The moonlight poured through the open windows, silvering the walls of the little house.
Jiwoon had drifted into sleep between the warmth of two hearts.
But peace never lasted long for someone like him.
A Dream Unlike Any Other
He stood at the edge of a burning city — not the Arena, not the real world, but something in-between.
Sin floated in the air like pollen.
A voice called out from the shadows:
"You live in a dream built by sin, Jiwoon.
But what happens when the dream forgets you?"
He turned — and saw himself.
Or something that looked like him.
Cloaked in ash. Eyes glowing. A twisted version of his godly form.
"You are fragmenting," it said.
"Too much sin. Too many hearts pulling you in different directions."
System Error – Lucid Disturbance Detected
Warning: Dreamspace corrupted by external entity
Stability: 17%
Jiwoon raised his hand to strike — but the clone moved faster.
Chains of black flame wrapped around his arms, dragging him to his knees.
"Choose," the voice hissed.
"Power… or people."
"You can't have both."
Back in the Real World – Midnight
Jiwoon shot up from the bed, drenched in sweat.
Vera stirred beside him. "Jiwoon? What is it?"
Kaelya blinked awake as well. "Another nightmare?"
Jiwoon didn't answer immediately. His breath came in sharp gasps.
"I saw myself," he finally said.
"But it wasn't me. It was… what I'll become if I don't stop this."
A Moment of Warmth
Vera moved closer, taking his hand. "Then we won't let it happen."
Kaelya sat up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll keep you grounded."
The night pressed in from outside, but inside… Jiwoon was no longer alone.
"Whatever's waiting in this Arena…"
"We'll face it together."