A Lost Soul in the Darkness - Part 2

'Sigh... Noctis just what are you trying to accomplish?' Olivia wondered with curiosity as she tried to decipher Rin's new fate, yet… all she could see was nothingness as if he had no fate.

Something that should not be possible, considering everything and everyone was bound by fate one way or another. However, what if such a thing existed, just how drastically would it affect Rin's life, or even existence itself? 

When an anomaly isn't a small glitch in the system anymore, but a threat that could cause the collapse of the very matrix?

***

Meanwhile in the downtown district of the outer ring of the Dreamworld, a place of mystery and awe where nightmares and dreams constantly collided.

A cloaked individual could be seen walking around aimlessly with a cat on his shoulders as they went from store to store seeking something that seemed so far yet near at the same time.

However, what they desired could not be bought nor sold as it resided in a veil of mystery, a veil that surprisingly was hidden behind two guards who were stationed outside an alleyway.

Not too far from them yet, what made the situation weird is that usually, Xero's Mythical ranked Dream specters are not seen in the outer ring of Fantasia. Unless something catastrophic happens like a Dream or Mare going rogue or an ark rupture occurs.

This is when a crack has appeared in the Dreamworld, which starts small before spreading and devouring the space around to stabilize itself. Until it collapses on itself and explodes, creating a permanent bridge to a realm of pure darkness and light.

Where gray clouds float in the sky besides, a half-faced white and black sun above a small island, surrounded by a blackish ocean for miles without end.

Upon discovery, that is immediately sealed and contained in an area until further notice behind a crystalline barrier.

Composed of turquoise hexagonal patterns that have a faint grayish sheen, a smaller version of the dome that surrounds Fantasia but it's just thinner and more compact. But still able to tank a full-powered attack of a Creator, however, while indestructible it did not prevent anyone from leaving or entering it. 

Due to the idiosyncrasy nature of the veil which at times can be a bit tricky to navigate since dreams are not just some random scenes that appear whenever we fall asleep. But simulated real events that occur within chambers catered to an individual's values, beliefs, and even aspirations in their life.

That can only be entered via sleep which to some could be considered like a miniaturized clone of themselves. That contains memories or just clips of all their dreams and nightmares since they were a kid.

'So, Snowball do you think this could be the place?' Charlie asked after finding a coffee shop, which was about 27 feet away from the alley. Which sold Blackberry Honey lattes and Moon Pie brownies, a delicacy only few can appreciate.

'Maybe, but we'll never know unless we bypass those two guards at the front and enter.' Snowball replied telepathically as she jumped out of Charlie's embrace and landed on the table, immediately curling into a ball after they found somewhere to sit.

'True, but what do you think they're protecting since Xero's are typically stationed in the central ring?' Charlie asked as he sneakily observed the guards and tried to think of a way to sneak in.

'Who knows but whatever it is, we will find out soon enough as that Master of yours never leaves his abode unless it is for something important!' Snowball replied as she could not wait to see what it was that attracted Charlie's Master to this place.

'Hopefully, it is something that can help me break through as I think it's about time, I became a Divine Lord!' Charlie thought with an optimistic smile as he reluctantly retracted his gaze when he sensed a waiter approach their table.

***

Within a nearby guard tower...

"Sir, an undefined individual and his familiar seem to be snooping around the area protected by Officers K and Neo." Someone shouted as they pulled up surveillance footage of the area, which displayed Charlie and Snowball passing the location protected by the two Xero's five times in a row in just 25 minutes.

Who would stop for a minute or two before continuing their tour of the area?

"Hmm, it seems we got ourselves a foreigner in our lands, boys!" The captain chuckled with a grin as caressed his beard, "Johhny!"

"Yes, sir! How may I help you?" Johnny asked as he suddenly appeared beside the captain.

"Would you mind running to terminal 1 and collecting some data for me, particularly concerning the cloaked individual's arrival, status, and reason for coming to the Dream World now of all times?" The captain said after taking one last glance at Charlie and Shadow.

"Anything else, sir?!"

"Oh, and on your way back, do grab me a Moon Pie with dark and white chocolate filling and a Blackberry Honey latte from Moor's?" The captain said after thinking about it as he smiled, "Thanks Johnny, I don't know what I would do without you."

"No problem, captain! However, do remember to vote me as vice-captain of the month and gift me two hundred diamonds as compensation!" Johnny exclaimed as he sped off to get his task completed before the captain could even deny such an outrageous request.

Whoosh.

'M... M-MOTHERFUCKER JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU RETURN!!! I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU JOHNNY BOY!' The captain thought as he cracked his knuckles and stood up to get some fresh air, "Oh, and do keep a close eye on our two friends, I want a report on their every movement, and do tell one of our undercover guards to approach the suspects and get a read on them."

He said as he walked out and teleported to his underground training room to blow off some steam.

"Yes, sir!" Everyone within the command room shouted as they stood up briefly, before sitting back down and returning to work.