I wake up gasping like I've just surfaced from drowning. My sheets are soaked through with cold sweat, clinging to my skin in a way that's deeply unpleasant.
That wasn't a normal nightmare. I've had plenty of those: the classic walking-around-naked, the getting chased by dogs, even the occasional zombie apocalypse. But this was different. Everything about it felt real. The cold of that silent forest. The metallic smell of blood. The warmth of that golden light at the end.
I sit up slowly. Okay. Deep breath. Let's think about this logically.
What was that? Was it a premonition? Some kind of warning about the future? My mind races through the possibilities. That dead landscape, was I seeing what could happen if I fail? Is the system some kind of cosmic prevention measure against... whatever that was?
And those creatures. That deer-thing and the massive Lovecraftian horror in Empyrean Heights. Am I supposed to fight those someday? Because let me tell you, I am wildly unqualified for that kind of responsibility.
Then there's the field. The image of Mom, Selene, Bianca, and Luna standing there, too still, facing away. I shake my head aggressively, trying to physically dislodge the memory.
Nope. It's not happening. Whatever that was, I won't let it happen.
But it's the final part that's really sticking with me. That golden field, the hundreds of humanoid lights, and that voice.
"Oh, my precious children."
Children. Plural.
My brain makes a connection so obvious I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it immediately. A shiver runs through me.
The meteor shower. That night I made my wish. I'd been so focused on the light that hit me that I hadn't really thought about it, but... there had been multiple lights. Dozens of them, streaking across the sky.
I might not be the only one with a system.
The thought sits in my stomach like a rock. Are there other people out there with stat screens and quest logs? Are they also getting ominous combat training quests? Are some of them already further along than me? Are some of them... not good people?
I slap my cheeks with both hands, hard enough that it stings.
"Okay, enough," I mutter out loud. "Spiral time is over. We're done spiraling."
Thinking about it more won't help. I don't have enough information. All I'm doing is freaking myself out. What I need is to focus on what I can control.
That's when I notice the translucent blue notifications hovering at the edge of my vision.
Your Willpower has increased by 2
Your Intelligence has increased by 1
Despite everything, I feel a little thrill of satisfaction. Stat increases are always nice. Though getting them from a nightmare is a new one. I guess facing cosmic horrors is great for increasing Willpower.
There's another notification below the stat increases.
Quest Log Updated
I open my quest log with a thought, and there it is, sitting at the bottom of my available quests.
(Preparation I) Unarmed Combat Training - Learn how to use your body - [??? Evolution Points]
I tap on it to see the full details.
(Preparation I) Unarmed Combat Training
Description:Throughout history, warriors learned to fight with their fists before they ever picked up a sword. Why? Because before you can master a weapon, you need to master yourself. Your body is your foundation, everything else builds from there. Plus, martial arts training builds discipline, confidence, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.It's time to learn the fundamentals of combat!
Quest Details:
Train in any unarmed combat discipline for 14 days
Quest Progress:
Days Trained: 0/14
Quest Rewards:
??? Evolution Points (Determined by training intensity and consistency)
??? (Additional rewards determined upon quest completion)
I stare at the notification for a long moment.
This is ominous as hell. This is like when you're playing a horror game and suddenly the tutorial teaches you how to hide in lockers or sprint. You know something bad is coming when the game starts preparing you for it.
I close the quest log and just sit there in my sweat-soaked sheets, processing.
I check my digital clock. 5:00 AM, a full hour before my usual wake-up time. There's no way I'm getting back to sleep after that nightmare, so I might as well start my day early.
Recently, I've gotten more comfortable working out while naked. It's actually kind of liberating, no fabric getting in the way, no sweat-soaked clothes clinging to me afterward. And after all the awkward situations I've found myself in with my family, modesty feels like a lost cause anyway.
I strip out of my soaked t-shirt and pajama pants, tossing them in my laundry hamper. The cool air feels good against my skin.
Then I drop to the floor and start my morning workout routine with crunches.
By the time I finish, I'm pleasantly exhausted and significantly less focused on nightmare imagery.
I head to the shower, letting the hot water wash away the dried sweat and lingering unease. Steam fills the bathroom, and I just stand there for a while, letting the heat seep into my muscles.
When I finally emerge, I go through my morning routine on autopilot: skincare, getting dressed, heading downstairs to make breakfast.
Mom's already in the kitchen when I get there. "Adam?" She turns from the coffee maker, and her green eyes immediately fill with concern. "Are you feeling alright sweetheart? You look pale."
"I'm fine, Mom," I say.
She sets down her coffee mug and walks over, reaching up to feel my forehead.
"You don't have a fever," she says softly, her hand gentle against my skin. "But I can tell when something's bothering you. What's wrong, honey?"
"Just a bad dream. It's really nothing."
She studies my face for a long moment, then sighs and kisses the top of my head. "Alright. But I'm always here if you need me, okay?"
"I know, Mom. Thank you."
She gives me one more concerned look before sitting down at the dining table with her coffee.
School is... weird.
Not the environment, that's normal. But everyone keeps looking at me funny. Like I'm radiating "something is wrong" vibes that I can't quite suppress.
My sisters looked incredibly concerned while escorting me to my classes.
Luna looked really worried during computer science class and lunch, and she kept asking if I was okay.
In fifth period, even Theo notices something's off. "Dude, you good?"
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Oh." He rubs his neck. "No reason, it's just that… you didn't nag at me about paying attention in class today. You look like something's on your mind."
"Don't worry, I'm fine," I tell him, and he drops the subject, though he keeps glancing at me like I might suddenly combust.
The rest of my classes pass by in a blur.
By the time I get to computer science club, I'm so lost in my own head that I barely register Luna's soft greeting when I sit down next to her.
"...Adam?" Luna's voice is even softer than usual.
I look over. She's peering at me from behind her purple hair, those big violet eyes full of worry.
"Hey, Luna. What's up?"
"Are you... okay...?" She fidgets with the sleeve of her oversized purple hoodie. "You seem... different today..."
"Yeah, I'm good. Just eager to finish my side project." I try to give her a reassuring smile.
She doesn't look convinced. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly reaches out and places her hand on top of my head, gentle and careful.
"You can... tell me... if something is bothering you..." she says quietly. "I'm... here to listen..."
Something in my chest loosens. Just a bit.
"Thanks, Luna." I let out a breath. "I had a nightmare last night. A really bad one. Some people that are really important to me had gotten hurt, and it just... it's been messing with me all day."
"Oh..." Luna starts, and I see a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks. She looks down shyly. "Was I… a part of your dream?"
God, Luna's adorable. Even in the middle of my existential crisis, I can appreciate how cute that question is.
I can't help but chuckle. "Yes, Luna. You were. And you're really important to me." I reach up and pat her head, feeling the silky texture of her purple hair. "I don't want anything to happen to you."
Her smile is radiant despite her obvious embarrassment. She averts her eyes, but I can see she's pleased. "You're really… important to me… too…"
"Thanks, Luna." I give her head one more pat before pulling my hand back. "Oh right, and just a heads up, I'll be asking Eva to teach me how to fight."
Luna tilts her head, confusion written across her delicate features. "Huh?"
A few hours later, we pack up and head out together.
And there, waiting at the entrance, standing with perfect professional posture, is Eva.
We wave. She gives us a small nod.
Alright. Here goes nothing.
"Hey, Eva!" I call out as we approach. "Could you teach me how to fight?"
"No," she says without hesitation, her expression not changing at all.
Well. That's about what I expected.