Waking up in cold sweat and gasping for air, Elyas woke up from the same dream that had been hunting him every night.
A bit later, he got up from the couch and stretched, chasing the remnants of sleep away.
Afterwards, he walked upstairs to get ready. 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 housemates recent absent mindedness and dark circles under his eyes, made his struggle obvious.
After washing his face with cold water from the crude, 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 are in the city of fog… or what remains of it.
Most of what he wears is shared with Noah. It felt weird wearing another man's clothes. Other than the size difference and their different fashion sense, it just felt wrong.
But he couldn't do anything about it, for now atleast. And he wasn't complaining that much. Noah's clothes although a bit tight and small for him, were still comfortable. On top of that, the former captains 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 him a week ago was especially comfortable.
He 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 coat.
Despite it's warm, comfortable embrace, every time Elyas wore it, he couldn't help but think about its price…
Stepping onto the bright sunlight escaping through the hanging clothes and onto the the snow covered cobble street, he turned the corner and ventured into a dark alley.
As usual, people and 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 reached the main East Street.
From where he stood, If one looked left, they could see the suns shining brightly. Both on the Protectors patrolling the high walls and the East gate they guarded.
From the wall, houses slowly transitioned from hovels with crude exteriors to more clean, obviously newly renovated buildings.
Snow melted on their roofs, dripping down and creating puddles. 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. He opened and closed portals one after another, teleporting people to their destination. The rest, just walked on foot.
Away from the moving crowd, standing near the houses and the few shops, Mothers and fathers were talking to their kids.
"The town is like a meadow, the streets and alleys it's rivers. Houses and shops are it's many hills. You should know where you're going if you want to live in the meadow. Got that sweety? " A father told their child. It was a common saying.
The man wasn't alone, hundreds of parents did the same thing, they were just not present here.
They taught the children the layout of the city. It was as necessary and important as knowing how to start a fire.
Of course, There are even more who had 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 city's before the apocalypse. So, when it happened, people who survived lived near or on the streets.
Because of that, they would be living by their laws, and territories, even in the end of the world, people weren't free from the malefactors.
For their own survival, people became incredibley adept at recognising 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. Where most of Mistwood's shops and facilities resided.
Currently, Elyas was climbing the marble stairs of The biggest D.E.B in Mistwood.
He was looking at its massive wooden door, and the golden emblem above it. Etched into the marble with golden lines, were a few trees and three droopy circles.
After a bit of hesitation, he opened the door and stepped inside.
…
He was tempted to open a window to the void immediately or hide in the bathroom. But he didn't. Due to a few "Accidents" he had been warned not use his Wish inside of the D.E.B…
Atleast, not till everyone becomes a Dreamer. Till then, all he can do id rush to class using only a bit of his tremendous speed… he didn't want another "Accident" to happen.
Who knows, Hanan might ban him from using his legs.
Five days ago, when Elyas was especially tired, he choose to give up on hiding and just rest. But that didn't go… as planned.
As soon as someone found him, sleeping on a far back bench in the cafeteria, Elyas faced his biggest nightmare… children.
Michael was a 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 intitled, 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 soon as they got hold of the tired, half sleep man, they didn't let go. Everywhere he went, atleast a dozen would follow behind, like ducklings to their mother.
Everywhere he went, a 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 facilities walls.
The worst part about the whole day wasn't the never ending questions, or loud annoying children. Or even the amount of explaining he had to give to Hanan…It was the fact 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.
Sorunding him, and his comically small desk, were dozens of children. All being uncharacteristicly quiet. They were doing nothing, but stare at him with their usual, unshakable curiousity.
'Why didn't I Wish to be some light novels main character? I would have had some kind of stealth ability…'
Sorunded 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. Everyone including Elyas flinched. But Elyas's face became especially pale after seeing the person standing in the doorway.
It was Julius.
"Class. Today Mr Anik won't be joining us, sadly. due to his sudden illness." He paused, coughing a few times before adding.
"Instead, I'll be in charge of your theoretical class for today." After finishing his brief speech, he glanced around. A dark, ominous grin appeared on his face as he found Elyas.
'...I don't have a good feeling about this'