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Believe Chapter 2
by Matthew Stephen Hyder
Page 8
(September 21, 2010 Tuesday A.D.)

Last night, I dreamed of the mysterious ruins outside of town. I always wanted to go, but I'm just a poor orphan boy. I could never go out and do things on my own... and I'm too weak, especially since I'm just a nerd, and not really the athletic type... but I think it's finally time to go and get things done, to avenge my parents that died from the monsters... I bet there's something amazing there... but what? Maybe something there will make me stronger... I wonder if I should go it alone and not have others involved... Aw, what am I kidding, it was just a dream! Right?

???: "Hey, get up Atama, you sleepyhead!"
Atama: "Huh? It's already time to get up?"
???: "Yeah, it's breakfast time! You have to hurry before it gets cold!"
Atama: "Hey, wait Yuuki!"

(October 7, 2010 Thursday)

I went downstairs to find myself in a normal boring day with boring food. I always wondered why the food is so bland here. I know there's a lot of us, but... Shouldn't the master of this orphanage be making a little more money than this by now...? I've been here for as long as I can remember...
Yuuki: "What's wrong Atama?"
Atama: "Oh, nothing. Just wait for me to finish and we'll talk."
Other than telling Yuuki about my dream, I was thinking of telling him that I feel like the master seems a little too greedy and suspicious... Now that I think about it, he is rather fat...
Then all of a sudden, someone made a grave mistake... Asking for more food... I wonder how much different it would really make if some or even all of us ate and drank more than normal...
Little Girl: "Um... Can I please have some more? I'm still very hungry sir..."
Master: "What?! Of course not! There's only so much food to go around for all of you! I even need to eat too! And even then there needs to be food for the next day and the next day until a week has passed! If even one person ate any more food then there already is, then we would be all out! Now go sit down or you'll be in detention!"
Little Girl: "*Cries* Y-yes sir! I'm so sorry!"
Master: "Sigh... Kids these days... Why did I even bother getting this job...? (Oh yeah, that's right... Because I make so much money off of them! And no one knows this but me... Heh heh heh...)
Geez, I wonder if that's really true or if he's a just a big jerk...
I finally finished eating and told Yuuki my dream.
Yuuki: "You're not planning on going are you? What if you die like your parents?"
Atama: "Well, what else am I supposed to do with my life?"
Yuuki: "Just wait a while and we all can get adopted! I'm sure the people that adopt us will take very good care of us."
Atama: "Geez Yuuki, how can you trust people so easily? Besides, most of the grown-ups here probably have too much children already and might not even know about us. Same for the people in the other towns."
Yuuki: "... You don't have to be so negative... And aren't you friends with me?"
Atama: "I wasn't trying to be negative, and I'm sorry if I was being mean... I was just trying to be reasonable. Oh, and well... I guess that's true."
Yuuki: "Hm... Well... maybe I could go with you! Two heads are better than one, right?"
Atama: "Yeah, but those flying bird monster things are too fast, and girls tend to have more agility than guys do. I don't think anyone would be crazy enough to believe us and help out."
Yuuki: "Ugh, this seems so hopeless..."
Atama: "So what should we do to get out of here anyway? What if the master finds out?"
Yuuki: "Aw, who cares about that mean old fatso! We'll just leave when we get to play outside again. We'll have everyone play hide and seek and we'll be it, but we'll just leave instead!"
Atama: "Wow... That is genius! I thought I was the only smart one here."
Yuuki: "Hey! *laughs* You're not the only smart person Atama, and it wasn't really that smart was it?"
Atama: "Aw, you don't have to be so modest Yuuki! Let's go when the time comes. It shouldn't take too long..."
Yuuki: "Shouldn't we prepare first though? We should try and sneak some snacks in the kitchen and grab some knives. We have to defend ourselves from those mutated birds."
Atama: "Oh, you're right, I guess I got a little too carried away... I've just always wanted to be an adventurer! I wonder how something changed them to be all vicious like that..."
Yuuki: "I don't know... I think there's an evil presence awakening."
Atama: "How can good and evil itself be tangible like an actual force? That doesn't seem to make sense to me.. and why now after all this time?"
Yuuki: "Maybe it's because of everyone's realization that some people are just evil or cruel, like our master."
Atama: "Oh... I suppose so. You think it could be something from nature instead or man-made things like pollution?"
Yuuki: "Ha ha ha ha... You like to think of Sci-fi rather than Fantasy huh? Oh ye of little faith..."
Atama: "(laughs) Oh shut up Yuuki! Come on though, let's get serious here. We better go before it's too late."
Yuuki: "Alright then. I'm sure we'll figure something out."
We sneaked past the master who was too busy watching to see if anyone else wanted to ask for more food or something to drink, or possibly any roughhousing, which sometimes he doesn't seem to notice anything because there's so many of us. Maybe deep down inside he actually likes that... I'm just positive he can do better to take care of all of us and he's acting very suspicious... He's got to be more than just strict. You would think orphans would be pitied on, but I wouldn't want too much pity as if I was helpless. I may be a kid, but kids can still do a lot, especially with me and my smarts.
We sneaked past him though and got some supplies and walked back out, having them stuffed in our pockets. I just hope it doesn't get ripped out because our clothes aren't too different from a poor, homeless person. Very cheap material. I this really going to work? And we all got is a little bit of bread and cookies... We can't even get a glass of water or milk with us. I hope that's okay...
Later on, we went outside. The sun was shining and there was actually some clouds in the sky for once. Usually it's so windy and it blows all the clouds away... It doesn't rain too often here, but it does sometimes. It's nice having everything be still every now and then. The other kids started drawing on the ground and playing with sticks. Some of them even started whacking each other because they got bored, not knowing anything else to do and made some other kids cry. What was thought of to be cruelty was nothing more than boredom, although sometimes even kids really do take some things too far...
Atama: "You guys bored?"
They turned to look at me like it was none of my business.
Little Boy: "Yeah, why?"
Atama: "You want to play hide and seek?"
Little Boy: "Sure, why not?"
Yuuki: "You want to play too?"
Little Girl: "Ooh, yeah! That sounds like fun! How long do are you'll going to count though?"
Atama: "Um... Thirty seconds!"
Yuuki: "Yeah! Um... *Closes eyes* 1... 2... 3... 4... 5..."
We then left them alone and sneaked off to the ruins, where a new adventure awaited us. I had no idea if the master noticed our escape or not already... But I'm sure he will soon enough. There's nothing we can do about that though... We have to do this.
Atama: "Alright, let's go Yuuki!"
Yuuki: "I'm right behind you!"

Page 9

(October 9, 2010 Saturday A.D.)

As we went on, we could already see the ruins in the horizon. There are four towns you see, running on all of the four elements, Water, Wind, Fire, and Earth, and we're Wind. Because of that, people have said the ruins used to be a city that was able to float above the sky on a giant piece of earth. To me of course that sounds very... unreal, like a dream... They say it's possible with magic though, but magic is said to come from the devil, but they just used it to improve their lives, not to cheat or show off, causing harm to others or doing things that go against the laws of nature like bringing the dead back to life. What's so bad about that? I'm just saying if it is possible... I would love to have that kind of power... Maybe somehow with a little magic I could get us all out of this mess, being poor orphans and all.
I started to wonder how long this was anyway so I asked Yuuki.
Atama: "Yuuki, how far do you think this is anyway?"
Yuuki: "What?! You were the one that wanted to come! I thought you would know!"
Atama: "I'm sorry. I just wanted to know what was in there... I didn't know how long the journey is or if it's dangerous... I figured you would know."
Yuuki: "Well, I was hoping it would take about a whole day or less to go in and out and back to the orphanage. Of course it's going to be dangerous though! There's monsters everywhere!"
Atama: "Right. I figured that, and yet at the same time... Their just birds, and we're humans, with weapons, although I guess we're just kids without much to protect ourselves..."
Yuuki: "Well, I hope we'll be okay. We'll just have to take baby steps until we get good at it."
Atama: "But then if the master finds out what we've been doing, we won't get any more chances. We have to do this today."
Yuuki: "What?! You really think so...? Alright, maybe this is fate... or destiny..."
Atama: "Hm..."
We kept walking until we were about halfway there, and something attacked us! It was one of those damn birds that killed our parents... It was rather larger than most birds of it's type, in which there are still some normal animals... But this is definitely not one of them. Even natural predators aren't this vicious or strong. It had an evil glint in it's eye, it's talons razor sharp. The whole thing just reeked of evil.
Atama: "That thing is..."
Yuuki: "Watch out! It's a monster!"
Atama: "You think we can attack it fast enough?"
Yuuki: "We have to! We can't die here and there's only one of them! Let's take it out!"
We fought back diligently until it was knocked down. Scrapes and cuts covered us but it was nothing too serious. In fact, it was a lot easier than we thought.
Maybe our parents died because they were defenseless... Or didn't have much hand-eye coordination. It was pretty fast, but we are kids with lightweight weapons, being knives, and a monster bird is still a bird, and it's not like it was a hawk or an eagle. Then we really would be in danger... In fact, it was rather easy to kill. I almost thought about eating it but I wouldn't want to catch whatever turned into the monster that it was...
Me and Yuuki's wounds were starting to get us pretty weak... What was that better word for it? Fatigued? Despite how smart I was I was still an orphan and a kid. I don't know that many words. We didn't seem to have anything to heal ourselves...
Atama: "Wow, I'm exhausted... Yuuki, do you have anything that can heal us?"
Yuuki: "I don't know... Wait, what's that smell coming from? It smells... relaxing..."
I looked all around and below us and I noticed some kind of plant... It was herbs! That will help us a lot!
Atama: "Whoa, look at all these herbs Yuuki!"
Yuuki: "Herbs?"
Atama: "Yes, their not very potent, but they can be used for healing. People even like to make them into tea, and tea is very good for you."
Yuuki: "Really? I wonder what it tastes like..."
Atama: "Well, I heard a lot of things that are good for you like vegetables and things like tea are actually kind of nasty to a lot of people, but some people like it."
Yuuki: "Hm... Well it's still got to be a lot better than the crud we eat."
Atama: "That's true..."
Yuuki: "So how do we use these herbs?"
Atama: "Just patch it on to you, like this. I suppose you could eat them too though, or at least taste the flavor then spit it out."
I chose the first option and it worked like a charm. Our wounds started to heal up nicely!
Yuuki: "Whoa, I feel great! It really works!"
Atama: "Ha ha ha, you can always count on me to know things!"
Yuuki: "Too true. I wonder how you're so smart Atama."
Atama: "Yeah... I wonder that too."
All of a sudden, my stomach started grumbling. Them I heard the Yuuki's stomach do the same. We couldn't stop laughing!
Atama: "Ah ha ha ha! Let's get something to eat."
Yuuki: "Okay. It's too bad we only got a pocketful of stuff."
Atama: "Yeah. We could have gotten a little more if we had some kind of pack with us or if we didn't have to sneak out... Let's see those bread and cookies."
Yuuki: "Alright, here we are!"
I don't know how, but the bread and cookies were never that good either like the food we ate this morning. They were always stale, but I'm sure if they weren't, they would be downright delicious, but I guess we don't have such luck... Not yet anyway. Oh, and just for the heck of it, I'll tell you that the cookies we had were oatmeal raisin flavor. No chocolate chip or sugar kind, so it was nothing too sweet for the morning or the middle of the day. It was actually quite hearty. I wonder what real oatmeal with raisins would be like... We've actually never had any before.
Once we were done eating, we were very thirsty, of course...
Yuuki: "Atama... Are you sure we can't find something to drink somewhere?"
Atama: "I don't know... Wait, what's that?"
To our amazement, there was a pond of water! Next to that, not too far away, was the ruins we were going to as well! I couldn't believe things were turning out this way...
Yuuki: "Whoa! Look at all this fresh water!"
Atama: "Me first!"
Yuuki: "No way, we have to share, both at the same time!"
Atama: "Oops, sorry, you're right!"
We both drank our fill of the fresh, clean pond water. Okay, so maybe it's not that clean if something was living in it, but it's better than nothing. From all that food and water and those nice herbs we got, we were vitalized and still prepared to go on. It seems that Fate favors our fortune today.
As we walked a little further and stared at the ruins, I was amazed at how ancient it looked... While it doesn't seem all that impossible to make, it's nowhere near the technology we have now. I guess all that stuff we read in school was true. The Earth really has been around for a long time. Impressive...
We don't know how dangerous it's going to be from here on out. We took a deep breath as we talked it out.
Atama: "You ready Yuuki?"
Yuuki: "Yeah, I think so..."
Atama: "I couldn't do this without you, you know."
Yuuki: "Ha ha ha ha, same here!"
As we went inside, we noticed how big of a maze it was. This whole place was like a labyrinth! Over time, we memorized it down however and it didn't seem so bad after all. There were some crumbly parts here and there that prevented us from going on, but then at other entrances, there was broken down walls and trick ones that slide you around to the other side. That really surprised me. The people who made this place were a lot smarter than I thought. It seems they made these walls to trick people into finding the right way, or some hidden treasure, while still having the person that put it there get it back for good use, or the chosen ones like us to prove ourselves worthy and obtain it. Well, it seems like we did just that. The monsters were a pain too, but then we got stronger and stronger and they didn't seem too bad anymore, and we're just a couple of kids. Maybe these weren't the ones that killed our parents... Maybe it was something much stronger...

(October 13, 2010 Wednesday A.D.)

Finally we got to the end. As I looked around, the place seemed to be a place of high importance like a throne room or a burial chamber. Either way, it was stunning. I'm not sure why... but I just couldn't believe my eyes. I felt a presence of strong magic here. I don't know if it came from a monster or the people that were living here. Was this really made by human hands?
Yuuki: "Whoa, this is so worth fighting our way here!"
Atama: "This is definitely no ordinary room. I wonder if there's something that's supposed to be here..."
Unexpectedly, some kind of monster showed up. It looked like the leader of this, but I couldn't sense any evil in it. I'm not sure why... but it seemed almost human, or even divine. What was this feeling...? What is this thing?
Wind Beast: "Ha ha ha ha... Of course there's something here! That would be me!"
As I stared at the thing some more, it seemed to be another kind of bird, but not one of those evil type of birds. Then it hit me that this thing could actually talk! Although Yuuki seemed to have took the words right out of my mouth, being even more surprised than I am.
Yuuki: "Wait... you can talk?!"
Wind Beast: "Of course! We're not all barbaric. Some of us are rather smart, you see, maybe even smarter than you humans."
Atama: "Do you know about those birds that go around attacking people? Are they your minions?"
Wind Beast: "No, of course not... However, I do sense a great evil that is slowly awakening but I'm not sure why..."
This mysterious creature finally took a closer look at us like I did. It noticed that we were actually rather small and this place was too dangerous for us.
Wind Beast: "Strange... You'll are smaller than I first expected. How did such tiny humans make it here? You'll are just a bunch of... what's the word... children? What are children doing here? Why did you come here mortals?"
Atama: "I don't know... I've always dreamed of coming here one day though. It was one of many goals, a big step towards my future I thought. I had to find out what was in here, even though I'm just a kid... and one day, I actually did dream of this place, so I figured that today was the day. We're not going to have to fight you though, are we?"
Wind Beast: "I'm afraid so, because you see... The thing you're looking for isn't something of ordinary value, like the greatest weapon or armor in the world. It is a very unique and rare power... That comes from me! If you are able to prove yourself in battle, I will bestow upon you my powers, and offer my wisdom. Prepare yourselves, for even if you are children, if you hold back, I will kill you."
That really scared me... I knew my life was on the line the whole time coming here, but I didn't expect this thing to even talk! What on Earth is it talking about a unique and rare power? No... Does it mean... magic?
Yuuki looked at it, much more frightened than I was, despite his name meaning "Courage".
Yuuki: "Atama, are you sure we can beat this thing?!"
Atama: "Yes... We've come this far. We can't turn back now. Let's do this!"
Yuuki: "If you say so..."Wind Beast: "Ha ha ha ha! I like your determination! Well then, come at me!"
I didn't think it was possible to win, but we did. We beat this thing and now we're going to see what it's big secret is. I guess it wasn't a foolish dream to come here after all with Yuuki, even though we're only 12 years old, and very poor. I guess that dream I had was really a vision then of things to come. But how could I have had such an unusual dream...? This familiar looked at us with great hope as it was about to speak again.

Page 10

Wind Beast: "Impressive... It seems even children know how to put up a fight when they put their mind to it. You humans are a lot stronger than you think you are..."
I was shocked. Did it really think that well of us?"
Atama: "R-really?!"
Wind Beast: "Yes... and now I must tell you something of vital importance."
Atama: "Alright... What is it?"
Wind Beast: "I want you humans to not give up on everything you've done, to cooperate together and to use the best of your abilities to make a perfect world, to keep on using technology. If everyone worked together, think how much you can accomplish! You could even find ways to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Don't you humans want that?"
Atama: "Of course... That sounds very reasonable. It's just hard to settle our differences... But I will do my best to spread your wisdom to the world."
Wind Beast: "Very good. You must all try without fail to not give up on yourselves. My power is now yours."
This strange being that acted like it was our master soon gave us a mysterious power that washed all over us, with some kind of strange warmth enveloping us... For some reason, I felt as light as a feather.
Wind Beast: "And with that, I'm off... Good luck and farewell humans. I wish you all a safe journey."
Just like that, it vanished without a trace... It's as if it never happened, but I know it did because I still had this strange new feeling that I've gotten stronger. There was no denying it. Now all we had to do was test it out.
It seems Yuuki got the better of me though and tried it out. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was flying!
Yuuki: "Whoa, Atama, this is so cool! I can fly!"
Atama: "What...? No way... It's real! It's really real! Ah ha ha ha! There is such thing as magic! Let me try!"
Yuuki: "Okay, just close your eyes and take a deep breath first, and concentrate on your powers with all your might... then open your eyes again."
I did just as he told me. I was pretty nervous... This was all a big shock to me... but I calmed down and concentrated on my powers... If there was some kind of monster that could actually talk and say such powerful words to us, then this was the least of my surprises.
I opened my eyes and was shocked to see that I really could fly, just like Yuuki!
Atama: "Whoa, no way! I guess we should fly on out of here then."
Yuuki: "You bet! Let's go!"
So we flew on out of the ruins but then we stopped off by the exit, knowing that the town we lived in was on the horizon, and we didn't want to scare anybody. The sun was already setting...
Yuuki: "I don't think we should use our powers here... and it seems that the sun is already going down... You think we're going to get in trouble?"
Atama: "Who cares, it's going to be hard for even the master to stop us with this power. You bring up a good point though that we should actually walk the rest of the way there."
Yuuki: "Why, thank you! I know it's a hassle, but it must be done. I guess not even the great Atama can come up with that strategy though, huh? Sometimes I wonder if I'm the smarter one..."
I playfully joked back, although I was a little angry at his boastfulness and pride...
Atama: "Yuuki... I'm warning you..."
Yuuki: "I'm just messing with you Atama! Let's go home."
When we got back to the orphanage, it was night fall. The doors were already shut! So our only option was go to go through the windows. Yuuki didn't like that idea however...
Atama: "Drat! Their locked... The only way to get in now is to..."
Yuuki: "Let me guess, the windows? Are you kidding me? Their so high up! Well, I guess we can fly up there now, but there's so many rooms, I can't even remember which one is ours! Can you...?"
Atama: "Yes, I think I can. Follow me."
I had a feeling I was either born with psychic powers like with that dream I had or this magic I got did that for me. We went below our window, levitated up, unlocked it, and went inside.
Yuuki was of course astonished.
Yuuki: "Whoa, I think this really is our home! Nice going Atama! How did you know?"
Atama: "Sh...! I don't know, but I think our powers also made us wiser and psychic now... Don't you feel the same way?"
Yuuki: "Well, maybe a little... I mean, it must be added to how smart we already are from the beginning right? All it is is unlocking our hidden potential I think, not adding more that we don't already have."
Atama: "Then... I guess I was destined to be a genius. Yep."
Yuuki: "Aw, come on Atama, don't brag!"
Atama: "Sorry, you're right... I guess we should be getting to sleep though, don't you think?"
That's when Yuuki stomach was growling... We didn't even have lunch or dinner. I was so caught up in everything that I forgot.
Yuuki: "Aw, crap, I'm getting hungry again... I forgot how long we were out... Atama, we have to go sneak in the kitchen and grab a bite to eat."
Atama: "Are you serious...?"
That's when my stomach growled too. How embarrassing hearing that happen so much in one day... Good thing there weren't any girls to hear that.
Atama: "*Sigh*... Alright, we can go and get a midnight snack before we go to bed."
Yuuki: "Ha ha ha ha... I'm afraid this isn't going to be a snack. The master is going to be ticked off!"
Atama: "Oh brother..."
So we sneaked downstairs and found some old soup. It was still a little warm, but also pretty cold. We didn't want to heat it up though even if it was fully cold... We didn't want to wake anybody up, especially not the master... To drink, we just had water as usual.
After drinking that water from the pond however, I could tell that this was actually fresher, even if it didn't come from nature. Maybe some things from technology really is better than in nature... I wonder why that is... It's like God made the world out of building blocks and we're supposed to put them together to make our own toys, whether their dangerous or not. I never thought it would come down to that...
After we finished, we put our dishes up, unclean. We knew this wasn't very good, but we had no choice.
We went to our rooms and went to bed... Neither one of us seemed to have dreamed of anything important.
The next day we were startled by some troubling news. Some kind of messenger came in our room and closed the door behind us.
Boy: "The master would like to see you! It has to do with you guys sneaking out last night. What were you two doing?"
Yuuki: "Sneaked out? But I would never... Wait, you mean what we did yesterday wasn't a dream?!"
I sighed at Yuuki forgetting something so important...
Atama: "Yes, Yuuki, it wasn't a dream. Look, the night before yesterday, I had a dream of going to those forbidden ruins and we... got some kind of magic. You can go ahead and laugh and turn us in now if that's what you came here for..."
Boy: "No, I wouldn't laugh, although I do find it hard to believe you... and I'm afraid you know the rules that you have to walk up to him yourselves. Can you show me proof?"
Atama: "Alright, but don't tell anyone for now. Watch..."
As I flashed a gust of wind into the air from my left hand, which is said to the more magical one, the boy fell down on his butt, but soon got back up.
Boy: "Wh-what was that?! I mean... Was that your power?"
Atama: "Yes..."
Boy: "So what, you're actually going to stop the master and change things around here instead? Well, maybe that's a good thing... A long time ago, a little girl got kicked out here for seemingly misbehaving... The master got so fed up with her, she was sent out to be homeless. Who knows if she's still alive or if anyone adopted her... She could have starved to death already."
I was shocked... I knew this man was out of his mind! We have to stop him and his madness!
Atama: "There's no way that can be... Alright, we have to settle this. Come on Yuuki."
Yuuki: "But... can we really stop him? Do you think our powers are really that strong?"
Atama: "I think so. Either we're coming to him or he's coming to us, so there's no backing down. Let's check our pockets first to see if we still have those herbs."
Yuuki: "Alright."
We brought them out and it turns out we still had some. That beautiful aroma enveloped the both of us, as if just sniffing it can cure anything. Of course, it wasn't as potent as it looks, but it still does the job for minor injuries.
Boy: "Wow, that's a nice smelling plant... and I'm sorry for telling on you guys. I don't like getting people into trouble, I'm just following orders... I don't want to get kicked out on the streets too."
Atama: "We understand. Even if you're following that guy's orders, I'd still have to praise you for doing a good job. You would make a great son for a parent one day."
Boy: "R-really?! You really think so?!"
Atama: "Of course!"
Yuuki: "Yeah! Don't you know?! Atama never goes back on his word! Alright, let's go!"
Atama: "I'm right behind you!"

(October 18, 2010 Monday A.D.)

You know, I don't remember me and Yuuki ever getting punished, despite all the bad things we say behind this guy's back. Besides all of that, we've been pretty good kids. As far as I can remember anyway...
We walked up into the master's office. As we opened the door, he glared at us with that inhuman stare... One that felt no emotion or sympathy for any troublemaker or criminal in the whole world, as if that deserve their punishment forever. As if he was God himself, sending people to their doom in Hell... I didn't like that look. I hated it... He seemed rather amused too, like he could get away with anything.
Master: "So... where did you two go yesterday? If you lie or hide anything from me, I'm afraid you two are going to have to be punished."
Yuuki: "Liar! Why does it matter? You're just going to punish anyway I bet."
Atama: *Whispers* Yuuki, shut up!"Yuuki: "*Whispers back* But it's true!"
Master: "Grr... this is why I don't like children. Always gossiping behind people's backs and thinking they know everything and own the place, no matter how old they are, even the adolescent ones... You see, only adults are the ones in charge here! So I'm going to ask you two again... Where did you two sneak off to last night?!"
Atama: "You really want to know? We went off to the ruins, that crumbled down place to find hidden treasure. We went there because we got bored, even if it killed us."
Master: "Hm... how foolish... Is it having fun because you're bored really worth risking your life for? You two could have asked me although of course I would have said no, maybe even sent grounded you for the whole day, sending you to your rooms with little food or time to play, but I'm afraid you two are going to receive a much worse punishment... You two are going to receive thirty lashes!"
Yuuki: "What?! No way! Couldn't you do a few less than that?! We're just kids! You're going to scar us forever!"
Master: "Well then, good. It would be a nice reminded for you two never to go disobey the ones in charge. The rules here may as well be the law."
Yuuki: "You will never be above the law you fart face!"
Master: "Oh ho ho ho... Keep that up and I'll be taking out your eyes as well, child, and don't think I'm bluffing."
Yuuki: "Y-you're absolutely mad if you really mean that..."
This was getting us nowhere, and Yuuki was right. Thirty lashes? Take out his eye? That is much easier said then done. I can't even imagine the gruesome horror of what that would look like... If I saw that really happen, I would be traumatized for life, especially if it's coming from any of us kids...
Atama: "Enough. I would like to ask you some questions headmaster."
Master: "Yes... What would you like to ask?"
Atama: "How come the food is so terrible here? Even the bread is stale and no longer very fresh... Can't you do a little better than that?"
Master: "Ha! You really think it's that easy?! You'd be surprised that we're losing more money than we're making it!"
Atama: "You're lying... You don't care about us at all. Someone even told me that a long time ago, you kicked someone out of here for misbehaving to go out and live on the streets. That person could have died by now. What did they do that made you do that to them?"
Master: "Ha ha ha ha... don't you see? It's the same thing you two are doing right now... As a girl, I didn't think anyone would believe her, especially since she was so much younger than you two boys as well. Since there's two of you and boys who are much older than her, I'm afraid I'm going to have to... kill you two!"
Yuuki: "Wh-what?! Kill us?! Are you insane?! You don't run the whole town you know! You think you can really get away with this?!"
Master: "Oh ho ho ho, but I'm afraid I do... I have a lot of money you see, and the mayor is nothing but an idiot if he doesn't think there's anything wrong with my shady scheming... Yes, that's right, I am a liar. So what? I'll be the one in charge here now. Nobody talks back to me like you two boys have done! What happens to you two after you die doesn't matter to me as long as you kids are out of my hair."
Yuuki: "Atama, what do we do?!"

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Atama: "It's okay, I got this. Just one more question. It seems like you really don't care about us after all, so did you take care of us only for the money...?"
Master: "Yes, that's right... It was all for the money... and what are a bunch of kids going to do about it?"
I had enough of this. This guy was making me sick... I thought I really was going to throw up.
Atama: "I had enough of this... Yuuki, we're using our special power on the count of 3!"
Yuuki: "Right!"
Both: "1... 2... 3!"
We blasted him down with a gust of wind and he fell right over. This got him very angry, but we no longer cared. Instead, we laughed!
Atama: "Ah ha ha ha! The only ones that can't be stopped are us! We're the ones with the real power here!"
Yuuki: "Ah ha ha ha! You should see the look on your face!"
Master: "You damn brats! I'm going to chop your heads off!"
Atama: "Ooh... so scary! Come at us then you big headed idiot!"
Yuuki: "Ouch! He's going to be sore tomorrow! That was a good one Atama!"
Master: "That's it! I really am going to kill the two of you! A slow and painful death! I'll roast you two and gobble you down!"
Atama: "Ew... what awful cannibalism. What are you, a giant?"
Yuuki: "Fee fi fo fumb...!"
Master: "ARRRGGHHH!!!"
Yuuki: "Uh oh, I think we overdid it..."
Atama: "So what?! Let's get him!"
Compared to the monster that taught us magic, this was nothing. Or maybe it was, I don't know. They were both really strong, with two completely different powers, but we overcame it. We won the battle, still alive and well... It was a miracle for us to have come this far.
Master: "No way... You... You worthless little brats! Now that you've won, I bet you're going to finish me off, aren't you? Well, go ahead, if you have the guts that is."
Atama: "I'm afraid we're not the monsters you make us out to be like you are. In fact, I have a much better punishment. I'll be erasing all your memories now and giving you new ones. I'll rewrite your very existence so we'll all be treated equally until you can realize your mistake. Goodbye..."
Master: "Wait... You're lying! There's no way you could possibly-!"
He couldn't finish his sentence as I snapped my fingers and he lost all of his memories.
Master: "What the... What am I doing here? What is this place?! Who am I?! Who are you kids?!"
Atama: "I don't know your name. You're going to have to come up with that on your own. This, however is an orphanage, for kids known as orphans who have lost their parents, the ones who birthed them and are supposed to raise and take care of them. That's your job now for many, many children. It has always been your job. But you see, we don't have much food here, and it isn't very good either, but with the need to take care of so many children, I'm sure you'll find a way."
Master: "I see... Well, that will be quite the hassle, wouldn't it?! Am I supposed to do this forever?!"
Atama: "Thankfully, no. Every day there is a time we are supposed to go outside and see if there are any parents that would like to adopt us. You are to see to it every day that we will finally be out of your hair and you can keep all the money you worked so hard to get. Maybe one day you'd like to have a wife and kids if you haven't done so already."
Master: "Alright then... That sounds like a plan! You kids run along and play then! I guess I should take my name from a famous author, or a hero from the greatest times in history! Now where to start..."
Atama: "Yuuki, let's get the heck out of here..."
Yuuki: "Don't you think you overdid it? It seems a little evil to do that, don't you think? Now he's not even the same person at all!"
Atama: "I'm sorry, it was all I could think of... Do you have a better idea?"
Yuuki: "Well, um... No, I guess not."
Atama: "Well then, let's go."
Yuuki: "Okay."
As we went downstairs, everyone was shocked that we came back all of a sudden.
Little Girl: "Hey! It's you guys! Where did you two go yesterday?!"
Little Boy: "Yeah, what she said!"
Atama: "We went to the ruins and got magical powers! Powers of the wind! You want to see?!"
I showed them a little gust of wind from my hands and they all shrieked and cheered!
Little Girl: "Whoa, cool!"
Little Boy: "No fair! We want that kind of power!"
Little Girl: "How did you make it there alive?!"
Yuuki: "What can we say?! We got very lucky. We wouldn't recommend it for anyone though. If you do go however, be very careful, and look out for good smelling plants. They are herbs and they can heal you. Look out also for a pond to drink from."
Little Girl: "Okay!"
Atama: "We're going to leave now. We're tired of this place... I gave the master amnesia with my powers and now we're free to do what we want. You guys can stay here or you can try and find a better home. You guys are going to have to behave though from now on. Parents don't want to have to raise disobedient children!"
Little Boy: "Okay we'll be good!"
Atama: "This messenger for the master here we'll be in charge since he's the oldest. You guys will take after his example."
Little Boy: "Aw, no way! But he's a little too much of a goody goody!"
Atama: "You will listen to him! That is the only way."
Little Boy: "Alright..."
Atama: "Are you coming with me Yuuki?"
Yuuki: "No... I'm afraid I'm going to stay here... It's much too dangerous out there, even with our powers. I still feel hurt from fighting the master. You are really tough, you know that Atama? I heard of a story though about a City of Dreams that can make your wishes come true... I heard it from a kid that snuck into the master's office when he was out one day and read a book in his room about the secrets of the world. I'm afraid he didn't throw it away thinking it was garbage, so maybe it's all true."
Atama: "Well, the man was a little crazy, but maybe you're right... Thanks Yuuki! I'll be back for you all of you one day!"
Yuuki: "You're welcome! Don't be gone too long!"
And so I head off to an unknown future. What will await me, I wonder? I'm all alone too, but since I made it this far, it won't be too bad, right?