Todd! Where are you? You know what? Let's end the game. It's almost nightime and I'm getting tired already,Alice yelled. So soon? Todd said in surprise at how fast time flew as he crept out of his hiding spot. I was hoping to win this round after your endless winning streak. He paused to look at the purple-orange hue the sky gave as the sun set. "You know we sneaked out to the one place we were warned not to go. If our mothers find out we are not home we would be in trouble", Alice said in a serious tone. Alright then, the last person to get home is a rotten egg" , Todd said as he dashed off into the distance. Wait for me! , Alice said panting as she struggled to keep up with him.
As they approached the gates of the orphanage, they saw the other children heading towards the dinning hall for dinner. "Hurry, before we get caught", Alice said to Todd as they quickly joined the queue. Tonight's dinner wasn't different from the rest. They would move in long queues with their trays in hand. After that, their mothers would lead them to say the grace, they would then tell the children stories of what lies in the evil forest and beyond, cautioning them not to step outside of the gate. " As if they could", Todd overheard Alice mumbling to herself. It looked like they were constantly being brainwashed and programmed to follow protocols and keep away from the forest. Alice and Todd gave a knowing look at each other and giggled.After dinner was done, the two friends said their goodbyes and moved to their rooms.
As Todd laid back in his bed recounting all he did today, his game with Alice and devising how he would win tomorrow's games,a thought struck him. " What lies beyond the forest?" He said. "Why do our mothers warn us consistently about not going deep into the forest? I guess tomorrow I would have to ask Alice". His train of thoughts was broken by the mechanical sounds of the gates closing. This time he intentionally made it a point to sleep ,since he was usually robbed off his sleep due to his endless world of thoughts and questions he needed answers to.
Later that night as he was asleep something strange happened to him. "Where am I? How am I seeing my own body?", Todd said. "Is this a dream?" Suddenly he was jerked into an unknown place. The place gave a gloomy and eerie look. He then heard a voice in his head. Todd! Todd! , "Wait, am I getting crazy?" He shook his head to drive away the voice. "Todd!" The voice came again, this time sounding a bit annoyed. "When do you intend letting me out of your world of thoughts?" said the voice. " So I am not mad." ,said Todd. "Of course you're not, dumbass." The voice retorted. " Then can you explain how I came out of my body? Or am I dead?" " Huh, we have a long way to go?" The voice said with a sigh. " Todd listen to me carefully, there's something important you must know. I do not have much time left. The voice paused before continuing. "A time came, when there was a cosmic war. A war between the gods and the abominations". The voice caught the questioning glimpse on Todd's face. " What do you mean by abominations?" Todd interrupted. " Abominations were the grosteque creatures which sprouted from the evil desires of the gods Xanus and his sister Reeba , in their attempt to conquer the universe. This war went on for millennia till the gods were left to their demise. However the abominations survived and were scattered in many portals.. The remnant energies from the gods rippled across the universe.This led to the phenomenon of people acquiring magic and supernatural abilities. The quests to end the abominations have long ago started. It is now your turn. Todd, you must find yourself and save the world. You are our only hope" The voice grew faint till it disappeared. Suddenly Todd jolted back into his body and found himself in bed once again. He tried touching himself to see if he was still in his trance or that's what he thought it was. " What was all that about? What did he mean by I must find myself and save the world?" He got more confused of what happened and found himself immersed in his world of thoughts till he was interrupted by the chirping of birds.
" It's morning already" Todd said . That was strange, he continued mumbling to himself as he prepared himself and headed towards Alice's room. As the two followed their own little routine, Alice could sense Todd's absentmindedness. "Todd, you seem awfully quiet today. Or are you still sulking about your loss in yesterday's game. " Are you even listening to me?", Alice said after numerous attempts in getting his attention. Todd kept thinking about what happened last night till he felt a sharp bump on his head." Ouch, that hurts. Where you talking to me?, he stammered . I'm sorry, I didn't have much sleep yesterday." " It's obvious, seeing you all immersed in your thoughts. What happened last night?" Alice said.