Chapter 4

I woke up with a start, the warmth of the hot spring still lingering on my skin. I sat up, feeling disoriented and confused. This wasn't where I had fallen asleep, was it? I looked around and realized I was in a completely different place. The surroundings were hazy, and everything seemed to be made out of light.

It was hot here, hotter than anything I had ever experienced before. I tried to wipe the sweat from my forehead but quickly realized I couldn't, I was made of void, after all. I tried to focus on my surroundings, to make sense of where I was. But the heat was overwhelming, making it difficult to think clearly.

Then, I remembered my mission, to find a way to defeat the Radiance. I had to avoid her at all costs, I wasn't strong enough to face her yet. But what happens in the dream world stays in the dream world, I reminded myself.

I scanned the area, looking for any signs of her. But all I could see were platforms strung about at different heights. They seemed to lead in a random direction, and I had no idea where they went.

I decided to take a chance and started jumping from one platform to another. The heat was making me feel sluggish, but I pushed through it, curious to where this may lead.

Finally, I stumbled across a big platform with the shining bright dream nail right at its center. My brain halted for a moment in disbelief. Was it really that easy? I waited for a moment, looking for any signs of the Radiance or traps. But there was nothing.

I approached the Dream Nail cautiously, feeling a sense of excitement building inside me. This was something that I had never thought I'd have so early. I grasped the dream nail and held it up, the blade shining a bright light full of oranges, reds, and pinks.

As I stood there in the memory, I saw the Radiance in all her glory. She stood tall and proud, with a regal air about her that demanded respect. Her body was bathed in a bright white light that seemed to emanate from within her, and her wings were tucked tightly against her back, giving her the appearance of a beautiful cloak.

I couldn't help but be mesmerized by her beauty, even as I felt a deep sense of unease in the pit of my stomach. Her features were delicate and refined, and her hair cascaded down her back in a shining waterfall of light. The white fluff on her neck was so soft and inviting that I felt an inexplicable urge to touch it, even though I knew it was impossible.

As I watched, the Radiance moved gracefully around the room, her movements fluid and effortless. Her eyes were bright and full of life, but there was something else there too, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was as if there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

Despite my confusion and unease, I couldn't look away from her. I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, unable to resist her powerful allure. As she approached the center of the room, I saw her reach out and grasp something in her hand. It was the Dream Nail, condensed into a handle, and she handed it to one of the moths that surrounded her.

The moth grasped the handle with reverence, and as they did, the Dream Nail lit up in their hand. They held it up, their face filled with awe and wonder, and I could feel the energy emanating from the nail. I held up my own Dream Nail, mirroring the motions of the moth in the memory, and suddenly the world around me flashed white.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the hot spring, my heart racing and my mind reeling from what I had just witnessed. The memory had been so vivid and real that I could still feel the Radiance's presence all around me. I reached for my Dream Nail, relieved to find it still there, and took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

I couldn't believe it, I had managed to acquire the dream nail so early in my journey. It was a powerful tool, one that could help me find a way to defeat the Radiance. But for now, I just needed to rest, to recover from the intense heat of the dream world.

I closed my eyes and let myself sink back into the hot spring, dozing off once again, In a dreamless slumber..

The Radiance seethed with anger and frustration as she realized the Dream Nail was missing. How could someone have stolen the only weapon capable of defeating her? She had just returned from a meeting with her brother, the Nightmare King Grimm, and now this. It was as if the universe was conspiring against her.

Her wings flared out in a burst of light as she let out a roar of fury. How dare anyone challenge her divine power? No one could defeat her, no one could even hope to try. And yet here she was, vulnerable to the whims of some insignificant creature.

But the Radiance was not one to give up easily. She knew that the Dream Nail was useless in the hands of anyone other than herself. Only she knew how to harness its power, how to use it to its fullest potential. And so she waited, biding her time and using her influence to lure in unsuspecting dreamers.

She let the infected bugs roam freely in the dream world, hoping that they would lead her to the thief. She watched and waited, her rage simmering just beneath the surface. She would not rest until she had the Dream Nail back in her possession.

But as the hours passed the Radiance began to feel a creeping sense of doubt. What if the thief was cleverer than she thought? What if they had somehow managed to hide the Dream Nail from her, or worse, destroy it?

The mere thought of such a possibility filled her with a white hot anger. She could not bear the thought of being vulnerable, of being weak. And so she redoubled her efforts, using every trick in her arsenal to find the Dream Nail and punish the thief who dared to take it from her.

The Pale King had been preparing for this speech for days, knowing that it would be a critical moment for his rule. He had practiced in front of mirrors, rehearsed his lines, and consulted with his most trusted advisors. He knew that he needed to appear confident, strong, and unwavering.

As he walked onto the stage, the crowd hushed, waiting for him to speak. The Pale King took a deep breath and looked out at his people, trying to calm the nerves that fluttered in his chest.

"My dear citizens," he began, his voice ringing out through the great hall. "I know that many of you are confused and concerned about the child's voice that filled our palace just days ago. But I want to assure you that there is no need for alarm."

He went on to explain his theory about a curious child who had somehow wandered into the palace and discovered a magical artifact that allowed them to broadcast their voice throughout the entire building. He spoke with authority, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and rational in the face of the unknown.

As he finished his speech, the crowd murmured amongst themselves, some nodding in agreement, while others still looked uncertain. The Pale King felt a twinge of guilt for lying to his people, but he knew that he needed to maintain their trust and respect.

As the people dispersed, some shared their thoughts and opinions with each other. Some were relieved to hear that there was no danger, while others were skeptical of the Pale King's story. But for the most part, the people were willing to trust their king and follow his guidance. The Pale King felt a sense of relief and accomplishment, knowing that he had succeeded in calming the fears of his citizens, at least for the time being.