Legend was running in a place that looked like Gowzer's castle. He was trying to get away from something. Frightened. With despair oozing through his eyes. He ran non-stop and had trouble controlling his breathing. But whatever he was trying to run away from seemed to be catching up to him. Slowly, but steadily. It was right there behind him. Whatever it was that was chasing after him, had the appearance of what a shadow would look like if it had a humanoid body. It was unsettlingly tall and shrouded in the blackest darkness of the night. Despair was at its climax as Legend knew it had almost caught him. And in the end, it finally did.
In moments like these, people would normally jump out of bed in a cold sweat. Normally, people woke up in the end, and the nightmare didn't continue beyond that. But Legend didn't wake up. His terror did not end.
The atmosphere in the city of Lybia was changing. The same shadow of darkness that Legend saw in his disturbingly realistic nightmare seemed to have been spotted in massive proportions over the city. And while all this was happening, there was someone walking the streets that night. He had a dark hood over his white tunic, and his hair looked as white as snow. Part of it was viewable despite his head being covered by the hood. This person walked slowly and calmly through the streets of Lybia as all hell was getting ready to break loose.
At the city's gates, the guards on watch duty were on the ground unconscious. No one was on the lookout at the entrance of the city. No one saw what happened to them either, so it wasn't clear if they were attacked by someone or if they had also just fallen asleep like many others in the city.
Hours had passed. It was time for sunrise. But the city of Lybia wasn't graced with the sun's rays on that day. Instead of sunlight it only got darkness. Many of its inhabitants didn't manage to wake up. The ones that were fortunate enough to be released from their nightly slumber seemed to be entering a horrifying nightmare.
A man opened the windows of his home expecting to see sunshine. The only thing out there was darkness. In many homes, there were men, women, and children that simply didn't wake up. Their families in the waking world were baffled and afraid. But the things that started appearing afterward made everything a lot worse.
Three people were hopping about the dark streets. Beast men; all three of them wearing long robes. One looked like a frog; another one like a wolf; and the third one was like a pterodactyl. They were checking on the people that had collapsed on the streets. As time went by, more people simply fell asleep inexplicably. It didn't matter if they were doing something or not. Sudden drowsiness took hold of them and they were completely knocked out.
Meanwhile, Richard and Rachel, so far unaffected and unaware of what was happening outside, were ready to head out. When they went to check on Legend, they found that he was still sleeping. Profoundly. Richard was visibly upset once he realized that he wasn't ready to head out like the rest of them.
Richard: Seriously? Rise and shine, Legend! It is time to go! We must not miss first light. Too bad there are no windows up here to see if we missed it already...
Meg was pecking on Legend's head to wake him up but he didn't even flinch. After noticing that there was no reaction from Legend after they all attempted to wake him, Rachel opened his eyelids with a bit of concern... his eyes were completely white. She couldn't find his iris or pupils.
Rachel: Something's not right! Stand back... I'll try a Heal spell...
Rachel used her Healing spell, but there was no effect whatsoever. At this point they started to fear for him, not certain of what was happening.
Meg: He's breathing... But it's almost as if he's not... there...
They started to hear loud noises coming from the outside; Richard then went to see what was going on outside while instructing Rachel and Meg to stay at Legend's side.
The three beast men were chanting as if they were casting a spell.
Beast men: We welcome you, Grand Master! Accept this Offering and become whole! We welcome you, Grand Master! Accept this Offering and become whole!
As they chanted repeatedly, eerie-looking masked monsters began appearing and roaming the city. A few of them appeared inside the Ancient Library, where Legend was. They approached with the intent of attacking, but Rachel conjured up a protection spell to prevent them from getting any closer.
Rachel: Sacred power that dwells within the rivers of light... hear my plea! Grant us protection from the evil that intends to do us harm! BARRIER!
The White magic spell Barrier was an invisible wall that kept everything at bay. It's strength and duration depended on the magic power of the spell caster.
A person was running away from one of the masked monsters in the street. Richard put himself between the monster and the frightened citizen.
Richard: Have no fear, young man. I belong to the order of Holy Knights of Dalmacia. This city is under our protection!
Man: T—t—tt-thank you!!
Richard blocked the monster's attack with his new shield, which worked perfectly well. He then dispatched the enemy with a swift stroke of his sword.
Six of those monsters were wailing at Rachel's Barrier field, and it looked like it was beginning to falter. Rachel remembered what Nimrod had told her: "If you ever need me, no matter how trivial the reason, just shout my name real loud. I promise, I will come to you". So she decided to hold him up to his word.
Rachel: NIMMROOOOODDD!!!!
It only took about 20 seconds. Nimrod flew in bursting through walls. Part of the debris fell on two of the monsters, crushing them and leaving them out of commission.
Nimrod: It's alright now. I'm here as I promised, Rachel.
Rachel: You really came... I thank you, Nimrod. Please, help us defend Legend!
Nimrod: Your wish is my command!
Nimrod proceeded to destroy the remaining monsters with relative ease. All while Richard was helping the people of the city, realizing that Legend was just one more on the list of people that couldn't wake up.
Meg could see the city streets from the hole Nimrod made. There were many people trying to escape from monsters that were spawning from out of nowhere.
Meg: Nimrod! Please help the people outside! It seems there are many of those monsters, and as good as Richard is, he's only one man...
Nimrod: What the hell? Did your pet pigeon just talk?
Meg: Why you little...!!!!
(It was almost as if Meg didn't acknowledge that he was a pigeon...)
Nimrod: Would you look at that... It even has an attitude. How cute.
Meg: Didn't you hear me talk a few days ago? Why are you reacting like this now?!
Nimrod: Look, I'm only here for Rachel. I could care less about the people of Lybia or anywhere else for that matter...
Rachel: Please, Nimrod... my brother may need your help... and so do the people of this city!
Nimrod: Awww man! I just can't say no to this angel! How about a kiss?
Nimrod went up close into her personal space leaning in for a kiss. Rachel slapped the living daylight out of him. She left a mark of her hand right across his face.
Rachel: Don't ever do that again!!
Nimrod: You hurt both my face and my pride... OK, I guess I deserved that. I'll behave from now on. Just watch me save more of these losers than your perfect brother!
Nimrod flew out and took out all the monsters that were unfortunate enough to come across him. Then he and Richard went after the three chanting beast men.
Sven entered the chamber where Rachel and Meg were with Legend.
Sven: Rachel! Legend! Meg! Are you hurt?
Rachel: We are fine... But Legend won't wake up... We don't know what's happened to him!
Sven: Allow me some room, princess Rachel.
Rachel moved out of the way while Sven began to chant a spell.
Sven: Oh great Oracle! Grant me the power to see beyond what is normally seen and find answers to the query in our hearts! REVELATION!
Sven's hands (that were extended forward toward Legend) lit up, and the form of an opened eye appeared. Sven then understood exactly what was going on. When Rachel and Meg saw the look on his face they weren't expecting to hear good news.
Meg: Well? Tell us what you learned!
Rachel: Please, Sven... What is wrong with our friend?
Sven: Your friend isn't with us anymore. All the others in the city that fell into this deep state of slumber are in the same situation as he is. Their souls have been trapped in another dimension... and it seems as though they are being... consumed...