Nightmare Mythos

The cohort is a group of capable men who didn't need anyone to keep instructing what they should and shouldn't do. Aside from Cesar and Quentin whose experience only relies on the City of Wheels, the others have rich knowledge when it involves Nightmares.

Equipped with those experiences, they should've felt more confident.

'Damn…'

But the overwhelming aura that the old candelabra continued to instill message to them felt eerily off.

It was becoming overbearing.

As they got closer to this pillar of corruption made out of unknown metal with candles resting at some of the points, their hearts started to waver.
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The surge of emotion that only kept inside them felt like it was about to burst out, screaming its way out. The feeling of being in a chokehold by this nameless mystery continued to tickle them each time as if it were a reminder.

Fuck experience, they are nothing to absolute power.

"Always remember Cesar to never, ever touch the candelabra itself. It is coated in a special space hence its corruption will only work if you touch it directly not being near it. It is different from the frozen delicacies which is why the option of crossing the table is viable enough,"

Cedeit had to remind Cesar once again that crossing it was never a problem but touching it directly is going to be a lot of trouble. The trouble is equivalent to death hence it was an understatement for the mysterious voice in which Cesar knew himself.

Even so, he didn't dislike being notified once more. It's more like Cesar will be able to keep his focus, instilling this reminder at the back of his head as if it was his second thought he'll need to ponder each second.­

Rustle—!

Suddenly, Cesar felt a nudge from his back that made him stop walking. Turning around to look, Cesar saw Quentin signaling him to gaze at the front which he followed without any words.

There, he saw Jeremiah relaxing.

Prior to coming here, everyone shared what kind of facet they had stored in their arsenal. It was the time when they devised a plan for their upcoming fight. Cesar learned that all these leaders seemed to be Shaded of the Second Order, meaning they must've two abilities unless they received two facets which is rare on its own like Quentin.

But they weren't.

The five of them all have two abilities and they functioned differently.

Jeremiah for example, had gotten the facets [Purge] and [Nullification] which are the most busted two abilities that Cesar heard for a while. Pairing up with his Technique relating to a spear and an artifact that gave him drops of essence in a few seconds, Jeremiah willingly put himself in the far front. It's because he's just that capable.

Beside him was Klaus who had the facets of [Tether] and [Clairaudience]. Even though those abilities heavily rely on support, he was fighting up front because of his second facet, Clairaudience which could acquire information by paranormal auditory means. Additionally, his sword skills are top-notch.

With these two at the front, they'll become the wall that protects others in the back.

"…"

Jeremiah continued observing the gargantuan candelabra within his sight before glancing at the group who immediately readied themselves.

'Here it comes…'

With Leah on Amar's back, the shorty Erin, the two students of the academy, Cesar and Quentin… all started to position themselves in a stance as if they were going to run.

Because they were going to.

With Jeremiah lastly positioned in that kind of posture, he was also the first to dash away from the group with Klaus on his back as they finally entered the territory of the Nightmare, Dim.

Whoosh—!

Their silence throughout the time of being near the gargantuan antique was instantly removed the moment they ran through it below.

Tak—!

Traversing under the shade of the candelabra for a hundred meters in a matter of dozens of seconds was a piece of cake to the professionals, and even Quentin and Cesar weren't left behind by their relentless running.

Everyone was desperate and determined enough to cross at least a couple of hundred meters under the shade of candelabra.

That's why even the slowest ones, such as Quentin and the shorty, Erin were running the best of their abilities. As for the healer, Amar, he was their fastest runner even with that kind of body even while carrying Leah did seem effortless to him.

Whoosh—!

They remained running forward.

Rustle—!

However, barely two hundred meters from the starting point of their run, something began to reveal its presence, subtly hinting that they weren't alone in the vast and ancient candelabra.

The whispers of those movements swiftly crept to them, feeling the shade of the candelabra becoming darker as if something was already watching them from above.

"It's here…"

Probably came from his second facet's ability, Klaus informed everyone with a grave tone but surprises didn't come to them yet.

This was within their scope of plan for now.

Whoosh—!

Because of that confirmation, Erin, the shorty, slid his hand into his pocket to do his job, grabbing an orb artifact that produced a soft glow.

"Let there be light!"

Pouring more than half of his essence into the orb artifact that Erin introduced as the Source of Light to them, his hands began to emit a gentle glow that initially enveloped only him before gradually spreading across the entire squad, extending even further upwards.

For a brief moment, everything lit up from the candelabra.

And there, far away from their position watching them solemnly at one of the handles was a lanky creature enveloped with nothing but darkness. Two of its red eyes were on the side of its head, silently staring at them.

But they weren't just going to watch.

All of them breathed in the most air they could muster before shouting very loudly.

"NICOTARA!"

As if very surprised at what happened, the Nightmare seemed to have jolted in its position before letting out a piercing shriek that fell on the cohort's almost bleeding ears.