DREAMS BEYOND REALITY

I was still awake in the middle of the night, despite having school the next day. I was busily working on a project that had consumed nearly a year of my life. The cold breeze flowed through my window as I tirelessly coded on my computer, desperate to make it work. Ever since I dreamt about my late girlfriend, I couldn't shake off her memory. Her untimely death haunted me, and it was the driving force behind my determination to create this device. No matter how long it took, I was determined to bring it to life.

Frustration overwhelmed me, and I couldn't contain my anger any longer. "Damn it! Damn it all!" I shouted, my hands pounding on the table repeatedly. The world felt meaningless, and I often questioned my purpose since her passing. But tonight, the darkness seemed to consume me more than ever. Thoughts of ending my own life crossed my mind.

Just then, my little sister entered my room, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Go to bed already. You woke me up, you idiot," she mumbled sleepily. She left the room, closing the door gently behind her.

I couldn't believe yet another attempt had failed. As I lifted my head, my computer emitted a sound, signaling a bug in the program I was coding. Instantly, a wave of relief washed over me as I realized it was a minor issue, something I could fix.

"Oh, so this was what pushed me to question my existence," I sighed, feeling the weight lifting off my shoulders.

I wanted to rejoice, to jump around the room and scream in triumph. But it was too late in the night for such jubilation. After all this time, I had finally completed the device. Yet, satisfaction eluded me, as doubt lingered. Would it truly work?

I rose from my chair and made my way to bed. Settling down, I attached the device to my head and fastened its counterpart onto my right hand. Lying there, I prayed for its success as drowsiness overtook me.

As my eyes closed, sleep came swiftly, aided by countless nights spent working tirelessly. I felt a strange sensation, as if my surroundings were contracting and expanding repeatedly. Gradually, I found myself floating in what appeared to be space. The stars shone brilliantly, their beauty mesmerizing.

"Wow, where am I?" I exclaimed, awestruck.

Within seconds, a colossal void materialized below me. I somersaulted and caught a glimpse of an Earth-like world reflected within it. A bustling city nestled within a vast forest, with people coming and going. As I marveled at the sight, the void tugged at me, pulling me in, and I succumbed to unconsciousness.

Wait, something feels off. I can't feel the ground. Am I still in space? I murmured.

Everything felt blurry, but I sensed I was falling from something. Gradually, I regained consciousness. Opening my eyes, I realized I was hurtling through the sky, unable to move my body. Helplessly, I stared at the sun, resigned to my fate. And before I knew it, darkness enveloped me once again.

After what seemed like an eternity, my consciousness slowly returned. "Where am I...?" I mumbled; my voice barely audible. Faint voices reached my ears, but I struggled to make sense of them, still disoriented from my surroundings. Gradually, as awareness flooded back, I found myself lying in a hospital bed.

"Ouch, my head hurts," I groaned, instinctively touching the source of pain. The ache subsided, and I opened my eyes.

"Oh, thank goodness! You're awake. I was worried you wouldn't make it," a voice exclaimed in relief.

I turned my head to the left and saw a girl my age, with beautiful blonde hair and golden eyes, sitting beside my bed. It seemed she had been taking care of me while I was unconscious.

"What happened?" I managed to ask; my voice weak.

"You had quite a fall. Don't worry, you don't seem tired or injured, but you should take it easy," she replied in a nurturing tone.

"You fell from the sky, that's what happened."

I struggled to recall the events leading up to this moment. "Ah, I see. Wait, who are you?" I inquired.

"Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Itsuka. I am an Earth Senshi," she explained.

"Nice to meet you!" I responded.

"Nice to meet you too... wait, who are you?" Itsuka said, her expression filled with confusion.

Her words echoed in my mind, but their meaning eluded me. I found myself lost in thought, contemplating the incredible nature of what had transpired. The fact that my mind could construct such a vivid world only served to highlight the complexity of the human brain.

This seems so real, I thought to myself.

"Oh, I apologize as well. My name is Kiro Miura. Just call me Kiro; it's my first name," I introduced myself.

"That's an unusual name. Where are you from?" she inquired.

"Well, actually, I am..." I began, but before I could finish my sentence, a knock on the door interrupted us. A young man, seemingly around my age, with gray hair and green eyes, entered the room, holding a basket of fruits.

"You're finally awake," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.

"Yes, I am," I replied, grateful for his presence.

My mind struggled to comprehend the reality before me, and in a strange twist, my vision inverted. I could clearly see a vibrant green energy coursing through his body at an astonishing rate. As for the sensation, it was unfamiliar and alien.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Here are some fresh apples. They're the best in the region, bro," he offered, presenting the fruit basket.

"Thank you," I responded, reaching out to accept an apple. Suddenly, he leaned in closer to my face, staring at me for a few seconds before pulling back.

"I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you fell from the sky. By the way, what's your name, bro?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"I'm Miura Kiro, and you?" I responded, introducing myself.

"Well, I am Youto, the blessed one," he replied in a rather narcissistic manner. "I am a wind Senshi, and I will be a Shogun one day," he added, his tone filled with passion and determination.

Observing Youto and Itsuka, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. They appeared so cool and joyful, and it struck me as strange how comfortable I felt in this dream-like scenario. Perhaps when nothing abnormal happens, even dreams can feel normal. I couldn't recall the last time I hadn't been plagued by depression.

"Nice to meet you both," I said, mustering a smile.

They returned the gesture with smiles of their own. However, I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer and decided to ask the burning question that had been on my mind.

"Ah, by the way, what exactly is a Senshi?" I inquired, intrigued by the concept.

"WHAAAATTTTT???" they both exclaimed simultaneously, as if my question defied all logic.

"I mean, you fell from the sky, but... Are you sure you're from this world?" Youto questioned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Are you an angel?” Itsuka chimed in.

As they continued their animated discussion, I remained on my bed, contemplating the question I had posed. In the real world, I knew that a Senshi referred to a warrior, a soldier, or even a samurai. But the adjectives "earth" and "wind" attached to their titles perplexed me.

A Senshi can clearly be a warrior or a soldier, like a samurai. But 'wind' and 'earth'? Does that mean... I trailed off, trying to make sense of it all, but before I could gather my thoughts, Itsuka provided an answer.

"Kiro, you're quite mysterious," Itsuka remarked, her gaze fixed on me for a few seconds. "We are individuals who serve to protect the land and its people."

"I see. So, as an earth Senshi, you can control earth or use earth magic?" I ventured.

"Earth magic? You have a funny sense of humor, Kiro. I'm not an entertainer, but you're right. I utilize my soul energy to manipulate and shape earth in various ways. Take a look," Itsuka explained, her hand radiating with the same matter I had witnessed flowing through Youto earlier. With a slow and deliberate motion, the energy formed a rock out of nothing, which she then handed to me.

"Wow, this is unreal. It's incredible!" I exclaimed, examining the rock with wide-eyed fascination. Youto and Itsukasa exchanged a knowing glance, as if silently acknowledging my ignorance. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, realizing that what I deemed fiction in the real world was a tangible reality in this realm.

Wait, if Itsuka could create that rock from her hand, does that mean the brown matter flowing through Youto was some sort of energy? I pondered, my excitement mounting. Does this mean I have my own element? What could it be? I wondered to myself.

"Kiro, is something bothering you?" Youto inquired.

"It's nothing. I'm just curious about my own element," I replied, attempting to mask my growing excitement.

"Kiro, you are indeed an intriguing individual," Youto commented, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"You can say that" I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"I hope we can become friends," Youto said, his tone sincere.

"Ehhh, but you know nothing about me," I replied, my surprise evident.

As Itsuka asked Youto about their sensei, I took the opportunity to get up from the bed and stretch my body. Lying down for too long was starting to make me feel restless.

"Youto, where is Master Renji?" Itsuka inquired, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Well, he said he was going to report on the mission, and remember, Kiro? Maybe he is with the Shogun," Youto replied, trying to recall the whereabouts of their sensei.

"Or maybe he's just hungry as usual," Itsuka added with a bored expression, letting out a sigh.

"Kiro, are you okay? Do you feel any pain in your body?" Youto asked, concern evident in his voice.

Under normal circumstances, anyone falling from the sky would have suffered serious injuries or worse, but in this dream-like world, I seemed to be perfectly unharmed. It was a clear indication that this was not reality but rather a fantastical realm.

"I'm all good. I don't feel any pain at all," I reassured them, realizing that this dream had veered from its original purpose of meeting Erica.

As I looked around the room, still amazed by the peculiarities of this dream, there was a sudden knock on the door. The woman who entered apologized for the intrusion and immediately directed her attention toward me.

"Excuse me, so you're THE BOY who fell from the sky. You look healthy. Strange!" she remarked, observing me with a suspicious gaze.

I confirmed her statement with a simple "yes" and introduced myself by stating my name.

"I see," she responded, her distrust apparent in her expression.

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Itsuka intervened, breaking the awkward atmosphere by asking about their sensei.

"Sara, where is Master Renji? Kiro is awake!" Itsuka inquired.

"He is with the Shogun, and we are all heading there," Sara replied, her tone conveying authority.

"Including you, Karo," she added, slightly mispronouncing my name. I corrected her, stating that it was Kiro, not Karo, and she offered a half-hearted apology. It seemed as though she didn't really care.

Sara then instructed us to follow her to the Shogun's quarters for a meeting. Before we left the hospital, I was provided with something to wear, as my clothes from the real world had become dirty.

"A kimono and geta?" I muttered to myself rhetorically, marveling at the traditional Japanese attire.

"Do you know them? How?" Itsuka asked, surprised by my familiarity with the garments.

I nodded in affirmation, not disclosing the fact that I recognized them from my knowledge of Japanese culture.

"You're becoming even more mysterious, bro," Youto remarked, a smile playing on his lips. I returned the smile, appreciating their lightheartedness.

"Let's go!" Sara urged, signaling that it was time to depart.

We stepped out of the hospital and into a world that defied belief. The sight that greeted my eyes was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The city unfolded before me, a breathtaking tapestry of beauty and vitality. Everywhere I looked, traditional Japanese architecture graced the landscape, with temples and buildings bearing the hallmarks of a bygone era. The streets teemed with people donned in traditional attire, as if they were living embodiments of history. It felt as though I had stepped into a vivid tableau, a historical period brought to life.

The city pulsated with life, offering glimpses of the extraordinary. From the aromatic scents of street food wafting through the air to the vibrant hues of traditional festivals, each moment was a testament to the rich tapestry of this world. The authenticity of the architecture and the commitment of its inhabitants to tradition spoke volumes. It was a testament to the preservation of history, a remarkable feat that defied the modern world.

With every step, the city whispered secrets, its very essence shrouded in intrigue. As we ventured deeper into the heart of this wondrous place, I couldn't help but notice the peculiar details. Time seemed to have frozen, preserving this world in a state untouched by the passage of years. I was but a wanderer amidst the grandeur, my purpose driving me forward, unwavering in the face of the unknown.

The grandeur of the city enthralled me, captivating my senses with its vibrant energy. Yet, in the midst of this visual symphony, my purpose remained unwavering. My heart was set on finding Erica, a promise I had made to myself. No matter how bewildering this new world seemed, I was determined to press forward until we were reunited. Life had taken an unexpected turn, but I embraced it as an adventure—a chance to confront the mysteries that awaited me.