Astra raised an eyebrow under the light of the two violet moons.
"Doesn't exist…?" She repeated the question, expressing her shock.
"Yes, it doesn't exist in the real world. It exists in another realm." He sighed dramatically. "I wish I knew exactly where it was, though…I'm sure it exists within God's kingdom."
Astra's eyes narrowed, almost expressing her doubt.
"I can see how we're able to exit the facility to get where we want. I can eliminate the idea that the border will take us where we want us to go when we exit, since we'd just be by the victim's house."
"So, I can surmise that the location of where you end up when you exit is randomized. I'm not sure why, though…"
"Then, I can also somewhat see how information can be passed to and from the facility through the use of rituals and messengers. But…"
"How are we able to enter the facility in the first place?" She asked.
"It's easier to show you rather than to tell you," Sonar said, glancing at Aurora who was increasingly out of sight. "She is better at explaining stuff like that—I am not."
"Zero," Astra said suddenly.
As if he didn't expect her to suddenly call him his nickname, Sonar flinched slightly and replied, "Yes?"
"What does your apartment look like?" Astra asked.
"…" Sonar stared blankly at Astra. For a second, all he could've felt were a whirlwind of emotions—the main one being confusion.
"What do you mean?" He finally asked for a follow-up.
"Describe it." Astra shook her head. "No, scratch that. Does your apartment have a balcony?"
Still confused, Sonar tilted his head slightly. "Yes…?" Though, his eyes widened as he had a sudden realization.
"Are you asking if the people that you see outside of your apartment are real?"
"Mhm." Astra gave a sound of approval.
"Ah." Sonar's mouth widened slightly. "Well, yes, they are real."
"But, they cannot see you. You are completely hidden from them."
"Makes sense." Astra said as she thought back on Lucian's actions on the night she saved Mia.
"I wonder if such a facility is Lucian's doing…"
Clearing her throat, she had another thought in her head to ask Sonar.
"Say, what would occur if you happen to fall from the balcony?"
"…" Sonar stared blankly again, though this time he struggled to make eye contact.
"Uh, well…I'm not sure. But I think what happens is that you simply get transported back to your apartment. Kind of like a respawn in those video games."
Astra's expression softened as she noticed Sonar's suddenly reticent attitude.
"Why is he acting like this? Did he happen to fall from the balcony as well?"
In that moment, Astra imagined Sonar trying to stand on the balcony after becoming a Celestial to farm aura, only to fall to his apparent demise.
She closed her eyes trying to hold in a laugh, only to be interrupted by Aurora's voice.
It came from Sonar's wrist. It wasn't muffled. It sounded perfect, but distant.
"Sonar. Do you have the address?" Aurora asked with a serious tone.
His face took on an expression as if he suddenly felt a weight form on his shoulders.
"Yeah, sorry about that…" He said softly. As he did, a wave of grey material slid over his right wrist, forming a ring around it. It appeared similar to a watch.
A purple translucent hologram stretched out from the watch. On it was a certain house that had lines of information under it.
Such information included:
Name: Johnathan Wright, Samantha Wright, Timothy Wright
Address: 3728 Crescent Street, Luna, Moonlight State, Morpheus Republic
Occupants: Family of three.
Occupation of Occupants: Johnathan (Father): Skyline worker for Morphean Construction Ltd. Samantha (Mother): Researcher for the Dream Energy Cooperation. Timothy (Son): Student at Starlight High School.
Age: Johnathan: 38. Samantha: 36. Timothy: 14.
Income: Combined income of 20,000 Veylars a year.
While examining the information, Sonar rushed towards the direction that Aurora went in, rapidly approaching her.
Astra followed suit after instantly taking in all of the information on the hologram.
While they did so, a couple that was walking the lined neon lights on the sidewalk suddenly stopped. They watched confusingly as they saw Astra and Sonar suddenly appearing and running towards a personal train station.
But strangely, they forgot that they had 'suddenly appeared'. As such, they continued walking the lined, energy filled sidewalk—unaware of what had happened to their minds.
"What were you two talking about that required you to take so long?" Aurora asked as Sonar and Astra walked near a large capsule—as large as a car—lined with violet streaks of light. It was under a large roof that provided information on the weather, time, date and other similar information.
"Dreamer Sera asked me about the specialty of the Dreamlander HQ here." Sonar replied as he walked past Aurora, getting under the roof to set up the capsule.
"Oh?" Aurora's nebula-like eyes widened as she looked at Astra.
"I'm always curious about the supernatural and the heavens, you see…" Astra replied with a slightly awkward smile.
Aurora stayed silent for a second. After looking like she was in thought, she smiled faintly and said, "Likewise."
Astra's expression softened in response; though, her smile went away.
Whoosh…
"Okay, it's ready." Sonar said as the capsule lid slid open with an ambient hum. On his wrist, a text made out of neon light appeared, saying: 3 Orin has been deducted from your account.
Aurora went in first, followed by Astra. Sonar was the last to go in. They sat on soft floating platforms that calmed their minds subconsciously as they sat on it.
The inside of the multi-personal train lit up as violet translucent screens appeared in front of the three, and star-like dots appeared on their side.
The screens had information similar to the holograms that were on Sonar's watch. It also contained supplementary info like the weather, temperature, time, etc. Then, on the star-like dots, there were beautiful sceneries of the Earth and the Moon.
Aurora sat at the front, while Sonar and Astra were at the back.
A few minutes later, the capsule lid slid open once more, revealing an identical suburban scenery. This time, there were a lot more houses that had vehicles, familial items and other objects that signify ownership, such as holographic name tags and home numbers.
There were even some children playing around on the lawns, and some families watching the singular violet crescent moon in the sky.
However, the atmosphere was tranquil still. Most people were asleep at this time.
Astra took a deep breath as she adjusted to the thicker air, stepping out of the capsule.
Sonar and Aurora also came outside, their feet soundlessly resting on the ground.
"Johnathan's home is three houses down." Sonar said as he walked along the sidewalk. Aurora nodded and walked along with him in response. Astra had the house in her sights already, following their movements.
They passed a house that had children on the lawn staring at the moon, the Earth's almost transparent rings, and the little stars in the sky. Astra looked at them for a few seconds, but then turned her head forward, not having any thoughts.
A minute later, they arrived at the house. It was a two-story ultra-modern house that had a closed garage, a garden with violet fireflies, and a holographic projection of the crescent moon hovering near the beginning of the pathway. 'The Wrights' name-tag were written on the moon, along with their home number.
Aurora stepped up first, later knocking on the door. Sonar and Astra followed behind her, waiting on a response.
"…" A few seconds passed as an awkward silence was placed between the three Dreamlanders.
"Mom!" Suddenly, a young teenage voice was heard through the door. "Someone's at the door…"
"Oh!" Then, a mature, muffled voice that came from a woman in her thirties sounded. Even though one couldn't see her face, her shock was apparent. "That must be the police…finally the Dominion sent them over."
"Yes, they came at such a convenient time!"
"Wait, let me get ready…" She continued to say in a half-tired voice. Then, her voice rose greatly. "Tim! Hurry up and tell them John's coming soon!"
The young voice didn't respond, but only a sigh was heard. A few seconds later, a hologram appeared in front of the door.
On it was a young teenage boy. He had black hair, black eyes and light skin. His hair was messy and his eyes had a soft—almost tired—demeanor to it.
"Uh, we just finished our nighttime service, um. My dad will come out." He struggled to make contact as he stumbled on his words.
"Thank you." Aurora responded. As soon as she did, the hologram disappeared.
After about another minute, the metal door slid open. It revealed a man in front of a dark but faintly lit living room. He wore starry clothes, had roughed black hair, and heavy bags under his brown eyes. His arms drooped slightly and his eyes were half-closed, like he was forcing himself to stay awake. His body jittered about slightly, like it was constantly on high alert.
"Are you, uh…" His voice was raspy and uncontrolled. "From the…from the Dreamkeepers?"
Aurora pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket. She held it as a holographic projection stretched out, showing her picture and identification.
Sonar did a similar movement, holding his wrist out to show his watch. Subsequently, a projection showing his picture and identification stretched out.
Astra was only a half a second late, but she too replicated Aurora's movements—using her phone.
"We're from the Dreamlanders, Johnathan." Aurora explained in a soft, calming voice. "We've come to help you with your predicament."
"I asked for the…the Dreamkeepers." He said, struggling to make eye contact. Suddenly, his voice raised as he exclaimed, "Why aren't they here?"
"Don't worry. The Dreamkeepers are a medical and passive emergency service. The police has deemed our work to be more effective." Aurora explained in a relaxed tone as her nebula-like eyes shone.
As if he was coerced in a lullaby, Johnathan calmed down. "Alright. I see…sorry for getting…like that…earlier." He said softly, his eyes still half-closed. "Uh…do you three want some tea?"
They all nodded as Johnathan gestured them to come inside of the house.
His hands were still shaking as he forced his body to stay awake.