How do you like my gift, human? It's grand, isn't it? The crown's voice echoed in his mind, smug and cold. It's a bit flashy, sure, but who is this 'Sovereign King of Nightmares'? Is that your Seeker name? It sounds like it fits a king.
"Seeker name?" Helios muttered, adjusting to the sudden weight on his head. "You should explain yourself when you throw around words I don't know, you flashy thing."
You really don't know anything, do you? Let me enlighten you. The crown's tone was patronizing. A Seeker name is a title bestowed upon you when you claim your summon. It is a reflection of your essence and how your abilities manifest. Only you can hear it; not even your summons are privy to the name.
"So, Sovereign of Nightmares..." Helios mused. "Does that mean I rule over bad dreams? What exactly does it mean by 'nightmares'?"
We can find out later. It's time for you to return, human.
"Wait, what—?"
The regal throne room dissolved into ink. The world went pitch black, and then, slowly, light began to bleed back into Helios's vision.
"The Leader is alive!" Nova's voice boomed, shattering the silence.
This fox-idiot sounds like a child, Helios thought, his head throbbing. I really feel like punching him.
"Oh, so you actually survived," Sara said, her voice laced with more surprise than relief.
What, you wanted me to die? I really can't trust any of you. Aloud, Helios grunted, "Well, I'm alive. Sorry to disappoint if you were hoping for a funeral."
"Well, Leader, now that you're back among the living," Riku intervened, his eyes sharp, "why don't you tell us your Seeker name?"
They don't even care that I'm covered in wounds, Helios noted bitterly. All they want is the title.
"Why the silence?" Sara prodded, crossing her arms. "Don't tell me you don't even know what your own name is."
"Of course I know it," Helios snapped, pushing himself up. "It's the Sovereign of Nightmares. If I didn't know that, I wouldn't deserve to be called your Leader."
"Sovereign of Nightmares... sounds interesting," Rio murmured. "But what are nightmares?"
"Yeah, what are they?" Nova added, tilting his head.
Helios looked at them flatly. "You've all been Seekers longer than I've been in this world. Why don't you tell me?"
"Well, if no one knows, we can find out later," Sara sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Since our 'Leader' is still a stranger to some of us, let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Sara. Seeker name: Clock."
Nova grinned. "I'm next! Nova. Seeker name: Shifter."
"I think it's my turn," a man with a studious air stepped forward. "I'm Ray. Seeker name: The Inventor."
"Riku," the stoic one said shortly. "Seeker name: Sword of Shadows."
"Finally, my time to speak," Rio said with a small bow. "I'm Rio, the Dream Walker."
Helios looked around the room, noticing the count was off. "Wait, where did the other two go?"
"They were only here to see if you'd live or die," Nova explained with a shrug. "It seems they got their answer and left."
"What are their names?" Helios asked. I need to learn everything I can about this organization if I'm going to survive them.
"We don't actually know," Rio admitted. "Just call the strongest one 'Old Man.' The girl... we really don't know her. She rarely appears and almost never speaks."
"The Old Man only shows up when he feels like it," Nova added. "And the girl only appears when she is summoned by the Leader."
Great. Two ghosts who only show up once in a blue moon, and these five idiots. At least I have the idiots. "So, how do I call for the girl? If I'm the Leader, I should know."
"We don't know that either," Riku said.
You guys are more useless than the crown, Helios thought. He sighed. "Fine. Can someone at least tell me what happens now that I have my summon? That would actually be useful."
"Ray can tell you," Riku said, nodding toward the Inventor. "He's the one who handles the research around here."
"I can give you a brief overview now," Ray said, adjusting his glasses. "The rest can wait until tomorrow."
Why not just tell me everything today? I might die like the original Helios if I don't know enough. "Go on," Helios prompted.
"First, when you enter the Veiled World to find your summon, you are challenged," Ray explained. "The challenge takes the form of Night Walkers. The more that are summoned, the stronger the potential of the summon itself. Once defeated, you gain the summon and your Seeker name. You likely noticed your injuries were healed upon your return; that's standard. However, you also receive a massive physical boost—roughly twenty times your original strength. That explains why we were surprised when you defeated Neville."
So that's why I feel so much stronger... but why is my hair longer? Helios reached up, feeling the dark strands that now reached past his shoulders. "Question: Why did my hair grow?"
"Increased growth speed," Ray noted. "It's a side effect of the physical evolution. Don't you feel taller, too?"
I'm still lying down, how am I supposed to—? Helios stood up and realized he was now looking down at Nova, who had previously been taller than him.
I really did grow. But how am I going to explain this to Luna? Wait—Moon! I need to get home! "I have to go," Helios said abruptly, already moving toward the exit. "I have things to do. I'll be back tomorrow."
He bolted out the door before they could protest.
"Why is he running like a dog is chasing him?" Nova asked, confused.
"Someone who has faced a Night Walker isn't going to run from a dog," Sara remarked, watching him disappear.
Helios sprinted through the streets, marvelling at his own speed. I'm definitely faster. Is this the physical boost?
He reached the familiar small house and knocked urgently. "Who's there?" a cautious voice called from inside.
"It's me, Moon! Your brother!"
The door flew open. Luna rushed out and threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. "Brother! You're finally back! Why did you take so long?"
Helios looked toward the horizon where the sun was dipping below the skyline. "I was just... really busy, Luna." Busy trying not to die again.
"Let's go inside," he said gently.
Once in the kitchen, he turned to her. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes!" she chirped.
Back to reality. It seems I still have to cook.
He prepared a simple meal, and they sat together, eating like a real family. I shouldn't forget that I'm not her real brother, he reminded himself, though the warmth in the room made it hard to stay detached.
After dinner, the exhaustion finally hit him. "Well, there's nothing to do in this world anyway," he muttered as they prepared for bed. "I don't even have a book to read because I'm broke."
"Goodnight, brother," Luna whispered from her bed.
"Goodnight, Moon," Helios replied, closing his eyes and hoping the nightmares would stay in his crown.