I was flying.
Not metaphorically—literally soaring through the cosmos, planets whizzing past like colorful marbles, stars blinking at me as I flipped midair with the grace of a space-faring acrobat.
I had freedom. I could do anything I wanted - swim in the cosmic ocean, sleep while hugging clouds and much more.
Then—
THWACK!
A cartoonish green star with a bo staff smacked me upside the head. "Stop dreaming, idiot! Wake up!"
WHAP!
Another star, twirling nunchaku, struck my ribs. "Why are you so afraid? Don't be wishy-washy!"
I turned—only to lock eyes with a katana-wielding star, its glare sharp enough to split atoms. Beside it, a sai-wielding star cackled, rubbing its knuckles ominously.
"Kuku~ Kuku~"
The bo staff reared back—
SMACK!
"WAKE UP!"
My vision exploded into white.
"WAH!"
I bolted upright, sheets tangling around my legs, forehead slick with sweat. My heart hammered like a drumline gone rogue.
Huff… huff…
Just a... another nightmare…