"Yawn!!* 'A very beautiful morning it is today, I must say…' Xy said, as he sat atop the rooftop of his domicile.

Since his and Zao's graduation from college the previous year, Xy's existence had become somewhat mundane. However, with the recent occurrence involving the man in the suit, Xy's life was about to take an unexpected turn, bringing about revelations he never thought possible.

“Urgh, I even tried going to the doctors and even they don’t know what was going on, this is weird… I’ve been having this feeling for as long as I can remember...” Xy muttered to himself.

Determined to alleviate his discomfort, Xy donned his usual black attire, picked up his training sword, and made his way to the field he frequently visited for practice.

*SWING!* *WOOSH* *CRASH!*

"I feel much better now..." Xy exclaimed as he continued to wield his sword.

But soon, Xy began to feel a peculiar sensation wash over him.

“What is thi-” Xy exclaimed as he turned around to see a half-naked, yellow-skinned creature lying on its back, eyes closed, on the field.

(⊙＿⊙’)

He stepped closer towards the creature out of curiosity, until it levitated itself onto its feet.

“Wait… You can see me?” He replied.

“Woah! You can talk! Who ar-”

He intervened Xy and said “You can see me?”

“W- well, yes? I’m not talking to myself am I?”

‘I actually might have gone insane… Maybe I am just imagining things again...'

“This is impossible. Who are you, you human?”

“I should be asking you this question, who are you and what are you doing on my property?!” Xy replied.

“YOUR property? What are you talking about, I've been sightseeing the sunrises here for many years!” He replied.

“What…” 

“Uhm, Xy, you okay buddy?” 

Xy turned around “Oh, Zao… Why are you up so early?”

“Well, it was kinda hard staying asleep when there is someone shouting, especially for an extreme light sleeper like me.” Zao replied dressed in his all-white night clothes.

“Right…”

“Have you been hallucinating again?” Zao queried.

“Me? Hallucinating?” 

“Yeah… Who were you even talking to?” 

“I was talking to this ma-”

“He’s gone…” Xy said with only his head turned around.

Xy had been known in the household as one who frequently experienced hallucinations, ever since he was a child. His mother would often scold him for "talking to himself". Thus, it was only natural for Zao to recall these moments, including this one.

But the thing was… 

But the peculiar aspect of this occurrence was that it was the first time Xy had ever had a full conversation with one of his hallucinations. It was always Xy shouting "Who are you?" repeatedly, for his hallucinations to dissipate.

*Sigh*, “Maybe I should get some more sleep.” Xy said.

“Maybe you should, or would you like some breakfast? I bought your favorite biscuits yesterday!”

“Great!” Xy joyously replied.

As Xy and Zao walked back into the house, the creature stood behind a large tree in the forest that surrounded the house, glaring at Xy, still in utter disbelief.

“That boy…”

“No. I do not want to mistake myself.”

“I am not afraid of anything, but them…”

“I know I shouldn’t, but…”

“Even thinking about it, makes me tremble…”

Xy had no inkling that this moment was the threshold that opened the door for him to embark on an otherworldly path full of revelations...