Chapter 20: Night of Shared Dreams – Into the Mind of a Battle Beast

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Night of Shared Dreams – Into the Mind of a Battle Beast ???? Previously: After forming a soul-deep bond with the mythical Aerialra, Jemil evolved into the Towerborn Heir—a hybrid class capable of entering the emotional core of his bonded beasts. With the Queen’s secrets revealed and a new mission to find other Towerborn heirs, Jemil and his harem set up camp outside the ruins of the ancient Cradle of Chains. But evolution comes with consequences. And tonight... he’s about to enter his first dreamworld. ????️ A Restless Night Jemil lay in a tent between Mira and Nyx. The others were in nearby tents, and Aerialra sat outside under the moonlight, wings folded like a curtain of stars. His body still buzzed with the effects of the Aerialra bond—heat in his chest, static under his skin. It felt like something inside him was... glowing. [New Ability Unlocked: Dream Sync] You may now access a bonded beast’s emotional dreamscape while asleep. Limit: 1 beast per night. Emotional damage is possible. Proceed with empathy. "Great," Jemil mumbled. "Dream therapy. With monsters." Nyx shifted beside him. "If you’re going into someone’s head tonight, make sure it’s not mine. It’s a whole jungle in there." Mira didn’t speak. She was already tense. So Jemil said: "System, sync with Mira." [Dream Sync Activated: Mira – Guardian Beast of Hollow Sky] ???? Entering Mira’s Dream Darkness. Then— A battlefield of broken wings and falling feathers. Massive chains bound the sky itself. Mira stood alone in tattered armor, her back to a shattered citadel. Her spear glowed with fire. Her wings were torn. She turned—and didn’t recognize him. "You... you’re not supposed to be here." [Warning: Dream Sync is unstable. Mira’s mental state is fragmented. Objective: Navigate emotional trauma and anchor her bond.] Jemil stepped closer. "I just wanted to understand you better. You hide so much behind that cold attitude." "I have to hide," she snapped. "Because if I don’t—everyone I love dies. I was created to protect a summoner who broke me. I failed her. I’ll fail you too." Chains began tightening around her arms. Her dreamself was panicking. Jemil reached out. "You’re not a weapon. Not anymore." [Bond Intervention Possible: Touch to stabilize dream] He took her hand. Suddenly, the battlefield changed. ???? Memory Flash – The First Bond Jemil stood in the body of a much younger Mira—only a girl, with downy feathers and wide, hopeful eyes. A Summoner stood before her, promising love and praise. "You’ll be my perfect weapon," she said. And then trained her to kill. To burn. To feel nothing. The dream fractured again. "Do you see why I can’t give you everything?" Mira asked, appearing older again now. "If I fall for you, I’ll break all over again." He walked up to her, face inches from hers. "You’re allowed to be broken. I’m not here to fix you. I just want to hold the pieces." ???? Dream Evolution Triggered [Bond Deepened: Mira – Level 4] [New Ability: Empathic Blaze – Mira’s flame can now protect, not just destroy] [Evolution Stage Unlocked: Hollow Sky Ascension] Mira’s wings healed in real time, growing larger, white at the tips. Her eyes teared up—not from pain, but release. "I hate that you say the right things." "You love it." She kissed him—not passion, but pain softened by trust. ????️ Morning After Jemil woke up with Mira’s arms around him, her face buried in his chest. "You saw too much," she whispered. "You know too much." "Still here." She didn’t let go. ????️ Elsewhere in Camp Lyra stretched and yawned loudly. "So? Who did you bond with last night?" "None of your business," Jemil said. Nyx grinned. "Liar. You smell like anxiety and feathers." Ursa passed him a muffin. "Here! For emotional recovery!" ???? CTA – The Bonds Get Deeper... Jemil just unlocked dream access, and now the emotional connection with each beast can evolve their combat forms. But how much pain is buried inside them? And if he sees all their secrets... will they still want to stay? ???? Like this Chapter? ???? Comment below: Whose dream should Jemil enter next? Nyx? Lyra? Sylfa? Or... Aerialra herself? ???? Add to Library, vote Power Stones, and share if this Chapter hit you in the feels. Next: Chapter 21 – "Feathers, Flames, and Forbidden Fantasies"