A few weeks have passed and people still talks about the incident. Leonard has stopped bothering Mark and Martin since that day.

The sky is red and the birds above are black like shadows fading in the distance, those were the things that Mark sees as he stares above. He walks with joy and passion in his heart, cannot fight the urge to smile and feel like the need to vomit. He opens his dorm room door expecting someone but there is no one inside. The room was silent and empty; nothing was inside except for their beds and their everyday things. He can’t help but notice the empty looking bag that Martin brought on their first day of meeting. He opens the bag and found a small book, he opens the book and realized that the contents are similar to that of a journal.

“I shouldn’t be reading this.” Is the thought produced by Mark’s brain as he reads through the pages of Martin’s journal.

May 20, 2018. “Hmm, that’s 3 years ago.” Mark commented and proceeds to read the journal. Today, I was saved by a god named Charlie and for that, I owed him my life. Since that day forth, I became his servant and started my new life. This god gave me tasks and I follow them. For months, I have travelled countless realms and realities and even meeting someone that looks exactly like me. Most of the tasks given to me involves in saving a world from destruction. Each day is different for me. New faces, new worlds and new people. I began to wonder if making friends matters anymore. There were moments that I felt so lonely and no matter what I do, I can’t get rid of that awful feeling.

July 16, 2019. That was the day the universe gave me a companion. Because of that, I had someone to talk to, to relate to. Each day I notice that this person thinks like me, the only difference is how we react to certain events. One thing is for sure, I will do everything I can to protect her.

“Interesting, I didn’t know Martin has a wild imagination. I like his made up story but there is one thing that bugs me, if he is so lonely why can’t he just talk to the god that adopted him or something? I’m going to ask him bout this when he returns.” Mark then proceeds to read for hours.

August 12, 2020. “That is the present year, sigh I really enjoyed this story book of his, but seeing the time stamp, I think I’m running out of pages to read. I'm just going to force Martin to continue writing.”

This time, my boss god, Charlie told me to visit a world that is currently being judged by the gods of death, Charlie gave me a choice, either to protect this world or to let burn. I didn’t know why he even gave me a choice, of course I will choose to defend it. After a few days in this world, I slowly realize why this world is being judged. It is full of violence and the people here care more about power than anything else. I tried to explore further and enrolled in a school as a college student. Most students have different abilities ranging from weak to strong and as expected, the strong bullies the weak, the school even tolerates fights among students. I will still protect this world regardless because I know for a fact that not all people are devoured by power and violence and if people like this exists, there is still hope. I will protect this world no matter what…..

“Whew that was intense.” Mark thinks to himself while adjusting his glasses and suddenly the door from behind him opened and Martin appeared saying.

“It’s not polite to read other people’s journals you know.” Martin says with a very cold tone.

Gulp. With nervous eyes and sweaty palms, Mark explained. “Uhm hi Martin, it was just lying on the floor and my curiosity got the best of me. I’m really sorry”.

“Don’t worry about it, just return it afterwards.” Martin replied with the usual tone.

“I’m actually done reading it, thanks. Although it has some plot holes here and there, it was still a very fun read, I hope you finish writing it.” Mark finished his statement as he carefully placed the book on Martin’s bed.

“I brought food, I hope you like pizza.” Martin said with a blank face.

“Oh really? You know… Despite how you look, you’re really thoughtful Martin.” Mark stated with a playful tone.

They sat on the table eating their pizza, talked about their hobbies and what they think about society. Little by little, both of them obtained something in this very moment, a friend.

After a few minutes of talking Mark finally decides to ask Martin something. “Hey martin, I uhm….. I.. can….” Mark is having a hard time speaking his mind. He thinks a favour would be too much to ask for a person like Martin. After all, Mark isn’t so sure whether Martin really considers him as a friend or not. With all this thoughts in head, he can’t just simply make a choice.

“You wanna go somewhere?” Martin breaks the tension with his statement. “I know a place.”

Mark, pauses for a while looking all disappointed about the fact that he didn’t get to say what he wanted to say. “Yeah, sure. Where to?”

After a few minutes have passed, both Mark and Martin are walking in the darkness of the night, the only source of light was from the flashlight of their phones.

“Where are we going, Martin?” Mark asked with a very tired voice. Huge breaths and weezing, sweat dripping from all over Mark’s face. His legs tire for each and every step as the landscape gets steeper. As if they were climbing up a hill or maybe a mountain. Little did he know, that was absolutely the case. After a few for minutes of tiresome hiking, Mark sees the dim light on the top of the mountain.

“Oh my god… it’s finally over! We’re here!” Mark stated with glee and satisfaction while breathing heavily from his diaphragm. His throat was dry as a dessert and the worst part is, they didn’t bring any beverages.

“So, what are we doing here, Martin?” Mark has not stop wheezing and breathing so heavily with both hands on the top of his knees supporting his body.

“Feels good doesn’t it?” Martin stated.

“In a way, I am feeling a bit of satisfaction knowing that going down this mountain would be easier compared to…” Mark paused as he saw the bright night sky. He then realized that it wasn’t so dark after all. The stars and the moon goes so well with mysterious color that fills the sky. “It’s beautiful.”

Martin pauses and looks at the sky as well and with the usual tone of his, he then said; “This is what success feels like. Even though you feel so tired climbing up here, you didn’t stop and you didn’t change your destination and that’s what makes this a success.”

Mark looked confused as he wipes the sweat from his forehead. “What are you saying?” he asked with a smile in his face.

“What I meant is that… never change your goals for anyone but yourself. No matter what path you take, the world will always throw an obstacle at you to get you further away from what you want. If you want something, you need to accept that it cannot be easily achieved; you need sweat and tears to get what you want. Never look for an easier way out because in the end, you wouldn’t be satisfied of the results.”

Mark just stood there listening to Martin’s words as he realized that he has wasted all opportunity to be better. He then thinks to himself; “Even though I never did up or let my troubles affect me, I still ran away from my problems by looking for a path that is easier to cross, I never tried to commit on the things that I really want. But now, I know what I want.”

Mark stared at Martin’s cold eyes for a while and said; “Martin, please help me to become stronger, teach me how to fight please.” With a very confident tone, Mark has spoken his mind.

Without any hesitations, Martin gave him a half smile and said; “Get some rest, I will do what I can.”

And just like that, Mark’s dreams are starting to take its course.

After a few minutes of talking, both of them decided to call it a night. Mark went down the mountain while Martin stayed for a while. And in the darkness, 2 glowing eyes with the shade of pink shined in the shadows and it spoke.

“Wow, Martin. That was really out of character, you know that right?” the statement ended with a giggle.

“Yeah, motivating someone takes up a lot of energy. Well anyway, do you have any updates?” Martin said with a very bored tone.

Violet then came out of the shadows wearing her school uniform and she said; “They’re here, two of them actually and I’m a hundred percent sure that this world, isn’t gonna pass their test.” Violet said in a very innocent but serious tone.

Martin then replied with a lax and cold expression; “If the time comes, I will give it my all.”

“I knew you would say that, well no matter what happens I will always be on your side… big brother.” Violet ended her statement with a giggle emphasizing the words BIG BROTHER as it was said with a very sarcastic tone.

“Have fun with your friends, Violet. You rarely get to see one. Enjoy being a normal school girl while it lasts. See you tomorrow.”