A youthful teen brushes his fingers on his cellphone. He rests his head on the back of the chair as he uses his hand as a cushion. He holed himself up in a dark room with his phone being the sole source of light. His name is Kai.
Kai's eyes remain on the video featuring two boys singing and dancing on the stage. He wonders how he lost this stage. What did he do so wrong that the Spell took him away from this… this bright place in the video?
"I can't believe I used to think that I was losing interest in being an idol," Kai contemplates as he scrunches his brows and grits his teeth. "Turns out I was infected by the Nightmare Spell."
He could not accept how abrupt his career, or to be more precise—his life, would end. Surviving the Nightmare Spell is almost impossible for someone like him. He has seen movies and read webtoons about people chosen by the Nightmare Spell—the Awakened. Looking at himself, he doubts he can survive the trials like them. What was he gonna do? Sing the nightmare creatures to death? Dance away their attacks?
He's definitely done for. He's gonna leave behind his fans, his friends, his parents… Kai closes his eyes as he reminisces about his conversation with his father and mother.
#
"Son, remember when you started your first day at school?" Kai's dad kept his face still. His eyebrows twitch, and his lips leak a smile underneath.
The teen could not help but think that his father was holding back tears. For some reason, he felt relieved. Maybe he was fearful that his parents would not cry for him… No, he shouldn't think that way. They helped and supported him every step of the way.
"I wish you didn't remind me. It's very embarrassing… dad." Kai looked up at the lonely visage of his father. "Why are you even talking about that?"
Kai lets out a tired smile. His father did not smile back. Instead, he turned his face away. Was it shame? Fear? Sorrow? Kai's father hid his expression so well it's hard to tell.
"You were so shy back then. Even now, you still have that timidity. Afraid to make his first friend," the stoic father recalls.
He closes his eyes and pauses a bit. It was as if he wanted to go back to those times. There was a slight chuckle. "You would cry to us and tell me and your mom about your day.
"Now, look at you. You've become a popular idol… Kid, I'm sorry. I wish we could help more. Your mother and I— we were heartbroken. You chased your dream without our help and now, you're going to a Nightmare without our help. Can we even call ourselves your parents?"
The father looked at his son with drooping eyes. A stare that lingered with eyelids about to fall from worry.
A hand grasped the young man's shoulder. Kai felt the warmth on his shoulder comfort his heart, but the firmness of the touch sears the guilt he hid.
Is this what Kai's father was like before?
The teen could not remember properly. He had been… busy.
"The food is ready."
At the doorway, a woman with sleepless eyes stood. Why does she look smaller than Kai remembers? Her smile used to be so bright. His mother… used to look at him with pride, yet today she can't even glance at him.
The mother raised her head with a smile. Kai thought it looked like a bridge about to collapse. She let out a trembling upbeat voice, "I made ramen for you, sweetie!"
#
When was the last time Kai had a meal with his parents? Was it always this silent? Kai's father kept glancing to his side, where his wife sat.
Kai's mother was staring at her bowl, watching the steam dance in the air. She hesitates to open her mouth. She bites her lip. Her mouth shakes like a tremor before a collapse. Her husband watches in pain.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
Kai's voice echoes. Both parents sat with discomfort evident in their faces. Kai's mother clenched her fist. She closed her eyes and stood abruptly.
"No, sweetie. I am sorry," the mother forced each word through clenched teeth. Thoughts raced in her head. Is this how a mother should be? Making her son apologize for something he could not control. How pathetic.
She finally stares Kai in his eyes. "I… we want to spend more time with you. We miss those days before you started your idol work."
Kai's mother pauses. Her eyes dart around the floor looking for words… or courage. "I've been quiet for too long, Kai. I want my son back."
She watched her son look down. This was the same situation they had when Kai decided to pursue his dream. She regretted buckling down. Oh, how sweet her boy was. Shame! Shame on her for not fighting to keep him.
"I shouldn't have just let you go that time! Even if you did go, we should have still come to you. Oh, I regret it. Why? Why didn't I chase you? Why didn't we go to you instead? I am such a weak mother! So, Kai, please, let us stay with you this time.
"We'll do anything. I'll do anything. We'll buy however many stimulants. We'll get you to the best hospitals. Please! Please…" Kai's mother chokes back tears, yet she continues. "…stay with us, my son."
She could not hold back her sorrow. She sobs. Her hands clench her arms. She buckles. Hair falls like a curtain, accompanied by a rain of tears. It reminds Kai of his peers who did not make the cut to become an idol.
Kai's father consoles his wife. He takes time to look at her, probably thinking about what to say.
…
He closes his eyes as if decided.
"Son, I know— we know we can't stop the Nightmare Spell. Your mother and I are just hurting. We regret not being with you all these times. Let's spend the whole day tomorrow together."
#
Kai chuckles at the memory. He loses his smile for a second, then it turns into a wide grin. His parents love him. It was regretful that he had to spend the rest of his time training for his Nightmare.
Kai stood up. He wore a face ready for battle. The time has come for him to face his Nightmare.
He opened his pod. He took one last look at the room's door. A Master is guarding the other side. Beyond that are his parents, manager, team, and Gale. He asked them to leave him alone before letting himself succumb to the Nightmare Spell. He doesn't want others to see him be so… miserable.
With hands clenched and hope burning in his heart, Kai fell into slumber.
Everything became black.
And then, in the darkness, a familiar voice rang:
[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your First Trial…]