Dreamworlds 3: Friends and Comrades

By Victory Low

Why am I here?

Colin finds himself caught in uncertainty. Before it is too late, he Journeys to seek the truth of what Travelers do and his purpose in Nakama World. This means entering the place he so longs to enter... the place he so fears to enter... The Forest of Legends itself.

But meanwhile, the Green Men, pressured and tired of doing things the slow and nice way, decide to move in force.

And Colin discovers places in Nakama World that seem to bend the very rules of that Dreamworld, places that even the strongest Travelers fear to tread.

And worst of all, things are about to get complicated with a certain girl...

(Dreamworlds 1-8 Cover Art recombined, edited, adjusted, and otherwise tampered with by permission from the artist who drew the originals; Melissa Wullur)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victory Low
• Release date: Oct 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465745866

Victory Low

Loves martial arts, performing arts, anime, manga, sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy and theology.Really likes to think ahead.Doesn't believe in 'dumbing things down for kids'.Mixed Chinese and based in Malaysia, a land of many cultures and all that comes with multi-racial communities.Currently serving as Vice Principal in SCM, ordained Pastor of LRCM with a Master's in Ministry.

Book preview

Friends and Comrades

Dreamworlds 3

Why am I here?

Colin finds himself caught in uncertainty.

Before it is too late, he Journeys to seek the truth of what Travelers do and his purpose in Nakama World.

This means entering the place he so longs to enter... the place he so fears to enter… The Forest of Legends itself.

But time has run out. The Green Men, pressured and tired of doing things the slow and nice way, decide to move in force.

Meanwhile, Colin discovers places in Nakama World that seem to bend the very rules of that Dreamworld, places that even the strongest Travelers fear to tread.

And worst of all, things are about to get complicated with a certain girl…

Friends and Comrades

Dreamworlds 3

Victory Low

Copyright 2011 by Victory Low

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Table of Contents

(Tap links below for shortcut to chapter, tap chapter headers to return here)

Prologue

Phase 27: The fourth night begins

Phase 28: Rescuing Squirrels

Phase 29: Questions and missions

Phase 30: Asking Questions At Riverside

Phase 31: In the shade of the forest trees

Phase 32: Forest Village

Phase 33: Sonia

Phase 34: Jijin

Phase 35: Redecoration

Phase 36: The fifth night begins

Phase 37: Purpose

Interlude

Phase 38: Knighting

Phase 39: Farm Wars III

Phase 40: After Farm Wars III

Phase 41: Lines of communication

Phase 42: Chasm of the Wind

Phase 43: About the Green Men

Phase 44: Different Paths

Phase 45: Flights

Phase 46: J-Knights Counterattack

Phase 47: Ruin

Phase 48: Goodbyes

Epilogue

People

Colin (Me / Traveler)

Katrin (J-Knight / Farmgirl)

Gave me Raiki to save me from the Green Men.

Jonah (Traveler), Alicia (Traveler), Larry (Traveler)

These three go everywhere together and don’t like me.

Rita (Traveler)

Likes to talk a lot when she gets excited.

Henry (Traveler. Satrox’s brother)

Got caught by the Green Men and can’t remember it.

Phillip (Traveler)

The eighth guy who’s being hunted by Green Men.

Satrox (J-Knight / Breeder. Henry’s brother)

Taught me a lot and asked me to join the Justice Knights.

Michi (Scientist Breeder)

Gave me Shiro, taught me lots and helped save me too.

Edward (Farmer)

Gave me a room to stay on his farm.

Comrades

Shiro (White Wolfcat Cub)

Command Type, Sonic/Direct

Raiki (Dark Blue Stormcat Cub)In recovery

Long-range attacker, Sonic/Electric

Fireheart (Red Panther Cub)

Front-line attacker, Direct/Fire

Rall (Light Brown Honey Bear Juvenile)

Front-line defender, Direct/Earth

Bubba (Light Blue Bubblesaur Hatchling)In recovery

Long-range defender, Water/Earth

Meek (Orange Common Lynxmouse Adult) Pregnant

Scavenger, Food-hunter and looter, Direct/Geo

Warc (Blue-beaked Rainduck Adult)

Air Scout, waters plants and lay eggs, Water/Wind

Prologue

Wow. Colin said. "This is my room?!"

He was looking in on it with Katrin and Farmer Edward. He brushed a hand through short brown hair as he turned to them, equally brown eyes alive with amazement.

Farmer Edward nodded, making his floppy hat slip over his brow. Katrin grinned at Colin from farther behind, green eyes shining. She pushed back loose black hair from her face. Like it?

Colin’s new room was spacious. It was on the first floor, looking out toward the barns. It had two rows of four windows each.

Until now, Colin hadn’t even looked at his room… but when he got to Green Badge, most of the badge’s new functions had to do with a Home Base.

This looks huge. Colin said.

Remember, your Home Base room is not just for you to rest in. It’s for all your Comrades too. Edward said. Tap your badge and say you want to register this room as your Home Base.

Colin did just that. His Green Badge swept a beam of green light all over the room, and then glowed a while. Edward got an auto-call offering him a report when he took it, and he pressed a space marked ‘approve’.

It’s done. This is your Base, now. Edward told him.

Are you sure you want to give me this much space?

You’ll need it. Edward said. This can take maybe twenty Comrades, if you have them share Habitats. If they all have their own Habitat, then I think ten is the most you’ll be able to fit. If you want more space, well, we’ll have to renovate.

Yip. Shiro moved in cautiously, sniffing the air. The little white wolfcat pawed the solid wood floor, then pounced forward at nothing, as if testing his footing.

Mew. Raiki put one paw on the wall. The blue kitten then put her ear to it as if listening.

Mik. Meek, the Lynxmouse, went straight to the window and looked outside.

Wuark. Warc, the Rainduck, flew over to join her.

Rawrl. Rall said. The Honey Bear that was half as large as Colin simply ambled over to the corner in front of them and settled down.

Colin looked at his two newest Comrades, Fireheart and Bubba.

Fireheart, the Red Panther, was half as large as Rall, but a good deal thinner. She looked around the place with intense eyes, then slowly walked in to the exact center of the room.

Bubba was a Bubblesaur (blue-green dinosaur with a short neck and a very round head), just a bit larger than Fireheart. He had only just joined Colin. He had been excited earlier, but had become a quiet after officially bonding him. Right now, he looked rather lost.

That sort of thing happened when Comrades were transferred. Even though Bubba had wanted to go with Colin, and Edward had allowed it, being given away by his Dreamer had its own effects on the Bubblesaur.

Bubba, like Raiki, would need time and care to recover… and this room was the best place for him to recover in.

Colin picked up the Bubblesaur in both arms and said, Come on in, Bubba. We’re making this our home base.

Bubba. Bubba replied, nervously.

Bubblesaurs like warm and wet habitats, I was told. Edward said. Like a steamy swamp.

Is something like that even possible? Colin asked.

Well… Edward scratched his head. Maybe a hot water bottle?

Colin sighed. Maybe I’ll get one next time I go to market.

Oh, that reminds me… I haven’t paid you for your work and the stuff you brought us. Farmer Edward handed Colin a pouch. There’s a thousand Clira in there, all told.

Uh… thanks. Colin said, frowning. That should help me get this room started. Rall, Meek, unload the backpacks. We’ll store our food in here.

Bears and Lynxmice prefer cave-like habitats… dark and cosy. Edward went on. Wolfcats and cats go for caves or treetops. Ducks go for water.

Colin shook his head. I should get a warm water bath on one side and a cave on the other. That would solve everything.

It would, if your Comrades were all willing to share. I’m not sure if they are, though. You’ll have to find out for yourself. Edward said.

Thanks, Farmer Edward. Colin said.

Edward shook his head. Call me ‘Ed’, like Katrin does. Any other questions?

Colin thought about that. Actually, yes. Can I bring some hay in here?

Hay? Edward blinked.

Yeah. It would be perfect for Meek’s Habitat.

***

Katrin went with him to the barn and helped him carry loads to hay to his new base. As they made their fifth round, their alarms went off.

It’s time to Wake Up. Katrin said, regretfully.

Right. Colin sighed. He looked around. You know, I think there’s actually enough hay in the room already. We might as well take a break.

It had been a long day. Colin and Katrin lay back on either side of the haystack, stretching out in the cosy shade of the barn, surrounded by relaxing animals.

Katrin spoke first. Colin?

Hmm? he murmured.

What are you going to do tomorrow night?

Colin stretched. First, I should go get my clothes back.

He was still wearing Farmer Edward’s spare clothes. His own were hanging to dry on the fence outside. White t-shirt, brown vest, blue jeans.

Then?

Then I’m going to get habitats for my Comrades… and find out what Traveling is really about. Colin told her.

Traveling…? she blinked.

Satrox told me that the Journey we are on is actually to reach somewhere. I want to find out more. I’m here for a reason, Katrin. I need to know what it is. Colin said, his voice sounding serious and far away.

Before it’s too late.

Phase 27: The fourth night begins

Dreamworlds is a psionic network that links the dreams of billions of people.

Colin is a Dreamer, like Katrin and Edward. Every night, Dreamers put on the Dreamworlds Headband when they go to sleep and share their Dreams with each other in Dreamworlds.

Tonight, Colin and friends Dream in Nakama World, a Dreamworld where animals become the Comrades of humans. Comrades help Dreamers with all sorts of things, but are especially important to Travelers like Colin, who faces many dangers like Wild animals.

Colin has gone through his third night in Nakama World… and it is now time to Wake Up.

***

Colin Rivers opened his eyes to find himself in the real world, lying on his bed with the Dreamworlds headband on.

Well, that’s that. Colin said, getting up.

He half expected to hear Shiro say ‘Yip!’ in reply, and was a bit sad when he didn’t hear it. Colin glanced around his room in the real world and sighed.

Of course Shiro wasn’t here. This was the real world, not the Dreamworld called Nakama World.

Colin! Breakfast! Mom called.

Yeah. Colin said. Coming.

***

Breakfast. School. Lunch. Homework. Revision. Following his family to the mall where Mom and Gracie (Colin’s younger sister) usually went shopping. All of those things passed by in a blur for him.

Colin bought cans of tuna in real life and wished he could take them to Nakama World. All his Comrades liked fish.

He went to bed immediately after dinner and a shower.

Good night, kids! Dad said. See you in Dreamworlds, or something.

Very funny. Colin almost never saw any of them in Nakama World.

Good night. Colin said, whether or not they heard him.

He put on the Dreamworlds Headband, went to sleep, and opened his eyes to find himself back in Edward’s barn.

I’m back. Colin grinned.

Yip! Shiro wagged his tail right beside him.

***

Colin heard Katrin’s voice on the other side of the Haystack. For goodness’ sake, you guys, stop making it sound like the end of the world!

He peered over and saw her talking into her watch.

Someone else’s voice came over the comms channel. Kat, you know what it’s capable of! We have to move, NOW!

Maggie, calm down! So it’s killed two yellow-badge Travelers. Big deal. Katrin groaned. She turned around and saw Colin. She smiled.

Kat, we gotta do this together. A guy’s voice said. We’ll meet you at the Ants Nest. Between us, we’ll put that Frenzied down once and for all!

No need for that. Katrin shook her head. Listen, Foxtrot, Maggie, relax. It’s just a squirrel. Leave it to me.

Colin scratched his head as Katrin cut the link and sighed. Those two…

Colin remembered Satrox’s opinion of ‘those two’. Foxtrot wouldn’t know Scarlet if she waved a banner in his face and Maggie would be eaten for supper…

But Colin frowned. Whatever Satrox said, the two were experienced Justice Knights. If they were worried about this, maybe they had good reason.

What exactly were you talking about? Colin asked.

Frenzied. Katrin said. A Wild that got a taste of killing people. This one’s a Command-type Flying Squirrel.

A Command-type…? Colin stared. Then…

It’s got friends. Katrin confirmed. The report said a few hundred, but I think it’s just two or three. I can handle it.

Maybe. Colin frowned. But you’re new at this, right? Those two have experience in this sort of thing. Maybe they have reason to be scared.

Maybe. Katrin said, doubtfully. Should I call them in?

Nah. You already told them to leave it to you. Colin said. But I can come along just in case.

Katrin grinned. Then, she frowned. Colin… last night, you said you wanted to Travel and find out what Traveling was for, before it was too late. What do you mean, ‘too late’?

Colin stopped. He just stood there for a few seconds before answering. Katrin… I have a room now, and I need to fill it with habitats, right?

Yeah. That’s normal. Katrin said, still not sure what he was saying.

But I’m a Traveler, remember? I’m supposed to Travel, aren’t I? Colin sounded troubled. I’m doing more and more things for the farm and then Satrox wants me to join the J-Knights…

I think you should join too. Katrin agreed.

But what does it all mean? If I join the knights, if I stay on the farm… I won’t be able to go anywhere. I won’t be able to really Travel. I don’t even know where I’m supposed to go.

Katrin nodded. I know, that’s why you’re going to find out. But why the hurry? Why say ‘before it’s too late’?

Colin frowned. It’s… hard to explain. But I have to do this now, or else I might never go.

Katrin came up to him then. Then… is it really okay for you to come with me?

Colin nodded. I think that’s okay.

Katrin smiled again. Then let’s go.

***

Edward met them as they left the barn and waved. Are you ready, you two?

Ready for what? Colin blinked.

Have you forgotten already?! Edward stared. Farm Wars! Our special training game!

Now?! Colin stared. But…

Ed, I have a mission. Colin wants to come along. Can you wait until we get back? Katrin asked.

A mission? Edward frowned. Where?

East Sunshine Forest. Katrin answered. A squirrel’s gone Frenzied and killed two yellow-badges.

Ah. Justice Knight work. Edward nodded. I can wait. There’s stuff to do around here meanwhile. But maybe I should come along…

Katrin laughed. It’s just a squirrel.

True… squirrels in the East Sunshine Forest should be easy for a Green Badge like you. Edward agreed. You should be fine. It’s just… well… I’m going to be bored.

Katrin laughed. Sorry, Ed. We’ll try to hurry back.

Edward nodded, and waved as they ran off to get ready.

***

Katrin brought Velvet, Streak (brown and white weasel), White-tail (flying squirrel) and Spray (watergull).

Colin figured Spray would be enough for a scout, so he left Warc