Ren ran across the crimson plains like a man carrying a mountain of boredom on his back.
"I told you..." he shouted, narrowly dodging an exploding fireball, "I hate running!"
"But you're so good at it!" Estar giggled as she flew beside him, her semi-transparent wings slicing the wind, her long brown hair fluttering like a victory banner.
"That doesn't mean I like it!"
Behind them, a hybrid dragon—half machine, half scorched flesh—roared like the world owed it an apology. Its claws tore through the soil, sparks flew from its fanged mouth, and madness burned in its eyes.
"Why is this thing chasing us?!" Ren yelled, leaping over a flaming rock.
"Oh, maybe it read a prophecy saying you'll kill it, or you accidentally sat on its throne, or... maybe it just hates lazy humans," Estar replied with a grin. "But don't worry. I'm here."
"What a comforting thought," Ren muttered, tumbling to avoid a third explosion. He slowly got up, dusted off his pants, and let out a deep sigh. "Since I clearly won't get any sleep until that beast's dead, let's end this."
Estar paused midair, hovered in front of him, then licked her lips and whispered,
"Finally... you'll show your power?"
"Not because I want to," he said while cracking his neck. "But because if I don't... I'll have to run again."
---
Ren raised his right hand to the sky. Instantly, the air cracked open, and from the rift emerged a black orb, pulsing, etched with glowing lines like veins of a dying star.
"What is that?" Estar asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"My personal sleep bomb," he muttered, and hurled it toward the dragon.
The dragon didn't laugh. The dragon burned.
The orb detonated before touching it, but unleashed a wave of energy that crushed the ground, shredded the trees, and launched the dragon into the air before it vanished in a silent flash of light.
Silence.
Then the dust began to fall like rain.
"Did... did you kill it?" Estar asked, landing beside him.
"Nope," he yawned. "Just sent it to the dream realm. Let it dream of a world where I don't exist."
---
Later, in a small tavern on the outskirts of the city, Ren sat on the floor beside a window, half-asleep, back against the wall.
Estar sat next to him, her tail coiled gently around his waist, her fingers stroking his hair.
"You know," she whispered while watching him, "I thought someone called 'The Sleep Ring' would just be a lazy dreamer... but you're something else."
Without opening his eyes, he replied, "I am a lazy dreamer. The world just won't let me rest."
"And this world will change," she whispered, kissing his forehead. "As long as I'm with you, I'll make it happen."
"So long as you don't wake me up before ten a.m., I'm willing to cooperate," he mumbled. "And by the way... stop licking my ear."
Estar giggled softly—then bit it.
"Too late," she said.