“What’s wrong, Somnu?”

  “Nothing… I’m just thinking.”

  The two brothers made their way to meet up with the girls. Somnu’s face had twitched reflexively a couple of times, catching Mo’s attention.

  “Can you really see? Want me to carry you on my back?”

  “Don’t make me hit you with this stick.”

  “It does look like a good stick.”

  “It is.”

  As the two were about to make it to their destination, Somnu frowned slightly and quickly wiped away the sweat forming on his forehead.

  Another pawn dead… He thought, exhaling slowly before picking up his pace again. They tried to recruit Carmella again since she was with Henry. Since they always ask her to go back to their room instead of just following them, John Doe likely doesn’t reveal himself but jumps from one pawn to another. Having Carmella go along with them would only put her at risk of getting possessed too.

  Despite their complicated relationship, the scarecrow wasn’t going to let that happen, much less allow John Doe’s army to grow. However, now that Carmella was defended twice, it was likely going to put a target on her back, and Somnu knew it.

  He was running out of time to ensure everyone’s survival.

  “Ah! Somnu friend! I have come to escort you to his great reverence! Apologies for my tardiness, I overslept-Ah!” Bro’Ski jumped up and saluted, standing like a statue in front of the door. In his panic, he slipped upon landing back down and hit the door behind him.

  “...”

  The two brothers gave each other a sidelong glance, then continued walking like nothing had happened.

  “Bro’Ski! Are you okay?!”

  “!”

  Suddenly, the door opened, a young woman’s voice sounding with it. Aurora rushed to his aid, supporting him up.

  “Aurora friend, you are too kind! I am indeed fine, fit as a Climbing Goat! You can call me the-”

  “Ah, you two are back.” Aurora noticed the gazes of the brothers and straightened her back reflexively. “Leyna is almost done… I think.”

  “Told you.” Mo snickered.

  “Isn’t everyone acting a little too nonchalant with murders happening practically every day?” Somnu put his hands in the leather jacket pockets, relaxing his stance.

  “That suits you.” Aurora perked up an eyebrow, then chuckled while saying. “Didn’t know you could pull that off too. I have to say, the scarecrow outfit might have been more your style though.”

  “See, that’s what I mean. It’s not just the Luscairna, where is the urgency?”

  “Why do you have to be so stiff? Take the compliment!” Mo slapped his brother on his back, making him stumble forward and take his hands out. “Think of it like this, if it weren’t for the Luscairna’s joyful and happy-go-lucky mood, everyone would be shivering in fear all the time. The average Sleeper can’t do anything about this, they might as well try to stay optimistic.”

  “I’ve been to war-torn countries before.” Aurora cut in, narrowing her eyes slightly. “You’d expect everyone to be gloomy, but there are always those who try their best to keep the joy and hope alive for the others. I think those are the true heroes, the ones who dedicate their lives to making sure the spirits of others don’t die out.”

  “...”

  As she spoke, Somnu noticed the corners of her lips raise slightly before the girl stopped herself.

  Fighting fear with silliness and jokes. Even Somnu had heard of the phrase, “If you have a fear of public speaking, imagine the crowd naked.” He never tried it himself personally, but he felt the idea was similar. Perhaps Mr. Emberlyn’s personality had been a result of conquering most of his fears, or maybe that was who the old sly geezer really was.

  “I-I’ll go check on Leyna!” Noticing the loud silence, Aurora ran inside and closed the door behind her.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Could you really fight off fear with something like that? Somnu thought, blocking out some chatter between Mo and Bro’Ski. Is the Luscairna’s silliness what made everyone stay and hold out hope in this fort?

  At first glance, everyone would be annoyed or fed up, but perhaps it was just the little spark of silliness that ignited the warm flame of hope in the end. Without realizing it, the spirit of Sleepers was being supported every day, making them believe in a better tomorrow.

  “The death of the body is far too trivial when compared to the demise of the spirit.”

  That was what Somnu’s lizardman friend had said. Perhaps Mathros’ words could be applied in such a situation too.

  “...”

  “!”

  Looking down at the smiling Bro’Ski, Somnu began to see him in a slightly different light. And yet, watching him try to salute properly again was making the scarecrow reconsider his thinking.

  “I’m here, sorry!” Leyna came out, then immediately grabbed her knees to catch her breath. “I… was working on this!”

  “?”

  “It’s a new blindfold…” Straightening her back, she held out both hands forward to her brother. Her eyes darted between the item in them and the stone floor. “I didn’t have too much time… so, it might not be to your liking… I did wash the other one, but-”

  “It’s great, Leyna.” Somnu took it with a smile, keeping his eyelids closed so as to not frighten her. “Thank you for the clothes too, I went with something that fits the group, but it looks like you might stand out a bit…”

  “Idiot!”

  “Hiss!!”

  Mo tried to slap his brother on the back again, but was forced to take a few steps back when Naga suddenly half-launched at him.

  “Really…?” Leyna asked, looking at her clothes.

  “You look great, Leyna.” Aurora appeared from next to the girl, patting her on the back. “We might just be the weird bunch here. I like your innocent look, it grounds us.”

  “Aha! I’m in agreement! Leyna friend looks fantastic as always!”

  “Thank you…” The shy girl blushed slightly, holding onto her skirt.

  It was a caramel-hued pinafore dress that flared into an A-line skirt. Over a crisp white blouse adorned with little flowers and a cute bow at the collar, she perfectly played the balance between innocence and refined grace.

  Her hair was styled to the side, likely what had taken the most time to do.

  “Onward we go, friends! His great reverence, as well as lord Arman are waiting!” Bro’Ski marched in front of the group, making Aurora quickly lock the door behind them.

  While Mo and Leyna followed the Luscairna guide, Somnu had stood putting on his new blindfold, that once again perfectly fit his face. It almost felt like a comfortable sleeping mask, the ones he had bought in the past to help reduce brain activity as he rested. When he couldn’t keep his eyelids closed, those helped to eliminate the visible distractions in his home.

  Following that, he tried to wrap his old blindfold around his arm while walking and keeping the stick tugged between his chin and shoulder. He had received it, washed and dried, and wanted to keep it on him. It would help to remind him of the other person he had to look out for in the fort.

  “You need help with that?” Aurora asked, catching up to him and reaching out.

  “Oh… Thanks.”

  Soon, the two were walking behind the siblings and Bro’Ski.

  “...”

  “About Mr. Emberlyn…” Somnu started after some pause, alerting the girl next to him. “I don’t know what happened in the waking world, but we still don’t know if a physical death actually means a death in this realm…”

  “You think he could still be…?” Aurora narrowed her eyes, the lights dancing below her aqua blue irises.

  “The old man I met was too strong to die. Whatever it is that you might think you did, he didn’t even hesitate to send you his Dream Catcher.” The blind Sleeper spoke, moving his stick in front of him to play the part. “He believed the new generation would do what he couldn’t.”

  “...”

  “Let’s do our best to prove him right.” Somnu suddenly stopped, making her turn his way.

  “!”

  “And when we do find him, let’s tell him to his stupid face.” He raised his head and gave the impression of looking directly at the girl. A wide, heartfelt smile appeared on his lips. “Let’s laugh at him for thinking he could trick us like this. Making us believe he died for good… Heh. He really is a sly old geezer.”

  “...” Aurora’s eyes widened for a moment, then quickly covered her mouth as a slight giggle escaped her. “Pfft!”

  “Hey, that’s not nice.” Somnu moved his feet again, noticing his siblings’ gaze on them.

  “Sorry, sorry.” Aurora followed, interlocking her fingers behind her back. “Hearing you try to keep my spirits up… It made me think maybe you’re one of those heroes too.”

  “... Don’t even joke about that. Do I look like a hero to you?”

  “You’re right, maybe a punk hero then.”

  Unable to contain her laugh, Somnu let out a long sigh. Although, the smile on his face never faded.

  “Thanks, Somnu…” Aurora added, then her eyes grew distant as a slight self-deprecating smile adorned her lips. “Maybe once we make it out of this place, I can tell you everything…”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.” Somnu nodded to Mo to keep going, refocusing his priorities. “For now, let’s go stop the Blood Fiend from terrorizing any more people.”

  The scarecrow half-regretted creating the persona of the Unseen Dreadbeast of Lethe, despite not choosing the name himself.

  Instead of one, two figures were now vying to take control over the growing terror inside the MIrewalker Fort, and it was only a matter of time before they had to clash.