1 Prologue

//New and upcoming author. Don't expect a work of art as I'm still getting better. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

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The bright lights, one powered by millions upon millions of crystals, shone down, illuminating the area and brightening up the dazzling green hillside where a lone young boy was lying unconscious. This, provided with the scenery of an immensely large and luxurious tree positioned in the background made for a very picturesque landscape, as if it was a scene from a movie or painting. The crytal light reflected off the boy's odd blue hair and light complexion, giving him a sort of glow up, as if he had just got out of a photoshoot. Besides those two oddities, the boy didn't look too out of place and one could almost assume he was sleeping with how majestic an image he created.

Mako Azure slowly opened his eyes, blurry and unseeing crimson colored hues coming into existence as the youth blinked once; Twice; Three times as he struggled to get his bearings. A soft wind kicked up, blowing over him and ruffling his hair as the young man finally regained some of his senses, his eyes staring up at the blinding lights positioned far above him.

Everything was fuzzy, though Mako's senses were once again working properly. His brain didn't appear to have any desire to operate as it was intended to, only giving him enough cognitive functions such as freedom of movement and use of his five senses. The blue haired youths thought process struggled to go anywhere and even attempting to remember small things such as what he ate that morning was a huge hassle. While his body didn't hurt him in the slightest and he could even move pretty well despite just having regained consciousness, Mako found that anything pertaining to recent memories was severely flawed.

(("At least.....I remember my own name.")) Mako thought to himself as the rusted gears in his head finally began to turn, allowing him to think to some degree. (("Mako Azure, 14 years old, hometown is New York, favorite color is green, favorite food is ramen, favorite cartoon is The Amazing World of Gumball or Regular Show depending on the mood."))

Little by little, the adolescent's brain began to regain some sense of normalcy as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. His bright red eyes ran up and down the length of his own body, checking to make sure everything was still intact, assuring that he still possessed all four of his limbs. He didn't recognize the clothes he was currently wearing, a ragged dark shirt, long black cargo style pants, and no shoes but that didn't really bother him much. Looking at the bigger picture, he was mainly ecstatic about simply being alive and unharmed then concerned about what he was currently garbed in. He didn't understand what the hell was happening, but being alive was always a plus in his opinion.

The next task was something he wasnt sure he was prepared for but needed to do, ripping off the proverbial bandaid rather then let it fester and build like a piece of moldy cheese.

He needed to figure out where he was.

Mako's most recent memory, or at least the one he managed to coax out of his currently retarded brain, was during one of his gymnastics and parkour sessions, where he needed to jump the wall and safely land in the foam pit on the other side. He had done this particular exercise quite a number of times and had easily been able to complete it without too much trouble. That particular time, he had executed everything perfectly but, just before he landed, the top of the foam pit had rippled, like a drop of water in the middle of a puddle.

The last thing Mako saw before landing in the foam pit was the image of a large tower, one of immense height positioned in the center of an enormous city.

After that, Mako had the brief sensation of falling before everything, both mind and body, switched off. He couldn't remember anything past that point, his memories having decided that it had already shown him enough.

With all that in mind, the blue haired youth was unsure of what to think or even how to act, his mental capacity having yet to fully catch up. He was already aware or where he was SUPPOSED to be, located somewhere within the middle of the foam pit, but he was clearly not, as was demonstrated by the light washing over him from above. It was painfully clear he was no longer at practice with the other guys and girls, and he had no problem accepting that fact.

The problems arose when he tried to figure WHERE he was and HOW he had gotten there.

When he looked around, he felt panicked and afraid and his adrenaline began pumping, making him fidgety and unable to sit still. However, he was able to control his emotions and remain rational, retaining his ability to make calm judgement and thought out decisions. Though scared out of his mind, he continued his scan of the area while remaining seated on the very ground he had awoken from.

(("Am I....outside then?")) Mako pondered as he scratched his head. (("I don't think I am. This place has a roof, and a fantastic one at that. Like something out of a fantasy novel."))

All around him, lush grass and rocky hills expanded outwards, leading towards wide forests and even a lake in the far distance, all before reaching a large stone wall that reached far upwards before coming into contact with the ceiling, of which appeared to be made of a glowing crystalline structure. Behind him, a tree the size of a skyscraper and much more girthy then any tree Mako had ever seen towered proudly in the center of everything. Situated directly below the tree, built around it's very roots, sat a settlement of sorts, one with a sturdy looking wall and only a singular entrance.

"Heh, guess I'm not in Kansas anymore," Mako remarked, the first words spoken aloud since his regained consciousness. His voice was slightly raspy and trembled a bit, the only sign of his repressed fear and anxiety, something he was giving his all to smother as he pushed himself off the ground. "No point in waiting here. Not like I'll get any answers talking to myself."

If Mako was being honest with himself, he wanted to lay down and go back to sleep while hoping that when he awoke, it had all be one big dream. The only problem was that he was very much aware that this was his reality and not as simple as a passing nightmare, which made it all the more terrifying. However, if he chose to sit down and do nothing then he'd be as good as dead, dying of hunger or dehydration before long. He needed to move and get some answers. He couldn't afford to mentally break down. He had to remain strong.

"Alright. Let's go find out who stole my shoes." Mako muttered as he began a long trek towards the tree.