Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Walking the path
Cloud 9. I tried to absorb it all in, but it was a little too much for me to swallow. Was this a dream? Was I really alive? I didn't know. There was a part of me that wanted to break, a part of me that wanted to freak out and scream. But I didn't. I stayed calm for two main reasons: One, there was no good that would come out of going insane. And two, this world undoubtedly fascinated me. Cloud 9. Back on Earth, it was one of those old expressions; an idiom to describe a place of Nirvana, a place of delight. So far, this world lived up to that expectation. However, the way Mia carried around a weapon, mentioning Targets, as well as poking fun at my jacket, gave me the indication that this place wasn't all as heavenly as it seems. It could be the exact opposite, for all I know.

I learned a lot about this dimensional world - something I was starting to believe was real. I mean if I was dreaming, there was no way I would've come up with something so vivid, so deep in plot, or so life-like in my own imagination. And if I was dead, well; I just hoped that I wasn't. Every detail and explanation Mia had told me during our walk out of the forest only convinced me more that this was an actual place. This was Cloud 9, whatever Cloud 9 may hold. I tried to remember everything, some I understood and others I couldn't comprehend, but somehow still made sense. "Cloud 9 was created by the Divine Soul," Mia had said. "The Divine Soul is powerful and life-giving, often referred to as Minas. On Cloud 9, everyone universally knows the term; which translates to 'The One'. One day, Minas decided to blanket the empty endless skies with new life, and so the Divine Soul made our world. With Minas' divine power, large islands of land float in the sky and never fall from the clouds. Every now and then, new clusters of land appear, believed to be created by the Divine Soul. The special thing about Fiefa is that it's not only the largest floating continent to date, but is also the first land of the originators of Cloud 9." I told Mia about my beliefs on Earth and of how it was very similar to Cloud 9's Minas. Explaining my religious beliefs that I had, I told her how I believe that my world was also created by the one and only God. At once, another topic of interest began. One that was actually very meaningful for me to know. "Actually, that reminds me," she said as she tilted her head in what I assumed to be her thinking stance. "That story about Earth that I heard before... It did mention something about sharing the same Divine Soul. I think." "Wait, these stories... About Earth... That means your world is aware of its existence?!" I asked with force. "Well, no? I mean yes? I mean, everyone who listened to these stories, erh, THAT story about Earth believed that it was just fictional. You know, a made up place. It's kind of why I'm a bit of shocked by the fact you keep telling me that you're actually from there! Does that mean it's real?" "Yes, it's real! That's where I come from, that's where I live!" "Are you sure? How do I not know that you never heard that fable before & you're just pretending to be from 'Earth'?" I gave her a solemn look. An are-you-serious-right-now type of expression on my face. Then, I simply answered "I fell from the damn sky." "Oh yeah! I've never seen or heard of that happening before but..." We looked at each other and she began to scan me from head to toe. She looked into my eyes, which made me feel tension, but she suddenly pulled her gaze away to something else. "I believe you." "Really?" I asked. "I mean, yeah you should! But why?" "Well, I don't know you THAT well, but I do know that you're a nice guy. I also know that logically speaking, it would make sense, based on why I can't categorize you into any of the types of people on C9. Plus, you're my friend now," she smiled. "And friends stick together! Right?" I suddenly felt a sense of closeness & belonging. Like I always said, there was something about her that made her pop out. Mia made me feel like I had someone I could count on, at least for the time being. "Of course," I answered. "Friends always stick together." We smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable with one another. "Mia, where did these stories of Earth come from?" I asked. "It's not 'these' stories, it's 'that' story, gosh how many times do I have to tell you?!" "What's the big difference?" "You're so funny when you're clueless Gabe." She joked around. "There was only one story ever told about Earth." "Then, who told the story?" She stood silent, stared at me & then pointed at my direction. "What?! Me?!" "Hehe! Just joking!" Mia giggled out loud. "You should've seen your face! Oh my gosh you're so--" "Just tell me!" I harassed. "Alright, sorry sorry," the little joker blushed. "Well, the person who told the story was Odalvi. An elderly male around his 50s. Not just any ordinary person I might add; he is the founder of the Magic Class. Oh, but keep in mind that I heard of his story a couple years ago so..." "You have to take me to him" I demanded. "I need to speak to Odalvi." "You can't!" Mia grabbed my arm with both of her hands as I began to walk at a much faster speed. "Why can't I?" I asked. "It's not safe for you to travel, especially like this" She said. "And most of all, you aren't classified! Before anything, I need to first help you figure out your identity in this world. As long as you're on C9, you're going to have to be classified under something to keep a record of who you are." "Where can I get classified?" "At the Town Central Palace. We're almost there; there's a direct entrance from Cedar Forest I." Mia explained. "When we get there, I'll show you around and teach you the basics at the market, plus we need to create your Identity Card. Being part of the Commons is--" "I want to enlist as a Target." I told her straightforward. "I don't want to be a Common, I want to learn how to become a Target." Mia gave me a look - either a look of confusion or a look of amazement. Something inside me leaned towards the idea that she was surprised, but intrigued at the same time. "Okay, if you're really up to it" she smiled. "But, you're going to help me with the process of being one right?" I asked. I had no idea how to become a target, nor the fundamentals and areas of focus that I needed to be aware of. "Of course," she said proudly. "That's what friends are for."