Three men in red cloaks and worn masks bearing a triangular emblem entered a room filled with darkness.
One of them held a suitcase with the same triangular emblem as on their masks.
— The ritual ingredients are ready.
— The artifact is ready as well.
— Excellent. Since everything is prepared, we can begin the ritual.
«These dreams again… And this one feels way too real. Once or twice would be fine, but I've lost count by now… When was the last time I had a normal dream? Each one's stranger than the last. I think I'm losing my mind…» Lein thought, observing their so-called "ritual."
One of them began drawing a red circle on the floor with strange inscriptions.
Another opened the suitcase and took out an unremarkable mirror.
The third, meanwhile, wrote something on a piece of paper quickly and neatly, in beautiful handwriting.
— The ritual circle is ready.
— The artifact is in good condition.
— Good. I've finished the connection as well.
«What are they even doing?»
They placed the mirror in the ritual circle and simultaneously lit five candles around it.
Then something strange happened: the candles suddenly began to glow with blue flames, which grew brighter and brighter with each passing moment.
«I'll admit… dreams like this aren't that bad to watch. But… some popcorn would be nice.»
— H-hey! Eddie, what's going on!? Didn't you say it would be different!?
— I don't know! It wasn't supposed to be like this! Something's wrong!
The flames from the candles grew so large that the room could no longer contain them.
— R-run! — one of them shouted, trying to escape.
— Idiot! Stop right now! You mustn't interrupt the ritual under any circumstances! Otherwise, you'll break the pact, and we're all doomed!
But he no longer heard and opened the door to the room.
The candle flames vanished as suddenly as they had appeared.
But…
Beyond the door was nothing.
Only darkness and a suffocating aura.
— N-no… we're doomed…
Something in the darkness stirred and slipped past the three so fast they didn't even notice.
That "something" or "someone" entered the mirror in the ritual circle.
«What kind of nightmare is this…»
Then, unexpectedly, the mirror cracked, drawing the three men's attention.
None of them wanted to check what was happening there.
The one who tried to escape was the first to glimpse his reflection, shattered into pieces.
His eyes widened—and at that very moment, the mirror exploded into fragments.
After several minutes of silence, one of them finally spoke.
— Looks like… we're safe?
— No… the passage is still closed…
— …
— Zack? You okay?
— … [Zack… is no more. There's only his… body. His… hands. His… limbs. Hee-hee-hee.]
As soon as the other two heard his words, their heads suddenly exploded into fountains of blood and flesh.
Zack—or rather, what had taken over his body—suddenly looked up, directly at Lein.
— [What is… this?..] he muttered.
At that instant, it felt like a thousand needles pierced Lein's head.
His breath caught, each inhale and exhale growing heavier and heavier.
His heart pounded as if it was about to tear out of his chest.
Heat rushed to his head, while a cold sweat drenched his body.
Lein felt like he was burning in a cold flame hotter than real fire.
It was as if… he died.
Died in his dream.
— A-a-a!..
He gasped sharply and jerked upright on his bed, breathing heavily.
Sticky sweat trickled down his temples, his shirt clung to his back. His chest heaved as if he'd run for miles.
Lein greedily drank in each breath, unwilling to let them go.
His heart was pounding so loud and hard it seemed ready to leap out of his chest.
— Ha… ha-a… Damn it… that dream again…
He clutched his chest tightly.
— That was… too much.
His eyes darted around the room, checking if anything seemed strange. But everything was as usual. Everything, except for the maddening feeling that something was still watching him even now.
— Lein! — someone called.
— Calm down… It's just another dream… There's no such thing as gods…
— Brother! — the voice called again.
He turned toward the sound.
— …Elisa?
Standing before him was a girl with beautiful features, golden hair, and silvery eyes.
«My noisy little sister…»
— Who else were you expecting? — she huffed. — Have you seen yourself? You're drenched in sweat. Did you forget? They're announcing the exam results today! Come on, big brother, get up! — she tugged on his hand.
— Fine, fine, I'm getting up. Just… had a nightmare.
— Who cares! There's no time for dreams right now! Brother, you need to dress nicely and be ready!
Lein smirked and patted her head.
— I was the one who took the exam. So why are you more nervous than me? And by the way, ready for what? You know I'm always ready.
Elisa gave him a strange look.
— Even for a date? — she asked suddenly.
— Of cour… Wait. What? What date?
Elisa proudly lifted her chin and said seriously:
— You're already nineteen, and you still don't have a girlfriend. So I decided to introduce you to my best friend.
— …Unbelievable. And how old is she?
Elisa shrugged.
— Same age as me. Why?
— Why?! You're only fifteen! — Lein grabbed her cheeks and started pulling them as if punishing her.
— B-but… age isn't the most important thing… — she mumbled unclearly.
— Uh-huh. Age is just a number. And prison is just a room for a few years. That's enough, get out. I'll change and come down.
Elisa shot him an offended look and left, slamming the door loudly.
— Teenage years… yeah. I just hope Rain won't be like that. Boys are way more dangerous than girls, especially at that age, — he muttered.
Lein stretched, yawning and loosening his muscles. He walked over to the mirrored wardrobe and took out a white shirt and black trousers.
— Hm… ties are uncomfortable. And why even bother? I'll just check the results and come back.
After changing, he glanced in the mirror. Black hair, black eyes, sharp facial features.
— Handsome as always.
He dabbed a bit of perfume on his wrists and left the room.
The wardrobe mirror remained empty. Empty… for just a moment.
In the reflection, Lein was still standing.
Only his eyes were white, and inside them danced… white flames.
He smiled.
And disappeared from the mirror.
Lein descended the wooden stairs and, upon entering the living room, was greeted by the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food. The kitchen and living room weren't separated by a wall, so he simply greeted them:
— Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad.
Three people sat at the rectangular table.
At the corner sat his father, Ed, with gray hair and gray eyes. He smiled upon seeing his son.
On his lap sat a boy with golden hair and black eyes—his little brother Rain, who had turned seven just a few days ago.
To the right sat a sulking Elisa, who turned away from Lein the moment he entered.
And at the stove stood their mother, Louise, preparing a light breakfast for everyone.
The smell of fried sausage and eggs filled the air.
Louise was still beautiful, even in her forties. Her golden hair shone in the morning light, and her black eyes radiated maternal warmth.
And yet age spared no one—gray strands had already begun to appear.
Yes. This was Lein's treasure. Something he would protect with his life.
These faces, these smiles… Everyone in this room meant more to him than himself.
«And yet… today's dream still won't leave me alone…» he sighed.
«Alright, I'll have to visit that fortune-teller.»
Lein sat at the other end of the table, quietly waiting for his breakfast.
«There won't be much else to do today anyway.»