Gabriel Latham thought everything in the world was feasible.

He had gone through many incredible things and had witnessed many unbelievable events in his journey, which had the potential to become unforgettable tales if told to somebody. From angels to demons, from ghosts to grim reapers, from magical to destruction.

Surely, if anything was able to become feasible in this world, then so could his dream.

And so he dreamed of bringing peace to the world.

It was impossible, he knew, for he understood humanity. War had taught him its tragic flaws. But he knew for sure, as long as he was there the situation would be resolved. It wasn't a talent given by birth or of the sort, but he simply believed fulfilling both sides' wishes was the solution. So he tried to help people as much as he could.

Nothing was impossible, he would always remind himself with a smile.

"The only problem is time," he explained to the commander, who was also his best friend. "And it isn't by my side for sure. Only the price I have to pay."

Yes, the price he had to pay.

In his journey, he learned something very influential. In order to save something, one must sacrifice something in return.

It was ironic. He didn't like to hurt people.

And in this dream, what he saw firstly was death. The dead were lying around him. Their dull, dark eyes stared into his soul as if judging every action he had committed in his life, whether good or bad, but they didn't dare to touch him.

Was it because he's dirty?

For sure, he had blood on his hands. Lots of it.

"..."

He closed his eyes silently.

ーThis can be a nightmare.

He thought, and he dreamed, reshaping the scene. Slowly around him, a white path opened, leading him to another realm. Unpigmented fragments appeared as the path took him to wherever. He followed it without a second thought. He smelled the graceful scent of flowers, the cool wind gently combing his hair.

Opening his eyes, he met a field of white. White petals smoothed past him and hovered into the gray sky.

ーBut I can create a paradise.

And it surely was.

Taking a few steps as he spread out his hands to feel the air as if testing to see if this was actually what his mind could paint, he sat down with crossed legs. His blue eyes gazed at the endless field, extending to somewhere beyond.

ーThis place is bottomless.

He realized.

ーBut could this also be how heavy my wish is?

His aspiration was far away, unreachable, like the field of white. In order to cross it, he'd have to step on many flowers who had done nothing to him. That was his life, constantly challenging how far he could take to reach his dream.

ーAs long as I live, everything will fall into places.

And he held onto that hope. If his life can make a change to the world, then so will he continue to live, to survive.

ーAnd to fulfill my promise.

Waking him from his thoughts, the rustling sound of flowers caused him to swipe his head at the source.

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Standing before him was something that made him doubt his sight. Glimmering shoulder-length golden hair danced with the wind and round, baby aqua blue eyes stared at him curiously.

A girl was in his dream.

ーIs this also something my mind trying to fool me?

He was an absent-minded person, thus, sometimes he judged what his mind could create.

Nevertheless, Gabriel offered his hand to the girl as he smiled warmly. The girl merely stared. What was it like for him at this moment? Had he met this girl somewhere before? Dreams are the reflection of an individual's life. But to answer the question, certainly not. Was she also part of the dream, then? Was there anything true or false in the first place? The questions lingered in his mind, yet all he wanted was to befriend with her, whoever she might be.

Doubting his smile for a while, the girl slowly accepted his hand and sat down, her eyes never left his.

He smiled sheepishly, eyes closed. The wind picked up, cooling his skin and refreshing his soul.

And then, searing pain tore his torso. Gabriel coughed and widened his eyes. Though it was a dream, the impact was powerful, realistic, and unbearing. A slucking sound ripped the swirling windy silence, bringing his instinct back as the girl pulled the knife out of his side. He instinctively put his hand on the wound, then looked at his hand and saw it covered in blood. Breathing shakily, he looked up at the attackerーstill bright and beautiful, and deadly, tooーand realizedーin the girl's handーthe knife was coated in something red and shiny.

ーI should've woken up. Or perhaps this was reality?

He coughed.

ーNo... it couldn't be...

Another cough.

Slowly, his consciousness receded as he thudded down on the grass, slumping himself into the field of white, only to paint it with red.

ーAh... I'm sorry... Bastian... I can't... fulfill the promise...

ーPlease... Continue on... without me.

And then, with his last breath, Gabriel Latham died.

* * *

Somewhere far away.

A young girl woke up, her eyes opened slowly, revealing the color of blue. Droplets of sweat rolled down her forehead. The light from the lantern illuminated faintly in the darkness, irradiating her short blonde hair that swept her cheeks.

Hearing breathing next to her, she turned around. An enormous, grumpy man sat across her bed in a wooden chair, his arms crossed and his shoulders slumped down from lack of sleep.

He stared at the girl, mouth straightened, awaiting something from her.

She said simply, "Mission accomplished."

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A/N: if you enjoyed the prologue, please do vote or comment. It really motivates me to write more. Also, this is my first time using RRL. It'd be really helpful to hear more recommendations how to use this website :)