This chapter is not mandatory reading. It exists solely as support for readers who are not familiar with the Shadow Slave system. If you've already read the original work, feel free to skip ahead and go straight to the story.
General Information
❖ The Nightmare Spell
The Nightmare Spell manifests in young people, usually between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. Once infected, they are overtaken by an uncontrollable urge to sleep. When they give in, they are dragged into the First Nightmare—the first trial imposed by the Spell.
❖ The Nightmares
Nightmares are trials created by the Spell, inhabited by monsters and illusory humans. Each Nightmare contains a central conflict that must be resolved for the trial to end.
It is believed that these conflicts are distorted reconstructions of events from the ancient history of the Dream Realm.
❖ The Dream Realm
A vast, ruined magical world—the home of Nightmare Creatures and the source of all trials.
After surviving the First Nightmare, humans are periodically taken to the Dream Realm. Returning to the real world is only possible through special Portals.
❖ The Awakened
Individuals who survived the First Nightmare and formed a connection with the Dream Realm. Every Awakened gains a unique Aspect, a Flaw, and the ability to hunt Nightmares before they generate a Portal.
Their duty is to prevent Nightmares from maturing and releasing creatures from the Dream Realm into the real world.
❖ The Portals
When a Nightmare Seed matures, a Portal opens, allowing hordes of Nightmare Creatures to invade the real world. Any number of Awakened may enter the Nightmare to destroy it before the Portal opens.
Common Terminology
❖ Portal (Anchor)
A special structure that serves as an entry and exit point between the real world and the Dream Realm for the Awakened.
❖ Citadel
A fortress built in the Dream Realm around a conquered Portal.
❖ Memory
A magical item formed from the Soul Essence of a Dream Realm inhabitant. Memories are invisible by default and only gain physical form when summoned.
❖ Enchantment
An inherent magical property of a Memory.
❖ Echo
A mystical copy of a defeated Nightmare Creature. It has limited autonomy and is not alive, as it lacks a soul. Like Memories, it only takes physical form when summoned.
❖ Soul Core
The spiritual center of an individual, responsible for storing Soul Essence and enabling the growth of power.
❖ Soul Fragment
A physical piece of a shattered Soul Core that contains residual Essence.
❖ Soul Essence
The fundamental spiritual energy present in all beings of the Dream Realm.
Soul Ranks / Categories
Humans
Dormant
Awakened
Ascended / Master
Transcendent / Saint
Supreme
Sacred
Divine
Nightmare Creatures
(mirroring human ranks, but corrupted)
Dormant
Awakened
Fallen
Corrupted
Great
Cursed
Profane
Nightmare Creature Classes
Defines how many Soul Cores a creature possesses:
Beast
Monster
Demon
Devil
Tyrant
Terror
Titan
Example:
Awakened Tyrant → five Soul Cores, Awakened Rank
Fallen Devil → four Soul Cores, Fallen Rank
Memory Tiers
Memories follow the same Categories but also have a Tier system based on the creature's Class:
A Memory from an Awakened Tyrant is a Tier Five Awakened Memory.
A Memory from a Fallen Devil is a Tier Four Ascended Memory.
Aspects and Abilities
❖ Aspect
A magical specialization shaped by an individual's affinities and choices. Grants unique abilities, but also imposes a Flaw.
❖ Aspect Ability
A power derived directly from the Aspect.
❖ Flaw
A unique curse that balances the gain of power.
❖ True Name
A mystical title granted by the Spell to exceptionally outstanding Awakened.
Hierarchy of Nightmare Spell Bearers
The first four Soul Ranks, when applied to humans, have common names in human language: Dormant, Awakened, Ascended, and Transcended.
The term Awakened is also sometimes used to refer to all Nightmare Spell bearers as a whole.
Dormant
Survives the First Nightmare.
Receives an Aspect and a Flaw, but has no connection to the Dream Realm yet.
Is automatically taken to the Dream Realm during the winter solstice (December 21).
Awakened
Returns to the real world for the first time.
Gains a second Aspect Ability.
Begins entering the Dream Realm every time they fall asleep.
Master (Ascended)
Conquers the Second Nightmare.
Receives a third Aspect Ability.
Can physically travel to the Dream Realm.
Saint (Transcendent)
Overcomes the Third Nightmare.
Obtains the Aspect's Transformation Ability.
Only a few dozen exist in the world.
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Author's Note
I don't intend to go into deep detail about Eylan's life before transmigrating into this world. I believe gradual revelations make the journey feel more natural and engaging.
Maybe one day I'll explore his past—but only when the time is right.
As for the work itself, this is a personal project. I'll write when inspiration strikes, always aiming for quality—without pressure. If you, dear reader, choose to follow along, I'm already grateful.
Enjoy your reading.
By: Hatarubi