All around the world, billions of children and adults experience nightmares—terrifying, traumatic events whose cause remains unknown.
Somewhere in a dark forest lurks a malevolent creature that stands ten feet tall, its head a monstrous, deer-like skull crowned with horns that spread out like tree branches. Its claws gleam like kitchen knives.
"HEEELP! I need help!"
Ethan cried out, his voice raw as he ran through the dense, total darkness. There was no response; he was utterly alone, the moon barely illuminating his frantic path. Huffing and puffing, he pushed deeper until the land leveled out, and ahead, he spotted a small shed next to an old, abandoned wooden cabin.
Maybe there's someone there who can help me, Ethan thought desperately.
As he started toward the cabin, he heard a sound like something popping, followed by the ominous rattle of dry leaves. Then, the creature let out a deep, unsettling laugh.
"You will never get away, little runner," the voice boomed. "Run as much as you want, but I will always find you."
"Ahhh! Nooo!" Ethan shrieked, bolting through the cabin's front door. He slammed it shut and immediately jammed a chair—snatched from under a table—beneath the handle.
I just want to go home. Why is this happening to me? I don't want to die, he silently pleaded.
The cabin consisted of a combined living room and kitchen, with a single hallway leading to a bedroom. Ethan moved slowly, trying to silence his ragged breaths. He considered the obvious: Maybe I can hide under the bed. No, no, no, that's dumb—that's the first place someone will look.
With few options, he opened the wardrobe closet in the bedroom, slipped inside, and pulled the door shut, hoping to buy himself a few more seconds. He couldn't bear to imagine what fate awaited him.
BOOM!
The front door of the cabin exploded inward, torn from its hinges. What Ethan heard next almost made him cry out.
"ROOOAAAAAR! It's almost dinner time, little Ethan! You don't want to be late to the table, so why don't you come on out?"
Ethan slapped both hands over his mouth, trying to choke back his sobs. I'm so scared. I want my mom and dad. I don't want to die here.
The creature lumbered down the hallway and ducked under the bedroom doorway. "Well, well, well, now, Ethan. There can't be too many places you can hide from me. You're either under the bed or in the closet."
The beast's shadow fell directly over the wardrobe. Ethan squeezed his eyes shut and began to pray. The creature started to walk toward the closet when suddenly a deafening "CRASH!" sounded—the sharp, unmistakable shattering of glass.
"You won't be eating Ethan tonight, you demon!"
"Huh?" Ethan opened his eyes and saw the back of a figure standing in front of the closet. It looked like a man wearing a trucker cap and a long, brown trench coat that fell just above his shoes. At his waist was the sheath of a katana blade.
The beast gave a confused snort. "Whaaa... what's going on? Who are you? And how are you here? This isn't your dream... did the kid manifest him somehow?" It rushed toward the man, claws extended.
In a split second, a sharp whoosh sound cut the air. The beast stopped mid-attack, grunted, and then was split in half vertically. Blood gushed everywhere like a crimson rainfall. The man returned his glowing katana to its sheath.
"You can come out now."
Ethan, relieved but still in total shock, scrambled out of the closet. "Thank you so much, sir, for helping me! I thought I was going to die!"
The man answered rudely, "Oh, shut it, kid. You're dreaming. You can't die. Jesus, kids these days." He rubbed his face, annoyed, and began to walk away. "You should listen to your parents and stop eating so much sugar before going to bed. It gives you nightmares."
"But wait, sir! What do I call you? What's your name?" the boy pleaded.
The man paused, a low laugh rumbling in his chest. "My name? Just call me Stan."
"AHH!" Ethan's eyes popped open. He shot up in his bed, panting, his body slick with cold sweat, his heart hammering in his chest. He took several long, ragged breaths, lay back down on his pillow, and let out a long sigh. Thank God.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
[Quest Completed] - Save 10,000 Dreamers
[Rank Up] - You have ascended to City Level Guardian
• You have now reached Tier 6, your influence increases
• New abilities have been unlocked