After saying goodbye to Sarah, John went to his car and drove away from school. He made his way through the streets of Axis -which now had darkened and illuminated by streetlights for the time had gone away to evening- and eventually arrived at this modest four-stories apartment complex.
The man grabbed his backpack from the backseat, locked the car, and climbed the stairs to the third floor where his unit was located. He reached for the door key in his brown blazer's pocket, unlocked the mechanism, and went inside.
The teacher found himself inside a modest three-rooms apartment. A bedroom, a bathroom, and a combination of living room, kitchen, and dining room. As well as a small balcony bordered by a sliding glass door.
As if all his energies had been drained out of him, John plumped himself on the couch and sighed. His heavy expression showed something was weighing on his mind.
Driven by his contemplating state, John Zane closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. He slithered to the land of dreams and memories and relived his unexpected past:
Hovering above the sea of clouds as if it was weightless and unbound by gravity was an island. Twelve waterfalls were falling from the floating land and the water rained down on the white gaseous pillows below, creating numerous glimmering rainbows underneath the flying island in the sky.
Going up the waterfalls could be found twelve crystal-clear rivers stretching out from the center of the island. They all converged into this one large pond adorned with lotuses and reeds.
The water on the pond was still and undisturbed. Calm and at peace. As if all the chaos of the world had been wiped out and all that was left was harmony.
Lied at the center of this peaceful pond was a great banyan tree. Its root was large and many. Its canopy was high and vast. Its branches were large and firm. Its vines were hanging low and close to the surface of the pond, but just barely missing the water. With how deep-rooted the tree was and how developed its barks and branches, one would find this tree had outlived everything, even the universe itself.
The picture of the floating island, the waterfalls, the still pond, and the great banyan tree created a wonderful mythical scene together. But there was one additional feature which made it look even more fantastic.
Sitting on a giant lotus floating over the pond right at the base of the banyan tree was a man.
Worn on his body was a dark eastern robe. The entire course of the fabric glimmered with this soft twinkling golden light. Shining and dimming like the pace of a heartbeat. It was as if the robe itself was alive.
Strapped on the man's waist was a sword, sheathed in a dark and gold scabbard. The hilt of the weapon had a golden carving of a dragon. From within the scabbard, where the blade lied, emitted a strong aura which threatened to displace reality itself.
The two items worn on the man were definitely possessions deemed worthier than even the greatest of miracles. However, the person itself was not less worthy than the objects. In fact, he far surpassed them.
Enveloping the man's entire surface, from his long and tied dark hair to the edge of his leather boots, was an intense aura. One that was overwhelming and commanding. It forced everything to submit to the one who emitted the energy.
That being said, despite his overwhelming presence, the man's existence did not disturb the peacefulness of the still pond. He remained sat on the lotus. His eyes were closed. Breathing in and out ever so gently. Harmonizing himself with his calm surroundings.
And then so suddenly, a huge draft raised from beneath the clouds and stormed through the floating island. The frenzied gale caused the still pond to heavily ripple, creating small waves which in turn made the current of the twelve rivers grew more rapid. The vines of the great banyan tree haphazardly swung around in the face of the strong wind.
Despite the great disturbance, the man on the lotus remained calm and still. His eyes were still closed, unbothered by the occurrence.
It was only when his name was called that he broke his state of peace.
"Cheon Zhen!"