WORLDWOVEN: A Dream That Sent Me to Another World (Spirity Version)

One week…

One week was the allotted time for Hoshi's preparation.

Preparation for a duel against Valtros.

For once, Floor 1 was silent.

No sounds of hammers clanging against steel, nor were there sounds of flames being stoked or the simmering of hot metal.

The arrival of The Council left an imprint which wouldn"t fade away so easily.

Hoshi sat on a bed—the same bed he woke up in when first transported to this world. The bed Barek carried him into.

Barek…

His elbows planted on his knees and his hands barely holding up his head. 

Truth be told—Hoshi's worries plagued his mind. Barek was taken for standing against Valtros…for standing up for Hoshi.

How am I gonna save him…

A familiar voice pierced the silence.

???: "Sulking will get you nowhere."

Hoshi peeked through his hands.

The doctor stood in the doorway, obviously still rolling in her own emotions from the loss of Barek.

Hoshi: "I know that—"

Doctor: "Do you? One week is all you've got. We don't have time for you to be moping around."

For the first time in this world, Hoshi felt anger creep up through the wall of fear that stood. He took his hands off his face and stood.

Hoshi: "Don't you get it? I can't win this! This guy is a killer! A monster! And I'm just—me…"

The doctor furrowed her brows and sighed.

Doctor: "You keep saying how you can't succeed. How he'll crush you and how you'll fail. 

Hoshi blinked.

Doctor: "You keep saying what you're not. What you can't do. But power isn't defined by strength alone."

Hoshi: "Not…strength?"

The doctor's eyes softened, a rare look past her usual hardened and blunt demeanor.

Doctor: "To save Barek, Hoshi…you have to start with belief. In yourself."

Hoshi stood silent. The doctor's words didn"t alleviate his fear, but they sparked something in him.

A memory resurfaced in Hoshi's mind.

The sound of hammers hitting steel: the scent of ash, fire, and grit. The pained grunts of overworked blacksmiths. No one in Floor 1 had power, no one had safety. But—they all had belief, it was the one thing that drove them forward.

And it'll be what drives me forward too.

A breath Hoshi didn't know he was holding left his lungs.

Hoshi: "Thank you."

A faint smile perked up on the Doctor's lips before being quickly replaced with her hardened exterior.

Doctor: "Tomorrow, we start training."

A shudder ran down Hoshi's spine, she was going to put him through the wringer.

But that's exactly what he needed.

Hoshi: "Where do I meet you?"

Doctor: "Barek's forge, we have all the tools we need there."

The forge? Am I gonna be making swords as training?

The doctor opened the door and prepared to leave, before being stopped by Hoshi's voice.

Hoshi: "Wait! I still don't know your name…"

The doctor raised her eyebrow in response.

Doctor: "I guess it'll be strange for you to be calling me doctor everytime you need me—"

Hoshi nodded.

Doctor: "My name is Alkia."

She opened the door and left quickly, not giving Hoshi a chance to respond.

Alkia…a pretty name.

Hoshi shook the thought out of his head and lay in the bed.

Where's Lyra…?

Hoshi dozed off before he could continue the thought.

Morning eventually arrived as the Watchtowers booted up—shining a light all across the underground city.

Hoshi rubbed his eyes and slowly arose from the bed.

He looked out the window and saw Floor 1 was slowly getting back to its normal state, but it was undeniably clear that the townspeople were worried.

The forge…

Hoshi exited the house and began walking down to the forge. His stride quickened in response to the townspeople's gaze upon him. 

And in Hoshi's mind, they had every right to hate him. 

He approached the front door and sighed.

She's gonna kill me.

Hoshi opened the door slowly—Alkia and Lyra were talking.

Lyra: "Okay, I'll see what I can do…"

Alkia: "Thank you Lyra, this'll be a big help."

Alkia's head perked up as Hoshi entered the forge—Lyra immediately walked to another room.

Hoshi: "Great…'

Alkia: "No—I've given her a separate assignment."

Hoshi nodded and tapped his foot on the ground.

Hoshi: "So—"

Alkia: "Come with me."

The doctor grabbed a nearby barrel and picked it up as if it were weightless, leaving the forge.

 Hoshi matched her pace and followed.

They eventually stopped at a relatively secluded field. Hoshi's eyes diverted to the ground where a massive insignia was burned into the floor.

Hoshi: "The ground…there's some kind of mark etched into it."

He pat his foot on the ground as to try and wipe the symbol off the ground.

Alkia: "Hm? Ah, I guess you wouldn't know what it is…"

She was referring to his amnesiac state, which was a lie Hoshi had made up as an excuse for not knowing anything about this world.

Alkia: "It's the Mark of Orion—all the floors have one."

Orion…Like the constellation.

Hoshi: "Mark of Orion..?"

Alkia: "Correct, he's infamous on Floor 1 but revered in the higher floors."

Why am I not surprised…

Alkia: "There are different stories and legends on who he actually was—but the commonly accepted one is he's the founder of The Council, and creator of the floors.

Hoshi felt a twinge of anger rise up, his fists curled slightly and he felt his nails press against the palms of his hand.

What kind of monster would willingly…

Hoshi: "He created this hell and the upper floors worship him…"

Alkia sighed, clearly she's been thinking the same thing.

Alkia: "Nobody here knows why they do, but higher floors have more knowledge of what he really is."

Hoshi sighed, why was Floor 1 so ostracized compared to others? Even something as basic as information was scarce in this place.

He decided to withhold any more questions and get on with the bigger issue at hand.

Alkia set the barrel down firmly on the ground and looked at Hoshi.

Alkia: "The first step in training for this duel…is learning to control your mana."

Hoshi nodded at her.

Alkia: "Think of mana as a second bloodstream, but it's not liquid—it's your energy. Control of your mana is quintessential to fight, it'll allow you to somewhat keep up."

Hoshi: "So it'll boost my normal strength then…"

Alkia: "Correct, it's how I lifted this barrel here."

She patted the barrel to divert Hoshi's attention there.

Hoshi: "Well I'll have to learn quick, this could give me a chance at saving Barek."

Alkia agreed and began walking toward Hoshi.

Hoshi: "Before we start—I want to thank you. I didn't even ask for your help but here you are…"

Alkia put a hand on Hoshi's shoulder.

Alkia: "Barek's my friend too—albeit a lousy one, but I still care about him."

She continued—

Alkia: "I'd regret it if you went into that duel without a chance as well."

Hoshi held back a tear.

Hoshi: "Thank you…"

Hoshi wiped his face and realized it was time to get to work.

Hoshi: "Okay, Mana control, I'll get it by the end of this day."

Alkia: "Oh? You might be able to control it for a little while but fully mastering mana takes years."

Hoshi pushed any negative thoughts he had away. A determined look was etched on his face.

I will definitely save you.

Alkia took notice of his expression and held back a smile.

Alkia: "Good, now the first step. Try to visualize a pathway in your body, in that pathway there should be flowing energy through every single point inside you."

Hoshi closed his eyes and tried to imagine this 'pathway' Alkia described.

Hoshi: "I think—I can see it."

Alkia: "Now, imagine that energy coursing through every muscle in your body. That's how mana will enhance your physical abilities."

As Hoshi felt the power spread to every nerve in his body, dust from the ground below began to spur up and fly in all different directions. His eyes twitched, Hoshi could feel his fingertips growing increasingly hot as mana threatened to overtake him.

Alkia: "Slowly, don't let the mana contro—"

 A ragged breath escaped Hoshi's lips, his muscle spasmed as he felt the overwhelming heat escape from the pores on his skin. Rings of mana burst forth and expanded outward, blowing rubble from around him away, he was sent sprawling to the ground. 

Hoshi: "Oww…"

Alkia sighed and grabbed Hoshi by the arm, pulling him to his feet.

Alkia: "That's what happens when you let your mana control you, keep it contained in every contour of yourself."

Hoshi patted his uniform of dust and took a breath, his chest rising as he steeled himself.

He visualized the path through his body: mana spreading to every contour of muscle. He felt the familiar warmth emanating from his skin, his fingertips tingled and he continued letting the smell of ash that plagued Floor 1 fill his lungs as he contained the power within.

Focus…focus…

He curled his fists and tried to maintain his control, mana threatened to spill once more as droplets of sweat trickled down his forehead and onto the floor below.

Alkia: "Open your eyes, Hoshi."

Hoshi complied and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at himself—not any different from before, but something was different in his being. Hoshi felt more connected to himself and this world, his perception and senses already feeling the high of mana.

Alkia: "This is good, now try to move around. But don't get carried away, you might accidentally lose control if you move too suddenly and lose focus."

Focus. Don't let the mana control you.

Hoshi repeated the message as he slowly took baby steps forward. He could feel the power coursing through him, tempting every movement to be just a little faster.

Hoshi: "Okay, I've got the hang of it now. I can do this, I'll move faster."

Alkia waved him to proceed, a curiosity in her eyes to see just how fast he could move at such a beginner level of mana control.

Hoshi took baby steps at first, testing the waters and making sure his body was stable. Once confirmed, he began to speed up—mana coursed through the vessels in his legs as he channeled his newfound powers. He was moving at speeds greater than he could've ever imagined, the scenery of Floor 1 whizzed past his vision and he quickly came to a halt, his soles skidding across the ground.

For the first time in his life, Hoshi felt…powerful. Maybe even hopeful.

He looked to Alkia who gave him a look of approval.

Alkia: "Impressive, you're fast for a beginner. Can you still hold onto your mana?"

Hoshi still felt power coursing through his being, he wanted to test just how strong he currently was.

Hoshi: "Yeah, I can still feel my mana. I don't think it's decreased at all."

Alkia's Inner Thoughts: Good, he's grasped the concept atleast, and his mana seems to be potent enough…

Alkia: "For this exercise, it's a test of speed. We'll be chasing each other to land one tag, simple enough?"

Hoshi bent his knees lower as if he was already about to go for the win.

Hoshi: "Ready when you are."

Alkia smirked and effortlessly passed mana through her body, enhancing her physical abilities.

Alkia: "I'm not holding back, Hoshi."

Hoshi: "I wouldn't want you to." 

The air grew thick as Hoshi stood in anticipation. To make the first move would be a mistake, Alkia would definitely counter…

But…

He had to be the aggressor here, he wanted to be.

Immediately, Hoshi threw himself at Alkia with a mana-infused jump, the ground he previously stood on slightly cracked from the sudden force applied to it.

She raised her eyebrows at his audacity and stepped to the side, letting Hoshi's hand fly past her. Alkia threw her hand forward like a scorpion ready to sting, her hand surrounded with the sting of mana.

Hoshi felt the presence of her hand and kicked off the ground to gain some distance.

Hoshi clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding against each other in both disbelief and frustration.

Damn it, she dodged me too easily.

Alkia: "With that speed, Valtros would've already chopped you to pieces."

The air grew thick as the two stood off. Hoshi shifted his stance uncomfortably, this game of cat and mouse had to end soon—he knew that Alkia would outlast the little control over his mana.

Alkia zipped to the side with blinding speed, causing Hoshi to look where she'd gone. But—it was too late, Alkia used this momentary confusion to blitz forward and appear under him.

CRAP—I NEED TO MOVE!!!

Hoshi's breath hitched as the air grew thick with desperation. Alkia's hand was rapidly approaching, his stance was rigid and frozen—he couldn't move a muscle.

In that instant, reality answered his call.

Her fingertip grazed his skin—or so she thought. In truth, she didn't know what happened, because Hoshi was gone. The hand that was supposed to end the game was grabbing at air, her eyes looked to the ground and her vision was immediately obscured by a dustcloud that swallowed the surrounding area whole. The ground beneath Alkia tore open and the shockwave caused her to fly back, each thud on the ground was met with a whimper and groan of pain. 

But there he was.

A small dot in the sky—falling toward the ground like a meteor that didn't know where to descend. 

Hoshi: "SHIT—!"

Alkia looked up from her daze, her ears ringing from the impact she took. All she saw was a small object rapidly approaching to meet the ground, soon realizing it was—

Alkia: "HOSHI!"

Alkia immediately acted, the whirring mana flowing around her was evident; it poured through her body and deep into the fibers of her legs. 

Alkia's Inner Thoughts: I could've swore I tagged him, how the hell did he…

It wasn't the time to think about that. With one great leap—Alkia took off like a rocket, a crater blasting open beneath her as she intercepted Hoshi's fall.

Alkia: "I've—!"

She reached for Hoshi's hand, her fingers just narrow of his hand but close enough to where she could feel his warmth.

He extended his arm as far out as he could as the sound of wind was roaring in his ears, his clothes flapping around from the velocity he was falling at.

Hoshi: "—Got you!"

He successfully grabbed onto her hand, Alkia yanked him toward her as the pair spun toward the ground. She held him tightly to her body as Hoshi forced his eyes shut. Before impact, a field of mana surrounded the two and shattered on impact with the earth below.

The two tumbled and unraveled from each other's grip, laying on the ground.

Hoshi: "Alkia!"

The boy's voice broke as he called her name, Hoshi spurred onto his feet and ran toward her, he fell to his knees next to Alkia's supposed unconscious body.

But he noticed the faint opening of her eyes and exhale, a pang of relief flooded his soul. He thought for sure the impact knocked her out or worse.

Alkia: "Ugh—Hoshi, are you alright?"

She placed her palm on the ground and slowly sat up, holding her head.

Hoshi: "I'm fine, thanks to you."

Alkia: "Good, that's good…"

Silence ensued.

Hoshi's mind raced with thoughts, just what happened to him? One moment he was on the floor, about to be tagged…and then the next moment he was…

Alkia: "Tell me what happened. I want to know exactly what was going through your head when you decided to go ahead and try to touch the damn ceiling of this place."

Hoshi sighed and his thoughts went back to that moment.

Hoshi: "I don't know if I'm being completely honest, it just happened. I tried to avoid getting tagged and then—I was falling."

Alkia frowned at his vague explanation. Her own mind tried to piece together the event that took place, she would've sensed if it was some sort of outburst of mana, but she didn't sense any loss of control at that moment.

Could it have been his—?

Embrasia.

Alkia: "Go home and get some rest. We'll figure this out tomorrow."

Hoshi nodded and rose, patting his clothes of dust and grime.

Hoshi: "About the barrel, what was that for?"

Alkia: "You'll see eventually."

Hoshi kept that in mind and began walking back to town.

There was something he was hiding, however.

The painful whirring in his chest as Alkia was about to tag him. The violent bloom of will that came forth to move his body for him. The moment where his body felt weightless and he rose with speed he didn't know existed.

As Hoshi walked into the distance, Alma looked over…The Mark of Orion…hummed with a faint blue glow.

The Mark's faint hum lingered in the air, her mind fixated on one thought.

Just who was this boy?