Smoke and Wishes

What exactly is going on here?

How is he doing this?

This dream world seems to act similar to a Soul Eclipse, but the feeling is nowhere near as oppressing as Charlotte’s was. In a soul eclipse, the caster’s soul overwrites the laws of the planet and gains control over anything in a limited area. Lucius seems to have control of the surroundings but he probably can’t change the state that the target is in.

For example, if I’m standing on the ground then Lucius can’t make me be falling from the sky. There needs to be some form of logic that causes me to change state.

However, this is just a hypothesis. It’s possible that Lucius just doesn’t have complete control over this dream world and has certain restrictions.

In a Soul Eclipse, the caster has the ability to instantly kill any living thing inside their domain if that being isn’t using any countermeasures. Although this clearly isn’t a Soul Eclipse, it’s possible that Lucius can have some influence directly on my soul.

I didn’t do this earlier because I didn’t even realize that this was a dream, but I guess it’s better late than never.

Adam: I am Pax. I am Adam. The dead who walks unwilling. The sinner pursued by Fate –Soul Shell

The method to countering a Soul Eclipse is to strengthen the outline of your own soul. This holds off the corruption and limits what the wielder of the Soul Eclipse can do to you (for a short period of time).

However, after using this, casting other spells becomes more draining and difficult, especially creation and manipulation spells.

More concerningly, after Samuel died, a hole appeared in my chest. My theory is that emotional or mental damage is manifested on my body in this world. I know how to heal physical damage but I didn’t think to protect against psychological damage. I’m sure that next time I’m hit with psychological damage, the hole will be bigger until eventually I die.

So did he make himself bigger and surround me with mysterious enemies to scare me and cause psychological damage to me? Is just acting scary enough to damage me?

A situation this bizarre must have come about by a relic. There probably isn’t any other way for dream magic to be this threatening.

According to Raya, house Drogo originally had 3 relics in their possession. She was never told exactly what the other two were because it’s a closely guarded secret, but it should be one from each Familia of Magic.

Because Ryuzu’s Fang represents Creation, the other two must be Manipulation and Augmentation. I’m guessing that this is some advanced form of dream manipulation.

Wait, that means I’m going up against someone who wields a relic as strong as Raya’s…

What is this pay to win bullshit?

Adam: Cycles of dawn and dusk eternal –Blood Crystallization

I drew a sword of blood from my left wrist.

Wasting time here just increases the risk of something bad happening to Raya.

I leap into the surrounding horde of enemies. The heads of the hooded figures fly with every swing of my blade but more keep emerging from the fog.

They can't harm me but I can't tell if this is doing anything. Surely it takes mana for Lucius to make these soldiers, right? I have no reference for how much it would take exactly, especially so because this is a dream world. Moreover, the relic that is helping to create this effect probably has its own source of mana, just like Ryuzu’s Fang.

On the other hand, just wielding a relic should take a lot of energy from the user. Why isn’t he doing anything else?

Lucius is simply staring down at this scene. He appears indifferent and almost bored.

Is he stalling for times or is he trying to wear me down? Maybe there is a third option?

Either way, I can’t let him get his way.

I jump high in the air and point a finger gun at his giant face

Adam: –piercing

An exaggerated hole pierces between his eyes. But seemingly completely unaffected, the giant Lucius smiles.

The fog stirs as the giant vanishes and the ground retreats beneath me.

An evil laughter comes from all around me as I begin plummeting down. But the ground isn't coming any closer. So this was his plan?

But falling from heights doesn’t scare me in the slightest anymore…

The laughter keeps getting louder and soon it begins hurting my ears and disorienting me. I cant remember which direction was originally below me.

Suddenly I'm submerged deep in an ocean of water. I see a light far in the distance but I don't know how long it would take for me to get there.

I'll drown eventually if nothing changes here. Is this water just an illusion or can I truly die here just like that? Actually, what does death even mean in this dream world?

As I ponder how to get out of this situation, an unavoidable voice comes from the darkness behind me.

Lucius: Dream deep and endlessly – Dream Bind

- - - - - - -

Grass more vibrant than that I see these days

A beautiful face whose finer features I can no longer recall

A boy’s laughter that rings hollow to the older me

This is…

This isn’t something I can go back to

This is a dream

- - - - - - -

A hole bigger than the last gouges out parts of my left arm and my side. The original hole also reappears and is larger than before.

I get it now, his only way of truly damaging me is through my psyche. Though he can kill my physical manifestation in this dream, it won't do any real damage.

Lucius: Deeper and deeper, till even the smoke no longer stirs –Heart Bind

- - - - - - -

Her face centimeters from mine

Her eyes reflecting mine

I don't ever want to leave this place

Don’t leave me either, okay?

So warm

But it's not real is it?

This is a dream

- - - - - - -

Lucius: Another failure, eh? This time will be the last.

I can get out of the dream but I can't avoid his attacks.

What can I do?

At this rate I'll die without getting to do anything for Raya.

Lucius: hit bedrock, the end of time – sunken wishes

- - - - - - -

8 sinners but one is Heretic

Stolen and hidden across worlds

The mother of sin would have her vengeance

The Heretic would find fate painful

Her child corrupted

Turning misfortune once more

Till the apostate returns to Her embrace

- - - - - - -

What is this? That is no memory of mine.

The fog is acting erratically–

- - - - - - -

In the foggy void

Thoughts… stranded

Falling… Falling…

Falling?

Drowning…

numb…

Fight…

Return!

- - - - - -

Am I back?

Who was I again?

The entire fog quakes as a thunderous voice booms, “Thou shall not gaze upon God”

- - - - - - -

Hopeless fool

Death is Life

Blood gushing from my wrists

The original sin

Pain… unbearable…

In the haze

Four flowing rings; connected

Syzygy of the Four Choirs

[Things will not end for you so easily, Apostate]

- - - - - - -

Flying?

I feel the wind assaulting my face before my eyes can adjust to the bright light.

But I could recognize the hand that holding mine without needing any of my other senses.

Even though I got out of that dream world, the battle isn't over yet.

I’ll think about what happened there later.

Adam: what's the situation over here?

Raya turns back to look at me. Over the sounds of gushing winds, I barely make out her response.

Raya: Ah, welcome back. The fog just cleared up, I'm guessing that was your doing? Kael Drogo is here but he is just watching for now. He is throwing dozens of enemies at us to try and wear us down.

Adam: Right, I'll take over for now. Sheathe your sword and regain some strength before the final encounter. Or do you think we have a chance of running?

Letting go of my hand for a moment, Raya sheathed her sword as we fell through the air.

I reached to her and brought her up into a princess carry. She initially protested but understood what I was doing and complied. We hit the ground without slowing down in the slightest.

After the dust settled, I stood with Raya in my arms. No bruises nor broken bones this time.

Raya: There is no more running for us. Even if we tried the result would be the same.

I nod as I set Raya back down and notice that we are surrounded once again.

Dozens of hooded figures wielding curved swords look down at the two of us. Some have ragged clothing and some hold broken blades. They seem hesitant to make the first move, as if they know that they will die if they get too close. Years of training to forget fear clashes against their base survival instincts.

Well, if they won’t close the distance then I’ll do it for them.