I started telling them everything.
I decided not to hide a single detail.
Word for word… I had to say it all.
I took a deep breath, as if those heavy dreams were still swirling inside my mind, and began.
— It's like this… — I said slowly, — every night… ever since we came to Mirage… I've been having the same dream.
Lucas and Mirei looked at me in silence.
— You disappear… both of you… and I'm left alone… and I see the exact same palace that stands in the center of this country…
My voice slightly trembled.
— At first, it was just screaming… then words were added… "Help me"… and slowly… with every dream… it continues…
My hands shook a little.
— When I reach the end… — I whispered, — emotions hit me… like I'm… dying…
Lucas pressed his hand against his forehead.Mirei's eyes sharpened slightly.
— My chest tightens… — I continued, — and then suddenly… a white light appears… and I hear your voices…
I gave a faint smile.
— You come… lift me up… and I wake up…
Silence filled the room.
— But there's one sentence I never forget… — I added quietly, — that girl says…"Help me… the king here is deceiving everyone… he's neither a monster nor a human… be careful…"
Mirei suddenly exhaled sharply.
— Zeus… — she said seriously, — this isn't just a dream.
I froze.
— What?…
— It's impossible, — she continued, — to see the same dream this many times… especially in this world.
Lucas looked confused.
Mirei went on:
— Dreams are extremely rare here… I've never had one… Lucas rarely does… but you…
Her eyes locked onto mine.
— You see them every single night.
A cold feeling ran through my body.
— And that's… not normal.
Lucas nervously asked:
— Is that… good or bad?
Mirei answered immediately:
— Very bad.
The tension in the room thickened.
— People would be afraid… — she added.
Then she suddenly gestured to Lucas.
— Come here.
— Huh? Why? — Lucas asked.
— I'll tell you quietly.
Lucas stepped closer.
I just stood there… watching them.
They started whispering.
I couldn't hear anything.
But something felt wrong.
(Whispered conversation)
Mirei (quietly):— Don't let it slip to Zeus… it's worse for him…
Lucas:— What?
Mirei:— His soul… has both colors…
Lucas's eyes widened.
— That means… — Mirei continued, — he's like a demon's child… not literally… but—
— If you're a demon's child — your soul is black.— If you're human and kind — it's white.— But his…
Pause.
— It's both.
Lucas stayed silent.
— So… — he muttered, — what do we do?
— Just… — Mirei sighed, — make sure he doesn't lose control… or he'll lose himself.
— I'll try… — Lucas replied quietly.
I watched them.
— Alright… I'm going to sleep… — I said.
— Yeah, go ahead… — Lucas replied.
But something didn't sit right.
What were they talking about?..Is something wrong?..
I shook my head.
— Hope everything's fine…
I lay down.
— School again tomorrow… — I muttered, — I'm already tired…
I even chuckled a little.
— And that Spider Boy… he's so weird…
He really was.
He never studied.
But in practice — he was always at the top.
— He'll be a good member for the team… — I whispered.
Slowly, my eyes closed.
The Dream… Again…
Darkness.
The same darkness.
— I'm seriously tired of this… — I muttered, even inside the dream.
But suddenly…
Something changed.
— Wait…
Gluttony.
It was standing there.
— What is it doing here?!
I tried to move.
I couldn't.
My arms… my legs… wouldn't respond.
— What's happening…
I looked down.
My hands…
They were black.
— What the hell…
Then again—
That voice.
— Help me!! Help me!!
— That girl again…
A light appeared.
But…
No one came.
— No…
The light was fading.
— I can't get out…
— I can't move on my own…
— Help me!!
She screamed again.
This time… closer.
And suddenly—
Everything changed.
The Palace
A golden hall.
Soft, glowing light.
And her…
She stood before me.
Golden hair.
Delicate fingers.
Beautiful, gentle eyes.
My heart stopped for a moment.
She walked toward me.
Leaned closer.
And whispered softly:
— Remember this… this isn't only happening in your mind…— Help me… please…— Get me out of here…— Become my prince…
My heart started racing.
— What?..
She continued:
— In exactly one month… a tournament will begin…— Whoever wins… will take me away…
My breath tightened.
— Get stronger… and help me…— And warn everyone you love…— No one but you should participate…
Her voice trembled slightly.
— Otherwise… you might have to hurt them…
I froze.
— Your name… — I asked quietly, — what is your name?..
She smiled faintly.
— You'll find out… in one month…
Awakening
My eyes snapped open.
Breathing heavily.
My head hurt.
But…
My heart…
told me one thing.
I can't stop now.
I clenched my fist.
— I have to get stronger…
I whispered.
— No matter what happens…
The first sunlight entered through the window.
A new day had begun.
But now…
everything had changed.