Shadow Slave: Possibilities Without Meaning

Their discussion had concluded. Many terms were set, and many were met. 

"As for the gateway that you will be situated in, let us know within the next 12 hours."

Aldric had negotiated the choice of his gateway as one of his terms. Typically, the gateway that a newly employed government awakened was at the discretion of their superiors. This was not something that he could afford.

"I can't be here all day. We will be in touch."

Nodding to the woman Master in the room, the elderly Saint stood up and left the room with powerful steps. 

Just before exiting out of the room, Cor spoke out to Aldric one last time.

"I expect great things from you, Aldric."

The Saint spoke in a serious voice.

With that, the negotiations were over.

-----------

Now resting in his room, Aldric was getting ready for the pseudo reunion of all the survivors from the Forgotten Shore. While many were situated within the Academy, an equal amount were held at other quadrants, such as Kai, or others were housed elsewhere with their families, like Effie. 

He did not know how many would show in support for Nephis and also to reunite with their comrades; however, this was an opportunity for something. 

Looking at his reflection, Aldric was still getting used to his newly improved appearance. It was very jarring to have the second change in your face and body within the span of a year. With his new hair, he made a decision.

"I'm definitely dyeing this all black."

He said. 

While the hair looked unique, it would draw attention that was not necessary.

Coiling the white streaks around his finger, he thought. 

'Maybe I should dye them blond.'

Looking away from the mirror, he made his way back to the small table in his room. 

Placed on it was a stack of pages given to him by the Master that facilitated the negotiations he had undergone. Each page was complete with details of each gateway that the government has access to and ones that they could reasonably ask for residence in. 

It was a tough decision for Aldric to make. 

It was the equivalent of deciding where to live after leaving college. A combination of factors such as salary, lifestyle, cost of living, and social life could influence where one would live. All the while, this single choice could map the next 50 years of your life. From the home that you buy to who you decide to marry. 

While in the waking world that he was in, humans did not have that liberty or freedom. 

In the dream realm, the first choice to make was either Bastion or Ravenheart. 

When chosen, it was virtually impossible for a regular person to venture to either side of the dream realm. Only through the use of a Saint's services could one traverse past the dead zone that was between the two major citadels. 

This explained why Saints were such a coveted and controlled resource. 

Only a Saint could bring your enemies to your doorstep should they not already be in your home. 

With his new affiliation with the government, Aldric did not have to pledge allegiance to either the clans of Song or Valor. In their partnerships with the government, Aldric would have access to most gateways.

The question was where. 

Reading broadly through the pages, there clearly were many citadels and gateways that humanity had conquered. Aldric knew that many were hidden from even the purview of the government. 

The difference between a citadel and a gateway is that a gateway is the door leading to and from the waking world, whereas a citadel is simply the dwelling around the gateway created by those anchored to the gateway. So while every citadel had a gateway, not every gateway had a citadel. 

While they varied in size and purpose, they stood as vantage points in the ever-encompassing dream realm. A foothold for humanity. 

There seemed to be many more than he knew about. 

Knowing that for the next stage of his ascension, Aldric had to be near the nightmare seed that he planned to conquer. Thus anything west of the Hollow Mountains was not to be considered. This included Ravenheart and the rest of the Song domain. 

This was something that he would have to think about deeply.

It was time to leave for the reunion. 

-----------

On his way in, Aldric noticed a large monitor at the door of the conference room. 

Displaying over 150 names of those that made it out, a smirk formed on his face. 

'I really changed something.'

Originally, only 100 sleepers had survived the Forgotten Shore and returned to the waking world. Through his strength and will, he defied what was meant to be and allowed over 50 young men and women to return to their families. Either directly or indirectly. 

At the top of the list was a singular word in bold. 

'Singularity.'

Below that were the True Names of Kai, Effie, and Cassie.

'Raised By Wolves'

'Nightingale'

'Song Of The Fallen' 

Below that was another name that he did not recognise at all. 

'Death's Bane'

Walking into the main conference hall, Aldric saw everyone that had survived the Forgotten Shore standing around each other. 

Most were bonding together. Outside of the severity of the dream realm, they could truly get to know one another outside of labels like artisan, hunter, and castle guard.

However, this did not mean that most of them had much in common. With the end of their battle, they were back to being regular people. With wants and desires outside of immediate survival.

Walking through the crowd, people silenced and parted as they noticed him. 

"He really made it!"

A young woman shouted in glee.

"I doubt that a single creature could hold back Aldric."

A juvenile voice spoke out.

"If he's back, where is Lady Changing Star?"

A harsh voice spoke out to those around him. 

Aldric ignored the whispers and comments, nodding to those that greeted him. 

He could see looks of respect on their faces, with many sporting a face of reverence.

It seemed that his performance during the siege truly elevated his status amongst the dreamer army. From the way that he held the front line until Nephis arrived and continued to do so, all without switching once with the second battle formation. Holding back the forming nightmare creature that would have brutalised the broken remains of the dreamer army. 

Of the ones that were conscious to see the act, it seemed to be an act of sacrifice. Portraying a spirit of heroism and selflessness. This was emboldened as they described this scene to those that were unconscious, making the choice to be even grander than it was. 

Aldric was not complaining. This would definitely benefit him in numerous ways. Perhaps even soon. 

Coming across a duo that stood beside one another, he recognised Gemma and Kido. 

They both were elevated in terms of appearance and beauty. 

"Hey Aldric. How's being an awakened treating you?"

Gemma spoke out. 

The man seemed to be in much higher spirits than he did leading up to the siege. With his paramour by his side, the man was jubilant.

"I should be asking you that, Death's Bane."

Aldric responded quickly.

The experienced hunter seemed a bit embarrassed at the mention. 

"Honestly, a True Name was the last thing on my mind."

He said as he looked at Kido, his hand around her waist.

Nodding to Kido and giving Gemma a pat on the back, Aldric left the pair and moved forward. 

He came upon three people. 

The familiar form of Sunny, who he had spoken to earlier. The emaciated form of a young woman in a wheelchair. As well as one of the most attractive men that Aldric had ever seen. 

With his naturally quiet gait developed by his use of darkness to hide his presence, Aldric slipped within the small circle and spoke. 

"Is that you, Effie? You look a little different."

He said in a teasing voice. 

Twisting her wheelchair to meet the familiar voice that she heard, the gaunt girl spoke out in anger. 

"Yeah, right. The suicidal bastard finally made it back."

Clapping back with an insult of her own. 

Taking it on the chin, Aldric greeted Kai and Sunny. 

Just as their conversation began, the voice of an instructor echoed from the podium. 

One by one they came on stage and left. Giving a speech of loss, a speech of healing, and a speech of the future. 

The crowd had varying reactions to the words spoken. Some cried while others looked haunted as if they were replaying a memory in their head. Others seemed numb to the whole thing, waiting for the obvious farce to end.

Some were a lot more impatient than others. 

"Lady Nephis! Tell us what happened to her!"

A voice shouted out in the middle of instructor Rock's speech.

Not deeming to comment on the disrespect, the instructor responded.

"Calm down, awakened. I will tell you all that I know."

Instructor Rock responded. 

"As you all know, the gateway of the Forgotten Shore had been destroyed. Changing Star had not made it out as she was dealing with Fallen Terror. At least she escaped from the creature's clutches."

This brought the mood down even further. 

"However, don't worry. All her vital signs and brain activity are stable."

This sent a wave of relief through the group.

A voice expressed the group's belief by shouting. 

"If anyone can do it, it would be Lady Nephis!"

Similar shouts of agreement filled the room. 

Until one broke the chain.

"Hey Sir Aldric, weren't you the last person to use the gateway? Did you see Lady Nephis?"

A desperate voice spoke.

This question silenced the entire room as everyone looked to Aldric. 

'How do I respond to that?'

**********

Thank you for reading. 

Which gateway do you think he should choose?

Just to preface that 'awakened' is the rank where as 'Awakened' is the collective term for those infected by the nightmare spell. 

Dotcomplex: The Dark Sea's Firstborn is based on Chaos form Sonic. His base form. Been in my Sonic bag lately.

Till the next one.