Everything was just doubling and tripling down on the Spell's fearing the origins of Will's power.
The Void.
Flaw: [Abyssal Hunger]
Flaw Description: [Your power over the void feeds the abyss, which hungers to consume your soul.]
Will realized that was why his body during the Nightmare felt like he was putting it through the wringer. Every time he used any essence he stole with his attribute he was hurting his body. Now this flaw not only was his body in danger from overusing foreign essence, but also his soul.
It seemed like the Spell had some twisted joke for all of its divine aspect user's Flaws. Each one of the Flaws they owned would directly attack some of their greatest strengths.
Nephis unable to freely use her flames, Sunny unable to use his own personally strongest trait, and now Will's own power could poison him if he used it too much.
It would end up being something he would have to overcome. Dealing with the flaw shouldn't be difficult, but who was to say the scenarios he might find himself in.
[Wake up, Typhon!]
The void spun, sending him away.
****
Will shot up quickly when he woke up.
He was inside a concrete walled room. The sharp white light blinded him the moment he opened his eyes. He tried to cover his face, but he found his arms bound behind his back.
"Sorry. It's protocol for anyone who has been found having not reported to be bound and prepared to kill. The cuffs just keep you from attacking right away." A tired and low female voice spoke to him. He couldn't see her since she was sitting in front of the blinding light. "Ah. Sorry. I needed more light in here to see when the changes started happening." The woman reached and adjusted it.
The woman was stunning. Models from his previous world couldn't compare.
"Holy… he wasn't kidding…" Will was stunned and muttered to himself.
"What was that?" She asked, cocking one eyebrow as she brought her mug of coffee to her lips for a sip.
"Ohh uhh, my friend wasn't kidding that they really tie you up here." Will joked before getting a look at her.
She had short black hair, smooth porcelain skin that resembled freshly fallen snow. She seemed unhealthy but Will knew it was only that way cause technically she was dead. 'Pretty unhealthy yeah.' He thought but damn she really was beautiful.
"Huh, funny friend you have then. Anyway, let's get down with the boring stuff. Your file was mostly blank, so I assume you don't have much of a family ." She sighed as someone knocked. Bringing in some food and setting it in front of the two of them. "Two in one day, how unlucky can a girl be."
Will's ears perked up. "Oh it's just me, but you had some other person today Miss?" His eyes were staring at the steaming pile of 'synthpaste', and he decided he probably wasn't that hungry.
"Jet. Ascended Jet. Yeah, another slum kid. Pretty funny too, must've been your friend then I guess. Anyway, he's in the lobby waiting for us to get done." She waved it off, continuing her spiel, general facts about the spell, the academy and such. It bored him a bit but the view was amazing so he dealt with it.
By the end of it some of his basics were helped out, about the markets, some of the new tech of the world. He received his own watch since he obviously didn't have one on him. He also informed her of his intention of attending the academy.
"Alright, let's get you out of the jumpsuit and to your new home." She had a knowing look. She assumed that he was like her, an unfortunate kid living in the edges of the city. Someone who had somehow been lucky enough to survive his first nightmare.
"Oh yeah, before I forget. Good job making it out of your first nightmare, and welcome to the real nightmare, Sleeper Will"
*****
Following her lead through the police station, making every attempt to remain a gentleman, he met the other kid she was talking about.
He was a thin and pale kid, the newest and cleanest thing he had on was the jumpsuit they gave him. Their eyes meet for a moment and he could see that he was evaluating Will. Will had a good idea what was going on in that paranoid rat's mind.
'Who's this smuck? Is he also from the slums? What rank was his aspect? Bet he didn't do as well as I did, I mean who else in the two worlds besides Smile of Heaven was able to do that?' He could see just as he played those final words in his head, a small smirk spread on Sunny's face.
Like a book. Literally.
"Sleeper Will, this is Sleeper Sunless, the other person who just finished their nightmare today as well. Luckily, you both made it with no problems because that would've been pain to deal with." She let out a tired sigh. "Now, we'll all be heading to the Awakened Academy where you all will be able to learn with all of the other illustrious members of society."
Will stuck his hand out to Sunny to shake his hand and put on the best smile he could despite his knowledge of what the rat would be thinking.
"Nice to finally meet you. Like she said, my name is Will and I hope we can survive the next winter solace together. Imagine if two random kids from the slums make it back without a scratch?" He held his hand out to shake Sunny's. Who finally stood up from his office chair he was given.
He was a good couple inches shorter than Will. 'At least I know I'm taller than him' He mused to himself.
Sunny looked at Will's eyes for a moment before they drifted to his hand, unsure if he should shake it or not.
After some internal debate, the paranoia wore off and he shook Will's hand. Giving him a strange look, the kind you give the local bum as you walk by. The, 'You don't test me man and I'll leave you alone', look. Will couldn't help but laugh inwardly, getting close to him and the other members of the Cohort won't be easy if he's always like this.
Sunny hesitated for a few moments before responding to him. "Yeah, that would be interesting if random slums kids made it out, even though our chances completely suck." He looked away dejected as the two of them followed the Beautiful Ascended.
"So, Sunny question." He whispered as they followed behind.
"Oh no." The smaller boy responded.
"Did you notice how pretty Ascended Jet was? I mean, she's a bombshell no?" Will inwardly was laughing his ass off knowing the predicaments he could put Sunny in.
Again, Sunny took a few moments to formulate his answers. He hadn't had his flaw for long and his nature told him to lie and not embarrass himself.
"Yeah I did… and yes she really is." As he says that, Jet turns around giving them a look with one eye and Sunny grows as red as a tomato. Will couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Yeah man, at least you got good tastes at least despite all the synthpaste you eat." Will joked. Sunny gave him a look and turned away with force trying to put up a tough front and get the bully to leave him alone.
Together they entered a PTV. Jet in the driver seat, Sunny in the passenger and Will in the back. Since Sunny walked faster due to embarrassment.
Most of the time they spent driving Jet was giving them both advice. As someone from the slums she knew exactly what each of them were missing. Knowledge. Normally, she would be right about Will, but she could never know that he could be considered the most powerful prophet of this generation, as long as he doesn't mess it all up.
Eventually, they pulled up onto the grand and imposing building that was the 'Awakened Academy'.