The rain was pouring heavily at that time, and lightning pierced the room with its magnificent light, revealing the features of the simple room made up of two couches and a table in the middle, with an old, shabby television.
Faceless One spoke as he slowly pulled the glove from his right hand and placed it gently on the table, speaking in a soft voice:
"Now, Mr.Vaelen, I will share with you some important information that will benefit you in the Eternal Dreams."
Faceless One continued:
"First, there are nine paths… Before entering a dream, you must choose a fixed path that will never change."
*"And do these paths have an effect in battle…?" Vaelen asked in astonishment."Yes, and greatly so… For example, the Fallen Star Path: it allows you to wield a collection of swords forged from the stars, along with high-level water magic," the Mysterious One answered in a majestic voice, placing his finger under his chin.He continued speaking:
"But in my opinion, I suggest you choose among the nine… The Blood Path is one of the best, offering many advantages, but it also has significant drawbacks."
Vaelen leaned forward and spoke in a calm voice:
"And what are the advantages and disadvantages of this path?"
Faceless One answered, intertwining his ten fingers together:
"The Blood Path has great advantages, such as regenerating severed limbs.Drinking the blood of your victims after killing them increases your combat abilities—like strength, endurance, and speed."
He continued in the same tone:
"But one of its flaws is that you must not drink blood excessively, as it destroys your body's cells.And there is something important: if you drink the blood of a lion, for example, you must not drink the blood of the same type of animal again, as it will cause fatal poisoning."
Vaelen muttered to himself, deeply thinking:
'The Blood Path… the idea attracts me, even though I've never heard of these other paths.But I see its flaws as minor compared to its impressive advantages.'
"So, Mr.Vaelen, what do you think?Did you like the path?Or would you like to change it?" Faceless One asked as he lit his cigarette.Vaelen was immersed in thought, many ideas swirling inside his head… but since this mysterious person suggested such a path, he surely had profound knowledge about it."Yes, I like the path," Vaelen replied, his voice filled with resolve and sincerity.Faceless One clapped softly, speaking in a deep tone:
"Then, we have finished the second part, and we will move on to the final part."
Faceless One pulled out a leather-bound book from the palm of his hand.The book had a drawing of a horizontal line crossed by a slanted line from the top, painted in red.He placed the book on the table, then continued in the same tone:
"This book is called 'The Eternal Dream.' It has many pages, but none of them will reveal themselves unless you complete what is written on the first page."
Vaelen was bewildered, trying to grasp the matter."Could you explain this in simple terms, please?"
The Mysterious One answered while slightly raising his hat, speaking in a calm voice:
"This book simply allows you to enter dreams by reading the page designated for it, which will give you an initial glimpse of the dream.Then you'll drift into sleep and enter the dream with a set of weapons tied to the path you chose."
"Now, I understand… but how can I return to my original world?Do I need to accomplish something?" Vaelen asked plainly."The answer is not fixed, Mr.Vaelen.The end of a dream differs from one dream to another," Faceless One replied in a deep voice."So simply, all you have to do is enter the dream, hunt the beasts or monstrosities, and uncover the dream's mystery.Once you solve it, you can end it."
Vaelen placed one hand over the other and spoke in a soft voice:
"From what I understand, every dream has a riddle.Solving the riddle ends the dream properly and allows us to return to the original world."
"You're brilliant, Mr.Vaelen.Truly brilliant," Faceless One said, spreading his arms wide in praise.Faceless One held the book and offered it to Vaelen, speaking in a mysterious tone:
"Now that you know everything, what do you think about diving into your first dream?"
Vaelen looked at the book, feeling a strange aura emanating from it.He held the book, sensing something unusual as he looked at the symbol, then opened it to the first page and read it slowly:
"In a Victorian kingdom drowned in the cursed eternal snow, who can free this land from its curse?And can the hunter stand before the Lord of Ice?The creator of the curse, the Dreamer of Ice."
When Vaelen finished reading the first page, he felt drowsy.Holding his forehead, he collapsed onto the table forcefully, then opened his eyes in another place, waking up partially and looking around.He was in a room with a European Victorian style.There was a large collection of medicines on shelves, and books piled up on the floor.The place was shabby and very old.Vaelen was sitting on a bed meant for patients… there was a door on his right side, with red light seeping through its glass.In this state of astonishment, a soft voice whispered near his ear:
"Welcome, hunter Dreamer, to the Dreamer of Apocalypse."