"What are we gonna do with him, Chase? Should we wake him up?" A woman's voice asked someone.
"What do you mean 'should we wake him up?', we are in the land of dreams we can't possibly do that." Then he chuckles.
"You and your jokes, Chase." She sneered. "But seriously, should we wake him up? He's been lying in there for hours."
"You have a point there. But should we really bother him?"
"I mean, he never told us not to meddle with this man."
"But that means—"
I slowly opened my eyes. Grunting, I tried to stand up but my body feels heavy. It's as if something is trying to stop me from moving.
"W-where am I?" I said in a hoarse voice.
"Easy there, buddy. You don't have to force yourself to stand up." A woman approached me.
Her eyes are of different shades. The left one is the colour blue while the right one is green. Her porcelain skin complements her wavy blonde hair. Her eyes radiate positive vibes and happiness. Looking at her feels soothing and warm. It's so peaceful.
"I'm Jess. And this guy right here is Chase." She said pointing at the guy leaning against the tree trunk.
Like Jess, his eyes are of different colours. His eyes are of the colour red and orange. His eyes burn with passion and yet he's so relaxed and comfortable. He doesn't seem to care about anything at all.
"Welcome to the land of Dreams!"
"I see. So that's what happened."
"Yeah. But I have to warn you, the task is not easy. You might break on the process." Jess said as she took a bite on the apple she's holding. "And by the way, we can't help you anymore once you stepped outside of this land. So if you have questions you better ask us right now."
We are in 10 by 10-meter land. There are different path you can choose once you decided to walk outside. Jess said that some of them may lead to your death while some may lead you to the answers you are looking for. I don't really understand what she means by that because as far as I can remember I am here for the trial that the Dragon gave me for the sword of Damocles.
I looked at the darkest path there is. There is something about this path that I can't explain. It feels like something is calling me.
"Come to me, my child. You shall find the answer to your questions here. Come."
A voice whispered in my ears. I felt my body slowly walking towards the border, to the path where the voice came from.
I'm almost near the border when suddenly someone grabbed my left shoulder.
" If I were you I won't choose that path." it was Chase. He looked at me intently. "I would choose any other path but that."
And then he leaves.
"Don't mind him. He's like that sometimes. Trying to be cool and stuff." Jess said laughing.
I smiled at her slyly. I really don't understand the point of this trial. And what's with the paths? I can't just choose whichever because who knows where it will lead me to. This is crazy. I have no goal or anything to help me get started. That Dragon basically teleported me in this place without saying anything. Or maybe he said something but I couldn't remember it.
Well, I guess I will just sit in here and wait until something came out of my head. I don't think there's a timer for this so I guess I'm fine.
I have to think about everything. Maybe that Dragon said something that will help me. Oh right! He said something about looking for the light because it is the path of life. But where could I find this damn light in those paths?
I looked at the four different paths but none of them has a light on it. They are dark and gloomy. Every single one of them. So how do I choose the path of life when I can't even see a single light?
"What are you thinking? You look like you're in deep thought."
"Oh, I was just thinking of a way to pass this trial."
"Oh. Have you come up with anything?"
I looked at the blue sky and the sun illuminating light that makes this place bright. I wonder what Aki is doing right now. I guess he's chatting with Raj. He's a fan of the Dragons. And seeing one must have been such a dream come true for him.
The warm breeze touches my skin felt like I was being embraced by someone. It felt so warm and comforting. I wonder if a mother's hug feels like this.
The clouds cover the sun, surrounding the hold land in complete darkness. After a few moments, the sun showed up again lighting up the whole land.
The first thing that I saw was Jess and her eyes were sparkling. They changed from having different colours to a mixture of colour creating what seems like a galaxy. It was beautiful. For a moment there it felt like I saw the creation of life. How everything started. I felt refreshed. Like I was reborn.
Wait. They never said that this place is not included in the paths that I will choose from. And this is the only place where light is present. So the phrase 'The way to the path of life is by searching for the light.' means this!
"The light that I'm looking for is you and Chase! You are the light!"
"How can you say so?"
"Raj, the dragon, told me that the way to the path of life is by searching for the light."
"Okay. And?"
"And the only source of light in here is the sun that is directly above this land. The two of you are the light!" I said shouting happily.
Jess looked at me and smiled. "You are right on most parts but uhm... we are not the light. We are merely guides."
Then she looked at Chase who's currently holding a staff. He stomped it to the ground and a path opened from the ground.
"Good luck, Yoshiro. May you pass this trial." Jess hugged me while Chase patted my back.
I slowly walked towards the narrow entrance of what seems like an underground tunnel. The place is lit by torches, showing a path going downwards.
I looked back to them again. They both nodded to me. "Go. We wish you good luck."
And as soon as I walked inside the door behind me shuts off.
Well this is it.