Alone
Allen Wu
Looking out at the bright sun. An 18 year old boy feels like he’s nothing in this world. Every day is the same, the echoes of the trees shuddering a dark shadow over a room of nothingness. It was Allen Wu’s first semester at Mt. Sai community college. The kids in the classroom talking to one another but since my expression was cold and unwelcoming, none of the other students dare to approach me. I’ve trained myself in martial arts and swordsmanship ever since I was young. My body remembers the pain it endured every day. With that I have a much built body with a nice six pack but I hide everything with my long sleeves that wear and jeans that cover up my muscles. It was my escape from life since having friends was an impossible feat for someone like me. But in the corner of my eyes I watch two others engage in a conversation.
“Hey lets go check out this new movie tonight.” A blonde guy by the window was talking to a girl he met in class. She was very beautiful with long hair that gives off an aura that makes men drool. The blonde guy was tall and handsome with the typical stereotype that he’s an ass and that girls only want men that treat them the wrong way. In my mind I thought. “Typical, an Asian girl with a London boy, why can’t Asians just be with their own kind” The Asian girl with a look at the guy gave a smile while saying. “If you’re the one that’s treating me, then I might consider it.” The blonde guy then spoke. “Well babe we sure will have a great time ahead.” As I watched them from afar my stomach just wanted to explode. I wonder to myself why could I not have the courage to talk to a girl like that or even seal the deal of going out as I plucked at my dark brown hair in silence.
Fantasies in my mind that I shall never have I thought, the other students look at me like I am some sort of outcast. This semester will not be fun at all in my mind. “Well I guess I can always practice my martial arts and sword play to ease my sorrow.” Silently I said those words of comfort while looking at the spotless sky once more.
As I sat there peering into the cloudless sky, I started to remember my first encounter in swordsmanship. It was 5 years ago, a hot Friday afternoon when the sun was radiating in all its might ,probably a little too much for I was sweating like a dog. I was travelling to go home until I stopped and noticed that there was a dojo nearby my home. Me being someone familiar to martial arts I peeked through the front window and saw an old person, teaching his students swordsman ship. My mind was enchanted by the might and force of the impact as I watch how men would battle with all their heart and soul in to one sudden and skillful strike. Seeing these men spar and fight with all their heart lured me into the dojo.
As soon as I entered the dojo, a man named Mahiro Adenai who would be my future ‘senpai’ if I joined called out to me “Do you wish to join our dojo, to learn swordsmanship?” he asked “yes” I replied in a spirited manner, “please enter” he said. As I strolled into the dojo all I saw was eight men in their 30’s except for the sensei of the dojo that was in his late 60’s giving a lecture.
The sensei Ahn Yundo was one of the greatest swordsman in the whole of Asia, as soon as he saw me ,he stopped his teaching and walked towards me “what is your name?” he asked , it was hard to reply because his presence alone told me that he was a great person. “I … I am Allen Wu, and I would like to join your dojo for swordsmanship “I said softly. “Pick up a sword!” He demanded. I was scared to at first but I thought to myself, if these people would accept me as a student maybe I won’t be alone anymore, with a smile I lifted up a wooden sword and took his challenge. After a chain of events I was in the dojo training with my ‘senpais’ learning the way of the sword every day.
Our sensei saw great potential in me always pushing me further and further into the art of swordsmanship, teaching me to never give up. I was learning and practicing so much with the swords that I made two wooden swords of my own and started dual wielding, a style that none of the other students did. For months I practiced so much that I passed the level of all my ‘senpais’, they all said I was a genius ,that I was born to be a warrior and Mahiro would always ask “how come a fit, handsome boy like you … not have a girlfriend?” And over and over I would reply that girls naturally did not like me.
Everyone wanted me to take part in tournaments and hone my skills and give fame to the dojo but I denied the request for I told them that I have always walked my path alone and I shall still follow this path, my fellow swords men all felt pity for me but I knew this, that deep down, my heart was still in the depths of shadows. As I walked out the dojo my sensei said “I pray that the path of the swords overcomes the darkness within you.” With those words in my mind, I left the dojo forever.
As I walked out the front door of the dojo I remembered my senpai asking me before “how is it a muscular and honest boy like you….not have a girlfriend!?” and I replied disappointedly “well girls naturally don’t like me.” So now I left the dojo pathetically in a way.
All of a sudden a loud voice rang throughout the room waking me up from my daydream. “Welcome students, I am your instructor Dr. Bernard!” I looked up to see a man in his 60s with a beard and hair style just like a ripped- off Santa clause.” All he was missing was a red coat instead he wore a white jacket to my surprise he could be a walking doctor. The students all look at the professor and spoke. “We are grateful to be in your class and want to learn everything about Virtual reality games.” With those words the instructor was very happy and probably full of himself. Then with a deep breath he said. “Our course will be focused on virtual reality and as most of you may know Toshiba from the KMC has announced the release of the first game royal road.”
Everyone in the class was very excited because the instructor looks at the class with good news. “Royal road is released today worldwide for everyone to play, as well as the fee for renting capsules is affordable, I am sure lots of you would be excited to journey into an exciting and vast adventure!” Then the instructor said. “Who here is already going to start playing royal road!” With that the whole class raised their hands in an instant, as if a rain of swords were about to attack a pirates ship and steal the gold.
The only one that hasn’t raised his hands was poor me in the corner of the class room like a cat in a dogs den. The other students looked around and saw that I haven’t and some whispered. “That guy must be a total dick head not to have known about royal road”. The girl next to her friend said. “Yeah what a loser, he probably doesn’t get out much.” Other students started making remarks as the room died down by another voice. It was the instructor while looking at the name chart he then called my name. “Allen, since your taking my class then you must get royal road because some of the tests in this class will involved partying with your fellow classmates and …. I will grade you on it as well.” All of a sudden my stomach felt very sick. In my mind, my thoughts went. “The world is ending why I must play a game with others, when in real life I was all alone.” The bell rang and the other students all took off with their newly formed friends.
While I sat in my seat just day dreaming for what I could have had, a hand reach out and grip me firmly, it was Dr. Bernard. “Allen if you don’t open up in the real world then maybe you can find what you’re looking for in the Royal road.” With those words the instructor left. I always dreamt of being a warrior in some unknown world, perhaps I can find true friends in this game called royal road. I searched through my belongings and scurried off to rent a capsule hoping to end the darkness in my heart and soul.
Another’s Past
Eustace Yoshino
My life is treading through challenges that I’ve known throughout my life. People that I’ve known who I cherished deep in my soul as friends, turned out for the worst. I’ve thought that I could run away from my child hood. When I was younger my mother once told me a story, I asked. “Mom where’s dad, why doesn’t he ever come home?” My mom would look at me with those large blue eyes full of anger, and deep down I could see sadness. Then slowly while shaking her hands, she brushed through my black hair and said. “Your father will never return because he has found another….. And has abandoned us, his own…. family….” After that moment there was anger in my heart. In my mind a thought ran. “If that bastard ever shows his face in front of me or mother again, I would send him to hell!” For leaving my mother and me and running off with someone else was unforgiveable!
During my high school years I thought I could trust my friends, the people that hung out with me during the times of sorrow and joy. My nature was that I was kind and generous to everyone around me. My so called friends Dan and Jerry were my best friends or so I thought they were. It all happened one day, the truth about having friends scarred my mind. I saw a kid was being bullied by 3 others as I was walking to the cafeteria with Dan and jerry. The kid that was being bullied was named Josh. A skinny kid by the height of 5,6 and the other 3 that were monsters incarnate in a human body were called Joe one ,two and three, hilarious I thought to myself but it was Typical to see twins and people with the same name hang out .
Josh cried. “Please don’t hurt me; my mother gave me that money so I can buy lunch.” Joe 1 the leader of the group was smirking. “Ha, but your money is mines by all rights, ever heard of walking in my territory!” The skinny boy shed tears like a lost rabbit. All of a sudden my body moved forward by its own and lifted my arms for a direct punch. “Whack!” Joe face was smashed in as the force of my punch landed square into his hideous face, but there was a pretty, major problem, I just remembered I’m not some superman but a skinny boy that tried to one- hit a so called goliath. The the demon turned towards me with the look of death, I knew I was in for it but I knew if it came down to it, My friends would back me up, I was sure of it!
Joe and his goons started laughing. “Oh … if it isn’t fresh meat.” Joe 2 then said. “Oh we won’t hurt you all if you betray this crazy friend of yours, hehe.” They told my friends. With a smirk Joe 3 then said. “Betray this idiot and we will let u join our group known for being the strongest gang on campus.” In my mind I knew my buddies won’t betray me. “You’re all fools my friends will never betray me, come on we will take you all on!” But to my surprise Dan and jerry that I trusted as being my best buds started walking over to the Joe gang. I was at a loss for words, and then I heard the kid that got bullied ran past me and spoke. “Fool, now you are the one to get bullied, hah!” As he ran away I could hear the evil laughter in his voice. Was it the devil that played a trick on me this day? Then all went blank as darkness flew through my mind, my thoughts went “How could they have betrayed me, why would my best friends I’ve known for so many years do this to me, why does it feel similar like the day my father left me?!” My mind began to regain conscious and I knew I was being a punch bag for Joe and his gang. To my surprise I also saw my friends Dan and Jerry striking away at my body as if they were pro boxers impressing the Joes, In the shadow of my mind I asked myself why …….was I betrayed.
Joe with a twisted smile of a demon said. “Welcome to my domain now mother fucker so…….. either you give us money or well enjoy beating the white shit out of you every single fuckin day!” Joe 2 then claps his leader shoulder and said. “Fresh meat served well and we got two new goof balls today what a glorious victory.” Joe 3 then took Dan and Jerry’s shoulder and with an evil grin demanded an answer. “Well…..Whose fuckin side are you on now boys!?” Dan and Jerry both gave an evil look. “Sir we are yours to command and we shall strive for the gang, glory for the Joe Gang” they whimpered. The leader then kicked my stomach once more and said to his followers “Time for some lunch with this fags money.” They all chuckled and strolled off into the sunlight, But all I could see was darkness clutching my soul as the feeling of anger swept through out me, I whispered to my dying, beaten self. “I will never be betrayed again… for I shall walk my new path alone.”
As I thought about my past, I stood on the grounds of my new school. I saw students walking to classes with their ‘so called friends’, but I knew that if you have friends the feeling of being abandoned was always going to be there. As I stood at the entrance of Mt. Sac Community college, I spoke to myself I will never be betrayed again, but then I realized the time. “Oh shit I was supposed to be in my new Virtual Reality Class an hour ago!” I mumbled so my first day at campuses was more of an epic fail. I scurried down to my class and found out I missed the first session. I was very depressed until I saw a notice on the white board, I read it to myself. “All students that missed the first day of class must rent a capsule to play royal road, sincerely Dr. Bernard.” On the bottom of the notice was in bold letters, “Royal road is required to pass this class!” With that in mind I headed off to purchase a capsule in light, that I might make some friends.
Rainy Day
Johnathon Loftski
A young boy by the age of 17 watches the clouded sky in hopes for a glimpse of sunlight of the one he holds dear. Instead the dark clouds wore the mask of an Akuma bearing its fangs into the world. Tearing away this lonely boy’s soul piece by piece, until there’s nothing left but an empty shell. Heavy drops of rain felt like boulders that slowed the boy’s progress. In his mind thoughts of emptiness came across his clouded mind. “Why didn’t I have the courage that day to ask for her name?”
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A moment in time that happened 5 years ago, but felt like it only happened yesterday. It was similar like today with the rain that felt like rocks pounding my soul as I tremble down the street of Elnar lane. My thoughts were running around all over the place of single player games. The game I was playing at that very moment on my psp was called final fantasy. It had a story that intrigued my sudden urges and that was how the hero would always have a maiden who fights by his side even till death. In my mind I thought. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I had a girl who loved me just as much as she did him in the game world?” With my thoughts flowing out of my soul, I didn’t notice I was walking into a group of thugs.
The leader of the group of thugs was called Thor and approached me from behind. “Hey dick head where ya headed….. Care ta lend me ah doller?” He smirked. His second in command with a big belly that screamed he needs to stay out of the donut shop was named Gimly, with his meaty hands he grabbed my should with a firm grip. With a sinister smile, he said. “Hold up... hold up fuck face did u not just hear the man, show some respect!”
In my mind I was still fantasizing about having a holy maiden from single player games I use to play. My expression was dead as I gave an answer. “I have no money my family is poor.” After hearing those words the third thug who was just as skinny as me steps up. His name was Pinky. I thought to myself in whisper. “woah what fuking retarded name , it screams gay from miles away.” But to my surprise I messed up and said it aloud without even thinking that he could hear me. In my mind thought “oh shit now I am going to die.” With a piss off expression, he rushed and grabs my shirt. “Hey … hey did u notice we are at bridge and we could just drop you down to swim for your mother fuckin life!” At this very moment I didn’t even notice I was at bridge and cursed myself for daydreaming about the girl .The leader of the group stepped up and spoke. “Pinky just toss this loser over the bridge, if he doesn’t want to pay up!” With that the leader laughed out loud, so loudly even the people passing by could hear. To my surprise , the other people that were watching were all cowards, and wouldn’t help me. I wonder to myself what a messed up society I live in.
The fat bastard by the name Gimly started searching my body. In my head my thoughts were like this guy is a gay freak. As he finished searching my body, I felt disgust. Almost as if I was violated by another man, I rather that have been a girl I loved doing that. Gimly turned to Thor and said. “Boss this boy is broke like dipshit” The group made an evil laugh. Then I had a feeling I knew where this was going to end. “My life will be over very soon , but at least I wanted to meet my maiden who would be by my side.” Even now I was still day dreaming, maybe because it was what I wanted in life. I knew every man would want that, unless they were gay like this picky fella.
Thor began to shout with an evil smirk that you see in movies with the villains always on top of their game. “Well boys it’s time to teach this young lad how to swim with the fishes.” I had to courage to speak. “Don’t do this, I can’t swim, please spare my life.” With desperate call I tried every card to get me out of this crisis. “I have a family that I must return too, I can’t leave without fulfilling my dreams.” The gay fag called pinky then spoke. “Look at this mama boy and he calls me a fag, this guy is truly a prick.” With that the trio started laughing as they grab me by my both my arms and legs. Before I knew it, I thought my life would end as the final line between life and death emerge in my mind. “As my body felt light as a feather as I fell down the whole of never-ending death. To my surprise I landed in a river with a huge splash I felt my bones shatter and my body go numb. The gushing water carried my poor soul down the river as my vision was blurred; I thought this was the end of my journey.
A young girl with long hair, dyed the color of green was walking the road that was near the bridge. She was a skinny girl with average looks and a nice body with a innocent look that implicates she’s weak, but don’t let looks fool you, her body was trained by a master of the art of karate and she was a very good swimmer, since her parents were famous swimmier that won the Olympics. Romuna was a girl who believes in justice and when she sees that someone needs help, the hero in her soul would emerge and take flight.
She saw the boy who was drowning in the river while being pushed down stream. Romuna inhaled “Oh boy…. another job for a hero.” She thought in her mind.
She dropped her back pack and ran as fast as the wind could carry her as she leaped into the river and swam faster than a shark. Romuna kept saying. “I will save that boy, even if it cost me my life.” If Jonathan heard those words in real life as his life was being swept away by the current, he would thank the lord.
Romuna grab hold of a branch and waited until Johnathan came down right in the middle. With the great force, she grabbed johnathan’s body and pulled him towards her, with her training with karate and her motivation; it would have been an impossible feat. Romuna yelled. “Hang in there , I will get you to safety , don’t give up on life now.”
Johnathan opened his eyes and to his surprise. “Am In heaven, is this the maiden that awaits me at the gates of a new life.” But to his surprise his senses returned as he noticed he was still alive. Shocked that such a beautiful girl would be his savior, was a dream come true. Romuna dragged him to shore by using the wooden tree branch as a lever. “At least this guy isn’t fat like fat bastard in Austin powers or we would have been trouble.” She muttered to herself.
Johnathan opened his eyes again as he was already on shore, as he looked up at the angel that was before him. He couldn’t believe it. “shes giving me cpu, this is my dream come true!” This moment he was getting a boner, but she didn’t have to know that right. Romuna after giving Johnathan air through the mouth with her own, in her mind “Good I’ve saved another poor soul; god must be smiling on me.” With a smile, she began to check if he had broken bones, to her surprise he had a broken shoulder. She mumbled “better call the ambulance before it gets worse.” She dialed the ambulance number on her cell phone and got help immediately. Meanwhile johnathan was in a trance as he sees an angel in front of his eyes. His heart started to beat faster and faster but he didn’t have any courage to say anything. As the ambulance came, he took one glance at her and heard from her lips. “youll be fine they will take care of you , hopefully in the future you won’t need me to save your lousy but again.” With that she left in a red car that came to pick her up. Jonathan had a feeling she was rich, but before he saw her close the car door, He whispered and hopes of shouting the words. “Could I have your name, my name is Johnathan.” In the end I was in the seat of an ambulance headed for the hospital, in my mind. “My dad’s going to kill me.”
While I was in the white room, people could mistake this for a place where sick people go to die. But I on the other hand was laying the bed that was pretty comfortable, besides the fact that I was half naked. A very slim young women was taking care of me, her facial features were very well refined, making her a right choice for mating. Or so I thought but this beautiful woman was a nurse for the hospital was staying at named Saint Johns. Believe me if I was the director was of this place, I would be making millions but I just happen to have the first name of the director. The beautiful nurse name was Miju. She turned over to me with smile, spoke. “Have you heard of a game called Royal Road?” I was hesitating for a moment, and then I replied. “Not really since I only play single player games I wouldn’t know anything that involves playing with a large group of people.”
Miju then laughed and said. “Well it’s the first virtual reality of its kind and we have the capsules of life will be out in 5 years, if you haven’t recovered by then, you can move your body in the game as if your body has been recovered.” For a moment I was stunned but I realized I was kind of paralyzed and felt a deep sadness overflow myself. “What five years, my heart shattered. My thoughts about the girl that saved my life hit my mind. I wanted to search the world for her, but now I must endure this pain. My voice echoed in my mind. “Why is god so cruel to me?” Miju then saw my reaction and said. “The doctor says you wouldn’t be able to attend your school, for your recovery will take time.” With those words I wanted to cry like a little baby that lost his toy, but worst that lost his will to live. He thought of a thing in his mind, I was still handicap after these 5 years. “I would give Royal Road a shot; at least on there I wouldn’t lose my whole body again.” Or so he thought.
5 years has passed as I walk through the front gates of my high school as a senior. My body has not yet fully recovered as I am limping with crutches as I walk. I could feel the stares from the other students. One of them spoke a young girl who looked like a sophomore in high school. “Hey look at that guy, he must be new.” Her friend a short girl with a pickle face attire, then said. “I heard he was a student here and then an accident happen.” The other girl then spoke. “Suits him right, he must have mess with the wrong people.” They hurried to their class as I watch and spit on the floor in disgust. These girls are nothing like my angel that I saw that day. As he walked to the office, a girl passed him by with beautiful long hair and an innocent look, sadly for Jonathan he was too focused on going to the office of administration to settle down for class. Romuna who passed him was in a hurry to get the day down, in her mind. “Finally royal road is out; I would be a hero in that game!” With thoughts like that she happily walked to her class passing by the boy she once saved, as for johnathan in his mind at that moment. “Where is my fair maiden in this world, how I long to see your pretty face and hold you in my arms.”
So Close
Toshiba Watson
The night sky was beautiful like the moon that shines over the large mansion by the hill of Elnar. High above the balcony stood Mr. Toshiba looking up at the night sky with kind eyes that were going to burst into tears. The 60 year old man dream was finally coming true. As he turned to look through the window of his master bed room decorated with portraits of his wife, Anna. He thought. “She’s just as beautiful, when I first met her 30 years ago.” That dreadful day could have been avoided if only he wasn’t at a meeting.
It was a summer day; a lovely lady in her early 30s was waiting outside the company office known as the KMC. She was slender and her face was very beautiful for her age. A couple of business men would stare in awe at this amazing lady. With her look she shot them down, but her thoughts. “Even now I can still get any man I want, but why do I wait for my husband who doesn’t show time for me.” As she dialed her husband phone once more. In the office Toshiba knew his wife was calling him for lunch. In his mind “The royal road project is finally getting funded by many companies.” I hope my wife understands my dreams of being the first to make Virtual reality possible.” As he looked at his phone and was about to text. The share holders were wealthy rich business men who saw their main project leader distracted. They all turned and said. “Mr., Toshiba please listen because we all here need you to tell us why we should fun this project of yours.” As Mr. Toshiba stood up, his thoughts went straight back to the meeting, forgetting that his lovely wife was waiting for him for the 50th time.
As Anna stood there furious and ready to explode, tears started falling down from her face. Her thoughts. “What a jerk, why can’t he be a man that spends time with his love one and not just focus on some stupid virtual reality project.” Then a thought came up. “Maybe I should just find another man even though …..I love him so much.” As she turned to walk away, all of a sudden a small Kia car rammed right into her. Her body flew 5 feet away, as if an ant was blown by the wind. Her final thoughts running in that last second. “Is this how my life ends.” She laid on the cold floor as people started rushing to her to see if she’s alright, The little girl that was by her side, started yelling out. “Please someone call an ambulance!” The driver that hit her was the first to call an ambulance. As the meeting was ending, the phone call from the hospital came in. Mr., Toshiba answered it saying. “Hello Toshiba speaking.” The nurse on the phone had the sound of an angel but with the devils words said. “Sir, your wife is in the emergency room and we don’t think she would make it, worst comes to worst she will be in a coma for who knows how long.” His hands tremble as if his world was about to end, if only he had only pick up that call and thought. “Then maybe my love would have been saved.”
His wife now lay in a capsule that he created. Her looks were around the age of a 62 year old lady, but in his heart she would always be his lovely maiden that he cherishes always. She went into a coma a couple years and the doctors say they wouldn’t know when she would ever wake up. Tears came down his eyes as part of his soul longs for her. With the creation of Royal road, people in comas can now enter the game world and live again. As he walked over by her side, his words of love came out. “My love tomorrow will be the day we will be reunited as one once more.” As the words came out, tear of joy ran down his face. In his mind he also prayed that his creation would help others find their own joy and happiness. Little did he know there were three young men who are fighting the darkness in their hearts searching for that one light that is hidden away by the shadows.
Enjoy Ch 1 ^^