Yumé stared at the old man with a perplexed expression, overwhelmed by everything he was hearing and seeing.
— What do you mean, old man? Yumé finally asked.
The king smiled softly, almost amused.
— It's quite simple, he said. As you've already realized, there are two worlds: Utopia and Barsova. These worlds are layered on top of each other, yet they do not exist in the same dimension. The Utopians know of Barsova, but the opposite is not true. And it is strictly forbidden for us to travel to Barsova.
— Forbidden? But why? You're supposed to be the king, aren't you? Who could forbid you anything?
The king let out a weary laugh.
— A fair question. I am indeed the ruler of this province… but even I must answer to a higher power: the Supreme Government. Long ago, Utopia and Barsova lived in harmony. But after several violent conflicts, the worlds were separated for good.
— Then why does no one back home know about this? Is this just another conspiracy theory?
The old man's smile faded.
— The story is too long to tell now. But tell me, Yumé, where do you live? Do you have a family?
The question struck deep. Yumé lowered his head, the weight of it pressing down on him.
— No… I'm an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage.
The king observed him in silence for a moment.
— Interesting. Then tell me, would you like to live here instead?
Yumé blinked.
— What do you mean?
— As I said, it's forbidden for us to step into Barsova. Kenny was granted special permission, but such a privilege is rare. From time to time, however, creatures from Utopia slip through by accident. Your role would be to track them and bring them back. Since you live in Barsova, you can move between both worlds without losing yourself.
— Wait… how do these creatures even end up in our world?
— Through portals called Gargan. They open at random, though some can be created deliberately with special Gargan beads.
— Alright… but where would I even live?
— You will stay at the Torsa boarding school. You'll be enrolled as a student as well. There, you will learn to master Prana and Mantras, and perhaps even awaken your Dogon.
Yumé shrugged, half-amused, half-resigned.
— I don't really get all of this… but basically you're offering me a new life here, right? Fine. I'll do it. It's not like I've got anything better to do.
The king laughed heartily.
— Excellent! Atsuchi, take care of him!
— Sorry, you're on your own with this one, Atsuchi muttered, already walking away with his hands in his pockets.
— ATSUCHI! GET BACK HERE, YOU BRAT! the king roared, waving his arms furiously.
But the pyromaniac didn't even turn back, vanishing toward the exit.
— Some authority he has… Good riddance, Yumé muttered in relief. I don't need a hotheaded pyromaniac following me around anyway.
— I'll take care of him, Master, a calm voice echoed across the hall.
Yumé turned and froze. An unfamiliar man hovered in the air, seated cross-legged as though in deep meditation. His chestnut curls framed a serene face, his body draped in loose robes, though his right arm was bare. The aura he radiated was soothing, almost divine.
— I should probably be shocked by this… but honestly, after everything I've seen today, it doesn't even faze me anymore, Yumé sighed.
— So you were here all along, Siddhartha, said the king.
— Yes, Master, the man replied in a steady, calming voice.
— Good. Then I'll leave him in your care. I'll inform the Torsa Institute myself.
— Very well. What's your name, young man?
— Me? I'm Yumé.
— A pleasure, Yumé. I am Siddhartha. Come. I'll guide you to your new life.
With curiosity in his steps and a strange peace in his heart, Yumé followed. There was something magnetic about Siddhartha, something that made him want to trust him.
— So, if I understand correctly, you're from Barsova? Siddhartha asked.
— Yep. And what about you? What are you supposed to be—some werewolf like Kenny, or another pyromaniac like that lunatic?
Siddhartha chuckled at the question.
— You're amusing. Spontaneous. You'll get along well with the others, I'm sure. But as for me… I don't belong to any clan. I'm just an ordinary man.
— Ordinary? I literally just saw you levitating!
— That's the result of mastering Prana.
— Prana again… I keep hearing that word. What is it, exactly?
— You'll have plenty of time to learn. But in simple terms, Prana is your life energy. It is also the energy that flows through everything around you.
— Ah. So that's how Kenny and the fire freak pull off their magic tricks.
— Precisely. Kenny belongs to the Animagus clan—they can transform into their spiritual animal. Long ago, one of them strayed into Barsova. He could turn into a wolf, and that is where your people's legend of werewolves was born. As for Atsuchi, he hails from the Tempo clan, they command the elements themselves.
— Complicated stuff… Yumé muttered.
They soon reached their destination. Rising before them was an immense castle, surrounded by endless fields of green.
— Woooah… Yumé breathed, eyes wide. This place is massive.
— Impressive, isn't it? Come, let's get you settled.
They stopped before a colossal gate, towering nearly five meters high.
— This door is huge! How do we even open it?
— Simple, Siddhartha replied. You just have to ask.
— Ask? Ask who ?
— Me, of course! a booming voice thundered.
Yumé jumped back in shock. Enormous eyes and a mouth had appeared on the gate itself.
— Am I dreaming? Did that door just… talk?
— Don't worry, Siddhartha reassured him. You'll get used to it. That's only the guardian. Good to see you again, Tim, it's me, Siddhartha.
— And who is this you've brought with you? the gate asked.
— A new student. Personally recommended by the director.
The gate fell silent, its eyes studying Yumé so intently that the boy squirmed under the weight of its gaze.
— Why is he staring at me like that? Yumé muttered irritably.
Finally, the gate rumbled open with a deafening groan.
— Very well. You may enter. Welcome… to Torsa.
The sight that greeted Yumé was beyond imagination. It was like stepping straight into a fairy tale. Tiny glowing fairies darted through the air. Pale figures, perhaps vampires, wandered among them. A zebra, a horse, and even a rhinoceros walked side by side, speaking in human voices. And far above, beings perched silently in the branches of enormous trees.
— What… what am I even looking at? Yumé gasped.
— Surprised? You shouldn't be. This is where you belong. Welcome to the prestigious School of Torsa.
Yumé's eyes darted from one wonder to another. It was a dream made real, yet even in his wildest dreams, he had never imagined something like this. Deep down, he felt it. For the first time in his life… he was home.