(editting) Minecraft's 7 Deadly Sins

57: Dream World

Having everything explained by Jason that Sloth meant no harm, the group quieted down after being awakened.

"You didn't have to put us to sleep." Ian complained. "Even if this was a faster way, Jason could have gotten injured."

"Don't worry. I was aiming for Invidia." Sloth answered. "I was afraid I was going to have to kill him..." He laughed and received Envy's cold glares in response.

"You better not pull something like that again." Seto folded his arms. "Let's see this Artifact..."

"Azure Hymn." Upon saying the name, Jason's Artifact materialized on his hand and he presented it to everyone.

"It looks like a normal accessory to me..." Quentin commented.

"Azure Hymn can control water." Sloth explained. "Not only that, it enhances one's ability to heal and recover."

"That's nice and all but if it controls water, what happens if there's no water sources?" Seto asked, scowling. "You don't mean to tell me we have to be near water..."

"Don't worry, Azure Hymn also possesses its own water source." Sloth grinned. "Although that can run out if it's being used continuously..."

"Sloth... how do you know all of these?" Jason asked him, puzzled.

"I.. um... I have done research..." He replied, not very convincingly as Envy and Seto glanced at Sloth suspiciously.

Jerome sets down a wooden box, huffing. "Since we're going to be in the Mirror Realm for some time, it's a good idea to bring food and water with us." He opens it, revealing bags along with iron swords and smaller blades. "And weapons too."

"Do normal weapons even work against Sins?" Quentin questioned, picking up a sword.

"I'd rather have a weapon than no weapon at all." Jerome grinned. "Let's hurry and get those Artifacts!"

"I'll open up a ripple while you Virtues gather up your items." Envy held out his hand, generating a ripple.

As everyone prepared to enter the Mirror Realm, Sloth approached Jason, leaning down to his ear. "Only as a last resort, use your blood." He whispered.

Jason looked at Sloth, confused. "W-what?"

The Sin only nodded in response before walking away.

Use my blood? Jason thought. What is that supposed to mean...?

Envy watched as everyone entered the ripple one by one before going in as the last person, closing it behind him.

With all of them in the Mirror Realm, the two newcomers looked at their surroundings.

It looks pretty similar to where we were..." Jerome muttered.

"I-is that supposed to be our home?!" Quentin exclaimed, pointing towards the ruins.

"Yeah, it was destroyed some time ago." Sloth replied. He pulled down the side of his sleeping mask to cover both of his eyes. "Since we're here, I'll get started right away."

"You're not actually going to sleep, right?" Ian asked.

"I have access to another world, a world that Invidia cannot open." Sloth said.

"Another world?" Envy asked, confused. "You're not making any sense..."

"Sorcerer... have you ever researched dreams?" Sloth questioned.

"Dreams?" Seto frowned. "A bit... what about dreams?"

"Surely you have heard something about a Dream World."

Seto nodded. "It's a world that you create while you're dreaming... but apparently it gets reset every time a new dream forms."

"That's true. But in my case..." Sloth grinned. "My Dream World borderlines reality. Even I don't fully understand how it works."

"Hold on... then when you said you'll be sleeping..." Jason muttered. "You will enter that Dream World?"

"That's right!"

"Hold on... that's... just your dreams right?" Jerome asked. "How can you find an Artifact there?"

"That's true... Is there something else to the Dream World?" Sky asked.

"I told you already. My Dream World borderlines reality. " Sloth sighed. "However... during this state, I'll be the most vulnerable."

"I can't see what's going on out here if I'm inside my world." Sloth explained. "If something's happening, I want you guys to hurt me."

"H-hurt?" Quentin repeated. "Like a pinch?"

"Something painful enough to take me from my world."

"Huh?!"

Ian frowned as he couldn't help to feel that Sloth was deliberately leaving out information.

"I'll be starting now." Sloth said. It became silent as everyone watched him. It took a minute or two before his shoulders slouched and his head tilted to the side.

"He... he's sleeping standing up?" Sky whispered.

"I guess we have to protect him like this." Seto said, folding arms. "I'm still not sure how he would get the Artifacts like this..."

Everyone sat down and watched him. Sloth made small movements there but his position had not changed.

Envy watched Sloth carefully, noting how his presence had completely disappeared. It was almost as if he wasn't even here.

It was his first time hearing about the Dream World. From what he can tell, to enter it, you have to enter it mentally. However.... Acedia says his borderlines reality... Envy frowned as he examined Sloth more. Is that really all it is?

After a couple minutes, Sloth took a step forward.

"Guys! Sloth took a step!" Jason exclaimed.

To their surprise, Sloth was starting to move but it seemed like he was still asleep.

"He's sleepwalking!" Quentin pointed out. "This must be what he meant when he said he'll lead us to the Artifacts."

...

Sloth opened his eyes in his world, finding himself wearing a black and red striped shirt and a pair of black pants. He was missing his sleeping mask as well. Not only did his outfit change but his appearance as well. His hair is much darker and longer and his facial hair is gone. His ruby red eyes surveyed the area as reached to his neck, relieved as he found a blindfold.

"I haven't been in here for a while..." Sloth muttered. Having spoken out loud, he noticed that his voice changed as well.

"Hey!"

A familiar voice. Sloth didn't turn to look at who greeted him, instead he flinched. He quickly grabbed the blindfold around his neck and pulled it up to fasten around his head.

Having said this was his Dream World, it was also where his memories are. His memories made it nearly impossible to control this world of his. In other words, it's a world where he can't use his smoke or receive help from the outside.

Both his memories and dreams embodied together to form each living being that 'lives' in his Dream World. In other words, everyone that he can interact with are fakes.

Even knowing that, Sloth...

He swallowed hard as he turned around towards the source of the voice.

"I-I hear you..." He answered quietly.

He can hear her sigh. "What are you up to now?"

After a brief pause, Sloth finally spoke up again. "Can you do me a favor?" He asked.

"... A favor?"

"Take me to where the Artifacts are... Diligence."