Elyas woke up from the same bad dream. After a long minute, he got up from the couch and stretched, chasing the remnants of sleep away. Then he headed upstairs to get ready. From the open bedroom door, Elyas could tell that Noah had already left.
His recent mission required him to wake up early and stay up till midnight. Elyas didn't know the details, but his housemate's recent absent mindedness and dark circles under his eyes made his struggle obvious.
After rinsing his face with cold water from the rusty pipes, he put on some of Noah's clothes and went downstairs. For some reason, his back pain was worsening all week.
I really need to go shopping. Elyas didn't have anything besides his brown suit—which was in dire need of a wash—his pocket mirror and yellow calendar.
All his personal belongings he had hidden in the City of Fog… or what remained of them at that time at least. Most of what he wears is shared with Noah. It felt weird wearing another man's clothes. Other than the size difference and their differing taste in fashion, it just felt wrong.
But he couldn't do anything about it for now. And he wasn't complaining that much, Noah's clothes, although a bit tight fitting for him, were still comfortable. On top of that, the former captain's wardrobe wasn't that bad, if a bit bland.
Noah had given him a few sets of his usual black clothes to wear. The fur white coat he had personally gifted Elyas a few days ago was especially comfortable.
Elyas had grown to like it a lot. Although it was just a skinned Figment, the tailor was certainly a skilled one. They had managed to turn the furry abomination, whatever it was, into a stylish white overcoat.
But despite its warm, comfortable embrace, every time Elyas wore it, he couldn't help but think about its price… Seriously, how much did that idiot waste on this thing? Twenty copper? Forty nickels?
He mused the thought while stepping out of the house and onto the narrow street. Bright sunlight escaped through the hanging clothes and cascaded onto the snow covered cobble street, hurting his eyes. Elyas turned the corner and picked his usual route.
As usual, vendors were busy setting up shop. There weren't many of them as to be expected. It was hard to get the approval of a syndicate. After a while of traversing the alleys and corners, he finally reached the main east street.
From where he stood, if one looked left, they could see the suns shining brightly. They gifted their light both to the land beneath and the Defenders patrolling the high walls and the gate they guarded.
From the wall, houses slowly transitioned from hovels with crude exteriors to more clean, obviously newly renovated buildings. Snow barely melted on their roofs, a droplet only managing to fall down every minute or so. But nonetheless, they created shallow puddles wherever they landed. Stepping on one of them, Elyas glanced to the side.
Some people were flying in the sky either on artifacts or what seemed like flying toads. The rest stood near a Space Bender, giving him coins. The Bender opened and closed portals one after another, teleporting people to their destination. A few who could afford it, opted for cars that made more smoke than they moved.
Away from the crowd, standing near the houses and the few shops, mothers and fathers were conversing with their children. "The town is like a meadow, the streets and alleys its rivers, houses and shops are its many hills. You should know where you're going if you want to live in the meadow. Got that sweetie?" A father said to their child. It was a common saying.
Parents taught the children the layout of the city. It was as necessary and important as knowing how to start a fire in the wilderness.
Of course, there are even more who have to learn it on their own, or never get a chance to do so. The street based navigation was popularized by Syndicates. Elyas wasn't sure when, but apparently the officials adopted it along the way. To be fair, it made sense.
Most of the planet was covered by cities before the apocalypse. So, when it happened, people who survived lived near or on the streets.
Because of that, they would be living by the laws and territories of the gangs running them. Even at the end of the world, people weren't free from the malefactors. For their own survival, people became incredibly adept at recognizing territories, using streets as landmarks in the process. That hadn't changed ever since the First Whispers.
Following the main street only for a few minutes, Elyas finally reached the heart of the city. Elyas climbed the marble stairs of the biggest D.E.B in Mistwood. As he did, he looked up at its massive wooden door and the golden emblem above it. Etched into the marble with golden lines, a few trees and three droopy circles were drawn.
Shaking off the desire to make the same joke again, Elyas turned the handle and stepped inside.
…
He was tempted to open a window to the void or hide in the bathroom. But he couldn't. Due to a few "Accidents" he had been warned not to use his Wish inside of the D.E.B… At least, not until everyone became a Dreamer. To be fair, he didn't want another "Accident" to happen either.
Who knows, Hanan might ban him from using his legs next. Five days ago, when Elyas was especially tired, he chose to give up on hiding and just rest. As soon as someone found him sleeping on a far back bench in the cafeteria, Elyas faced his biggest nightmare… children.
Michael was an exceptional and unique case. He was smart, calm and more of a quiet kid. That last trait, Elyas especially adored. But reality was cruel… so, so cruel. Most kids and teens were entitled, loud and annoying by default. God forbid they find something to be interested in or question you about… that would be hell.
And that was what Elyas had to endure. As luck would have it, their object of interest was himself. As soon as the children got a hold of the tired, half-asleep man, they didn't let go. Everywhere he went, at least a dozen would follow behind like ducklings to their mother.
Everywhere he went, an onslaught of never ending questions or loud, meaningless noises of excitement would follow. So he used his Wish to get away… and cut open a giant hole in one of the facility's walls.
The worst part about the whole day wasn't the never ending questions or loud annoying children. It wasn't even the amount of explaining he had to give to Hanan…It was that he couldn't answer a single question.
Elyas went home that day, not only tired, but feeling exceptionally stupid. He didn't want to experience that ever again, so he did all he could to avoid a repeat.
But what he feared had come true. Currently, Elyas was reconsidering his Wish. Surrounding him and his comically small desk, were dozens of children. All being uncharacteristically quiet. All they did was nothing but watch intently. Following each of his movements with unshakable curiosity.
Why didn't I wish to be some light novel's main character? I would have had some kind of stealth ability by now… Surrounded by their unblinking, unwavering attention. All Elyas wanted to do was turn invisible. He could open a window… But he didn't want to enter the void even if he was allowed to.
If possible, he never wanted to enter that hell again.
Thankfully, the door of the classroom burst open with a loud thud, causing Everyone including Elyas to flinch. But his face became especially pale after recognizing the person standing in the doorway. It was Julius.
"Class, sadly Mr. Anik won't be joining us, today or in the following days due to his sudden illness. Instead, I'll be in charge of your theoretical class for today." After finishing his brief speech, he glanced around. A dark, ominous grin found its way on his face as he found Elyas.
...I don't have a good feeling about this.