[ For those of you who sleep, you may end up dreaming of the Shadows House.
Be warned, there are spoilers for chapter 201!
You dream that you're in a mansion... ]
You're at a fancy dinner party in an appropriately fancy manor. The attendees all seem to be children of varying ages. There are about a hundred of them altogether. Half appear to be humans dressed in the simple clothes of servants, and the other half are faceless Shadows dressed in elegant noble attire. Right now, they all face in your direction, and even without seeing half of their faces, you know what kind of expression they're all wearing...
It's not you they're looking at, but the young man standing next to you. A Shadow in white and gold attire basks in the fanatical adoration of all of the children, and next to him, a human of identical stature stands and smiles serenely in your direction.
"Leader of the Star Bearers... Christopher would like you to join him and become his student, so that we can lead the children together."
The children cheer your name, eager to hear your answer. Each repetition feels like a dagger in your chest. They can't imagine that you would say no to Christopher.
As if you had a choice. You're trapped. The only thing you can do is...
You swallow your pride and accept.
The moment the words leave your mouth, the room erupts into applause and cheers. The deafening noise starts to feel distant, and your legs wobble. Another Shadow catches you before you faint.
"Are you all right...?"
"You don't have to push yourself. Christopher and Anthony are here now, after all."
"Once John heals, he'll work extra hard to help you! Under Master Christopher, of course!"
"Didn't Patrick tell you not to shoulder everything by yourself? From now on, you should rely on Master Christopher."
The Shadows call out to you in concern. But again and again, you hear those hateful words... Master Christopher. Master Christopher. You feel sick. You need to leave, now.
You excuse yourself and force your legs to carry you to the exit. But before you can see what's beyond the door, you wake up.
dream
Be warned, there are spoilers for chapter 201!
You dream that you're in a mansion... ]
Euphoria.
Tears of joy run down their cheeks. The sight of it sickens you.
It's not you they're looking at, but the young man standing next to you. A Shadow in white and gold attire basks in the fanatical adoration of all of the children, and next to him, a human of identical stature stands and smiles serenely in your direction.
The regal Shadow faces you, speaking loudly so that all can hear.
"Leader of the Star Bearers... Christopher would like you to join him and become his student, so that we can lead the children together."
The children cheer your name, eager to hear your answer. Each repetition feels like a dagger in your chest. They can't imagine that you would say no to Christopher.
As if you had a choice. You're trapped. The only thing you can do is...
You swallow your pride and accept.
The moment the words leave your mouth, the room erupts into applause and cheers. The deafening noise starts to feel distant, and your legs wobble. Another Shadow catches you before you faint.
"Are you all right...?"
"You don't have to push yourself. Christopher and Anthony are here now, after all."
"Once John heals, he'll work extra hard to help you! Under Master Christopher, of course!"
"Didn't Patrick tell you not to shoulder everything by yourself? From now on, you should rely on Master Christopher."
The Shadows call out to you in concern. But again and again, you hear those hateful words... Master Christopher. Master Christopher. You feel sick. You need to leave, now.
You excuse yourself and force your legs to carry you to the exit. But before you can see what's beyond the door, you wake up.