Chapter 1: 1: Life
'God's the air here is putrid.' I thought to myself while walking through the Outskirts. This was already my third day in this rancid place, and I just couldn't adjust.
And let me tell you something, the outskirts are terrible. Everyone is gaunt and lifeless, but feral and willing to do anything to survive. The contrast is terrifying to say the least. With almost no healthcare whatsoever, the people here die young and even that is if they are lucky.
It was either be reborn here or straight up die, so I guess I made the right choice? When a... God? Maybe? offers you a second chance in place of eternal damnation; you take it. No. Questions. Asked. Capiche?
Even if a plant creature inhabits your body for thousands of years, at least you are still alive... definitely not thinking about the horrible cosmic horror inhabiting the body of Solvane.
Ya, maybe not the best call now that I think about it, but on the bright side, I am hella tired. If I am correct, the solar eclipse is in around two months, placing me about a month ahead of the start of the story. AKA; Sunny entering his first nightmare.
Deciding I couldn't last much longer, I started heading towards the nearest police station. Briefly stopping to tie my raggedy shoes and throw away my leftover synthpaste tube. Catching my reflection in the mirror, I was amazed at just how good I looked.
(Image of Mc, It's AI generated cause I got no talent as an artist sadly.)
If in my old life I was a bit above average, I could be considered an eight out of ten here. With medium-length blond hair, dark green eyes, and smooth skin, I was simply handsome. Even with my slightly emaciated visage, I knew I was a head taller than those similar in age. Turns out the old owner did well in muscling down his synthpaste tubes.
Scoffing and shaking my head, I opened the door to the police station and went straight to the nearest officer.
"Excuse me, I am reporting to the nearest government facility as demanded by the Third Special Directive to surrender myself as a carrier of the Nightmare Spell."
Rather suspicious, the officer inspected my face looking for any signs of tiredness.
"Are you sure? When did you first feel tired? And how come you seem fine?"
Scratching my cheek, I pondered the last question.
"Yes I am sure, about a week ago, and as for the third question, it may be my natural handsomeness… Right we should hurry cause I am feeling super tired."
I quipped at the end, trying to stifle the growing terror in his eyes. Turning quickly, he pressed a button on his desk and hollered into the microphone:
"CODE BLACK! THIS IS NOT A DRILL, ALL PERSONNEL TO THE FRONT. I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"
With a scramble the seemingly lackluster and boring police station was buzzing with activity.
***
The Nightmare Spell first appeared in the world a few decades ago. Back then, the planet was just starting to recover from a series of devastating natural disasters and subsequent resource wars.
At first, the emergence of a new disease that caused millions of people to complain about constant fatigue and sleepiness did not attract a lot of attention. But when they started to fall into an unnatural slumber, with no sign of waking up even days later, governments finally panicked. Of course, by then it was already too late — not that an early response could have made any difference.
When the infected started dying in their sleep, their dead bodies turning into monsters, no one was ready. Nightmare Creatures quickly overwhelmed national militaries, plunging the world into complete chaos.
No one knew what the Spell was, what powers it possessed, and how to fight it.
In the end, it was the Awakened — those who survived the first trials of the Spell and came back alive — who put a stop to its rampage. Armed with miraculous abilities earned in their Nightmares, they restored peace and created a semblance of a new order.
Of course, it was only the first of the catastrophes brought upon by the Spell.
For an average person, being chosen by the Spell was as much of a risk as an opportunity. Kids learned survival skills and fighting techniques in school, on the off chance of being infected. Well-to-do families hired private tutors to train their children in all sorts of martial arts. Those from the Awakened clans even had access to powerful legacies, wielding inherited Memories and Echoes in their first visit to the Dream Realm.
The richer your family was, the better your chances of surviving and becoming an Awakened were.
For most however, the nightmare spell was a death sentence of the highest order, with the survivors coming out scarred or not at all.
Watching the police strap me down to a chair, I found it funny the precautions they took. No amount of these mundane straps could hold a Nightmare creature for long.
"These are for our safety, in case things don't go well on your end… sorry."
The officer said noticing my gaze, but I couldn't blame him. Most spell carriers died in their first Nightmare.
Which in turn led the police to suffer heavy casualties without an Awakened or Master nearby.
"It's ok, I know the chances are low. But I wont go down easy."
With a slight grin on my face he smiled back, not many were as calm as I seemed in the face of death. But what do I care of death, I have conquered it once before.
Shaking my head to remove my chuunibyou thoughts. I looked towards the Chief of police.
"Sorry to tell you but this my limit. I wouldn't be too worried though, I have zero plans of dying before the ripe old age of seventy seven."
Seemingly startled, he watched as my head fell back and I entered the realm of dreams. Or in this case, Nightmares.
[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your First Trial…]
——
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
SadPepe
SadPepe So… this first chapter is an introduction to the main character and a slice of the original story for first time readers.
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