An dangerous isle of dreams and illusions it may be, the effects of it are reflected of one's mind, making it all the more real. Somnus, holding pressure upon the wound to his shoulder, watches as chains manifest and pierce into the other's flesh. Recognition flashes across his features of where they pierce through old scars. This is the torture he had sentenced for his brother, the very same. He could leave him here, just as he did back then. This world makes them mortal. Wounds like those will bleed and strangle the victim, and with the Scourge dormant and powers suppressed, there is little doubt that Ardyn would succumb to it.

Somnus has been here a year, and Ardyn has been here for half of it. Being at their necks, of tension and strife and battling one day after the other, leaving each other exhausted and wounded when there is no external reason, no fate above their heads in this realm-- it has sustained them both to this day. When they return to their Star, fate will resume at full-force, placing them back onto the path to march to fulfil the Prophecy, when their blood will be no more.

Yet in this world, is this all? Is this status quo the same they must endure in a realm blinded to the Bladekeeper?

"Restore the Light... and free my brother from his curse." The last words he had spoken to the True King flit through his mind.

Their fate lies with their Star. But here, where his brother does not spew the Scourge, where he is mortal...


Somnus moves forward, calling his blade into his hand to strike down one of the chains.