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At World's End Entry 29
Two weeks had passed since Thea’s death.I got discharged from the clinic and was awarded 100 achievement points for defeating the Nightmare trial.For context, achievement points was the means used to grade Explorers.To graduate the academy and become a real Explorer, I needed to amass 500 achievement points.Which basically meant that I had to repeat the feat of the first trial four more times.Worst part was if I failed a trial, 50 points was deducted.If you are wondering why it’s half the attained sum, well that’s because the other half goes to acting as recompense for the amount of time the candidate stays in the clinic.Ugh, this is messed up.I knew the academy would be dangerous but… someone died!And it didn’t look like anyone took it as a big deal.In fact, the instructors and candidates went about their daily activities casually.Worst of all, the trials were still ongoing.The fifth batch got sucked in last night and based on what I heard… none of them passed.“What’s on
At World's End Entry 30
Reginald suddenly stepped forward and walked up to me before bowing slightly. “Thank you. If not for your actions, we might have ended up in worse conditions.”I couldn’t refute his words since Roberts had made it clear that clearing the trial saved the candidates.When it came to the Nightmare trials, there were only two outcomes.Passing or failing.If one passed, depending on the order of the trial, then that’s fine.For a solo trial, it was simply a matter of one candidate defeating the trial.A group trial however, it was harder to decide on how each candidate was graded.Depending on their actions and how much contribution they made to the scenario, they were awarded.Of course, this was reliant on the one that beat the trial.If he said it was a solo win and the others were baggage, it would be hard to refute.If he said it was a win for a few and mentioned those that helped, then that would be taken as the basis on which rewards where given.Anyway, passing a trial would mean
At World's End Entry 31
Stigmas were markings given to those that passed the Nightmare trials.According to what Roberts told me a week after I was discharged from the hospital and felt curious about the symbol that was basically a black line around my wrist, the Stigma wasn’t as simple as it looked.For context, I’d have to explain just like he did.So apparently, the Dreamer hunted humans by pulling them into dreams and killing them by sucking their life essence.Which meant that even if you didn’t die immediately in the dream, chances were you’d die due to a prolonged period in the nightmare.Anyway, those that managed to escape the nightmares were most times marked by the Dreamer.This marking came in the form of a tattoo.Depending on the type of nightmare, the tattoo would have a different design.Of course, during that period, the tattoo wasn’t known as a Stigma.Instead, they called it a Curse.Anyone that managed to escape the Nightmare would be cursed by the Dreamer in two ways.One, whatever happe
At World's End Entry 32
Silence.My body felt heavy and I couldn’t breath properly.Did something happen?Ugh, why do I feel so uncomfortable?Suddenly, a certain smell bombarded my nostril.It was a familiar smell since it was the one that hit me the day dad left me.A fire!Opening my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar location.It was mostly dark but I could just about make out a few things due to the little flames engulfing a few areas in the room.Of course, I had to close my eyes and open them again to get accustomed to the low light and even then, I ended up squinting.A burned room with shelves piled over each other and debris all over the ground.Looking back, instead of the bed I slept on, it was a slab of broken concrete.Ugh, no wonder I was so uncomfortable.I was laying down on stone.In any case, what’s going on?Where am I?... Wait a minute.Is this a trial?It happened so soon?... This is unexpected.Looking down at my body, instead of my sleeping attire, I wore a leather jacket with jean
At World's End Entry 33
A Zombie.Yeah, that’s the name I came up with for the Otherworldly I just murdered.What?... It’s actions reminded me of the weird stories Leila used to tell me of undead monsters that sort to eat brains.At that time I wondered how such monsters could threaten humanity, but if they were like this?... Damn, I was tripping.Anyway, from our little scuffle, I was able to make out a few things.Basically it’s attributes which included an impenetrable skin and it’s weakness which was it’s inside.I should say this is welcome progress from last time when I was completely out of it.Then again… I can’t believe I killed it.That was kinda scary.I guess I should be thankful for the class I had this morning concerning the Explorers guide to surviving in the fog.When dealing with Otherworldly, it was important to first determine its abilities and weakness before attacking.Blindly rushing in would lead to death on more occasions than one.Of course this didn’t mean that the Otherworldly woul
At World's End Entry 34
Thinking back now, it’s been a little over 7 weeks ( 70 days ) since I became a cadet in the Academy.During this period, I’ve experienced combat training, backbreaking exercises and problems with keeping focus.Through it all, I wouldn’t say I was a full fledged Explorer.Nope, I’m a long way from that.But there was a difference and I was thankful for that.Maybe it was a little irresponsible though to suddenly put us into such situations where we were forced to take on monsters that we’d normally never have a chance against.Roberts said something peculiar.That the suppression used by the examiners was strong enough to ensure that the monsters we faced in the nightmares were never stronger than we could handle.But that was bold of him to say considering they don’t have a say in the scenarios each nightmare is set in.How are they so sure that the monsters are being suppressed?What if it’s just the Dreamer playing a game.That thought process was forced to come to a halt however
At World's End Entry 35
The Fog was an important part of why humanity was forced to live in a tower like rats.It emerged out of nowhere one day and engulfed the world in terror and destruction.Out of it, unspeakable entities emerged and devoured humanity.It was our greatest enemy, greater than even the monsters that was borne from it.All my life, I always wondered what it looked like and seeing it now… I didn’t know how to feel.This was a nightmare, yes and I had already convinced myself of that, yet the Fog appeared.Roberts and the captain never said anything about this.Which was why so many questions popped up in my mind as I watched the thick white mist enter the storeroom.Why would the Fog appear in a nightmare that was supposedly suppressed by the examiners?What was the creature it came with?Would we be able to escape it’s grasp?These questions and more flooded my mind and momentarily, I blanked out.“Brother Jerry!”Lincoln’s fear filled voice snapped me out of my reverie and it was then I s
At World's End Entry 36
Ugh, what happened?My head hurts.Why can’t I move my body?Am I paralyzed?Am I dead?No, stop panicking.Take deep breaths.Hmm, okay let’s try to recall what happened.The storeroom, zombie, then… Ugh, it hurts!Fuck!Gritting my teeth, I force my eyes open and I’m greeted by a night sky…. Wait what!The shock of what was before my eyes allowed me forget the temporary paralysis I felt as I bolted up.Unbelievable.Is this what the sky looks like?I’d never seen it before but dad always said it was one of the wonders of the outside world.So much space.I could hardly breathe at what lay out there.Of course, this sky was without the stars and clouds that dad spoke about but that should be because this is just a nightmare.“Brother Jerry!”I look over to find Lincoln rushing toward him.He looked quite haggard, to the point where a simple thought came to mind.Mad man!Ahem, anyway.“It seems like we survived. Did you just wake up?”Lincoln shook his vigorously. “Not at all.”It wa