The space wrapped, teleporting me to a... Damn! Am I floating?

A moment of observing revealed that I was standing inside a castle made of crystal-clear glass; it’s so transparent that it felt like I stood on nothing.

There were delicate geometric patterns on the ceiling, there were pillars with sculpted dragons, and it had an insane amount of details. There was no reflection on the walls, floor, or ceiling whatsoever.

And the best part was it floated in sky; I don’t know if it’s moving, though. The feeling of clouds drifting beneath your feet is just awesome.

I didn’t notice till now. The interior was ornamented with crystals, which glittered only in low light, I guess.

I was about to look around when mum appeared before me, she was clad in the exact kimono, but now her hair was pulled in a single pony. She seemed ever-gorgeous and beautiful. Her flowing honey-brown hair glistened softly in sunlight.

Mum spoke affectionately, “That must’ve been obnoxiously angering! Mum is sorry for showing you such crude things.”

Sadness overflowed in mum’s eyes. She ruffled my hair.

I asked, “Are you real?”

“Sadly, no! I’m just a projection and is to give you some head ups,” she replied, averting her gaze.

“That’s a shame! I’ll miss you,” I said, staring down.

Mum pulled me in a warm embrace, and we both sniffled for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” mum spoke in a shaky voice.

I said nothing. A second later, mum pleaded expectantly, “Promise me one thing.”

I nodded, still in her embrace.

“You must not give up, and I know I won’t be there. Be happy!” Mum said, still sniffling.

“I’ll try,” my voice came out muffled and groggy.

Moments later, when we both stabilized ourselves, mum held me at a hand distance exactly. She slowly took out the rings she was wearing and shoved two of them in my index fingers, one in my ring finger, and she made a necklace out of the ring that had a ruby-like stone attached to it.

After mum was done, she smiled at me softly, “You’ll find everything you need in here. By the way, you won’t get access to all of it. You need to get stronger for that. I’m sorry, some can be dangerous at your current power level.”

Mum took a breath, “And this kimono,” she held out the kimono she was wearing. “You’ll find it once you wake up, but I recommend you wear it when you decide the best.”

Mum gently caressed my forehead, streams of tears rolled down her face, “Time is running!”

Mum straightened her posture, trying her hard to force a smile, but tears relentlessly rolled down both of our cheeks.

Her voice carried the soft notes of a late autumn breeze, “This castle is yours from now on, but you’ll stumble upon it only if fate lets you.”

Mum took a step back; I tried to walk up to her, but I felt shackled at where I was standing, another step back, and she was starting to fade.

“Mum loves you. She always will,” she completely vanished. Only her scent remained. I collapsed on my knees, sobbing.

I was unaware when the world turned black, and I was back at the plains, lying in the mid of the array. Over time, I steadied myself, an aroma of delicious delicacies infiltrated my nose.

I perked up, rediscovering myself, but the scent and aroma of tasty foods calmed my sobbing heart.

Many delectable foods were served right outside the array, beside which was mum’s kimono and a letter.

I grabbed a drumstick, fervently chewing it. The drumstick was far big than anything I ate on earth. It didn’t matter. The taste was intense. It tasted of every spice, with balanced seasoning and a strong duck-ish flavor. The meat was soft yet chewy.

I picked up the letter, the contents of it are as follows.

My Dear Garm,

I know how much you enjoy food, and I really loved to watch you enjoy my food. There’s a necklace beneath the kimono. Once you pick it up, the kimono will be safely stored in the necklace. There are some desserts and snacks. Don’t end it at once, I’m sorry.

Oh, and there are all the recipes and the secrets to it. I hope and believe that you’ve got a knack for it. After all, you’re my beloved son!

There are journals from my young days too. It’ll help you a lot if you decide on adventuring.

Finally, don’t cry for me. Hold your head high. Live to your fullest.

Love you. and don’t skip meals.

Your mum.

The ink was smudged at places, and new smudges formed as tear droplets wetted the ink again. The letter had a faint scent of mum, but the kimono had it stronger.

I finished the food, snuffling the whole time. I was full. But to think that was the last meal I would ever get to enjoy cooked by my mum broke my heart.

I went to pick up the kimono, and it still was fresh with mum’s scent. The necklace was where it was supposed to be. I wore it and snuggled in the kimono.

It had thick yet silky and soft fabric. I wept silently, thinking how history repeats itself. I thought it would be a bit different.

I sighed bitterly, reminiscing about both of my mum.

Back on earth, while I was studying aboard, she didn’t even tell me she was suffering from the last stage of stomach cancer. She alone raised me, providing everything for me to be comfortable, sacrificing herself. I wasn’t even by her side at the last moments!

And now...

Things parents do for their kids!

I forgot about Sandy almost! She just popped into existence out of nowhere while I was still weeping.

She spoke plainly, ‘Did you not cry enough, master?’

Her remark irritated me, ‘Fuck off, Sandy! Go back to whatever hell popped out from.’

‘Oh, I will! But you should patch up your emotions fast. It’s a fucking endless sea inside your mind. It’s too salty!’ she sounded pissed, or maybe just my imagination.

‘Wait, did you just say Fuck?’ I was surprised. I thought it was uh... friendly?

‘I did. It was an adjective,’ Sandy spoke smugly.

Now I was sure I wasn’t imagining. Sandy has emotions. That wasn’t reassuring at all. I replied, annoyed, ‘Thanks, I didn’t know. And, what do you mean by a sea in my mind?’

Sandy was back to her casual tone, ‘You’ve not yet solidified your subconscious space. So, it’s still susceptible to your strong emotions.’

‘That didn’t explain a lot!’ Puzzled. ‘So? How do I fix it?’

‘Well, you calming down will certainly help. But...,’ Sandy made a dramatic face while pausing, ‘That’s not permanent.’

I only caught it now, ‘You’re skipping master. Plus, were you not supposed to come out only when I called?’

Sandy whistled innocently, looking in the other direction.

I sighed, ‘That’s not helping. You can leave. I’ll see what I can do. Later.’

Sandy’s eyes rounded, she spoke pleadingly, ‘Please, MASTER!’

Was the master in the capital! I thought inwardly, and like before, Sandy replied to my thought, ‘Yes, MASTER!’

Huh~

I bemused, ‘I didn’t know, I could differentiate that! That’s not gonna cut for it, though.’

I tried to sleep, but Sandy’s continuous fake pleading was getting annoying.

‘Am I not stable enough?’ I asked Sandy, annoyed.

‘Outwardly, yes! Inwardly. No!’ Sandy plainly replied.

I groaned, ‘Fuck! How do I do it?’

Sandy’s expression visibly cheered up and she almost chirped, ‘You close your eyes, make it blank, and I’ll guide you, master!’

‘Master with Capital characters!’ I remarked.

Sandy chirped again, ‘Sure, MASTER!’

Following her instructions, I tried making my mind go blank, which I found quite taxing. My mind was filled with sad memories, and how could I’ve actually avoided it. And just like that, my mind drifted off to random thoughts.

Sandy chimed in my thoughts, ‘You’re not trying, Master!’

‘I AM TRYING!’ I shouted back.

After moments of sorting out my thoughts, I reached a blank state. I was trying my best not to think about anything.

I heard Sandy, ‘Walk towards the light, Master!’

Light? Well, there was nothing but darkness. And how am I supposed to walk?

It’s my consciousness, and I rule! Making a copy of mine in my subconscious space was far more manageable. I just thought about it, and I was there.

Huh~ that was easy! I looked around, to see a faint light source. Slowly I paced toward the dim light, which grew in intensity as I got closer.

And I fell the moment I stepped in the light.

‘FuckKKKK!!!!’ I jerked awake, screaming.

That almost rendered my heart to stop. It felt awfully similar to the memories of my last moments. I was on my ass, panting. There were beads of sweat too.

I tried my best to calm my tits down, but Sandy was busy booing in the background.

She snarked, ‘Wow! You’re a pu... ahem! Quite weak-willed, Master!’

I looked at her with disbelief. Was she about to call me a pussy?

Her innocent expression only made me more suspicious of her, and my eyes narrowed. She blurted out, looking in another direction, ‘What?’

I just shook my head. I knew sandy was going to be an ass! The only thing she was doing was driving me mad, and weren’t they supposed to fortitude one’s mind?

‘I’m not the greatest fan of your snarky remarks!’ I informed her with a salesman’s face.

‘Sure! Now, if you, please try once more,’ Sandy paused, ‘MASTER!’ Her expression turned innocent, and she made puppy eyes.

Wow~ she will make a good actress. I chuckled at my remarks inwardly.

Sandy instantly perked up! I guess she read that.

I lay down on my back, ‘A little more privacy would be appreciated!’

Sandy didn’t say a thing, but I think I saw her smirking before closing my eyes.

I staggered into darkness, thinking about what future awaited me. This time the process was easier. I steeled my balls when I was falling. And sharp two seconds later, I landed square on my chest, in water.

I gurgled as air forcefully exited my lungs. I groaned, trying to swim my way to the surface, ‘Fuck! I think I broke my rib!’

I gasped for air as I emerged out of the seawater. Fuck, that was brutal. In front of me, Sandy gracefully landed on the calm water. She sneered, ‘Well, what did I Expect?’

I was too caught up in huffing to respond to her mockery. I asked lifelessly, ‘What now?’

‘Think, and it will be!’ she replied mirthfully.

That sounds easy. I set up my mind. I felt like a conductor in an orchestra. It was somewhat pleasing, like building your own world by blocks.

First, I thought the water to be gone, and it was simply gone, and once again, I was standing in darkness. Now I thought about a room, my room to be specific, and it was there. There was my bed, with two layers of foam. Without delay, I jumped in the bed, slumping comfortably.

It was beyond comfy! I didn’t want to get up. I spun, lying on my back. There was a side table, the 72” tv hanged on the front wall. I searched for the remote. It was at the regular spot. Scooping it, I pressed the power button, and it was playing my favorite movie!

I looked at the tv screen astounded! What in the actual fuck?

‘It’s replaying from your memory,’ Sandy explained. She sounded like she was in a much better mood now.

I experimented with random thoughts, and they played out like they were supposed to be. Man! I even played video games on my fucking desktop.

I didn’t push my imagination to the limits. I wonder what the possibilities are!

Very satisfied, I slumped on my chair. The desk, custom made from African blackwood, looked ever pristine!

I need whiskey!

But I didn’t know if it was a good idea, and I wasn’t ready to try it out.

Sandy floated over to the desk and requested to make a chair for her to sit on.

I asked, ‘Your size?’

‘A human size would do too,’ she assured.

I shrugged and made a polished black-wood, comfy chair appear. The next transition made me rub both my eyes disbelievingly!

Sandy’s sand flowed in an endless stream. Soon there was a lump below her. She closed her eyes, and the sands covered her whole. She was now in a sand cylinder; I couldn’t see what was going in the cylinder.

A second later, a standard human-sized, lean forearm protruded the cylinder slightly, unveiling herself out of the cylinder!

Sandy now looked very human. She had an aesthetic figure, with the same silky white robe and flowing sand-made patterns embroidered. Her hairs were shimmering golden, which too appeared to be flowing and cascaded her whole length. Eyes glowed with far intense golden as if they were two mini suns, a dainty nose, and the lip was just a thin line, the only thing out of proportion. And oh~ there were no wings!

Sandy pulled the chair and took the seat politely. I was still left agape by her sudden change! Taking all the sweet times to process everything.

Well, she was slightly over 5’6” and had quite the figure of whose I won’t be giving details to. But the most captivating thing was her bare appearance, her glowing sandy skin tone, flowing lushes of gold, and two mini suns for eyes would kill anyone!

What a seductress she could’ve been!

I forced myself out of the stupor. I asked, trying my best to keep a straight face, ‘Why bother?’

‘It’s rude to introduce oneself informally officially,’ she exuded an aura of devious rich brat, acting polite to curry favors!

I laughed, ‘Oh, please! I thought the introduction phase was already over.’ With a serious demeanor, I stated, ‘And please drop the act! I don’t want to throw up!’

I think sandy pouted for a fraction of a second before continuing with the façade. The line that was her lips curled modestly. She made a clapping gesture, and a file with a gold leathery appearance materialized before me.

I looked at it dubiously, exchanging frantic glances between the file and Sandy. She made an incentive gaze. Curiosity took over me, and I peeked at it.

And once more, I was astounded! It was a portfolio.

‘I don’t remember any pact,’ I felt scammed. Sure, there is a failsafe option, but it’s way too suspicious!

Sandy stuck out her tongue, wryly smiling at me. I just shook my head, too tired.

Sandy tapped her finger on the desk to garner my attention. I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head sidewise.

‘You seriously not thinking about leaving me in this dump, are you?’ Sandy complained.

‘DUMP! This apartment almost cost me a million!’ I cranked.

‘Yeah! That’s definitely a dump. Oh! I can practically see fumes rising from your head!’

‘Sure, you can,’ I replied, lips almost reaching my eyes.

Sandy’s expression scrunched. She took a step back, ‘You’re scaring me; CREEP!’

Now only baleful laughter echoed in my room.

‘I’ll let you experience true dump!’ my voice resounded that of a coyote with bronchitis.

And with that, I snapped awake, still in a state of hysteria.