[ Emergency Quest: A king's return, Aid in the revival of the slumbering monarch]
He stared at the notification for a long moment, express unreadable.
A king? Another piece of a puzzle he had been through into. His fingers flexed against the hilt of his sword as his thoughts settled into place.
A sigh left his lips. "Another task. Another chain." He muttered quietly, voice low.
The system did not explain further-- only pulsed with urgency reminding him of the weight of the order. But Dream was not a fool. He knew by now that the system rarely wasted its breath. If it was forcing him towards something, then it matter.
And so he walked. A location was marked on the map.
A purple zone, the first he'd seen.
The journey was not like his others. He did encounter beass on the way but the closer he got to the marked location, the fewer beasts prowled the darkness. Where once predators lurked behind every corner, now silence ruled. A silence that pressed against his chest like unseen weight.
Dream narrowed his eyes. Not natural. The predators didn't vanish.
They're avoiding something.
His grip on his sword tightened, steps measured and cautious.
" System, are you sure I should move further. The beats seem to avoid something around here" he asked while moving cautiously.
[ Yes, host. You must keep moving forward]
By the time he reached the edge of the designated zone, his suspicion was confirmed. The entire area was drenched in a suffocating, oppressive aura. The map burned red before his eyes-- an undeniable red zone.
And at its heart, pulsing like the core of a nightmare, stood the cocoon.
It was massive, towering above him, it's surface black as obsidian and veined with crimson light that throbbed like a heartbeat. The void around it seemed to wrap and bend, as if the very air obeyed whatever slept inside.
Dream stood still for a moment, his breath steady, eyes calm but sharp. "This ... Is where the king you speak of resides, huh?" He said softly. No awe, no fear. Not because the sight wasn't terrifying or magnificent but it was like he had seen this before. "Why does it feel familiar "
The system chummed in.
[ In order to awaken the king. The host must place his blood on the cocoon]
" My blood?"
[ Yes]
" System, I'm I waking an Ally or a foe. Th presence I sense is great, if it's the later I'm not sure I can defend myself" Dream was slightly worried cause inspite his familiarity with the cocoon he still can't be shake off the feeling of danger. His safety wasn't a hundred percent.
[ Do not worry host. Please proceed]
"That doesn't answer my question" he said in frustration but still decided to go through with it.
He stared at his hand, silent. His face gave nothing away. He drew the edge of his blade across his finger. Crimson welled up, falling into the cocoon's surface.
The reaction was instant.
The cocoon beat faster, shuddered, cracks splintering as if lightning danced beneath its shell. Crimson veins flared, light bursting outwards with a sound like the roar of forgotten storms. Dream stepped back, eyes narrowing as power unlike anything he had felt before swept across him. His muscles tense, body screaming in warning.
And then it split.
The cocoon peeled apart, shards falling like molten glass. From within, a figure emerged.
She floated in silence, descending like a dream wrapped in shadow and fire.
[ Host has successfully revived the 1st king]
"King?.... The king is a woman"
A woman. No-- something greater. Her beauty was not mortal, but sculpted, perfected across endless ages. Skin pale as moonlight, flawless as marble, glowing faintly beneath the dim hue of the void. Her body was a master piece of curves and strength, clothed in garments that whispered of forgotten kingdoms. An ancient, regal attire of black and silver, embroidered with sigils that pulsed with blood-red light.
Her hair was a long ginger, eyes opened in crimson. Deep, unending crimson, burning with hunger and eternity.
Dream's heart gave one heavy beat in his chest. His instincts screamed. His body trembled with fear and recognition of something far beyond him.
She was beautiful. Beautiful and terrifying.
Dream did not move. He stood, silent, watching her, his breath steady even as his body begged to recoil. She was stationed in the air, her wings spread elegantly.
Her gaze fixed on him. She studied him for a long time, head tilting ever so slightly, expression unreadable.
The silence stretched, thick as stone.
The.... she smiled
It was slow, deliberate, a curve of lips that was both alluring and deadly. Her voice came soft, velvet and commanding all at once.
"lord" she said. She bowed, her wings vanishing completely "you've returned"
Dream's eyes narrowed, his face calm though his thoughts stirred like storms. 'lord?' the word echoed in his mind, heavy, unsettling.
He stared in shock as h watched her bow to him, He said nothing. Silence was his answer, his defense.
She stepped forward, her figure towering over him. She was about 6ft5 inches, she extended her hand. In her palm, glowing with abyssal light, was a fragment of the void core.
"The last fragment" she said, voice reverent, as though presenting an offering to a god.
Dream slowly stretched his hand accepting the fragment wordlessly, his didn't know what to say and didn't want to offend this figure. Her presence was several times stronger than the ape- like beast.
The system chummed in, confirming the item.
[ Host has obtained another fragment of the void core. Host now has all the fragments of the void core. The crack can now be fixed]
As dream was processing the systems words, he immediately froze on the spot. The king was right behind him. She played with his hair as she spoke "you're still evolving, can't wait for you to return to your former glory" Dream didn't dare move, but almost did as she leaned in.
" You know, I've really missed you my lord" she whispered into his ears "I'm still upset you chose her over me though but that's not what we should be discussing right now. I'm happy your reincarnation was a success but it seems, you've not only lost your powers but also your memories"
' what is she talking about' Dream was questioning inwardly as she spoke.
" I wish I could stay longer with you, to protect you like I'm meant to ... But that would be going against your words and I don't want to do that, however..." She said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Consider this a little gift"
[ Skill: Reveal has reached level. 2]
[ Special item has been detected]
[ Item: Shapeless Blade]
[ Rank: Unknown]
Then, without another word, she turned.
Power surged around her once more, and with a single movement she vanished -- disappearing into the endless void with a speed Dream's ess coul barely follow.
Dream stood there stunned. What is going on.