Conscious, Conscientious

Heat nearly numbed Phillip's foot. He'd pounced forward just in time to avoid a Dreamer beam he hadn't seen coming.

He turned to look up towards its source–but he could have sworn he'd just refueled the mirage he'd placed in that particular Dreamer's mind.

He saw through my illusion? Phillip pondered. No…

The robed warrior turned away from him and fired blasts in all directions.

He's just shooting at random.

To his side, Fewpar rushed to form a shield of blue light. He barely managed to ward off the impact of an attack he'd only caught out of the corner of his eye.

Phillip analyzed the battlefield. It wasn't just that Dreamer: most of them had begun firing without any clear target in mind.

They figured out I'm tricking their eyes, Phillip discovered. I need to restrategize, or they'll gain the upper-hand through pure force…

He counted their numbers the best he could under the pressure of rapid fire. Eight Dreamer Guards still remained; Fewpar had managed to incapacitate three.

They were fighting well, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to last.

Disambiguation won't be effective here…there are too many targets to release it on effectively, he knew. And…

His eyes found the colorless aura in the corner of the destroyed Chamber, where Layla took unyielding shelter at Kotono’s feet.

Kotono hadn't moved a single step. Phillip wasn't even sure if her haunting eyes had blinked. Her energy remained steadfast, keeping Aoi's invisible force at bay.

I can't risk hurting them, or disrupting Kotono's focus, if I fail to keep Disambiguation's threshold out of their range, he analyzed. With this many enemies, it would be harder to control.

He abandoned the idea entirely.

We'll need some other boost of power…

For now, he weakened his mirage on the enemies' eyes to add focus for new illusions: bats and giant spiders began popping in front of their vision. Not only did it continue to impede their aim, but if he controlled the technique well, it served as a false new adversary.

Most of the Dreamers began dodging and swatting through the air.

Phillip was certain to make the creatures visible to Fewpar, too: with him in the loop, they could capitalize on the shock.

His Dreamer ally caught on: taking the slightest opening, Fewpar fired beams at the closest few. One fell, while two others shook it off to regroup with the rest.

But a Dreamer that Phillip must have missed flew high up behind Fewpar, and prepared a bright ray around her body.

He had no chance to alert his ally.

A thin pink streak zoomed through the air, slower than all the other blasts, and managed to swat the Dreamer Guard's aim away just in time.

Phillip recognized the trajectory: he turned and met Layla's wide eyes.

Failing to mask her obvious diffidence with a frown, the Queen sent them a nod.

After Fewpar returned the gesture in appreciation, he dodged his way closer to Phillip.

"You've upped your fight," he noticed. "Brilliant work…but I fear we'll need…"

He sidestepped a blast and fired a counter.

"...More."

"Any hidden strategies you'd like to unveil?" Phillip probed between dodges.

Fewpar's delayed reply was barely audible. "...Just one."

"I'm listening."

But instead of simply speaking, Fewpar tilted his head towards the Great Window.

"Something quite like that."

Phillip couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it; high perceptiveness was one of his core fighting values. But it seemed he was far too preoccupied with their plight to notice the space beyond the Great Window had completely transformed.

The ocean was no longer there: instead, like a mirage, the start of a dark purple realm occupied its place. It waved subtley in the air like it was weightless. But oddly, Phillip could still hear the ocean's hushed waves and feel the deepening sunset on his skin.

He'd assumed long ago that he'd never have to learn much about Dreamers–after all, he thought their powers only existed in their sleep. So for once, he lacked any proper explanation for the looming phenomenon.

"What is it?"

Fewpar deflected another beam. "Nightmare," he said. "A secret, highly forbidden Dreamer ability. Of the few Dreamers who learn of the power, fewer survive the training it takes to master it."

So this is the princess's doing, Phillip pieced together.

The two paused to fend off an increase in the Dreamer's strikes before reconveining the best they could, their attention forcibly split.

"When a Dreamer uses Nightmare, they transform the Dream World around them into a realm formed by all of their deepest trauma. For their combatant, there's no escape until the user deactivates it. They can only summon Nightmare themselves, or dare an attempt at outlasting it," Fewpar explained over the blasts. "It provides a temporary but significant increase in power."

The attacks were gaining accuracy. Phillip paused to intensify his illusions. "Why bother explaining it all to me? If you can do it, we need that power."

A tired smile spread on Fewpar's face. He briefly eyed Zayza's Nightmare once more. "Because if a Dreamer keeps Nightmare active for too long, or uses too much of its energy," he said, "they'll trap themselves in their own hellish realm forever. Only their real bodies' eventual deaths will free them."

He managed to target and repel one more Dreamer Guard's fire.

"I'm just making you aware," he uttered, "that you may need to finish this fight alone."

Phillip contemplated their odds, but there was too much he didn't fully understand.

He shrugged. "This just sounds like something from my home Country," he said. "I'll let you weigh the risk."

"I've already decided," Fewpar said.

The shootout continued on for a moment, featuring occasional, feeble attacks from Layla.

"This is for my people," Fewpar declared. "My Nightmare realm forces my targets to experience my worst memories firsthand. Perhaps…this is the only way for my colleagues to see a glimpse of the truth."

After waiting for the slightest opening in the downpour of energy beams, Fewpar brought his fingers near his temples.

And when he pressed them lightly against his head, his eyes glowed blue.

"Nightmare."

~~~

Deeming it safe to dismiss the plain of pillows along the blackened realm, Lammy broke into a sprint.

Zayza, what are you talking about? What do you mean 'if you stop hearing my voice?' he pressed. Why would I have to leave you behind?

But Zayza's words stopped flowing into his thoughts.

Hey! I'm already not hearing your voice right now! Zayza?!

I'm here, she finally answered, stopping and reviving Lammy's heartbeat all at once. I'm sorry…please, trust me. We may run out of time. Promise me, Lammy.

He couldn't bring himself to simply accept it. If he couldn't get a hold of Zayza anymore, or if she said the word, he was supposed to just up and run? Even if he wanted to, how would he convince the others they needed to retreat? How could he tell them to give up?

How could he face them if something happened to Zayza, too?

She'd already said it herself: even now, she questioned if they could really beat Wei. And as her battle raged on just above the horizon, her tone was only growing more uncertain.

But her stern instructions seemed to indicate something deeper; a detail she was potentially keeping from Lammy.

Why?

Lammy? she repeated. Promise me.

Without the information she concealed from him, this command sounded about as unreasonable as her request to hit her on the head with a coconut all that time ago.

But as far as he could remember, Zayza had never demanded anything of him. The fact that this was the first time had to mean something.

He sighed.

Alright…I promise.

He could feel her relief within his own head.

But it felt…cold, somehow. Bittersweet.

Lonely.

It won't even come to that, Lammy swore. I'm on my way. I got split up from Deon and Skrili, but I bet they're on their way, too. We're gonna win this!

The entire sky flickered in an array of colors. The corresponding pound rattled Zayza's domain a second later, nearly deafening Lammy.

The flashing in the distance ceased for a moment.

Zayza?!

I'm…I'm alright, came her assurance. Yes. Let's fight well, teammate.

Despite her encouragement, Lammy could read her rising apprehension.

Lifting his face to the haunted sky, Lammy squeezed his eyes shut and belted with his whole self.

"LOOZOOLOOZEUX!!!"

His flying rainbow steed manifested faster than ever before. He heard its Pete-like roar far behind him.

Why did it appear so far away? he wondered.

But even as the thought formed, he heard a burst of wind.

"WHOA!"

Instantly, he was swept up in his dragon's furry claws. Loozooloozeux shifted him neatly into its saddle, and Lammy took control.

He could feel his imagining operating practically on its own. Loozooloozeux was flying more than double its normal top speed.

My Dream World powers…I'm the strongest I can be.

Glaring forward, Lammy steered Loozooloozeux straight towards the distant duel.

Wind tore at his face and cut out all sound, silencing the unbearable moans from above. His eyes watered until he imagined a quick pair of glass goggles strapped around his head. Though crude and uneven, he managed to shape them to at least remain around his eyes.

It was time to join the fight.

The storm increased in intensity as he raced towards it, but Lammy kept his steer steady.

Hiroko…Raznizu…Ryan…

Their sacrifices only had meaning if he finished the fight. He refused to let them down.

Zayza…I'm here for you.

He meant it as a personal declaration, but he realized Zayza heard him when she sent a quick sense of confirmation, interpreting it as an update that he'd arrived.

Lammy realized he'd nearly come close enough for it to be true: the flashes were now more than flashes. He could see the silhouettes of Zayza within the green, and Wei within the infinite light.

He couldn't help but shudder. Their power was godlike.

They continued warping across the dim purple air, energy firing at each other before a rising black moon. Truly, this was a nightmare.

Lammy steered Loozooloozeux to fly parallel to the ongoing struggle, keeping the best distance he could, as he'd promised the adamant Skrili.

Even if he wanted to jump straight in, he knew it would lead to his end before he would even see it coming. They moved so fast, he doubted Zayza would be able to avoid friendly fire.

He couldn't get in the way. But both fighters were dodging, firing, and taking on blasts at an equal rate. And Zayza couldn't seem to gain an advantage, even in her current state.

He had to do something.

Lammy tried not to scream when Zayza's shoulder caught one of Wei's energy orbs. She spun out for a moment, but with a surge of green, recovered her balance in the air and resumed with the same ferocity as before.

Zayza! How can I help?! he sent.

Her rushed answer wasn't all that clarifying.

Anything would be splendid!!

Lammy almost slapped himself. Obviously, she didn't have time to analyze the situation and report a game plan. This was the fastest, most deadly conflict Lammy had ever witnessed. She had to focus on each singular move, one at a time. Lammy didn't know much about their powers, but he understood this much: one false move would likely mean her end.

It was up to him to strategize the big picture.

Lammy surged his mind and fought not to let the panic take over. They could do this.

After all, strategy was what he did best.

Lammy swerved Loozooloozeux to remain right on the outskirts of the fight.

Okay, okay…he begun.

The primary issue, of course, was Wei's diverse magnitude of power. That wasn't something Lammy could control–at least, not without any further knowledge.

He had to focus beneath that to the next most obvious threat: Wei's speed. He was matching Zayza at the peak of her strength.

If Lammy could somehow manage to slow him down…

That's it! he planned.

With a quick scan of their surroundings, he pinned down a fitting landmark.

Zayza: on my mark, avoid that mountain behind you!

She sent a sense of agreement.

The two impossibly powerful combatants continued flickering through the air. Lammy was left with a feeble hope that this would actually work.

But he shook it off the best he could and mustered up confidence.

NOW!!

Lammy poured all his attention towards the space above the mountain he'd indicated to Zayza. There, he imagined a floating lake of water. Borrowing from his most potent memories, the water appeared to glow in a rainbow of shades–just like the pond by the Ancient Sage's hut.

But aesthetics aside, its effectiveness was all that mattered. And the split second Lammy waited for a result felt like hours.

Then, it happened.

Wei zipped out of sight, but reappeared right within the middle of the hovering lake. Finding himself suddenly underwater, he tried to move again–but all he could do was swim.

I knew it! He can't really teleport like Zayza! It's just speed! Lammy deduced.

But it was too soon to celebrate. Lammy rushed to conjure a surge of energy, just like the kind he'd used to zap Najinzu in Fiction Country.

He didn't have to hold back: this was the Dream World. Despite all the imagining he was already balancing, it emerged like it was his only focus.

The white light flashed within the water. Wei writhed for a brief moment, but immediately returned his focus to escaping.

It wasn't enough power.

But there was no time for regret–Lammy moved on to the main purpose of his strategy:

Now, Zayza!!

She warped parallel to the lake, arms glaringly green.

As soon as she was about to fire a blast, Lammy formed an opening in the water around Wei, allowing her a clear shot.

Her aim was masterful: Zayza's energy blared straight towards the lake, through the new opening, and it exploded against Wei.

He whirled backwards within the water. Zayza nearly fired again–but Wei regained his composure, and with a forceful wave of his arms, the water splashed out all around him.

Crap!

Before Lammy could hope to reposition his trap, Wei broke free.

He wasn't visible again until he was just before Zayza, fist launching forward. Sparks flashed against her as he landed the impact, sending her backwards through the sky.

ZAYZA!!

But Lammy learned he had his own problem now: in that same moment, a flurry of multicolored orbs came flying his way.

Loozooloozeux whirled into motion. Lammy barely had to steer as the dragon spun downward and took evasive action.

After the attacks passed them by, Lammy evened out in the air. His eyes shot back to the fight: Wei's offensive was still very much underway.

Zayza took another hard hit from Wei's energy, barely recovering in time to create a shield of light to deflect his ensuing kick. But the impact still jolted her further back, her eyes squinted shut.

Something's off, Lammy recognized.

Before their successful team attack, she matched Wei in speed and strength. But now he watched in horror as she received blow after blow, and it was obvious her intensity had lessened.

Zayza! Hang in there! he sent. What's wrong?!

She warped high above Wei, and fired rapid energy beams to fend him off. But they were much smaller than her previous attacks.

Lammy checked the sky. In this alternate realm, he couldn't see the true sunset.

Is it Dreamwake? Is Dreamwake almost over?!

We're approaching its final minutes, Zayza confirmed. But that's not why. I just…need to start being selective with my output…

Wei shot an orb that cut straight through Zayza's defense. She narrowly skirted it.

But why?! You need all your power against him!

Zayza's same somberness from before filled his mind.

It's almost that time, was all she said. Remember our promise?

Stop! Don't talk like that!

He grit his teeth. Where were Deon and Skrili? If they could just make it here, the fight might turn back in their favor.

Did something happen to them after all?

With fear and frustration blending together, Lammy rushed to forge a new plan. Wei repositioned, and Zayza blinked farther away from him, her light much dimmer.

I'm not leaving you!! Lammy boomed.

Imagining more than he'd ever tried before, Lammy watched as all kinds of objects began filling the sky and levitating around the three of them. They were all distinctly familiar: stoves like the one he'd cooked on with Rob and Pete, campfires like the Sage's, igloos and snowballs from Our Snowy Village, and even bagged orders from Food Town.

Remnants from their journey to Azvaylen surrounded them all, drifting slowly.

Zayza and Wei came to a standstill.

Without the space to fly, at least now he can't keep speeding around, Lammy planned.

Wei bumped a stove that had drifted near him and watched it spin gradually the other way.

"I thought you might be as special as the other white-haired kid," he called over with a grin. "This settles it: we'll have to keep you around for testing, too."

"What's your deal?!?!"

The words shot out of Lammy before he could fully process them. But he stood by his unfiltered demand.

With all the floating objects between them, Lammy only caught a brief glimpse of Wei as his head turned his way.

"Seriously, You consciousnesses always act so entitled," Wei laughed calmly. "You all think you deserve what you have, don't you? The Multiverse needs a history lesson. That's all Proscious is doing."

Lammy turned briefly in the slightest hope that Deon and Skrili were closing in. But he couldn't spot them through the crowded sky.

"If you meant what my deal is, though–like, personally," added Wei, "I'd have to say I'm living it out right now. To think…I was a scrawny Normal Country boy from Hangka, nothing to my name. Now I've come this far, and I thought I'd finally reached my strongest self. I feared it, honestly. But thanks to you, Zayza, I know my potential reaches even higher."

"Nonsense," Zayza rebuked. "We've remained evenly matched."

"Have we?" Wei challenged quickly. "Are you sure? And, is it…even me you're fighting right now?"

Lammy froze. "What?!"

What does he mean?! he sent immediately to Zayza.

I…I don't…

Lammy felt his stomach sink when a massive cluster of his creations disintegrated within a blinding light. A low buzz flooded his ears.

Three massive, infinite orbs of energy appeared above the silhouette of Wei's raised hand.

It seemed Lammy's effort to buy time only provided Wei preparation for a more devastating blow.

And–for reasons she still refused to disclose–Zayza was limiting her energy flow. Would she be able to deflect it this time?

"Well, I got what I wanted out of this. So I'm gonna go ahead and ask that you two surrender now," Wei's voice echoed over the buzzing. "To be honest, it makes it way easier to run studies on you if you're not dead or barely clinging onto life."

Despite the warm rush of wind, Lammy's skin went icy. He caught a quick, fleeting glance at Zayza as she watched the orb before her.

He felt her resolve sink in, and he wanted to cry.

Lammy…you promised, came her soft voice. It's time. Run.