The air in the Kingdom of Narakka didn't just smell sweet; it smelled expensive. It was a mix of expensive perfume, cotton candy, and that weirdly clean scent you get right after it rains. But for Joshua Kirishima, it smelled like a trap.
Joshua stood at the edge of the Bridge of Sighs, the only way into the floating lotus-shaped nation. Under his boots, the path wasn't made of stone or wood—it was solid, shimmering light that hummed every time he took a step. To anyone else, this place was literally heaven on earth. Pink clouds swirled around the floating islands like giant balls of wool, and the sun seemed to stay in a permanent state of "golden hour," making everything look like an Instagram filter.
"You okay there, 'King'?" a soft voice teased from his shoulder.
Joshua didn't turn his head. He couldn't really "see" in the traditional sense anyway. A thick, white silk blindfold was wrapped tightly around his eyes, decorated with gold embroidery that matched his regal, deep-purple robes. Resting on his shoulder was Kage, a sleek black raven with eyes that glowed with a faint, violet intelligence.
"The light is too bright, Roselia. Even through the blindfold, it's like someone is pointing a flashlight at my brain," Joshua muttered, his voice low and cool.
"That's just the 'peace and love' radiation," Roselia Hanamaru replied, stepping up beside him. She looked stunning, as usual. She wore a dark, crimson outfit that looked like a mix between a combat suit and a high-end dress—inspired by the old tales of Carmilla. Her long, dark hair caught the golden sunlight, but her eyes were busy scanning the perimeter. "The 'Myth' really went all out on the marketing for this place. If I didn't know any better, I'd be looking for a real estate agent right now."
"Don't get too comfortable," Joshua warned. "Remember what the Book said? 'The horse of gold treads upon the clouds of silk, yet its hooves are stained with red.' This place is a cage, Roselia. A beautiful, floating cage."
"I know, I know. 'No cap' on the danger levels," she said, using a bit of slang she'd picked up from an old archive. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Guardians are watching. Act the part."
Joshua took a deep breath. He relaxed his shoulders, letting his jaw hang just a little bit loose. He needed to look like every other "Dreamer" in this kingdom—happy, mindless, and totally under the spell. Beside him, Roselia did the same, her sharp, calculating gaze softening into a fake, dazed smile.
They started walking across the bridge. It was a long trek. Ahead of them, other "newcomers" were weeping with joy, falling to their knees because they thought they'd finally found paradise.
"Check out the welcoming committee," Roselia whispered through her fake smile.
Floating just off the side of the bridge were the Soporific Bubbles. They looked like giant, iridescent soap bubbles, glowing with the colors of a rainbow. They moved slowly, bobbing up and down like lazy balloons. But Joshua knew better. If you touched one, you didn't just feel a pop—you felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to lie down and sleep forever. And while you slept, the Myth would harvest your "hope" to keep his kingdom afloat.
Suddenly, a massive, glowing holographic board—a Gilded Billboard—flickered to life right in front of them. It was huge, blocking the path. It showed a beautiful image of a centaur-like figure with a golden mane.
"ARE YOU HAPPY IN NARAKKA?" the board flashed in bright, friendly letters. "SMILE FOR YOUR GUARDIAN. THE MYTH LOVES HIS CHILDREN."
A group of people in front of Joshua stopped and cheered, their eyes glazed over and milky white. "We love the Myth! We are happy!" they chanted in a creepy, rhythmic unison.
"Yikes," Roselia muttered. "The cringe is real."
"Stay focused," Joshua said.
As they passed the billboard, a Dreamy Guardian—a creature that looked like a floating, multi-eyed jellyfish made of stars—drifted toward them. It hummed a low, vibrating note that felt like a lullaby. It stopped right in front of Joshua, its tentacles waving gently near his blindfold.
Joshua felt a cold shiver run down his spine. The creature was scanning him. It was looking for "Awakened" souls—people whose minds weren't clouded by the hypnosis.
If I use the Eye now, it's over, Joshua thought. I'll isolate this thing into the Void, but every Guardian in the sky will know we're here.
He felt Roselia's hand slip into his. She squeezed it twice. Stay calm. I've got the shadows ready, the gesture said. Roselia's power was subtle; she could cloak their "intent" so the monsters only saw what they wanted to see.
The jellyfish-beast lingered for a long second. The air grew heavy. Then, with a soft whoosh, it drifted away, apparently satisfied that Joshua and Roselia were just another pair of mindless tourists.
"That was a close one," Roselia exhaled once they were out of earshot. "My heart is doing cardio right now."
"We're officially in the District of False Joy," Joshua said, 'looking' around through Kage's eyes.
The islands were packed with white marble buildings and streets lined with gold. It looked like a festival that had been going on for a thousand years. People were dancing, eating "Dream Nectar" from street stalls, and laughing. But nobody was actually talking. There was no gossip, no arguments, no life. Just... happiness.
"It's too quiet," Joshua remarked. "Even with the music, there's no soul here."
"Well, we aren't here for the vibes," Roselia said, pulling out a small, old compass that didn't point North—it pointed toward the "Old Book" hidden in Joshua's robes. "The first 'Mind Memory' should be somewhere near the Hall of Crystalline Spirits. Kairyn's contact said the rebels meet in the shadows underneath the islands."
"Then let's get off the main road," Joshua said. "I'm tired of acting like a zombie."
They turned down a side alley, away from the bright lights and the billboards. The further they went, the more the "paradise" started to crumble. The gold on the walls was actually just cheap paint peeling away. The white marble was cracked.
Suddenly, Kage let out a sharp, warning croak.
"Someone's following us," Joshua whispered, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of the sword hidden beneath his cloak.
"I see them," Roselia replied, her body tensing. "Two of them. One's big, one's small. They aren't moving like the Dreamers."
From the shadows of a stack of empty crates, a tall man with tired eyes and a rugged cloak stepped out. Beside him was a young girl with messy hair and a pair of goggles pushed up on her forehead.
"You guys walk pretty fast for people who are supposed to be hypnotized," the man said, his voice raspy. He didn't look happy. He looked like he hadn't slept in three years. "I'm Kairyn. And if you don't want to end up as fish food for the Guardians, you'd better come with us. The Myth's 'eyes' are everywhere, and you two stick out like a sore thumb."
Joshua didn't relax. "Why should we trust you?"
The young girl, Sharla, stepped forward and pointed at Joshua's chest. "Because that book in your pocket is screaming. I can hear it. It's asking a question, isn't it?"
Joshua reached into his robes and touched the leather cover of the Old Book. It was warm. It was pulsing.
"It is," Joshua admitted.
"Then move," Kairyn said, looking up at the sky as a squad of Soporific Bubbles floated overhead. "Before the 'Dream' decides to turn into a nightmare."