Nightmare Mythos

Gearing themselves up as those who already belonged to the Army had worn military uniforms that rightfully belonged to them.

Picking up a weapon while those in the Captain position wielded a revolver, Cesar watched around as he didn't get to wear something nice or have a good revolver like the ones he wielded back then.

'I miss wielding a gun…'

Arnold tapped his head while daydreaming about not having a gun himself. Cesar looked suspiciously at him, still not getting his doubts out at the discovery he made from the Castle Hearth.

However, Arnold does not mind it anyway.

It was a secret that shouldn't have been revealed or something that only a person would be aware of once they came to this information.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But Cesar was a different case.

Arnold understood that he got this information from somewhere else that's why the 'contract' that had been inside them wasn't activated when he was supposed to reveal the secret to Cesar.

"Don't touch me,"

Arnold let out a short sigh as he stated, "I know you're suspicious about me but there's always a reason for everything, Cesar. You can say it is for the better good,"

Cesar snorted, "Is that the reason why you and Nas were able to give that a specific Nightmare was colluding with Colonel Franklin Donatello and an Academy Administrator? It's a fascinating idea but let's see what you'll show me,"

Arnold who knew that convincing Cesar would not happen until he showed solid proof, let out a tired sigh and rode the vehicle that they would be using.

Cesar, who wanted to finish this mission fast whatever Desmond wanted to show him at the Fountain of Promises, also trotted in the passenger seat at the front.

"We'll be going first," Cesar said goodbye to his friends as he smiled, "After this mission, I'll try to see if I can be a bit of help. Since I'm still a student of the Academy, I'm still under their care but I will try to use my position to strike a bargain,"

"Nah, you don't need to worry about us too much,"

Reyna waved her hands dismissively as the others behind her back gave as the others behind her gave a thumbs-up and a curt nod.

Without waiting further, Cesar and Arnold's vehicle was the first one to leave the Army Base to carry out the mission that Desmond had given to them.

Arnold who was a veteran of being given orders knew what exactly had to do while Cesar could learn from him as they got in on their journey.

…

"Anyways, the mission given to us is a weird thing. I'm sure Desmond wanted to relay a message for me at this… fountain but can you tell me what it is? Why are we going there and what is the 'IT' he was trying to mention?"

Traversing through roads and even entering the Langston Bridge at one point of their travel, Cesar finally started a conversation since they had been quiet for quite some time now.

Losing on the time they have traveled together is filled with silence and noises that only came from their vehicle, Arnold then confessed.

"One of his men must've given a report to him regarding your discovery of one of the Academy's biggest secrets. Some of the survivors, you know? That must be it because I couldn't see any other reason as to why he was able to know anything right before the explosion. It's not like we're the only ones alive there,"

'So it really is related to my findings at the Academy.' Cesar mused inwardly as a look of enlightenment flashed before his eyes.

He continues thinking inwardly, 'So on my way to find a cure for myself, I discovered a top-secret information that should've been kept under wraps. Tsk, my damn mouth.'

Cesar shivered upon realizing that this is the situation that he merely thinks of in his head when prying onto something he shouldn't have.

It was probably because his condition was worsening that the only thing he thought was himself.

Arnold who remembered why Cesar had revealed that information to the crowd, asked him, "When you said that you needed a Nightmare there? Are you certain?"

Cesar who was surprised that his doubts were becoming true and that the cure for his condition was nearer, nodded fervently and said.

"I would've spoken to you in private if my condition was not worse. I didn't lie when I said I'm dying. As for why I have this sickness, something happened in the Mansion that led to my condition. So, I guess it is my fault,"

Arnold could see that the 'condition' Cesar kept mentioning was apparent. He noticed that in the last few days they traveled, he sweat a lot and slept like a baby on his seat. He also remembered that he had been like this when they were traveling toward Dawn Breaker.

Arnold then explained, "If my contract isn't activating, it could only mean you've acquired this knowledge through your own means and not a party who already knew about this information. So yes, there's indeed a Nightmare dwelling in the Academy,"

Arnold cast a glance towards Cesar and stated, "And every Headmaster of the Academy made a 'Pact' with this creature. Just as this one is benefitting our help, so is this monster," Experience new tales on empire

Cesar tilted his head as he asked, "Does that mean you can make a deal with a Nightmare through this 'pact'? Why? I thought Nightmares were the true enemies of the world. They are what caused us to this age… and you're telling me this is a secret the world is trying to hide from people? Making friends with enemies?"

Arnold let out a small sigh as he stated, "You'll know soon enough. Be glad, I suppose? I believe you're the first student to ever manage to come to the Fountain of Promises. Even your friends don't know about this place, you know?"

Soon, Cesar directed his gaze at the front as they passed through the forestry that they had been traveling for a day.

And way past the forestry that seemed to hide something from within was a huge sea.