Dream Chosen (Closers Online / Danmachi)

[Stimpak Medic]

Prologue: Count Daolos

It was a long day for the young Bell Cranel. One of significant importance, in fact. He had survived the run-in with the minotaur, met the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen, fallen madly in love with her, and gained significant progress in his agility stat. Sadly, despite thinking that there might have been a new skill he had, Hestia quickly shut that train of thought down, saying that he did not, in fact, have a new skill and that her hand had slipped. Whatever that had meant.

And so, as the stars twinkled in the sky above their dilapidated church, and Hestia slept atop him, snug in their blanket, Bell closed his eyes, drifting off into a placid sleep.

Only to open his eyes moments later to find himself in a comfortable carriage seat made of soft red cloth. He jumped, startled, and he looked around in confusion. The carriage had a red interior, and there were two windows on the side doors of the large carriage that could easily hold five men abreast on each seat. Across from him in the carriage was an odd-looking young lady, perhaps of the age of twenty to twenty-three.

The top of her hair, that was soft and blonde down to her blue eyes, with an ahoge at the top, then curled out slightly, quickly becoming a soft green, as if a painter had decided to change the colors midway and did not care for how absurd it looked.

She had a thin frame, covered by a long white cloth dress shirt, that had black leather clasps at the wrists and one at the neck. Her skirt was black, and was suspended by garters that held up black leggings that reached down to her black high-heeled shoes.

"Welcome, distinguished guest, to the world of dreams," She said, giving Bell a warm smile full of respect and kindness. Her teeth were pearly white, and her fair skin was completely unblemished.

Bell, taken aback by this all, and incredibly confused, just stared blankly at the admittedly pretty lady across from him.

"Take your time to process this, it's quite shocking for the first time for everyone. I'm Magra by the way." She said, and her soft but energetic voice was brimming with optimism and warmth.

Bell took a moment to compose himself before speaking.

"Why am I here? Did I do something wrong?" Bell asked, his heart rate beginning to speed up.

"None of the sort, distinguished Guest. My master, the Lord of Dreams, wishes to meet you. He's a big fan of yours." She explained, as if it were the most obvious of sorts.

"But I haven't done anything yet," Bell replied, looking down at the red carpeted floor with some embarrassment.

"Not yet, but you will do many things in the future, and my Master has seen almost each and every "Hypothetical" and "IF" there is to be seen, and he has been quite excited about meeting you for the first time. I won't spoil too much, but you become a great Hero in many "IFs".

"What's an 'IF'?" Bell asked. Strangely, he was calm and composed, neither overwhelmed by the lady's beauty in front of him nor his usually overactive imagination.

"Great question. An "IF" is an alternate hypothetical universe, one that may come to be, or has already passed. There are infinite "IFs" Created every time anyone does something, so it took some time to see most of yours, but my Master is saving the ones connected to your universe for later, as he wishes to see how you grow in this one. Does that explain it to you?" She asked, and the carriage stopped moving.

"Well, I kind of understand, but not everything," Bell replied, still slightly confused.

"I'm sure my Master can explain it better to you than I can. You'll be hearing from him soon."

"Uhh. Okay." Bell just nodded, still not sure what to think.

The doors to the carriage to his right swung quietly open, and outside of it was revealed a long, brightly lit wooden theatre stage, easily as long as a small building was tall in itself.

"Come, let us leave the carriage," Magra said, offering Bell her slim, delicate hand.

Bell, not used to contact with women other than Hestia, blushed slightly and took her hand. It was soft and warm to the touch, and the two stepped down a pair of golden stairs that materialized in front of them onto the large stage.

To his right was a theatre audience with many long sets of comfortable red cloth seats, and at the ceiling were large crystal chandeliers that sparkled and glistened like stars in the night sky, shedding warmth and light on the theatre.

To his left were huge golden curtains, the height of tall trees, and as wide as Hestia's church was, that were tightly closed as if to conceal the secrets beyond.

In the middle of the stage was a small wooden table, with two comfortable seats on each of its square sides.

As Magra walked him over to the table, she asked him a question.

"While my Master finishes his preparations, do you have any questions or things you want? I can get you anything you want here, for this is the realm of dreams. I am most powerful here aside from my Master, and my foolish sister, Dogra."

"Can I leave here? Am I being kidnapped?" Bell finally asked, gathering his courage.

"Of course, you can leave. Any time you wish, you can board the carriage, and it will take you back to your world in a moment. You are not being kidnapped, oh no, that would be quite disturbing, and my master only wishes for the best for you. But I do pray you at least give my Master a moment of your time before you leave." She pleaded, and Bell felt much relief at this new information.

Well, since he could leave at any time, perhaps he could spare this Magra lady's Master some time, not to mention she was quite pretty to look at despite her odd hair.

Bell, now sitting at the table with Magra sitting next to him, asked aquestion.

"Who is your Master? Is he a God?" Bell inquired, and Magra replied.

"He does hold that title, but he prefers the title of Lord of Dreams. However, to you, he surely would go by the name Count D since his true name is utterly incomprehensible to lower-dimensional beings like yourself, and would likely collapse your whole universe by simply muttering it, and that would be no good." She replied, and Bell's eyes widened.

A name had such power? What terrifying and strange being was her Master for his mere name to destroy the entire universe?

Then, appearing across from them, at the seat was a man who seemed to be in his late thirties. He was large and had fair skin, long, silky silver hair, and a lavish audience mask that one might see at theatres.

He wore a purple tuxedo with golden threads, a long black top hat, a white lace tie, and a white rose on his breast pocket. His form shimmered and flickered, as if it were not really there at all.

"Welcome, young Hero, or should I say young Bell, to my fantasy world. I am Count D, or Daolos, as many humans have called me before. I am deeply sorry that I can not tell you my real name, as it would instantly kill you upon hearing it. But fret not, I have created this little world so that I could meet you, my dear Bell." The man said excitedly from his seat, pouring tea into two teacups along with many luxurious pastries, fruits, and meats on dishes and cups.

When Bell looked at the pastries and foods, the ones he was interested in floated over to him and settled in front of him.

The man, outside of his purple tuxedo, top hat, and mask, seemed quite normal, but this was a dream world, so this "Count D" fellow could simply be using a shape or avatar.

"Thank you for your hospitality, mister Count. Was there something you needed from me?" Bell asked.

"Of course. I wished to meet you, and in doing so, one of my wishes has been fulfilled, and you are just as I had hoped. At the start of your journey, with bright eyes, and ready to make your name in the world!" The count finished, laughing in joy.

"I don't really know what to say. I'm only a level one adventurer with no skills." Bell replied, taking a sip of tea. It was warm and tasted like a sip of heaven, just the perfect mix of sweet and tangy.

The count laughed a hearty laugh.

"A level one today could be a level three in a year, and a level five in four. Worry not about levels, but about true power. In that, allow me to impart upon you a skill." The count said, and he snapped his fingers on his right hand, and Bell felt something imprint itself upon him.

"This skill is called Dream Distortion. What it does for now is turn one small, minor event that happens to you into a dream as if it never happened. Say if you get stabbed by a monster, or you lose your wallet on the way home. Poof, it was all a dream! The monster missed you, and you were never stabbed, or your wallet actually was in your pocket the whole time. Of course, there's a limit to this, of once every three days, but that will change the stronger you get, and the more you interact with the dream world. Now, I believe it's the morning in your universe, so I'll have to send you on your way, but just know thatyour biggest fan, Count D, is cheering you on. " The count explained, and Bell found the world spinning, and he woke up to Hestia drooling on his exposed chest.

What a strange dream.