On one of the underground levels of the Academy hospital complex, in a small room that was filled with the massive rectangle of the dream pod and various pieces of medical equipment, a slender young man with curly black hair and humorous face was sleeping peacefully.
Beside him stood a young man with a tall, athletic build that was reminiscent of the Greek heroes. His crimson hair was tied back, and his eyes, matching the same vivid shade were neither cold nor piercing.
Medici remained still for a moment, letting out a quiet sigh.
He had finished his nightmare in two weeks. Luna managed it in a month. It was clear both of their nightmares had been... special.
But Amon's was something else entirely. There was no doubt about it.
Five months. That's how long he'd been trapped in the nightmare. And the fact he hadn't turned into an Abomination yet... meant he was still clearing his trial.
He took a seat, watching Amon sleep peacefully.
"It's time to wake up, bro. It's kinda lonely without you. You know I love you, right? So just…"
He looked down, intertwining his fingers with a serious, conflicted expression.
"…Gay."
Medici blinked. Then blinked again. Then froze.
Slowly, he looked up at the sleeping pod, only to see a very awake young man staring at him with an unreadable, mildly judgmental gaze.
"Amon?"
"No," the voice deadpanned. "Just your long-lost grandma's ghost. I came back to haunt you for that confession."
Medici closed his eyes, then opened them again. He looked like he was about to say something… but thought better of it. Instead, he stood up with forced dignity and acted like nothing had happened.
"It's time you woke up. We've been waiting for your grand awakening."
Amon's mouth curled into a smirk as he cracked his neck and confidently stepped out of the pod-
-only for his bones to make a horrifying crack-snap-pop noise.
"Eh?"
He immediately collapsed face-first onto the floor with a loud thud, groaning.
Medici looked down at him, stone-faced.
"I know, right? It's like when you've been sitting on the toilet too long, scrolling… and then try to stand up."
Amon pursed his lips, staring at the sterile hall. Medici pulled out a chocolate bar and began eating it while looking down at him.
Amon frowned, then asked in an innocent tone, though a glint of greed betrayed him. He didn't even like chocolate that much, but right now, he was starving.
"Ahem… My dear hotdo... Friend. You see, I haven't eaten in a long time. Would you mind sparing a piece?"
Medici blinked, glanced at the chocolate, then slowly began licking the entire thing from top to bottom. After that theatrical display, he sat down on the floor and nodded.
"Sure. Here. Take it."
Amon stared in silence, then muttered under his breath:
"Fuck you."
After messing with Amon, Medici finally informed the nurses that he was awake. Apparently, surviving five months in the First Nightmare was extremely rare, almost unheard of. Not that it surprised Amon.
So they decided to move him from the police station to the academy. An Awakened with a healing aspect was called in to help him recover from the numbness and stiffness that came from not moving for so long.
His situation wasn't too bad, all things considered. He still had five months before the Winter Solstice, which was great. At least he hadn't been hit with some protagonist-level nonsense where he'd wake up with only a few weeks left to prepare. The only protagonist perk he really wanted was the one Roselle had.
He wanted to see Luna, but first, he had to go through an interview with one of the Awakened at the academy, another pain in the ass.
"So, what kind of Nightmare was it?"
The middle-aged man gave a warm smile, clearly trying to make him comfortable.
Amon let out a sigh and shook his head. The man assumed he didn't want to talk about it, but Amon added,
"Well... at first, I thought some very elderly gentleman was running experiments on me and was gonna take my purity."
The man's eyes widened slightly. He gestured gently, encouraging Amon to elaborate.
Instead, Amon let a single tear slide down his cheek and turned away dramatically.
The man frowned, clearly not buying it. He sighed and shook his head.
"Just say you don't want to talk about it. You're good at acting, but my aspect ability lets me pick up on small details and read body language. Your mouth curled up just now."
Amon blinked, then recoiled slightly, hissing like a wary cat.
Shit! Spectator!
By the looks of it, the man hated his job with a passion. Instead of asking about the nightmare, he started ranting about how much of a pain Amon's generation was. Amon, who didn't exactly enjoy edgy teens with tragic backstories either, nodded in agreement.
So, the next half hour was spent trash-talking Amon's peers. Honestly, talking behind people's backs was weirdly satisfying. Eventually, the man just let him go with a tired sigh after concluding that Amon showed no signs of mental instability or trauma.
Amon was stunned… and also kind of pleased with how things turned out. Sure, the government technically had no right to interrogate Sleepers like him, but they always tried; using soft, cunning tactics to fish for information about a Sleeper's aspect and trick them into signing all kinds of contracts. A complete scam, really. But this guy? He clearly couldn't care less.
"Goodbye, Mr. Jacob. It was pleasant knowing you. If I'm not eaten by some eldritch abomination, I'll see you again."
Jacob nodded, pulled a bottle of whiskey from his bag, and took a swig while waving him off.
"Take care, kiddo. I'll cook up some bullshit so the higher-ups are satisfied. You can go now."
Eventually, Amon found himself in the cafeteria, where other Sleepers were gathered. His Superior Observation quickly picked out Medici sitting at the back. Amon was instantly reminded of his school days, those backseats were practically his territory.
But just as he took a step forward, he was stopped by a warm and very unexpected hug.
Tight.
Painfully tight.
He winced. Not again...
Before he could process what was happening, he was being lifted off the ground like a stuffed toy by a girl.
"Luna!" he hissed in a whisper. My reputation, girl! You're ruining my image!
Soon enough, Amon found himself seated with his friends, sharing a meal. They ate with enthusiasm, perhaps too much of it and for a moment, things almost felt normal again.
Medici had changed a lot. His hair was now a deep crimson, matching his equally intense eyes. He'd grown taller, more muscular too. Always athletic, sure, but now he looked like a proper warrior. Someone who could punch a hole through a wall just to get to the last dumpling.
Then Amon glanced at Luna and froze.
She caught his look immediately and frowned, tilting her head with suspicion.
"What?"
"Mamma mia..." he whispered under his breath.
Luna was no longer the skinny, malnourished girl from before. Now she was… stunning. More beautiful than anyone he'd ever seen, honestly. Her snow-white hair flowed down her shoulders like silk, and her crystalline blue eyes shimmered like the ocean. The contrast between her dark skin and pale hair made her look almost otherworldly, exotic and glamorous.
Meanwhile, Amon... well, he hadn't changed that much. Just slightly better looking than before. A little taller maybe. A little sharper around the edges.
Life's struggle, huh? he mused with a shrug. Eh, still doesn't matter.
After all...
No matter how beautiful a man or woman is... They will eventually turn into a skeleton.
Isn't that right, Goat Yuan?
After calming his wounded ego with a few comforting delusions, Amon glanced at his friends and whispered,
"Let's meet in a few hours. We've got a lot to talk about."
They nodded and went right back to eating like nothing in the world could bother them.
Some time later, Amon finally made it back to his room. And there it was... his dear bed.
And sheee's... Back!
Hell yeah.
After months of sleeping in the uncomfortable wilderness, throwing himself onto the mattress felt like a divine experience. He didn't even try to hide how ecstatic he was. This was luxury. This was bliss.
But his blissful experience was cut short by the sound of knocking. It quickly turned rough and violent until the door cracked open, and Luna stepped in.
Amon stared at her with an expressionless face. She returned the look with the same blank stare. They stood like that for a few seconds, completely still until Luna suddenly jumped onto the bed and kicked him off.
Amon's territory was now occupied.
Brutal...
"Ahem... My dear lady, don't you wish to-"
"No."
"Understood."
But at that very moment, Medici walked into the room… and froze.
His eyes landed on the scene in front of him: Luna was lying on the bed, propped up on one elbow, while Amon was sprawled between her legs on the floor, dazed and mildly defeated.
Medici's brain stuttered.
Wait.
Wait...
Wait.
Wait a damn second!
Were they… together?!
Amon had mentioned they knew each other in real life… but this? This was a different level. Sus... Ultra Sus...
Amon and Luna both blinked, confused.
Medici blinked back, horrified.
He was conflicted. His bro... had ascended. He's graduated from boyhood, leveled up in life and unlocked the ultimate achievement: girlfriend.
And not just any girlfriend but Luna, who was basically a demoness in high heels. How? HOW?!
Amon looked like someone you'd forget was in the party even if he sat next to you.
And yet here he was. Living the dream. Between her legs.
Medici's soul cracked.
And here he was, Medici: tall, athletic, perfection personified... yet single, a proud holder of the "virginity trophy," a tragic hero of forever alone...
Luna tilted her head, studying him with mild curiosity. His expression was… complicated, hesitant and conflicted as well.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
Does he think we fought? she wondered. Is that why he's staring? Trying to figure out whose side to take?
Meanwhile, Medici's face twisted into bitter disbelief: How could you, Amon? You were supposed to be the chosen one! The one who would lead, not the one who steals all the good loot. You've betrayed us all!
A few minutes later...
Medici was sitting awkwardly, staring at the window in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Amon and Luna acted like everything was normal. Amon glanced at Luna, his expression serious, though his mouth curled up slightly.
For how long do we have to do this?
Luna shrugged, leaning back and massaging her neck.
Let him think whatever he wants. I think we have a new source of entertainment.
Amon sighed, shaking his head. Well... Luna was evil. Both of them knew what kind of stupidity was going on in their friend's mind, but they chose to remain silent and let the misunderstanding spiral out of control.
Yeah... that guy was an idiot.