The moon above the Mind Palace blazed like a silver eye, watching over the war-scarred ramparts. Fires had long been doused, walls rebuilt, and the banners replaced—though some still bore the marks of recent battle, left intentionally as warning and pride.
At the peak of the central spire stood Kaen, flanked by his Vizier Mora and Knight-Commander Renzu.
Below, the air shimmered with anticipation.
The Summit of Seven Dreams was about to begin.
Kaen held out his hand.
"Open the Dream Gates."
⸻
🌀 Seven Rulers, Seven Kingdoms
One by one, they arrived—each a ruler in their own right, their Nen unique, dangerous, and wildly imaginative:
1. Elaine the Spiral Empress – Sovereign of the Whorl Continent
Her aura spun like a cyclone, able to twist and condense time in microbursts, allowing her to perceive moments faster than they happen.
"I heard you broke a Phantom Hunter's mind in half. Delightful."
2. Yorro of the Unfolding Steppe – Beastlord of the Great Plains
A Nen user who communicates directly with aura spirits of extinct animals, conjuring massive wild spirits with elemental attacks.
"Your Dream Kingdom interests me. As long as we stay wild."
3. Mirun, Architect of the Infinite Bridge – Ruler of the Floating Archipelago
His nen built platforms and bridges in midair, conjuring and linking places no one else could walk between.
"All roads must eventually lead somewhere, King Kaen. Perhaps to you."
4. Queen Ilene of the Drowned Garden – The Siren Sovereign
She lived in an undersea palace and could manipulate sound and memory, casting illusions that rewrite your life history with her song.
"A King who dreams? Hm. I want to see what your lullabies taste like."
5. Kaldev, Warden of the Iron Cloud – Fortress King
An Enhancer who transformed his entire body into sentient armor. Immovable. Silent. Unbroken.
"…"
(His silence was legendary. Renzu claimed he once stood still for 9 years in meditation.)
6. Vaeli, Mistress of the 100 Masks – Nomad Queen
A Manipulator who could wear the face, voice, and aura thread of anyone she studied—even mimicking their Hatsu to a limited extent.
"I've never worn a King's face. Maybe you'll let me try."
7. Kaen, Lord of the Mind Palace
"You are all rulers. And I offer no chains.
But the world changes, and change devours the isolated.
Together, we form the Dream Alliance.
Alone, we are targets.
Together, we become the gravity that bends the Hunter World itself."
⸻
🧠 The 8th Point Awakens – Dream Law
As Kaen spoke, his crown shimmered again—unexpectedly.
A new eighth jewel ignited, hovering above the original seven.
It pulsed violet. A deep hum echoed within the throne chamber.
Mora gasped.
"An unbound point… a law-writing node. Kaen, this could give you the ability to shape the rules of Nen in your domain."
Kaen closed his eyes. He could feel it.
It was like touching the dream of the world itself.
The Eighth Point: Edict
A Hatsu node that allows Kaen to declare a temporary rule of aura in his space—overriding certain Nen laws for all within.
He looked at the others.
"I can set dream-laws. Not just fight by force.
Reality itself shall yield before the will of kings."
⸻
🔥 A Fracture in the Dream
Before the summit could toast the alliance, the sky cracked with red lightning. A scroll descended from a conjured rift, inscribed in crude, aggressive symbols.
Mora caught it. His hand trembled.
"It's from the Succession War.
Kakin Princess Theta requests an audience…
But this—"
He turned the scroll.
It was sealed with Spider Web ink.
The Phantom Troupe had embedded itself in the Kakin war.
Elaine narrowed her eyes.
"They're inviting us into the lion's den."
Yorro bared his teeth.
"Perfect. I've always wanted to bite a lion."
Kaen's aura flared.
"The throne of Kakin is their trap.
But we… we walk with our own kingdom on our backs."
⸻
🌍 The Next Move
Kaen turned to the seven.
"I will answer Theta.
And I will walk into the fire.
But I will not walk alone."
Each ruler considered him for one heartbeat longer than necessary.
Then—one by one—they nodded.
"We shall test the fire with our dreams," said Queen Ilene.
"And if it breaks, we rebuild stronger," said Mirun.
"Together," Kaldev signed silently with armored fingers.
⸻
👑 Epilogue – The Dream March
As night turned to dawn, the seven rulers stood atop the Dream Bastion, their combined auras forming a beacon that pierced the horizon.
The Dream Alliance had been born.
And their first destination?
The Succession War.
Kakin.
Spider-infested.
Poisoned with secrets.
And now… soon to be stormed by Kaen and his court.
⸻
🕷️ Next Chapter – Chapter 45: The Throne and the Spider