Nier POV

I was having another scary dream. I find myself in a sea made of blood with countless corpses. I pull my hands up and see the red spilling from my hands. A noise then brings my attention and I see that same figure from before. They are standing on a hill of corpses and holding a man with the lower half of his body ripped off. The figure then punches the man so hard it tears off his head. The being roars and it echoes across the sea of blood. I soon see a woman walking through gracefully despite the horror around her. The being looks at her, but not in hatred, in respect.

???: You will be a sword of vengeance. You will bring retribution to those who let their hubris consume them. Just know that out of all the creatures called monsters, you will be worse.

The being nodded and I felt the respect they had for the woman. Suddenly I wake up and find myself in the church. I look around me and see everyone else sleeping.

Nier: *Sigh*. 'Another Nightmare. What are these about?'.

I turn to see Yonah still sleeping, but is tossing and turning.

Yonah: N-n-no. No. No.

I put my hands on her shoulder in hopes that she can know that I'm here. She stops moving and breaths slowly before she opens her eyes. She pants and I hug her.

Yonah: B-big brother?

Nier: It's Okay, Yonah. I'm here.

Yonah hugs me and we decide to go upstairs so we don't wake up Bell or Hestia. We sit on a pew and look at he room which has yet to be illuminated by the sunrise. Yonah begins to cry and I can tell she's had a nightmare like me.

Nier: Yonah. Was it a nightmare?

Yonah: Yes.

Nier: What was it about?

Yonah: Those men that attacked our village. I had a nightmare of them killing more people. One with the face of a dragon and the body made of scales lead them.

I know who she was talking about: Seraphim. But I didn't want to talk about it. I want to assure her that everything's okay.

Nier: It's alright Yonah. It's just a bad dream. I'm here.

Yonah: You sure?

Nier: Of course.

Yonah hugs me as tight as she could. I hug her back as the sun rises outside the church. We see Bell in his armor and ready to head to the dungeon.

Bell: Oh, hey Nier. Hey Yonah. You guys are up early. I kinda expected you to sleep in.

Yonah: I had a bad dream. But it's okay now.

Nier: Give me a few minutes and I'll head to the dungeon.

Bell: Actually Nier, I was thinking that maybe you could have today off.

Nier: Seriously?

Bell: Well, you've been going into the dungeon and fighting for hours every day since you joined the Hestia Familia. I've had a few days that I didn't go to the dungeon, so I think only fair that you get a break as well.

I want to say something, but Yonah tugs on my sleeve and shows that she wants me to have a break. I didn't know what else to say, so I accepted it.

Nier: Alright then. Just don't go get yourself killed.

Bell: Well, the first thing I'm gonna do is get Lili so Goddess Hestia can welcome her as part of the familia.

Yonah: But isn't she still technically part of Soma?

Bell: Yes, but they'll assume that she died in the dungeon. Just don't mention anything about what I'm telling you.

Yonah does a zip geasture on her lips.

Nier: Well, you want to go around town, Yonah?

Yonah: Yeah.

Bell: Have fun you two.

Bell leaves and I get dressed with Yonah. We leave and decide to go for a walk around Orario. It's similar to our first day here, except we weren't rejected by most Familias before we even asked. Yonah is happy, which is understandable since she did nothing but stay inside the church all day. Unfortunately, unlike in the village we used to live in, there weren't any neighbors to help take care of her. So she spends most of the day napping or reading whatever book there was in the church. I kinda spent most of my first pay for many books so that she couldn't get too bored.

I take Yonah to a cart that serves Ice Cream. I buy some for us and we go sit on a bench to enjoy them. The happy look on Yonah's face reminds me of when she was younger. Mom and us would sometimes go for a picnic in the woods and watch the sun set. I wish things could go back to how they used to.

Yonah: Big brother. Is something wrong?

Nier: No. Just thinking about how things used to be.

Yonah: I think about that too. Can I tell you something?

Nier: Of course.

Yonah: It wasn't just last night. I've been having strange dreams every time I fall asleep. One included something bad happening to mom. Another Involved an unkown girl scared and confused about her surroundings. And another one was you ending up in danger, and something in you snaps. And you kill everyone around you.

That last one concerned me. It sounds similar to what happened to me yesterday. But I don't want to worry her. Maybe I should keep what happened to me the other day a secret. Although I guess I could tell Yonah about the nightmares that I've been having. I don't want to lie, but I'm sure about telling her the full truth.

Nier: I've been having dreams every night as well. But none have been pleasant.

Yonah: What where they about?

Nier: I keep finding myself in places that have been filled with violence and destruction. And at the center was an armored being who killed everyone in his path. I look into his eyes and see the burning hatred within him. I don't know what any of this means.

Yonah then holds my hand.

Yonah: It's okay brother. I'm here for you. Whatever happens, we do it together.

I grasp a little tighter and shed a tear. I want to ease things up by reminding Yonah about our ice cream.

Nier: We should probably finish our ice cream before it melts.

Yonah: Oh right.

We eat the rest of the ice cream before walking away. Yonah looks around and his happy at the sight over everyone and everything. Although her smile fades when many adventurers look at her with smug looks. This just makes me mad, but I don't want to start a fight in the middle of the city.

Nier: Stay close to me Yonah.

Yonah does so and we move faster until we are out of the district. We then decide to head back to the church. Along the way, we see Bell together with Aiz, much to a jealous Hestia who also saw them. But neither of the three noticed Yonah and I looking at them. So we just kept walking until we returned home. We sit on the pews and end up taking a nap together.

Soon enough, I find myself in another dream, but it was different from the last ones I've had. I found myself in a dark void before seeing someone walking toward me. They get closer and reveal themselves to be a woman

Nier: Who... Who are you?

???: The one who gave you this power. The power to bring retribution to those who make others suffer.

Nier: What are you talking about?

???: The visions you've been having. You see them because you were there in each of those moments.

Nier: I was there?

???: Yes.

Nier: What's your name?

???: My name is Nemesis. And I am the one that gave you your soul.

Nier: You gave me my soul?

Nemesis: You'll understand in time. For now, just keep doing what you're doing. But know that it cannot last for long. It is both a burden that comes with your power.

Nemesis turns around and walks away. Soon I open my eyes and awaken from the dream. The sound of breathing draws my attention and I see Yonah sleeping peacefully beside me. I guess she's not having a vision. So what I do next is hug my sister and smile.

Nier: Enjoy your sleep, Yonah.

I don't know if what I experience in my sleep are visions or nightmares. But one things for sure, I will protect Yonah and find Seraphim for everything he did.