Awaken - Part 6

"Well, who was the one who thought this might be their opportunity to break through? So, blame yourself for being anxious and quick to assume, Charlie that every action of your master could potentially lead to the opportunity you need to... Oh, we have company," Shadow said monotonously as she gazed into the distance and saw two shadowy figures slowly approaching them.

"Are they strong?" Charlie asked curiously.

"Can't tell as this place limits the radius of your divine sense to 20 meters."

"Hmm, well I guess our little adventure has come to an end," Charlie sighed as he stood up and dusted off his clothes, "Hopefully, they aren't hostile, and we can return home safely before Master realizes we've been snooping around once again."

"You can say that again," Shadow purred as she stretched her limbs, before hopping off Charlie's head and landing in his arms as they waited for their guest to arrive.

***

A couple of minutes later...

"So, I guess you guys were the ones, who thought it was smart to sneak into an ark rupture?" Morpheus asked as he stopped three feet from Shadow and Charlie, while Claire scrutinized the cocoon with suspicion and caution.

'In a land devoid of life, a cocoon resides in its center as cursed chains bind the might of the fallen... while the righteous seek power to stop the inevitable, unaware of the card dealt to them as light bets on fate, and darkness hopes for the impossible—a tale of two separated but joined by a thread of causality.' Claire thought as she remembered a scripture she read that seemed to resonate weirdly with the situation they found themselves in.

"Sigh, maybe I've been reading too many novels lately," She muttered as she retraced her gaze and focused on the rascals who caused all this.

"Yup! That is us and what about it, sir?" Charlie asked with a cheeky grin as he glanced at Claire, before focusing his attention on Morpheus, 'For such, a powerful individual he's quite dumb… surely, this can't be the feared and revered Dream King and brother of Sofia, Empress of Dreams & Nightmares?'

"Don't get smart-me with me, kid as it would only take a snap for you to be erased from existence. So just what led you to think it would be a good idea to venture into an ark rupture?" Morpheus asked curiously as Claire also wanted to know.

"Sorry, but as my master says, 'unless my lawyer arrives', I'm not obliged to answer anything, old geezer. So, either leave me alone and do what you came here to do, or lock me up and deal with my master's anger afterward? What will it be, sir?" Charlie asked with anticipation even though Morpheus had enough power to make what he said a reality.

'Charlie, I don't think it would be a good idea to antagonize such a fella,' Shadow said telepathically as she shivered in Charlie's embrace.

'Relax, I got everything under control… plus, he wouldn't dare to do anything to a kid as all old geezers love their reputation above anything.'

'Sigh, let's hope that's true because if not~'

"Tsk, neither... but thanks for your cooperation, kid." chuckled Morpheus as he shook his head and gave up on trying to acquire info from a child, 'Just what is the point of this anyway? For we already found the kid and his familiar, but that cocoon over there seems quite weird... considering, to my understanding an ark rupture cannot support life or anything that requires Ki.'

"Don't mind my friend, he can be a bit rough around the edges, but I can assure you he's a kind soul. So why don't you come with us so we can bring you back to your Master?" Claire said gently as she came down to Charlie's level.

"Sure, however, could we first wait and see what will emerge from the cocoon, missus?"

"Um... I do not know if that would be a smart idea," Claire replied with worry and uneasiness as she gazed at Morpheus, seeking his opinion on what she should do.

"Sure, why not as we got time to spare," Morpheus replied without a second thought, "However, considering we are going to stay here for a bit longer, could you answer a question of mine, kid?"

"Tsk, sure... just don't ask anything crazy or weird as I don't swing that way, pal."

"I promise, it isn't anything crazy as I just wanted to know if you were Noctis's disciple."

"Hmm, well duh? Who else's disciple would I be, fool? Plus, cannot you sense the false energy that lingers around me like the wandering spirits of a cemetery? Sigh, Master was right humans truly are the smartest and dumbest race to exist," he said with disdain.

"Fortunately, I'm not human, however, haven't you heard the saying, 'that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all,' because while I may not care, not everyone takes kindly to disrespect, kid."

"Sorry, but I was taught never to lie, so why should I care if someone gets upset because I said something they don't like? Especially, if they come from a minor race that gets emotional about every little thing a person says or does. Also, if the words of a kid can incite such a reaction, doesn't that tell you more about the attacker than the aggressor?"

"He's got a point there," Claire giggled as she glanced at Morpheus's awestruck face while Shadow purred and returned to her nap, before being forced to wake up shortly afterward as the once vibrant cocoon started to dim like a lightbulb about to blow out.

As cracks ran rampant across its surface seemingly causing the reddish lightning to get out of control as it episodically struck the area around the cocoon.

Leading to our spectators having to dodge and weave as they moved around the stone platform, so they wouldn't get electrocuted in the process. Or worse vaporized in the process as the environment within the ark rupture changed.

Which all stemmed from the coincidental discovery of a suspicious cocoon of unknown origins within a newly formed ark rupture, following the abrupt entrance of two mischievous brats.