[At Taro's Apartment]
"So, Nodoka, naturally, as you know, there's only this world we've spent our entire lives in," Taro began, his voice firm yet trembling with the weight of revelation, green eyes locked on hers. "But what if I were to tell you there's something more?"
Nodoka raised a brow, her dark silk hair catching the apartment's dim light, curiosity flickering in her gaze as she leaned forward on the bed.
"There is a world different from ours," Taro continued, his tone gaining conviction. "In the waking world, humanity seems ordinary. But when sleep falls, we unknowingly enter a realm far beyond imagination—the *Dream World*. Populated by strange species, endless landscapes, and shifting realities, it's held together by unseen forces."
He paused, the air thickening with anticipation. "Among them are the Dremapols—guardians who maintain peace across dreams and protect the Inter-Dream Gate, the core that connects every human dream into one vast, fragile network. Alongside them are the Nertis, silent operators who allocate and shape dreams for every sleeper. I myself am a powerful Dremapol—" His voice faltered as he noticed tears welling in Nodoka's eyes again. "Ugh, why are you crying?"
"It's your strength," she said, a shaky laugh escaping as she started clapping slowly, wiping her nose with a tissue. "You managed to use a videogame to seamlessly subvert all your problems. Bravo, Taro."
Taro's frustration flared, and he gripped her shoulders gently. "No… stop clapping. I'm being serious. This isn't a video game." But she kept at it, her applause mocking his desperation to prove himself.
He let go, face-palming with a groan. "Huff… sigh, this is getting nowhere. How the hell am I going to convince her that any of this is real?"
"Aha, I've got an idea… I'll just drag Nodoka into the Dream World with me and then show her,"he thought, a spark of determination igniting.
He grabbed her arms again, his grip firm. "Nodoka… please… sleep with me." His face hardened with resolve.
Nodoka's face exploded into a deep red blush, her eyes widening. "Wow… Taro… you've gotten pretty bold," she said, her voice slower, almost teasing, heat radiating from her cheeks.
Taro released her, shaking his head frantically. "Wait, no, I didn't mean it like that! I mean we should do it so that I could show you."
"'Do it' and 'show me'?" she echoed, picking the words with deliberate inappropriateness, her head so hot it seemed to emit faint steam.
"Please stop taking my words out of context!" Taro pleaded, bowing his head slightly, a flush creeping up his neck.
"To save the awkwardness, take this," he said, shoving a hand into his pocket and pulling out a small plastic container. Inside were pills—unusual, faintly glowing ones. He extracted one and extended it to her. "A special sleeping pill I keep for emergencies. Take one, and you'll fall asleep in 5-10 seconds."
"Hmmmmmmm," Nodoka hummed, wary, inspecting the pill's odd sheen under the light.
"Would you please just trust me on this one?" Taro pressed, frustration lacing his voice.
"Okay, I guess," she relented, popping the pill into her mouth. For five seconds, she stared at him, waiting—then dropped like a stone onto the bed, out cold, as if shot.
"Wow, that was pretty instant," Taro muttered, impressed. He took a pill himself, sliding into the bed beside her, gripping her arm. "Time to materialize with her." The pill went down, and for five seconds, he stared at the ceiling, the quiet room amplifying the soft rustle of a paper sheet hitting the floor—then he drifted off, darkness claiming him.
[Main Dream World]
Nodoka stood in the center of the Nexus, her dark eyes wide as she took in the vast Dream World. Towering statues of Weave legends loomed, their stone faces weathered yet majestic, while Dremapols in shimmering armor passed by, their forms flickering with ethereal light. The landscape stretched—rolling plains of shifting colors, crystalline rivers, and skies ablaze with auroras—raw beauty that stole her breath. "Woahhhhhhhh," she gasped, turning in awe.
Taro materialized beside her with a casual, "Yo."
"Wow, Taro, I guess it really wasn't a video game after all," she said, her gaze still fixed on the scenery, voice tinged with wonder.
"And hey, Nodoka, check this out," Taro called, drawing her attention.
Green energy surged from his legs, spiraling up his body to his head before exploding outward with a BOOM. His form transformed—green hair glowing brighter, a sleek black suit lined with pulsing green patterns hugging his frame, metallic armor guarding his forearms. His large sword, the Reibone, rested in his grip, raised high as streaks of green light swirled around him, the ring on his finger glinting. "So," he said, striking a pose.
Nodoka studied him, her expression a mix of shock and curiosity. "How am I supposed to process this? This is all a bit much, and you're also part of a race with superpowers?"
Taro tilted his head, making a 'well, not really' face. "Well, I don't think we're a race, and they're not really superpowers—it's Dream powers—" He was cut off as Nodoka's face hardened with fierce determination.
"Taro… I want to become a Dremapol," she declared, stepping forward.
Taro's expression shifted to surprise. "What? But you don't even know what or how we—" She interrupted again.
"I already like what I heard, Taro. You guys help protect and be part of a greater cause. I want to be a part of that too."
Taro tried to reel her back. "Wait, please hold on, Nodoka. This is a serious decision—you can't just jump in because you like it. It's really dangerous as a Dremapol. There's a lot of important stuff—"
"But that's exactly why I want to do it," she insisted, her voice rising. "Now that I've seen it, I also want to help protect people, just like you, Taro."
"But even still, Nodoka—" he reasoned, but she pressed on.
"Taro, I already know there are lots of dangers, but I'm prepared. Please help me. If I stay like this, I'll be weak and have to be protected… I don't want to be protected, Taro. I want to *protect* instead."
Taro paused, seeing the fire in her eyes—she meant every word. She didn't want to be a liability; she craved power to safeguard others, a resolve forged time and again. *Yeah, I understand that,* he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.
He nodded, his grin widening. "Alright, Nodoka, I respect your decision. You already know the dangers, and you still wanna be, so I can't stop you… but I can support you."
"Hmph," Nodoka smiled back, a spark of determination mirroring his.
As Taro and Nodoka solidified their pact, in the depths of the waking world, a countermove was already in play.
[Ellsewhere: Sewer Lair]
In the damp gloom of the sewer lair, the Rooftop Watcher rose from his chair, his amber eyes fixed on the screens showing Taro and Nodoka in the Nexus. The Rune-Masked Figure and Void-Masked Figure flanked him, their masks aglow in the flickering light.
"This is the ideal time for us," the Rune-Masked Figure rasped, its sigils pulsing with intent.
The Rooftop Watcher's smile turned malevolent, his voice low and dangerous. "I… know."
He glanced at the Void-Masked Figure, still clutching its unseen object, and gave a subtle nod. The Void-Masked Figure tilted its head, then raised a hand. A tear ripped open in space—a complete void, blacker than night, shimmering with menace.
"Alright, guys… it's time now. We're going to meet our favorite piece… in the Dream World," the Void-Masked Figure intoned, its voice low and steady, dripping with ominous threat, its eyeless mask radiating intimidation.
The Rune-Masked Figure chuckled, ready, while the Void-Masked Figure remained neutral. "Let's go," it commanded, stepping toward the void.
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(All In Sypnosis)