The Novelite's Journey

A lead

 Two and Three look at One's face of determination. They could tell One was serious about what they just said. However, there was one problem. Two looks One in the eye, "Aren't we, you know, dead? I don't think you can sacrifice someone who is already gone." One looks surprised then looks at Three. Three is looking away while seemingly holding back a laugh. Two pats One on the shoulder, "Sorry One. I know you said that with conviction, but pretty sure that's not an option. Also, Shiori wouldn't do that anyway, sure it wouldn't work regardless." One turns their back embarrassed. They were 100% serious with what they said, but they also didn't think about the very high chances that what they suggested wasn't possible.

One coughs into their hand in an attempt to continue the conversation, "So, any ideas as to what to do?" Two and Three consider messing with One a bit more but decide that they have been embarrassed enough for one day. Three thinks for a moment, "Maybe speaking with Four will help. They obviously been dealing with this longer. They have more information they we do." Two looks at Three annoyed, "Yeah. Maybe they could also tell us why they didn't say anything sooner. Would've been real nice to know we could talk to Shiori." One turns to Two, "From what we've heard, neither of them seem to understand how any of this is possible in the first place. Also would any of us really have believed them anyway? I certainly thought at first that I was just dreaming when they were talking in, whatever that place is." Two looks down and thinks, "Fine. I'll admit that I probably wouldn't have believed them, but I'm still annoyed." One pats their head, "Fair enough." Two shakes off their hand and One just laughs. Three looks on, "If you two are done, I assume this means we agree to talk to Four about this?" One and Two look at Three and nod, then the three of them make their way to Four's room.

(Four's Room)

"I'm completely out of ideas. Shiori is exhausting herself and we aren't any closer to getting an answer. We don't even know how any of this works in the first place. Not to mention it feels like me and Shiori aren't alone in that dream world. Hopefully it's not something bad. Maybe the other novelites are there, but then again why can't I see them? Maybe they think it's a dream like I did." While you were thinking about this you hear people approaching your room. You see One, Two and Three and it seems they have something to say. "What's up everyone?" One steps forward, "It's about the dreams. We've been having dreams where we see you and Shiori talking. At first none of us thought much of it, until we found out that the three of us having been having the same dream. Then after that we were all in the same room watching you two talk." You jump off your bed, "All of you?" Two nods, "Yeah. This is real right? It's not some weird combined dream of something right?" You look at Two, "It's real. It's the actually Shiori. At first I thought it was a dream to. Had to convince her it wasn't a dream which took some effort." That was when Three started talking, "We figured since you and Shiori aren't any closer to coming up with an answer, you two could use some extra brain power." You smile at them. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything about what was going on." One: "Don't worry about it. We thought about and realized we most likely wouldn't have believed you or think you went crazy." You laugh, "When did you all start having them dreams?" One thought for a second, "The earliest I remember is you laughing at Shiori when she forgot about the bookmark." Two: "Same for me. Only saw you and Shiori." Three: "That's how it was for me as well." Four: "When was it that you actually saw it each other in the dream world?" The rest of the novelites think about it for a moment and then it was Three who spoke, "I believe it was after we randomly starting talking about our dreams. The night we told each other was when we started seeing you and Shiori talking to each in that dream world." You think to yourself then you speak out, "So once you all became aware of the dream, your place in the dream got stronger. But how did you guys get into the dream world in the first place?" One: "Well, how did it start for you? Was it exactly the same?" You think back to try remember how it began. "I started seeing Shiori's daily then eventually we went to the dream world. Shiori also said she saw our daily life here as well." Three: "Do you know which came first? You seeing Shiori's daily life or Shiori seeing ours?" You try to think about and realized you don't know. Neither of you brought up when it started. Three: "Finding out the order might help us figure everything out and maybe that will lead to an answer." Two: "Yeah, it's not much but at least we have something to think about while Shiori buries herself in those forbidden tombs." One: "It's almost the time you go to sleep right? Make sure to ask Shiori. Also try to get her to rest." You nod and get ready to go to sleep to speak with Shiori.

(Dream World)

After a while, you see Shiori and noticed that she looks even more exhausted. She manages to give you a small smile but then she quickly looks down upset. Shiori: "I haven't found anything useful. I'm sorry." Seeing Shiori in that state hurts you. She's been trying so hard to find some clue to bring us back without giving anything up. You pat her head, "Shiori, I need to ask you something. When did you start seeing our daily life with your dreams?" Shiori looks at you confused, "I don't remember. Is that important?" You nod at her, "The others can enter the dream world. They are probably here right now, we just can't see them. But they can see and hear us. At first they saw us talking individually, but now they can see us here in some random room. We figured there's a pattern to this. Finding out might help." Shiori looks at the area around her, "Hello everyone. I can't see you, but I'm glad you can hear me." Shiori looks like she's about to cry and you pat her head again. Shiori: "Ok, I'll think back. Give me a minute." Shiori closes her eyes and thinks. After a few minutes she opens them, "It started a few days after you faded away, while I was practicing for Hololive." You: What were you thinking about at the time?" Shiori: I was thinking about you and how lonely I felt. Then I started having those dreams of all of you." You: "That was before I started having the dreams. For me it took a few weeks. So you wanted to see us so you started having dreams about us in the other manor. Shiori each time a novelite faded what did you think about?" Shiori: I kept thinking that I hoped that you all were somewhere you can have fun. That you didn't fade away to nothing." Shiori tears up a bit and you give her a hug. You: So every time you wanted something to happen regarding us, it happened, and then it started spreading like how the others can see and hear talking when at first it was just me. Let me guess, during those dreams you started thinking that it be nice to talk to me again." Shiori: "Yeah. I guess all I have to do is think really hard and it happens. But then why has it worked yet?" You: Maybe it has to be specific thoughts. You thought we couldn't come back until you found the right forbidden book so nothing happened. Shiori: "Well, at least we have a theory. Now we have to try it out. I'll start when we wake up." Shiori gets up and the world begins to shake, and then you grab her arm. You: "Wait. Your body gets rest even while you are here. You've been cutting our talks short to do research, which means you haven't been sleeping. Sit, talk and rest." Shiori laughs, "That last part didn't really but I get it. Let's talk while I rest." You laugh and have a talk with Shiori. Hopefully the other will be able to as well. Now that you have a lead, that day may come soon.