"Uhh, what happened...?"
"Why does my head feel so dizzy?"
A boy named Nova Aldridge opened his eyes, somehow his body felt cold.
When his eyes fully opened, he was shocked. What he saw was no longer his room but a dark forest with tall trees surrounding him.
"This... Ah, maybe I'm dreaming, haha, yes this must just be a dream, how could I suddenly be in a forest? That's completely illogical."
And, several minutes later...
"What the hell is this?! How long will I keep sitting in this forest?!"
Nova continued sitting on the cold ground for several minutes, but no matter how long he waited there, nothing changed.
"What exactly happened?" Because he was tired of sitting there, especially on the cold ground, he stood up and looked around. There was no light at all except for the light from the moon.
"How could I be here?"
Nova was still wearing a black hoodie, black shirt, and black pants. Nova still clearly remembered that several minutes ago he was actually in his room sleeping on his bed and forgot to change his clothes, and when he opened his eyes again he was already here.
Nova Aldridge was a twelve-year-old boy who was quite intelligent for his age. He wasn't like other children who might immediately cry or panic in a situation like this. Instead, he tried to think logically and analyze the situation he was facing.
This was thanks to his father's upbringing, Nolan Aldridge, who had always taught Nova to think clearly in any situation since childhood. Nova wasn't born into a wealthy family, but he also wasn't from a poor family. They lived adequately.
Nolan taught Nova various self-defense techniques, not only to protect himself, but also to train his mental strength and discipline.
"Whatever happened, I have to find a way out of here," Nova decided firmly. "I don't know if this is a dream or reality, but this is too real to ignore."
Nova began walking slowly, his steps careful and alert.
The deeper he went into the forest, the darker the atmosphere around him became. The moonlight that had previously been able to provide some illumination was now almost completely blocked by the increasingly dense tree canopy.
Without an additional light source, Nova had to rely on his other senses to navigate in the darkness. He did what his father had taught him to sharpen his hearing and smell, trying to detect any danger or directional clues he could follow.
While he was concentrating, Nova suddenly felt something strange. It was as if something was watching him from a distance. That feeling was very strong and made the hair on his neck stand up.
Nova stopped walking and focused his attention completely. He emptied his mind of all unnecessary things and focused on just one thing: detecting the presence of anything that might threaten him.
What Nolan taught wasn't just about physical strength or fighting ability. More than that, his father taught Nova to develop instincts and sensitivity to his surroundings. Nolan always said that the ability to detect danger early was the key to surviving in difficult situations.
"Something's not right," Nova whispered to himself. "There's something here."
Nova slowly crouched down and felt the ground around him with his hands, looking for stones or other objects he could use as emergency weapons. His hand found a medium-sized stone that was quite round and hard. This stone fit perfectly in his grip.
"Who's there?" Nova asked in a voice loud enough, but still alert. "I know you're there. Come out if you dare!"
There was no answer. The forest remained as quiet as before.
Nova decided to take the initiative. He stood up slowly and looked in the direction he most suspected. His eyes tried to penetrate the darkness, looking for signs of movement or unusual shadows.
"Alright," he muttered with a slightly challenging tone. "If you don't want to come out nicely, I'll force you."
Nova took a perfect throwing position. He took a deep breath, concentrated, and threw the stone with full force toward the most suspicious direction.
The stone flew with a precise trajectory, heading straight for Nova's intended target. But what happened next shocked and confused Nova at the same time.
The stone seemed to pass through something transparent. There was no impact sound that should have been heard when the stone hit the target. Instead, the stone just fell to the ground, as if it hadn't hit anything.
But Nova was sure he saw something. A vague black shadow, shaped like a large animal. The figure seemed to be made of thick smoke floating in the air, with an unstable form that kept changing.
"What... what is that?" Nova stepped back a few steps, his eyes not leaving the strange shadow.
The figure slowly became clearer. Nova could see that its shape resembled a large tiger, but its body was made of thick black smoke. What stood out most were its glowing red eyes.
The creature didn't move, just stood in its place while staring at Nova with its red eyes. No sound came from its mouth, but Nova could feel a very frightening aura from the figure.
"A ghost?" Nova wondered. "Or maybe some kind of illusion?"
Nova tried to think rationally. He knew that in stressful situations, the human mind could create hallucinations or illusions. Maybe what he was seeing now was a product of his fear and confusion.
But the feeling of danger he felt was very real.
Suddenly, the figure disappeared. In the blink of an eye, the black shadow vanished just like that. Nova looked in all directions in panic, trying to find the creature's whereabouts again.
"Where did it go?" Nova spun around, his eyes scanning every corner of the forest he could reach. "I was sure there was something there."
*Scrape!*
The sound of claws scratching something suddenly came from behind. Nova immediately turned around quickly, but it was too late. Something sharp slashed his cheek quickly, leaving a fairly deep wound.
"Argh!" Nova screamed in pain while holding his cheek. Fresh blood immediately flowed from the wound, wetting his trembling hand. The pain he felt was very real and piercing.
Nova saw his hand covered in blood and was shocked. This was really real blood.
"What actually happened?" Nova wondered while trying to stop the bleeding by pressing the wound with his hoodie sleeve. "This can't be a dream anymore."
Nova wiped the blood flowing from his cheek.
"Alright, if that's the case"
"If you really want to play rough, I can play rough too."
Nova's eyes became sharp and focused. Although still twelve years old, he had been training with his father long enough and developed a strong mentality. Nolan always taught that in dangerous situations, there was no room for fear or panic. There was only survival instinct and the will to win.
Nova closed his eyes and tried to remember all the techniques his father had taught him. There was one special technique that had once been taught, but Nova had never successfully mastered it perfectly. But in a situation like this, maybe that technique could be useful.
◇◇◇
*Flashback - Three months ago*
*In the backyard of the Aldridge family home, Nolan was teaching Nova new techniques. The weather was quite sunny that day, and Nova looked very enthusiastic about learning.*
*"Nova, you've already mastered the basic fighting techniques quite well," said Nolan while sitting under a tree behind their house. "Your punches, kicks, and dodging techniques are already quite good for a child your age."*
*"Really?!" Nova smiled proudly. "But I feel like there's still something missing. I want to learn more advanced techniques."*
*"Well, what a coincidence," Nolan stood up and looked at Nova with a smiling face. "There's one technique that's more important than all the techniques you've learned before."*
*"What is it, Dad?" Nova asked with sparkling eyes. He always felt excited when his father was about to teach him a new technique.*
*"The technique of fighting in total darkness," "Someday, you might face a situation where vision can't be relied upon. It could be because it's dark, it could be because your eyes are injured, or it could be because your opponent uses techniques that make you unable to see."*
*"Is it really possible to fight if you can't see?" Nova asked skeptically. "How do you attack if you don't know where your opponent is?"*
*"By relying on the other senses you have," Nolan explained with a smile. "Hearing, smell, feeling, even intuition. But the most important thing is the ability to focus and empty your mind of unnecessary things."*
*Nolan then demonstrated the technique. He closed his eyes and stood calmly. Nova tried to approach his father quietly, but Nolan could immediately detect his presence and dodge Nova's attack.*
*"Wow, amazing!" Nova was amazed. "How do you do it, Dad?"*
*"Close your eyes," Nolan commanded. "Empty all unnecessary thoughts. Focus only on one goal—feeling the presence of anything around you. Don't let your mind be disturbed by small sounds or other unimportant things."*
*Nova closed his eyes and tried to follow his father's instructions. But he found it difficult to concentrate. His mind kept wandering to various things.*
*"Concentrate," Nolan reminded. "Don't let your mind be fragmented."*
*"Dad, this is really hard," Nova complained. "I can't focus."*
*"It is hard," Nolan smiled. "That's why this is one of the difficult techniques. Humans have a habit of constantly thinking about various things. Even in a quiet place like this, there are still many distractions—the sound of wind, birds, leaves rustling, even the sound of your own heartbeat."*
*"Then how can I focus?"*
*"Practice," Nolan answered briefly. "Practice continuously until you can control your mind perfectly. This isn't a technique that can be mastered in a day or two."*
*"When do you think I'll be able to use it?" Nova asked with a slightly disappointed tone.*
*"When you really need it," Nolan answered with a mysterious smile. "Sometimes, the most difficult techniques can only be mastered when we're in a truly urgent situation."*
*"Ah, is it because of that technique that Dad can see things clearly even though both of Dad's eyes are covered?"*
*His father always wore a mask that only covered both his eyes. His father would only remove his mask when he was at home; when he was outside, he would always wear it.*
*"Yes, as expected from my child, that's right, because of that Dad can see even though Dad wears a mask."*
◇◇◇
*Back to the present*
Nova remembered the conversation with his father three months ago. In a truly urgent situation, Nova felt that this was the right time to try it again.
Nova closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He tried to empty his mind of all unnecessary things—fear, confusion, the pain in his cheek, even questions about where he actually was.
What remained was only one goal: to feel the presence of the creature threatening his life.
At first, Nova found it difficult to concentrate. Too many things were disturbing his mind. But the sense of urgency and real danger made his concentration more focused than before.
Gradually, Nova began to feel something different. It was as if there was an energy disturbance in the air moving in a certain pattern. That energy felt dark and threatening, circling around him with very careful movements.
*Behind left!*
Nova felt the creature's presence very clearly. Without opening his eyes, he spun with a quick movement and swung his right hand with full force toward the direction he felt.
But just like before, his hand only passed through empty air. There was no physical resistance he felt, as if he was hitting the wind.
"Damn!" Nova opened his eyes in frustration. "How do I attack something that can't be touched?"
The shadow creature appeared again in front of him, its red eyes glowing in the darkness. This time, Nova could see the creature's form more clearly. Its body did resemble a large tiger, but made of thick black smoke. Its claws looked very sharp, even though they didn't have a solid physical form.
What was most disturbing was the way the creature looked at Nova. The creature seemed to be analyzing and mocking Nova's futile efforts.
"You think this is funny, HUH?!" Nova shouted angrily. "You can only attack someone secretly and don't dare to face them directly!"
The creature remained silent, but Nova could feel the mocking aura it emanated. That made Nova's anger boil over even more.
"Alright," Nova muttered in a low voice that trembled with anger. "If the usual way doesn't work, I have to find another way."
Nova tried to think clearly. The creature could clearly attack and hurt him, but Nova couldn't touch or fight back. This was a very unfair situation, and Nova had to find a way to balance this fight.
But before Nova could think of another strategy, something very strange happened. The world around him suddenly changed dramatically.
Time seemed to stop moving. The shadow creature froze in place.
"What's happening?" Nova looked around in wonder.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed in the air. The voice sounded like a young woman's voice.
[ It seems you need help, right? ]
"Who's talking?" Nova spun around, trying to find the source of the voice. "Show yourself!"
The world around him gradually began to change. The dark forest faded like paint being erased from a canvas. The giant trees, large rocks, even the shadow creature—everything disappeared, replaced by a bright white space without visible boundaries.
Nova felt like he was in a vacuum that had no floor, walls, or ceiling. Only white filled his entire view.
[ Hello! ]
"Huwaaaa!" Nova almost fell backward when he saw a figure that suddenly appeared in front of him.
What was floating in the air was a pitch-black ball. In the center of the ball, there was one red eye.
[ My name is Novara. Nice to meet you! ]
"Novara?" Nova repeated the name with a tone still full of suspicion. "So... are you a creature or what?"
[ Hmm, how should I explain this...? ]
Novara seemed to think for a moment, her red eye blinking several times.
[ Think of me as a kind of... guide or help system for people who enter worlds like that. ]
"Guide?" Nova furrowed his brow. "You mean you often do things like this? Help people trapped in strange forests with shadow creatures?"
[ Actually... not really. You're the first person I've met. ]
Nova felt something was wrong with that answer. Novara's tone sounded a bit uncertain, as if hiding something.
"Wait," Nova raised his hand. "If I'm the first person you've met, how do you know what to do? How do you know how to help?"
[ Ah, good question! ] Novara sounded like she was praising, though not answering the question clearly.
[ I have something that can help you defeat that creature. ]
Novara's red eye suddenly glowed brighter, and something began to emerge from within the eye. A sword slowly came out, as if the eye was a dimensional portal.
The sword was black, with no other colors there. The sword also looked ordinary.
[ This sword has special abilities that are very useful in situations like that. ]
[ It can cut anything, including creatures that don't have physical form like the one you faced. ]
"A sword that can cut non-physical creatures, is that right?" Nova looked at the weapon with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
[ Besides that, this sword will follow its user. If the user is strong, the sword will also become strong or sharper. ]
Nova extended his hand, almost touching the sword's handle, but then stopped his movement.
"Wait a moment," he said in a serious tone. "Before I accept this help, I need a clearer explanation. What actually happened to me? Why did I suddenly end up in that forest? And is this a dream or reality?"
[ You're in what's called a 'Manifested Dream' or 'Manifested Dream'. ]
"Manifested Dream? What do you mean?"
[ I mean, technically this is indeed a dream, but the effects will influence the real world. ]
[ If you die here, you won't actually die in the real world. But all the pain, injuries, and experiences you go through will still be felt even after you wake up later. ]
[ For example, the wound on your cheek. Later when you wake up, physically the wound won't be visible to others or yourself, but you'll still feel the pain. ]
"So it's like... psychosomatic injury?" Nova tried to understand the complex concept.
[ You could say that. But there's a positive side too. ]
[ Every time you successfully overcome challenges in this dream world, you'll become stronger in the real world. Physical strength, mental strength, even special abilities you develop here will be carried over to the real world. ]
Nova digested this information carefully. "So, every time I sleep, I can enter a dream world like this?"
[ It's not that simple, ] Novara answered with a somewhat uncertain tone.
[ The Manifested Dream world will appear randomly and unpredictably. Maybe tomorrow you'll enter a completely different dream world, or even go weeks without experiencing a Manifested Dream at all. ]
Nova noticed something strange in the way Novara explained. Especially the use of the word "maybe" which sounded like uncertainty.
"You're not sure about your own explanation?" Nova asked with a slightly accusatory tone.
[ Eh? I-I'm very sure! ] Novara sounded nervous.
[ What's important now is that you have to be able to get out of that situation safely. Do you want to accept this sword or not? ]
Nova felt there was something being hidden by Novara, but the situation didn't allow for deeper investigation. He needed a way to fight the shadow creature, and this sword might be the only solution.
"Alright," Nova made his decision. "I accept this sword."
Nova took the sword carefully. The weapon felt very light in his hand, even lighter than the wooden sword he usually used for practice with his father. However, as soon as his hand touched the sword's handle, he felt a very strange sensation.
It was like there was an energy flow flowing from the sword throughout his body. Not painful energy, but something warm and empowering. Nova felt his muscles become stronger, his reflexes faster, and even his mind clearer.
"This... is amazing," Nova muttered while swinging the sword a few times. "It feels like this sword is part of my body."
"Alright, now how do I get back to the real world?" Nova asked while continuing to swing the sword.
[ You'll know by yourself. ]
"Huh? What do you mean by—"
Before Nova could finish his question, the white world around him began to fade quickly. The colors of the dark forest reappeared, and within seconds, he was back in the same forest as before.
What was different was the black sword he was still gripping tightly.
And the shadow creature was ready to attack from behind.
But this time, Nova was ready to face it.
With reflexes much faster than before, Nova turned around and parried the creature's claw attack with his black sword. The sound of hard metal clashing echoed throughout the forest.
*CLANG!*
For the first time, Nova could feel physical resistance from his opponent. The black sword successfully blocked the creature's attack, even creating small sparks at the point of impact.
"Finally!" Nova smiled widely with a mixture of relief and excitement. "Now we can fight fairly!"
The shadow creature looked surprised. It backed away a few steps, its smoke body moving with a more aggressive pattern.
Then, with movements much faster than before, the creature attacked Nova with a series of continuous attacks. Its sharp claws moved at a speed almost invisible to his eyes.
Nova dodged and blocked with flowing movements. His black sword moved with extraordinary precision, as if he had been training with that weapon for years.
The fight proceeded with high intensity. Nova kept defending while studying his opponent's attack patterns. Although the creature moved with incredible speed, Nova began to realize that its attacks were quite monotonous—always using the same combinations, always attacking from predictable angles.
"You are indeed strong," Nova said while dodging a horizontal attack, "but your movements are too easy to read."
After several minutes of fighting, Nova finally found the opening he was looking for. When the creature launched an attack from the right side with a familiar pattern, Nova didn't dodge as usual.
Instead, he stepped forward bravely, raising his black sword high above his head. This movement was very risky—if his timing was wrong, he could receive a fatal attack.
"Now!" Nova shouted with a voice that echoed throughout the forest while thrusting the sword down with all the strength he had.
*SLASH!*
The black sword split the shadow creature's body into two perfect parts. The pieces of its body fell to the ground with a strange sound, like a mixture of liquid and smoke sounds. Then, those parts slowly turned into black dust that was blown away by the wind and disappeared without a trace.
"Success!" Nova raised his sword up with a victory gesture. "I really managed to defeat it!"
However, his victory euphoria didn't last long. Suddenly, an extraordinary fatigue hit his body. His legs began to tremble, and the black sword that had felt light now felt very heavy.
"What's... happening to my body..." Nova muttered with an increasingly weak voice. His vision began to blur, and he felt his consciousness slowly disappearing.
The black sword fell from his hand and disappeared into black light particles before touching the ground. Nova also fell to the ground with a body he could no longer control.
"I... have to... return..." Those were the last words he managed to say before his consciousness completely disappeared.