1 A Blanket in Heaven

Adam leaned forward and tightened his grips on his motor bike handles. The wind unrelenting as he sped miles above the speed limit. Even under the chilly morning that found itself taking Sunset Metropolis, he was sweating profusely.

As if he had just defused a bomb, or more so just ran an entire marathon. Even his satin white tunic was starting to stick to his skin.

Adam ignored his horrid body temperature and moved his finger across the flat screen in front of him. Within the monitor, a digital fuel gauge was accompanied by a long loading bar. It was already halfway, meaning that he still could go faster.

"Hey watch it!" A male voice seemingly shouted, but as the blur of a person whipped by, the elderly man knew it was too late.

Adam zipped over a hill, only to find the metal street beneath him suddenly disappearing. It was a decline, the same one he had found himself regretting not to remember.

'You really did it this time Adam,' he thought to himself as he started to descend. Within his white aerodynamic helmet, a robotic voice pitched in while he plummeted to unforeseen strife.

"A call from //Mr. Straight//, urgency level RED. Adam, would you like to answer?"

Adam did not even have time to process the voice as his bike's gravitons started to give way and he was almost thrown off the machine. However, Adam was not a fan of hitting cold metal so earlier in the morning. On instincts alone, he gripped his handles and swerved to his right.

He hit the street, something that floating vehicles should never do, but because of his previous swivel, he simple skated downward.

He then started to spin wildly and through a sharp breath he finally spoke, "ANSWWWERRRRR!"

"I'm sorry, I did not catch what you said, if you wo-"

Adam hit the side of the helmet as a few passerby's watched him with amusement. It was not everyday you got to see a LWF Recruit late for his Final Ascension.

"Ah hello Adam, you are running a little late so I wanted to give you a.... What's that sound?"

'Metal, well more so my bones being rattled like chains,' Adam said in his head, but instead he leaned forward and stomped his right foot on the brake pedal.

The Hot Red bike skidded for a few more meters and stopped not so gently as he hit the bottom of the hill. It was like he had just fallen the entire time, and if not for the amazing cushion underneath him, he might of been a goner.

'You really need to set two alarms.' Adam nervously thought as he slowed down and his vehicle resumed the meter distance between the gravitons and the ground. Safe.

"Adam Are you okay, did something ha-"

Adam had completely forgotten he answered his call through all the mayhem, and after a long exhale he cut Mr. Straight off,

"Err. Um. Sorry I was riding my bike and my helmet almost fell off." He face palmed, thinking that deep down he had hoped to come up with a better excuse.

"YOUR HELMET ALMOST CAME OFF?! Are you seriously okay that doesn't just happen?!"

Adam winced as his teacher raised his voice. Even a few pedestrians glanced his way, well, more so because he just did a stunt that surely would have been the biggest traffic ticket to date.

"Aha yeah no problem Teach I just woke up late and was hurrying, I'm just around the corner so don't worry."

For a few seconds silence was the only thing the teenager could hear. And as his bike almost limped to an intersection, he heard a long sigh.

"Adam. Just don't mess up today. You have done so much for the last three years, I would hate for you to blow it."

Adam's knuckles turned white as he gripped the handles even harder than before, a lump in his throat forming.

"I know that..." he managed to squeak out as he stared toward the skyscraper just above him. It was not a square, but a cylinder like structure made of sleek white marble with zero decay. It was also clean as can be, glass window panes reflecting the morning rays. Everything was beautiful as it had always been, and Adam for the first time in a while, lowered his head to ignore it.

He muttered to a halt, and a man in all white happily walked to him, "We have an opening in parking lot eight, is that satisfactory?"

Adam just nodded and tossed the young man a small square box. It was the keys to his bike. As the chauffeur got on, he gasped.

"Woah an 80's model? Hell it even has a pedal!"

Adam ignored his excited shouts and kept his eyes down. He tossed his helmet, the man barley catching it before it hit the ground.

Adam watched his legs move forward, the same one's that carried him up the immense set of stairs before him. Of course like everything else, they were a blinding white.

'Focus Adam,' he thought as he fixed his dark black hair. To his sides, other people spanned the expansive staircase, their eyes lazered forward and their faces just as nervous.

Adam even noticed a short chubby boy even more soaked than he was, his eyes closed as he seemed to pray.

'Poor guy, well...,same goes for me,' Adam said in his head, an unnerving sense of peril crawling underneath his skin.

Just as Mr. Straight had said, Right now, Adam would hate to blow it. Before he thought that was impossible. In retrospect, on Ascension day all you had to do was stand and look pretty, say the oath, and then say your goodbyes.

'Then you are off to save a world.'

Adam laughed at the statement that hung in the air. 'Who would of thought?' He questioned as he glanced toward the topaz sky.

Humanity was now at peace, an era that the previous generations would have never seen coming. In the "Old Age" people call it, or more so the past, war had finally done's its final deed, and all was lost. It seemed humanity had drawn it's last straw, and breathed its last breath.

Nuclear war heads had spanned the night sky like a meteor shower, hundreds of those missiles hitting every major city in every single country. It was truly the end. Well until Ascension happened.

A bright white light took up the sky as Earth crumbled, and spoken aloud was a voice so powerful no one ever questioned its origin.

"You are forgiven."

That was all it had said, but its meaning reverberated throughout the entire world, and the war that once scattered dead corpses was no more. Humanity finally united, even if the land was scorched to cinder, it had finally happened, true peace.

The next part was even scarier. With the people of Earth together, it merely took two hundred years to get to were it is now. Technology that was almost Magic like, peace that no one would question, forest and wildlife that spread across beautiful landscapes, and a new military within power.

The Liberation World Front. With technology so powerful, and hearts so full of joy, humanity had a new goal in mind. To save those who were in the same peril as Earth was, worlds on the brink of extinction. Commonly know as Lost Worlds.

So Adam had decided to join Kungin Academy at the age of thirteen. The academy was a place where students were trained to practice political ways to save worlds. Pretty much they would be sent to places that only needed a few words and a push to get were Earth is now. Of course their were world's that would take more than a speech to fix, so the LWF was split into three studies.

Combat, INHABIT, and Political Affair. Adam was in the third, seeing as when he joined he was given the world Rohan.

Rohan was a world with zero emotion, a place that somehow was left in such a state when too many laws started to corrupt the souls of which it was made to protect. If Adam had to compare it to something, if was to the reference book he had to read in his first year.

The Giver, an Old Age book written about a dystopian future who sought to do the same. Now Adam was tasked with traveling to Rohan and convincing the people their that emotion was something needed in order to truly thrive. That emotion was a necessity that trumped law.

For three years Adam had been taught methods to diffuse situations through words, or how to seem not threatening and almost of royalty. But "the best way" was always opinionated and he was told time and time again it might not even help him. Of course it was all an act, and the Adam right now could do little if thrust into such a world. He was a little clumsy, a goody two shoes, and determined.

But Adam was no moron, and had been given thousands of books about Rohan and its history. From how war had been sparked, to how it ended, or even on how food effected such an outcome; he studied any detail he deemed necessary.

Although, remembering every single detail about thousands of years of history was almost next to impossible. So Adam was trained to think on his feet, and solve a problem as quickly as possible.

All accompanied by a number one rule hung above his soul.

"No violence."

Adam said aloud as he calmed his emotions. Right now he just needed to settle down and think. Just as he was taught. Today the Administration of the Political Affairs branch would come to see his graduation, and then the students soul's would be examined. After that he would be on his merry way, finally able to see Rohan in the flesh. It was actually riveting to think about.

Adam grabbed his collar and yanked, seemingly pulling his focus forward. Now was not the time to think about his past, or future. 'For this moment is most important,' Adam thought, quoting Mr. Straight.

Just like that, Adam found himself at the top of the stairs, the big glass doors just before him. For a few moments he glanced up the expansive structure, the letters, "L.W.F." Floating just above the surface of the wall. It was virtually transparent.

Adam glanced to his side, the chubby kid he saw before also completely changed. He was not the only one taking it seriously now.

"Hurry it up Adam."

A soft push touched his back, and he quickly turned to see the blonde hair of Avery, his classmate. She was beautiful, and her slender figure looked even better as she wore her white shawl, the robe draped around her uniform.

Adam blinked a few times as he gathered his emotions, "Are you not late as well? Maybe you should hurry."

He had said it in his practiced tone, the one he had learned when talking to older people. She noticed it as well and laughed, "Drop that uptight accent, its creepy."

Adam touched his chest as if in pain, "How dare thee? I was just pressuring your own urgency with my taste."

They both burst out laughing, Avery going as far as to wipe away a fake tear. Adam rushed past her and spoke, "Open."

The glass door slid open as he skipped inside with a dumb grin plastered to his cheeks. Avery followed suit, her face still lit up with joy as they entered the foyer. Adam glanced back, grinning like an idiot, and as he did, he found himself running into a wall.

On second thought, Adam turned to see the blue tempered eyes of his teacher. It was Mr. Straight.

"Care to explain the little date you guys are having?"

Adam shook himself straight and quickly swallowed his laughter, "Oh um uh-"

The aging man shook his head, "When caught off guard what do you do?"

Avery appeared next to Adam and spoke firmly, "Answer just as quickly and catch your pursuer off guard."

Mr. Straight smiled, "Good Avery, it seems at least one of my students listens."

Adam countered, "Is it because of your lack of skill to teach?."

Mr. Straight twitched, as if he was stabbed in the chest. His face had donned a look of spite, pridefulness, and a sense of satisfaction.

"Not bad, but you are still ten minutes late, hurry up and go change."

Adam nodded and headed down the hallway leading toward the ceremonial room. Avery was a few steps behind, looking at the paintings on the wall.

The hallways seemed to shake the architecture that had been outside, the sleek shiny metal and white marble gone. Instead the walls had formed a deep dark brown wood, squares sectioned off every three meters. Within in each display, a painting was present.

Adam, although still gathering himself, glanced toward one of the few paintings. It was a man painted in black in white, a way to depict a person of importance. Funnily enough, the important person who stared him down was his brother, Aruis.

He had the same wavy black hair, but his eyes were a deep brown, the opposite of Adam's light blue ones. Adam would of took a few more seconds to admire his bloodline, but Avery had crossed in front of him.

"Stop it Adam, focus ahead like we were taught." She raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips.

Adam rolled his eyes, "We were also told to stop and admire detail, for the most beautiful picture has the ugliest mistakes."

They exchanged smiles again. It seemed the last few years had accumulated to a few well placed quotes. Of course some even contradicted themselves, but nonetheless they had the same meaning.

"So how do you feel? I mean leaving Earth behind is a big deal." Avery asked as she bit her lip and continued down the hallway.

'Asking the big questions know are we?,' Adam questioned in his head. He followed after, a long exhale giving him a few moments to analyze her words.

"I don't see a problem, Earth has done this for fifty years now, and we have saved almost a million worlds. At this point it's nothing more than tradition."

Avery nodded and watched her feet glide over the red carpet beneath them. Its cloth was perfect, and the deep red made her shiver.

"That's just it, it has only been two hundred years since the 'Last War', its crazy to think that it was so close..."

Most people would never even think to just leave such an amazing place as Earth. Anything one wanted could be found there, and struggle was seemingly something of the past. For what Adam felt deep down, it correlated to his family. His father and older brother had been sent to a Lost Worlds and successfully helped them reach peace. His Father had come back happy as ever, but on the other side, Aruis did not. It was acceptable that if someone was able to save a world from extinction, they could stay a nurture it further. Adam's brother had been gone since he was eight, and only once had he sent a message. One that said He had found a wife.

That was it.

Adam had decided he would venture beyond Earth, to see if what the LWF was doing was sane, if this REALLY was humanity's purpose.

Adam shook his loose thoughts away and sped up and to push Avery slightly, "Just be glad we weren't part of it, I heard all the stories from my grandpa, and none made me want to experience it."

The two grew quiet as a great set of perfectly symmetrical wood doors had stopped their worries. As they pushed down their thoughts, the doors had been swung open.

"Avery Carter and Adam Finch," it was a lady holding a glass clipboard, a holographic list floating inches above it, "Is that you two?"

The duo nodded in succession, and without a word the lady motioned for them to come in. They complied, finding their feet standing amongst an open floor with red carpet pathing two ways. One led up to an altar like area, its brilliance further lighted by the sunrise. The Ceremonial room seem to mimic a church of Old Age, and the pews before were already chalk full of important people.

Of course chatter skated across the room, the buzz making Adam relieved that no one seem to care they were late. If they had missed the opening ceremony then they would be toast right about now.

"Hurry up and go get dressed, we start in ten minutes because of you two."

They nodded again, even if they did not know who was apparently angered at them. At the moment, they were just glad to be somewhat on time. Adam smiled and made his way toward an arch in the back corner, Avery also doing the same at the opposite end. They waved slowly before turning to rush into the changing room.

Adam was left to his thoughts, 'You finally did it, you are a few minutes from being worth something.' Adam balled his hand into a fist,

"Don't fuck it up."

With haste, the familiar white tunic Adam wore had been covered by a long blue gown, it mirroring those of Old Age. Although, the hat that would accompany such a get up had been replaced by a simple hair clip. On the metal, a hologram floated above his head. It was the LWF insignia, a circle surrounded by rings, a set of angel wings growing from the center.

The locker room was somewhat out of place, but the emptiness made it even weirder. And for a second Adam had finally took to looking at himself in the mirror.

Average looks, a little taller than most, and beautiful eyes. He regretted it, the thought of his brother never coming back to haunt him.

'He can make his own decisions!' Adam forced himself to think. His brother had found a place he loved, and Adam would soon discover why.

Rohan, a world of no emotions. Adam suddenly donned determined eyes, "I will save that world."

He no longer looked toward the arched mirror, and made a swift exit toward the open area.

The same lady had been waiting, "You actually don't look half bad, good, you are going to be behind the dark skinned kid name Alfie."

Adam noted the name, glancing to his left to see other males in the same get up. Surprisingly, he noticed no one from his class. Although, most classes consisted of five people at most, since it helped the teachers focus on individuals.

"Thank-k um, thank you." Adam bowed like he was taught.

"Ooo look at my boy!" A grizzled deep voice came from a pew behind Adam. With a huge smile, the boy turned to see his lone Father ghost clapping. Adam rolled his eyes and nodded. He had wanted to go over, but the lady before him clicked her tongue and Adam without a second to spare shifted his feet and hurried down the isle. A few people in army like uniforms watched as he walked.

"Goodbyes insight an end, while promises ignites hope." Adam whispered. It would be hard, but it would be best not to say anything to his dad. And for his old man knew the same.

Now was Adam's time to prepare mentally, and as he found his spot, a bellow of trumpets started to play throughout the church. Everyone in the pews stood, and Adam watched his Father struggle to get up.

It was his right leg as always.

"Today, marks the end of many beginnings."

Adam stared toward the altar, an old man standing with both arms raised. He had on the same gown, but his head had held a decorative crown of sorts. It was Adam's first time seeing it.

"And Today marks the start to many ends."

He gestured toward a line of boys, the one Adam had been awkwardly placed in, especially since he knew no one.

On the adjacent side, a row of girls had also lined up toward the front, a few giggles coming from them. Adam grinned, and a boy behind him whispered,

"Typical girls."

He ignored the comment and faced forward, watching as the lookalike priest bowed his head,

"And for the sake of the world, and for those lost without reason, humanity speaks one truth...."

Everyone fell silent.

"You are forgiven."

Adam's hand had balled into fist, and his nails dug into his palm, threatening to break the skin. He held himself back, not knowing why the words had struck a nerve. He had made his gaze toward the crowd, many heads hung and a few tears rolling down silky cheeks.

'I guess everyone understands...' Adam managed to say to himself. They would never let it happen again.

The silence finally broke, and the priest began to speak more gibberish and fancy words to appeal to the crowd, and after a few minutes, Adam grew bored.

Very bored.

At the moment he wished he had his Hover bike, speeding down a road with the wind to his face. The bike used to be his brother's after all. For a moment Adam even felt regret, knowing that today was the last day he would enjoy it. Well, at least he went out with a bang, sure of himself that there was a skid mark somewhere on that hill.

"And now we ask for you to applaud those with the will to sacrifice their virtue, and we ask for you to applaud for a better future."

'We?' Thought Adam.

Then something hit him, as he glanced toward the line of girls, his heart sunk and his eyes narrowed. At first he thought it had just been the angle he was at, but upon further inspection, something important was missing.

Or more so someone important.

Where was Avery?

Adam glared toward them, slowly looking at each face to make sure he was not going crazy. No, he knew already, that she was not there. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat, turning his head toward the crowd that had been clapping in his appraisal.

But he couldn't stomach it, his mind racing to find a possible solution, 'the bathroom, that must be it, no. She would of said something to the lady. She isn't that dumb. Then what Adam? Maybe she had complications with her gown, or did they even have one prepared for her? No, this is the LWF you are talking about. Then what?!"

Adam had fogged his mind, and a light hand grabbed his shoulder, "We are about to say the oath, get ready. Also are you okay dude?"

It was Alfie, the dark skinned boy concerned as to why Adam seem so distressed. He turned toward him and smiled, "I uh, need to use the restroom."

Adam backed away and sprinted back towards the changing room. Since it was along the far wall, the arches had hidden him for the most part. He made his way toward the boy's changing room, passing the mirror in haste.

He sighed as he saw a small metal door towards the back. He gripped the nob and hurried outside. He was in the hallway again, and without another breath he was legging it toward another metal door not far off.

He gripped the handle and pulled, with little effort, it swung open, and the scene before him sent chills down his spine.

"I-I- I can't do it Adam..." the Avery he had known was gone, and the broken face of a young girl had replaced her. Her make up had thinned and smeared, and a river of tears never ceased to run. She quickly looked away, staring at the floor she had been sitting on.

Adam hurried forward and slid beside her, "Hey hey, calm down. What's up, what do you mean you can't?"

Avery glared at him, "Talk to me normally please, I just, just..."

Adam dropped his composed act and his eyes widened, "What the fuck Avery, are you okay, we need to go, the ceremony is-"

She simple shook her head, Adam's words seemingly caught in a net. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Avery found herself staring at the mirror, the same type of one Adam had admired himself in. This had been the complete opposite.

She was a mess, and deep down Adam could feel her restraint and passion. In reality, who would want to leave such a place. Earth was amazing, but most importantly, it was were family was, or well...

Adam's features turned dark, 'Where family was supposed to be.' He thought.

Avery continued her whimpers, her shoulders shaking as she wiped away her stress, "I just, I can't leave Ara behind."

Adam blinked, confused by her words. She noticed, and slightly giggled, "Yeah your probably don't know, she is my little sister and-"

Her voiced cracked, and her tears began to roll again, "And she needs me, I can't leave her."

Adam thought, carefully, knowing his next words could make or break the entire situation, "What about your parents, wouldn't they look after her?"

Avery gritted her teeth, "They both stayed on the Lost planet they saved..."

'Shit,' Adam thought as he regretted saying anything. Only if he had known that, but every since he met Avery the girl had kept many secrets. Now that Adam started to process it, he realized how far away she actually was.

Had they really even been close to begin with?

Avery grabbed his sleeve, a few splotches of makeup staining his gown, "How can they do it Adam, how could they just not look back."

Adam had rarely took the time to even bring such a topic up. It was reality, that was it, even if Adam disliked that his brother left and never came back, he knew he was happy. But could he be so sure about Avery's parents? Were they not happy here, and found it elsewhere? Lost Worlds had always been somewhat of pipe dream, and just like Adam the hype and clout behind training years for it must of been the reason. So much work, and to see if it fulfilled would be outstanding, but to also see it flourish would be a gift.

Adam stared at the tile beneath them, his mind still as burdened as before.

"Avery look, I understand how you feel, in a sense I am were your little sister will be someday if you do go. And you know how much I love my brother, and you know how much I wish to see him. But, deep down I know that its his life, and he chose his path."

Adam held back tears, "And he made his final decision." He grabbed her shoulders, "So right now Avery, make yours."

She stopped her tears, and exhaled heavily. Her green eyes met his, and for a moment a swirl of emotions came washing across her face. They both watched each other, and the world around them dimmed in comparison.

Avery smiled, "I want to stay, thank you Adam..."

Adam let out a sigh of relief and tipped his head back. He let himself collapse to the floor, "You really know how to give someone a panic attack."

He looked toward the ceiling, the wood curved almost too perfectly. He seem to see through it, all the way into the sky, wondering where his brother was.

'Had Aruis cried like this?' He pondered through his sulked heart beats. 'Aruis was always a hard ass, so probably not.'

Adam laughed, and Avery giggled along with him.

Then it hit him...

Adam shot up, "Uhh, I have to go, I need to go actually." Avery's eyes widened as she realized Adam had run to help her, leaving the ceremony behind. Urgency had completely taken over the boy, and as he stood up, the entire building shook.

Adam grabbed the nearest wall to stabilize himself, and for a few seconds he processed what had just happen. It was the portal, the one that sent those who walked in to another world. He had been taught that immediately after the ceremony and souls gauges it would open. It was so no one could have regrets like Avery, and the new recruits of the LWF would be on there merry way.

Adam gritted his teeth as the building shook again. He took a final glance at Avery, the girl nodding with a smile. She mouthed the word goodbye, Adam rushing out in a fret.

She was left alone, her eyes settling on her reflection, "I really fucked up this time." She said aloud. She gripped her temples and sighed, wishing she could of said something more brazen to Adam. He had been her first crush, and she really wanted to kiss him just a few seconds ago. But for him to go, he needed to forget it all and move forward, just like her parents.

She wiped away her dried tears and nodded, "Please make it Adam."