After what had felt like an eternity of walking, they had finally made it out of the forest. They had stepped into a beautiful area filled with flowing rivers that sparkled under the moonlight. The scene was complemented by a variety of gorgeous sweet-scented flowers and other tiny animal-like creatures that were roaming through the grassy plain. The most beautiful part was a waterfall that was flowing peacefully down a cliffside which made the view even more stunning.
Slowly, the group then began to approach the waterfall before Amanda signaled them to stop."Why did we stop? Nathan can't take much more of this. His leg is getting worse..." Complained, Sindy.
"Not to worry... We're here!" Replied Leo.Andrew looked around intently as he did not see anything except the peaceful waterfall a few feet before them, "Uh, I don't see anything..."Amanda and Leo then moved towards the waterfall before placing their hands gently against the flowing water. To everyone's surprise, a blue light radiated upon contact revealing a massive skyship floating effortlessly in the night sky.
"Woah! What the heck just happened?!" Exclaimed Andrew in shock.
"Hehehe..." Chuckled Amanda, "It's Illusion Art. The waterfall was just an illusion used to hide the skyship, aka our headquarters!"
"Illusion Art? Is this some kind of magic trick?" Asked Sindy curiously.
"Wow... You're telling me that none of you have ever heard about Illusion Art before? You all just keep getting weirder by the second," muttered Leo.
"We don't even know what you mean by Art..."
"It's fine. I'm sure everything will be explained to you when you get inside. Unless you're spies that is!"
Amanda then turned to face the others with her arms outstretched playfully;
"All of that aside, welcome to AA HQ! Shall we enter thy mothership?""Definitely!"
A few minutes later, the three were taken into AA HQ. Nathan and Sindy were transferred to the Medical Bay to be treated for their injuries while Andrew was taken to see the captain.
Nathan and Sindy were treated by a kind female nurse who had short pink hair. Her eyes were also of a glossy pink color which complemented her hairstyle even more. Her unique eye and hair color were something Nathan and Sindy had never seen before. Was this some unique gene that people of this strange country had? To make things even weirder, she had been healing them with some kind of healing magic that made them feel almost as good as new.
"Both of your injuries should be completely healed by tomorrow morning. Just get some rest and you'll be back to normal!" Explained the kind nurse.
"Thanks but I didn't quite catch your name..." stated Nathan curiously.
"I'm Donna, the head of the medical team. So if you ever get injured again, just let me know and I'll be happy to help!"
As Donna left the room, Sindy moved over to speak with Nathan. There was much to be discussed with all that had happened.
"What a crazy day... First, we get teleported to some random country, then we get attacked by a giant wolf and now we're getting healed by a nurse with crazy healing powers!" Exclaimed Nathan.
"A few hours ago, if you were to tell me something like this, I would think you're losing it, Nate..."
Nathan and Sindy were then interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. At this point, they wouldn't be surprised if a talking panda came in to greet them.
"Come in!"
The door then slowly opened allowing two figures to enter the room. One was Andrew and the other was a stranger who gave Sindy chills.
The stranger creepily resembled Nathan in both appearance and age. The only difference was that this mystery twin was a bit taller. Sindy had to rub her eyes to ensure that her vision wasn't failing her.
"Guys, before you both freak out, let's have this entire situation explained!" Quickly stated Andrew.
"Sup!" Greeted Nathan calmly to the mystery twin.
"Sup Nate," he replied.
"Wait, you two already know each other!?"
"Well, not exactly. I mean we kinda do, but at the same time we don't," began the mystery twin, "My name is Alondo Smartmind, the personal mind or conscience of Nathan when he was back in the Real World. I'm also the captain of Assassins Agency."
"Yeah, for some reason your presence seemed familiar to me. Like a presence that's been with me all my life up until the moment I woke up here in this strange country... As soon as I saw you, I could tell you and I were somehow connected..." Added Nathan.
"What do you mean!!? This is all crazy!! A talking panda would be more logical than this!!" Panicked Sindy.
"Well for starters, do you know where you are?" Asked Alondo.
Sindy shook her head in bewilderment. It was almost as if she was having a very strange dream.
"Firstly, you should know that you're no longer in the Real World," continued Alondo. "The Real World is the world you're all from with countries like Japan, The United States of America, etc. Currently, you're in the Mind World.
"The Mind World?" Questioned Nathan.
"Yes, let me explain a little more. The Mind World is the foundation of the Real World. This world has a variety of life forms including; strange monsters, animals, and even human beings that were born and raised here. However, there are other species of humans known as Minds that reside in this world."
"Minds? Like the way we think?"
"Something like that... Minds are responsible for the thoughts and brain processes that humans undergo while in the Real World. Every human has their own unique mind. That tiny little voice you'd hear in your head telling you what not to do and what to do is us. I think you humans from the Real World call us your conscience or intuition.
You could even go as far as to call us your guardian angels if you must. Fortunately, due to an Art used by the Gods, you are no longer in need of a mind once you arrive in the Mind World. You control your own thoughts.""Okay, so that explains why you're so similar looking to Nathan... I guess..?" Queried Sindy.
"Not exactly... Nathan's case is special. I was born for the sole purpose of being his mind until he arrived in the Mind World. For some unknown reason though, I was born looking like him..."
Sindy then got up with a tigress look. Alondo had said something that she hadn't taken a liking to, "Wait! So you were expecting him to come here!?"
"Yes, but before you go all KAREN on me, let me explain a little further. The Mind World is in danger and needs help. To make it even more concerning, any threat to the Mind World is an automatic threat to the Real World as well. If all Minds are to die, then that would leave every human in the Real World as brain-dead zombies. And I mean that literally."
"So, the Mind World needs a hero is what you're implying?" Asked Nathan with an intuitive guess.
"Bingo! And that hero is no other than you, Nathan.""Yep, our boy Nate is supposedly a hero in the flesh. Never thought his fantasies would come to life," teased Andrew.
Alondo then continued, "Every millennium, a new hero is selected and brought here from the Real World on their 16th birthday to save the Mind World from its impending chaos-"
Alondo then paused as he bit his tongue— almost as if he did not want to reveal too much about the Mind Hero.
"But what does this have to do with Nathan? It's not like he was the one who made the world like this! Get someone else to do it!" Cursed Sindy.
A serious expression then came over the face of Alondo. It was obvious Sindy had said something to upset him.
"Look, princess! Before you start assuming, allow me to educate you a little more. The humans of the Real World are to be blamed for our situation. Whenever someone from the Real World has a high output of negative emotion, it leaks here into the Mind World and creates demonic monsters called Demon Beasts. So let me ask you something, Sindy. Have you ever been angry before?"
"...Yes..."
"Well, reality check. That anger turned into a Demon Beast here in the Mind World and probably killed someone or maybe even slaughtered an entire family..!"
Sindy, Nathan, and Andrew froze in horror. The realization that every time they displayed a form of negative emotion, it turned into a Demon Beast that killed countless people was unbelievable.
"Look, I'm not trying to scare any of you. I'm just being honest about the situation at hand. Every human being from the Real World indirectly has blood on their hands. Sure, it wasn't intentional but that doesn't mean it never happened."
Sindy felt terrible as she was ready to make Alondo the target of her frustration when she didn't understand his situation in the slightest.
"Okay, but one more question. If the world just needs me, the Mind Hero, then why were Sindy and Andrew teleported alongside me?" Asked Nathan.
"It's simple really. At the moment when you were to be teleported, both your friends were holding onto you. Due to this, they were taken with you. In other words, this was an accident, or the Gods intended it to happen for some unknown reason..." Explained Alondo.
Nathan pondered— his hand braced against his chin as he thought, "Is there at least any way we can get back home?"
Alondo shook his head dimly before replying, "I'm sorry... But according to legend, the Mind Hero will not be able to return home until his or her's 18th birthday at the earliest."
Silence spread through the room like wildfire. Nathan felt as if he was to be blamed for putting his friends in danger and having them trapped in this world for another two years. Due to him, his friends were now trapped in a dangerous world. Sweat washed his face as he couldn't even force himself to look them in the eyes.
However, to Nathan's surprise, Andrew walked over to him and laid his hand on his shoulder with a huge grin across his face."Don't worry, Nate! We don't blame you for this. Remember, we're best friends! Even when things get tough we will remain by your side!"
Sindy also stood and nodded in approval, "Remember, we held onto you because we wanted to. It was our choice because we cared. And even if we could go back in time, I would do the same thing all over again if it meant staying by your side..!"
Nathan felt as if he wanted to cry. He was reminded once again of how amazing his friends were.
"Thank you, both... That means more to me than you can ever imagine..."Alondo then clapped his hands to regain their attention. He didn't wish to ruin the moment but he had a lot of work to attend to.
"Sorry to ruin the moment but welcome to The Mind World! Since you're already here, I'd like to give you an offer to work for Assassins Agency. Of course, I don't expect you all to decide immediately. It's been a long day for you so I'll leave you to rest. Just provide me with an answer by morning."
Alondo then gave one last wave before leaving the three friends inside the infirmary to get some rest."He's kinda cool for a captain," expressed Andrew.
"For sure," agreed Nathan.
Following this, the friends proceeded to clean themselves in a nearby bathroom before getting some rest. Little did they know that the days ahead would not be pleasant.
Nathan, Sindy, and Andrew were all patiently waiting for Alondo to return. His proposal from the previous night was the only thing that they could think about. They still knew so little about the Mind World, yet they were already being offered a seemingly complex job."So, what do you guys think about the captain's proposal..?" Asked Nathan."I don't know... I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm sure he'll explain when he gets here," replied Sindy, playing with her dead smartphone."Man, our phones are the only thing we have to remind us of the Real World, huh?" Queried Andrew with a topic change."Sadly, they don't even work anymore. They malfunction as soon as we even try to turn them on..." Complained Nathan bitterly.A sudden knock then pierced the ears of the three friends interrupting their conversation."May I come in?" Asked a familiar voice from behind the door."Yeah, come on in," prompted Nathan.The door then
After finishing breakfast, Andrew, Sindy, and Nathan arrived at the training room with the aid of their new phones.Upon arriving, they noticed it was filled with many dome-shaped structures that seemed to be used for training purposes. The domes had glass ceilings and white metallic walls that were aesthetically pleasing to the eyes."So these are the newbie assassins Alondo told me about..!" Suddenly exclaimed a cool deep voice from behind. "...The girl looks like an annoying brat, the blonde kid looks dumb, and that last one is a twig..."The friends then turned around to see a tall muscular man around his early thirties. He wore dark sunglasses with a huge cigarette perched against his lips. He had a slightly shaved beard, black spiky hair with faded sides, an army-green jacket with camouflage pants, and big leather boots."Uh— who are you..?" Asked Sindy curiously.Instead of responding, the man rudely placed his massive hand on top of Nat
Sindy was almost unable to avert her eyes. She keenly watched as Nathan changed into his new AA uniform for the mission. Over the past month of intense training, Nathan had been working hard and the had results began to show on his body. He had abs developing on his stomach, his chest was much firmer, and his arms were just the perfect size. It was almost a miracle how much he had transformed over such a short period."What's wrong, princess? You seem lost all over Nate's body," teased Andrew to Sindy."Shut up Andrew..! I just spaced out a little...""I bet you're spacing out in more than one way in that head of yours... Hehe..."Sindy then picked up her bag and began to walk out of the room. She didn't know why, but recently she started becoming extremely frustrated whenever Andrew teased her about Nathan."Just mind your own business..."Sindy knew Andrew was just trying to look out for her in his own silly way but she did not need it. Inst
Both Sindy and Andrew were barely holding on. Their enemy, whom they referred to as the, Beast Controller was very powerful. They now understood what Instructor Brady had meant when he had warned them about being overconfident. Their enemy was a very powerful opponent."Aagh!!" Screamed Andrew in pain— a solid kick had landed in his stomach almost tossing him into a nearby wall."Andrew, are you okay?!" Asked Sindy worriedly."Yeah... He managed to land a hit on me but I managed to block it just in time. It's just the knockback that hurt..."The Beast Controller grinned like a maniac with a red metal scythe placed calmly on his shoulder. He was of medium complexion with dark brown eyes, shaggy black hair, and a nasty scar present on his right cheek. He also wore a tattered brown cloak which had just made him look even crazier."Are you kid's done already? That's a shame because I'm just getting started!" He laughed."Who the hell are y
Approximately one minute before Nathan arrived to fight the Beast King..."What's your name?" Asked Nathan to the little girl."M-my name is, Rosie...""Okay Rosie, my name is Nathan. I'm going to leave you right here in this small alleyway. It's not easy to find so you should be safe. Stay here and don't come out until I come back to get you, okay?""N-no! That's what my parents said and they didn't come back! Please, don't leave me too!!""I promise that I'll come back. I won't leave you nor allow anyone to hurt you. You've got my word! Heroes never break their promises."Nathan then smiled warmly before extending his pinkie towards Rosie, "Pinkie promise, okay?""Okay!" She smiled. "Pinkie promise!"Rosie was now feeling a sense of reassurance from Nathan's words. She believed that he would return to help her as he promised, "Where are you going?"Nathan's face then hardened as he answered;"I'm going to he
Nathan sat on his bed staring blankly through the infirmary window. A third plate of breakfast remained beside him untouched for the third day. The battle against the Beast King had left him broken in many ways.His face was pale and bags sat underneath his eyes. He hadn't slept or eaten since the mission.Sindy and Andrew were also left in a depressing state. Thankfully, they weren't nearly as bad as Nathan."It's been three days and he hasn't even uttered a word, Andrew... He doesn't eat, sleep, or talk to anyone..! I-I don't know what I'm supposed to do for him!" Cried, Sindy."I'm sure he'll be fine eventually, princess!" Said Andrew with a smile. "Just give him some time and he'll be back to normal before you know it!""I don't understand how you can be so optimistic after what happened... After we were knocked unconscious, that monster killed everyone in the village... He didn't even spare the children!"Andrew then gave a short laug
The day had arrived for the high-ranking mission. After speaking with Alondo, Sindy had managed to gain permission to take part in the dangerous mission. Her main goal was to find out what Andrew was planning and put a stop to it before it was too late.She tied her hair into a ponytail, equipped her gear, and sheathed her knives by her side. She felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she thought about what the day could bring.Instructor Brady's words had dug her from the emotional grave she had found herself in and it was now her turn to do the same for Andrew.If Instructor Brady's theory was correct then Andrew was lost in his search for vengeance. On the contrary, Nathan was lost in his failures, unable to move on.Sindy had realized how pain could be interpreted in many ways. Some might seek revenge, some might strive to prevent the same mistake from repeating, and others would sulk in their failures, unable to move on. It
The team had arrived at Mind Mountain after just a fifteen-minute flight by jet. During the journey, Samantha had been taking unpleasant glances at Sindy, not being afraid to showcase her dislike. However, Sindy was far too busy observing Andrew to notice. She was still very much worried about him."Okay, listen up everyone..." Began Amanda. "This mission is highly dangerous. We're up against two powerful commanders from the Cliques. Naturally, we shouldn't engage them in any form of combat since we're far weaker than them. This is why I've devised a plan to rescue our target without engaging the commanders."Amanda then took a digital map from her pocket. She then proceeded to point at areas across the map as she began her explanation."Firstly, I'll use my Cloning Art to create multiple copies of myself and have them wait on standby. Next, I want Leo to use his Illusion Art to create a fake explosion in the distance. Naturally, one of the commanders should mov