There was a strange warmth on his face and a strange taste in his mouth when Sky's eyes began to drift open. When they did he noticed that once again he had been wrapped in bandages, from head to toe, leaving only his eyes, nose and mouth open. He slowly pushed himself up, agonizing and wincing as he did.
Once up, he looked around, he was inside of what seemed to be a small log cabin made for one person. To his right was a kitchen and to the front, a door. Next to the door was a wooden breakfast table with a plate wrapped in plastic and a note next to it. With another push he got up and walked to it, looking down to realize he was in a light blue t-shirt and black shorts.
He read the note: "Once you're up, eat this and come find us."
Sky looked at the plate and saw a large piece of chicken, some bread and greens. He peeled the plastic off and ate the food, finishing it with a smile on his face. It had been some of the best food he'd eaten. Afterwards, he made his way towards the door and opened it. As he did, his jaw dropped with the sight.
Giant, dark orange walls surrounded them in a massive circle with the sun sitting directly above. In front was a massive city, full of life. Wooden and stone homes decorated the streets, accented with markets, people and children. All kinds of people walked the crowded streets while children ran around and played. Sky looked around and realized that the home he'd been sleeping in was built against the wall, along the other walls were similar homes, allowing him to have a wonderful view of the bustling city. Right opposite to him he saw two large statues, each holding massive warhammers and a giant crack in the wall between them. Filled with curiosity, Sky crept to the right edge and looked over, seeing the same two large statues but this time holding giant swords and shields with another large crack in the wall.
To his left were a set of stairs that seemed to go all the way down to the ground. Slowly he made his way down, immediately met by two children playing with a toy. The first ran ahead, swinging it from side to side while the other behind him flicked small flames at the toy. The two shouted and laughed as they continued, disappearing around a corner.
Sky frowned his eyebrows staring at the two confusingly before continuing to walk through a dark alley and onto the crowded street. Immediately he was hit with nostalgia as he looked at all the pitched up shops with canvas roofs, reminding him of Rhiner. A bittersweet smile crept onto Sky's face as he continued walking towards the giant crack with warhammer statues while turning his head to look at each stall.
Unlike Rhiner he noticed that there was no one trying to steal, no one sitting, covered in rags at the corners of the buildings, no makeshift tents pitched in the alleys.
"What could have been…" Sky mumbled as he walked.
Eventually he left the heavily crowded street and started walking down a more quiet one, still full of life as he could see windows open, mothers and fathers hanging clothes on cloth lines and children shouting and laughing.
As he continued to walk a strange eeriness started crawling onto his neck causing him to spin around violently. When he did he saw movement to his left, as a clumsy figure leapt behind a building. An unsettling feeling started developing in Sky's gut as he squatted low, testing the strength of his legs.
There was a soreness but no pain surprisingly. He turned around again and continued walking, as if he'd seen nothing, drifting further and further towards the right until he turned into another street. Quickly he kicked the wall and leapt upwards, and waited as he reached the apex of his jump. As he began his fall he saw someone round the corner and look around wildly. As he continued to stare he fell, landing right in front of them.
"AAH!!" She shouted in surprise.
Sky stood up tall, realizing that despite his short stature he was just her height. "Why've you been following me?" He asked.
He studied her as she fumbled around for words. She was wearing a purple and white dress with frills and had clear blue eyes and straight blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. She pushed her hands into her dress as she struggled for words.
"Um… Um… Thank- Thank-" She stuttered.
"I CAN'T DO THIS!!!" She suddenly shouted, driving a punch into Sky's side, sending him sprawling on the ground before running off.
Sky slowly got up, rubbing the area where got punched. "Aaaaa…" He groaned as he retraced his steps and looked down the street he had come from, seeing no trace of her anymore.
Confused as to what had transpired before him, he shook it off and made his way towards the crack. Once at the entrance he turned around and looked at the other end, hoping this was where he had to be. He took a deep breath and walked in, unable to see anything for a few moments before the room in front of him suddenly lit up.
It was a huge open space, maybe twice or three times the size of the town hall back at Hero's Stronghold. Above were blue crystals, illuminating the entire cave. To the right was a giant doorway, large enough so that a giant could walk through, through which weapons, armors and tools of all kinds could be seen. To the left was another large doorway behind which was what seemed to be a messy room, full of books and a telescope.
In the center of the large cave was a giant tree with blue, glowing leaves. The center of the tree was torn apart, as if someone had ripped it out piece by piece, only letting the thin outside bark make its way up. Through it you could see a giant mountain with dark, thundering clouds above and small snow covered peaks below. From the blue leaves twelve, turquoise, glowing apples could be seen hanging, four of which had darkened.
As Sky approached the tree he saw that a thin, table-like, fence had been built around it, covered with papers and drinks.
"Well well, looks like sleeping beauty finally woke up!" Atlas' voice echoed loudly.