Whispers Between Worlds
Kael groaned, burying his head into his desk as the teacher droned on about medieval trade routes. His body was in class, but his brain? Somewhere back in the dunes of the Dream Realm, still hearing whispers of corruption.
He wasn't alone.
Juno sat two rows over, doodling in the margins of her notebook. If anyone peeked, they'd see "Totally Not A Monster" sketches—blob-shaped creatures with sharp teeth and silly stick arms. She snickered quietly to herself, earning a glare from the student beside her.
Meanwhile, Talia—unsurprisingly—took neat notes in perfect handwriting. If she was exhausted from last night, she didn't show it. Her composure never cracked, not even when Kael dropped his pen for the third time and muttered a curse under his breath.
Marco, from the back row, watched everything with a smirk. His plan was simple. Embarrass Kael. Break his reputation. Crush him before Talia's eyes. And he had just the secret to do it.
By lunch, the cafeteria buzzed with life again. Kael sat across from Juno, poking his food without enthusiasm.
"You look dead," Juno said around a mouthful of fries.
"Feel dead," Kael muttered.
Talia sat down beside them, sliding her tray into place. She didn't eat much, just an apple and water. Her eyes flicked to Kael. "You should rest more."
Kael raised a brow. "Hard to rest when you wake up in another world every night."
"That's true," Juno chimed in, grinning. "If anyone asks why I failed math, I'm just gonna say it's because of interdimensional monster hunting. Totally valid excuse."
"Pretty sure the teacher won't buy that." Kael smirked.
"Then I'll just drag you both in as witnesses."
Talia sighed softly, though there was the faintest tug at her lips, as if she were suppressing a smile.
Marco, of course, chose that moment to stroll by, his voice loud enough for half the cafeteria to hear. "Kael, heard your dad left you with nothing but debt. That true?"
The table went silent. Juno froze mid-bite. Talia's gaze sharpened.
Kael's jaw clenched. The truth stung, but not because Marco had said it. Because he'd said it here. Out loud.
Kael stood slowly. "You know, Marco, for someone who talks so much, you really don't say anything useful."
Laughter rippled across the tables. Marco's smirk faltered, his eyes flashing. He leaned closer, whispering so only Kael could hear:
"This is just the beginning."
Kael didn't flinch. "Good. I like beginnings."
He sat back down, ignoring the burning glare that followed him.
That night, when the trio drifted into sleep, the sands greeted them again. Only this time, the horizon was not empty.
In the far distance, a faint glow spread across the sky, like the lights of a vast city shimmering under a dream-sun.
"What… is that?" Juno whispered, eyes wide.
The hooded figure appeared, his robes fluttering like smoke. "Beyond these dunes lies the Dream Continent, home to billions of dreamers. A realm of cities, kingdoms, and powers older than your world."
Talia's grip tightened on her blade. "And the corruption?"
"It spreads there too," the figure said. "Devouring from the edges inward. Soon, it will reach the heart."
Kael frowned, staring at the distant glow. "So… what? We're supposed to protect billions now?"
The figure's voice was grave. "You are not ready. But soon, you will have no choice."
The desert wind howled, carrying with it whispers of laughter—corruption's laughter.
Juno shivered. "Great. From high school drama to saving entire continents. Can I get a refund on this destiny package?"
Kael chuckled despite himself. "Afraid it's non-refundable."
Even Talia exhaled faintly, as if she'd almost laughed.
But when they turned their eyes back to the glow of the Dream Continent, none of them smiled. For the first time, they realized just how small they were—and how massive the fight ahead would be.