A new reality

The Chief of Police exchanged confused glances with Detective Locksley. They looked utterly clueless about what Xander had just said.

"What is this Emergence that you speak of?" Chief Volgin enquired with knitted eyebrows.

"The ancient Mystical texts foretell of dark times. According to the Prophecy of Allain, when the influence of the dark deity grows strong enough to manipulate the Mystics, the wall between our worlds will crumble, causing the veiled realm to bleed into the real world. This catastrophic event will cause the two planes to collide, allowing the Ethereals to cross over to our world," Leena explained.

"The prophecy is coming true now," Xander breathed out a cold whisper. "The cultists must have completed one of the forbidden rituals. Esther's death is just the beginning."

Chief Volgin had heard enough to understand the gist of the matter. Without delaying a second longer, he contacted his men over the radio.

"We have a situation on our hands. All patrol units are advised to converge on Windbell Park. The place has been overrun with monsters. Shoot to kill. I repeat this is an emergency. Move out at once and protect the civilians."

While Detective Locksley and Chief Volgin were busy making calls, Xander and Leena had their eyes fixed on the television screen. The Implings were running on all fours and pouncing on those who tried to flee.

Suddenly, the news chopper covering the incident was struck by an aluminum trash can. Dense black fumes fanned out of its tail rotor as it lost stability and spiraled out of control. The pilot tried his best to steady it, but another hit to its main rotor sealed its fate, causing it to come crashing down.

With the chopper wrecked, the news channel went blank as they were forced to go off the air. Xander tried switching channels, but none of the other channels were providing a live telecast. There was nothing informative apart from the panicked reporting of unprepared news presenters.

"I need you to come with me," Chief Volgin said, turning to Xander. "My officers don't know anything about these monsters. They could use your guidance."

"I don't think I can be of any help here. My powers only work on the other side of the veil."

The words were barely out of Xander's mouth when a flickering white panel appeared before him, with glowing red letters surrounded by runic symbols.

[Dreamwalker System Activated!]

[Dreamwalker's Name: Xander Nyxon.]

[Dreamwalker Rank: Novice.]

[Dreamwalker Level: 1.]

[Unlocked Skills:]

[1. Card Collector (Level 1): The Dreamwalker can store up to five cards in his deck.]

[2. Dealer's Gift (Level 1): The Dreamwalker can carry a set of three cards with him.]

[3. Mystic Armory (Level 1): The Dreamwalker can store up to two Mystical Weapons in his armory.]

[4. Master of Arms (Level 1): The Dreamwalker can carry a maximum of one weapon with him.]

"How is this possible?" Xander turned to Leena with confusion written all over his face. But things weren't any different for her.

Just like Xander, she too could access her system even in this world.

"The Emergence might have evened the odds for us. I think all our dormant powers have been awakened by the rupture," she replied.

Although it was good news that they could use their powers freely in the real world, Xander didn't look too happy. Dying inside that vision had reset his level, causing him to lose all his upgrades.

With his rank reduced to Novice, he had to start all over again. And to make things worse, he had lost all the coins and shards stored in his system inventory.

Leena noticed the frustrated look on Xander's face and understood that something was wrong. "What happened?"

"I've been demoted to Novice," he muttered through clenched teeth. "Everything is gone now. I have to start over again!"

The two cops looked at the Dreamwalkers in astonishment. Their glowing system screens were out there for all to see.

"I've never seen this before," Detective Locksley said. "So, it's true then. The worlds have converged."

"I guess that makes it easier for us. You must be used to fighting these monsters from the other side," Chief Volgin joined in.

Xander shook his head. "I don't have my weapons or cards. Without them, I'm pretty useless."

"There must be a way to access our armory in the real world. We just have to find it," Leena said.

"There's no time for that. We're leaving for the park right now," Chief Volgin replied. It was clear from his tone that it wasn't a request, but an order.

After careful consideration, Xander stepped forward, "I'll go with you. Leena's staying right here."

"Why? Isn't she a Dreamwalker as well?" the Chief enquired.

"My niece is sleeping in the other room. I can't leave her alone, especially right now."

Having lost his own niece, Chief Volgin could understand Xander's situation and accepted his condition.

Leena didn't feel good about letting Xander go alone in this dangerous situation, but she knew she had to stay back for the little girl. If there was anything in this world that brought meaning to Xander's life, it was Tiva.

Chief Volgin handed his keys to the detective and instructed him to take the wheel. Meanwhile, he got in the adjacent seat and started monitoring all open patrol channels.

As Xander climbed into the back seat of the car, his system displayed a new message.

[Mordred's Insight Acquired!]

[The Dreamwalker can now use the Altar of Corruption.]

[The Dreamwalker can now access his Mystical Inventory at will.]

[New Objective: Acquire Mystical Weapons.]

[Hint: Locate the nearest Shrine of Mordred.]

In all his years Xander had never seen any shrines dedicated to either of the dark deities. Though the Mystics believed in them, none of them were crazy enough to build a shrine in the open.

Even those Dreamwalkers with dubious affiliations steered clear of worshipping the dark deities in public for fear of provoking the authorities.

Xander could understand the cultists building private places of worship to honor Shamura, but he had never heard of any cults that worshipped the Lord of Terror.

This new message displayed by his system only made the Dreamwalker more confused.

As the car drove down the snow-covered roads, he rolled down the passenger side windows to take a look outside. With his Chronica in hand, he leaned out of the moving car. Almost immediately, both the hands of his pocket watch spun around and pointed at eleven.

"Slow down," Xander yelled from the backseat, prompting Detective Locksley to take his foot off the accelerator.

"What's going on? Did you see something?" he asked.

Xander nipped back in and replied, "I need to get down. Drop me off at Ordeli Avenue."

"The park's still half a mile away. Why would you—"

"Just do as I say," Xander retorted sharply. "My Chronica is pointing toward something. I need to find it."

Detective Locksley looked at the Chief for approval, but the old cop didn't say a word. Instead, he turned to Xander and asked, "What exactly are you hoping to find?"

"A shrine," Xander replied without batting an eyelid.

Though the Chief felt confused by Xander's answer, he decided to trust him this time. "Do as he says," he instructed Detective Locksley.

The car stopped near the post office at Ordeli Avenue, and Xander got off. Chief Volgin handed him a wireless two-way radio transceiver and asked him to keep the comms open.

As the Chief's sedan drove away, Xander put the radio inside his jacket and glanced at his Chronica again. Its hands had stopped moving, and its dial felt warm to touch.

With nothing to guide him but the faint silver rays of the waning moon, the Dreamwalker headed down the dark alley on his left, following the hands of the Chronica, which now pointed straight at twelve.