[For those who read this, the idea of the spell is not my own. I'm only using it from a story known as the 'Shadow Slave.' Which in my opinion is my favorite novel on Webtoon thus far. If people think I'm copying some of his/her ideas, then your correct. But a lot of people do that, even for fanfics. There are hundreds of thousands of stories that branch off from one story or one fanfic. I won't be doing the same story as Shadow Slave, but a lot of the aspects from that story will meld into this one. There's also some valid reasoning as to why I should be allowed to this, which is thanks to 'Shadow Slave' bringing in a few key parts in some chapters that'll allow me to make this story...if the original Author is ok with it (Update: I got permission :D
[First, is the river of time, or the time stream, or however you want to call it. This is a part of the Shadow Slave story that mentions the Past, Present and Future. It brings up different realities of what could happen, and what has already happened. Meaning it could have different realities where the main character in the story never existed, and things that did happen, never happened. It's...complicated to explain, seeing there's a ton of background information on it due to various chapters bringing in different key pieces of information, so if you want to find out what I mean, try reading the Shadow Slave story to see for yourself! And let me point out, like I said before, I am gaining NOTHING out of this, so if you want to say I'm stealing, then what am I stealing? There are already thousands of chapters on Shadow Slave meaning the author is way ahead of me by a WIDE margin. And a lot of the idea's he's used probably already exist within a few stories on Webnovel, but I'm not going to go around searching for some stories when thousands exist on Webnovel, that's too lengthy to do.]
{The information below is thanks to GuiltyThree, and his story 'Shadow Slave.'
- General Information
+ The Nightmare Spell
The Nightmare spell infects young people, usually around sixteen to eighteen years old. After being infected, those chosen by the Spell experience and overwhelming desire to sleep. Once they succumb to this, they are transported to the First Nightmare.
+ The Nightmares
The Nightmares are trials created by the Spell. They are populated by both monsters and humans, which are considered to be illusory. Each Nightmare contains a central conflict that has to be resolved to have the Nightmare end. These conflicts are believed to be past events of ancient times within the history of the Dream Realm. Some Nightmares may branch off completely from history and may go its own separate way. Leading to events that have never happened, and only exist as a trial for the Dreamer to pass.
+ The Dream Realm
The Dream Realm is a vastly ruined land that was once believed to be a wonderfully colorful reality brimming with life. Yet, what once was a bastion of wonder, is now just a dreamscape of reality bending, mind scarring monsters and phenomenon's that would lead anyone to be driven insane or traumatized till the end of their days. This reality is where Nightmare creatures are born. Humans are brought to this Realm only after surviving the first trial. They can only leave and return to the waking world through a few certain ways of travel. One way is through Gateways, which are special portals that allow a human to awaken, thus making them an Awakened.
+ The Awakened
The Awakened consists of people who have passed the first trial of the Nightmare Spell and have established a connection to the Dream Realm. Once someone becomes an Awakened, they receive magical and wonderous powers that allow them to easily combat monsters of the Dream Realm. Awakened are considered guardians of the waking world and the Dream Realm. They fight Nightmare creatures mostly within the Dream Realm to prevent them from opening a Gate to the real world.
+ The Gates
If a Seed of Nightmare isn't found and destroyed before maturing, a Gate will appear within the waking world and thus bring monsters from the Dream Realm. To destroy a seed, any number of Awakened may enter the seed to conquer it.
- Common Terminology
+ Gateway
A Gateway is different from a Gate. It acts as a means of transportation for Awakened to come and go as they please when exiting the Dream Realm and returning to it. Considered to be an anchor that can be set at any place of one's choosing.
+ Citadel
A fortress within the Dream Realm that's been built around a conquered Gateway
+ Memory
A magical item that can be obtained through Nightmare Trials, killing Nightmare creatures, humans, trading, and so much more. Memories can be created from Soul Essence, but also can be enhanced. They can assume physical form, both while awake within the real world, and the Dream Realm.
+ Enhancement
An aspect of a Memory, which can add various properties to an item.
+ Echo
An Echo is part of a slain Nightmare Creature. What once was a formidable enemy, has now been turned into a wonderous ally. Many seek to have an Echo, for it can lessen the burdens of their new masters. These Echoes are not alive and no not possess a soul, but merely an aspect of what they once were. They are similar to memories and be brought out through the use of Soul Essence to obtain physical form.
+ Soul Core
The core of one's spirit. Capable of growing through obtaining more and more Soul Essence, and other means.
+ Soul Shard
A piece of a core, either it be human or nightmare creature. Contains remnants of one's Soul Essence.
+ Soul Essence
The energy of one's soul.
+ Soul Rank
The measurement of one's Soul Core. Can be determined through the quality and power measurement of one's Soul Core.
* Dormant
* Awakened
* Ascended
* Transcendent
* Supreme
* Sacred
* Divine
Humans can ascend, yet Nightmare Creatures can also descend, thus allowing them to have their own rankings. Nightmare Creature's also have seven rankings.
* Dormant
* Awakened
* Fallen
* Corrupted
* Great
* Cursed
* Unholy
+ Class
Gauged through the quantity of one's Soul Cores. Humans are only capable of one singular Soul Core, yet Nightmare Creatures can possess many. This is another measure of power, called Class. There are seven classes for Nightmare Creatures. The more soul cores a creature has, the higher their class tier.
* Beast
* Monster
* Demon
* Devil
* Tyrant
* Terror
* Titan
It is highly advised that one should show extreme caution towards any and all Nightmare Creatures, no matter the ranking or class. The chances of meeting a Nightmare Creature eight cores or more has never been recorded or document, so if one is to see such a creature, run for your life.
Secondly, to understand a ranking of a Nightmare Creature, you should view it as this: A Nightmare Creature having four Soul Cores and the ranking of Great would be called a Great Devil.
+ Tier
A rough estimate of a Memorie's potency that is based around its source. Although Memories follow the same Soul Rank listing, they can also branch off into Tiers based off of the classes in which a Nightmare Creature left behind after defeat. So, a Memory dropping from an Awakened Tyrant (Who would possess five cores) would be categorized as a tier-five Awakened Memory. While a Memory of a Fallen Devil (Who in which possesses four cores) would drop an item of a tier-four Ascended Memory.
- Aspects and Abilities
+ Aspect
A confluence of one's innate affinities and choices manifested as a magical specialization. Aspects granted the Awakened unique gifts, but also curses them with a Flaw.
+ Attribute
A passive ability corresponding to one's natural talents
+ Aspect Ability
A magical ability tied to one's Aspect
+ Flaw
A unique curse placed on an Awaken as a toll for receiving such wonderous gifts
+ True Name
A title given to only the most exceptional Awakened that the Spell deems as the worthiest.
+ Hierarchy
The first four Soul Ranks, when applied to humans, have colloquial names in human language: Sleeper (Dormant), Awakened (Awakened), Master (Ascended), and Saint (Transcended). The word "Awakened" is also sometimes used to describe carries of the Spell as a whole.
Sleepers are the carriers of the Nightmare Spell who have passed the First Nightmare. They receive the ability to perceive and interact with Soul Cores, as well as gaining a unique Aspect and Flaw. Sleepers have no connection to the Dream Realm but are destined to travel there on the day of Winter Solstice.
Once a Sleeper awakens from the Dream Realm, they receive the ranking of an Awakened. Their Soul Core evolves and allows them to climb up to the next rank, as well as gaining a second Aspect ability. They also become able to interact and perceive Soul Essence. Awakened enter the Dream Realm anytime they fall asleep, appearing near the Gateway to which they are anchored.
Rankings can be increased through the completion of Nightmare trials. If an Awakened completes their Second Nightmare, they shall become a Master. They become an Ascended and their Aspect gains a third ability. Masters are capable of traveling to the Dream Realm and the real world physically, and not just in spirit. They only enter the Dream Realm when they choose to do so.
If a Master conquers the Third Nightmare, they can rank up to a Saint. Their Soul Core evolves to a Transcended rank, and they gain a Transformation Aspect Ability. Saints are few and far between, so they are highly respected and idolized.