The Skybase above Bolivia floated silently in the sky, hidden behind a barrier of clouds and wind.
Inside the training hall, Mira stood in front of a large mirror. She wore a simple black tunic, her white hair tied back. Her eyes glowed softly with Spark light.
In front of her, a floating blue screen blinked.
[SYSTEM ALERT]Congratulations, Mira of the Lumen Line.You have been granted Class Access.Available paths:— Lightweaver (Support/Healer)— Dawnblade (Close Combat Light Magic)— Seer of the Flame (Rare – Vision/Flare Caster)
She bit her lip and looked at the options.
"I'm not strong like Eon or Zahid. But I don't want to just stand back."
She tapped Dawnblade.
[CLASS SELECTED: DAWNBLADE]New Skills Unlocked:— Radiant Slash (Lv. 1)— Light Shield (Lv. 1)— Pulse Step (Lv. 1)
Equipment Compatibility Updated.
A soft hum filled the air. Her clothes shifted—turning white and gold. Thin armor plates formed over her shoulders and boots. A slim, glowing sword appeared in her hand.
She smiled slightly.
"Alright. Let's begin."
Zahid entered from the side. "You chose well."
"You think so?"
"It suits your heart," he said. "Light that protects, but also strikes when needed."
She nodded.
As they began basic drills, Mira started to focus—blocking Zahid's fireballs, deflecting small rocks, and dashing with Pulse Step.
But something in her head felt… wrong.
As she swung, the world around her blurred.
The training room faded.
She was falling into shadows.
---
Mira stood alone in a black ocean.
A voice whispered from far away.
"You burn too brightly, child…"
She turned, heart pounding.
"Who's there?"
A shape formed in the dark—a tall being wrapped in shadows. No face. Only a pair of glowing white eyes.
"You are mine already. The dream is the gate."
"No! Get away—"
"Eon can't protect you forever."
Suddenly, she felt something press against her chest. Cold. Crushing.
Then—
She screamed.
---
Zahid caught her as she collapsed.
Her eyes snapped open, shaking.
"It's inside," she whispered. "Something's trying to get in."
Eon stepped into the room, serious.
"What did it say?"
"That I'm too bright. That it can reach me through dreams."
Eon nodded. "It's Draumon. It's targeting new Sparks before they stabilize."
"How do we stop it?"
"We find the source. And close the gate from the other side."
---
Eon flew by skyboard toward a remote village near Lake Titicaca.
Reports had come in of people unable to sleep—trapped in dreams where they never woke.
When he arrived, the town was silent.
No birds.
No wind.
Just doors slightly open… and shadows deeper than they should be.
He stepped into a small house.
Inside, a woman sat at the table, staring at nothing.
"Ma'am?" Eon asked.
No answer.
He checked her pulse. Alive. But her eyes were glowing faintly.
He closed his own eyes and whispered an old spell.
"Dreambind Sight."
His vision shifted.
He saw a dark figure crouching behind her—connected by a line of shadow.
The figure looked up.
Its face twisted.
Then it vanished.
"He's here…"
He rushed outside.
Every house held someone trapped in sleep.
This was no sickness.
It was a test.
A foothold.
"Draumon is spreading fast."
He activated his comm crystal.
"Zahid, prepare a psychic barrier at Skybase. Keep Mira safe. I'll need to sever the links from here."
---
Meanwhile, Rin's team returned to Skybase after their mid-tier Rift success.
The team was happy—except for one.
Jin paced in silence while the others ate.
Leo laughed. "You see how Rin took that thing out? I thought we were gonna die!"
Rosa nodded. "We make a good team."
Jin stood up.
"Yeah. A team that follows someone too soft."
Rin frowned. "Excuse me?"
"You could've ended the boss faster. You hesitated."
"I was making sure no one got hurt," Rin said calmly.
"You're holding back," Jin snapped. "You're not leading—you're babysitting."
The table fell silent.
Rin stood.
"I'm doing my best. I'm still learning."
"We don't have time for learners," Jin muttered.
Rosa stood. "That's enough."
Jin grabbed his bag and walked off.
"You'll see what happens when kindness gets you killed."
Rin sat back down, her hands shaking slightly.
Leo whispered, "Don't let him get to you."
She nodded.
But deep inside, a seed of doubt began to grow.
---
Mira sat in the training hall again, her eyes closed.
"Keep it out," she whispered. "Don't let it in."
She used Light Shield, not to block attacks—but thoughts.
Her flame flickered around her body like a second skin.
Suddenly, her screen blinked again.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]Due to Exposure to Nightmare Influence, Skill Awakening Triggered:
— Soul Beacon (Lv. 1): Sends a pulse that awakens sleeping minds and weakens mental invaders.
New Talent Branch Available: Dreamguard (Passive/Support)
She gasped.
Then smiled.
"I can fight it… even in dreams."
---
Eon stood at the village square.
He placed a glowing stone at the center of the town and raised his hands.
"Origin Flame—cleanse the roots."
A wave of golden fire spread across the ground like sunlight.
The dark threads began to burn away.
One by one, people in the homes gasped and woke up.
Some cried.
Others held each other in silence.
Eon turned.
In the distance, deep underground, he sensed Draumon's presence pulling back.
Not gone.
But watching.
---
Back at Skybase, Jin entered a private room.
He activated a small orb.
A voice crackled through.
"Have you gained her trust?"
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"She's weak. But the team listens to her."
"Then stay close. When the Gate opens, we'll need your position."
He ended the call.
Outside, Rin stood looking at the stars, unaware.
And below, Mira whispered in her sleep.
"He's in the walls…"