⚖️ The Fifth Night – Tier 3 Strategy Room
Kurapika reviewed the most recent report, eyes flickering over names, aura types, and patterns of behavior. A troubling trend had emerged: several lower-ranked princes—especially those rumored to be without Nen—had suddenly begun showing signs of abnormal aura evolution.
"Three awakened Nen without training," Bill whispered. "And all three reported vivid dreams… about thrones."
Kurapika narrowed his eyes.
"Something is manipulating memory."
"Or… implanting it," Bill added grimly.
That's when Kurapika received the encrypted note. No name. No crest. Just a single phrase in elegant, archaic script:
"The Mind Palace invites you. Attend the Court of Crowns or be ruled by echoes."
He looked up.
"The game has changed."
⸻
👑 The Mind Palace – Throne Reforged
Kaen sat upon the central throne of his Palace, aura burning like molten gold. Since absorbing a piece of the Dreamwell Protocol, his perception of the dream-space had expanded dramatically.
Every thought now had a shape.
Every memory, a constellation.
Behind him stood his advisors—Mora, Renzu, and Orien, now changed. His new Crown of Memory pulsed with rotating rings and glimpses of forgotten times.
"How many are awakening?" Kaen asked Orien.
"Four princes. Two servants. At least one Zodiac. More to come."
"Then it's time," Kaen said, standing. "We form the Court."
⸻
🗡️ Assembly of the Court – Secret Meeting in Tier 2
Kaen projected a limited version of the Mind Palace into physical reality using an advanced En/Manipulation hybrid ability: Dream Gate – Sovereign's Echo. It created a mirror realm where only invited minds could meet.
Inside this pocket dimension stood the first invited nobles:
• Prince Marayam, wide-eyed and curious.
• Prince Luzurus, bold, arrogant, but intrigued.
• Prince Tyson, serene with a cryptic smile.
• And—unexpectedly—Prince Halkenburg, silent and observant.
Kaen greeted them like equals—not like enemies.
"The Succession War is no longer just for the throne," he began.
"A legacy older than Kakin is awakening. A Mind built to control minds."
"You've felt it—dreams that aren't yours. Powers without training."
Marayam nodded nervously.
"I thought they were hallucinations."
Kaen's aura rose, his Crown shimmering.
"They are fragments. Seeds from something called the Dreamwell.
And if we don't unite, those fragments will devour all of us."
⸻
🧠 Orien's Test
To prove the danger, Orien stepped forward and summoned a Memory Construct—a technique unlocked through his Crown of Memory.
From it, he pulled a vivid, shared dream: the image of a boy in chains, whispering to a throne made of roots.
The princes gasped. Several had seen it. One stepped back in horror.
"That was in my head…"
"It was never just a dream," Orien said.
Tyson stepped forward, her aura soft and glowing.
"Then we build a new spiritual order. One that transcends bloodline."
"A Court," Kaen agreed. "With one rule: we do not betray. We do not forget.
And we do not fall to the Dreamwell."
"Who sits at its head?" Luzurus asked, arms crossed.
Kaen didn't flinch.
"The King of the Palace. But the court has the right to remove him."
The others looked at each other. Then… one by one, they nodded.
⸻
💀 Elsewhere: Tier 5 Awakens
Down in the rusted abyss, the sealed door snapped open.
A figure stepped out.
Tall. Gaunt. Wrapped in burial cloths and humming with ancient aura.
It whispered only one word:
"Dreamers…"
And the ship shuddered.
⸻
🐺 Hisoka Smiles in the Dark
In the shadows of Tier 4, Hisoka stood watching a group of bodyguards train. He grinned.
"Mmm… The air's different.
I feel a new predator waking up."
He licked his lips.
"Time to meet the King."
⸻
🦁 Kurapika's Decision
Kurapika stepped into the Dream Gate—invited by Kaen himself.
He saw the palace.
The thrones.
The Court.
And Kaen, wearing his shimmering Crown of Dreams.
"Kurapika. We need you. You're the only one here who's faced true death and chose memory over rage."
Kurapika stared for a long time.
Then nodded once.
"I'll sit on this court… for now."
⸻
🧬 Meanwhile…
One of the princes in hiding—Prince Woble—suddenly woke from sleep, clutching her chest.
A symbol flickered above her heart.
A tiny crown.
⸻
🌌 Next Chapter: Chapter 51 – The Seed of the Kingkiller