I was standing in front of the stone tablet; my gaze fixed on it. A white, grey stone piece with some ancient text. Although I didn't understand it, this stone tablet has the drawing of a gate at the end of the text, which was quite similar to what I had seen in the ruins of my past life.
While I was observing this stone tablet, others were also looking at it. Suddenly, one of the girls actually fell unconscious while staring at it. Everyone quickly gathered around her, trying to help her out. My gaze turned back to the Stone Tablet, ignoring the chaos.
'Interesting, this tablet can affect the mental state of humans and has the power to let them fall into a nightmare quite similar to my nightmare cultivation method. Maybe… things are interconnected, and this world has a relation with my previous world.'
I turned to the unconscious girl who was still suffering from the nightmare, then I gave a glance at the shadow whose red eyes were fixed on the girl like a predator looking at its prey. I let go of him, as he quickly lunged into her dream, devouring her greatest fear, making it a part of him.
After the dream beast entered her dream, it only took her a few seconds before she woke up, but looking at her expression, I could easily tell this nightmare would be with her for a long time.
As everyone was concerned about the girl, I heard a footstep coming towards us.
Tap… Tap…
Each echoing the same rhythm, hearing the footstep, the dream beast actually went hiding in my shadow for the first time since it appeared in this world. He had always been the one to jump around.
I didn't turn towards the footsteps, just standing there silently watching everyone show their concern for the girl.
'Well, this world is also showing its colours just like the previous one, but it no longer makes me curious like the past.'
"Alice, what happened to your friend?" A voice came from behind. I gave her a casual glance. She had long white hair and purple eyes with a small golden butterfly pendant hanging on her neck, which didn't seem to be ordinary.
"Sister, she fell unconscious, but now it's okay," Alice replied to this new girl.
The new girl went to the unconscious girl, placing her hand on the girl's head before saying, "She is fine, maybe it was because of exhaustion. Nothing to worry about."
"Hm", Alice nodded at her. After this small chat, everyone became interested in this new girl.
"Alice, who is she? You never told us about your sister." A boy asked Alice.
"She is my elder sister, she is a researcher most of the time, she is at work. She just came here today, which was also because of work." Alice replied with a bit of annoyance.
When they were done with their introduction, that girl pointed at me, asking, "You?"
I replied normally, "Lucian."
"Oh, nice to meet you, Lucian. My name is Iris." She extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you too", I just did a casual greeting while shaking hands with her. There's nothing that seems to be wrong with her behaviour, but there was an unusual feeling like someone was trying to look through my thoughts. Luckily, the nightmare method is best for these kinds of situations.
'Well, she must know something, but with the fearful look of a dream beast, currently, I won't be able to get any information from her.'
After this odd handshake, the girl led us deeper into the museum, a restricted area where people aren't allowed, but she got the pass even took others with her. Inside was filled with many different types of skeleton bones, something which I had never seen, but it wasn't the main thing; this place was filled with many ruins text some of which I even recognised.
'Could it be this world is also hiding a disaster? The one that is getting closer day by day.'
There was a giant painting of golden gates on one of the walls, almost identical to one I saw in a past life. I didn't look for much longer, quickly giving everything in this place a glance before standing at the side watching others.
"You don't look interested in history." Iris' voice came beside me. She was standing beside me.
"Hm", I simply nodded in her reply.
Time continued to pass, and I didn't even look at her second, though I felt her gaze on me time to time. I just went on ignoring her.
My phone rang, I took out my phone, and it was a call from mom. After receiving her call, I went to Alina, "Hey, let's go. Mom is waiting outside."
"What… why, so early?" She asked in an annoyed tone.
"How would I know? Ask yourself." Saying this, I turned around and walked out of the museum, while Alina also followed behind.
When we came outside, a white car stood in the parking area. I walked toward it, and sitting inside and Alina also came in.
"Mom, why are we going back so early?" She asked the mom.
"Alina, your dad is coming back today. We should go home and prepare for his welcome; it's been a year after all." Mom replied in a calm yet happy voice.
"Really…" Alina asked in excitement.
"I just got his call." Mom said to Alina.
I remained silent as usual; others are already used to it. The car quickly entered the highway, and everyone was happy.
I looked out of the shadow, who was again staring at me after that meal, he hid himself now again, acting up. Once our eyes matched, it quickly shrank back into the shadow.
'My dad had always been out for work, rarely coming home. He didn't come back to the festival, not even at New Year sometimes. So, his coming back from work was always a small event at our house.'
I turned to the window, looking at the sky filled with light.
'The storm is nearing, let's see how long these peaceful days will last.'