[ WP ] Dreams have all been tests , and someone finally passed .

Ky ’ aira shifted uncomfortably in the steel frame. 
 
 The single slab of dark, polished metal hummed softly beneath her, sending tingles through to the tips of her fingers. A bustle of activity surrounded the steel throne in the underground cavern. Tech-workers and calibrators were making last minute adjustments to the frame, ensuring that her vitals were being monitored correctly. 
 
 Soft lamps burned overhead. They were expensive halogen devices that radiated heat. Ky ’ aira stared deep into the lamps, focusing on the glowing filaments. It reminded her of an earlier test, something to do with distraction and situational awareness; now, it was a distant memory, a lesson that had long since been etched into her subconscious. 
 
 Ky ’ aira was The One Who Awakened, the only One. The others never roused from their tortured slumber. They perished in their dreams, screams fading to nothing, faces frozen in pain and terror, their arms stiff and their bodies arched and rigid. They couldn ’ t withstand the onslaught of trials, the constant barrage of feedback that shook the soul. 
 
 She stared at the monolith before her—a giant body of obsidian rock, cold as the void. Its surface was a fractured mirror, showing only hints of reflected light. It stood completely still, towering over them all. 
 
 Ky ’ aira could sense the entity within. It fed on the souls of her people. It invaded their defenceless minds as they slept. She saw the spirit in her own dreams; it observed her progress, watching her grow stronger as she passed trial after trial. 
 
 It was always angry. 
 
 “ Well, we ’ re here now. ” 
 
 The young student looked to her left. Thalin was dressed in a grey robe. He swirled in the shadows as he stepped towards her. He would always be the teacher. 
 
 “ You ’ re ready, Ky, ” he murmured, hands clasped behind his back. “ You were the strongest of us all. You finally made it. ” 
 
 She turned back to the monolith. A hint of a voice, the faintest murmur born of nothingness, manifested in the depths of her consciousness. It was speaking to her. 
 
 *DIE. * 
 
 “ Sometimes, ” Thalin said softly, “ I can ’ t help but wonder what would ’ ve happened if no one passed our trials in the end. ” He gave a wry smile. “ We would ’ ve ended up with a school full of dead students, I suppose. ” 
 
 She turned to her teacher. Thalin was no longer a figment of her imagination within a cursed dream. He was standing before her, flesh and blood. He was *here*. 
 
 “ I have to ask if you're sure about this, ” Thalin said softly. “ We can stop, if you really want. We can find another way. ” 
 
 The team seemed to hear his words, and they all fell silent, waiting for her response. Thalin reached out and placed his hand on hers, ignoring the electrodes attached to her skin. His grey eyes were warm and forgiving. Today, it seemed, he was no longer the teacher. 
 
 “ If I don ’ t do this, ” she replied slowly, “ our minds will all perish at the whim of this angry ghost. ” She could feel her jaw tense in anticipation. “ I ’ d rather die knowing I tried. I want us all to dream once more. ” 
 
 The lead doctor called out. “ Commander, the dream sequence is ready. Shall we execute? ” 
 
 Thalin didn ’ t respond. He continued staring into Ky ’ aira ’ s eyes, and she felt a sense of calm wash over her, a warm wave engulfing her soul. The spirit of the monolith waited impatiently. 
 
 “ Remember to wake up, Ky. ” 
 
 He nodded at the doctor, and Ky ’ aira fell asleep, ready for war. 

