My eyes flutter open.
I'm in the suite in the beast housing, sleeping next to Lightning and the cubs. Yet I am also awake. Dream? Astral projection?
The Mushroom Man perches in front of me, with a beatific smile. [Shall you wake up your brother? And your mate?]
I blink. [Don't they need their rest for tomorrow?]
No one else seems to detect him. His outline looks like a hologram, all shimmery. I'm betting that only people who know about System's true nature can sense him.
[Oh, I promise, you'll all have more than enough energy in the morning for the final contest. Do wake them up, if you please.]
Since I trust him, I nudge Lightning awake. Blinking, Lightning slowly comes awake, her eyes adjusting to the sight of the fungi-smelling apparition in the room. [Oh. Am I dreaming?]
[No. And we're about to have a nice late-night chat. Hang on.]
