Fifth Nightmare (Event)

Crossing the realm boundary from the Nightmare Gate that had killed America, were pulled toward the Seed by the Call of Nightmare. Upon reaching the Seed, they plunged into its vile depths, where a vaguely familiar voice whispered welcoming its challengers.

Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie left the waking world together to find the Nightmare Gate that had killed America. Sunny used Shadow Step to bring Nephis and Cassie out of NQSC, and they traveled east across the ocean, with Sunny carrying them through the shadows. They eventually landed in America, on the outskirts of a dead city covered in ash, where they set out to find the Nightmare Gate.^[1]

Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie entered America to find the Nightmare Gate and the Seed rather than fight the Nightmare Creatures, choosing to move stealthily because battling a Cursed abomination on Earth could cause irreparable damage. Cassie then realized that she could not sense the Cursed One guarding the Gate, and Sunny could not sense it either, making them proceed cautiously. They traveled inland as the Call of Nightmare grew stronger, crossing the devastated continent until they found the Nightmare Gate that had taken America from humanity. There, they discovered that the Cursed abomination guarding it, Desolation, had already been killed by Mordret, who revealed that he had lured it into his Mirror Realm and killed it there. Mordret then joined them in entering the Nightmare. The four crossed the realm boundary, but instead of returning to where their tethers had been placed, they were pulled toward the Seed by the Call of Nightmare and separated. Sunny found himself inside the titanic skull of the colossal skeleton in Godgrave, where he realized that the Seed was located in the great Hollow at its center. Cassie instructed him to follow the Call and reach the Seed before the Unholy Nightmare Creature dwelling there reached them. When she told him to run, Sunny raced toward the Seed, sensing the creature stirring behind him, and eventually plunged into its depths. The Seed then welcomed him and announced the beginning of his Fifth Nightmare.^[2]

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Shadow had existed for a long time, but it had never been aware of itself. Its disinterest in its appearance after the creation of reflections made it realize its own existence, leading it to question who and what it was. Through its fragmented memories of countless past and future worlds, Shadow realized that it had experienced myriad lives and deaths, trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth in which it was repeatedly forced to return to life instead of finding eternal peace in death. Exhausted by existence, it hid in darkness and prepared to sleep again, but its solitude was interrupted when an unknown presence appeared at the mouth of its cave.^[3]

The Shadow emerged from its long isolation and discovered that it had awakened in a mortal realm filled with life and Corruption. Although it remained indifferent to the wounded human's fate, it intervened after realizing its strong hatred of Corruption, destroying the abomination attacking him before returning to its cave, only to be disturbed again by another unexpected visitor.^[6]

The Shadow observed the human tribe settling near its cave and learned that they had begun worshipping it as their guardian spirit after it killed the abomination. As the tribe grew and prospered under the protection its presence unintentionally provided, the humans regularly left offerings and performed rituals, which the Shadow largely ignored until the nature of their sacrifices suddenly changed.^[7]

The Shadow discovered that the humans had begun offering living sacrifices and was disturbed when an old man pushed a young girl into its cave. Instead of killing her, the Shadow realized that it hated senseless killing, refused to accept the sacrifice, and reassured the frightened girl that it would not harm her.^[8]

The Shadow formed a bond with Tatal as she introduced herself and asked about its identity, prompting it to reveal that it had chosen the name "Shadow". After learning that her grandfather had sacrificed her to secure the tribe's protection, the Shadow felt pity for her and sent her back to the village with a warning that any future human sacrifice would result in the tribe's destruction.^[9]

The Shadow sent Tatal back to her village after rejecting the human sacrifice, then returned to its usual half-slumber but became restless as it remembered a past life. In that life, it had been an imperial soldier who lost faith in the Empire's pursuit of glory, fell into slavery, and was eventually killed by a powerful Creature of Corruption, leading the Shadow to reflect on humanity's instinctive desire to survive.^[10]

The Shadow relived the lost soldier's memories, witnessing his harsh life, unwavering devotion to the Empire, and lonely death in the snow. As the memories resurfaced, the Shadow unconsciously took human form and found a silver bell in its hand, which it rang.^[11] The Shadow remembered his past lives as a Starlight Legion soldier who had succumbed to the darkness, participated in the massacre that brought forth the sun, and ultimately transformed into an abomination. Haunted by these memories, he tried to escape them by returning to his formless state and seeking oblivion.^[12] The Shadow drowned in memories of his countless past lives and deaths until Tatal's arrival pulled him back to reality. Though confused by her unexpected return, he spared her candlelight and, despite intending to reject her claim of friendship, found himself unable to do so.^[13]

The Shadow was repeatedly visited by Tatal, whose cheerful innocence gradually left an unwanted but lasting mark of humanity on him, even as he preferred her company over the tribe's worship. Over the years, he watched Tatal grow from a carefree child into a young Awakened woman, until she returned from killing an Ascended cave bear and casually revealed that she was engaged to be married, leaving the Shadow stunned that he had failed to notice her growing up.^[14]

The Shadow witnessed Tatal's elaborate wedding preparations and learned that her tribe, the Shadow Tribe, had been named after him as their guardian Spirit. Although he felt confused and protective about Tatal marrying so young, he accepted her marriage to a young man from the powerful Grey Wolf Tribe, believing the Wolf's descendants would treat her well—and threatening to intervene if they did not.^[15]

After Tatal's wedding, the Shadow observed her happiness with her new husband and listened to her excitedly recount their marriage when she visited his cave. Her conversation stirred memories of a mysterious white flame and an inexplicable longing within him, but he suppressed the feeling and returned to his usual silent waiting after she left.^[16]

Tatal settled into married life, became a mother and eventually succeeded the aging shaman, while her visits to the Shadow became less frequent but continued as she shared her family, her tribe's progress, and her struggles with him. As shaman, she endured the deaths of her daughter and a tribesman she executed, but with the Shadow's advice to live one day at a time, she regained her courage and continued leading her tribe through hardship and growth.^[17]

The Shadow watched as Tatal's tribe was threatened by the Basilisk and became increasingly troubled when she left alone to hunt it, eventually leaving his cave to confront and follow her. He offered to kill the Basilisk himself, but Tatal refused, fearing that relying on the Shadow to kill for her could lead to an uncontrollable cycle of violence. The Shadow was left stunned and powerless as Tatal fought and slew the Transcendent Devil herself, after which he helped her skin its corpse.^[18]

The Shadow delivered the gravely wounded Tatal and the slain Basilisk's hide to the village before retreating to his cave, where he became troubled by her refusal of his help. He reflected deeply on the dangers of divine benevolence, realizing that even a kind god's assistance could make mortals dependent, diminish their sense of achievement, and ultimately steal their joy and independence.^[19]

The Shadow watched as Tatal's tribe recovered from the Basilisk's destruction, prospered, and expanded while Tatal grew in wisdom, fame, and power. Over the years, he witnessed her children grow, her tribe evolve, and Tatal eventually transcend mortality into a magnificent fox, leaving the Shadow quietly grateful that her longer life meant she would remain by his side for longer.^[20]

The Shadow remained hidden in his cave as centuries passed, watching humanity and Tatal's tribe grow and change while Tatal herself aged and eventually lost her family. When Tatal finally died of old age, the Shadow stayed by her side until dawn, then returned to his cave with her old doll, devastated by her loss and realizing that he could never again risk loving a mortal.^[21]

The Shadow retreated into his cave and was consumed by painful memories of his past lives, leaving him filled with disgust, anger, and loneliness. Years passed as Tatal's tribe grew into a prosperous city, but when its descendants sacrificed a person before his cave in his name, the Shadow's wrath erupted, and he unleashed his true form, killing everyone and everything around him until the land became completely silent and lifeless.^[22]

The Shadow found peace in the lifeless world he had created, but eventually realized that his destruction had been driven by the human emotions—especially anger and hatred—that Tatal had awakened in him. As he questioned what he truly was, he remembered a past life as a weak but intelligent prince who, after witnessing his kingdom's suffering, resolved to become a hero and free his people from tyranny.^[23]

The Shadow remembered a past life as a king who gathered allies, overthrew his tyrannical father, and initially ruled wisely for the sake of his people. However, growing paranoia drove him to distrust and manipulate his closest companions until he murdered them all, eventually killing himself after discovering a mysterious moth-like creature within his own head and becoming obsessed with pursuing it.^[24]

The Shadow reflected on his past life as the king and the Spirit of Doubt, recognizing how doubt had shaped them and how trust had once helped him overcome it. As he continued living peacefully but emptily in his lifeless kingdom, he became increasingly suspicious that something was still alive within the darkness.^[25]

The Shadow, who ruled his dead kingdom with absolute authority, sensed an elusive living presence despite searching every corner and ordering his shades to stop moving, while observing the world enter the Age of Heroes. He eventually discovered a radiant crystal hidden in a chained metal box inside the temple's inner sanctum, but the light escaped and hid in various objects, leading to a game of cat and mouse that ended when he found a tattered doll cowering beneath a pile of rocks in his former home cave and recognized it as Snuggle.^[26]

The shadow discovered that the strange light he had been chasing had hidden inside Snuggle, the tattered doll that was the only memento of his dear friend Tatal, and was now a Transcendent Beast; although angered, he refrained from destroying the soul and withdrew after the silver bell triggered memories of Tatal and made him question the destruction of his kingdom and who he wanted to be. He later observed Snuggle wandering through his dark kingdom, reluctantly following her every step until he confronted her in the city, calling himself a Titan rather than a Demon and warning her to treat Snuggle with care because the doll had belonged to a dear friend.^[27]

The shadow discovered that Snuggle's wandering soul possessed a brilliant golden radiance, the color of divinity, and explained that his entire kingdom, including its darkness and shades, was part of him. After briefly transforming into a colossal, grotesque creature before adopting a human form at Snuggle's request, he escorted her through his kingdom and learned how she had trapped herself in a stasis crystal, suspecting it cracked when he swallowed the land and killed every living thing within it.^[28]

The shadow showed Snuggle his silent kingdom and explained that he had killed the people because he was angry and because they had sacrificed human lives to him despite his warning. After admitting that his choice seemed like an act of evil, he allowed Snuggle to leave without pursuing her, though he felt wistful and forlorn at losing Tatal's last keepsake. When Snuggle escaped into the wilderness and encountered a powerful abomination, the shadow sensed the danger and heard a brilliant flash illuminate the sky as the ground quaked.^[29]

The Shadow followed Snuggle's escape and discovered that she was attacked by a powerful Great Beast, but her radiant soul essence weakened the creature by destroying some of the Corruption within it, allowing her to escape. When Snuggle returned to his kingdom badly injured, the Shadow picked her up, repaired her torn doll body with delicate stitches, replaced her missing eye, and made her a new dress. He then told her to call him Shadow instead of using formal titles, while revealing that the golden-glowing needle he used might have been stolen from Nether's tower.^[30]

Snuggle remained in the shadow's kingdom for months, recovering fully, exploring the city, and interacting with the silent shades while revealing how she had become Transcendent during the fall of the First Kingdom. Through their conversations, the shadow began reflecting on his past destruction of the city and developed a desire to free the shades trapped within his soul, prompting Snuggle to suggest seeking Shadow God in the Shadow Realm. Before they could act on this idea, a self-proclaimed hero called the Crimson Beast of Twilight invaded the shadow's domain and challenged him to battle.^[31]

Shadow encountered Noctis, a young Transcendent Beast and self-proclaimed hero who had come to slay the monster he believed had destroyed the city. After Shadow revealed that he was the very creature Noctis sought and willingly offered to let him attack, Snuggle tried to stop the impending disaster, only for Noctis to panic upon discovering that she was a talking doll.^[32] Shadow restrained Noctis in the city lord's house while Snuggle questioned the young hero and discovered that he had challenged Shadow to gain fame and prove himself, partly because he was disturbed by poverty and human suffering. After learning that Shadow was a Supreme Titan, Noctis bragged about his legendary ability to escape danger but quickly lost his confidence when Shadow pointed out that the surrounding darkness was part of himself. Snuggle then seized on Noctis's desire to accomplish something extraordinary and hinted that she had a plan for him.^[33]

Snuggle convinced Noctis to guide them to the Shadow Realm, while the Shadow contemplated leaving his ancient kingdom and seeking answers from the Shadow God. Before departing, he agreed to Snuggle's condition that he would not kill anything during their journey, and he absorbed his kingdom into himself, leaving the city in ruins as sunlight finally illuminated the desolate land.^[34]

Shadow and his companions journeyed safely toward the mysterious ruins, where Shadow discovered that Noctis descended from Tatal, connecting them through the bloodline of the future Shadow Tribe. By touching Noctis's fate, Shadow witnessed the tragic life of a Transcendent who had become the High Priest of the Nightmare Spell, spread it across existence, and endured the world's destruction before being betrayed and imprisoned by the very people he had tried to save. In his final moments, he honored Weaver, the Demon of Fate, reflected on his eventful life, and ultimately shattered his spirit and extinguished his soul.^[35]

Noctis encountered a Corrupted Tyrant and its swarm of grotesque locusts, but Shadow saved him and Snuggle by transporting them hundreds of kilometers away into the shadows. They continued their journey for about a week toward a suitable place to cross the realm boundary, and Noctis revealed that the Goddess of the Moon, his grandmother through her divine avatar, had occasionally visited him during his childhood. Shadow knew that Noctis would outlive his grandmother, the great and terrible Beast God, who would eventually die before him.^[36]

Shadow, Noctis, and Snuggle crossed several mortal realms toward the Hollow Mountains, encountering abominations along the way and discovering that Noctis was a fierce fighter while Snuggle excelled at scouting, healing, and supporting her comrades. After Snuggle retaliated against Noctis for insulting her appearance with a series of mischievous pranks, they finally reached a populated realm and arrived at a city where the locals recognized Noctis as the "Crimson Beast of Twilight" and shouted warnings about his return.^[37]

Noctis and Shadow entered a crowded city where Noctis was recognized as the infamous Beast of Twilight, and they noticed the unusual tension and influx of people. At an inn, Shadow tasted food for the first time in his current life while Noctis planned to enjoy a comfortable rest, but their plans were interrupted when soldiers arrived and ordered Noctis to accompany them to the local lord's stronghold.^[38]

Shadow and Noctis were escorted to Lord Arelen's stronghold, where the Altar Sage welcomed them with a lavish feast and praised Noctis for eliminating the ancient darkness that had devoured the Shadow people. When Shadow questioned the tension in the city, Arelen revealed that Lady Irian had assembled an army to besiege his lands, explaining that their conflict had begun over the fertile territories and precious minerals left unclaimed after Noctis killed the Horror of the Viridian Marsh. Arelen then asked Noctis to help him kill Irian, defeat her army, and bring peace to the land.^[39]

After returning to the inn, Noctis angrily condemned Arelen for provoking a war with Irian, but Shadow and Snuggle suggested that both Transcendent rulers had deliberately maneuvered the conflict to achieve their own goals. They reasoned that Irian had provoked Arelen to gain justification for invading his city, while Arelen had deliberately chosen to destroy her settlement so he could fight her army on the battlefield of his fortified city. Unsure what to do, Noctis considered his options as Shadow suggested helping either ruler, doing nothing, or killing both Arelen and Irian.^[40]

Shadow reflected on his traumatic experiences with immortality and realized that his time with Snuggle and Noctis had begun changing him. As Irian and Arelen prepared to battle over their conflicting claims, Noctis struggled with his decision and asked Shadow for help. Just before the battle began, Shadow agreed to intervene, but a terrifying roar announced the arrival of a threat far greater than either ruler.^[41]

Shadow created a terrifying giant centipede construct infused with his Supreme essence and a fraction of his overwhelming presence and Will, frightening both armies and forcing Irian and Arelen to temporarily unite against it. While Noctis joined the battle, Shadow amused himself by explaining his creation to the horrified Snuggle and proudly naming it the Giant Red Skull Centipede, Prototype One. The three Transcendent heroes then clashed with the monstrous construct in a battle destined to become legendary.^[42]

Shadow and Noctis heard exaggerated tales of their battle against the Giant Red Skull Centipede, which the people celebrated as a legendary victory, while Noctis bitterly complained about being denied a soul shard. Shadow revealed that the monster had been his creation and explained that fear had temporarily united Arelen and Irian, though lasting peace remained unlikely. After discussing the inevitable return of war and the possibility of unity under one power, Shadow and Noctis left the city to continue their journey.^[43]

Shadow offered the bandits his gold, but Noctis emerged from the carriage and warned them of Shadow's terrifying power. When the bandits realized the danger they faced, they fled in terror, and Shadow cleared the road before continuing their journey. Along the way, Shadow and Snuggle discussed mercy, and they eventually arrived at the Kingdom of Hope.^[44]

Shadow, Noctis, and Snuggle arrived at the Kingdom of Hope after several years of traveling, during which they had faced numerous conflicts and grown through their experiences. Upon entering the seemingly peaceful kingdom, Shadow felt uneasy and recalled disturbing memories, while discussing the terrifying nature of the Demon of Desire with Noctis. Instead of entering the bustling city, Shadow led the carriage toward a magnificent white-stone colosseum nearby.^[45]

Shadow and his companions visited the Theater of Hope, where they watched a play about the Jade Queen's origins, her rise to power, and her challenge to find someone who could solve her riddle. After the warriors and sages failed, a blind mad oracle answered that knowledge was the heaviest thing in the world, solving the riddle. Although Shadow found the ending strange, he was captivated by the performance and crowd's emotions while also learning much about the sorcery of Hope.^[46]

• In Chapter 3183, before leaving, War God examined Neph's sword, the Blessing, and praised its craftsmanship. She then left her flint spear as a gift, hoping she would use it well.
• Mordret helped Cassie reach the source of the Corruption, Weaver's eye, Cassie revealed her empty eye socket and pushed the deity's torn eye into it.^[50]
• It was mentioned in Chapter 3206 that they have been trapped in a Nightmare for four years. (Refer to Waking World Status Quo)