Elias stared at Michael, awestruck.
Michael stood beside the throne, arms crossed like he had more important places to be. "I don't have much time," he said, scoffing. "I'm a little busy."
Elias shook himself out of it. "Umm… what am I?"
Michael groaned and rubbed his face. "Didn't the whispers tell you?" He muttered under his breath, "Why would Ace pick a kid in a coma…"
He looked up, almost annoyed. "You're the Owner of Dreams. Your predecessor died—and he chose you as his replacement."
Elias blinked. "Wait… owners can die?"
Michael nodded. "Yep. He was killed. But I don't know how or by who. Normally, it's another Owner, but… this was different."
Elias' heart pounded. "If I'm an Owner, why does everyone want me dead?"
Michael frowned. "Everyone? Don't include me with those losers." He rolled his eyes, then grew serious. "But yeah. If an Owner kills another, they take their power. You? You're new. You don't know how to use your abilities, so to them… you're easy prey."
Elias's mind flashed to the bathroom mirror. "The Owner of Mirrors…"
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Ohhh. Yeah, that'd make sense. Weaker Owners will come for you first—easier to steal power before you learn how to defend it."
He rubbed his chin, pacing. "Mmh… I could hel—"
Suddenly, his body jolted.
His neck twitched, head shaking rapidly—like a manikin.
"Michael?" Elias stepped back.
Michael's eyes glazed. "I have to go," he said, voice hollow.
"Wait! I don't even know how to use my powers!"
"I know," Michael said flatly. "But unfortunately, I can't help right now. I'm…" he paused again. "Busy."
Elias scowled. "You said that already!"
Michael stopped. His voice dropped low, void of emotion. "Don't get angry at me, boy."
Elias went still. "Sorry…"
Michael nodded slowly. "You're on your own. But if you need me—go to a beach… or a movie theater."
Elias blinked. "What? Why those places?"
But Michael was gone.
In the throne now sat Ray—back in the old velvet costume, snoring like nothing had happened.
Everything dimmed.
Elias's eyes opened.
The soft glow of morning sunlight spilled through the window.
"Wakey wakey!" Ray shouted from the kitchen. "Time for school!"
Elias groaned and sat up, the dream still thick in his mind.
Owner of Dreams.
Predecessor murdered.
Hunted by rivals.
And school in the morning.
Perfect.