Chapter 4: A Dream
Bright sunlight filtered through the sky. White patches of fluffy clouds were sporadically, streaming forth the, vast and endless blues.
On the ground green meadows and fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Various crops were growing in the these fields further enhancing the beauty of this scene. On the mud track that seemed to cut through this field of green, two small silhouettes could be seen running, one behind the other.
"Stop running so fast!", on of the figures said.
The person who spoke this was a little girl. She had dark shoulder width hair and pair of bright lustrous eyes. Her eyes were blue in color and shined brightly similar to sapphires. She was wearing a blue frock and was chasing after a little boy running in front of her.
"Keep up or we are going to miss the train", the boy ahead shouted.
He had black hair and pair of pitch dark eyes, carrying a trace of childish innocence. He was wearing a dark red t-shirt and black pants.
Both of them around 9 years old. The girl was slightly taller than the boy.
"Hurry up!", the boy urged the little girl.
Both of them ran for the while, when they caught site of the train. It was arriving at the station.
"Crap! We got to run faster.", the boy said as he reached in to pull the girl's hand
Both of them ran at their top speeds, as they just made it in time before the doors closed.
"We made it!", the girl exclaimed as she heaved short breaths.
"If we had not ran all the way here. we would have definitely missed the train.", said the boy panting.
"Geez fine. Stop nagging,", replied the girl.
Both of them paid for their tickets in an electronic counter and made their way to empty seats and occupied their respective position. The train continued on its journey, with the surroundings rapidly moving. After an hour, the train finally came to a stop before a large town.
"Mag-lev trains, sure are impressive. No matter how many times I travel in it, it never fails to amaze me.", exclaimed the boy, carefully getting off the train.
"Uh-uh!", the girl nodded her head.
They then made their way through the streets before they came to a stop. Before them was a large building. It walls were faded and slightly cracked, showing the lack of proper maintenance. On it's entrance hung a signboard reading the word "Orphanage".
The duo made their way into the building and came to a stop before the large counter. There was young, beautiful lady sitting behind the counter. She was seemingly doing something and didn't notice the two as they came in.
"Um, Excuse me.", the boy spoke up softly. His voice so soft that even the girl standing next to him didn't hear him.
The attendant did not respond.
"Excuse me, Madam.", this time the little girl spoke up.
The attendant looked over and saw the two children. Her eyes focused on their faces and she recognized them. With a slight smile she spoke up.
"If it isn't you two again.", she said.
"Umm Miss Dorothy, did the orphanage receive any news?", the boy asked hesitantly.
The smile on Miss Dorothy's face suddenly turned bitter. Carefully weighing her words she gradually spoke.
"I'm sorry Lucius, but there was no news on your parents.", she said bitterly.
The boy's face turned ashen, he slowly nodded and started walking outside. The girl on his left also followed him out.
Seeing the two children leave, Miss Dorothy sighed.
"What a poor child.", she said sourly and continued with her work.
Outside, Lucius stood still, facing the road. The girl also stood quietly next to him. Neither of them spoke for a while. Seeing the silent boy, the girl slowly spoke up.
"You don't have to be too sad Lucius, after all you have me and my dad. We will stay with you", the little girl said slowly not knowing how to comfort him. Her tone innocent and gaze firm.
The boy suddenly looked up and said, "You are right. I do have you and Uncle."
"Race you to the station", he continued and took off
The girl suddenly startled by his reaction chased after him.
"Wait! That's cheating.", she said loudly.
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'What was that dream', Lucius thought to himself.
His mind still utterly calm. There wasn't a single fluctuation in his emotions
'Who was that girl and why was she calling my name?', he continued pondering.
'Oh right, I was in a fight with that guy and his two lackeys. I passed out in the last moment', he realized suddenly.
Slowly opening his eyes, he was hit with a flash of bright, white light.
"Too bright", he squinted his eyes.
Waiting for a few seconds his eyes slowly adjusted to the light in the surroundings. Opening his eyes fully, he saw that he was lying in a bed next to some electronic instruments. He was wearing a white one-piece gown. He could smell the faint smell of medications in the air.
'It seems I am in a hospital. Looks like someone did come at the end there.', he analyzed.
Thinking back, he carefully recalled the person who came back then.
'It was a human female, I couldn't see her features clearly. It seems she doesn't have any evil intentions towards me.', he continued
Lucius then tried moving his left arm and his two legs. Surprisingly, they worked quite well. His strength had also restored quite a bit.
All the broken bones and torn muscles had completely healed.
Focusing his senses he heard a familiar sound. A constant electronic beeping was heard in the background. It was a huge machine filled with a special kind of blue liquid. It's mechanical steel body gave off a cold feeling.
'A medpod.', Lucius thought to himself.
Suddenly he heard the sound of footsteps. As he turned over he saw a young girl walking over to him. She had long black hair and a pair of blue eyes. She was quite tall for a girl and had a well proportioned build. She seemed to be 18 or 19 years of age. She was very beautiful and was quite a head turner. Seeing that he was wake, she hurried over to his bed.
Seeing the girl come close, Lucius felt an odd sense of familiarity. His pupils suddenly shrunk at this feeling.
'Doesn't she look like that little girl in my dream. I wonder if that's why she seems familiar. But why don't I recall anything about her.'
Before Lucius crossed over, as a result of the ritual, he was 317 years of age. Lucius tried hard to recall in his memories, but couldn't find anything related to her. Ever since he had seen her, Lucius' heart had been beating irregularly. It was the result of an anxiousness that he couldn't exactly pinpoint.
Seeing that she was almost next to him, Lucius' suppressed his thoughts. He was back to his signature cold and emotionless state.
"Lucius, are you alright? Do you feel pain anywhere?", the girl asked in concern.
"Those bastards Luther and his two lackeys have gone too far. They actually hurt a student to this extent.", she shouted indignantly.
Her voice was pleasant and quite nice to hear.
"Oh and what happened back there. When I arrived, two of those brutes were seriously injured and unconscious. Not to mention you and that bastard Luther.", she continued.
'Seems like she doesn't know what happened. She did not even consider the possibility that I might have injured them. I have to continue this conversation', Lucius thought.
"They were threatening me, when a stranger suddenly arrived and got into an argument with them. I don't know what happened after that as I passed out.", Lucius said calmly.
"Oh! Did you see how he looked like?", the girl questioned.
"No", Lucius replied.
"That's weird. Well they deserve it for what they did to you..", she said.
"Indeed they deserve it. Anyway, what is the date today?", Lucius questioned.
"You don't know?", the girl suddenly looked up and stared at Lucius in a weird manner.
Seeing this reaction, Lucius inwardly cursed, 'Seems like I messed up with that question'.
"Well, since I was unconscious earlier, I want to know the exact time and day.", Lucius answered cautiously.
"Oh so that's it. It's currently 6:30 in the evening on the 23rd of August 2320 IGE", she replied as she pointed to the holograhic display on her watch.
Hearing this Lucius' pupils shrunk.' IGE, Inter-Galactic Era, That too 2320? I went back 300 years?!', Lucius' mind was utterly chaotic after hearing this information.
'It wasn't supposed to be this way. I must not have gone this far back.', Lucius tried to analyze calmly,but alas he couldn't remain calm.
'Did she change the coordinates', Lucius' mind suddenly thought of a possibility. The image of the woman in dark gold robes passed through his mind.
"Hey are you really okay? You are acting weird.", Lucius suddenly heard the girl speak up.