Can't I Get Home?

The burnt ashes on the floor due to the dark flames, slowly faded away. But, what faded the most, was the orb that was lit in the sky.

Its once bright green elegance that traversed the entire city, began to fade. Its light failed to keep its steadiness, fluctuating frequently like a worn-out bulb.

Not only did its brightness reduce, but it also became considerably smaller than when he first encountered it. It was as though its life span was over, and it had transferred its will to a vessel.

Soon, the dark flames that fully engulfed Akira's body lost coverage. From his head, it shortened to his torso. Later, the flames went down to his legs, and then, his feet.

A few minutes later, the rapid unsteady flames, completely disappeared into thin air.

"Finally, those flames are gone."

He heaved a sigh of relief and journeyed further into the city.

The infrastructures placed strategically in the city were amazing, decorated with the elegant residents of the individual homes. It was a dance of white and many other bright colors.

It was a city, noticeable from afar. One that couldn't be forgotten.

"Could it even get dark in this city?" he asked, wandering from one street to another.

Soon, his question was answered, and the city turned dark. The orb in the sky was as dark as coal, but the bright lamps, further reflected by the white environment still lit up the streets. After all, no human would enjoy a good sleep, without a dark sky.

The sky was a tapestry of brightly colored, yet dimmed stars due to their distance from the city.

Luckily, Akira spotted a bridge where he could sleep. It wasn't much different from his former home, where he slept on wooden beds.

He arrived and fixed himself into a little opening beneath the large bridge. Its size was unreal, joining two demarcations of the land together, and beneath it, was a large body of sparkling water.

Above the bridge, was an entertaining constellation formed by strategically placed street lamps.

Alas, Akira had to keep his priorities straight and find a way out of the city into his familiar environment.

He laid his head, flung his clothing over his body, and sunk deeply into his sleep. Hours passed, but the slumber Akira was in deprived his awakening.

Calmly and beautifully, the birds chirped, moving from one tree to another, exposing their colorful wings. Surprisingly, the tone of cramped and cracking leaves woke Akira up.

It was an abrupt awakening.

His eyes still shone red as scarlet, with droplets of tears casually resting on his cheeks. He stood up, observing the area, and realizing his current situation.

"Oh, I forgot. I'm stuck in this city," he said, further departing from the bridge.

It was a day once again, but the green orb was not present in the bright morning sky. The city was different, given that its pride was now lost, with no illumination.

He wandered all over the streets questioning residents and traders and forcing the truth out of guardians and officials.

In all his attempts, he couldn't get an answer. Well, until he stumbled upon a building.

It was tall. As tall as a mountain, piercing the sky and showcasing its parade of hues throughout the neighboring buildings.

He looked up to the sky, praising its height. Afterward, he walked into the building, to be surprised by its contents.

"A training center?"

He was confused, walking about in its halls, while observing children, teenagers, and even adults training in separate rooms. Its large and corporate exterior appearance presented a contradicting idea of its actual essence.

Walking in, a man in a black robe walked up to him. He seemed aged, with his eyes half-closed, and grey hair popping up on his head and beard. His beard was long and silky, similar to Asian mentors in films.

His size was nothing close to remarkable, measuring only a few inches above Akira's waist, and Akira wasn't the tall, grown teenager you may imagine him to be.

"Son, you are bothered. Is there something you would like to share with me?"

Akira looked back at him, surprised at his words. He failed to know how the old man could sense his discomfort. His knowledge further proved the quality of the business.

Akira walked him out to a tiny space behind the building. He seemed like its owner, and so, he found it fit to communicate his findings.

"I'm not from this world, and I wish to return," he spoke trying to hide as much detail as he could. He did not, and could not fully trust an individual he had met only a few seconds ago.

Immediately, the man put on a face of disbelief, stroking his beard, and looking up into the clear sky. The sun burnt his eyes, but he cared not.

Akira had a strange feeling, that the man would know even the slightest information regarding his situation.

"I know what's going on. Why you can't return," he stated with a spark of interest.

"It's obvious. Once you enter this world, it means you have been bestowed with a power - an element - and to go, you must train your mind and body to align with those newly found powers,"

"It is only when you have obtained adequate training, that you shall leave."

Akira was not particularly happy upon hearing the news, especially as Sota had previously announced a mission, but he agreed with the man and decided to train at his institution.

"Ah man, a day has passed already. Masuyo and Minato may have already headed out for the mission."

He was discouraged, yet happy to gain new powers, and he was ready to train tirelessly to hone those powers.

He followed the man into the facility, and they both entered a room. It was quite spacious, with no individual ink sight. Various equipment lay dormant at different corners of the room.

The room was dusty, as though it was used in the past but was shut down and left for a few decades, or even centuries.