Chapter 1: A Journey's Beginning

The people of this realm live their lives, never appreciating the beauty of the world they live in. They have lived in this world for so long that they have become blind to it.

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A young boy, no older than 18 years of age, waited in a bush with his breath held. The tension was palpable in the air.

The trees formed a thick canopy that partially blocked out the light of the sun and the floor was littered with fallen leaves and undergrowth. This, combined with the complete silence that seemed to encompass this forest, made for an eerie atmosphere. After what seemed like an eternity, a flash of movement caught the boy's eye.

With a rush, the boy dove out of the bush. Just in time to see the bush he had been hiding in sliced into shreds.

As the boy rolled to his feet, his hands began to glow with a blue, ethereal light.

By the time he had gotten to his feet, the boy was holding a spectral longbow made of that same light.

Without hesitation, the boy shot glowing arrows at his assailant, who appeared to be a girl wielding dual ghostly scimitars.

The boy's aim held true and the arrows flew at a blistering speed towards the girl. The girl deftly knocked the arrows away from her with inhuman reactions. But barely a second after her scimitar had made contact with his arrows, the arrows exploded with concussive force.

The woman was blown back by the blast, but the explosions were far enough away that they did little actual damage. The girl landed nimbly on her feet, but more arrows were already streaking towards her.

This time, the girl started dodging the arrows and using the trees as temporary cover, while she swiftly closes the distance between her and the boy.

The girl was only a couple yards away when the boy willed his bow to disintegrate into nothingness and started climbing a nearby tree with startling speed. When the girl got to the tree the boy was climbing, she cut it down with one swing.

The glowing longbow forms in the boy's hands again as he jumps off the falling tree.

The boy's breath slowed as he fell through the air, and as his breathing slowed, time seemed to slow down with it.

He sees his target. Black hair in a ponytail, tanned skin, and two blue, lifeless eyes.

Why are you all like this? the boy wondered briefly before he began to focus in on those eyes and draw his bow. He knows the rest of the steps.

Focus all your energy into your arrow.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Visualize the shot.

Release.

The arrow seemed to arrive almost instantaneously inches from the girls' eyes when a translucent barrier appeared in front of both combatants, stopping the arrow dead in its tracks and shielding the boy from his fall.

"Subject 11 and Subject 62. That's enough", called an unknown voice that seemed to be emanating from the forest itself,"Please exit the arena and await further orders."

The forest that surrounded the teens faded to be replaced by a huge white circular chamber. The teens jogged to a door that opened automatically as they approached, to another room. This room was bustling with activity. People in black robes were talking with each other, writing notes as they watched the footage of the most recent sparring match.

One man who stood out from the rest with his white robe and his startlingly long beard walked up to the teens and as he did, the teens straightened their backs and in perfect unison said, "Subject 11 and Subject 62 reporting back from sparring match 173. Current status: slightly fatigued. What are your orders Professor Icharius?"

Professor Icharius ordered, "Subject 62 you may report to your room. Subject 11, I would like to have a word with you in my office. Remember, lunch is in thirty minutes. If you are late, you will be served slug past again."

"Yes, sir.", replied the teens.

With that, the girl left through the main door while the boy followed the Professor down another exit to the left. The walk that took minutes through winding hallways was filled only with an uncomfortable silence.

They finally reached the Professor's office and hurriedly closed the door. As soon as the door was closed, the boy's emotionless face melted away and gave way to a wide smile of excitement and bright blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with childish mischief and curiosity.

Weyn said excitedly, "Professor Icharius, did you watch the sparring match? I finally beat 62! It's all thanks to that new move you helped me create."

The Professor chuckled and said in a fatherly tone, "Well done Weyn. You have improved by leaps and bounds this past couple of years. It is truly impressive to watch."

"Does that mean I'm ready to travel to the outside world now?", the boy asked excitedly.

The professor sighed and said, "I've told you before Weyn. The other researchers won't just let us leave. We have to find the right time to leave when we won't be noticed."

"I know, I know. But I've been waiting for this my whole life."

"I know my child. Trust me, if all goes according to plan the right time we've been talking about will be very soon. Maybe even within the month", replied Icharius.

"Wait, seriously?", Weyn said as if he couldn't believe that it was finally going to happen. "Of course, I wouldn't-." The Professor's words were cut short as Weyn grabbed him into a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Professor", Weyn said as he hugged the old man tighter. "W-Weyn, too... tight", Professor Icharius gasped. "Oh sorry! Are you alright?", Weyn asked as he let go of the Professor. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Just remember that your a strong boy and it doesn't take much to break these old bones", Professor Icharius said as he caught his breath. "I'm really sorry professor. Are you still up to tell me about the city of Odrasa?", Weyn asked concernedly.

"Glad to see that I succeeded in teaching you some manners, but I don't think we will have time for that. After all, lunch is in five minutes", Professor Icharius said casually as he smoothed out his robe.

"Oh crap!", yells Weyn as he begins to scramble out of the room.

Icharius smiled nostalgically as he watched Weyn almost slam the door on his way out.

He's just like you when you were young, Icharius thought as a silent tear rolled down his face.

Weyn ran down the winding hallways as fast as he could. He looked up at the clock tower to see that it was 4:58. Two more minutes. I can make it if I hurry, Weyn thought as he tried to run even faster down the stairs. He sprinted past the training complexes filled with various wooden weapons and training equipment and the towering building that was the *Essence Research Center, before finally reaching the cube-shaped building that was the cafeteria.

Yes! I made it, Weyn thought as he reached to open the door with panting breath.

*BOOM!*

Then everything went white.