***QUICK DISCLAIMER//PLEASE DON'T KILL ME*** 

The lore/backstory bits presented in this chapter are not canon to Dreamtale, not entirely. This is mainly because I couldn't find all of the canon lore, and the bits I could come across were... well they weren't very solid or...or really just anything I was very interested in?? Like as an author and everything it just struck me some kinda way. 

With that being said... get ready to get some (slightly modded!) Noot lore! Merfy flavored ig. Bone app teeth.

(ps, pretty much the same thing for reaper. Except, I don't really cover his history, just the dumb stuff he did, lol... also, just felt like saying no I didn't rewrite their whole story, I just filled in some holes and swapped out some pieces with others. Put a twist on it or something... it's still the same AU I swear.)

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—Your POV—

Soft faded lights trickle through the window above your head, illuminating the old, thick paper of the book you're reading. Your eyes drift over pretty, slanted words. Seems Nightmare's history has something to do with... apples. 

Your mind is half fogged by all the interesting illustrations, many of two, identical skeletons described as 'The Twins.' You're assuming that they're Dream and Nightmare, even though the text doesn't directly state their names. Eerily, they remind you of Nightmare's passive form, with their little crowns and tunics.. interesting. You doubt he'll tell you, but when (if) you go back you'll ask.

Another interesting thing is the way the intro is covered. Apparently, there's not a lot of solid material on Nightmare and Dream. You don't doubt that, seeing as how Nightmare's more of a whisper on the streets and Dream is somewhat of a someone to swear to, their history is no doubt a little less fleshed out than some others. 

Long before you and me, when the first universes were being formed in a period of time known as the 'Creation Era', in a place not quite like any other, an old, powerful being settled down, took the form of an apple tree, and created two children. These two children are who we recognize today as 'The Twins', or 'Guardians'. 

One, was created as the guardian, or what some recognize as the embodiment, of positivity, a fun loving soul with an affinity for helping and caring for others. The second, contrary to popular belief, has solid evidence describing him as quite empathetic, able to recognize the deepest of traumas, console the mourners, and cure even the worst of depression. Though many may perceive him as moody or aloof, he too was quite close to those being the object of his care, and strived to protect his friends and family

The three existed in harmony for some time— an amount no one knows for sure— before the powerful being, known in history books as Nim, fell ill and eventually passed away. The history on Nim is shaky, at best. Most theories evolved from fleeting speculations and ideas, ranging from the goddess simply expiring to her own creations killing her. (See page 7)

After another unmarked period of time, (though, presumably not a terribly long one) it is recorded that a village of sorts decided to quite near to the apple tree that Nim once was...

You skim down the next few paragraphs, giving yourself a gist rather than the exact detailed description of whatever happened next. Grant it, the text isn't all too detailed already, with its iffy time stamps and vague setting descriptions, but the point of the text is clear. 

You're reaching a sort of climax, palms sweating as you read over wrong after wrong after wrong. Apparently, this uh, village is full of a bunch of careless, greedy, cruel people. The kind who always receive but never give. The kind who... abused the shit out of Dream's trust and curiosity.

Arguably though, Dream (or, 'Positive one', as the book states) didn't get it half as bad as Nightmare, who was utterly shunned, seen as a bad omen, a curse even. You chew your lower lip as the story progresses, inching towards a breaking point in Nightmare. The words flow all too quickly, giving a vivid but also bone chilling vision of how things must've been for the little negative being. 

Flipping to page six, your eyes widen. Taking up the entire page is a horrifying illustration. 

It's Nightmare, judging off the darker colors, his previously sad and/or scared expressions completely gone from his face and replaced by what you can only imagine is grueling pain. Clawing at his sockets, standing so rigidly straight with cracks running all throughout his form, flowing from them...

Rivulets of thick, black slime. 

You stare for maybe a minute, tracing every detail with your eyes, absorbing everything you can from this image. What... what does it mean? How did that even— you look to the next page, getting maybe one or two words of context before a low voice tears you from the article you're so engrossed in. 

"Enjoying your read, tra la la?" It's the same river monster from earlier, staring down at you with an inquisitive little tilt to its head. "I'm glad, but I'm also afraid the library is closing right around now." 

"Is there any way I could take this book with me, by chance?" You ask, looking up hopefully. It shakes its head and you deflate. 

"Not without a library card, tra la la." 

Nodding, you quietly get to your feet, casting one last glance at the illustration that is undoubtedly seared into your mind before reluctantly sliding the book back into its place. You can't take it with you without a library card, and you don't have time to go through whatever process you'd need to get one. 

Casting a gaze out the window, you look at the darkening sky as the sun sinks slowly below the horizon. You frown at the massive hall of fire, sighing as you make your way back to the front desk. 

As you go over everything you read in your head... neutral Reaper, Horror and friends, Nightmare being some apple tree kid... that author. 

Oh yeah! The author's name. You stop right at the doors, looking to the river person who's getting situated behind the counter, probably to close up shop. 

"Hey, do you know if I can meet with a guy named uh, W.D.G.?" You ask, watching as the monster straightens up in a way that looks more like a tense. "They wrote most of those books back there." 

"Gas—" It goes to say something, but then relaxes, leaning back a little. "I... I am aware he is a very popular author these days. It was his goal to write informative articles on all the greater beings of multiverse..." It speaks almost like it regrets telling you this. 

"The fool almost got himself killed, but if you must meet him... Tra la la..." The cloaked monster produces a black envelope with two white stripes running along it. "This is an invite to a private meet and greet. You can take it, I'm not going." It holds the thing out for you, and you immediately walk over, going to take it. 

When you try to tug it out of the monster's hand, its grip remains taut. You tug again, staring, dumbfounded up into an infinitely black hood. You can almost sense the hesitancy rolling off it in waves, but after a moment or two, it speaks. 

"Human... you are new here, I do not understand your motives." You try not to lose your cool the longer the thick silence carries on after that. Just stay calm. No one's onto you. You didn't do anything wrong anyways... maybe. "Why exactly are you looking to learn such... uncommon aspects of knowledge." 

You speak the first thing that comes to mind, praying it can't feel the sweat starting accumulate on your palms. 

"Just want to be the wise guy in class I guess..." You try to joke, pushing on a grin. The deadpan it gives you despite having a face is enough to make you stutter. "I-I mean... like if you don't know your history, you're doomed to repeat it?" 

It makes a small noise akin to a sigh before the envelope suddenly leaves its hand and you sort of snatch it, immediately shooting it an apologetic stare, but it's already turned away. 

"Keep your secrets, tra la la." It hums, back to you as it rummages through a drawer. "And make sure you tell him the river sent you."

Nodding, you shout a quick thanks before leaving out, heading to your dingy apartment for some much needed rest. Not sleep, probably not tonight, but just some time to rest your brain after stretching it so much. To rest your eyes... 

To think, really.

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Noot lore omg :OO Wonder what's up with the goopster anyways huh? Kinda couldn't decide if I was going to do another flopped chapter because the story doesn't change much progression wise if we go to you again... it's in the air folks, who's the star of Friday's chapter??

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!

- De Moogus