CHAPTER 6: IT WAS JUST A DREAM

"I really pushed myself to the limit… nearly died, but... I did it."

Drake lay sprawled on the grass, eyes locked on the drifting clouds above. His twin pistols dissolved into black mist and vanished into his inventory with a soft shhhh-flick.

"Mom... Dad… Aunt May… hope you're watching. I'm still standing."

The wind whispered gently through the trees.

"Today... is one for the books."

He raised his arms toward the golden sun, fingers curling slowly into a fist as if grasping the burning light.

THUD!

His arm dropped like a stone.

His muscles gave out, his vision swam.

"What… what's going on?" Drake wondered groggily. His body felt like it was sinking in water. Limbs grew numb. Heavy.

Then—

DING! DING!

His system screen blinked into view.

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

SYSTEM ALERT

Warning: Host has suffered severe blood loss. Mana reserves are critically low.

Immediate Protocol Engaged:

Initiating Combat Hibernation Protocol—a two-hour auto-repair shutdown. Minor wounds will be regenerated during hibernation. Upon awakening, host must immediately consume a Healing Flask to recover from remaining critical injuries.

Note: Hibernation cannot be cancelled.

Recommended Action: Find shelter. Or pray.

Drake's jaw dropped.

"HIBERNATION?! Out here? In the open?! What if a giant wolf pack strolls over and sees an all-you-can-eat buffet just lying around?! I'm not getting chewed on again!"

He flailed—well, tried to—but his arms refused the memo.

"Move, dammit! C'mon feet—MOVE!"

Nothing.

His body was ignoring him like an ex who blocked his number.

Hibernation Countdown Initiating:

10… 9… 8…

"Oh no. This is bad. In five seconds I'm gonna turn into Sleeping Beauty, but without the cute dress or castle."

He tried to drag himself into the nearby bush. Got a twitch. That's it.

5… 4… 3…

"C'mon, man—just a toe wiggle! Pinky toe! Anything!"

2… 1…

Entering Combat Hibernation.

Goodnight, idiot.

—Your sassy Shadow System

"Ooooh fuck"

WHUMP.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

His breathing slowed.

"LUB-DUP!... LUB!-DUP!…"

The sound of his own heartbeat echoed, the only thing left in the quiet void.

In the depths of unconsciousness… a memory stirred.

Sniff sniff—

"Aaa-aaah! Aaa-aaah!"

A child's sobbing.

Drake, now a much smaller version of himself, blinked through watery eyes. His cheeks were soaked. The room was blurry and big. Too big. Shadows danced on the walls. The air was cold.

He was crying.

But… why?

"Drake? Drake, darling—are you okay?"

A soft, angelic voice broke through the darkness. Warm. Familiar.

"M-Mum?" he whispered.

A door creaked open. Light flooded in. Bare, delicate feet stepped across the floor, wrapped in soft blue slippers.

"You had a nightmare again, didn't you?"

She knelt beside his bed, scooping him into her arms.

SMOOCH!

A gentle kiss landed on his forehead.

LUB — DUP!

Drake's little heart skipped.

He stared up into her face—radiant blue eyes, long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, soft skin, a warm smile that could melt mountains. Her scent smelled like vanilla and sunshine.

"There there, my brave little shadow. Come here. Let me kiss your fears away."

She pressed him to her chest, letting his tiny head rest over her heart.

"LUB-DUP!… LUB-DUP!…"

His crying eased.

"You always get like this when you play rough, naughty boy," she whispered, chuckling softly. "You're just like your father."

A loud rumble echoed from outside the door.

"Loren! Put Drake down and come make us dinner! I'm starving!"

Drake blinked up. "Wait… that voice… Dad?"

"Ugh. Can't you see the kid needs me? Can your stomach wait five seconds?"

She turned and shouted toward the door.

Then back to Drake.

"Don't grow up like your dad, okay? Be like me—sensible."

"LOREEN!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming! You baby!"

She smiled down at Drake again.

SMOOCH!

Another kiss on the cheek.

"Stay right here, sweetie. Don't be reckless, alright? Mummy's gonna go make something for your idiot of a father before he eats the fridge."

Drake giggled slightly.

"Hey! Don't call me an idiot in front of the kid!" came the reply.

Loren rolled her eyes.

"See? He proves my point."

She tucked Drake in and pulled the blanket up to his chin. Her smile lingered.

"No more nightmares, okay?"

She started walking to the door.

"Wait… Mum… don't go…" Drake's tiny voice trembled.

She turned off the light.

The door creaked.

"Mum—no, please—don't leave me alone!"

Drake's hands reached out helplessly as the crack of light narrowed.

SLAM!

The door shut.

And with it… darkness returned.

POOM! POOM!

A blinding flash.

The trunk. The sound. The collision. His death.

A searing reminder.

"MUM!"

Drake shot up, gasping. Eyes wide, heart pounding.

LUB-DUP! LUB-DUP! LUB-DUP!

Tears trickled down his cheeks.

DING! DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

Combat Hibernation Complete.

Minor wounds healed.

Please use Healing Flask to treat remaining critical injuries.

A soft breeze rustled through the trees.

The air was crisp.

Drake lay there quietly, blinking away tears.

"So it was… just a dream."

He sniffed and wiped his cheeks.

"Why'd I have that now, of all times…?"

"Mom. Dad… I hope you're watching over me. Always."

He forced a faint smile.

"What a day."

He lay against the cool grass. Birds chirped above. Flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their sweet scent drifting through the clearing.

Drake inhaled deeply, letting it all sink in.

Then, slowly, he stood.

"Kingdom of Sidonia… here I come."

A grin tugged at his lips.

CRACK!

"Ugh—aaah!"

Drake winced as a stabbing pain jolted through his shoulder. He staggered forward and clutched the aching spot, his half-healed wound screaming for attention.

"Damn it… that didn't completely heal."

DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

SYSTEM ALERT

Reminder: Host was required to consume a Healing Flask immediately after hibernation to treat all critical injuries.

Status Update:

HP: Critically Low

Remaining Injuries: Severe Shoulder Damage

Risk: Even a light breeze could knock you out. Or worse.

Recommended Action:

USE THE FLASK, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON.

The translucent screen floated in the air like a smug doctor with a clipboard.

Drake blinked at it, then smacked his forehead.

"Oh—yay! Totally forgot about that. Good job, brain."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Alright, System. Bring up the inventory. I need that Healing Flask… and maybe a Shadow Charge too. Mana's almost toast, and I'm not fighting another overgrown puppy with zero juice."

DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

[INVENTORY INTERFACE]

Inventory Slots: 4 / 50

Weight Capacity: 120 lbs / 500 lbs

Type: Shadowbound Dimensional Storage

Equipped Weapons:

1. Twin Pistols of Midnight Howl

Type: Dual Shadowfire Handguns

Damage: Medium–High (Scales with Precision & Intelligence)

Special: Compressed shadow bullets pierce light armor and curse enemies.

Cool Factor: Glows faint violet in the dark. Whispers like wind when drawn.

2. (Empty Primary Weapon Slot)

Items:

2x Shadow Charges

Use: Instantly restores 300 mana

Cooldown: 5 minutes

2x Basic Healing Flask

Use: Restores 50 HP

Type: Single-use consumable

1x Blank Skill Core

Use: Can absorb and store a shadow ability

"Two flasks, two charges. Not bad. Still, I'll need to stock up later," Drake muttered, eyeing the list.

"Now… how do I get the thing out?"

He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

"Hmm. What do anime characters yell when they summon stuff? Uh… 'Redraw'? No, wait—'Come to me!'" he declared heroically, arm raised like a summoner.

Nothing.

"…Really? That works for my pistols!"

He tried again. "Inventory—reveal thy bottle! Healing Flask, arise!"

Nada.

Drake groaned and collapsed to his knees dramatically. "Great. Guess I'll just go lie in the open and serve myself to the next monster buffet. Free meat. Marinated in stupidity."

He sighed, eyes narrowing. "Alright… one more shot."

He reached out his hand, fingers spread like he was casting a spell, and said with quiet determination:

"Extract."

FWOOOSH—THUNK!

A swirl of shadow spiraled around his hand. A sleek glass flask materialized in midair, its blue liquid sloshing inside. It hovered for a second—then dropped into his palm with a soft clink.

DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

ONE BASIC HEALING FLASK SUCCESSFULLY EXTRACTED

Item Type: Single-use restorative

Description: Heals 50 HP and critical injuries.

Warning: Does not taste like blueberries. Stop asking.

Drake grinned wide. "Yes! Extract was the magic word. Gotta remember that."

He held up the flask and inspected it. "So this is what heals me, huh? Looks like blue Gatorade. Please don't taste like feet."

He popped the cap.

"Bottoms up."

GULP! GULP! GULP!

CLINK!

Drake downed the flask in three swigs and let out a loud, satisfied "Aah!"

"Mamma mia, that wasn't bad at all! Sweet and sour… like the candies Grandma used to sneak me when Mom wasn't looking."

Suddenly—

SHHHHHHHMMM!

Dark mist wrapped around his body. Glowing threads of shadow energy coiled around his wounds, knitting skin and sealing gashes. His shoulder bite hissed as smoke escaped. His throat scratch faded.

"Whoa! It's working!" he gasped, watching the shadows stitch him back together.

The glow faded. The mist vanished.

He stood tall again—refreshed.

DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

STATUS REPORT

All critical wounds healed.

HP Restored: +50

Vital functions stabilized.

Next Step: Recharge mana. You're running on emotional fumes and sarcasm.

"Nah, I'll charge later," Drake said, stretching with a groan. "Right now…"

A grin tugged at his lips.

"I haven't picked up my loot."

He cracked his knuckles and looked toward the clearing where the wolves fell.

"It's loot time, baby!" he yelled, hands in the air.

DING!

[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]

WARNING

You're yelling again.

Stop attracting wolves—or worse.

(Unless you want to die screaming. Your call.)

Drake winced. "Right. Got it. No more shouting."

DING!

ADDITIONAL NOTE

Actually, you can keep yelling. Just don't cry to me when you're getting gnawed on by a level 12 murder-mutt.

—Sincerely, Your Sarcastic Shadow System

The screen winked out.

"Sheesh. What's her problem?" Drake muttered, rolling his eyes.

He cracked his neck and made his way across the field, toward the remains of the Feral Wolves and their Alpha.

Time to collect the goodies these furballs left behind.