Dreamworlds 7: Seasons and Paths

By Victory Low

Things that happen in Dreamworlds... don’t always stay in Dreamworlds.

Comms are down. Prices are up.
Weird things happen at home and in Dreamworlds.
Weird things happen at home -because- of Dreamworlds.

Seasons change. Paths diverge and cross.
Nothing stays the same.
Not Nakama World.
Not the real world.
Not Colin.
Especially not Colin.

(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: Mar 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301781195

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

Seasons and Paths

Dreamworlds 7

Things that happen in Dreamworlds… don’t always stay in Dreamworlds.

Comms are down. Prices are up.

Weird things happen at home and in Dreamworlds.

Seasons change. Paths diverge and cross.

Nothing stays the same.

Seasons and Paths

Dreamworlds 7

Victory Low

Copyright 2013 by Victory Low

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

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

Prologue

Phase 116: The Seventeenth Night

Phase 117: At The Airport

Phase 118: More and more

Phase 119: There and Again

Phase 120: Skycrown Mountain

Phase 121: Preliminaries

Phase 122: Respite

Phase 123: The Mountain’s Tournament of Ascension

Interlude

Phase 124: Choices

Phase 125: The Battle of Skycrown

Phase 126: Descent

Phase 127: Rescues

Epilogue

The Eight

We began on the same night. For some reason, the Green Men are after us… all eight of us.

Colin (Me / J-Knight, Hunter)

Katrin (J-Knight, Detective)

My best friend. Hunted by Green Men also.

Rita (J-Knight, Detective)

Likes to talk a lot when she gets excited.

One of those caught by Green Men and can’t remember it.

Henry (J-Knight, Hunter. Satrox’s brother)

Admires his brother more than anything.

One of those caught by Green Men and can’t remember it.

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

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

Also caught by Green Men, and can’t remember a thing.

Phillip (Traveler)

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

We don’t even know if he’s still on Nakama World.

People of Note on Nakama World

Lynn (Forest Princess)

Rules the Forests. Wants me to do 3 Keys Quest.

Iylara (Ocean Princess)

Rules the Waters. Invited me to care for the seas too, but was annoyed when she discovered Lynn beat her to it.

Casiphia (Mountain Princess)

Rules the Rocks. Has a thing about accurate use of language.

Michi (White Coat Scientist Breeder)

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

May (Traveler)

Satrox and I tried to rescue her, only to discover that her ‘kidnapper’ was actually her mom.

Scarlet (Traveler)

May’s mom. Mistaken for her kidnapper, falsely accused of destroying Hot Sands Village.

The Gardener (Traveler)

Scarlet’s brother. The real culprit behind Hot Sands’ destruction. A much nicer guy than expected.

Comrades

Shiro; My First Comrade, given to me by Michi.

Uses his extreme speed in attacks. Has a stamina shortage.

Independent, smart, and analytical Command type.

Raiki; Katrin’s First Comrade, given to save me.

Powerful long-range attacker.

Usually sits on Kirin and combines attacks with her.

Sonia; Given by Professor Jijin, specially bred.

Short-range skirmisher. Adopted into a Noble family.

Eclipse; Given by Nightwind, her father, Lynn’s Comrade.

Infuses her physical attacks with Shadow power.

Kirin; Given by Rain, her mother, Shinji’s Comrade.

Slow on the attack, but uses Triple Zap technique.

One day, she’ll be huge and can fly us anywhere.

Foxie; Disguised herself in Lamico Home to come with me.

Mischievous, joke-telling long-range attacker.

Cour; Picked out of a crowd of Tames from the ruins of Floras CH, given to Katrin, went Frenzied and was Pardoned back to my care. All-range fire-type attacker.

Prologue

Something was wrong. Way wrong.

All Colin did was ask Mom, Where’s Dad?

And Mom fled. She literally turned around and ran out the door.

Colin sat there in his bed for a moment, completely confused. What? Why…?

Sudden panic pounced on him, and he leapt to his feet. MOM!

Colin ran after her. From the room across the corridor from his, Gracie poked out a sleepy head to blink at her elder brother as he charged through their house after their mother. She had gone back to her room; Colin dashed in before she could close the door behind her, lock him out to hide whatever it was that made her so nervous.

But there was nothing there that shouldn’t be there. Just the normal room and their stuff… and Dad, still asleep.

Colin! Mom gasped. You shouldn’t…

What’s wrong? Colin asked, desperate to know.

Mom didn’t answer, but her gaze turned to the bed.

Colin gulped, spun to look at Dad again, and realized something else.

Dad wasn’t waking up. After all the noise, he didn’t even stir.

Colin poked him. Shook him. Dad? Hello?

Not even a twitch. Dad just started snoring softly. Well, I guess that’s why mom is so worried. But then I was like this too, a few minutes ago. I was dreaming in… a different place. Maybe Dad went after me and he’s still there looking… I wish there was a way to tell him I’m back.

Hey, Dad, I Woke Up already. Colin told him to his face. I hope you can hear me. I’m okay. You can wake up too.

But he didn’t. Dad didn’t wake up.

Mom? Colin? Gracie was at the door.

Mom must have locked it, because Gracie couldn’t get in. She kept trying the door, then knocking, but Mom wasn’t opening it. Not now, Gracie. I need to talk to your brother for a while. Get ready for school.

No fair! Gracie fumed, but she did as Mom said.

Colin stood there, glancing from Mom to Dad, completely baffled. What…

Colin. Mom looked at him seriously now, still worried, but growing steadily more determined. You mustn’t tell your sister about this.

About what? Dad’s just sleeping. Colin said.

Exactly. He’s just… sleeping. Mom straightened. I’ve called some friends over. We’ll take care of him.

Is he sick? Colin asked. I think he’s still in Dreamworlds. I think he’s just… too busy to come back yet.

That’s it. That’s it exactly. Mom said, breathing more easily now. We’re going to move him to a place that will take care of him while he’s like that.

A hospital? Colin guessed.

No, nothing like that. Mom said quickly. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s just busy.

Then where? Colin wanted to know.

We’re taking him to… a center. A DayDreaming Center. Mom said. Kids aren’t usually allowed to go in.

Oh. Colin said. He paused. This is bad, isn’t it? Were you… were you going to send me, too?

Mom hesitated.

He looked her straight in the eye, seriously but steadily. It’s okay, Mom. I know you were worried about me. I couldn’t wake up either, right? That’s why you’re scared, right? But since I woke up… I’m sure Dad would too. I don’t know what DayDreaming is about… but I think Dad is going to be okay. He’s probably still looking for me in that place where I was. That’s why he’s not waking up yet.

Where were you? Mom asked then.

I… I don’t know. Colin admitted. It was… weird. It was like the Dreamworld we were on suddenly fell away and there was another place underneath…

But you got back? Mom asked, intently.

There was a Gate. A Green Gate. Colin said, though he wondered whether Mom could make any sense at all of what he was saying.

Yet she seemed to. I see. Having been reassured, she laid the law down on him. Colin, get breakfast and go to school. If you don’t hurry, you’re going to be late.

Okay. Colin said, and hurried off.

***

They didn’t make it to school in time.

You’re late. Principal Trent marked Colin’s and Gracie’s names down in his palmtop holopad. Short graying hair matched a silver frame clear visor.

My fault. Colin admitted. Gracie would have made it in time.

Litter duty. He said. Dark brown eyes observed him sternly under that visor.

A prefect handed Colin a garbage bag, regarding him with cold blue eyes under straight gold hair. She waved Gracie onward without handing her one.

Colin heaved a sigh, took up the garbage bag and got to work.

There seemed to be quite a few people late today. Among others, Colin recognized spiky-haired Dante, who was no stranger to litter duty, but there was Daryl, the student council president, also late, and also going around picking up trash. There were two librarian girls and believe it not, even the prefect herself ended up picking litter.

Guess I wasn’t the only one who had an eventful night. I doubt any of them had as tough a night as I did, though. Colin didn’t really pay much attention to the others, very much preoccupied with Dad and DayDreaming and that weird place that wouldn’t let them wake up from Dreamworlds.

Principal Trent, on the other hand, looked at all of them picking up rubbish for being late and let out a biggest, heaviest sigh Colin had ever heard.

Okay, that’s it. Dump the bags in the main bin, wash your hands and get to class. Trent ordered after a few minutes. I’m going easy on you guys today, but next time… well, there better not be a next time, got it?

Yeah. Colin thought to himself as he went without saying a word. There really, really had better not be a next time.

***

Things only got worse when they got home.

What are you guys doing here? Colin asked, when he saw them.

Jonah, Alicia, and Larry were in his living room.

They’ve come over to stay. Mom told him. She called. You guys ready?

Ready! Uncle Blake’s voice sounded from above. Colin blinked when he saw him and Uncle Nelson coming down. Jonah’s dad and Alicia’s dad were carrying Colin’s dad down the stairs in a sort of stretcher. They hauled him out to Uncle Nelson’s gravcar.

Take care of him, guys. Mom requested, as they were leaving.

Take care of our kids. Uncle Blake requested in reply.

And you kids, behave yourselves, all right? Uncle Nelson added.

Then the three dads were gone, probably to that DayDreaming center, and Colin was left to deal as reality slowly sank in.

Jonah, Alicia and Larry are going to be staying here…?!

They acted like his friends in front of their dads but were openly his enemies everywhere else. Those three had been Colin’s long-time tormentors since they were introduced to each other in their kindergarten days. Just because their dads were friends, it didn’t mean they got along well. At all.

Mom confirmed his worst fears. Colin, Jonah and Larry will be sharing your room.

WHAT?! Colin burst out.

No ‘buts’! Mom said, and started ordering them around to prepare his and Gracie’s rooms for their guests.

This isn’t fair. Colin fumed. Now he had to share his room with the two boys he’d really rather not see, ever.

The water balloon hit the fan an hour later.

It started when Colin was asked forcefully to help his ‘friends’ put together a bunk bed from newly bought parts. Mom was adamant that he help out his ‘guests’.

His guests weren’t so helpful. Jonah poked him in the lower ribs just as he was about to make a tight twist on the screwkey. The thing went flying exactly when Alicia and Gracie came in the room to check on the boys.

NO! Colin blurted. He made a desperate lunge for the screwkey.

It was a noble effort, one born more of instinct than deliberation, considering the distance he had to cover, the effort he had to make to cover it and most especially considering who it was he attempted to save.

Colin tried anyway. He gave it his very best shot.

But his best failed.

The screwkey bonked Alicia smack dab in the center of her forehead. Alicia’s head tilted back; he could see her open mouth and upper teeth. She went Ack!*

(*Author’s note: This was pronounced like ‘ark’)

And then Colin crashed headlong into her and they went down. OOF!

Gracie let out a short scream of laughter while Mom yelled for him saying, Colin, some girl’s clothes arrived with your name on the purchase receipt… Colin?!

MOMMY! Gracie shrieked in mirth. Alicia is… Colin is…!

Shut up! Colin pounced on her.

Mom came up to see him struggling to cover her mouth and Alicia on the floor behind her. You kids! Stop fighting! Colin, get over here! What’s all these clothes and when did you buy them?!

Colin stared at the box as she opened it. He recognized that white silky blouse, the black skirts+tights, the red hoodie jacket, the cord belts. That’s… last night…

Alicia sat up in a daze and recognized them too. Those are the clothes you bought for me last night.

Gracie exploded with delight. "Colin’s got a girlfriend! Colin’s got a girlfriend! And it’s ALICIA!!!"

Phase 116: The Seventeenth Night

All hell broke loose.

My sister?! Larry gasped.

WHAT?! Jonah was red in the face. NO! She’s MINE!

Alicia flared up. "Since when?! You never even asked me! Who says I’ll ever be with you?"

But… but…! Jonah stared. I thought…

WOW! Gracie jumped. "It’s a love triangle!!"

Mom sighed. I figured this was going to happen sooner or later… kids grow up so fast these days…

Colin spluttered. Wait! It’s not like that! Those clothes…

Those are mine. Alicia dug through them. Oh. But yours are here too.

Really? Colin blinked and found the jeans and t-shirt and fur-collared jacket he’d worn as a disguise yesterday.

Wow, Colin! Did you pick those out? Mom said, impressed.

No, she did… Colin started.

"You went shopping with Alicia?! Gracie squealed. They went on a date!"

Colin choked. What are you…

"Some date that turned out to be." Alicia grimaced.

Don’t make them misunderstand! Colin barked.

Too late. Jonah pounced on Colin and grabbed his collar. YOU! I’ll kill you!

"What, again? Colin thought back to the last time they’d met on Nakama World. I killed you too, remember?"

"I’ll kill you for real!" Jonah grabbed the screwkey.

HEY! Mom shouted and all of them froze. "I’m standing right here!"

Sudden silence fell. Neither Colin nor Jonah dared move a muscle.

I’m so sorry… Alicia told Mom. I can explain.

You! Mom pointed to Colin. Wash the toilets! All of them, and I want them sparkly clean! And you! she pointed at Jonah. Rake the yard! Not a single leaf in sight! You hear me? Not one!

What about me? Larry asked.

Keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t get anywhere near each other! Mom barked, looking frenzied. I’m calling your fathers!

Aunt Mirai… Alicia tugged at her. I…

You girls are coming with me. It’s time we talked.

***

It was three hours later before Gracie finally came to hand Colin the phone.

Judging by Gracie’s disappointed face, Colin guessed that Alicia had done some explaining. He took the call anyway, holding it in his hand facing himself as he pressed the button, wondering what all the fuss was about if the explaining had all been done.

Light shone from the phone, showing a 3-D image of the person on the other side of the line. It was Dad.

DAD?! Colin burst out. What… where… how…?

I’m still in Dreamworlds, using a special comm. Dad told him. I’ve got things I need to settle here. Something came up before I could warn your mom. Sorry about that. But what’s this about Alicia? I thought you were getting together with Katrin.

Colin groaned. No, Dad, we’re just friends. We’re way too young for that sort of thing.

Maybe not. Dad didn’t sound so sure of it himself. Age and maturity are not the same things. I heard Alicia was with you when you called me for help last night.

About that… Colin began, eager to drop the whole mess and get on with the really important stuff.

Tell me about it when you come into Dreamworlds tonight, Colin. I don’t have much time now. Until then, try to stay away from Jonah.

Jonah? Colin blinked. What’s he got to do with anything?

He’s upset. Dad summarized.

Colin waited. He waited, and waited for Dad to continue, but Dad didn’t say anything more.

Seriously? Colin gulped. He’s not really going to try to kill me, is he?

Again, a long, long pause.

I can’t believe it. It’s just a misunderstanding! Colin protested. Gracie jumped to conclusions!

But Alicia dropped a very big bombshell on him anyway, and that isn’t going to change. Dad pointed out. He needs to sort things out himself, and he’s at the age where these sorts of things mean a huge deal.

Well, then, I’m glad I’ve got nothing to do with it… Colin began.

"What are you talking about, Colin? You’ve got everything to do with it. Dad said, shortly. I don’t know how you got involved exactly - you’re going to have to explain it in detail tonight - but it seems to me that you’ve gotten in between your two friends and their romance."

"Dad, I’ve been trying to tell you for years, they’re not even friends with me! They’ve been torturing me…"

"Stop that. There are only a few people we can count on, really count on when we’re in trouble, and the friends we have with us now make up most of them. I’ve been trying to tell you that for years! As far as I can tell, Gracie, Alicia, Larry and Jonah are the only friends you can really trust!"

They’re not my friends! Colin yelled into the phone, and switched it off.

There was the sound of cloth hitting the floor behind him. Colin turned to see Larry standing there, face white.

Larry…? He glanced at the floor and saw the clothes Larry had dropped. The clothes he’d bought last night for himself.

Larry didn’t say a word. He just turned around and walked away.

***

Dreamworlds is a psionic network that links the dreams of billions of people. Colin is a Dreamer, one of those who put on the Dreamworlds Headband when they go to sleep and share their Dreams with each other in Dreamworlds.

Last night, Alicia had forced him to pay for her purchases at a clothes shop in a Dreamworlds Mall. Only today did he discover the purchase delivered to them in the waking world as well. It caused great uproar at his house that day.

Oh well. At least he got the clothes he bought for himself too.

***

After the most tiresome day ever, Colin finally went to sleep on the Seventeenth Night since he began on Nakama World and found himself in the blue mists between Dreamworlds, offered the same choices as always.

Nakama World. Colin said, shuddering as he remembered last night. He’d picked Gardens Dreamworld, the only other choice available to him, and he was regretting it very, very sorely ever since.

Stepping through the Gate, Colin expected to find himself at Crystal Cove, where he’d set his Starting Location. But instead, he found himself at his Home Base, in the middle of the Forest of Legends.

Eh? Why am I here? I don’t get it… but I don’t really mind. Colin took a look around, happy to be back and feeling at peace at last.

But there at the Heart of the Forest, Colin found a surprise.

"Alicia?! What are you doing here?!"

They were still dressed in the clothes they’d brought at Blossoming Gardens Mall, t-shirt, jeans and fur-collar jacket in his case, blouse, skirts+tights, red hoodie in hers. She was missing her necklaces, though, and he’d lost his staff. Those, they had dropped back at the mall last night.

We ran through the Green Gate together, remember? Alicia pointed out. Where are we, anyway?

Colin stared at her in a daze. You don’t remember anything after the Green Gate?

I woke up after that. Alicia said. You?

I woke up too. I was late for school and everything. Colin frowned. Did we spend that much time in the mall and… um…

Cody’s Inner World? That weird under-world place with the Mecha and the dragon and the flying cat? Alicia prompted. Do you remember, or was it just me?

I remember. Colin said, feeling some relief that he wasn’t the only one. But after the Gate… shouldn’t there have been more?

Alicia’s eyes widened. You’re telling me we lost a few hours of memories?!

I don’t know. Colin frowned. "It doesn’t make sense. When I lost hours of memories, it was after I went through a sudden Gate.