LU 261 - Nautilus 11

**Once upon a time, there was a dream.**

*"Ow..."*

Nat rose from his bed, after hitting his head on the wall again. That... will have been his last time hitting his head on the wall. He glanced over at Edelle, who had just awoken. They stared for a while, and smiled. It wasn't a happy one, but it was a smile Nat would love to see again. They walked over to the war room in The Empire castle, Jimmy the wolf happily trotting beside Nat, oblivious to the world, and his fate.

The warriors sat around the table, tension in the air. Illios, in the opening of the table, at it's center. She never left that spot, even during The Empire days. Ajan's helmet always sat securely on her head, for now her hair was showing from the back, which usually meant she isn't battle-ready at the moment. She was eerily calm for the final day, yet he wasn't surprised, she was always collective. The preparation before the war on the Flame reminded him again, down to the core she didn't change, only the burdens piled.

Sytamni stood on top of the table, throwing his sword up in to the air, and catching it with his other hand. He repeated this, as if it was his stress reliever. He never stood still, and Nat was glad that didn't change about him.

Jeremy sat in his chair, battle-axe on the table. He polished it, guided by Mira who stood over him, ensuring he didn't hurt himself. She was always the parental figure, and always the friend that was there for someone. Must be where Jeremy got it from, and this made Nat happy they were the way they were.

Space swung his sword, warming up for the fight. He seems so encouraged for the fight now, before he was always scared. Now he's determined, Nat was proud he could see the development, from now, and 500 years ago. Fallen regretted killing him once, and Nat himself felt that.

Zinnia floated behind the quiet Edelle, arms wrapped around her neck as if to comfort her. Zinnia and Edelle both were different people, yet they seem to always feel the same. Then again, it was the same with Illios when Zinnia was with her.

Everyone had a desire of helping him, and the world. Nat felt the same, but with a little more. He would show his "Brother" that he was not only wrong about the way he went about things, but to prove that Nat was worth while on the planet. But also to prove himself in a way, he would prove that he's real. He may have been physically real now, but now he will put that to the test. Nat summoned his trident, and raised it into the air.

*"Are we ready guys ;D"*

They all nodded in agreement, with a cheer of their own. The march was on, to the last battle. Of course, Jimmy just *had* to tag along, or so insisted by Nat. He'd be safe by the shore when they arrived, so Nat said.

The group disembarked, and headed towards the center of the purple island. Nat gave Jimmy affection, Jimmy licked his face happily. Nat is gonna miss him.

They reached the center. A circular platform, dark to the edges, lighter towards its center stood in their way. That wasn't what was terrifying. Unlike the other trees, Slumber no longer had his leaves. He was barren of life, void floated and surrounded the great being, slowly eating away at the bark. Random gold flashes of light randomly sparked mid-air, like lightning flashes. Slumber was dying already... But to what exactly? Perhaps the armor that formed in a flash of light in front of them... Would answer their pleas.

**The dream, came true.**

*"Welcome, to your beginning, and your end, Nautilus."*

Of course he'd say that. He's so full of himself, and he always will be.

*"I have. And I've come to put this to an end."*

*"Oh? Has your newfound desire brought forth more stupidity? Mind that you barely escaped with your lives last you were here, along with the mother."*

*"I've returned with my friends this time, friends who I'd even consider a better family."*

*"Still denying your birth? Shameful, but as expected from a worthless spawn."*

*"I don't need to. I'm glad you did this to me at all really, I got something special out of it. And now your own creation is here to put a stop to you, and I will make sure of it."*

*"Then approach me, brother. Show me your defectiveness once more, and die trying. Pick a god, and pray. You're one of them now. A foolish mortal."*

Slumber summoned his giant sword, just as Nautilus summoned his trident. A glowing portal appeared below Nat, allowing him to sink into the dream world, to engage the battle of the mind with Slumber. Zinnia, joined with him. Everyone knows what goes on within the real world... But let us take the dream perspective.

A familiar world opened before his eyes. Infinity water below him, showing his netherite armor reflection, and the infinite symbol, but not Nat himself. Slumber stood in front of him, sword still in hand. Zinnia floated behind Nat, her twin tridents orbiting her smaller frame.

*"We enter the dream once more, brother. Think you can handle me again?"*

*"Yeah, he's got your granny too, woody boy,"* Zinnia retorted.

Nat took his battle stance. *"Last time I was here, I fought in rage for what you did to Edelle. And now I fight for her, as well as the others."*

Nat threw his trident, and lunged. Slumber deflected it, the trident flew back into Nat's hands as he blocked a direct blow from Slumber. Zinnia raced around the area, gaining speed as she made her wide arc towards Slumber. Slumber flung Nautilus away, and used all of his strength to hold his ground against Zinnia. Zinnia focused her tridents on a single point, ramming Slumber, sending him flying. Nat recovered, and intercepted the incoming armor with a hard strike. Slumber rotated a full circle, slashing Nat, and knocking him into the ground. Nat yelled in pain, suddenly aware of the blade above him. Slumber nearly struck him, Zinnia came in from behind, and rammed him again, this time her tridents impaling him through the back. Nat's wound closed, reminding him this is a dream. Slumber slashed at Zinnia like a whirlwind, putting her on the defensive.

*"Nat, if you're just gonna stand there, you could have at least brought popcorn for me too dick head."*

Nat regained his focus, and lunged in for more. Slumber was now on the defensive, but he held his ground well as Nat and Zinnia combined their strength in pushing him back. Slumber slashed for a horizontal sweep, Nat ducked and spun, he rose back up and slashed the sword out of Slumbers hands with an arc. Zinnia cross slashed his shoulders off, Nat completing the final blow to the helm. Slumber froze, slowly fading away.

*"Hah... I suppose you are my equal."*

*"You're in a losing position, and yet you still say that."*

Slumber laughed to himself. *"There's weight to what I said. The only question you should be asking yourself is... can you defeat her?"*

Zinnia stared, solemnly. *"Her?"*

*"Oh Sephira... dear child. Live on... And destroy all those who threaten us. Consume... everything."*

He fully faded away, allowing Nat and Zinnia to return to the real world. They rose out of the white portal. Nat suddenly screamed in pain... his back felt like it was being torn apart. White tears streamed from his now what eyes, marks across is face ripped through his cheeks, his hands bleeding. An infinite symbol now floated behind him.

**Nat has acquired his final ability, the magic bomb.**