The ASUV continued to move as everyone fell in silence. Jaden was asleep after being affected by [Calm] and [Answer] Will Magic spells. Maria and Jamie had turned silent because of Jamie's dark words; the devouring pups were silent because they were staring at the sleeping beauty, Jaden. While Lane was simply uninterested in any of this.

Time passed as evening neared, and the veil of silence was removed by Lane's flat voice.

"We will soon reach the bunker."

Humanity didn't control most of the land, and because of that, bunkers were made at various locations for safer travel from one place to another without fearing a battle against nightmares or star beasts in a deprived or tired state.

Maria nodded slightly, but she did not say anything as she closed her eyes and leaned back on her seat with her arms across her chest.

Lane looked at Jamie from the rear-view mirror, seeing her do that, Jamie also gave a nod before looking at Jaden, who was still sleeping, and shrugged.

The ASUV turned and soon stopped before a withered concrete dome covered with rust and moss, hinting at the neglect. It had an entrance twice the size of an ASUV. Lane turned to Maria and spoke.

"Go get it opened, War Princess."

Maria shook her head and chuckled a little before stepping out of the ASUV and making her way towards a small box at the right corner of the bunker's entrance.

She took out a black card that had her name and one in Roman letters engraved on it. She stepped closer to the grey box and swiped the card. Just as she did so, a voice came out of it.

<Welcome, Tier one civilian, Maria Bannister! The current bunker has been assigned to you for the next twenty-four hours.>

The bunker's iron gates groaned as they began to open. Maria put her card back into her pocket and climbed back into the ASUV. She grinned at Lane and gestured for her to enter.

The doors parted open, and the dark maw-like entrance of the bunker became visible. Lane pressed on the accelerator and entered the bunker. Its gates closed behind them on their own.

Just as they entered the wide bunker, it came to life as it began to light up, and the machines placed within came to life. Lane parked the ASUV at the parking spot before she heaved a sigh and mumbled.

"I am tired…"

Maria nodded at her and responded.

"It was a tiring day, after all."

Lane nodded as she opened the door and stepped out. Maria followed behind her.

Jamie also lifted his hand to open the door and step out, but stopped midway and turned to look at sleeping Jaden before heaving a sigh and stepping out.

"I wonder what he dreamt about…"

The ASUV's interior lights began to dim as Lane had turned off the power. At the moment, Jaden's face was being illuminated by the light of the blue screen before him.

[Entering the dream realm.]

Jaden's eyes trembled slightly as he opened them. Looking around, he found himself in a room full of snow and cracked walls.

"Where am I?" steam left his lips as he questioned. He focused on the place around him, and after some time, he remembered.

"Ah!" He exclaimed.

He was in Elara Peace—formerly known as Nightshade City. He was sitting in the chair of his illusory father—the mayor's chair.

"Apparently, even time can't affect this chair." He muttered before letting out a chuckle and standing up.

He turned towards the wall that was there just in name because it was mostly in ruins. From it, he looked at the bright moon hanging in the dark sky as the snow fell on the ground and covered all of the ruined city in pale white.

Suddenly, his grimoire appeared beside him, and black sparks fell from it before taking the shape of a white rose-like flower with a crimson stem in Jaden's left hand.

He brushed the soft white petals of the Lethyros; he felt at peace when he did so and mumbled.

"This place looks better covered in white…"

A frown appeared on his face as he mumbled once again.

"The shadow realm… I have to go there to search for that being… but I am too weak right now. I didn't even see its hand move before getting beheaded." He sighed and looked at the south, where the nightmare forest was.

"Was it the same owl? It appeared to be following me… but how did it enter the waking world?" He asked himself before shaking his head and rubbing his face. He raised the Lethyros and placed it in front of the moon as he mumbled.

"It doesn't matter… maybe it does. But not for now. What matters the most is regaining my memories, and for that, I need to enter the shadow realm, as it's the only path left to me, so for now… I need to find a way to the Shadow Realm."

He looked at the ruined city of Elara Peace for one last time before clenching his fist and taking his seat once again. His eyes shut as a message appeared before him.

[Exiting the dream realm.]

His body burst into colourful sparks that disappeared before they could touch the ground. The room fell silent for some time until the shadows suddenly stirred, and the sound of flapping wings echoed within the room.

Jaden felt something wet on his face and opened his eyes just in time to see something like a tongue lick his face. A slight smile appeared on his face as he looked at the perpetrators.

He stood up and grabbed the two culprits. He snuggled them and asked.

"What are you two doing with my handsome face, heh?"

"Bre!" answered the perpetrator with white fur.

"Bru!" answered the perpetrator with black fur.

Jaden furrowed his brows and spoke with a confused expression.

"Ugly? Who? We are the only ones here…"

______

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• 100 power stones = extra 1 chapter.

• 100 golden tickets = extra 1 chapter.

• 100 collections = extra 1 chapter.

• Golden Castle = extra 5 chapters.

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