Maelis's striking yet serene presence seemed more intense than ever.
Her calm, almost impassive expression contrasted with the restrained intensity in her gaze; her violet eyes, deep as amethysts, seemed to pierce into the soul of anyone who met them. Her pale, almost translucent skin gave her an ethereal quality, as though she did not fully belong to the physical world.
Her long black hair flowed down her back like waterfalls, with small strands framing her face and highlighting her beauty in a delicate, elegant way. The simple yet refined black dress accentuated both her curves and her slender, athletic, medium-tall frame. High heels completed her elegance, and a small purse hung naturally from her arm.
Kaelis was left speechless before her, feeling his heart beat differently.
'Beautiful… without a doubt, beautiful enough to seem dangerous.'
Maelis lifted her gaze, locking eyes with him.
"Good evening, Kaelis."
The greeting pulled Kaelis back to reality, reminding him that he had lost himself in her gaze for a few moments. Feeling uneasy, he cleared his throat before replying carefully.
"Good evening, Maelis. Forgive me for staring so much. You look beautiful… truly stunning."
Kaelis straightened his posture and adopted a more casual tone, taking advantage of the familiarity they had developed during their training with Awakened Rock.
"So… you're also going to the family dinner?"
Maelis nodded.
"Yes, I'm meeting with some relatives today."
"Nice, my parents will be there too." — Kaelis replied with a smile, but immediately noticed the change in Maelis's expression.
A cold, dark shadow crossed her face, and Kaelis felt the restrained hatred in her gaze, almost enough to frighten him.
"No. My parents won't be there." — Maelis said in a somber tone.
Silence settled for a moment. Kaelis realized there was a serious matter in Maelis's life, something he wasn't close enough to ask about. He took a deep breath and offered her a gentle, calm smile.
"I understand, forgive me for that."
Maelis studied him suspiciously, almost as if she sensed he knew more than he let on. But Kaelis lowered his head slightly in respect and, with elegance, extended his hand.
"Well then, Lady Maelis. Would you allow me the honor of accompanying you to the hall where the event will be held?"
Surprised by Kaelis's courtesy and politeness, Maelis accepted, placing her hand delicately upon his. The touch was subtle, yet it carried trust and mutual respect.
Thus, they walked together outside the Dormitory building, heading toward the same hall where the induction ceremony had taken place. The southern region of the campus was surrounded by parks and training areas, providing a tranquil and spacious setting for their walk.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hall, they stopped in line, which stretched inside. Kaelis recognized many Dormants among those present, but his nervousness grew for two reasons:
First, everyone there seemed to be watching him closely. Second, and most surprising, Maelis had not let go of his arm.
'Okay… this is unexpected! I only meant to be polite with her, I didn't think she'd stay with me this long!' — Kaelis thought, with an awkward smile.
The gazes around them were mixed: admiration and envy. Nearby men watched Kaelis with restrained anger, their souls whispering messages of jealousy and resentment through the Chorus of the Silent.
'Cursed angel!''If he didn't have wings, I doubt he'd ever manage to have that beauty by his side…'
Meanwhile, some women looked on with admiration, others with envy, their thoughts also carried through the Chorus:
'Wow… they make a beautiful couple.'—'Lady Maelis looks dazzling today.'—'Damn slut! Just because she's prettier, she thinks she can rub herself against the angel…'
When Kaelis caught the last envious thought from one of the girls, he cast her a dark, irritated glare. The young woman froze, then quickly averted her eyes. Maelis noticed the sudden shift in his expression and tilted her head, curious.
"Something wrong?"
"It's nothing… I just thought I saw someone I knew," Kaelis replied, hiding the complexity of his emotions. The Chorus of the Silent was beginning to affect him again, multiplying the weight of the emotions around him, while he still had to look after Maelis's presence.
'Ahh… how could I forget how stressful it is to attend events with this cursed flaw?' he thought, feeling the tension building.
At that moment, the phone in his pocket vibrated. He pulled it out and saw the message from his father: the whole family was already inside the hall.
A genuine smile appeared on his face. Finally, the night could begin.
Maelis, who had noticed the phone in his hand, couldn't help herself and asked with genuine curiosity:
"A phone? I thought they stopped making those years ago."
Kaelis was surprised she had started a conversation. Her tone sounded lighter than usual, and it brought a brief smile from him before he replied:
"Yes… In fact, phone production ended many, many years ago. But it's still possible to find some archaic versions here and there."
Maelis tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the device as if it were some exotic artifact. Her interest made Kaelis hesitate for a moment, before, a bit embarrassed, extending the phone toward her.
"Do you want to see it?"
She simply nodded, and he placed the device in her hands.
The phone was heavy and outdated. It had a small screen and a limited system, ridiculously obsolete compared to modern communicators. But for Kaelis, that object was far from insignificant.
He had received the phone from his father when he was fourteen. At the time, his family couldn't afford modern communicators for him or for his younger siblings. As the eldest son, that gift was a gesture of trust — a reminder of his parents' silent struggle to give their children any opportunity, no matter how small.
Now, even living in a much more comfortable financial situation, Kaelis had never wanted to replace the phone with a communicator. That object carried memories far too precious to be substituted.
Maelis examined the phone with fascination, her fingers brushing softly along its worn metallic edge. For a moment, her cold eyes seemed warmed by genuine curiosity. Then, she returned the device to Kaelis.
"It's quite interesting for such an old object… But why choose to keep a phone instead of a communicator?"
Kaelis took the device back and fell silent. A soft yet melancholic smile curved on his lips.
"Kind of… I couldn't really choose anything better back then."
A spark of doubt and curiosity lit her gaze.
"Why not?"
Kaelis hesitated, the memories weighing on his mind. However, before he could answer, they arrived at the main entrance.
Two guards stood by the door. After giving their names, the men confirmed their entries on the list and allowed them inside.
The main hall opened before them in a spectacle of wealth. Round tables were arranged throughout the space, filled with families and their Dormants. The attire was elegant, and the atmosphere carried an air of refinement and power. Kaelis did not recognize anyone in particular, but he was certain that among those present were representatives of great clans — perhaps even a few Awakened.
An orchestra played classical music on a stage at the back, filling the room with a sophisticated tone. Waiters moved discreetly between the tables, serving refined dishes and appetizers.
It was, without a doubt, a high-class event. For Kaelis, the first of his life.
As soon as he entered, however, the impact came in another form: the Chorus of the Silent immediately intensified. The whirlwind of emotions and thoughts crashed against his mind like ceaseless waves. He brought a hand to his head, briefly closing his eyes as he tried to adapt to the chaos. The headache pulsed, but he took a deep breath, attempting to grow accustomed to the weight of others' feelings.
When he opened his eyes, Maelis was at his side, watching him in silence. Her gaze was cold, indecipherable, but also… attentive. He couldn't distinguish what she felt, not with so many voices swirling around him.
Trying to dispel the discomfort, Kaelis spoke:
"And so… do you know where the people you're meeting are?"
"Yes. They told me where they'd be." She looked at him for a moment before returning the question. "And you, do you know where your parents are?"
Kaelis nodded slowly.
"Yes. I just need to find them…"
Before he could finish the sentence, his eyes caught sight of a round table in the distance. Sitting there were his father, Elias, his mother, Naelle, and his siblings, Zoe and Michael. An empty chair awaited him.
Michael was the first to notice his brother's arrival, pointing excitedly in his direction. Kaelis's heart warmed at the scene, and a genuine smile lit his face.
Turning to Maelis, he drew a deep breath. It was time to part ways.
"I suppose this is it. I'll go meet them."
"Yes. I'll also head to the table where they're waiting for me."
The two looked at each other in silence for a few moments. There was something strange about that farewell — a subtle yet palpable feeling. Kaelis couldn't explain it, but he had the impression they both felt the same.
Trying to break the mood, he extended his hand in a courteous gesture.
"In any case, it was a pleasure accompanying you this far, miss."
He bowed his head slightly, formal and respectful.
But then, something unexpected happened.
For the first time, Kaelis saw Maelis smile. A discreet, almost timid smile, but real — and, somehow, striking.
She accepted the handshake, placing her own hand over his with firmness.
"I should be the one thanking you, Kaelis. Have a good evening with your parents."
With that, she walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Kaelis remained still for a few seconds, the echo of that smile engraved in his memory. A small detail, yet one that marked him deeply.
"She has a beautiful smile… She should smile more often."
The thought lingered in Kaelis's mind for a few moments, but soon he set it aside. He drew in a breath, straightened his posture, and walked toward the table where his family awaited him.
He was received with open arms. Michael, the youngest, was the first to leap onto him, wrapping him in a tight hug that nearly knocked him over. The cheerful energy of his little brother drew an involuntary laugh from him. Soon after, his parents embraced him, firm and full of pride, and last came Zoe, his sister.
She, as always, looked serious, carrying a closed and introspective expression. But Kaelis knew her far too well to be deceived. He placed a hand on her head, lightly ruffling her hair. Zoe tried to resist, but her lips curved into an involuntary, timid smile that betrayed the affection she hid beneath her tough façade.
"What is it?" said Kaelis, teasing her with a mischievous grin. "Couldn't hold back your smile when you saw your older brother is much more handsome?"
With a look full of irony, Zoe quickly shot back:
"As if. If not for the Spell, you'd still be as ugly as a rat."
"You little pest…" Kaelis retorted, shocked at how sharp Zoe remained at mocking him.
The exchange of banter brought laughter from the family, breaking any lingering tension.
They were all impeccably dressed in elegant attire. The sophistication was such that they could easily have been mistaken for representatives of an influential Clan. It was impressive how much their fate had changed in such a short time.
After the warm greetings, they all sat down. The table felt cozy, yet carried a symbolic weight — the portrait of a family that, despite all trials, remained united.
Kaelis savored every second of that reunion. His parents bombarded him with questions, worried about the subtle bruises scattered across his body. He explained calmly, speaking of the exhausting routine at the Awakened Academy: the complex classes of Professor Julius, which demanded sharp reasoning and discipline, and the grueling training under the relentless supervision of the Awakened Rock.
The conversations flowed naturally. His parents spoke about their new jobs, Zoe and Michael shared stories about school and friends. They all laughed together, commenting on how much their lives had improved since Kaelis had survived the First Nightmare.
It was a simple, yet precious moment. There, they were just a family — no titles, no burdens, only together, laughing and celebrating.
But even immersed in that happiness, Kaelis felt something strange growing in his chest. A silent unease, an invisible shiver spreading through his body.
A feeling… similar to fear.
It was as if a shadow were rooting itself in his heart, growing stronger each moment. And no matter how hard he tried, he could not pinpoint the exact source of that fear.
Yet deep down, he knew. All Dormants knew.
It was the fear of death.
The suffocating fear that the first journey into the Dream Realm would also be the last. They hid this terror behind smiles, firm words, and rehearsed confidence, but the truth was inevitable: the cold judgment of the nightmare awaited, and no one could halt the march of days.
In silence, Kaelis let the conversation continue without him. His eyes lingered on the smiles of his family, imprinting every detail as if he could eternalize that instant in memory. Zoe laughing, Michael gesturing excitedly, his parents exchanging proud glances… He wished, more than anything, that moment would never end.
Suddenly, a movement caught everyone's attention. The Awakened Rock entered the hall.
His presence alone was enough to gradually still the conversations. The once lively atmosphere sank into respectful silence. Rock strode across the hall with firm steps and climbed the stairs to the stage. At the center, a small tall table with a microphone awaited him.
With the natural bearing of a warrior and the gravity of one who carried responsibility, he positioned himself before everyone.
After giving a few light taps on the microphone to confirm it was working, Rock cleared his throat and took a deep breath. His gaze swept across the silent audience, bearing the weight of someone who had already witnessed what all feared.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"Dormants and Awakened."
"Great Legacy Clans and Legacy Clans."
His voice was deep, powerful, yet carried a solemnity that made the entire hall fall into reverence.
"I thank you all for being here tonight. As you know, in only six days, the winter solstice will arrive… and with it, the Dormants will be taken to the Dream Realm for the first time."
He paused briefly, allowing each word to fall like a sharp blade upon those present.
"It will be a difficult moment, more than any of us here would like to admit. Your children, descendants, or relatives will be taken into hell — and when they are there, they will be completely on their own."
Expressions across the hall began to shift. Some families tightened their grips on their Dormants' hands; others averted their gaze, fearing to face reality.
"That is why I ask of you…" — Rock raised his chin, as if his words were a decree. — "Make the most of this night. Motivate them to move forward. Show them they will not be alone, even when they cross the gates of the nightmare. Make them feel the weight of the support you can give, because that is what will give them strength to face hell… and return alive."
His voice hardened, cutting.
"Say what you never had the courage to say. Tell your children how important they are. Tell your descendants how much they mean to your Clans. Show them they have reasons to return — and do it now, because tomorrow may be too late."
A deadly silence consumed the hall. Rock drew a deep breath, and his eyes swept across the place — stopping on the Dormants, their families, the Clan members who had come with them.
Then his expression changed. The hardness gave way to a cold, melancholic gaze, and a heavy shadow fell upon his face.
"Show the Dormants…" — his voice lowered, but each syllable rang like a sentence. — "The reasons why they must return alive… at all costs."
Those words, laden with sincerity and scars, were not just a speech. They were the cry of someone who had already lost, who had already seen young ones never return.
Rock bowed his head in respect.
"I thank you for your attention. May you all have a good night."
He stepped away from the microphone, slowly descended the stage stairs, and crossed the hall toward the exit. His footsteps echoed, and no one dared to speak.
The silence remained absolute until the Awakened had left the room. Only then did the music timidly begin to return, as if afraid to sound in such a heavy atmosphere. The conversations, once lively, resumed in hesitant murmurs, gradually growing but never fully regaining their festive tone.
Kaelis, like many others, remained thoughtful. Rock's words echoed in his mind, reopening the wound every Dormant kept hidden: fear.
It was palpable. He could feel it not only within himself but in everyone around him. The fear was present in the eyes of each family, in the heavy silence between parents and children, in the suffocating anxiety that hung over the room. Rock had reminded everyone of the harsh and relentless reality of being a Dormant.
As he lost himself in these thoughts, Kaelis felt a gentle touch on his hand resting on the table. It was his mother, Naelle. She held it tenderly, as if she wanted to transfer all the strength she carried in her heart to him.
Then Elias, his father, placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder. No words were needed for Kaelis to understand the gesture. Still, he spoke, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
"Son."
Kaelis lifted his gaze, meeting his father's intense eyes.
"Know that your mother, your siblings, and I will always be here for you. Even when you are far from us, even when you are lost in the Dream Realm or facing frightening situations… we will be waiting. Always wishing the best for you."
Naelle stepped closer, completing her husband's words with her soft but emotionally charged voice.
"Kael, remember that our concern will never disappear. Neither this world nor the next can change that. We will always love you, and we will always want the best for you. Never doubt that."
The words struck Kaelis deeply. He remained silent, unable to respond immediately.
The love of his family was like a beacon in the darkness. Ever since he had received his Flaw after the First Nightmare, the Chorus of the Silent had plagued his heart with hatred, envy, fear, false smiles, and feelings that crushed him from within. But now, standing before the unconditional love of his parents and the genuine admiration of his siblings, he felt… alive.
It was almost surreal that something so pure could exist in a world full of pain, envy, and loss.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips, so genuine that, for a moment, it pushed back the shadow that had been haunting him.
"Thank you…" — his voice came out hoarse with emotion. — "Thank you for everything."
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
A few hours later, Kaelis, along with many other Dormants who had attended the event, stood before the enormous red gates of the Awakened Academy. They were colossal, imposing, and radiated an aura of indestructibility, as if no human or natural force could ever shake them.
Snow fell slowly and silently, covering the stone bridge and the ground around it in a white blanket that starkly contrasted with the deep red of the gates. The air was cold, almost biting, but the chill that truly froze them came not from the weather—it came from the weight they all carried in their hearts.
The Dormants' families had already said their goodbyes. Now, they crossed the bridge toward the outside of the Academy, stepping away slowly, leaving behind their children, siblings, and grandchildren. The farewells had been drenched in tears and pain. Even Kaelis, who tried to remain strong, could not prevent a solitary tear from rolling down his face as he embraced his parents and siblings one last time. The atmosphere was heart-wrenching, dense, and almost oppressive, as if the shadow of death silently loomed over everyone.
The Dormants, now alone before the gates, watched their families depart. They forced calm smiles, as if trying to convey courage to those they loved. But calm was the last thing they truly felt. Behind the serene expressions lurked restrained despair. After all, they were still children. Children cursed by the Spell, forced to face the Dream Realm, where every step was a battle for survival.
When the last family crossed the bridge, the gates began to move. The metallic sound of the mechanism echoed through the frigid air as the massive red doors slowly closed. The heavy creak mingled with the sepulchral silence, amplifying the burden that weighed on the Dormants.
Their faces darkened. No one spoke. They simply stood there, listening, frozen, to the oppressive sound of the gates sealing their fate.
Kaelis remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the gates, closing as if they were also shutting the final link between him and the world he knew. He drew a deep breath. A strange feeling began to form in his chest, growing like a shadow. It was not fear—not in the way the others felt it. Nor was it pure anxiety. It was something deeper, more unsettling.
He felt apprehension.
His First Nightmare had been merciless, brutal in every sense. If the Dream Realm could be even more cruel than that, he wondered: what else could await him? The thought alone was suffocating.
It was an almost tangible sensation, as if his very soul trembled in anticipation.
"Whatever it is… whatever fate has in store for me…"
He raised his hand and looked at it. It was the same hand his mother had held tenderly just minutes before, imparting warmth and strength even amidst despair.
"I…"
The memories surged back with force. Faces of people he had watched die, screams echoing in his ears, lives he had taken himself during his First Nightmare. All the sacrifice, the pain, and the suffering he had endured. He had survived it all…
For them. Always for them.
For his family.
His father's words emerged in his mind, alive, as if spoken only moments ago.
"Fight for the people you love, destroy if it means saving them, and above all, have conviction that what you're doing comes from the goodness within you."
Kaelis clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles cracking slightly.
"I… will do everything to return alive for them."
His gaze hardened. He lifted his head and realized that, lost in his thoughts, he was the only one still standing before the gates. Everyone else had already moved away toward the dormitories, absorbed in their own thoughts and burdens.
Kaelis took a deep breath once more, turned his body, and began to walk. His footsteps echoed against the snow and cold stone, accompanied only by the silence of his resolve. It would be just a few minutes' walk to the Dormant wing, where the dormitories awaited.
As he walked through the quiet streets of the Academy, Kaelis pulled the phone from his pocket, the weak glow of its screen illuminating his face.
It was already 12:47 a.m. The relentless hands reminded him that he needed to sleep soon. The next day would be exhausting: in the morning and afternoon, the meticulous classes of Professor Julius, full of theories and demands; and from late afternoon into the night, the heavy and grueling combat lesson of the Awakened Rock, whose training drained every last drop of energy from the Dormants.
Sighing, Kaelis was about to put the phone away again when something sudden struck him. It wasn't a sound, nor a movement—but a feeling.
He stopped in the middle of the path, raising his eyes and narrowing them into the darkness. The air suddenly felt heavy, laden with invisible pain. Kaelis' chest tightened as he sensed it. It was as if a wave of deep sorrow, mingled with pure terror, had invaded his very soul.
Turning his head slowly, he scanned the surroundings. To his right, small buildings rested under the snow accumulating on their roofs. To his left, a silent park, covered with bare trees and lonely benches, stretched out like an inviting shadow.
And then he heard it.
Whispers. The muffled sound of restrained sobbing, delicate and fragile. A female voice wept quietly, while another—firmer, more mature—tried to comfort her amid the tears.
Kaelis felt his heart tighten even further. Guided by that strange empathy overflowing from his Flaw, he stepped through the park gate and followed the snow-dusted stone path. The cold felt sharper there, yet the sound of crying led him onward.
And then he saw her.
Sitting on a solitary bench was a delicate girl, modest in presence, yet so beautiful that witnessing her pain felt all the more cruel. Her pale blonde hair fell in soft strands over her shoulders, and her large blue eyes—still glistening with tears—reflected a deep emptiness, as if they saw far beyond the confines of that park.
And in that moment, Kaelis knew without any doubt.
It was Cassia.
Beside her, a woman crouched—her social worker—held her hands, trying to offer some form of comfort. Her words, however, seemed to slide off without effect. Cassia wept quietly, as if trapped in a place where nothing could reach her.
Kaelis hesitated for a brief moment, observing the scene. But the restlessness in his chest would not allow him to remain still. Slowly, he took a few steps toward the bench.
The assistant was the first to notice his approach, lifting her gaze to him in surprise. Cassia, however, raised her tear-filled eyes almost at the same moment, fixing them directly on Kaelis. Even without seeing in the usual way, her empty, distant eyes found his as if they could pierce him completely.
Kaelis' heart raced.
He took a deep, concerned breath and could not hold back the words that escaped his lips:
"Cassia, are you okay?"