A dream, a wisp, an airy thing, Can we grasp it, make it sing? Like a cloud, it drifts so free, Yet sometimes fades, as dreams can be.

With age, they shift, evolve, and grow, Some we chase, some we let go. Ambitious dreams, too vast, too grand, In this world, hard to withstand.

So, what is a dream, its true worth? A spark of hope, a journey's birth. To hold them close, to strive, to dare, Is to breathe life into the dream we share.

A Dream a Bet

Khonsu, the newest possessor of the Chronotex of electricity, was embraced by his friends and colleagues in the Royal Army. The ceremony had come to a close, and the disappointed nobles had departed, leaving behind a gathering of those who had supported Khonsu's achievement.

Ramon, his face filled with pride, offered a warm hug. "Khonsu, you did it!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm.

Grinning back at Ramon, Khonsu responded, "Thank you." His gaze then turned to Jack, who was bubbling with excitement. Jack couldn't contain his enthusiasm, exclaiming, "Now we can build that car and electricity will give us unlimited potential."

Kasib, always one for light-hearted humour, chimed in, tossing a bag of sweets to Khonsu as he said, "Congrats."

Khonsu caught the bag and replied with a reassuring smile. He was touched by the support of his friends.

Menes, the commander of the Royal Army, approached the group, extending an offer to Khonsu, "Well, Khonsu, it seems you have something new to explore. How about training with me?"

Ramon, who was well-acquainted with Menes' intense training methods, issued a stern warning, "Don't listen to him. He just wants to use you as a training toy, pushing your limits."

Kamil, with a playful grin, recalled past training sessions with Menes, where the commander had broken Kamil's shield and playfully punched him on the head. "I warn you, Khonsu, know the consequences," Kamil mumbled, feigning terror with humorous tears in his eyes.

Menes playfully pounced on both Ramon and Kamil, patting their heads. Their sudden presence startled Jack and Kasib.

"Khonsu!" called out Alfonse, the brother of Seraphina Aurelia, accompanied by the old man Marcus and Ayman from the shop in Thebes. They walked towards the group, smiles lighting up their faces.

"Hey Ayman, old man Marcus!" Jack waved as he hurried over to greet them.

"How have you both been?" he asked.

"We're doing great," Marcus replied, while Ayman added, "Jack, so nice to see you. I've missed you, you know."

"Me too," Jack answered.

"Congrats to you, Khonsu, for getting the Chronotex!" Marcus chimed in, beaming. "You can become even stronger now."

"Oh man, I wish I had a Chronotex," Ayman added, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

"Thank you," Khonsu replied.

"Well, you'll get it one day, Ayman," Jack assured him. "When you join the army."

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"Oh yeah, I'm going to join very soon," Ayman responded. "I only have ten more months left of training."

"Well, good for you. Hope to see you soon," Jack said, returning the smile.

"Khonsu, congrats!" Alfonse said, giving Khonsu a warm hug.

"So when did you come back?" Khonsu asked Alfonse.

"Well, I'm back to live with my family now. I finished my education," Alfonse explained.

"Nice to see you, Alfonse," Ramon and the others welcomed.

"Hey, hold on a minute, Alfonse. Why do I sense dark energy from you?" Menes questioned, his tone serious.

Alfonse, taken aback, tried to mumble an answer. "Oh yeah, I learned to use it as part of my studies," he shrugged it off.

"Well, that's good. You can work for us now," Menes suggested.

"Yeah, I was going to ask about that. My father will send in an application soon," Alfonse replied.

"Congrats on your win, Khonsu" said Seraphina.

"Thanks," he replied.

"I seem to see a new face here. Who are you, if you don't mind me asking?" Alfonse inquired.

Jack, unprepared for this, began to mumble, "Ahh..."

Ramon was preparing to intervene, but he was too late.

Seraphina stepped in and answered her brother's question, "Alfonse, this is Jack Sterling. He's a new member of the Royal Army."

"Good to see you. I hope I'll be seeing you again," Alfonse replied.

"So when is the party going to start?" Marcus raised a question.

"Yeah, I was going to ask the same thing," Menes added.

"Well, you two are both old. No wonder you had the same question!" Ramon joked, albeit with a serious tone.

Menes and Marcus started to playfully hit Ramon, with Marcus using a stick. Ramon let out a yelp, "Ouch!"

"Well, I did ask Chef Tarik for food. It should be here soon," Khonsu replied.

"Not soon, it's here!" Chef Tarik shouted. "May I present to you the finest food?" The servants brought in a table laden with dishes.

Khonsu, shocked by the abundance of food, took Chef Tarik aside and asked, "I didn't order that much. I don't have money for all this food."

"Don't worry, Khonsu. You don't have to pay. This is the Queen's order," Chef Tarik explained.

"Are you sure?" Khonsu asked, still amazed.

"Yes, I am. Enjoy!" Chef Tarik reassured him.

Few Hours Later

The moon bathed the palace walls in its soft, blueish glow, casting a serene atmosphere. Khonsu and Alfonse sat together, indulging in snacks and drinks.

"It's been a long time," Alfonse remarked, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "We haven't spent time like this for almost ten years."

Khonsu took a sip from his cup and nodded. "You're right, Alfonse. It really has been a while."

"So, what have you been up to?" Alfonse inquired.

Khonsu shrugged, offering a brief summary. "Nothing much, really. Just training and carrying out regular duties. What about you?"

Alfonse took a bite of his snack, his expression somewhat sombre. "Just studying and learning new things. That's all I've done for the past ten years."

They both fell into a contemplative silence, gazing at the moon.

Suddenly, Alfonse broke the silence with a probing question. "So, has your goal in life changed now that you have the Chronotex?"

Khonsu looked at Alfonse in surprise. "Do you really think I'd change my goal just because I have a new power? Never. My goal has always been and will always be to become strong and protect the ones I hold dear. I've already lost a part of my life due to my weakness, and I won't let it happen again to you or anyone else."

In that moment, a flood of memories rushed through Khonsu's mind—the camaraderie with his fellow soldiers, the stories shared by Menes by the bonfire, the training sessions with Kasib, the book hunts with Kamil, the errands with Ramon, the times spent assisting Seraphina Aurelia's father, and the meetings with General Setka. Each memory was a testament to the bonds he had formed and the purpose that fuelled him.

The most cherished memory of all was the one with his mother. Whenever he was tired, he used to rest on her lap, gazing at the same moon through the window in his room. It was a memory that held a special place in his heart, a comforting reminder of the love and strength that had shaped him.

Khonsu, sitting up from his laid-back position on the wall, inquired, "So, Alfonse, has your dream changed?"

Alfonse, who was still reclining against the wall, sat up straight, gazing at the moon. "No, Khonsu. My dream remains steadfast. It will never waver. My aspiration is to create a world devoid of pain, a place where everyone can live without fear, free from the influence of factions or governments, where crime and poverty are mere echoes of the past. This, Khonsu, is my ultimate goal, my vision of perfection."

Khonsu's eyes widened at these words, and he burst into uproarious laughter. His legs flailed in the air, and his hand clutched his stomach. "No way! You still hold on to such an foolish dream! Oh my, you truly haven't changed," he jested, still chuckling on the floor.

Alfonse, slightly annoyed but also a tad embarrassed, retorted, "It's not foolish, Khonsu. I will make it happen. The day I do, I'll show you."

"You don't even have a plan, Alfonse!" Khonsu chortled.

Alfonse, taken aback, started to mumble in response.

"See? You don't even know!" Khonsu broke into laughter once more.

"Oh, Khonsu, just shut up. I will achieve my dream. I will," Alfonse declared, determination in his eyes.

Khonsu regained his composure, the laughter fading, and asked a serious question, "So, how do you plan to do that, Alfonse?"

Caught off guard, Alfonse began to stammer.

"See, you don't even know," Khonsu continued his jovial tone.

"Okay, okay, Khonsu, just... just stop laughing," Alfonse managed, a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

"Alright, let's make a bet," said Khonsu, his tone more serious.

Alfonse raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A bet?"

"If you manage to create the perfect world, I'll give you a date and some orange juice. However, if you fail, you owe me a date and some orange juice," Khonsu explained, placing a bottle of water on the floor and extending his hand.

Alfonse, baffled but somewhat amused, replied, "Well, that's an odd bet."

"Accepting it or not, Alfonse?" Khonsu pressed, his hand waiting for a shake.

"Okay, Khonsu," Alfonse relented, shaking Khonsu's hand, sealing the bet.