable to hold back the emotion. He hugged her tightly.
"Thank you for everything, Mom. I'll become someone you can be even prouder of."
She laughed.
"What are you saying? It's like you read my mind…"
He only smiled.
Turning around, he saw Zoe — now more mature, more serious. The past few days had changed her.
Kaelis ruffled her hair, undoing her stiff posture.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"Nothing. I'm just proud of you, brat. I know you'll become someone amazing."
Zoe tried to hide her smile but failed.
'He really is proud…? I can't let him down.'
Kaelis then walked with Michael over to where their father and Jet were waiting. Jet greeted them with a brief nod.
"All good? Got everything?" — his father asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah! I brought clothes, video games… even the comic books."
Jet smiled at Kaelis's excitement as he looked at the luxury car. She let him enjoy the last few moments with his family.
A few minutes later, she approached:
"I hate to interrupt, but we need to go. I still have to pick up another Awakened to take to the Academy."
"Of course. Thank you for everything, Master Jet," said Kaelis's father, shaking her hand respectfully.
Kaelis asked Michael to call their mother and Zoe. Soon, Naelle joined them.
"Miss Naelle. Mister Elias. It's been an honor to help you. I'll take good care of Kaelis."
"We're the ones who should be thanking you, Ascended Jet," said Naelle, bowing her head respectfully. "We'll never forget what you did for us."
Kaelis also bowed.
It was time to say goodbye.
His mother hugged him one last time.
"Take care of yourself, son. And... be careful with the people you'll meet. Not every enemy carries a weapon. Fight for what's right. Always."
"I promise, Mom."
Elias then stepped forward. His eyes were steady, but sadness lay behind them.
He gently ran his hand through Kaelis's silver hair and said:
"Kaelis… we're proud of you. You survived something no one should ever have to face."
"But… I'm also afraid. What awaits you is worse than the nightmare. And something in you… has changed. Not just your body. Something inside broke, didn't it? And it's okay not to talk about it. That's yours."
"I just ask you: don't give up on yourself."
His father's words hit him like a lightning strike.
The memory of the First Nightmare, the cursed city, the slaughter… it all came rushing back. Kaelis's hands trembled. He cried.
Jet, watching the scene, stepped away discreetly. She knew Elias was right. Kaelis had survived, but the cost would come — sooner or later.
While his parents comforted him, Jet got into the car.
"At least…" — she murmured to herself — "you have a family that loves you. That's already more than most have."
--------------------------------------------------
A few minutes later, Kaelis and Jet were in the car.
Until then, they hadn't exchanged many words. Kaelis had simply settled in silently, his eyes fixed on the cityscape rushing past the window.
At a certain point, Master Jet cast a glance at him through the rearview mirror and remarked:
"You have a great family, Kaelis. Your parents are honorable and attentive, and your siblings seem to have a promising future."
Kaelis turned his gaze from the window and smiled.
"Thank you, Master Jet. It's an honor to have you guiding me into this new life as an Awakened."
"You're welcome. I'm just fulfilling my duty."
The conversation continued in a lighter tone.
Jet explained how the Awakened Academy worked. There, Kaelis and the other Awakened would receive meals, lodging, and access to a wide range of preparatory classes — all designed to increase their chances of survival in the Dream Realm during the winter solstice.
'Food, lodging, and free classes? That's perfect.'
In addition, he would meet other Awakened who would also enter the Realm with him. Building bonds of trust would be essential during his brief stay at the Academy.
"By the way, Kaelis, before we head to the Academy, we're going to stop to pick up the boy I told you about."
As soon as she said that, Jet pulled the car over near the sidewalk, close to the exit of a train station.
'If I remember correctly, Master Jet said that boy had his First Nightmare at the same precinct as I did, a day or two earlier.'
Looking out the window, Kaelis saw a young man approaching. He was pale, with black hair and dark eyes. He was short, slim, but slightly toned.
He wore an awkward black coat, worn-out jeans, and black shoes.
At first, Kaelis didn't see anything special in the boy walking toward the car.
But as he came closer…
Kaelis felt a cold shiver — a sensation of fear?
It was as if there was an invisible connection between them, something his soul… rejected?
He didn't understand why, but one thing was certain: he should remain cautious around that boy.
The young man opened the rear door and sat beside him, on the left seat.
For a brief moment, the two stared at each other. It seemed the boy had felt something too — a kind of instinctive hostility — when he saw Kaelis.
"Kaelis, this is the Dreamer Sunless. Sunless, this is the Dreamer Kaelis. I hope you get along well."
From that moment on…
Both Kaelis and Sunless felt, in silence…
That their fates were intertwined.