*****

“*Beep* *Beep*”

The room was silent with only the sound of electrical beeping from the heart rate monitor equipment, placed beside my bed. A nurse stood beside me, analysing the equipment as she checked out the list on her tablet.

Staring blankly at water dripping in the Drip equipment, I was still confused of what had happen. Just after I woke up from the dream, I was already in the hospital. Grasping from whatever conversation that the doctors and nurse had before, it seems like I was in a coma for a short period of time. I really felt sorry for Sensei since she was the one who was beside me when I wake up.

“Mr. Kamiya, could you please sit up…” the nurse said as she carefully held my hand to help me up. She continued taking a cup of fluid and lend it to me. “…here’s a vitamin supplements, this should give you some energy. Once you have recovered a little bit, we’ll deliver some food okay.” She said with a lovely smile. I drank the supplement and laid back again as she finished up everything and exit the room.

I stared at the door waiting for someone to come in as the door opened, “How are you feeling Yuu?” a familiar smile greeted me as she gently closed the door, not wanting to even make any noises.

“I’m fine I guess. I don’t really know what happened though,” I smiled wryly as I said those words.

“Well, I don’t expect you to know anything when you’re asleep the whole time.” She took a sit by my bed and held my hand. “Geez, I was really worried. I should have noticed it from the very beginning, instead I scolded you…” she paused as she looked down, trying to hold up the tears and continued with a shaking voice, “I’m a failure as a teacher…”

“Wait, this wasn’t your fault Sensei. Please don’t blame yourself for this, I was the one that insisted on going to school even when I’m feeling unwell.” I gripped her hand as I said those words. “If anything, I’m thankful that you were beside me Sensei. I’m lucky to have a beautiful women standing beside my bed.” I said as I slowly pulled her hand to my mouth.

Sensei quickly pulled her hand as she realized my intention, “Geez, even when you’re sick you still act like this.” She said with a relieved smile. Looking at this kind beautiful Sensei was really rare as my heart skip a beat.

“Really, I’m thankful that you waited for me. Even though you have classes to teach.”

“Well it can’t be help, your parents are not here. Someone have to watch over you. I called them and they will be back in a few days.”

“Yes!” I shouted, I grasped her hands. “Please take care of me sensei!” She just smiled wryly, knowing my true intention.

Based on what Sensei told me, she thought that I fell asleep during homeroom but she did not care and continued with the homeroom. After first bell rang, I was still asleep so she decided to wake me up with a surprise, by pouring my head with cold water. But I still would not wake up, so she pulled my ear and I ended up falling on the floor. Everyone was shocked and my classmates immediately carried me to the infirmary. When the school nurse was checking up on me, she found that I wasn’t responding to anything aside from my beating heart. So they had to call up the ambulance and send me to hospital for further check-up. In the end, the doctors had to conclude that I was in the state of coma and had me admitted.

To their surprise, I regained consciousness again after 5 hours. After further examination, I was merely fatigued and didn’t eat properly. Since I said that something hit my head the other day, they will let me leave the next day to examine me further for head injuries. So for now, I should just take a rest and let them take care of everything.

“So something like that happened yesterday and you still went to school?” Sensei said as I told her what happened the other day. Although I omit out the nightmare and just said I could not sleep because of the headache. “…but luckily you passed out at school. If you were to pass out at home no one would know and it would have gotten worse.” she sighed with a relief as she peel the apple.

I was relieved that there was someone to talk to in this unfamiliar hospital but honestly, I was more relieved that I survived that dream. I survived and woke up without feeling nausea or drowsy as I was previously. This was definitely a success in my plan. But my plan does not end there. I have to survive again the next dream. I have to survive from that jaguar, if all things fail, I will just have to kill that jaguar.

However, I doubt that was a dream anymore. It was too realistic, and my previous death was the proof. From now on, I’ll call that the dream world. A world that only I can access to by going to sleep. A world where I will revive again after getting killed but even so, I must survive. I cannot let myself be killed. There’s no way I’m going to go through that kind of agony anymore.

As I was busy with those thoughts, a nurse came in and served me lunch then left after checking the equipment. It was already afternoon and sensei already finished cutting the apple into several pieces. Sensei must have no had her lunch too so I offered her, “Sensei, lets eat this food together.”

“Eh, no no. You should eat it. They made it for you and you’re the sick one here.” she said while pouring water into my glass.

“To be honest I don’t feel hungry and I’m sure I wont be able to finish this alone.” I said as I scoop out the mushroom soup and offered it to her. “I’m sure you haven’t had anything to eat yet. Plus, food taste better if we eat together.” still pointing my spoon to her, I tried to convince her to eat with me.

She just stayed silence for a while before she took a bite. I just couldn’t take my eye off of her as she pulled her hair to the back of her ear. If my male classmates were to see this, they would have killed ten times over.

“Thank you… now you should eat it too.” She said bashfully.

We continued eating the food together and had a small talk. Just what a lucky day it is for me. I survived the dream and even spent a pleasant time with such a beautiful lady. Definitely my male classmates would want to swap place with me even if they were to break their legs just to have this moment with sensei. She’s definitely beautiful. Short dark brown hair as smooth as silk, long enough to reach her shoulder and short enough to expose her bare smooth neck. Endowed with beautiful round brown eyes and long eye lashes, it struck my heart whenever she looked at me. Her cheek was soft and flushed with light pink colour. She would occasionally cover her small cherry-coloured lips every time she giggles.

One weird thing that I realized was, I was not hungry. The last thing I ate was cup ramen yesterday but I still vomit it out after I woke up. I should have been hungry by now since I didn’t eat anything after that. Even after sharing the lunch with sensei, I was too full to even eat the apple that she cut. Then I remembered the fruit that I ate in that dream. It was really delicious and just eating two was enough for me to stay full for the rest of the day. ‘Was I not hungry because of that?’ I thought to myself. But it just doesn’t make sense that I could feel like this just because of that dream.

The conversation continued with sensei until it was evening. I felt bad for her that I asked her to go back home.

“…but someone have to watch over you if something happen again!” she said.

“I’m grateful that you stayed here for me until now. I’m sure you would want to have a change of cloth and clean yourself don’t you? I’m already in the hospital and they’re going to check me anyway so you don’t have to worry okay?” I said as I tried convincing her as much as I can.

She looked at me and reluctantly said, “Fine. But if anything happens I’ll come immediately. And call the nurse immediately if you feel weird in any way okay?”

With those word, she packed up her stuff and waved me goodbye as she left the room. Since I have nothing better to do, I wanted to plan out what I’m going to do next in the dream world. The first thing I saw on my phone was all kinds of ‘get well soon’ messages from my friends and family. Since I didn’t want to worry them any further, I had to call them and tell them what happened. I ended up spending hours on the phone talking with each of them.

After I had my dinner, I finally had time to start my planning for my next dream. Before I wake up from that dream, I remembered that I was playing with the glowing flower and found out that the spores was actually a sleeping powder. No wonder the jaguar staggered when it inhaled the spores. This was definitely a great discovery as this will greatly enhance my chances of winning.

Finalizing everything I had to do in the next dream, I prayed in my heart that everything will go smoothly. The time was already half past 9 and the nurse did a last check up on me and gave me a sleeping pill just in case if couldn’t sleep. I knew I didn’t need that and immediately closed my eyes.

‘Here goes nothing’ I said in my heart as the floating sensation and warmth enveloped my body. ‘Let’s get out of this alive.’

*****

The sound of chirping birds signals that I was already in the dream world. As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling again. But I knew what it was immediately. Line of roots surrounded me with mud and clay plastered with huge leaves covering the crevices. There was definitely some holes left as small ray of lights light up my hiding hole.

I had to break the entrance of my hiding hole in order to get out as the mud and clay had already harden. The cold breeze and sound of the flowing stream was definitely peaceful. The rustling of leaves and chirping of birds really signifies that I was alive.

“I survived the night in this dreamworld!” I shouted with my fist high up. It really got me pumped up and all kinds of things I wanted to do rushed into my head. My first plan was to finish my weapons. I needed to continue making my spear, axe, bow and arrows. But I need to gather material first.

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Before I head out to gather materials, I took a dip into the stream and it was as I thought, this stream somehow have a calming effect. Even though I was so pumped up but now I feel calm and clear headed. After drinking the stream water I went into my hiding hole to get my knife.

As I crawled out of my hiding hole, I was greeted by an unfamiliar animals. Three fluffy white rabbits with colourful teeth and a round fluffy tail. They were holding something that looks like a carrot in their arms and taking a few bites. It seems they did not notice me exiting my hiding hole, so I sneak up behind them to take a closer look. They looked so cute that I feel like I want to put my face in their fluffy tail.

“Hello there!” I said as I was about to touch one of the rabbit’s tail while crouching down.

“Wahhh! Run! It’s the hairless monkey!” a high-pitched voice scream as the rabbits hopped away leaving their carrots behind.

“Wait, did that rabbit just…” I said with my dumbfounded face. “No no no, I must be imagining it. There is just no way animals can talk. Well since it’s just a dream so it might be possible. Hahaha!” I laughed it off as I see the rabbits hopped away into the bushes.

I looked at the sky and it was definitely still in the morning. I have already memorised where the sun rises and sets. Since the stream flows from north to south, I decided that I’ll just follow the down the stream in order to not get lost.

Before I head out to search for materials, I made a pair of simple sandal with the leftover strings and big leaves. I didn’t want my feet to feel sore after searching for materials though.

As I walk along the stream, I could not stop being amazed by the beauty of this nature. Every bird I saw had beautiful colours and the flowers that blooms everywhere was just breath taking. I did not forget to collect some sticks and even collect some plant fibres in order to make more strings. I even found a very long cylindrical stone. I thought that it might be useful so picked it up and it was very light despite its large size. This thing can be used for many things in my crafting so I’ll think of what to do with it later.

I tied up everything I have collected. I tried to search for the blue glower (glowing flower) but I could not even find anything that looks similar to it. I guess it only appears and blooms at night so decided to go back to my base and started crafting. I knew that crafting my weapons will take a lot of time so should start before afternoon.

My senses in this dream world have been really sharp and I realised that I have been hearing whispers coming from bushes the last few hours. I didn’t think it was ghost or anything since it does not sound evil. If it weren’t for my sharp senses I wouldn’t be able to hear it. It were a mix of high-pitched voices and the only thing I can grasp on the voices was ‘hairless monkey’. That words keep on repeating as the voices continued to whisper. I tried to look for the sources but the only thing I saw was small animals and birds.

I continued walking while being extra cautious. I realised there were small animals that kept on following me from the start. It were hiding behind the bushes so I couldn’t see what it was. Since it doesn’t look like its going to harm me so I just let it pass.

As I arrived at my base, there was a familiar figure standing near the stream. It was the deer. No matter how many times I see it, the deer looked very magnificent and the fur looked as if it was glowing as the sun ray reflects on it.

I walked closer to the deer and it seemed to have realized I arrived. The deer look at me intently and slightly bows its head.

I bowed back reflexively and walked past it. I put the materials down on the boulders. I sat there and started crafting. The first thing I did was craft a spear as I have already finished the spear heads. The only thing left to do was to shape the sticks into a pole. Using the knife I carefully fashion the stick into a pole. Luckily, I found enough sticks that is as tall as me so if messed up I can just redo it again.

While I was busy crafting, I looked up and realized the deer was standing next to me and watching me carefully. I was surprised that the deer seems to be interested in what I’m doing. “Oh, good afternoon there Mr. Deer. You can sit there and watch me craft this.” I said as I continued crafting my spear. I unintentionally talk to it as I was feeling lonely already. Since the deer was quite tall, its hard for me to look up whenever I want to said something I ended up telling it to sit down.

“Don’t mind if I do.” a deep and manly voice replied to me.

Surprised, I looked at the deer. It quietly sat on the ground in front of me while looking intently. I gulped and asked, “Um, excuse me Mr. Deer, did you just… talk?”

“Well, who else is here other than me?” the voice replied.

I was so shocked that I jumped back and fell into the stream. Quickly I stood up and blow my nose off the water. ‘I definitely saw the mouth moving with the voice’ I thought to myself as I washed my face with the water again and again.

“Hahaha, you’re quite funny to be surprised by that.” the deer laugh it off with its deep and manly voice. “Have you calm down yet?”

The stream water calming effects kicked in right away and I continued sitting down on the boulder. Taking in a deep breath, I thought to myself about this absurd scene and took a long look at the deer.

To be honest, the deer looked like it really enjoyed itself as it continued laughing with its deep voice. I couldn’t help but smile at how kind its voice sounded. “What the heck is happening, now I’m talking to a deer. I must be crazy.”

“Oh deer, don’t say that. You’re fine. To be honest I’m quite surprise myself that you can talk.” the deer said with its kind voice. “Oh my, sorry for distracting you. Don’t mind me and continue with your work. I would like to observe further.”

“There’s no way I can continue with my work while a talking deer is watching me.” I said as I took my knife and continued carving the stick. Even though I said that, I was still able to continue crafting. The calming effect of the stream water really cleared my mind and made me face this situation calmly. Emotionally, I was still shocked. “So, what exactly are you Mr. Deer? Why am I able to talk to you? I was pretty sure you didn’t talk yesterday.”

“Oh my, I apologize for my rudeness. My name is Arzrail Wooford Elfpez Williak Anderadrin Powelf Antfler the Guardian of Light and Day. You can call me Arzrail. Honestly, I was not able to understand you either yesterday. I did give you the fruit to prevent you from getting poisoned from this stream water but I didn’t know that you can understand me just from eating that. I’m surprised myself. Well then, and you are?” the deer said.

I was surprised by its name. It didn’t even stutter while saying such long and weird name. But the ‘guardian of light and day’ struck me hard. Just be the magnificent look, I can definitely agree with that title. But no matter how you look at it, this is too fantasy-ish.

If my ear serves me right, he did say the stream water was poisonous. Damn this forest. Trying to kill me every chance it get. I must have been really lucky that the deer gave me the antidote but to think that the fruit can make me understand animals was really absurd.

I cleared my throat before replying to Arzrail, “Um, my name is Yuu, Kamiya Yuu. You can call me Yuu. Thank you so much for giving me the fruits. I didn’t know that the water was poisonous” I said while still carving the stick.

“Ah I see, I’m quite surprised that you have a last name. Well, the water looks harmless but it contains a lot of mana that would end up bursting if left alone. The fruit merely lets you absorb the mana to your body. Well then, would you mind telling me what are you? The residents of the forest have been quite rude for calling you rude names. You looked like an elf but those short ears doesn’t resemble one.” Arzrail said as he examined me.

‘Mana and Elf? Why does everything sound so fantasy-ish?’ The more Arzrail talks, the more this dream world sounds like a fantasy world. Can my mind really come up with this kind of dream? He even said the residents of the forest was talking about me. Then that explains the voices I have been hearing the whole day. I just can’t believe I have been hearing animal voices from the morning.

“I’m just a normal human,” I said.

“A human?! Where have I heard that before.” Arzrail said as he pondered for a while. He then continued, “ Well I can’t remember but this is my first time meeting one. Nice to meet you, Yuu.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you too.” I paused for a while as I pondered how to ask him this question. “Um, Arzrail, can you tell me more about this… place?” I asked with a wry smile.

Arzrail looked at me carefully and answered everything I wanted to know. Even though it was the answer I wanted, but I was not ready for it. The way he answered my question, he structured it well enough for him to see how I would react. I knew I wanted to keep a straight face but I just couldn’t hide my shock.

This is definitely a different world. This is not merely a world that I can just create with my mind. I will have to face the fact that I’m living in two different world now. And I’m currently living in a world where I will have to survive as much as I could. As far as the deer said, there are different mythical creature living in this world. The elves, the dwarves and many more races live outside of this forest. There are much more beyond this forest and Arzrail just said to me that I will just have to discover about it myself.

“You should get use to living here. I will help you as much as I can.” Arzrail said. With how I reacted, I thought that he might have realized my situation. I glad that the first person that I talked to was very kind and heart-warming person.

“I um… thank you so much Arzrail.” I gave my heartful gratitude for giving me support.

“Enough with the gloomy topic. Shall we call out those that are hiding over there?” Arzrail suggested to me. I realized that there were some animals around us for a while now hiding in the bushes. I ust replied him with a nod and he continued, “Don’t you think its rude to eavesdrop on other people,” Arzrail said while looking at a nearby bush. “Why don’t you apologize to him too since you have been calling him rude names.”

Three fluffy little bunny came out of the bushes. They hopped with their two hind legs whilst carrying carrots in their arms.

“Aaaa! Aren’t the three of you I saw in the morning?” I said as I hold in the urge to pet them.

“Yeah, sorry for what happened in the morning,” one of the bunny said. “And sorry we called you hairless monkey,” the other one continued. “Well, here’s some carrot for our apologies,” the last one said and three of them put down the carrots next to me.

I wasn’t surprised anymore by the talking animals since the deer gave such a big impression already. Their high-pitched voice reminded me of the voices when I went out to collect materials just now. It must have been them following me.

“Ohh, thank you for the carrot. I’m Yuu Kamiya.” I said slightly bowing my head.

The three little rabbit continued on sitting next to Arzrail. They introduced themselves as Rabbi, Rabbu and Rabbo. However, there were no difference in appearance between the three to differentiate them and even their voices sounded similar. They were definitely lively creatures as they continued talking without stop while they munch on some nuts. I ate the carrots while continuing doing my craft and joined in their conversation.

As I had finished crafting my spear already, I continued on crafting a stone axe. Even though quite some time have passed, the three little bunny and Arzrail were still happily chatting mostly about delicious berries and some nice places in the forest.

“What are doing Mr. Yuu? You seem to be busy with those things for a while now.” One of the bunny asked. Arzrail looked at me but I can tell he knows what I was up to.

“I’m making weapons. To protect myself of course.” I said as started knapping a stone larger than a fist in order to make the axe head. After doing it for so many times, I was already getting the hang of it and fashioning into a desired shape was quite simple.

As I was busy crafting, I suddenly realised that they have been quiet for a while. The bunny looked at each other in confusion. One of the bunny broke the silence and said “You… don’t you…” it stuttered a bit before rephrasing it again, “…You mean to fight the creatures of the night?”

I really did not understand what it meant by creatures of the night. The only thing comes in mind was the jaguar so just nod to answer its question. Were there more creatures like the jaguar at night?

“No no no!” the three of the bunny shouted in unison. “You mustn’t! The creatures of the night are not to be trifled with. They are ruthless killer. They will kill you just for the sake of it!” the bunny said as they take turn to talk.

The three bunnies were worried and frightened too as they mentioned about the creature of the night. I could even see their ear shaking a little as the looked at me worriedly. Remembering my first meeting with the jaguar made me realize how frightening the creature was and I could understand why they were trembling just mentioning them.

Arzrail on the hand was calm and collected and said, “What they said is true. Fighting even one of the creatures of the night will surely bring harm to you. It would be best to avoid fighting at all cost.” Arzrail said. He then looked me and then at the bunnies and said, “I can only keep the peace in this forest during the day. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you in the night. Yuu, when the sun sets, hide.” He said apologetically.

The three bunnies nod their head in unison to Arzrail’s word as they looked at me. The worried faces that the bunnies made were really cute and I could feel Arzrail’s worries too even though he just kept a straight face.

“Don’t worry, this is just for protection,” I said as I try to relieve their worries. Somehow, I started to waver even though I have everything planned out to kill the jaguar. ‘I survived yesterday just by hiding. Shouldn’t I be able to do the same again?’ I thought. What Arzrail said was true, who knows what will happen if I fight the jaguar again. What if I were unable to fight back and still get myself killed. I really don’t want to feel that kind of pain anymore. Maybe I should just hide. What’s important here was that I have to survive the night. I looked at them again and pointed at my hiding hole, “I’ll just in that hole again when the times come okay”

The bunnies and Arzrail somehow looked satisfied with my answer. We then continued chatting as I crafted my weapons. Still, the weapons was necessary for me to protect myself at least so should just continue crafting it. ‘I might as well craft some tools next time and fixed my hiding place.’

As time passes, the sky was already died red and the sun was about to set. The bunnies and Arzrail bid me farewell as they went separate ways. Before I even realised it, I had already finished crafting an axe, some arrows and another spear. The only left to craft was a bow but I could do it the next day.

“Nothing beats the satisfaction of finally finishing my craft.” I said to myself. Looking at my own craftsmanship, it was not too shabby but I can say it was a pass. “Even dwarves would want to have such craftmanship, hahaha!” I laughed at my own boasting.

The only thing left to do now was to collect some glowing flower. I had planned to use it to make it into a drug and coat my weapons with it. The glowing flower’s spores have a unique property like a sleeping powder. So I thought of grinding the flowers and mix it with water. This was my trump card in order to fight the jaguar but since my priority have changed now, I will use it on myself. It will be a good substituted for a sleeping pill. I knew that since I will go back to the real world after sleeping, having the sleeping drug to sleep immediately would be a relief.

I waited for a while as the sun sets and the glowing flowers started to bloom. I hang my axe on my waist with the knife and I brought along my spear to search for the glowing flower. It was not far from my hiding hole so I hoped to get done with it and hide myself quickly.

As I plucked one of the glowing flower, a chill ran down my spine. I could feel a cold glare, staring at me. A heavy breathing made my body to reflexively point my spear in a stance

“Hooo, you’re alive again.” A deep hoarse voice echoed in the quiet forest.

I desperately searched for the source of the voice. My hand was trembling. It was no doubt that was the jaguar. I cursed myself for not hiding in the hole immediately after sun set. To think that I would be found so quickly like this.

Suddenly something landed in front of me with a loud thud. There it was, the black jaguar.