The Dreamer: The Book of Godspells

CHAPTER THIRTY

It wasn't all the Dreamers, not like the constellation ball, but enough of them gathered around to spectate the battle. Most were Shades, their faces twisted with deceitful excitement. They assembled around the Pillars, and one among them, the man who seemed to be orchestrating everything, caught my eye. Somehow, he felt familiar, though I couldn't place how. The Royals permitted me to stay, even insisted I watch, but they assigned a Boygle to stand next to me. Fear of the Boygle paled in comparison to what Colik warned me about, leaving me even more anxious about what was to come.

As the Royals and the Shades formed their positions, the tension in the air was palpable. Colik seemed terrified, while Blaze exuded unsettling certainty.

"Whatever happens, do not react. Got it?" Lulu whispered next to me, positioned opposite the Boygle. I nodded silently, my gaze fixed on the Shades. Though there wasn't a direct confrontation between them and me, it felt like there was. As the Royals and the Shades formed their positions, the tension in the air was palpable. Colik seemed terrified, while Blaze exuded unsettling certainty. Lulu's whispered warning urged me to remain passive, despite the mounting unease that gripped me.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, each Dreamer representing their guild—Cryos, Routs, Scirges, and Emers—all poised for what was to come. This was no ordinary battle. It felt like the calm before a storm, the REM dream tower pulsating with an eerie energy.

The two Royal brothers stood facing each other, dressed in similar gear but with distinct colors. I just now realized that they were both wearing gear that looked ready to be in battle. How had I not noticed that before?

Colik hesitated visibly as Blaze demanded they choose their weapon. With trembling hands, Colik selected the swar, and as they touched the bow-like handle, the string wrapped around their wrists. They were were, like they had planned this. They had planned something that I knew nothing about, nor was meant to it seemed. My blood started boiling at the thought. They were about to be in some battle, and all I could do was watch.

"A swar," Lulu whispered next to me, apparently sensing my anger. I had heard that name before, in the Broken Woods.

"What is it?" I asked, the taste of Colik's kiss still fresh on my lips, adding to my unease.

"The sword of sworn ties—two shall tie up, only one to cut the tie," Lulu explained gravely.

"And if your tie is cut?" I questioned, fearing the answer.

"So does your tie with this world," Lulu whispered, confirming my worst fears.

"Why are they doing this?" I panicked, but Lulu's gaze turned fiery.

"You," she stated ominously. Before I could comprehend, Blaze turned to address the Shades, and was met with deafening silence.

Finally, the mysterious man stepped forward, his rhetoric heartless. Blaze's anger was palpable, and the tension between him and Blaze sent shivers down my spine. What choice did Blaze have, and how was I involved?

"This is the day we see the true intentions of the Citadel, of the Royals, those who run the dreamworld," the man declared, inciting cheers from the Shades. Blazes nodded then his gaze shifted to Lulu, conveying a silent message I couldn't decipher. Without a word to the mysterious man, Blaze turned back to face Colik, placed his swar in front of his face diagonally, and waited for Colik to do the same. It was time.

The man's voice cut through the tense air, his words dripping with malice.

"Today, the truth will be revealed. Today, the false facade of the Citadel will crumble, and the dreamworld will be free from their tyranny."