Nocturne surveys the ruined throne room. His Dream Eaters swarm through Aetheris, a vibrant tapestry of nightmares realized. Each fallen building and shattered statue sings a song of despair—music to his ears.
He glances at the Abyss Orb, its swirling darkness reflecting his own ambitions. It pulses faintly, connected to the Dream Eaters consuming dreams across Aetheris. The Orb converts the Dream Eater's stolen Dreamflow into Mare energy.
But… a frown creases his pale features. The Abyss Orb's absorption rate slows to a crawl, barely a trickle compared to its earlier voracity. Annoyance flickers within him. He studies the Orb, probing its depths with his consciousness. The readings confirm his suspicions. Aetheris is spent.
"Insolent," he mutters, his voice echoing in the empty chamber. The Abyss Orb, usually a glutton for Dreamflow, now barely sips at the dregs. He has bled this kingdom dry, consuming every last drop of hope and imagination. Aetheris is barren, a wasteland devoid of sustenance.
He will have to move on to other worlds. Other, tastier worlds.
A jolt runs through Nocturne, and he senses something is wrong. The Abyss Orb flickers violently, and he senses a disturbance. A Dream Eater… gone. Snuffed out like a candle in a storm.
He concentrates, channeling his will through the Orb. Using it as a conduit, he experiences the senses of his Dream Eaters, seeing the last stand between the Spider and the Red Warrior.
Impossible
The Spider Dream Eater was powerful, more than capable of handling the primitive lifeforms on that insignificant planet.
The Red Warrior is stronger than he thought. It goes to show how powerful the Astra Coins are.
Nocturne examines the Abyss Orb, and the loss of the Spider Dream Eater is a setback. Irritating. But something else stands out. During its brief visit to that world, the Spider managed to gather a surprising amount of Dreamflow.
Intriguing.
Earth, a world he initially dismissed as primitive, may be a goldmine of Dreamflow energy. He smirks. The potential for feeding his power is immense.
But how to exploit it? Traveling between dimensions is not a simple task. The tear in reality that Orion created for Marvella's escape is unstable, and the Abyss Orb can only sustain a single portal at a time. At most, he can send one Dream Eater at a time. If he could, he would send his entire army of Dream Eaters.
Patience, he reminds himself. He must be strategic.
He studies the Orb, his gaze lingering on the swirling chaos within. He must choose wisely which Dream Eater to send next. This one must be strong, resourceful, and, above all, loyal. Nocturne has no choice but to send one Dream Eater for now.
"Come forth,"
From the shadows, a new Dream Eater emerges. A monstrous, plant-like form takes shape, a twisted tangle of thorny vines and razor-sharp leaves, constantly shifting and undulating. Where a head should be, a gaping maw filled with serrated teeth opens, dripping with a viscous, acidic sap. Beady, insect-like eyes peer hungrily from within the foliage, scanning the area for any sign of its prey.
Nocturne's lips curl into a satisfied smile as he gazes upon the Plant Dream Eater, his mind already formulating a plan to unleash this new threat upon the unsuspecting world.
"Go to this world. Seek out sources of Dreamflow, consume them, and grow strong. Locate the Astra Coins, and bring them to me. And, of course, retrieve the runaway princess. She is of particular… interest."
The Plant Dream Eater bows, its maw dripping a trail of acidic sap onto the shattered floor. Nocturne finds the creature's eagerness… pleasing.
He turns his attention to the Abyss Orb, focusing his will to stabilize the portal. The Orb crackles with dark energy, a conduit for his power. He begins the ritual, chanting in a language that echoes with the nightmares of a thousand worlds. The air crackles with anticipation as the portal widens, a swirling vortex of light and shadow.
"Enter," Nocturne commands. The Plant Dream Eater lunges forward, disappearing into the swirling vortex.
The portal flickers, then stabilizes, a gateway between worlds. Nocturne watches, a sinister smile spreading across his pale face. He anticipates the chaos that the Plant Dream Eater will sow.
He strides towards the ruined throne and settles upon it, the cold stone a stark contrast to the burning anticipation in his veins.
"Now… Let's see how things go."
Nocturne throws his head back and releases a chilling laugh, the sound echoing through the castle's desecrated halls.
* * *
The Spider Dream Eater dissolved into shimmering dust, and Axl struck a pose.
"Nailed it!"
Axl takes in the full view of his armor.
This is way better than the last costume I made. He thinks of the potential for his videos. Imagine the views I'd get!
Marvella approaches. "Thank you, Axl. You defeated it."
Axl shrugs, trying to act casual. "Yeah, well, it was no biggie. Piece of cake, really." He puffs out his chest. "So, uh, how do I get this thing off?"
"Oh. Simply remove the Astra Coin from the Stellar Brace. The armor will release."
Axl nods, fumbling with the Stellar Brace on his wrist. He finds the slot and carefully pulls out the Astra Coin. The armor begins to glow with a soft, warm light. The red and black fades away into nothing, leaving Axl in his usual ripped jeans and band tee.
"It's gone…" said Axl.
"So, do you believe me now?"
Axl hesitates. Before all of this, he thought Marvella was either a complete nutcase or maybe going through some extreme version of that Chuuni phase. Another dimension? Saving her kingdom? Fighting monsters? Seriously?
But… he did just fight a giant spider monster. A very real, very dangerous giant spider monster. He glances at the destruction around them. The destroyed pavement, the shattered windows, the lingering smell of ozone. Yeah, hard to deny what he just saw.
"Okay," Axl admits slowly, scratching the back of his head. "Okay, maybe I'm starting to think you're not completely bonkers. But another dimension? Seriously?"
Marvella nods. "Aetheris is real. And it needs my help. Our help. Axl, you have to understand. That Dream Eater was just the beginning. More will come. They'll keep coming until they find the Astra Coins. You have to help me fight them. We have to take back my kingdom."
Axl's face scrunches up into a frown. "Whoa, hold up." He takes a step back, holding up his hands. "Take back your kingdom? Fight monsters? Look, I appreciate the save back there, but that's really not my thing."
"Axl, please. You don't understand the danger. These Dream Eaters, they'll destroy everything!"
Axl rolls his eyes. "Look, Marvella, I get it. Bad monsters, kingdom in trouble, damsel in distress. But it's not my problem, alright? I just wanna go home, chill out, maybe make a few videos, and apply for some more auditions."
He gestures vaguely. "Y'know, normal stuff."
Before Axl can turn away, Marvella does something completely unexpected: she grabs him around the waist, clinging to him like a desperate koala. "You must help me!" she cries, her voice trembling. "These Astra Coins… they were created to save Aetheris! They belonged to my family! To me!"
Axl sputters, trying to pry her hands off him. "Hey, hey, personal space! Let go!" He tugs at her arms. "Look, it's not like the coin even works for you! So, just… I dunno, find another way to save your precious kingdom and bother someone else, alright?"
Marvella refuses to budge, her grip surprisingly strong. "No! The Astra Coins are the only hope I have left! You have to help me, Axl! I won't let go until you promise to help me stop the Dream Eaters!"
Her voice rises, attracting the attention of the growing crowd of onlookers. People start whispering, pointing, and filming with their phones.
Axl's face turns a shade of red. "Alright, alright, you're making a scene!" He glances around nervously, acutely aware of the dozens of eyes glued to them. "Fine! We can talk about it… at my apartment."
He grabs Marvella's arm – careful to avoid another waist-grab – and starts dragging her through the crowd. "Excuse me, coming through! Nothing to see here, folks! Just a… misunderstanding!"
He shoots a strained smile at a woman filming them, then picks up the pace, practically sprinting away from the wreckage of the café and the curious onlookers. He continues to drag Marvella along with him, as they make their way towards his apartment.
* * *
They arrive outside the apartment. There is peeling paint on the walls, and rust clings to the fire escape. It's a far cry from the sleek, modern buildings downtown.
"This is where you live?" Marvella asks, tilting her head.
Axl bristles. He knows the place is a dump, but it's the only thing he can afford in this city. "Yeah, so? You got a problem with it, princess?"
"Oh, no. Not at all! It's just… smaller than I imagined."
Smaller?
"It is almost the same size as some of the smaller storerooms back in my castle."
Ouch. Okay, that stings. Axl feels a wave of embarrassment wash over him. A storeroom? Is that all my place is worth? He suddenly feels like a poor commoner standing before royalty. Just how loaded is this girl? I mean, she is a princess… Still, the comment kind of stung.
Axl decides to play it cool. "Well, not everyone can live in a castle, Princess. Some of us have to slum it." He shoves his hands into his pockets and shrugs, trying to look nonchalant, even though he is dying inside. "Anyway, you coming or what? I'm not planning on standing here all day."
Axl leads Marvella up the stairwell. The scent of old cooking oil and dust hangs heavy in the air.
"Careful, the third step is a killer."
As they reach the second floor, Mrs. Tanaka, his landlady, appears at the top of the stairs. Her arms are crossed, and her expression is stern. "Axl-san," she says, her voice like gravel. "Rent is due. Again."
Axl winces. "I know, Mrs. Tanaka, I know. I'll have it by the end of the month, I promise!" And this time, I actually mean it. Those views are finally translating into some serious cash.
Mrs. Tanaka's gaze softens as she looks at Marvella, who is standing slightly behind Axl. Her stern expression melts into a warm smile. "Oh, hello there, dear. You must be visiting Axl-san." She turns back to Axl, her tone softening considerably, like she is talking to her granddaughter. "Axl-san, who is this lovely young lady?"
Axl scratches the back of his neck, trying to come up with a believable story. "Uh, this is Marvella. She's, uh, a foreigner. Just arrived in town, lost all her stuff, nowhere to stay, you know? So, she's crashing at my place for a bit." He can't tell her the truth, not without sounding completely insane. Yeah, she's a princess from another dimension, fighting dream monsters. Try explaining that to Mrs. Tanaka.
Marvella steps forward, her posture perfect. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tanaka. I am Marvella, princess of Aetheris."
Axl's eyes widen. Princess of Aetheris? Seriously? He shoots her a glare, hoping she'll drop the act, but she just smiles serenely at Mrs. Tanaka.
Mrs. Tanaka beams, completely charmed. "Oh my, a princess! What a kind and polite girl you are." She reaches out and gently pats Marvella's hand. "You remind me of my granddaughter. So sweet and well-mannered." She launches into a doting spree, "If you need anything at all, dear, anything at all, you just come and ask me, okay? Don't hesitate, I'm always here to help."
Mrs. Tanaka turns to Axl, her expression hardening. "Axl-san, you take good care of this young lady. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mrs. Tanaka, I understand! I will, I promise!"
This is getting awkward and fast.
Axl breathes a sigh of relief as they finally escape Mrs. Tanaka's watchful gaze. "Okay, that was… intense." He unlocks his apartment door and gestures for Marvella to enter. "Welcome to my humble abode. Try not to trip over anything."
The room is small and cluttered. Clothes are strewn over the chair, guitar picks litter the floor, and empty instant noodle containers stack precariously on the desk. He is embarrassed by how messy his room is.
Marvella steps inside, her violet eyes wide with curiosity. She surveys the room, taking in every detail. Axl can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she tries to make sense of his life. "Fascinating," she says, her voice filled with genuine interest. "It is quite different from the castle."
Axl leans against the doorframe, watching Marvella take it all in. "So," he says, crossing his arms, "not exactly the royal suite, huh? You not comfortable with how small this place is, princess?"
"I am not comfortable, no. But it has its own certain charm to it, I suppose… It is... cozy."
"Cozy? Right. Well, whatever floats your boat." He claps his hands together. "Alright, enough sightseeing. Find a place to sit, and let's talk about this whole 'saving your world' thing."
Axl grabs his guitar, gently placing it against the wall. Marvella glances around the room, her brow furrowing. "Where exactly am I supposed to sit? I do not see any chairs."
"Floor's open. Make yourself at home."
Marvella blinks, clearly taken aback by his casual suggestion. A flicker of surprise crosses her face—a princess sitting on the floor? The culture shock is real. But, with a sigh and a graceful movement, she lowers herself to the floor, sitting across from Axl.
"Alright, Princess. Start from the top. No more vague pronouncements about saving your kingdom. Lay it all out for me. Origins, Dream Eaters, the whole shebang."
Marvella nods, taking a deep breath. "Very well. It all began in Aetheris…" She launches into her story, and Axl has to admit, she's a pretty good storyteller. She speaks with a regal air, but there's also a genuine vulnerability in her voice that tugs at something inside him.
"Aetheris was once a peaceful kingdom, ruled by my parents, King Orion and Queen Seraphina. Our race is Somnari. Our people possess inherited traits that allow us to perform magical feats by manipulating the energy within our bodies, called Elysium."
Magic? Axl thinks, trying to keep a straight face. Okay, this is getting wilder by the minute.
Marvella continues, "Elysium is similar to Dreamflow, but Dreamflow is… purer. Everything in Aetheris was peaceful, until the Dream Eaters appeared and attacked our people. They were led by… Nocturne."
The name hangs in the air, heavy with dread. Axl can see the pain in Marvella's eyes as she speaks of this Nocturne character.
"The Dream Eaters were too powerful. Aetheris could not defend itself for long. My father gathered the greatest minds of the kingdom to create a solution. They created the Astra Coins and the Stellar Braces."
"So, that's where these things came from," Axl murmurs, glancing at the Coin in his pocket and the Brace in his hand. He remembers the power he felt when he first used it.
Marvella nods. "Unfortunately, the Dream Eaters advanced too quickly. We couldn't use the Astra Coins and Stellar Braces in time. My parents made a decision. They sent me to this world with the Astra Coins and Stellar Braces. To prevent Nocturne from taking them and to give Aetheris hope to defeat the Dream Eaters."
Axl feels a chill crawl up his spine as Marvella finishes her story. It's a lot to take in—dimensions, magic, dream-eating monsters. He's still not sure he believes all of it, but he can't deny the look in her eyes. She's terrified.
"So, who is this Nocturne guy?" Axl asks, trying to sound casual, but a knot of unease is forming in his stomach.
Marvella shakes her head. "I do not know, truly. He appeared suddenly, bringing with him the Dream Eaters."
She looks at him, her eyes pleading. "That is why I need your help, Axl. I need to save my kingdom."
Axl is quiet for a long moment, processing everything. Damn. That's... a lot. He scratches the back of his neck.
Marvella stares at him, awaiting his response.
He shakes his head. "Alright, so, what's the deal with this Dreamflow thing? You said I need it to use the Coin, right?"
Marvella nods. "Yes. In order to use the Astra Coin, you need to have large amounts of Dreamflow. It is the energy exuded by people with strong dreams and desires."
Axl pauses, thinking about his burning ambition to become a rockstar. "Wait a minute… So, that's why I can use it? Because I'm obsessed with my music?"
"It is possible that the Astra Coins respond to strong desires."
Axl recalls when Marvella tried to use the Coin earlier. He furrows his brow. "But then why didn't it work for you? You seem pretty dedicated to saving your kingdom."
Marvella's face falls. "I… I do not know," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps… perhaps I am not dedicated enough to my mission."
"What is your mission, anyway?
Marvella lifts her chin, her gaze resolute. "To take back my kingdom and stop the Dream Eaters. To restore peace to Aetheris."
Axl nods slowly. "Alright, I get it. Big dreams, big responsibilities. But let's be real, princess, that's your dream, not mine. I appreciate the story, I really do. But I've got my own problems to take care of. Aetheris is your problem, not mine."
"But—"
"Look, I'm not saying I don't feel bad for you. But I'm not some knight in shining armor. I'm a musician, not a hero."
Marvella's shoulders slump, and she looks defeated. "I understand… I cannot force you to help me."
Axl can't help but notice her dejected expression. Damn it, why do I feel so guilty?
He sighs. "Look, I know you're probably stuck here. You have no place to go, right? You can crash here for a bit, until you figure things out. But don't expect me to join your little war. I've got gigs to play, songs to write, and a rockstar career to build."
"Really? You would let me stay here?"
"Yeah, whatever. Just don't touch my guitar, and try to keep the place clean, alright?"
Marvella nods, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Axl. I appreciate it more than you know."
Axl turns away, avoiding her gaze. He can't shake the feeling that he's making a mistake. But he can't bring himself to care about another dimension. He has more important things to worry about, like getting his music career off the ground. Right?