[Nightmare]

Chapter 22 [Protectors]

"Mr. Macron, on a scale of one to completely toast, how's Helix's condition right now?"

"Haaaaaaahhhh. I don't think that I'm ever going to get used to that personality of yours, Charlotte."

"So the answer is probably okay."

"I didn't say that…."

"I'm glad he's not dying. I still have to beat him to death for making me cry."

"Girl, you…."

"Thanks for the info, chief."

"Good by—Dear god. That girl is the worst best friend to have."

"Macron! What happened?"

"Thank god you're here. Ivan's taking care of Phillip. Help Helix, I don't know what's wrong with him."

"This… he's going through severe spirit particle deprivation. It's much worse than before. We need to hurry!"

"Esper, Langston, help Elsa transport this boy to…. Wherever the hell he needs to go!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Right away!"

"Look, I don't care what you have to do or what it costs. Just save that crazy kid."

"I'll do my best."

—

"You can't be in here right now! Please leave. We're operating!"

"O-Operating!?"

"Langston, we're not operating! It's a procedure, don't make it sound like surgery!"

"Esper, Langston, shut up! It doesn't matter. We're in the middle of a life or death procedure, so you all need to leave!"

"L-Life or death!?"

"Please, Whitney, you need to leave. Otherwise, you're endangering the boy."

"T-This is all my fault!"

"This isn't anyone's fault."

"N-No… it is…."

"Let's go talk about this in the hallway. Okay?"

"Y-Yes, mam."

"Move! Everything will be fine if you all let me work. I won't let the boy die, and I'll notify the other Knights when he pulls through. Now get out!"

—

"How do I give the transfusion?"

"That…."

"This is no time to connect a life-saving procedure with relationships!"

"W-Wait, what?"

"Um…. You need to circulate your spirit particles into your lungs and breathe them into his lungs…."

"You mean with—"

"Mouth to mouth! It's not a damn kiss! Grow up and get over here now!"

"Y-Yes. But why me? Are you sure I can help—"

"Marie, you're the only trustworthy person in his life with enough control over their spirit particles. Don't think too much into it. Now hurry up!"

"O-Okay, but h-how?"

"Close your eyes and visualize the spirit particles pulsing into your lungs. We need the entire rainbow. You can do that, right?"

"Yes…. Please give me a moment."

"Haaaaahhhh. This boy is Myriad's most helpless damsel in distress. Yet beautiful women are stacking up left and rig—ow! What was that for?"

"Langston, why the hell are you in here? Get out!"

"Yes, mam…."

—

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"What? Do you even know who I am? I'm his childhood friend, whore!"

"Hahahaha! You should see your face right now!"

"Why the hell are you laughing!?"

"It's just comical! Your face is a mixture between guilt, panic, and jealousy!"

"What did you say!?"

"Do I need to spell this out for you?"

"Don't patronize me, you slut!"

"Ohhhhhh, scary. I've taken your insults and learned my lesson."

"Tell me what you mean!"

"Hah. Your face has every negative emotion I can think of except one."

"Oh? And what emotion is that?"

"Concern."

"..."

"Yeah, that's right. You're information gathering because that little deathmatch you helped organize fell through. Now you're concerned your reputation will tank."

"What did you say? Fuck off, you bitch! Don't make me electrocute you in this fucking hallway."

"Hah, please try. That way you'll get exiled and Helix won't have to deal with you plotting to hurt him anymore."

"How dare you make such accusations!"

"Accusations? You understand that the real friend in this room has been sitting on proof since you met with Gwen Lichen two weeks ago, right?"

"W-What….?"

"Hah. That [proof] is locked up with half a dozen people.

We have circles of Remembrance recordings that prove your guilt.

The only reason we haven't confronted you is that he wouldn't let us."

"C-Charlotte…."

"Yeah, let it sink in. You understand that Helix chose to fight in that deathmatch, so he didn't have to drag you under the bus, right? You're too connected to this."

"W-What—"

"You're surprised? He did what real friends do. Hell, he'll still probably protect you after this."

"..."

"Yeah. That face is much better. Now get out of my sight before I break my gag order and skullfuck your reputation into oblivion."

"Y-You wouldn't…."

"Hah!? Hahahahaha. How did you become so delusional? Do you think everyone's as kind and idiotic as Helix?"

"..."

"Tell me something. Were Helix and David your only friends through middle school on up?"

"W-What?"

"Thought so. Since you haven't had much contact with [normal] people, let me educate you. Normally, when a friend tries to kill them, they call the police and send that person to prison."

"N-No…."

"No? Normal people don't recover from a brutal betrayal. Instead, they lash out twice as hard."

"That…."

"Is the truth. I'm warning you right now.

If I learn that you are part of the new [Helix needs to be exiled because his Nightmare is too dangerous] movement, your life is over.

Higher-ups are already sitting on criminal charges and waiting to execute. Even if you don't get charged, you'll never be a hero."

"P-Pl—"

"Stop pleading. You're not getting out of this. I'm not Helix, and I'm not forgiving.

My minefield is so harrowing you can't murder your way out of problems anymore.

You're officially at my mercy for the rest of time. You paid the price for trying to murder your best friend less than a month after feeling pretty."

"I…."

"Need to leave. I hope your failed delusions of popularity and power were worth Helix's life."

—

"Marie…."

"Don't talk to me."

"I understand."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Can you at least give me guidance on what I can do? I'm not as smart as you or Helix so I can't think of what to do."

"Go support Emelia."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Me? First, I'm going to recover from the embarrassment I just experienced. Then, I'm going to cause a minor earthquake in the Kina district."

"Marie! You can't do that!"

"Oh, I can't? It's legal to kill people out of jealousy in Myriad. I'm jealous of their fancy houses."

"Marie…."

"I hate their clothing. It's so soft and luxurious it makes me sick. The gorgeous colors from magic dye are hideous. So I think I'll steal it."

"Please calm down."

"Hmmm? Am I doing something wrong?"

"Ye… uh…."

"What's the harm, Leera? It's just harmless jealousy."

"I understand where you're coming from, but…."

"Don't worry about it, Leera. I'm just being competitive. I've been trying to be a star, so I've ensured that [Shatter] is near the peak."

"I get your anger, but it's not funny to joke about this."

"Joke? Do you think I'm joking? These people forced a weak, melancholy boy into a deathmatch, and now I'm hearing whispers that he's too dangerous?"

"That…."

"A level 1 boy with no stats and an unusable Nightmare are dangerous. But [Chain Reaction] girl is safe? You understand what the message is, right?"

"I'm not sure I want to—"

"To prove your safe, you must constantly flaunt and demonstrate your powers!"

"That… Marie. This situation is unjust. However, you can't twist every injustice into an argument for destroying the city with an earthquake."

"..."

"I'm going to go see Emelia. Please watch after him and take care of yourself."

"Bye, Leera."

—

"Hey, I know you want to see him, but please leave for now."

"Oh… um…."

"David. You're a good egg. So don't take this the wrong way. You unknowingly fed information into the hands of his attackers."

"I… know that now. It was never my intention."

"I know it wasn't. You're a good kid, and Helix cares about you a lot. You're both idiots, though. So to keep him safe, the group protecting him is small. Do you understand?"

"I see…."

"You're trustworthy, David. Helix never stopped seeing you as his best friend.

He constantly wishes you could be friends, but it's dangerous to be around him.

You can see that right now."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We'd all like it if you spent time with us. You're welcome anytime, as long as you understand the risks."

"I'll… try then."

"I look forward to it. Please go back to your room and pray for a full recovery. Once Helix awakes, I promise to reach out to you."

"Okay…. Thanks, Riley."

"You're welcome. Please take care, David. Stay safe. This place…. Take care."

—

"Hey, everyone."

"What are you doing here, Atlas?"

"Me? I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd check out these houses for sale."

"Atlas, all of the houses on this list are in different noble districts and none of them are near us."

"Wait, can I see that list?"

"Sure. Here you go."

"Woooooowza. You have pretty fine taste in homes. They're hideous, but they'd look a lot better if they were painted red."

"Wait. Sir Atlas, I believe, where does it say these homes are for sale?"

"Currently, they aren't. But I'm sure they're willing to sell the house after I talk to them."

"Aren't these the homes—"

"Let me see the homes. Oh…. You're right, Charlotte. These would look better in red. Though this home looks like it's about to fall apart. It should probably be bulldozed for public safety."

"I'm confused, Ms. Marie. That house looks brand new…."

"Hahaha haha ha. Emelia…. Girl, we love you. You're the last spark of humanity in this room."

"Emelia, have you met Atlas?"

"I don't believe so. Good evening, Sir. Atlas. My name is Emelia, it's a pleasure to meet you. How do you know Helix?"

"Nice to meet you. Helix helped me draw a magic circle that sprouted hundreds of Venus Flytraps in one of my debt collectors' houses. We've been friends ever since."

"I-I see…."

"Wait. Isn't this Samuel's house?"

"Yep."

"Correct."

"It used to be."

"Are all of these houses…."

"Yep."

"Mmhm."

"Past tense."

"What are we waiting for?"

"You're deadly, Riley."

"Why?"

"She's saying you look as sweet as Emelia but have the temperament of Marie."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I cherish you."

"Thanks, Marie. So are we going right now?"

"Ummm…."

"No. Not yet."

"Hmmm?"

"We need to protect our loved ones first."

"Oh… right."

"I agree. Besides, I saw something pre~tty amazing today. Heelie got a new toy and I have a feeling that there's something that's a lot more exciting in store."

"You mean the Kaltrop?"

"Nope, nope. If I'm right it's better. So much better."

—

[A/N: The back stories behind these characters will return, and [continue returning], for the rest of this series after chapter 45. They're not skipped.

What's important [now] is getting Helix on his road to power, and then letting the stories of the last month start weaving [Nightmare] together.

I doubt anyone on WN wants to wait for 80 chapters before Helix is training, fighting, and using his Nightmare... so please don't cry forced development.

Or at least be nice about it. :)]

Disclaimer: Grammatical mistakes and minor inconsistencies = more content.