[Awake World: Rooftop Vigil]
Taro and Mexus perched atop a weathered building, their silhouettes stark against the moonlit sky. Below, through a cracked window, a child slept peacefully, chest rising and falling in the rhythm of dreams. The night was still, the city's hum distant, as if the world held its breath.
Mexus, crouching low, studied the child with a practiced eye. "Well, that child should have a suitable dreamscape. Let's go in there." He rose, his movements fluid, and leaped toward the window, prying it open with a deft twist of his hand.
Before he could land, Taro launched himself, a flying kick aimed squarely at Mexus's side. "Move it, grandpa!"
"Argh! Who you calling grandpa?" Mexus grunted, catching Taro's leg mid-air and hurling him across the room. Taro crashed against the wall, a pained "Ungh" escaping him as he rubbed his bruised back—deserved, perhaps, for the taunt.
Mexus turned to the sleeping child, his expression softening. "Anyway, he's fast asleep. We better get in while he's peaceful."
Taro staggered to his feet, wincing as he clutched his backside. "Alright then."
With a shared nod, they leaped into the child's mind, vanishing into the ether.
[Dreamscape: Child's Realm]
The world they entered was a kaleidoscope of color—vivid blues, pinks, and yellows swirling around teddy bears, cartoon robots, and playful monsters from children's shows. The air buzzed with whimsical energy, a stark contrast to the gritty wake world. The child, a small figure with wide eyes, giggled as he played with his dream companions, oblivious to the intruders.
"Unghhhh," Taro groaned under his breath, the absurdity of the scene leaving him speechless. Mexus mirrored his silence, his gaze scanning the vibrant chaos.
"Well, while the kid's distracted, I should contact the Dream Society," Mexus said, pulling out a sleek device that pulsed with faint light. He began speaking in hushed tones, his voice a low murmur.
Taro, meanwhile, unsheathed his Reibone, swinging it with exaggerated flair. "Yeah, take this, stupid dream demons! Hyaaahhh!" His slashes cut through imaginary foes, a mix of practice and pent-up energy.
Mexus ended his call, eyeing Taro's antics with a raised brow. Suddenly, a massive white beam erupted nearby, its pulsating light carrying a commanding presence that silenced the dreamscape's cheer.
"Well, I guess that's the dream gate," Mexus said, stepping forward. "We should start moving."
Taro moved to follow, but Mexus thrust out a hand, stopping him cold. His voice dropped to a dead-serious tone, head bowed. "Hey, listen, Taro. I know I asked for your help to reclaim this form, but that's done now. You don't need to follow me in here. I know it's wrong to ask you to turn back, but the life of a Dremapol is dangerous. Step through that gate, and it really begins. Are you sure you want this? I know you don't really like people all that mu—"
Taro shouldered past Mexus's arm, cutting him off with a grunt of determination. "Man, what are you talking about? I ain't turning back. I knew what I was signing up for the moment I decided to help you. Those 'nightdax' you mentioned—there was no guarantee I wouldn't get attacked again, no guarantee I could trust you, no guarantee this power inside me wouldn't consume me. But none of that stopped me. I'm not turning back."
His voice softened to a whisper, barely audible. "And what you said about me and people… that's not true."
Mexus's expression shifted, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "I see. You might not be the guy they thought you were."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Taro demanded, frowning.
"It's nothing," Mexus replied, his tone brisk. "We should head out now." He stepped through the inter-dream gate, a shimmering portal of light, with Taro close behind.
[Dream World: Vast Horizons]
The gate spat them into a realm of staggering scale. Towering spires of crystal pierced a sky ablaze with auroras, vast plains stretched into infinity, and rivers of liquid light wound through the landscape. Taro's jaw dropped. "This place is huge!"
"Follow me, Taro. I have to check in," Mexus said, leading the way toward a modest house nestled among the crystalline structures.
Mexus pushed open the door, revealing a familiar face. "Oh, Kazuishi, what are you doing here?"
The younger Dremapol, her energy barely contained, launched into a tirade. "Mexus! Where have you been? You've been gone so long—everyone was worried sick!"
"Well, sorry, I didn't do it on purpose," Mexus said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was kind of busy, y'know."
As they spoke, Taro muttered to himself, "How long are they gonna keep ignoring me?"
Kazuishi's gaze snapped to him. "Ungh!" Taro flinched, caught off guard.
"Hey, who's the kid, Mexus?" she asked, tilting her head.
Taro stepped forward, bristling. "Hey, who you calling a kid?"
Mexus smacked Taro's face down with his palm. "Oh, he's just a new Dremapol. His name's Taro."
"I see," Kazuishi said, then kicked Taro back down. "Oh, so you're just a newbie. You should show more respect to your elders."
"What the—? You were barely respectful to Mexus over there!" Taro protested.
She slapped him sharply. "That's *Drenor* Mexus to you."
"What the hell does 'Drenor' even mean?" Taro asked, pushing himself up.
Kazuishi blinked, incredulous. "You're joking, right? In the dream world, 'Drenor' is one of the highest ranks—you command entire squads, can take down foes with ease. Mexus here is one of the ten Drenors. The only rank above is 'Gate-crasher.'"
"Oh, uh, so I guess that means Mexus is a pretty big deal," Taro said, patting Mexus's back with a nervous laugh.
Kazuishi kicked him away, and Taro spat what he thought was blood. "Show some respect!"
She calmed, tilting her head. "Geez, how come you don't know this?" She turned to Mexus. "Where did you find this guy—the edge of a dreamscape?"
"Actually," Mexus said, his voice steady, "you know that kid the council's been making a fuss about? That's him."
Kazuishi gasped, staring at Taro as he struggled to stand. "Oh God, I don't think I can stand anymore."
She kicked him to the room's far wall. "Why meeeeee?"
Mexus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Kazuishi… stand down. Council's orders. This is the one they want to see, can't take him dead."
Kazuishi stepped back. "Well, I'll leave this for the higher-ups then." She turned to leave.
"Hold on, Kazuishi," Mexus called. "Why were you here in my house?"
She paused, her voice a whisper as a faint blush colored her cheeks. "I was worried about you, Mexus."
"What was that now?" Mexus asked, leaning forward.
"It's nothing! Just take care of yourself!" she shouted, bolting out the door.
"Hmm, what an interesting fellow," Mexus murmured, sighing.
Taro, seizing the moment, kicked the back of Mexus's kneecaps, dropping him. "A Drenor? Why didn't you lead with that, Goldie?"
"Ugh, I just didn't have the right way to slide it into the convo!" Mexus groaned.
Mexus's expression turned serious. "Well, Taro, you should meet the council right now."
"Huh? But why though?" Taro asked, frowning.
"They've had their eye on you for a while. I think it's best you meet them," Mexus said, his tired gaze lingering on Taro.
"No, I don't wanna go meet a bunch of randos!" Taro protested, but a sudden green energy backlash seared through his nerves. He collapsed, vision blurring, his body trembling under the strain of his own power.
"Oh, well, it seems those side effects are starting to take effect," Mexus noted, crouching beside him.
"Mexuuuus," Taro grunted, his voice cracking.
"Well, might as well speed up the process," Mexus said, delivering a swift kick that knocked Taro unconscious.
Taro's world faded to black. When his eyes fluttered open, he found himself bound to a chair in a dimly lit chamber. A long line of shadowy figures sat before him, their faces obscured by darkness.
"Welcome, Taro. We are the NERTIS," a voice intoned, cold and authoritative.