Mongre_l

In the year 2110, lucid dreaming isn’t just an escape—it’s power. The world has changed since the discovery that dreams can shape reality, leading to the fall of governments and the rise of three factions, each with their own agenda.

Orion, a student at Zenith Academy, thought his dreams were nothing more than restless nights—until he wakes up with wounds that shouldn’t exist. As strange visions persist and a mysterious old woman warns him of what’s to come, he finds himself drawn deeper into a hidden war fought beyond the limits of the waking world.

With his friends by his side—Neil, the tech genius; Rin, the conspiracy enthusiast; and Cassandra, obsessed with lucid dreaming—Orion begins to unlock abilities that defy logic. But power always comes at a price, and in a world where dreamers can alter reality, the difference between an ally and an enemy is as thin as the veil between sleep and wakefulness.

When a faction finally takes notice of him, Orion must decide: will he embrace the lucid world, or lose himself in it forever?

Lucid Paradox

The dorm room was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the rhythmic tapping of Neil's keyboard. Orion sat on his bed, tossing a stress ball from hand to hand, but his mind wasn't on the repetitive motion. Instead, it was stuck on today's history lecture.

Neil, hunched over his laptop, seemed deep in thought as well—though whether it was about the factions or whatever tech experiment he was running, Orion couldn't tell.

"You thinking about the lecture?" Orion finally asked.

Neil sighed, but didn't look away from his screen. "I'd rather not."

Neil leaned back in his chair. "Let's see… a mandatory decision that determines the rest of our lives? Yeah, I'd say that's bad."

At Zenith Academy, everything led to one thing: choosing a faction. After graduation, every student had to pick a side.

They all knew it was coming, but hearing it spelled out by Professor Callum today made it feel suffocating.

There were three factions, each with its own ideals.

Liberty was built on the belief that people should govern themselves, free from authority. It attracted those who rejected control—scientists, rebels, and defectors from the old system.

Vanguard believed the world needed structure to avoid chaos. It was formed by those who had witnessed the collapse—law enforcers, corporate leaders, and explorers—people who wanted to bring back order.

Horizon stood between them, valuing knowledge above all. They saw lucid dreaming as something to be understood, not controlled or exploited. Researchers, engineers, and scholars made up most of their ranks.

Orion let out a slow breath. "Feels weird, doesn't it?"

Neil stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Feels like a trap."

Neil continued, "Think about it. No matter which faction you choose, you end up playing by somebody's rules."

Orion rolled the stress ball in his hands. "So what's the alternative?"

Neil gave him a lopsided grin. "Easy. Break the system."

Orion snorted. "You say that like it hasn't been tried before."

Neil shrugged. "Yeah, but maybe no one's done it right yet."

Orion shook his head, amused. "So, Mr. Revolutionary, which faction would you pick?"

Neil leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against his chin. "Liberty's too unpredictable. Vanguard's too rigid. Horizon?" He paused. "They might be on to something."

Orion hummed in agreement. "So you'd pick Horizon?"

Neil smirked. "I said they were on to something. I didn't say I'd join them."

Orion sighed. "So what, you're just gonna not pick at all?"

Neil grinned. "I've got two years to figure it out."

Orion shook his head. Typical Neil—always acting like time was on his side.

But truthfully, Orion didn't have an answer either.

No matter which way he looked at it, choosing a faction felt like closing a door on every other possibility.

"I just don't want to make the wrong choice," he admitted.

Neil's expression turned more serious. "You won't."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how do you know that?"

Neil gave a lazy shrug. "Because you're Orion. You overthink everything, weigh all your options, and somehow always land on your feet."

Orion scoffed. "That's a lot of faith."

The conversation drifted after that, the weight of their choices settling in the background but never fully disappearing

Three Days Later – Friday Night

The factions had faded to the back of Orion's mind as the week passed. Classes continued as usual, and the Academy's routine didn't allow much time for overthinking.

Then, on Friday night, his phone buzzed.

> Unknown Number: 7 PM. The Haven. We need to talk.

The message was brief, direct. No name, no explanation.

> Unknown Number: Don't be late.

Orion stared at the screen, thoughts racing.

Whoever this was, they weren't giving him much of a choice.

"…Guess I've got plans tonight."

Paths and Choices