Dairen floated in the seabed of his memory. Swirling in the darkness as the world around him passed by. Eventually, he opened his eyes.

Dairen had a rough day. He wore a full-body suit that combated 99% of the nuclear waste that still lingered in the air as he visited his company's site. It has been over two hundred years since the War World Three had left a third of the world into a barren desert land, leaving another third into unhittable land that was still contaminated with radiation, and the final third where almost all the humans were scrunched up into large cities, making living expensive and complicated.

Out before him were the last few remaining nuclear power plants that needed to be kept maintained. He had come out here for the company's monthly inspection, wishing dearly that this nuclear plant wouldn’t go into a meltdown. Already there were a few around the world that caused devastation because of lack of maintenance. He was the rare few who took on this dangerous job. The pay was decent, but it still wasn’t enough to cover the populated city's living expenses.

He went through the process slowly but meticulously, making sure that nothing was out of place. Still, when it was over, he felt tired as he came home from the long day of work. Sitting down with a plop on his coach, he leaned back, letting his hair fall behind.

Staring at the wall, where his favorite bow was leaning against, he sighed. He even didn’t want to go out practicing today.

How long has he been doing this job, living on and off in mind-numbing motion? Even still, he worked, hoping for a better future. There was too much at stake as he was the only healthy member of his family. The rest was so sick from the radiation fall out that they could barely move but were hooked up to the hospital machine.

It was a normal sight to see where one or more family members were ill, and people still were getting hospitalized even hundreds of years after the war had ended.

His phone rang.

Almost lifelessly, he reached over to check who it was. When he saw the caller ID as Hospital, he instantly straightened up, bringing the phone into his ears.

“Hello, is this Dairen Sylvian?”

“Yes, this is he.”

“Hello, Mr. Sylvian. I called to inform you that your younger sister has stepped into a stage II of Cancer, and we found another growing small Malignant Tumor. We suggest she go into surgery and chemotherapy treatment.”

Dairen went silent for a moment. His mind numb from what he had just learned. Cursing under his breath, he wanted to get up and throw the phone, but it took everything in him to stay calm.

“Please go ahead with the surgery. I’ll cover it.” He replied, knowing full well that the cost of the hospital bill would be too much. Still, his sister, the last living relative alive after his parents and older brother, had passed away to terminal illness. Out of the whole family, he was the lucky one with a gene that could be countered against the terrible radiation.

“Understood. Is there a particular date you want to set up for the surgery?”

“Like I said, as soon as possible. Even if it's today, I will take it.” He stated in a bit of a hurry, knowing that his sister’s life. The cancer was not like any normal disease in the past but was a lot more aggressive after the war. The chance of death was even a lot higher, making this an extreme importance.

“We will need you to come in and fill out the paper works before we begin. When would you be able to arrive?”

“In the next few hours.”

“Thank you. We will get all your information ready by then.” The phone hung up just as quickly as they called.

Dairen flopped the phone on the side, the weight was heavy upon his shoulders as he felt at a loss. Looking over, he saw a camera and stacks of pictures that he hadn’t finished developing. Since the first news, he had lost all motivation that his sister was terminally ill a few weeks back. The apartment was now a lot more quieter than before, making him feel empty.

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Getting up, he grabbed his keys to go to meet his sister. Upon reaching the door, he found a red envelope stuck underneath his door.

Curiously, picking it up. Dairen tore up the content of the letter. A whirling like sound could be heard, telling him that there was a device inside. A pretty fairy appeared in a holographic image, showing her cute wink at him as she flew around him a few times.

“Welcome. Welcome. Dairen Sylvian, you have been chosen to participate in the Beta testing of a game called: Lost Paradise.”

Dairen was amazed at the level of detail that the hologram had shown. Every time she fluttered, the flow of her green dress would move in such a realistic manner, and even her expression, he thought for a moment it was real.

“With the privilege to become a Beta Player, you have the chance to win many fabulous prizes. Maybe even make your dream come true.” She chuckled, looking at Dairen with a mischievous grin.

“Make my dream come true?” Dairen asked, stupefied. Wondering if this was some kind of joke, he looked around to see if there was a camera.

“Yes, the place where dreams can become a reality. New powers, gifts from the Gods, and even riches that you have never seen before. Even saving someone’s life.” The fairy danced around in a little jiggle, excited in what she was saying. “A game worth dying for.” A giggle left her pretty lips, but Dairen felt a sinister underlying meaning behind it, making him cautious.

Even still, the thought of saving his sister’s life spurred him to continue to listen.

“Now, the rules are simple. Please take this red envelope to the Yami Hikari company at 9 P.M. You will only be admitted into the company at this time if you have the red envelope. If you do not arrive by 9 P.M, your ticket will be invalid. Please be advised, you won’t have a second chance.”

The fairy twirled around gracefully; eventually, she landed on his shoulder. “I advise you, sir. To arrive on time.” She placed her hand on his cheeks and patted it.

In the moment of contact, Dairen felt a soft pat on his cheeks, which confused him. The fairy disappeared, leaving him alone. He raised up his fingers to brush against his cheeks, making sure that he wasn’t feeling things.

Dumbfounded by what had happened, his mind went blank. He didn’t know if he was dreaming or if he really felt that small hand patting his cheeks. Eventually, he woke up from his long stupor, realizing that he was dallying too long at home.

He stashed away the red envelope in his pocket as he rushed out the door to finalize the papers. The thought of the little fairy vanished from his mind as he drove to the hospital.

#####

Dairen finished his paperwork with the nurse, he walked into his sister's room, cheerfully folding a paper crane. She looked up at him, smiling when she saw him enter. She was a beautiful little girl, barely passing ten years old. Her head was shaved, and a small, woven pink hat covered her head.

“Brother!” She called out, excited to see him here.

“Sarah.” Dairen walked over, taking a seat next to her bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.” Sarah nodded with a silly smile that brightened up the room. “I was even able to make one hundred cranes without getting tired.” She proudly stated; she picked up the paper cranes and put them in a large jar halfway full. “When I get a thousand, I’ll make a wish to get better.”

Dairen could see the bubbling hope in her voice; she glanced over towards her brother bashfully at her statement. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness that wrecked his very heart as he too wished for the same.

He did not show such a side to his sister and energetically replied, “I know you can finish it and get your wish.” He winked. “How many have you done?”

“Two hundred and seventy-one.” She proudly stated, puffing up her chest.

He reached over, patting her head. “That’s my sister. The superwoman.”

“I’m not a superwoman, brother.” She huffed.

“Yes, you are. Look at you, can basically fly out of bed from all that gloating.”

Sarah smacked his hand away, scowling. “You’re teasing me.”

“I do not do such a thing.” Dairen gasped, looking at her if he was offended. “Don’t you see this innocent face? This is pure love for the sister.”

“Right…” Sarah didn’t believe her brother's “innocent” act. She knew him too well to fall for his tricks. “Instead of worrying about your sister, I need you to get me a sister in law!” She threw up her hand, downright startling Dairen by her words. He did not expect her to throw such a curveball.

Dairen tapped her head a few times. He couldn’t speak a single word.

“Did you not hear me? I want you to hurry up and have a girlfriend and eventually get married. I want a sister in law.”

Dairen sighed. He reached up and ruffled her head. “In due time.”

“When?!”

“I don’t know.”

Sarah pouted, disliking that her brother didn’t have a girlfriend. She didn’t like how he spent all his time around her.

“Now, it’s getting late. It's time to go to sleep.” He was like a mother hen, squabbling over every little thing. Pushing down her head with his hand, he pulled the covers over her.

“Brother, I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, princess. I know you can, but let this poor knight of a brother take care of you once in a while.” He wallowed at her sister’s displeasure showing how dramatically hurt he was.

Sarah rolled her eyes, snuggling into her blanket.

Dairen leaned over, kissing her on the forehead. “Good night, princess. Sweet dreams.” With a smile that rarely plastered on his lips, he gave her a good warm night. Eventually, he walked over towards the door.

He couldn’t help but look back at her with sadness, watching his sister sleep. His last hope, his last light that he kept close to his heart as he stepped out into the dark world that wanted to swallow him whole.