Chapter 1: A trip like any other

Warm Dream: Truth

Volume 1: First day, first month

We've always wondered, unconsciously, if knowing the truth really has any real value.

Human beings break their own limitations to go further. They do this day after day without realizing it. The proof is in their genes. For them, there is no other path than the one forming before their eyes.

"Always forward," science dictates like a divine voice in the ears of ignorance.

It's true. People are ignorant, but not because their heads are empty or filled with useless thoughts. Human beings are simply incapable of knowing everything, but even if they don't live long enough to remedy this fate, they are still willing to try and thus inherit it.

What is the pursuit of knowledge but a fire? Without direction, without discernment, without justification... Just leaving ashes in its wake, with no spectator to clarify how far it has come.

But...

Just because knowledge is there doesn't mean it should be learned, right? After all, the will to perform an action is born from benefit.

If so, what about the knowledge that leads to misfortune?

What is that spark in our heads, urging us to seek a truth that will hurt?

This boy, a spoiled young man like the troublemakers you see bothering us on the internet, refuses to accept such nature.

Since that grayish sunset…

“Knowing more only brings more problems.”

Everyone wants something, and at the same time, all reject its consequences.

“Isn't it stupid? I, now, knew too much even though I didn't want to…”

He gave his best. He changed.

“No, I didn't do anything. And if I didn't do anything, how did things end up this way…?”

It's common knowledge. The laws of physics make it clear: To every action there is a repercussion.

“Heh, I see… That's why…”

He broke that rule.

Chapter 1: A trip like any other

Year 2027

“Who came up with this stupid idea?”

The Republic of Manecia. This was the name of his country; the beautiful nation he grew up in and which he loathed.

This self-proclaimed "Republic" was bordered by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. That's right, it turned out to be a huge island lying in the middle of nowhere.

Its origins date back to the end of World War II, when it was nothing more than an island with a few indigenous and peasant villages within its borders that welcomed refugees from every corner of the world; refugees escaping the atrocities of war at the time.

This enormous independent island quickly grew in population and infrastructure like no other. It possessed abundant natural resources and vast rivers watered it from its great mountains, so hosting a few thousand foreigners was perfectly permissible.

No matter where its inhabitants set foot, the undisturbed nature was evident all around them.

It was a paradise.

However, if there was one thing this paradise lacked, it was stability.

With immigration came people, with people came societies, and with societies came the need for someone to lead them.

This gave rise to all sorts of power struggles, and governments changed year after year.

It wasn't until 2020 that a new government from abroad was welcomed and progress finally took place.

Isolated yet connected to the rest of the world, few had full knowledge of this nation except its inhabitants. However, thanks to its new government, it was visited by both some foreigners and selected international merchants.

Paradise became a utopia that lasted for years. This was the case during the so-called "golden years."

But now, in 2027, its reality couldn't be more different.

The nation was in decline.

Poor management? Fraudulent business dealings? No one knew exactly why. And naturally, the government was blamed for these misfortunes.

Disputes erupted again in the country. As quickly as it had prospered, it found itself in ruin.

Work became as scarce as food, and criminal activity increased as much as hunger.

The utopia essentially became a necropolis.

Chase Termiane, a mere 18-year-old boy, was walking through its mountains, coming to the same conclusion.

"Damn... Why did I come on this trip in the first place?" he said to himself, using his baseball cap as a fan.

He hated nature or going out into the "outdoors." He considered himself a quintessential city dweller; of and for the city.

He preferred being locked in his room doing nothing at all than catching the sunlight on his forehead.

He wasn't someone to blame. Anyone would choose to do the same if they lived in the same city he did. Although it wasn't always this way, times change.

But his mother refused to accept that fact; she forced him to leave his cave and participate in the school trip taking place in their High School, in the first months of the year.

This trip consisted of a biology project supervised by a biology teacher, during a two-week stay in the Acracia Mountains, a large group of mountains east of Matria province, east of his hometown, center of the country.

He was clearly grumpy due to the heat of the mountain environment and the people he met.

In short, Chase was a boy who attracted the hatred of anyone he met almost immediately. He only really got along with a few classmates.

Jevo Deems, a responsible, know-it-all young man.

Vines Pall, a homeless party animal.

Earlene Gresham, a carefree girl with her mind in the clouds.

Doger Biast, a restless and temperamental boy.

These were the simplistic opinions he had of his tiny circle of friends, or rather, those who tolerated him.

Of course, they weren't the only ones on the trip. They were accompanied by dozens of other students marching toward the hills. Some of whom he didn't get along with at all.

Wearing his light blue school uniform and blue pants, he found himself surrounded by one of the groups participating in the trip; a rather jubilant one that could hardly be ignored by his peers.

"Guh! D-Doger! What did you put on me?"

The younger member, somewhat plump, with blond hair tied back in a ponytail, was whining and desperately waving her hands above her head. The other, thin and of medium height, just writhed with laughter behind her.

"Ha ha ha! Ah..." He caught his breath a little. "I thought you were hungry, Earlene! Didn't you say you'd eat anything now?"

"But not spiders! I hate them..." the girl retorted, looking for someone else, "Chase! Please help me."

"I'm coming, I'm coming..."

Chase responded while playing on his cell phone, leaning against a tree. He put it away and approached. She immediately turned her back on him.

"...Put your head down."

"Eek! It's moving!"

"And that's how you ruin a joke... I was just joking, don't overreact," defended the man called Doger, thinking he'd gone too far.

"Tch... I'm not in the mood for this... Ah, I've got it," he declared, removing a tiny spider from her hair and hanging it from the nearest branch he could find.

"Doger, don't do that. And thanks, Chase."

"Not at all..." he sighed heavily as he fanned himself again with his baseball cap, "Being out in the elements for so long is already a nuisance, don't make it worse, you hear me?"

"Guys, lower your voices or Mr. Henroy will hear you," said a young woman with a slender body, long, fair, blond hair that covered her right eye, parting bushes in her path.

These were some of the people Chase couldn't stand. They peeked out one by one.

A green-eyed boy followed the new girl and imitated her, running a hand through his well-groomed blond hair.

"Ah... ah... You heard her. I also have no desire to be punished again for your antics, Doger," he said, taking a deep breath to catch his breath after the long walk.

"Oh, come on, man! I was hoping Xiomara would be the spoilsport, but not you, Miruno, heh..."

"Hey!" replied the young lady, arms crossed.

"You know me, Doger, I'm an honest man. And Chase..." he turned his gaze to the young man. “I assume you're fully aware of the location we're in and its implications. Your efforts are foolish.”

"Whether I have this with me or not doesn't affect you in any way, does it?" he expressed irritation, trying to get a signal by waving his cell phone in the sky, to no avail.

"You are too dependent on such gadgets..."

"I know you wish you had one, Miruno."

"I've survived without one of those; I don't think I need it. Besides, I should emphasize that you were ordered to leave it on the bus, like everyone else here."

Tired of arguing, Chase loomed over his counterpart.

"A natural experience, huh? How stupid... As if technology disappeared overnight..."

Chase detested the refined demeanor of the boy named Miruno, and the dependent attitude of his companion, Xiomara. The hatred was probably mutual, but they still had to be hypocrites, like the "good classmates" they were. After all, that's how common human relationships work.

However, their personal problems wouldn't go any further; they were soon interrupted by a distant echo in the air.

…

Like the thunderous ringing of bells announcing an important event, change was coming to their lives.

"Guys, do you hear that?"

Xiomara asked, turning around. Earlene shrugged, demonstrating her ignorance and lack of interest in the matter.

On the other hand, the other groups of students stopped walking to search for the source of the noise.

Like a taciturn world; only that gradual echo was possible to perceive in that long instant.

In one of the groups of students closest to the top of the hill, one of them was lucky enough to be the first to distinguish the source of what was capturing so much attention.

From below, no one knew what was happening until one of the young men exclaimed,

"GET DOWN!"

Without time to react, they watched in perplexity as a massive burning airplane passed just a few meters above them, tearing their structures to pieces and destroying every irregularity in its path.

To be continued…

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:

This work contains material that may be considered inappropriate or sensitive for some readers. Please be advised that this narrative includes scenes of violence, explicit sexual situations, and strong and offensive language. In addition, the plot addresses social, religious, political, and cultural issues, among others, that may generate conflicting opinions or provoke emotional reactions in readers.

Readers are asked to be aware that the inclusion of these elements is not intended to promote or glorify any negative behavior, but rather to explore various facets of the human experience and its implications.

The content herein is purely fictional and any resemblance to real events, people, or places is merely coincidental.

Reader discretion is recommended, as the critical reflection on the content and its implications. Interpretation and reaction to these situations are subjective and may vary depending on individual sensitivity.

The author and editors assume no responsibility for any discomfort, offense, or upset that may arise as a result of reading this work.

By continuing to read this work, the reader accepts these terms and conditions.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------