I suddenly woke from the dream, only to find myself still standing amidst the swirling dream mist.
Before I could activate my divinity, I had fallen under Sloth's authority Laziness. My mind had grown unnaturally calm, making it easier for his influence to take hold. The Crimson Moon only amplified his power.
Sloth, who had opened a rift to escape this domain, suddenly paused and turned back as if sensing something was wrong.
"You! How did you break free? You don't yet possess the divinity or authority to shatter our seal!"
Before I could respond, a deafening roar echoed across the heavens. The massive shadow that had covered the moon turning it crimson split open, spilling dark blue blood across the sky.
The entire world shook violently.
The sky began to weep, not rain, but blood and with it came an eerie, ancient melody.
From behind Earth's shadow, the source of the Crimson Moon revealed itself
The Devourer, Son of the Creator. An ancient entity once sealed away.
The protective barrier around Slumber Pit Village shattered as if it were glass. The world trembled, as though it were witnessing the end of days.
Sloth murmured to himself in alarm.
"The Devourer… He shouldn't be waking yet. Not according to prophecy. Something's gone wrong."
He stopped mid-sentence and glanced toward the unconscious golden-haired girl.
Then, he whispered slowly and clearly
"A variable."
A bitter smile twisted his face.
"You're lucky. I couldn't kill your brother but I can still corrupt him."
"Anyway, take care of my vessel. I'll come back for him when the time is right."
And with that, Sloth vanished from the realm.
The Devourer screamed in pain for reasons unknown, and the blood rain continued to pour. The blue moon glowed cold and bright amidst the chaos.
"Brother North! Brother North!"
From a distance, I heard Alexander calling. Towering above the rest, he was easy to spot.
He rushed toward me, the army quickly surrounding the area with tense vigilance.
"Brother! Why is there so much blood beneath your eyes?"
"Are you hurt?"
His voice was filled with concern.
I frowned. I remembered crying in the dream, but blood?
I touched my cheek and felt the warm, sticky sensation. It was real.
Still, I spoke in a calm and collected tone.
"Sloth attacked, He seemed unstable and His motives were scattered and unclear."
"I'm not certain what his true goal was but let's discuss everything in the war room."
The soldiers straightened, holding their breath, then bowed as one.
"Yes, our Eternal Lord!"
"Brother North, do you see that thing hanging near the moon?"
Alexander asked anxiously.
"Yes. But don't look at it too long,"I warned.
"That being is the Devourer son of the Creator. Born from absolute nothingness."
"The Creator made him to maintain balance, to devour unnecessary or harmful concepts that threatened the world. In ancient texts, he was once described as a gentle god. But everything changed when he began devouring stars and moons."
"Living creatures are poisonous to him, but the energy of celestial bodies the stars, the moons, the lifeless cosmos was his favorite feast."
"When the Creator was busy crafting other gods, goddesses, and worlds, the Devourer consumed the Moon of Madness an ancient vessel that held the insanity of entire creations: worlds, galaxies, universes, multiverses, dimensions, and timelines."
"That moment drove him to the brink of madness. To save him, the Creator his father and mother scattered that madness among all living beings, making it an inseparable part of life itself."
"Now, whenever the Devourer's madness reaches a peak, he attempts to devour the moon again. But the moon, infused with that madness, formed a defensive field. When the two clash, the moon turns red what we call the Crimson Moon."
"The Devourer sleeps most of the time, only awakening every thousand years. Once awake, he tries to devour the moon at least 29 times before falling asleep again. This period is called the Month of the Struggling Moon."
"During this month, the Nightmare Realms* open, and mortals are advised to remain indoors after sunset madness becomes more contagious under the crimson light."
"Thankfully, our divine affinity with ice grants us some protection."
I sighed.
"You should really read more, Brother. This is basic knowledge not everything can be learned through brute strength."*
Alexander gave a sheepish smile before kneeling with reverence.
"Lord, please give us your command."
The other soldiers followed suit, kneeling behind him.
"First, take the rescued hostages to a secure location. Provide them with food, shelter, and medicine."
"Bring the golden-haired girl to the palace and if she has any family, bring them as well."
"As for the fallen, make sure their families get to say their final goodbyes before we hold the funerals. Give them dignity."
I paused for a moment before continuing.
"Alexander… come with me. We need to find Ra—Raka."
His name caught in my throat as memories threatened to surface.
Even Alexander noticed the hesitation but didn't question it. Without wasting time, we split into two teams one to handle the rescued people, the other to search for Raka.