Sat on a bruised leather chair in the dimly lit therapist's office, Rio felt a wave of anxiety wash over him, his heart racing. His unhealthily pale hands covered his face, masking his golden eyes with dark circles shadowing them. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and fresh coffee. Dr. Clark, his therapist, sat opposite him on a modern leather chair, her expression a mix of concern and a hint of annoyance.
"So, you're telling me you're having more of these peculiar dreams again?" Dr. Clark inquired as she prepared to open her notes.
Rio took a deep breath, shivering at the thought of those nightmares. Searching for the words to describe the indescribable, he finally said, "Yes, but I don't know if I can even call them a dream. It felt like a lucid dream—I was aware that I was asleep and dreaming, yet I was powerless to do anything but watch." A breath of turbid air forced its way out of his trembling mouth; just the thought gave him goosebumps.
Dr. Clark nodded, jotting down notes. "How do the dreams affect you? How do they make you feel?"
"Lost, alone. It feels like every time I wake up, something about me has changed, is missing," he confessed, his gaze fixed on the floor as he ran his hands through his disheveled hair. "I wake up drenched in sweat, my whole body trembling, unable to willingly move, unable to shake off the feeling of dread."
Dr. Clark leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Do you think there are any reasons for these dreams?"
Rio shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "I don't know. All I know is that they're getting worse, and I remember all of them."
Her gaze softened. "You remember all of your dreams?"
"Yes," he mumbled.
Dr. Clark sat back, considering his words. "Are you able to tell me what happens in these dreams of yours?"
His face paled even more, his hands tightening to stop the trembling. "Okay," he whispered. "The first dream I had was around a week ago. In the dream, I was in a pitch-black room. The stiff air was suffocating. I tried to move, but I couldn't. All I heard were the rattling chains that held me—they were wrapped around my neck, wrists, and ankles. Then my eyes started to blur as pain surged through my body. I saw the outline of a man. I couldn't tell his height, but his voice... his voice was crazy, terrifying. The man who hid in the shadows of the unknown room was mad. He said, 'You're awake,' sounding excited and in a good mood. But the pain was unbearable. I let out a squeal, but something was wrapped around my mouth. I couldn't talk. The madman let out a crazy laugh. All of a sudden, I felt the chains tighten around my neck, wrists, and ankles, each pull in opposite directions. A harsh, metallic sound echoed as the chains rattled. My eyes closed for the last time, and I woke up."
"Hmm, that's quite a strange dream. Do you have any other dreams that have scared you worse than this?" Her voice dripped with curiosity.
"Yes, but it wasn't as bad as my first one, though definitely more worrying," he answered, unable to stop his body from shaking.
"Can you tell me?" Dr. Clark asked.
Rio's face went grim. Fear and worry gnawed at him as he recalled the dream. "It was of this... this meeting. Everything I have done today so far was in that dream."
Dr. Clark sat up straight, a hint of curiosity glinting in her eyes. "You are young, and it starts around 16. Have you perchance been enlightened this year?"
***
A century ago, Earth merged with two unknown worlds, each the size of four Earths. These worlds are now known as the Northern World, home of the Enlightened, and the Southern World, where the Corrupted originate. Earth, now referred to as the Central World, faced tremendous upheaval during the merging of worlds. This event sparked a colossal war for power, with Earth and the Southern World being suppressed by the Enlightened and their strange powers.
After the Great War, there was peace. The human population was transformed, filled with both the Enlightened and the Corrupted. Humans from Earth have a small chance of becoming Enlightened at the age of 16. However, with malevolent thoughts and an evil will, any Enlightened individual can become Corrupted.
Ancient, mystical sites known as Ruins appear randomly across the world. These ruins are divided into two types: Strength Ruins and Wisdom Ruins. Strength Ruins involve intense battles against spectral guardians and corrupted creatures, rewarding individuals with enhanced physical abilities, inheritances and combat skills upon completion. Wisdom Ruins, on the other hand, challenge participants with complex puzzles, riddles, and trials of intellect, granting advanced knowledge and magical abilities and inheritances to those who succeed. Successfully completing these ruins allows individuals to absorb the souls of those who perished there, gaining more power and knowledge. However, this process comes with moral and psychological consequences, adding layers of intrigue and complexity to the struggle between the Enlightened and the Corrupted.
In the last decade, strange creatures have begun to appear, murdering indiscriminately and some are even wielding strange powers similar to the Enlightened and Corrupted. Animals are also mutating at an alarming rate, adding to the chaos and danger in the world.
***
"No, I haven't," Rio replied, his face seeming to return to its original pale color.
"Maybe these dreams are a sign to get checked," she said, standing up.
As their session drew to a close, Rio stood up, feeling the weight of his revelations. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Clark," he said, his voice still tinged with uncertainty.
Dr. Clark nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Take care, Rio. ill try contact me if you have anymore dreams."
"thank you," Rio replied, .
With a heavy sigh, Rio walked out of Dr. Clark's office, the door closing softly behind him. The corridor outside was quiet, and the muted light filtering through the windows cast long shadows on the floor. As he made his way down the hallway, he couldn't help but think about what Dr. Clark had suggested. Maybe it was time to visit the Enlightened Center and find out if the dreams were connected to enlightenment.
. . .
That night, Rio lay in bed, his mind still racing from the events in his previous dreams. As he drifted off to sleep, the familiar sense of dread washed over him.
What is this place? Am I dreaming? Rio's heart pounded as he took in the strange surroundings.
Rio found himself in a surreal landscape, the sky a swirling mass of light and clouds. Wind crackled in the air, illuminating the desolate terrain. In the center of this otherworldly scene stood a mysterious being, shrouded in shadows. Towering above him, another being seemed to topple the heavens, encompassing the world and filling the sky, radiating an aura of absolute power.
The being on the ground spoke, his voice echoing through the air. "Why do you fear me? Why do you fear my pride? My pride is my sense of self. Without it, I would be mad, crazy. So, oh absolute one, why do you fear me?"
The sky being's voice rumbled like thunder. "Your pride is a sin, mortal, a sin that will be the undoing of you and the creator of your madness. It blinds you to the truth and leads you down a path of destruction."
Rio felt a chill run down his spine.
The ground being stood firm, his eyes blazing with determination. "It's not power I seek, nor understanding, but freedom. My pride drives me to explore, to question, to strive for more. Without it, I am nothing."
The sky being's presence grew even more oppressive, dark clouds swirling faster. "Your pride is a sin and it will be your downfall. It will lead to destruction and chaos. Beware, mortal, for the path you tread is fraught with peril."
Rio's thoughts whirled. The tension was palpable, as if the very air crackled with their conflict.
The ground being's blazing eyes pierced the sky. "Oh absolute being, why is my pride a sin? Why will it lead to destruction and peril? Why will it lead to my madness?"
The sky being's presence grew, flattening Rio to the ground. "Beware, mortal. Pride is the shadow that blinds the soul, and those who walk in its darkness shall stumble into ruin."
A bright light flashed, blinding Rio.
Rio jolted awake, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. His heart raced as he tried to shake off the lingering fear. The dream was more vivid than ever.