Alice sat in the Institute's research lab, surrounded by various charts, data logs, and holographic screens displaying energy readings from her last mission. She leaned forward in her chair, her hands resting on her alarm clock as she tried to make sense of what had happened in the field. Across the table, a group of non-combat personnel were pouring over the same data, offering insights and theories.
"So," Alice began, tapping the table lightly, "what do we know so far? Why was my sword—Waking Hour—so effective against those Nightmares? I mean, it felt like I was cutting through smoke. They just… dissolved."
One of the researchers, a young woman with large glasses named Lina, adjusted her notes and pushed her hair behind her ear. She had been working at the Sleep Restoration Institute for years, studying Nightmare phenomena from the safety of the lab. "Well, we've been analyzing the energy output from your Sleep Totem during the merge. The Waking Hour sword seems to emit a unique frequency of Sleep Energy that directly counters the Nightmares' composition."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Unique how?"
Lina pulled up a holographic projection of the battle's energy readings. Spikes of gold light—representing Alice's sword—were seen disrupting the dark, jagged waves of Nightmare energy. "Look here. The energy from your Sleep Totem appears to resonate at a higher frequency, one that directly destabilizes the molecular structure of the Nightmares. It's like… your sword creates a kind of harmonic dissonance, breaking them apart."
"Like playing the wrong note on a piano," Alice said, trying to wrap her head around it. "Except instead of hurting someone's ears, it destroys the Nightmare."
"Exactly," Lina replied, smiling. "Nightmares are essentially manifestations of fear and subconscious thoughts, but they have a physical form due to the influx of unstable dream energy. Your sword seems to sever their connection to that energy, causing them to lose their cohesion and fade."
Alice stared at the projection, a mix of curiosity and disbelief swirling in her mind. "So, it's not just about being strong… it's about being tuned to the right frequency."
"That's one way of looking at it," Lina said. "You weren't just fighting with brute force. Your weapon was disrupting their very essence."
Another researcher, an older man with graying hair named Dr. Verus, chimed in, his voice gruff but knowledgeable. "But keep in mind, Alice, those Nightmares you fought were low to mid-rank. It's common for them to be less stable and easier to disrupt, especially when they're formed from the residual fears of ordinary people."
"Low to mid-rank?" Alice repeated, frowning. "What does that mean?"
Lina and Dr. Verus exchanged a glance before the doctor continued. "Nightmares come in different forms and strengths, Alice. What you encountered were, for lack of a better term, foot soldiers—manifestations that don't possess a lot of individual power. But there are far stronger ones out there."
Lina nodded and brought up a new display, showing a hierarchy of Nightmare classifications. "Nightmares are ranked based on their power and their influence in the dream world. The ones you fought were rank one and two—basic Nightmares that can be dispatched with a strong enough counter like your sword. As you go up the ranks, though, the Nightmares become more complex, more difficult to destroy."
Alice leaned closer to the projection, studying the ranks. "So what's the highest rank?"
There was a pause before Dr. Verus answered, his tone more serious. "The highest rank is a class of Nightmares we call Terrors. These are beings of immense power, often born from the deepest fears and traumas of entire groups of people. They are intelligent, far more dangerous than the Nightmares you've faced."
"And at the top of that hierarchy," Lina added, her voice lowering, "is the queen of all Nightmares—Night Terror."
Alice felt a chill run down her spine. She had heard whispers of Night Terror before, mostly in passing conversations at the Institute, but this was the first time anyone had spoken about her so directly.
"Night Terror," Alice repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "What makes her so different?"
Lina hesitated before answering, glancing at Dr. Verus, who gave a solemn nod. "Night Terror isn't just any Nightmare. She's the source of them. It's said she has the ability to manipulate and control all lesser Nightmares, and she's far more than just a manifestation of fear—she embodies it. Unlike the lower ranks, she has full awareness and autonomy. She moves between the dream world and the waking world, and she feeds on the collective fear of humanity."
Alice's mind reeled at the thought. The Nightmares she had fought had been terrifying enough, but Night Terror? She couldn't even begin to imagine the scale of that threat.
"She's been around for centuries," Dr. Verus continued. "Legends say that Night Terror once ruled the dream world with an iron grip, plunging humanity into an era of endless nightmares. It's only through the efforts of ancient dream warriors that she was forced back. But… she's still out there, lurking, waiting for her chance to return."
"Which," Lina said, shifting in her seat, "is why she's the most feared entity among the Nightmares. If she were to reemerge fully, the balance between the dream world and the waking world could collapse."
Alice swallowed, her fingers gripping the edges of the table. "And you think she's behind all of this? The increase in Nightmare activity?"
Dr. Verus sighed. "We don't know for certain. But given the rise in attacks and the strength of the Nightmares we're seeing lately, it's possible she's preparing to make her move."
"That's why your sword is so important," Lina added. "If your Sleep Totem has the ability to counter even lower-ranked Nightmares with such ease, it might be our best chance at standing against the higher-ranked ones. Especially if—"
Before she could finish, the door to the lab slid open, and Terra Luna walked in, her expression grim.
"Terra," Dr. Verus greeted her with a nod. "We were just explaining to Alice the nature of the Nightmares and… Night Terror."
Terra gave a brief nod before turning to Alice. "I see. And it's a conversation she needed to have. Alice, we've been monitoring the energy fluctuations from your encounter, and what the team here has told you is correct. Your weapon, Waking Hour, is uniquely attuned to disrupt Nightmare energy. That makes you an invaluable asset in this fight."
Alice blinked, trying to process the weight of those words. "But I'm not even fully trained yet. I can barely control my Sleep Totem without burning out."
"That's why we need to focus on your recovery and training," Terra said firmly. "Night Terror is still out there, and if she's truly behind the rising Nightmare attacks, we need to be prepared. Your connection with the Waking Hour might be the key to turning the tide."
Alice felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. She had always wanted to help, to make a difference, but now it seemed like the stakes were far higher than she had ever imagined. The queen of Nightmares, the most powerful entity in existence… and somehow, she was supposed to help stop her.
"I'll do whatever I can," Alice said, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling underneath.
Terra gave her a small, encouraging smile. "I know you will, Alice. But for now, focus on understanding your powers and working with the team here. We'll need you at your best when the time comes."
Alice nodded, glancing down at her alarm clock again. She had a long way to go before she could even think about facing something like Night Terror. But the Waking Hour sword had felt right in her hands, like it had been made for this fight.
As the researchers continued discussing theories and strategies, Alice let her mind wander to the battles ahead. She wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was clear:
She was in this fight for the long haul, and she'd be ready when Night Terror made her move.