Arwen noted Alex’s expression as she chuckled softly. "It’s a Concoction. It will help you sleep and allow me to guide you properly as we delve into your memories."
"... I see." Alex pursed his lips as he stared at the bottle in his hand.
He opened the cap and taking a whiff of the smell, glanced at Arwen.
"And you just so happened to have this in storage?"
Arwen could barely hold back the giggle escaping her lips as she shook her head. "It’s nothing like that. I always carry such concoctions for situations where I’m unable to use my Abilities or when my pneuma is in danger of being assimilated."
Then taking a moment to breathe, she added in a slightly melancholic tone. "Constantly courting death carries its pecks."
Alex let out a sigh as he replied. "Alright then, I’ll take it."
"Do you need any help?" Nadia asked so as not to be left out.
Arwen wasn’t one to decline help as she nodded. "Just keep watch. Navigating the Dreamworld is not as simple as it sounds, we might need help getting out."
"I understand," Nadia said before adding. "Leave it to me."
With that, Alex took a deep breath and placing the bottle to his lips, downed the green liquid in one fell swoop.
It tasted like oil and moved through his throat like glue but once it went into his stomach, Alex felt a cool sensation permeating his entire being.
He immediately grew weak as his eyes began to close.
Just then, he heard Arwen’s voice.
"Remember, it’s all a dream so don’t get lost in it and wait for me!"
Alex nodded off before finally closing his eyes.
The next moment, he fell into a deep slumber.
It seemed like he’d be falling forever as all around him different images played on what could only be described as holographic screens.
He heard voices, some familiar and others unfamiliar, all talking at the same time, resulting in a crescendo of sorts.
Alex found himself losing his mind as he watched the images play out and the voices cry out.
Gripping his head, he recalled what Arwen said and without hesitation, began to meditate, trying his hardest to ignore everything around him.
Soon enough, the voices disappeared, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Alex waited for a bit longer before opening his eyes only to find himself in a vast dark plain.
"You are okay." A voice snapped him out of his daze.
Glancing to the side, he found Arwen standing beside him with a friendly smile.
"Hmm?" Alex raised a brow.
"There are several dimensions surrounding Eventide. Some are safe to access like the Dreamworld while others are dangerous..."
"Well, yeah, in a sense," Arwen replied before shaking her head. "In any case, of these dimensions surrounding Eventide, some of them share boundaries. Like how I was trying to get into the Afterlife through the Dreamworld but ended up in the Abyss instead."
"So the Dreamworld you mentioned to Nadia and this Mindscape..."
"They share a border." Arwen completed the statement.
"I see." Alex nodded thoughtfully as he dusted himself and got to his feet.
Taking a look around at the dark expanse, Alex inquired. "So what now?"
"Now we find the distorted memories and figure out what happened."
"Where do we start the search?"
"Oh, there’s no need for that."
"It’s enough if you try to recall the memories if you can sense them. They’d be sure to appear where we are."
"Oh alright." Alex nodded in understanding as he closed his eyes and envisioned the distorted memories Claudia had shown him before.
It didn’t take long before he opened his eyes again and before him, a holographic screen was floating in midair.
It was the distorted memory.
It was just as he recalled with the white fog obscuring what it held.
"Now I understand." Arwen suddenly said, jolting Alex from his reverie.
"Why Claudia suggested I do this instead of her dad."
"Tell me." Alex turned curious.
"This isn’t the memory distortion of a Psionic. My guess is there were two layers of security over this memory, judging from the imprints left behind."
Watching her speak, Alex found himself wondering how the lady before him was the same one that nearly died while messing around in her room.
She was quite dependable when focused on something.
"... So I think Claudia dealt with the first layer of security which was indeed a Psionic memory distortion and then left behind this fog."
"What is this fog anyway?"
"It’s the main aspect of the Dreamworld. For it to be here means that you most likely encountered a Devil Wheel Mystic, one contracted with the Devil of Sloth, same as me."
"I see." Alex pursed his lips. "So can you take care of it?"
"Hmmph, what do you think of me?... I’m an upcoming Occultist so don’t look down on me, okay?
"...Occultist?" Alex raised a brow.
"That... you don’t know?"
"Are you really the Dark Lord?"
"...Just get back to the task at hand."
"Hmmph." Arwen pouted as she moved to the image and muttered. "Dispel."
The white fog slowly dissipated, revealing a scene within.
"Thank you," Alex remarked as he stepped forward.
"Should I come with?" Arwen inquired.
"No, don’t worry. I’ll handle the rest."
"Alright." Arwen nodded before adding softly. "Second Lock."
"Hmm?" Alex glanced back at her.
"Occultist is the Second Lock of the Devil Wheel."
As the corners of his lips went up, Alex replied. "Good to know."
Placing his hand on the screen, Alex felt his consciousness blur as he was drawn into the screen, leaving Arwen behind in the dark plain.
"...Well, I guess I should get going."
Alex opened his eyes to find himself on a familiar street.
It was in the Eastern part of BoneHaven, this city in which he once lived with his siblings.
Sighing heavily, he wondered if they were alright.
Looking around, he was greeted with the sight of factory workers moving about with a few tramps trying to find some shelter from the scorching heat of the Lightbringer.
Soot from the factories covered the streets and a faint smog covered the skyline, resulting in a rather gray afternoon.
Alex found it slightly difficult to breathe, causing him to wonder how those that worked here survived the pollution.
Instinctively, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a white handkerchief which he used to cover his nose, helping him filter out the smoke particles, albeit with little success.
As he stood at the side of the street, he seemed to be waiting for someone but who the person could be was lost to the current Alex.
Just then, someone hit him while walking, causing him to stumble a bit.
While muttering a low thank you, the tramp rushed down the street.
Alex barely had the time to see the person clearly before he went into an alleyway when he discovered that his wallet was missing.
Clicking his tongue, he cursed under his breath as he turned in the direction the tramp had run in, contemplating whether to chase after him.
However before he could do so, a black carriage came to a stop in front of him, leaving him slightly confused.
Just as he began to ponder what was happening, the door of the carriage flew open, and from inside, a raspy voice was heard.