Chapter 310: _Into Orion’s Dreams
Warri, Nigeria
Screams thundered through the city just like the rest of the world. Although it was nighttime, the sky was still crimson in this part of the world.
Zombies rushed through the streets, pouncing on those unfortunate to still be out at night. A popular nightclub dedicated to awakened humans had people pouring out in multitudes.
"They are that way! Don’t go that way!" Someone screamed.
"Leave there!"
A woman unfortunately didn’t hear the people yelling at her to divert from a zombie-infested street. She darted through the road, high heels clutched in her hands.
She was only a D-Rank Esper.
D-Rank!
She had no business in a setting like this.
The street was dark, only illuminated by a few street lights here and there. This was a shortcut to her compound. If she could only run faster, she—
"Adaeze!" A sharp voice tore through the night. "Adaeze, where are you?!"
She came to a sharp halt, neck snapping back. That was her friend.
However, before she could think of her next move, grotesque snarls closed in on her from every angle. She stumbled butt-first to the ground, unable to get up quick enough due to the annoyingly tight dress she had on.
"No!" She screamed, raising a hand.
Wooden spikes shot out of her palm, hitting one or two of the zombies. But they didn’t even flinch, growling with bloodthirsty looks in their eyes as they advanced closer.
SPLASH!
Just when they were about to pounce on her, something miraculous happened. A huge wave of water appeared seemingly out of thin air, pushing the small group of zombies until they slammed into a wall.
As if that wasn’t enough, the water froze in a heartbeat, keeping them trapped and completely still like statues.
Adaeze blinked, torn between crying and collapsing to the ground to thank whichever god saved her. So she turned to the sound of footsteps down the tarred street.
A gorgeous woman with lush silver-grey curls, donned in a form-fitting black gown that highlighted her hips, cat-walked toward her.
Sharp eyes narrowed on her, forcing Adaeze to hurriedly shoot to her feet.
"T-Thank you, ma. Thank you so much. I was—"
"There are more of them ahead," Yemoja said, hands settling on her waist. "Is your house nearby?"
"Y-Yes, ma." Adaeze nodded. "St Anthony’s Street."
"There’s another route that way." Yemoja gestured in an opposite direction. "You can’t miss it. Taxis are scarce right now, but you should be able to get to the street in five minutes."
After staying still for a beat due to residual fear, Adaeze got back control of her limbs. She nodded her understanding, following Yemoja’s directions without daring to look back.
As Yemoja watched the young woman leave, her gaze trailed back to the frozen zombies.
These didn’t pop out of nowhere.
They were familiar faces, young and old, men and women. People who’d been going about their normal lives just hours ago.
Now they were getting put down like any other beast.
"What could be behind this?" She murmured, pulling out her phone when it buzzed with a notification.
Her chest tightened.
A missed call from Apollo.
★★★★★
"Are we all ready?"
When that question left Loki’s lips, everyone nodded without a second of hesitation.
Everyone except Valentine.
"Are you going to be like... staying back while we’re in the kids’ dreams?"
Loki nodded. "Yep. Someone has to be outside to pull you all back. Just in case."
Valentine arched a brow. He glanced toward the windows, a thought crossing his mind. "I’m wondering if I should also stay back," He let it out in the open. "In case there’s a problem with the zombies."
"... Okay." Loki’s lips slowly curved. "We could get to talk more. You’re always so elusive, unlike the others, and I never get to—"
"On second thought." Valentine spun to Ambrose. "I’ll tag along after all."
"Coward." Loki snorted, clearly amused. "You can avoid me reading you for only so long, you know."
Valentine clicked his tongue. "Don’t get ahead of yourself."
"I wasn’t planning to." Loki grinned before clapping their hands together. "Alright, enough flirting through passive aggression. Everyone, over here."
The group gathered around Orion’s bed without another complaint.
Ambrose remained closest to his son while Devon slipped his hand into his. Gabriel silently took Ambrose’s free hand, Viktor linked with Devon, and after a moment’s hesitation, Valentine completed the circle beside Gabriel.
Loki looked over each of them carefully.
"Good. First things first, clear your minds as much as possible. Don’t fight the connection I’ll establish. The more you resist, the harder it’ll be for me to guide you into Orion’s dream."
"Well..." Gabriel chuckled nervously. "That’s easier said than done."
"It always is." Loki stepped forward, placing two fingers against Ambrose’s forehead.
A pulse of unfamiliar aether spread outward like ripples across still water before branching toward everyone else through their joined hands.
One by one, invisible threads wrapped around their memories.
"Lower your guard," Loki instructed softly. "Trust me. Your consciousness will naturally follow Orion’s."
Ambrose exhaled.
So did everyone else.
The resistance melted away.
"There we go." Loki smiled faintly. "You should probably lie down—"
THUD.
Ambrose hit the floor before the sentence finished.
THUD.
Gabriel followed.
Within seconds, Devon, Viktor and Valentine collapsed beside them, their linked hands only separating after unconsciousness claimed them.
★★★★★
When Ambrose opened his eyes again, he found himself standing beneath an impossibly bright blue sky.
Coral skyscrapers stretched toward the clouds while giant pineapples, talking jellyfish, cartoon houses and floating candy islands coexisted without the slightest concern for logic.
One side resembled Bikini Bottom almost perfectly, while the other constantly shifted between colourful cartoon worlds every few seconds.
"Well..." Valentine slowly turned in a circle. "I officially have questions."
"You and me both," Devon muttered.
"ORION!" Viktor cupped his hands around his mouth.
His voice echoed across the bizarre landscape.
No answer.
Gabriel frowned. "So, we actually have to find him."
Valentine stared toward the endless horizon where more impossible worlds blended. "In a place without an end."
A heavy silence settled over the group as the sheer scale of Orion’s dream finally dawned on them.
"Where do we even begin?"