If being the "Nightmare Key" wasn't absurd enough, what happened next proved the universe's screenwriter was definitely overdosing on something.
Awakening—that word always sounds epic, like a shōnen protagonist suddenly controlling lightning, conjuring storms, and sprouting abs. My reality? More like plugging in a cheap toaster: overheating, sparks, and the constant risk of blowing up.
That night, Raven made me stay in the sanctuary for "monitoring energy fluctuations." Translation: lab rat duty. I lay on a freezing stone bed, unable to sleep. Every time I shut my eyes, whispers crawled in:—"Open the door, open the door, special discount if you act now!"
"Shut up!" I yelled into the dark. The whispers just laughed.
Then came the heat. My skin burned, black lines crawling under the surface like ants. Pain ripped through me, and the only words I managed were: "Shit—am I turning into a grilled sausage ad?"
Qi jumped up, gun aimed at me. "You gonna explode? If you do, aim at the enemy!"
"Thanks for the thought—I'll try to blow up in your face," I gritted out.
Raven, cool as a weather report: "This is the precursor to awakening. The energy is binding to your nerves. Expect hallucinations, agony, even temporary death."
"Temporary death? You wanna pitch that like a credit card deal? Do I get points?"
She ignored me, carved runes into the floor, pinning me in place.
Then the hallucinations hit.
An endless hallway. Mirrors on both sides, showing dozens of "me"s: a polished businessman, a blood-soaked killer, a drunk in shorts with a beer can.
"Great," I muttered, "so all my alternate selves are losers."
At the end, a giant cracked door, leaking black smoke. The whispers cooed again: "Turn it, you're the key."
I hesitated. It felt like a nightmare escape room where the wrong move didn't cost you cash but the whole planet.
The reflections raised their hands, pointing at the door, grinning.
"Perfect," I said. "Even I'm peer-pressuring myself into world crimes."
Reality broke through—Qi's voice shouting, "He's seizing! Hold him down!"
I jolted awake, drenched in sweat. The stone walls were cracked like something invisible had crushed them. Raven stared at me, unreadable. "You've already begun releasing energy."
On my palm, a black sigil glowed—a lock, pulsing like it breathed.
"Fantastic," I wheezed. "I've officially upgraded from agent to global landmine. Do I at least get an instruction manual?"
Qi smirked. "Congrats. Not only are you the key, you're also a tenant in your own body. One day, Nightmare might just evict you."
I wanted to snap back—but deep down, I felt it too. The energy wasn't just linking. It was claiming. My thoughts had static. My vision flickered with images that weren't mine. A shadow was climbing, ready to share my skin.
Raven's voice was iron: "From today, you must learn control. Or you'll destroy us—and yourself."
I forced a grin. "Good news: I've got a new job. Bad news: it's unpaid, no benefits, and the title is World's Part-Time Nuke."
And the whispers didn't stop. Dozens of soft hands patting my ears:
—"Awaken. We'll decide your future for you."
I shivered. Who was awakening who—me, or the nightmare?