Nightmare Man slowly raised his staff.
Every shadow on the ground—yours,the rabbit's,and the Queen of Dreams'—
began to twist.
"Power is not in your hands,"Nightmare Man said calmly."Then I'll use the one thing you cannot escape."
He slammed his staff onto the ground.
The three shadows—split away.
They stood up.
Your shadow—held the same sword.Its eyes were empty,yet its stance was steady,as if it knew every move you would make.
The rabbit's shadow—knives floated around it,faster than the real ones,sharper.
The Queen's shadow—its staff radiated black light,distorted runes swirling,warping every form of magic.
"We can't fight them…"the rabbit said tensely."They know everything."
Before it could finish—
its shadow lunged.
Flying blades clashed midair,metal rang in rapid bursts,sparks scattering.
You raised your sword—blocking your own shadow's strike.
The impact numbed your arm.The blade didn't glow—no power aided you.
"You're too slow,"your shadow said—in your own voice.
You gritted your teeth,stepping back.
The Queen tried to cast a spell—but her shadow swung its staff.
The magic shattered midair,rebounded—nearly striking her instead.
Nightmare Man stood watching—unmoving,unhurried.
"There's always a way outwhen you fight an enemy," he said softly."But when you fight yourself…"
Your shadow stepped closer—its blade at your throat.
"You have no way to win."
Your breath caught.
Because you knew—
it was telling the truth.
You have to fight your own shadow.
The clash didn't stop.
The sound of metal striking metalechoed relentlessly.
You attacked—your shadow blocked—every movement identical.
Every action—it anticipated.
The impact numbed your arms.Your breathing grew heavy.The sword in your handfelt heavier with each passing moment.
"You're slowing down,"your shadow said flatly.
Elsewhere—
the rabbit spun, dodging,knives flying in arcs—
but its shadow was faster,cutting off every path.
One blade was deflected back—grazing the rabbit's cheek.A thin line of blood appeared.
"Damn it…"it cursed,starting to pant.
The Queen of Dreams tried to focus—raising her staff—
but her shadow stepped in close.
Their magic collided.
Light shattered—turning into black mist.
The recoil forced the Queen to her knees.Her staff struck the ground.
Nightmare Man watched.No interference.No urgency.
"Tired yet?"he asked casually.
Behind him, the beast roared—waiting to strike.
You gasped for air.Sweat ran into your eyes.
Everything slowed—but the shadows—remained steady.Precise.
Then—
in the instant your blades clashed again—
you noticed something.
Every time sparks flew—
your shadow stepped back—just for a fraction of a second.
So brief—almost impossible to see.
You weren't sure—
but your heart pounded faster.
The Queen lifted her head.
She saw it too.
"…Light…"she murmured, her voice trembling.
Nightmare Man narrowed his eyes slightly.
His smile—vanished for a moment.
Suddenly—
darkness gathered, filling the entire hall.
A low roar echoed through the castle walls—not anger—but something that refused to disappear.
A towering beast formed—
its shape unstable,part claws,part twisted human shadows.
It took a single step—
the ground cracked.
The rabbit stepped back.Its ears trembled—not from fear—
but from recognition.
"That shadow…"it said quietly,"…it's not just one."
The Queen of Dreams turned to you,her eyes sharper than ever.
"Listen carefully," she said quickly."That creature is born from nightmares that never end."
"As long as the 'Origin Gate' remains closed—the shadows will never cease."
You frowned."The gate…?"
She raised her hand—pointing behind the hall.
There—
stood a door.
Not large.Not striking.
But the darkness around it was denser than anywhere else—as if all shadows flowed from it.
Nightmare Man stood near it,smiling faintly.Not helping.Not stopping you.
"That is the Gate of Attachment,"the Queen said."The source that binds all nightmares together."
The beast roared again—darkness lunging toward you.
You raised your sword to block—
the impact numbed your arms.
Even as your blade cut through shadow—it reformed instantly.
"It's useless!"the rabbit shouted,barely dodging a claw."If we don't close the gate—it won't stop!"
The Queen turned to both of you—her voice firm,yet urgent.
"I will hold it back."
"You two—go to the gate."
"Your Majesty—"the rabbit began—
but she raised her hand.
"This is not an order," she said."…it's a request."
The beast lunged again.
The Queen stepped forward—light erupted from her body.
Runes of dreams spiraled around her—holding the attack alone.
You didn't hesitate.
Grabbing the rabbit's hand—
you ran.
Every step—
shadows tried to drag you back.
Whispers surrounded you—
"Stay…""It's better here…""Waking only hurts…"
The rabbit clenched its teeth.
"Don't listen!" it shouted."That's not our voice!"
You nodded—pushing forward—
until you reached the door.
Closer.Closer.
The pressure crushed your lungs.
You placed your hand on it.
Cold.
Like touching emptiness itself.
"We have to open it together,"the rabbit said, voice shaking."It doesn't open by force—but by 'acceptance.'"
You closed your eyes.
Memories surfaced—
the crying child,the fading princess,Nightmare Man's past—
You didn't reject them.You didn't run.
You accepted them—
that nightmares exist—
but they shouldn't control everything.
"Now!" you shouted.
Together—
you pushed.
Light burst forth—
not blinding—
but gentle,warm—
like dawn.
The nightmare beast roared—
its body cracking apart.
Darkness was pulled back—into the gate.
Nightmare Man narrowed his eyes.
His smile slowly faded.
"…Interesting," he murmured."So you dared to open it."
The gate trembled—
as if it were about to break—or transform.
The Queen looked back at you—her gaze unwavering.
"This is only the beginning," she said.
"The nightmare…is about to be fully revealed."
In that moment—
the last shadow was drawn inside.
Silence remained.
And your unsteady breath.
But you knew—
opening the gatewas not the end.
It was—
the true confrontationwith Nightmare Man.
To be continued…