Nightmare Mythos

"You've known this much in just a span of a small amount of time?"

Jeremiah couldn't help but speak in astonishment as he heard the reports coming from Cesar. The other people who were merely watching couldn't help but be curious as well and give him high praise while evaluating his capability as a rookie.

As for what he informed them, it was all related to the incoming Nightmare they were going to face. The way he delivered his information even though it's only been a day since he had come here didn't sound right at all.

In fact, aside from going on a lookout and joining the meeting from time to time, there's no other situation where Cesar was able to move even deeper and gather this valuable intel.

This is why Cesar was prepared to give an explanation as to how he was able to gather this important intel... even if it all sounded like a bitter lie.

However, looking at their faces didn't exclude any suspicion but an expression of hope that told him they needed this kind of lead, only made Cesar relaxed.

'This is more like it. Interrogate me when we're out of here. We focus on what's important,' Cesar mused inwardly while letting out a soft smile.

"How reliable do you think this is, Sparrow?" Jeremiah asked, out of curiosity that didn't have a tone of maliciousness about it.

After being posed with that kind of question, Cesar remained silent for a brief while contemplating the source of this information which was no other than Cedeit.

Remembering the eerie voice of the entity that continued giving him advice that he heeded and saved his life a few times now, Cesar believed that this was solid proof of information.

After all, Cedeit had been right all this time.

"It's very reliable sir. I'm sure of it,"

As if that was everything he needed to see the value of this information and clear the doubts in his head, Jeremiah let out a chuckle before nodding once.

"Then, I have no words left. Good job gathering this information," Jeremiah then turned solemn as he added, "Now, all that's left is to deal with the Nightmare."

He then shifted to Quentin and ordered amiably, "Rookie, can you call Klaus outside? We'll start on finalizing the strategy on what we have for the upcoming fight,"

Knowing such a request isn't hard to do, adding the fact that Jeremiah even spoke very kindly, Quentin didn't hesitate to comply and went outside.

…

For the next two days, Cesar and the rest of the cohort rested and took their time to rejuvenate themselves from the exhaustion they received for the time they had been here. Just like what they did on the first day, they always think of a plan to work with their upcoming fight with the Nightmare.

With additional information coming from Cesar, it made things better for their side.

However, Cesar was the last person that came with their group. They patiently waited for anyone or somebody new to meet to strengthen their firepower but they had to remove such idea.

Seven of them is all they have.

"There's no spare clothes to use…"

Cesar looked down below, only to see the same ragged and torn clothes of the military on his body. Thankfully, he had proper hygiene during his academy days hence him being smelly doesn't entirely come from him but from the clothes itself.

Their healer, Amar, could only do a little by lending him an artifact that could produce a bit of water, enough to wash his face.

'Sir Amar…'

Speaking of Amar, it was he who also brought a stash of food that he willingly shared which is why they'll be able to last longer than they should be. Cesar as well was eternally grateful to the kind-hearted healer for not being a stingy person and being able to be that kind of person in this hectic position.

'Everyone here didn't seem to be afraid for what's about to come. Are they putting up a brave face all this time or… ?'

Cesar stopped his thoughts from going further and fixed himself once more before leaving the tent with strong tenacity. Once he exited, his determination slightly wavered after being able to observe the people whom he deemed capable leaders of their squad making those kinds of expressions.

A trace of fear.

The feeling of dread.

And lastly, death clutching on their neck, ready to choke them anytime.

No matter how brave or strong they were, the opponent they were going to fight was a Nightmare, something humanity had never defeated with a millennium of history to show how unworthy were humans to stand toe-to-toe with them.

But what choice do they have?

They were in a mysterious place, a bizarre territory, at the wrong time.

Those feelings were only natural to appear.

'Come on now… At least don't show it to me. I was feeling confident for us, you know?' Cesar mused inwardly, his expression appearing twisted and contorting.

His steeled resolve from earlier slightly wavered, but he removed the doubts inside his head right after knowing it would affect his performance if all he thought was negativity.

In this situation, positive thinking might somehow help them.

Once all of them were prepared, Jeremiah suddenly made a weird action by placing a piece of note on the ground that he grabbed from his pocket.

It was a message to tell the newcomers of the table that somebody had already come first, but also to tell them to move forward since that's where their cohort is going.

/We're going first/
Discover what's next at m,vl-em,py-r

It was such a simple message that didn't contain any positivity or a bit of negativity. It was just there to inform someone, that's all.

Only those who read it can infer what the message is being implied.

Once he was done, Jeremiah stood up before letting out a shaky breath from his mouth. After a few seconds of doing so, he gave a glance at the group before forming a weak smile.

"Let's go…"

With an instruction coming from Jeremiah, the cohort marched towards the old candelabra within their sight.