Author's Preface
Blue woke the next morning bright and early as the sun shined through the front windows. As he opened his eyes Eve was standing over him with her arms folded. "Holy shit!" Blue jumped. "Seriously, why is no one i know normal?" Blue stared at Eve who's expression hadn't changed. "Umm... okay, mind telling me why you are staring at me like that?"
Eve shook her head. "Mind telling me where you were and how you got back?"
Blue tilted his head. "Where is this coming from all the sudden."
Eve sighed. "The meeting i had to go to last night." She paused. "Apparently someone kicked down the metal doors from inside the closed off area of the Golden gate. Care to explain?"
"Ugh, yeah that wasn't-"
Eve stook her hand out. "Don't start with a lie, you're terrible at it anyways. It was you wasn't it? You went through that gate and came back yesterday and then scared those poor guards."
Blue sat up on the couch and stared at the floor. "Yes, it was me. But how did you figure it out?" Blue asked.
"One of the guards said the man who did it was cosplaying as a ninja." She smiled as she tugged on Blue's hanfu.
Blue laughed. "Yeah, I didn't even think about that."
"Well, now you need to come with me. So get up. I got coffee for us." She walked over to the table and threw Blue a sandwich. "Bacon, egg and cheese. I assume they are still your favorite."
Blue caught it and nodded. He stood up and walked to the table and grabbed his coffee. "This next part isn't going to be enjoyable is it?"
"Nope. We have to go meet with my guildmaster." Eve grabbed her coffee. "So, let's get going."
Blue paused. "I have to tell my parents, if they wake up and I'm gone again, Mary will freak out." Blue looked at the stairs as David walked down. Eve walked to him and handed him a cup of coffee. "I figured you'd be up by now too. Like clockwork."
David grabbed the cup and smiled. "What's going on here? You two planning an excursion?"
"We have to head to the Buckeye Guild for a bit. Won't take too long though." Eve smiled.
"Oh, okay." David took a sip of coffee. "Is there something I should know about?"
Blue stepped next to Eve. "I'll explain it all when we get back." Blue nodded and put his arm around Eve as they walked out the front door.
David waved as they walked out. "He's been back not even a whole day and already causing trouble." David shook his head and sat down on the couch.
Blue slid into the passenger seat as Eve started the car. "Ohhhh... a beamer. So you're fancy now. You must be pretty high up on the ladder huh?"
"Not to brag, but I am an A-rank and I have my own team." Eve smiled as they backed out of the driveway. She glanced at Blue for a moment. "You do realize what you did would make you B-rank at the very least." She put the car in drive and stepped on the gas. "What the hell happened to you in the last year?"
Blue didn't answer. As they made their way through downtown, Eve talked about the Buckeye Guild, its structure and about Aaron Kade, the guildmaster. Blue listened, but his eyes wandered. Buildings torn to shreds stood next to newer buildings. Men and women lined the street, some seemed to be lifting and molding materials as they seemingly fixed buildings. Normal citizens walked down the streets into newly formed stores. Guards were posted on corners from every guild. Then something in the distance caught his eye. Blue stared at the Association building in the distance that seemed to touch the sky itself. A light that shined brightly was attached to the top. "Are you even listening to me?" Eve shot him a quick look. "My god, you're acting like you've never seen a building before."
Blue exhaled quietly. "Yeah... something like that."
They pulled into a parking spot in front of the guild. "Look, when we get in there... don't cause any problems. I'll handle the guildmaster. Though he will have some questions for you."
The Buckeye guild stood right where the university football field once was. It stood fifty stories tall. Dormitories just off in the distance. Blue stopped and stared at the building. Everyone knew of the Buckeye Guild, but this was the first time he had ever seen it this close. He exhaled and followed Eve inside. The moment they entered the main hall, the whispers started to spread. The guard who reported the event at the golden gate stood near the entrance. "That's the guy who broke the gate..."
Another voice chimed in. "Why is Eve with him? I heard he could be a new S-rank."
"No way." The man beside said. "Look at his clothes. He's not even from Earth."
A scoff followed. "I bet Eve helped him. Everyone knows how she got to where she is."
Another voice interrupted. "I heard she slept with Aaron, that's how she got away with the first incident she caused before joining our guild."
Blue looked down at Eve's hand that was now balled up. "I can take their insults, but the disrespect toward Eve." He thought to himself. He leaned in close to Eve and whispered. "Stay behind me." His voice was quiet. Then he released his qi. The air inside the hall collapsed under the pressure. Breathing became difficult as the insults and conversations died instantly. The entire lobby froze. It had become suffocating, overwhelmed by Blue's qi. An absolute power no one on Earth had experienced before.
"ENOUGH!" A voice thundered through the hall. In an instant, ten massive red swords outlined with black aura materialized in the air, each hovered perfectly still with their tips inches from Blue's face. Blue retracted his qi as the swords dissipated.
The room caught its breath as those who hurled insults towards eve gasped and grabbed their throats and chest. "What was that?" Eve asked. Blue didn't answer. He simply smiled as he stared at the man standing in front of him. "You must be Aaron Kade." Blue stuck out his hand. Aaron refused and looked Eve. "Seems an introduction is needed Eve." Blue looked back at Eve as Aaron turned and walked toward an elevator. "Best to follow him." Eve said.
Aaron guided them to his office at the top floor of the guild. Behind him glowed a map of the United States spread across the wall. A huge desk stood in front of Aaron. Bookshelves lined the wall, no books sat on them rather trophies from Aaron's days as a quarterback. Pictures of the old Columbus adorned the walls. The outfit for the Ohio State Buckeyes mascot stood on a mannequin in the corner of his office. Aaron took his seat and sighed. "Now that's all settled." He gestured for Eve and Blue to sit. "Mind explaining who this is Eve?" He paused. "And why he nearly suffocated members of my guild." Aaron sat forward in his chair, elbows resting on his desk while his chin laid on his knuckles.
Blue didn’t wait for Eve to answer. He leaned forward, meeting Aaron's posture. "I'll explain. Those guild members of yours deserved what they got. They disrespected Eve openly." He stared into Aaron's eyes. "Where I come from, if you speak like that... you understand fully what comes after."
Aaron leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "Hrmm. And where exactly do you from... boy."
Eve cut in, her voice full of desperation. "He's from Earth." She paused. "He's Blue. The one i told you about."
Aaron closed his eyes for a moment, his lip curled up as he looked at Blue. "So you did go through that gate... you came back and decided to destroy the doors as well."
Blue looked at Eve for a moment then back to Aaron. "Yes sir. I needed to get home."
"And what lies beyond that golden gate?" Aaron kicked his feet onto his desk.
"Murim." Blue paused. "A world of qi and martial arts."
"You mean like the manwhas and anime... that Murim?" Aaron asked.
"One in the same, though it is different than the stories."
"And somehow, you are the only known person who can resonate with that gate." His eyes flicked between Eve and Blue. "Seems like you might be lying. What aren't you telling me?"
"Lying? How so?" Blue leaned back.
Aaron took his feet off the table and stood, he walked over to the window that looked over all of columbus. The golden gate could be seen in the distance. "That gate, no one has been able to resonate with it. Thousands have tried. And now, here you are telling me that you resonate with. And to top it all off, it's not some foreign world. Rather its a fantasy world that we have stories about here on earth. We have no myth, no folkore about any other world those golden gates lead to. So yes, a part of me thinks youre lying."
Blue exhaled. "Look, that gate appeared in front of me while I was eating some pizza. As someone who wasn't awakened, I figured why not give it a shot. Maybe it was finally my chance." Blue paused. "That gate sucked me in before I even made up my mind, the next thing I knew. I was in Murim." Blue stared at Aaron's back and thought to himself. "Please don't push any further." Blue thought to himself. He wasn't about to tell them the whole truth. Not yet at least.
Aaron turned around. "So, you awakened when you went through the gate?"
"I did. I awakened a system, I use qi through breathing techniques and martial arts."
Aaron didn't move or speak for a moment. He stayed perfectly still, examining Blue up and down, turning his words over in his head. He finally walked forward and stopped right in front of Blue. "There is one way to verify what your claiming." He looked at Eve. "If he has truly awakened, then the Association will be able to recognize it."
Aaron hopped up and sat on the edge of his desk facing Blue. "They will be able to see your system, your stats, the nature of your core. Hell, they can tell you what type of awakener you are. If everything checks out." He paused. "Then we can discuss your place within the Buckeye Guild. And how you will repay me for the doors you broke." This wasn't an offer as much as it was a demand. "Until then... I'm afraid I can't let you out of my sight."
"Sir-" Eve's voice was met with Aaron's finger pressed against his lips. "Shhh." He turned back to Blue. "You should be grateful for my offer. The moment the world finds out someone crossed that golden gate... you'll understand why you need me."
Blue looked at Eve. Eve shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. Blue sighed and muttered. "So much for handling the guildmaster."
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Aaron leaned forward.
"Nothing. I said thank you for your generosity." Blue responded quickly.
"Ah. You are welcome."
"So, when do we have to go to the Association? My parents are waiting at home for me." Blue asked.
Aaron hopped off his desk. "How does right now sound?" Aaron looked at Eve, she stood up immediately. Blue hesistated then sighed loudly. He planted his arms on the arms of the chair and forced himself up. He grunted. "Fine, let's get this over with."
Blue followed Eve and Aaron down the hall to the elevator. Blue turned as they reached the elevator. He looked down the empty hall towards Aaron's receptionist who simply smiled and waved. "This is ridiculous, I can't even enjoy a full day without being dragged into something." Blue thought to himself as he was literally dragged into the the elevator by his collar and the doors shut.