Chapter 8, Reunion and Academy
"Sorry, who are you?" she said.
Mark was shocked a little but said "Rain, Just because I changed a little shouldn't mean you have to forget about me. It's me, Mark."
Rain was startled hearing him. She couldn't believe the handsome guy in front of her was her brother, and then she heard a female voice "He's telling the truth. The person in front of you is Mark, your brother."
Rain was in disbelief, tears started flowing down from her eyes then she quickly hugged him, her face pressing on his chest. Mark placed his hands on her back trying to calm her down.
When they were standing like that a woman and a man in their thirties came out from the living room. They were a bit shocked seeing Rain hugging someone. When they saw the boy she was hugging they were speechless but still said in a shaky voice "Mark?"
Mark looked at them then said with a smile on his face "I am home."
Mark's parents got close to him and hugged him "Thank god you are safe" they said in unison.
They stayed like that for some time then Mark pushed them a little to get out of the awkward situation. He took a breath then looked at them and said "I wanted to stay a bit longer but I have to go to the academy to prepare for the Dream Realm."
His parents understood the situation but Rain was startled, after all he just came back and now he wants to go again. Holding Mark's hand, she asked "can't you just not go?"
Mark held her hand and said "I can't. But I promise I will be back soon." He paused and said again in a teasing tone "After all, I won't be dying before I see you in a wedding dress."
Rain blushed and pouting said "Fine, just come back alive. I won't be seeing you off." Saying that, she ran inside the house. Mark could see a hint of a smile on her face.
Mark then got well-dressed and took some of his personal belongings and got out of the house. He was standing on the door to bid him Farewell.
His parents said "we'll be waiting for you."
He gave them a last hug and turned to Master Jet and asked "Shall we go?" Master jet nodded and they headed for the Academy.
On their way to the academy Master Jet asked him with a curious tone "So, What will you do in the academy?"
Mark answered her with a confident voice "What? I will refuse any type of psychological counseling and the first mandatory class I will take will be Wilderness survival because most of the dream realm is filled with wilderness."
Hearing his answer she smiled and said "You're smart."
Mark shrugged, "I have to be to survive in the dream realm."
At that moment Master Jet stopped the car and opened the door; getting out. Mark followed her and was excited seeing the colossal metal gates in front of them.
'Finally the place where I will meet The Main Characters' Mike thought with a smile on his face.
"This is as far as I go," she said, looking at the walls of the academy. "I've already notified them. Someone will come fetch you in a while."
Saying that she got back into her PTV and drove off. Just like that, she was gone.
***
The end of the metal bridge hit the special grooves in the ground and stopped moving after a set of loud clicks. Mark walked forward and stepped on the bridge knowing what was about to come.
Inside the Academy Mark saw a low, modern building with white, pristine alloy walls and wide windows. Everything else was as the author described it in the novel.
Mark was taken inside to a large hall where people like him who awakened recently. Since it was the beginning of the month it was time for the induction ceremony.
Inside the hall all of the youths talked with each other about their nightmare, their future journey into the Dream Realm, and everything in between.
Mark simply avoided everyone and sat on a quiet corner listening to the music through the device he brought from home.
After a long while an Awakened came on the stage and gave a speech. It was the same speech Mark read in the novel. So he ignored most of it.
After the speech he followed the instructions on his communicator and quickly found the dormitories. After settling in his room Mark thought of studying the Memories he got.
Memory: [God Killer].
Memory Rank: Divine.
Memory Type: Weapon.
Memory Description: "The heavens tremble. The gods bled. And in the hands of a fallen god, something impossible was forged.
The gods do not speak of it. The faithful deny its existence. Yet, among ruins where temples have crumbled and statues lay broken, one truth remains—divinity is not eternal."
"It feels great to have a divine memory; but I can't use it. I have to use sorcery until I can use It." he then continued reading.
Memory: [Paradise].
Memory Rank: Divine.
Memory Type: Tool
Memory Description: "There exists a place untouched by time, unclaimed by gods or mortals. A realm of endless horizons, where golden light filters through eternal skies and rivers of silver flow without end. It is not of this world, nor any other- it is a sanctuary carved from the source of divinity itself. A vault, a refuge, a paradise.
To wield Paradise is to hold dominion over a world unseen. A sanctuary for the worthy, a tomb for the forsaken, an eternal throne for one who dares to call it home."
"Shit. I Got a Personal world for myself.' Mark exclaimed with Joy.
Memory: [Blood of Liquor].
Memory Rank: Divine.
Memory Type: Consumable.
Memory Description: [???]
"The Dream God's Heritage."
Memory: [-unknowns-Blessing].
Memory Rank: Divine
Memory Type: Armor.
Memory Description: "Woven from the luminous threads of celestial favor, Guardians Blessing is a Relic of –unknown- Intent. It was forged in the age when the –unknown- itself decreed that the chosen must be shielded against harm- a testament to the eternal covenant between the sacred and those destined to rule the future. The memory pulses with a gentle radiance, a constant reminder of the guardian who watches over the chosen beyond mortal ken."
"Now I am guaranteed of not dying in the forgotten shore. A divine armor memory, after all." He said with a smile from ear to ear.
He then summoned the [Blood of Liquor]. He was ready for any type of pain he was going to receive.
Mark consumed it.
END