“I’m awake!” I shout, as a rock hits me in the head and I begin falling towards the ground. “Dammit! That hurts!” *Fwump.* I hit the ground and look around in anger as the orb lands gracefully next to me. “Who the hell threw that rock?!”

“Oops… umm… I’m sorry, Fukai!” Maka says.

“See, Maka, I told you to be careful.” Ramsey looks at me, a flash of inquisitive concern on his face. “And besides, you were supposed to be aiming for the orb.”

Maka looks at Ramsey. “I was… I just really suck at this.” Maka says while looking defeated.

Ramsey shakes his head, “Look, Maka, I suggest aiming for his head… and then, maybe you’ll hit the orb.”

“Hey!” I shout at them in anger.

Maka walks up to Ramsey and sticks his finger in Ramsey’s face, a little upset. “Look, Ramsey, it’s not like you hit the orb either!”

Ramsey turns his head and whistles. “Weeell, I also didn’t hit him in the head, ok?”

Maka turns and looks at me with determination. “It doesn’t even look like it has affected him, watch!” Maka sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth and throws another rock at me, hitting my shoulder this time. “See? Nothing! No movement, no cries of pain, nothing!”

“What the damn! Hell! Maka!” I shout in anger.

“Hmmm… what were you aiming at this time?” Ramsey scratches his head in mock confusion.

“Umm… his head.” Maka says quietly.

Ramsey puts his hand on his face, sighing. “Ok, let me try this again.” Ramsey hurls another rock at me, but this time harder.

I quickly jump to my feet and catch the rock. “What the hell, GUYS!” I swiftly throw the rock past Ramsey’s head. “And this is how you throw a rock!”

“Fukai? You’re back with us.” Ramsey sarcastically feigns a little surprise.

“Kai! You’re alright?” Maka begins laughing as Ramsey and him both rush over to me. “Are you okay?!”

Ramsey looks at me, “What happened to you?”

I look at both of them, confused. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Look, Fukai, after you grabbed the orb, a bright light blinded us.” Ramsey calmly looks up. “And next thing we know, you’re floating just off the ground with that orb at your side. We didn’t know what to do, and then you started to rise. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes, but then you came back.”

I look at my hands. “Really? It feels like hours have passed.” I say to myself.

Maka looks at Ramsey and smiles. “We’d better head back home before we find more trouble.”

“You’re right. I believe that’s enough adventure for one day, even for an idiot.” Ramsey puts his hand on Maka’s shoulder and gestures his head towards me.

“Wait.” I say quietly.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving!” Ramsey smiles and declares as he begins to walk away.

“Me too! Let’s go home!” Maka shouts as he begins to follow Ramsey.

“WAIT… we can’t leave just yet!” I shout.

Ramsey turns around in anger. “What?!”

I look at Ramsey, “We can’t go back home just yet.”

Maka looks at me and then at Ramsey. “And… why not?”

Ramsey quickly turns around and begins to walk away. “It doesn’t matter why not. Because we’re going home and that’s final.”

“LISTEN!” Ramsey turns to look back at me, hearing the urgency in my voice. I stare at Ramsey with conviction. “I know, I’m the one that talked you guys into skipping class today. I know that since then, there’s been nothing but one danger after another. I know all of that, but when I touched that orb, I was transported to a different realm! One where I met The Guardian of Apo! And she called out to me! She called out, ‘Please help!’” I turn to Maka, hoping he can see that I’m telling the truth. “The Guardian protects all living things that dwell here, so shouldn’t we do the same when she needs our help?!”