Shadow Slave: Flaw of Gods.

Veil felt reassuring. The constant repetition of "Forgotten Spark" grounded him, even as his thoughts tried to slip away. With each step, he felt himself slowly regaining control, though it was fragile, like holding onto a thread that could snap at any moment. The echoes of his name seemed to fortify him, like a beacon in the fog of his fading memories.

Aroon led him through a series of sterile hallways, the hum of the overhead lights echoing in the otherwise quiet space. The air was cool and smelled faintly of disinfectant, a stark contrast to the warmth of the shower. Veil's steps felt heavier now, as if the weight of the unknown was beginning to settle on him.

The Academy was a place of training, but Veil didn't know what to expect there. He had heard the term, but it sounded like a vague, distant concept. All he knew was that it was a path forward, a place where he could perhaps begin to understand what had happened to him, why his memories were slipping, and most importantly, what he was supposed to do now.

They arrived at a large set of doors, which Aroon pushed open with a firm hand. Inside, the atmosphere was different from the sterile halls. The room was filled with activity. Young faces, some familiar, some not, all of them focused on tasks that Veil couldn't yet comprehend. The air hummed with energy, the murmurs of voices blending together like a low current.

"This is the main hall," Aroon said, his voice steady and calm. "Here, you'll meet others like you. All of you share the same fate—called to the Kingdom of Dreams by the same force, whether by accident or design. But now you're here, and that's what matters."

Veil took in the room, noting the various people gathered, some deep in conversation, others quietly observing. He didn't feel entirely out of place, yet there was an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity. It was as though he was both a part of this world and a stranger to it all at once.

"You'll be trained here," Aroon continued. "Survival in the Kingdom of Dreams is not for the faint of heart. The dreamscape is full of dangers, and those who aren't prepared don't make it back. Not everyone survives their first dream, but you—" Aroon paused, looking at him with a slight hint of approval, "—you have the potential. You survived your first nightmare, and that's more than most can say. The Academy will prepare you for what's to come."

Veil nodded, though the words didn't fully sink in. What did it mean to survive a nightmare? Was that what the nightmare was? He felt that something important had happened, but the details were slipping away. He wasn't sure if he should be proud or fearful.

"Your training will start soon," Aroon said, steering him further into the hall. "But for now, I suggest you get some rest. The first phase is always the hardest. You'll need all the strength you can muster."

Veil followed, the rhythmic sound of his footsteps echoing in the large, cavernous room. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but for now, the most important thing was to stay grounded.

Forgotten Spark.

He repeated it in his mind, trying to hold onto it like a lifeline.

Aroon stopped by a door at the far end of the hall. "This is where you'll sleep for now. We'll begin your induction tomorrow. Get some rest, Veil. The real journey is about to begin."

With a final look, Aroon turned and walked away, leaving Veil standing alone in front of the door. He hesitated for a moment, then entered, feeling the door close softly behind him. Inside was a small room, a simple bed, a desk, and a window that let in the faintest light from outside. The walls were bare, the space stark and functional. It was all designed for purpose, not comfort.

Veil sat on the bed, still unsure of what to do next. But one thing was certain: Forgotten Spark —his True Name—was still the only thing that kept him from losing himself. The thought of it brought a small measure of peace. It was the thread he could hold onto, the constant reminder that, despite the fragments of his past slipping away, he was still here. He was still Veil.

He closed his eyes for a moment, but sleep didn't come easily. The room was quiet, but his mind was far from still. What was the next step? What came after surviving the nightmare?

The answers were far out of reach, but Veil knew one thing for sure: He couldn't afford to forget who he was. Not again.