The figure in the silver mask stood motionless beneath the pale dreamlights.
"You're new here."
The statement was calm. Curious.
Not hostile.
But Elias could feel the attention of several nearby dream travelers shifting toward them.
This place—whatever it was—clearly operated on quiet observation.
Elias studied the stranger for a moment.
Their body was slightly distorted, as if their physical form in the waking world differed from what he was seeing here.
Which meant they were projecting themselves through the dream realm.
Just like him.
Interesting.
Elias answered simply.
"Perhaps."
The masked stranger tilted their head slightly.
"That is not the answer I expected."
"Then perhaps you asked the wrong question."
For a moment, the silver mask remained silent.
Then the stranger chuckled softly.
"You're careful. That's good."
They stepped closer.
Around them the strange dream market stretched across floating platforms of glowing memory threads.
Buildings formed from condensed thought stood in clusters.
Some looked like taverns.
Others resembled libraries.
Occultists walked through the drifting streets quietly, conducting business that existed nowhere in the waking world.
"Most people who arrive here for the first time are either confused… or terrified," the silver mask said.
"You seem neither."
Elias glanced around the market calmly.
"I prefer observation before reaction."
"Wise."
The stranger folded their arms behind their back.
"Then allow me to offer you some information."
"I'm listening."
"This place is called the Dream Market."
"Yes, I gathered that."
"It exists in the Sea of Dreams… beyond the reach of most ordinary occultists."
The silver mask gestured toward the floating structures.
"People gather here for three purposes."
"Trade."
"Information."
"And secrets."
Elias smiled faintly.
"Secrets are the most valuable currency."
The stranger nodded.
"Exactly."
They studied Elias carefully.
"So tell me…"
"How did you reach this place?"
Elias shrugged slightly.
"Luck."
"Luck?"
"Yes."
The silver mask laughed quietly.
"Luck rarely brings someone this deep into the dream sea."
Their voice lowered slightly.
"Especially someone who carries the scent of an Old God."
Elias's eyes sharpened.
But outwardly his expression remained calm.
"You're perceptive."
"Occupational requirement."
"What occupation is that?"
The stranger tilted their head slightly.
"A watcher."
Interesting.
The term immediately reminded Elias of the organization he had encountered at the auction.
The Silent Observers.
But he did not mention it.
Instead he simply nodded.
"Then you must spend a great deal of time studying others."
"Of course."
The silver mask gestured toward a nearby building formed from shimmering glass-like thought.
"Walk with me."
Elias followed without hesitation.
The structure they entered resembled a small tavern.
But instead of wood and stone, the walls were made of flowing dream energy.
Several masked figures sat around floating tables, quietly exchanging items.
Elias noticed strange objects placed on the tables.
Crystals.
Runic coins.
Fragments of memories sealed inside glowing spheres.
"Dream artifacts," the silver mask explained.
"Objects created directly from dream energy."
"Useful for certain rituals."
Elias studied them with interest.
"So this market allows trading between dream travelers."
"Yes."
"And information?"
"Even more valuable."
They sat at a small table.
The silver mask leaned forward slightly.
"You carry the aura of The Lucid One."
The words were spoken casually.
But the meaning behind them was enormous.
Elias tapped the table lightly.
"And if I do?"
"Then you're either extremely lucky… or extremely dangerous."
"Which do you prefer?"
The stranger chuckled.
"Both."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then the silver mask continued.
"You're not the first person connected to the Lucid One to appear here."
Elias's interest sharpened slightly.
"Oh?"
"There have been others."
"Followers?"
"Something like that."
"Where are they now?"
The silver mask shrugged.
"Most disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"Dream travel is dangerous."
Their voice lowered slightly.
"There are things in the dream sea that even powerful occultists avoid."
Elias remembered the enormous presence he had sensed earlier.
The vast eyes hidden behind violet clouds.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"I noticed."
The silver mask studied him again.
"You've already seen something, haven't you?"
"Perhaps."
Another pause.
Then the stranger leaned back in their chair.
"Let me offer you some advice."
"I enjoy advice."
"Do not travel too far into the deeper dream layers."
"Why?"
"Because some entities in this realm do not distinguish between dreams and reality."
"And if they notice you…"
"They may follow you back."
Elias smiled faintly.
"That would be inconvenient."
"Extremely."
A moment later the stranger reached into their cloak.
They placed a small object on the table.
A coin made of pale blue crystal.
"Dream currency."
"For trading here."
Elias examined the coin carefully.
"And you're giving this to me?"
"Consider it a welcome gift."
"Why?"
"Because I suspect we may encounter each other again."
The silver mask stood.
"But for now…"
"Our conversation ends here."
Elias remained seated.
"One last question."
The stranger paused.
"Yes?"
"What should I call you?"
The masked figure considered the question for a moment.
Then they answered.
"You may call me… Lorian."
The name sounded strange.
Perhaps not their real one.
But Elias accepted it.
"And you?" Lorian asked.
"What should I call you?"
Elias leaned back slightly.
His mind moved quickly.
Names had power.
True names even more so.
Giving his real identity here would be foolish.
But refusing entirely would raise suspicion.
So he chose something simple.
A concept.
A mask.
"You may call me…"
"The Sleeper."
Lorian repeated the name quietly.
"The Sleeper."
Then they laughed softly.
"Fitting."
Without another word, the masked figure turned and walked away into the drifting streets of the dream market.
Elias watched them disappear into the glowing crowd.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He stood and began exploring the market on his own.
Several traders approached him cautiously.
Some offered dream artifacts.
Others attempted to sell information.
Elias listened carefully.
He learned many things.
Hidden organizations operating in the waking world.
Occult hunters tracking dangerous entities.
Rumors of ancient artifacts resurfacing after centuries.
But one piece of information caught his attention more than the rest.
A trader whispered quietly,
"The Veiled Church is searching for something."
Elias pretended mild curiosity.
"Oh?"
"They believe a relic connected to the Lucid One has awakened."
Elias's expression did not change.
"Do they know where?"
"No."
"But they are searching everywhere."
That confirmed his suspicions.
The cult was already hunting for the Veiled Eye.
Eventually their search would lead them to the Vale Estate.
Elias nodded politely and moved on.
The dream market continued drifting slowly through the Sea of Dreams.
But Elias felt something changing.
The dream threads around him were beginning to weaken.
The Dream Anchor Ring glowed faintly.
A warning.
His connection to the waking world was pulling him back.
Elias took one final look across the market.
Dozens of occultists trading secrets within a realm hidden from ordinary reality.
A fascinating place.
And a valuable one.
Then the dream sea began dissolving.
The floating structures faded.
The star-filled ocean vanished.
And Elias woke suddenly in the library of the Vale Estate.
Morning light filtered through the tall windows.
He sat up slowly.
The Dream Anchor Ring rested on his finger.
Warm.
Stable.
Elias smiled faintly.
"So that's the dream market."
A hidden gathering of dream travelers.
A place where secrets could be bought and sold.
And now he had access to it.
Which meant Elias Vale had just gained something extremely valuable.
A network.
He stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the quiet countryside stretched beneath the rising sun.
But Elias's thoughts were already far away.
Because somewhere within the dream sea—
The Lucid One had noticed him.
And now others had as well.
The game of shadows had only just begun.