Chapter 6: Chains of The Dream Goddess
Orin was walking down the quiet road, the night sky heavy above him, yet his mind was far heavier. The images of the battle, of destruction, and the shadow that haunted his dreams weighed deeply on his chest. After a long silence, he turned to Liriya, his voice trembling with both concern and determination.
Orin: "Liriya… do you remember what Hozane said? He mentioned that he needed your Divine Golden Luminara Wave for his 'Queen'. That means… he's not alone. There are others who will come for us. Liriya, ask Karisila—can't we get some kind of permanent protection? Or maybe… a hidden power?"
Liriya nodded and closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the soft, distant echo of Karisila's voice within her.
Karisila: "I cannot give you all of my power, Orin. That would destroy me and overwhelm you. But… I do have something else. An essence—the Essence of Divine Protection. With this, you won't gain instant ultimate power, but… if you learn to control it, if you awaken it properly… it might just become your shield."
Liriya gasped. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?! We desperately need something like this right now!"
Orin's eyes lit with excitement. "A new power… maybe with this, I'll finally be able to protect you, Liriya."
Karisila raised her hand, summoning a radiant orb—the Essence of Divine Protection. Slowly, she released it toward Orin and Liriya. The essence sank into their chests like glowing streams of light.
But the moment it entered Liriya, her body reacted violently. Her chest blazed with golden light, and pain twisted her face.
Orin: "LIRIYAAA!!" he cried, rushing forward, panic flooding his voice.
A sharp flash erupted, and the essence was violently expelled from Liriya's body, dissolving into the air like mist.
Karisila's eyes widened in shock. "This… this shouldn't be possible. It seems… your own Golden Divine Note, your wave of light, destroyed the essence before it could take root."
Liriya held her chest, panting, then forced a small smirk. "Forget it. I don't care. But Karisila… aren't you supposed to be my servant? Then stop being so friendly. You're mine for these few days, so serve me properly."
Her playful yet commanding tone made Karisila instantly bow. "Of course, Lord Liriya. My existence is for your service."
Orin frowned. "But Karisila… how do I use this essence? It's inside me, but I don't feel the same supernatural rush as before."
Karisila: "Because this time… it's permanent. Not a temporary boost. You'll need to awaken it… to train it. Only then will its true protection manifest."
Orin: "Awakening, huh? So… I'll have to figure this out myself."
Karisila simply smiled faintly. "Exactly. Now excuse me… I must attend to Lord Liriya."
Together, Liriya and Karisila went their way, leaving Orin alone as he slowly approached his home.
---
When Orin entered the house, he was met with his mother's furious voice.
Orin's Mother: "Orin! I sent you to buy groceries and you came back empty-handed?! What were you even doing?!"
Orin rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I… I'm sorry, Mom! I forgot. I'll go right now!"
Without another word, he rushed back outside into the night to buy the groceries.
By the time he returned, night had fully fallen. Exhausted, Orin collapsed into bed. But sleep was never peaceful for him anymore.
---
Once again, the dream swallowed him whole. Darkness stretched endlessly, filled with whispers, growls, and the chilling cries of shadows. The monstrous dark hound stood in the distance, but his eyes were drawn to the figure that stepped from the void.
The same shadow as before.
Orin: "Y-you… who are you?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The figure's voice was smooth, sorrowful, and terrifyingly close.
Unknown Voice: "I am the one who sacrificed everything… for love."
Orin's breath caught. "…Are you… Nyxara? The Goddess of Dreams?"
A pause, then a soft, haunting reply: "You finally realize it. Yes… I am Nyxara."
Orin: "But… what do you want from me?"
Nyxara: "I want you to free me. I want to return to Silvaris… the one I love."
Orin shook his head. "Free you? But… I'm just a normal human! How could I possibly—"
Her voice sharpened, cold and demanding. "I don't care how. You will free me… or I will kill you."
Her hand, shrouded in darkness, reached for Orin's heart again. But this time—
The Essence of Divine Protection inside him ignited. A radiant light burst forth, piercing the shadows. For the first time, light pierced the dream world, carving away the suffocating darkness.
Nyxara's hand faltered. Her form flickered, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful woman—snow-white wings, flowing silver hair, and eyes that shimmered like starlight.
Nyxara: "…My… my true form…"
Orin gasped, stunned. "This… this is you? The real Goddess of Dreams… You're… beautiful."
She looked at him with a mixture of sorrow and hope. "Orin… yes, that's your name. This essence… it might be the key. With it, perhaps the darkness binding me will fade. Perhaps… I can finally be free."
Orin: "But… I don't even know how to control it yet."
Nyxara's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then let me help."
She touched the glowing essence within him and whispered ancient words:
Nyxara: "Zharuk velom ashtira, kelnor vah drakum!"
The essence blazed brighter, ten times stronger, resonating with Orin's very soul.
Nyxara: "I've amplified its growth. With this, you'll awaken faster… you'll learn to control it."
But before Orin could reply, the dream world began to collapse. Darkness roared back, swallowing everything, even her.
Nyxara's face twisted in pain. "The chains… they're returning! Orin, I must send you back, before you're trapped here as well!"
Light enveloped him, pulling him out. As he faded from the dream, he heard her last desperate cry:
Nyxara: "Orin! Free me… and bring me back to Silvaris… Please!"
Orin shot awake in his bed, drenched in sweat, his chest burning with light. His fists clenched.
Orin: "Nyxara… the Goddess of Dreams. Don't worry. I'll free you… no matter what. And I'll bring you back to the one you love."