Jest's Memories

Jest grew up in a concrete barrack under a harsh regime, where worker families lived in miserable conditions, struggling to survive. Deaths were frequent, and people often disappeared, making it pointless for him to remember names. He eventually escaped about a year ago, hoping to return one day with wealth to rescue those he left behind. However, the world ended before he could fulfill that dream. Monsters now roamed the streets, the regime had collapsed, and his home was nothing more than a massacre site filled with corpses.^[5]

He was one of the few who mysteriously fell into a deep sleep when the apocalypse began and woke up days later with an unexplained power. Unfortunately, his ability—to amplify emotions—was utterly useless in a world where the only emotions left in monsters were rage and hunger. Despite his despair, Jest clung to a dark sense of humor, a survival trait ingrained in him from his harsh upbringing. Though he expected to die soon, he resolved to do so with a smile, finding humor in even the bleakest circumstances.^[5]

He had finally found refuge in a Sleeper community, but his inability to wield Memories or fight monsters made him an outcast, stuck performing menial tasks. Life was stable, if unfulfilling—until the winter solstice, when he was suddenly pulled back into the Nightmare. He woke up naked in a dark, oppressive forest, disoriented and vulnerable.^[6]

As he searched for answers, he stumbled upon a gruesome sight: a young man being consumed by a tree, still alive and begging for help. Weighing his options, Jest made a brutal choice—rather than attempt a rescue, he ended the man's suffering with a rock, hoping to claim his armor. To his horror, the armor vanished, but something else happened—his body subtly changed, growing stronger. A voice in his head confirmed what he had just discovered: strength could be gained not only by killing monsters, but by killing humans as well. As he fled the cursed forest, the realization unsettled him, yet he couldn't help but find the cruel irony of it all darkly amusing.^[6]

After two days in the monstrous forest, Jest emerged battered, bruised, and barely alive. He had managed to kill a beast and had crafted makeshift survival gear, but the entire forest remained a deadly threat. While fleeing from another terrifying monster, he reached a river—an unfamiliar and impassable obstacle. Having never learned to swim, he was trapped with no escape.^[7]

With exhaustion setting in and no way out, Jest fell, breaking his spear. As the beast lunged at him, he prepared for death. At the last moment, a powerful young knight appeared, throwing a javelin that killed the monster in an instant. Jest was stunned by the knight's polished armor, strength, and apparent lack of humor.^[7]

He realized that the knight spoke the language of the real world, unlike the strange language of the Nightmare. The knight revealed that many Sleepers—people like Jest—had been sent into this monstrous realm together. Prioritizing survival over valor, Jest eagerly asked about food and water. The knight, who would later become the Warden of Valor, warned him about staying too long. Jest, meanwhile, felt an urge to mock the knight's seriousness—unknowingly setting the stage for a deep, life-changing bond.^[7]

The group of Sleepers had initially banded together, forming a camp on the riverbank to defend against the forest and water monsters. However, survival was brutal, and tensions within the group ran high. Jest, despite his humor, became an outcast due to his lack of strength and his tattered poncho. The only one who kept by his side was the young knight, who saw resilience in Jest's struggle. The knight, possessing an Aspect that allowed him to craft items, provided Jest with proper clothes and weapons, elevating his status.^[8]

As the group faced not only monsters but also internal conflicts, bloodshed eventually led to their division. Most decided to follow the river downstream, while the knight and his followers traveled upstream toward a mysterious castle looming over a vast lake. Jest was horrified by their leader's decision to venture toward the castle, knowing the lake housed dangerous creatures and that a dragon had been spotted atop the fortress. However, the knight revealed his true motivation—he had left behind a pregnant wife in the real world and was determined to find a way back.^[8]

Moved by his resolve, Jest reluctantly agreed to the reckless plan. With no more jokes left to make, he accepted his role in the knight's quest. The next morning, they set sail across the lake, heading toward the unknown.^[8]

The Sleepers, led by a young knight, suffered heavy losses while crossing a deadly lake, losing a raft and several members to the terrifying creatures within. They barely survived thanks to the cursed forest's wood and arrived at a massive, multi-walled castle, where they faced monstrous enemies while climbing toward the main keep. Under the knight's leadership, the group became a disciplined force, but eerie dangers lurked at night. Eventually, they reached the final rampart, preparing for the last battle against the dragon nesting atop the keep. Observing the beast, the knight noticed something unusual about its flight over the lake.^[9]

The young knight and Jest discover that the red dragon, which had terrorized the region, does not cast a reflection, suggesting it may not be real. The knight theorizes that the dragon is an illusion or a lingering memory rather than a living creature.^[10]

Later, Jest awakens as an Awakened, gaining newfound strength and confidence. Despite slaying the illusionary dragon and reaching the Gateway to wake up, the castle and surrounding lake remain infested with monsters, forcing the Sleepers to continue fighting. The knight, now known as Warden of Valor, leads rescue parties to save other Sleepers, demonstrating his unwavering sense of duty.^[10]

Warden and Jest discuss their lives outside the Nightmare Spell. Warden shares news of his newborn son, while Jest reveals his desire to reunite with a woman he saved in battle. However, Warden warns Jest that the city she lives in may be dangerous, implying that humans can be as monstrous as the creatures they fight. Jest, hardened by experience, coldly agrees, remarking that they have become very skilled at killing monsters—whether human or not.^[10]

Warden reflected on the future now that he had a son, realizing that the rise of superhuman individuals (the Awakened) had reshaped society's power structures. He worried that the world would be ruled by a handful of tyrants who could single-handedly defeat armies. Jest suggested that Warden should aim to become one of these rulers himself. Meanwhile, the collapse of governments had left cities in disarray, with warlords and factions controlling key resources. Warden and Jest decided to travel north to recruit more Awakened allies and strengthen their position, unknowingly setting events into motion that would change them both.^[11]

Warden and his group of Awakened warriors arrived at a ruined city in the real world, where they found a domed settlement ruled by a seemingly well-organized leader. Despite the desolate and toxic landscape, the city had appeared to function efficiently under Awakened patrols. However, during a formal dinner with the city's ruler, the "Esteemed Temporary Governor", Warden and Jest had witnessed a disturbing display of power—an elderly servant had been punished for a minor mistake. The Governor's casual cruelty had hinted at the darker reality of the city's rule, raising concerns about what kind of society had taken root in that forsaken land.^[12]

After attending a dinner with the Esteemed Temporary Governor, Jest and Warden are horrified by his extremist ideology. The Governor believes that only Awakened individuals are truly human, while non-Awakened people are nothing more than beasts, undeserving of rights or dignity. The next morning, as they witness the brutal oppression within the dome, Warden realizes they cannot simply move on. He decides that the Governor must be eliminated, and Jest agrees, formulating a plan to provoke the tyrant into attacking first to justify their retaliation.^[13]

Two days later, Warden and his small but highly skilled force launch a coordinated attack, successfully killing the Governor and his most loyal warriors. Despite being vastly outnumbered, their strategy and superior strength allow them to dismantle the regime. During their search of the Governor's mansion, they discover a hidden cellar containing something so horrifying that both Jest and Warden are left shaken. Though the details remain unspoken, the revelation cements their belief that individuals like the Governor are beyond redemption.^[13]

In the aftermath, the remaining soldiers are handed over to the oppressed citizens of the dome, who take their revenge in a brutal display of justice. As Jest watches the carnage unfold, he reflects on how their path has irrevocably changed. Both he and Warden now fully embrace their role in eliminating those who perpetuate such horrors, ensuring that no one else will suffer under their rule.^[13]

Cassie witnesses the formation of the Great Clan Valor, a force that would shape humanity's future. Warden, one of its key figures, rises to power, and his son follows in his footsteps, setting the stage for a legacy of war. Though Warden intended to create a cleaner world, his efforts result in violence, as his once-proud castle becomes a battlefield where his grandchildren fight, and his son leads a bloody campaign. In a significant event, Jest arrives late to a meeting where Warden and other powerful figures announce the formation of the United Human Government (UHG), a body meant to unite humanity, though the world remains fractured with numerous factions still holding power.^[14]

Jest updates Warden on a successful mission where he eliminated old regime figures, ensuring the UHG's control over vital infrastructure, which will weaken independent factions. Despite the bloodshed, Jest takes pride in his work, reflecting on the sacrifices made for a better future. In a more casual moment, Jest humorously questions the name of Warden's youngest son, Anvil, but Warden defends his choice, suggesting that Anvil is different from his older brother. Meanwhile, Cassie uncovers a significant memory tied to Anvil, hinting at deeper connections and foreshadowing future events. The passage underscores the themes of power, sacrifice, and the harsh costs of striving for a better future.^[14]

Important figures were preparing to announce the formation of the United Human Government. Beyond the official declaration, the true strength of the coalition lay in the personal bonds between its leaders and their families. While strategic discussions took place, their loved ones gathered in a secured space to build relationships, ensuring the coalition's foundation extended beyond politics. The leaders, ever wary of threats, also preferred to keep their families close rather than leave them unguarded.^[15]

Jest, eager to reunite with his pregnant wife and young son after a bloody morning, entered a spacious, well-furnished room where the families mingled. His wife, whose pregnancy was just beginning to show, was engaged in conversation with Immortal Flame's wife, a woman who radiated quiet strength despite being mundane. Jest reflected on how fortunate they were to have Immortal Flame as an ally, knowing that if circumstances had been different, he would have been a formidable enemy.^[15]

Turning his attention to the children, Jest found them huddled in a corner, deep in discussion. Immortal Flame's daughter, an adorable yet commanding presence, appeared to be leading the group, which included Warden's two sons and Jest's own mischievous four-year-old. The youngest, Anvil, Warden's younger son, greeted Jest warmly, his serious demeanor amusing given his tender age. Jest couldn't help but chuckle, noting that with a name like Anvil, the boy would certainly need to develop a strong sense of humor.^[15]

Little Anvil, Warden's seven-year-old son, is being raised with intense training in both swordsmanship and intellectual pursuits, leaving little room for a normal childhood. Jest, a close friend of Warden, worries that the boy is growing up too serious, but he understands the reasoning behind it. The Nightmare Spell continues to claim victims each year, and the First Gate Crisis, which took Anvil's mother, proved that the world remains highly dangerous. Warden, along with other Awakened survivors, is determined to prepare their children for the worst.^[16]

Jest, tasked with training Anvil, focuses not just on swordplay but on real combat, emphasizing adaptability and deception. During their lesson, he tries to introduce some levity by offering to take Anvil into the city for ice cream, suggesting they work around Warden's strict dietary rules. Before they can act, Warden unexpectedly arrives. Jest, fearing he was caught encouraging deception, is instead met with a shocking revelation—Immortal Flame has achieved the impossible: he has successfully closed a Nightmare Gate.^[16]

Immortal Flame's Ascension changed everything. He revealed that Ascension granted not only immense power but also control over entering the Dream Realm, and, most critically, it was the only proven way to close a Nightmare Gate. These Gates were multiplying, threatening to overrun humanity's cities.^[17]

He also confirmed that Nightmare Seeds contained a Second Nightmare, even deadlier than the first. Unlike the initial trials, these were designed for groups, suggesting an ongoing pattern—meaning future Nightmares and escalating Gate Crises were inevitable. Worse, Warden feared that Corrupted Nightmare Creatures would soon emerge into the waking world, posing an apocalyptic threat.^[17]

Realizing the urgency, Warden declared to Jest that they had to Ascend as soon as possible.^[17]

After Immortal Flame conquered the Second Nightmare, humanity prepared for the emergence of Category Three Gates, preventing a Second Gate Crisis—but at great cost. Many of the strongest Awakened sought Ascension, with countless victories and losses. Warden and Jest both survived, becoming Masters, and continued their fight in the Dream Realm. Warden held back the monstrous forest near Bastion, while Jest secured Rivergate, allowing for greater human unity against the Nightmare Spell.^[18]

In the waking world, the United Human Government consolidated power, eliminating threats like Caliban, extremist factions, and the Dream Cult, ensuring stability. The Ascension zealots, unwilling to conform, vanished into the Dream Realm. Jest, too busy with war and politics, barely noticed his own sons growing up. During a visit to Warden's home, he found Anvil, now fourteen, a skilled warrior surpassing him in swordsmanship. However, Anvil was worried about his older brother, Madoc, who had turned sixteen—the prime age for contracting the Nightmare Spell.^[18]

Though Madoc remained unaffected after a year, Jest allowed himself to hope. But then, his own son, now fifteen, casually mentioned feeling tired—an ominous sign that made Jest's heart stop.^[18]

In the depths of Jest's heavily fortified mansion, his son lay in an old sleeping pod, trapped in the First Nightmare, fighting for survival. Jest sat vigil for two days, powerless to help. Memories of past struggles and sacrifices resurfaced—every victory, every loss, all for the hope that their children would thrive. As his son's body twisted unnaturally, Jest held him tightly, whispering words of comfort even as he realized his son was no longer himself. Leaving the basement, blood staining his sleeve, Jest confronted the weight of his past. He had once dismissed collateral damage as necessary for a better world, but now, the price was personal. In bitter anguish, he struck the wall, his strength leaving a dent in the armored alloy. The gods were dead, replaced by the cruel Nightmare Spell—the only god he truly deserved.^[19]

A year after his son's death, Jest had allowed himself occasional moments of self-pity, drinking a rare brew from the Dream Realm. Despite his grief, he remained responsible—his wife, younger son, and Warden still needed him. The world had changed; the Nightmare Spell continued claiming lives, and a new generation, the Second Generation, was emerging—children who had never known life before the Spell. The construction of the Awakened Academy marked this shift, a place for training these so-called "Legacies," though Jest found the term distasteful. Watching the Academy's gates being installed, he encountered Orum, an old comrade, and contemplated whether Orum shared the twisted mindset of parents who welcomed the Spell for their children. But Orum's genuine hope to protect his sister's children reassured Jest that sanity still existed. Jest ranted drunkenly, lamenting that their true legacy was supposed to be a stable world—not this blood-soaked nightmare. He urged Orum to prepare his kids well, knowing the Spell was merciless. Days later, at the Academy's opening ceremony, Jest's mind was elsewhere—his younger son, Anvil, had survived the First Nightmare but was acting strangely, and winter solstice would test him once again.^[20]

Jest had grown distant from Anvil after the boy contracted the Nightmare Spell and survived the First Nightmare. Despite their past closeness, Jest avoided those at risk of infection, fearing his own emotional collapse. Anvil, now studying at the Academy, appeared changed, though he remained composed and focused on obscure Dream Realm studies.^[21]

When Jest visited him before the winter solstice, he noticed Anvil's subdued demeanor and lack of enthusiasm. Jest warned him of the dangers ahead, emphasizing that the Dream Realm was far more unpredictable than the First Nightmare. Anvil, however, remained confident in his preparations.^[21]

Their conversation took a serious turn when Anvil asked if one could defeat their Flaw. Jest explained that Flaws couldn't be removed but could be worked around, sharing his own: an inability to use Memories, a severe limitation for an Awakened warrior. Anvil reacted strangely to this revelation but did not reveal his own Flaw, promising to do so only after returning from the Dream Realm.^[21]

Despite Jest's attempts to lighten the mood, a sense of foreboding remained. Anvil did return as an Awakened, but circumstances delayed their next conversation about Flaws. When they finally revisited the topic, Jest deeply regretted it, implying that something terrible had occurred.^[21]

Three years after the founding of the Awakened Academy, the world had stabilized somewhat, though humanity remained under threat from the Dream Realm and Nightmare Gates. Anvil had become a powerful warrior and, alongside his brother Madoc, led the Knights of Valor. He frequently worked with his Academy companions, Broken Sword and Smile of Heaven, becoming a rising star of his generation. The Valor and Immortal Flame clans grew stronger, rivaled only by the House of Night.^[22]

Jest, unexpectedly leading Clan Dagonet, remained uneasy, particularly about his son, who was now fifteen. During a visit to Bastion, he found Warden studying maps of Nightmare Gates. Warden, suspecting the imminent emergence of a Category Four Gate, resolved to challenge the Third Nightmare, believing humanity needed to advance before the Nightmare Spell escalated.^[22]

Warden had secretly planned the endeavor with Jest's wife, choosing to leave Jest behind to safeguard their world and watch over Anvil, Madoc, and Jest's son. Jest, though bitter, accepted the decision. Warden departed with his most powerful warriors, including Jest's wife. None of them returned, marking the tragic end of the legendary Warden of Valor.^[22]

Two years after Warden's disappearance in the Third Nightmare, Anvil, now the ruler of Bastion and leader of the Valor clan, stood before the ominous mirror, mourning his father. Though no body had been found, enough time had passed for Warden to be officially presumed dead. Jest, too, had suffered a loss—his wife had entered the Seed of Nightmare and never returned, leaving his world drained of color except for his son and the vermilion cloak Anvil had inherited from Warden.^[23]

As the two stood in the underground hall, Jest warned Anvil of the political unrest brewing in Warden's absence. While Jest had managed external threats, dissent was growing within Anvil's own family, and he urged the young man to take decisive action. Anvil, however, had other concerns. He revealed his Flaw—the cruel fate that dictated he must lose everything he cherished. In his mind, his father's death was proof of its power. Rather than continue fighting it, he decided the only way to escape his Flaw was to cherish nothing and no one. Cold and detached, he vowed to deal with the internal threats to his clan, ensure his fiancé's peaceful future, and move forward without attachment. Before leaving, he congratulated Jest on his son's Awakening, his tone indifferent but his words deliberate.^[23]

Left alone in the silent chamber, Jest felt deeply unsettled. He doubted that Anvil could truly erase his emotions, but as Warden's son, he would surely persist in trying. With both Warden and Jest's wife gone, he resolved to care for their children as he had promised. Before leaving, his gaze fell on the covered mirror, and he whispered, "Mirror, mirror on the wall..." before shivering and walking away, unsettled by whatever secrets the mirror held.^[23]

A few years after Jest's conversation with Anvil in the Great Mirror Hall, Anvil successfully consolidated power in Bastion, not through bloodshed but through cold, ruthless tactics that broke his enemies without making them bleed. His transformation into a fearsome leader unsettled even Jest. Meanwhile, the world continued to deteriorate, with humanity gradually losing ground in the race against the Nightmare Spell. Many powerful Awakened perished in pursuit of Transcendence, just as Warden had, erasing familiar faces one by one.^[23]

Determined to challenge the Second Nightmare, Anvil threw himself into relentless preparation, training tirelessly and mastering runic sorcery. He frequently ventured into the forbidden mirror realm beneath Bastion, returning each time with an increasingly obsessive and perfectionist nature. At one point, he ordered every mirror in Bastion to be destroyed and punished those who disobeyed, hinting at an unknown horror he had encountered.^[23]

As the time for the Second Nightmare challenge approached, Anvil recruited exceptional talents to join his cohort, including Ki Song and a boy named Asterion.^[23]

Jest is deeply unsettled by Asterion, a seemingly inexperienced youth recruited by Anvil to face the Second Nightmare. The boy's presence feels unnatural, and Jest questions why Anvil would trust someone so young and untested. In response, Anvil reveals that Asterion is the sole survivor of the Path of Ascension, a vanished cult that believed the Dream Realm was a Promised Land and the Nightmare Spell a divine guide. The cult disappeared sixteen years ago after Immortal Flame conquered the Second Nightmare, yet somehow, they had managed to establish a colony in the Dream Realm and raise a child there.^[24]

Despite his unusual origins, Asterion is not a zealot and is actually interested in the waking world. Unlike others, he did not relocate on the winter solstice but instead Awakened after conquering the First Nightmare and anchoring his soul to a Citadel. Anvil emphasizes that, contrary to Jest's assumptions, Asterion is not inexperienced; in fact, his entire life in the Dream Realm has given him knowledge and power beyond anyone else. His Aspect is formidable, making him an invaluable ally in the Nightmare.^[24]

Anvil further reveals that he and Asterion have made a deal—Asterion will help Anvil become a Master, and in return, Anvil will help him find a way into the waking world. Anvil trusts Asterion to honor this deal, but Jest remains unconvinced. He warns that companions can be just as dangerous as the phantoms of the Nightmare, citing past betrayals among Masters. Despite Jest's concerns, Anvil is resolute, believing Asterion's dangerous nature is precisely why he is necessary. Though Jest ultimately relents, he decides to keep a close watch on Asterion while he remains in Bastion.^[24]

After two months in the Seed, Anvil and his cohort—Broken Sword, Smile of Heaven, Ki Song, and Asterion—had not returned, leaving Jest concerned yet hopeful, given their strength. During this time, Jest assisted Madoc in maintaining order in Clan Valor and ensured the safety of Anvil's young wife, Gwyn. However, his quiet duties were interrupted one night when Gwyn arrived at his chamber, pale and distressed, informing him that Anvil had returned—but something was wrong.^[25]

Jest followed her to Bastion's throne room, where he found Anvil sitting on the steps of the dais, wrapped in a cloak, his body seemingly unharmed but his eyes hollow and lifeless. At first, Anvil appeared completely absent, as though in a trance, his expression devoid of any awareness. Jest's heart filled with dread, fearing something had gone terribly wrong in the Nightmare. Then, suddenly, Anvil smiled warmly and called him "Uncle Jest", an affectionate gesture that felt utterly foreign coming from the usually stoic young man. The change was so drastic that Jest even considered whether Smile of Heaven, known for her ability to project her soul, had taken over Anvil's body.^[25]

However, that theory was dismissed when Anvil demonstrated his Aspect, pulling Jest's dagger into his hand and dismissing it as "imperfect"—a reaction that was undeniably his own. While it was clear that Anvil had indeed returned, his strange demeanor and the absence of the rest of his cohort left Jest and Madoc deeply unsettled. Something was very, very wrong.^[25]

Anvil returned physically unharmed, but his personality had changed—he appeared blank and detached, though he occasionally displayed glimpses of his former self. Jest, Madoc, and Gwyn confirmed his identity through familiar speech patterns and mannerisms, and he seemed to be slowly recovering his memories. However, he now exhibited an unusual warmth and softness, which unsettled Jest.^[26]

Realizing the political danger of Anvil's vulnerable state, Jest and Madoc discussed ways to contain the information before rival factions could exploit it. Madoc was assigned to maintain secrecy within Bastion, while Jest prepared to return to the waking world to handle external threats. Jest entrusted Gwyn with hiding and caring for Anvil, emphasizing the sensitivity of the situation.^[26]

Upon entering the waking world, Jest checked on his son's sleeping pod before contacting Master Wake of Ruin, a government figure, to suppress news of the closing of Gate C2-167, which would confirm the Nightmare's conquest. However, Wake of Ruin shocked him by revealing that the Gate had never closed, contradicting expectations and introducing a new, unsettling mystery.^[26]

After ending the call with Wake of Ruin, Jest struggled to make sense of the situation. The Gate connected to Anvil's Nightmare had not closed, contradicting all expectations. Wake of Ruin had even double-checked the telemetry, confirming that the Gate remained open. Jest could not comprehend how Anvil had returned if the Nightmare remained unconquered.^[27]

Seeking answers, Jest discreetly contacted sources within the Immortal Flame and Song clans, but neither showed any signs of movement, implying that Broken Sword, Smile of Heaven, and Ki Song had neither awakened nor perished. This left him even more unsettled. Instead of contacting Immortal Flame directly, Jest decided to investigate in person and drove toward Clan Valor's compound in NQSC.^[27]

On his way, his unease deepened. A Nightmare Gate unexpectedly opened nearby, forcing evacuations and roadblocks, delaying his arrival. By the time he reached Clan Valor's heavily fortified headquarters, it was already morning. Fortunately, Jest encountered Sebastian, a trusted butler and former follower of Warden, who agreed to escort him to Anvil's sleeping pod after a moment of hesitation.^[27]

They passed through layers of extreme security, eventually reaching the most heavily protected floor, where the direct descendants of Valor—Anvil, Madoc, and Asterion—slept. Jest finally stood before Anvil's sleeping pod, the very sarcophagus he had entered before facing the Nightmare.^[27]

Jest struggled to comprehend the mystery—Anvil's body remained in the sleeping pod, yet another Anvil existed in Bastion. Unsure if he was real or an impostor, Jest quietly ordered security before returning to the Dream Realm. There, he found Madoc cleaning blood, suggesting recent violence. Alarmed, Jest warned that Gwyn might be in danger, and they rushed to Anvil's chambers.^[28]

Instead of danger, they found Gwyn and Anvil together, seemingly at peace. Jest hesitated—should they attack? Killing the anomaly was safest, but what if it was truly Anvil? He decided instead to bring Anvil to the waking world to determine the truth.^[28]

At the Valor estate, Jest waited for Anvil's physical body to awaken—but it never did. Meanwhile, Madoc rushed in, revealing that Gwyn and the "other Anvil" had left before him. Jest raced to Gwyn's sleeping chamber, breaking down the door. Inside, he found Anvil awake and dressed as he had been in the Dream Realm—something impossible. When confronted, Anvil only smiled, sending a chill down Jest's spine.^[29]

Now, there were two Anvils—one asleep in the underground pod, and another fully awake but suffering from amnesia. The second Anvil was secretly imprisoned yet treated well. Over time, Jest, Madoc, and Gwyn let their guard down, as this Anvil was charming and pleasant, unlike the original.^[29]

Meanwhile, political turmoil erupted in the Valor Clan, as factions sought power. Strange and ominous events unfolded in both Bastion and the Valor estate, escalating the crisis. For weeks, tensions grew—until one day, Nightmare Gate C2-167 vanished, and the original Anvil finally awakened.^[29]

Clan Valor was on edge, with underground tensions rising due to the presence of an anomaly who took the form of Anvil, remained under close watch by Lady Gwyn and a few trusted Knights. Meanwhile, the upper and lower levels were filled with uneasy warriors, unaware of the true situation but prepared for anything. Jest struggled to contain rumors while eerie events unfolded in both the compound and Bastion.^[30]

While reviewing research on mysterious phenomena, Jest noticed Anvil staring directly into a hidden camera, unnerving him. Suddenly, alarms blared—Nightmare Gate C2-167 had vanished, and Anvil's vitals spiked. Rushing to the containment chamber, Jest found it destroyed by an implosion. Anvil, now transformed with newfound power, stood in the wreckage, clad in conjured armor, staring at Jest with an imposing presence.^[30]

Jest was startled by Anvil's cold, indifferent voice, which now felt jarring yet oddly comforting. Hesitating, he congratulated Anvil on his ascension, but as he explained the situation—including the existence of a duplicate Anvil—he noticed an unexpected reaction. Instead of skepticism, Anvil displayed genuine fear, something Jest had never seen before.^[31]

Upon learning that Gwyn had interacted with the doppelganger, Anvil panicked. Without warning, the chamber was torn apart as he forcefully descended through the compound's lower levels. Jest, though momentarily stunned, followed him, navigating through the destruction. The once-reinforced floors and walls had been obliterated, leaving devastation in their wake.^[31]

As Jest reached the lowest level, where the containment area once stood, he found himself surrounded by wreckage, fire, and darkness. Before he could locate Anvil, a strange, melodious sound of breaking glass rang out, cutting through the chaos. At that moment, the lingering sense of unease that had plagued him for weeks suddenly vanished, replaced by unexpected relief.^[31]

Anvil's battle with his flawless copy devastated the Valor compound but ended quickly. Jest, searching through the destruction, found Anvil severely injured but alive. Anvil's concern, however, was for Gwyn, whom they found unconscious but safe. Jest realized that Anvil's cold indifference was only a fragile facade.^[32]

With the anomaly destroyed, the Valor clan's power grew. Anvil and Gwyn had a son, Mordret, but Anvil harbored an inexplicable suspicion that the child was not his. This doubt consumed him, making him even colder. When Gwyn died giving birth to their second child, Morgan, whatever humanity remained in Anvil vanished.^[32]

Two years later, disaster struck—a Category Five Gate swallowed America, killing many, including Immortal Flame and Smile of Heaven. Losing Smile of Heaven was the final straw that made something snap inside Anvil. Desperate, he accepted a deal with Asterion, setting him on a path to kill Broken Sword.^[32]