Denis' POV

     A somber blanket of grey drapes the sky as the wind howls akin to a pack of fierce wolves. The sun slowly dips below the horizon, obscured by a thick shroud of black clouds. Seated by the window, peering out at the lush field behind our home, I find solace in the cold and the picturesque scenery that acts as a balm, soothing my stress. Despite the earlier hiccup with the blue crystal, this tranquil afternoon proves to be a calming respite. Simply singing my troubles away works wonders, lifting my spirits.

     As night descends, a torrential downpour unleashes from the heavens, saturating the land. Dining with my parents, I notice that while I still wear the same orange shirt, my mother and father have changed into their indoor attire. The rhythmic drumming of the rain triggers memories, evoking past experiences buried in the depths of my mind. I recall vividly the moment I fled from home, only to find myself transported to a different realm.

     Lifting a glass of water to my lips, I quench my thirst, savoring the cool relief. Just as I finish, the tempestuous winds outside intensify, accompanied by thunderous roars. Instantly, I observe the worry etched on my mother's face—a familiar sight whenever a storm or heavy rain approaches.

"Denis, 'nak? Have you closed your windows in your bedroom?" she asked me worryingly.

"Yes po," I nodded confidently, knowing I already closed them all.

"...How about in your home office...?" she added.

"...Maybe...?" I asked, shrugging.

     Alright, I confess, I'm rather uncertain whether I remembered to close the windows. Did I secure them shut, or did I leave them ajar? Regardless, it's best to investigate promptly; otherwise, the rain might undo all the effort I put into my tasks.

"...I think no..." I admitted with a sigh. Quickly, I stood up from my seat and said, "I'll go check and close them if they're not yet shut."

     Rushing to the second floor, I traversed the living room swiftly. Making my way through the corridor that led to my office, a deafening clap of thunder, followed by brilliant flashes of lightning, reverberated, nearly overwhelming my senses. In an instant, the electricity throughout the neighborhood faltered, plunging everything into a profound darkness as all lights went out. Startled, I let out a yelp of surprise, freezing in place.

"Ah!" I shrieked.

     Within moments, the electricity surged back to life, reigniting every previously dimmed lightbulb with a renewed luminosity. With the return of light, the hushed murmur of voices seeped from behind the closed door of my home office, piquing my curiosity. I reached for the doorknob and eased the door open slowly. Stepping into the dimly lit room, I flicked the light switch, revealing the unexpected occupants scattered throughout the corners, the very source of my astonishment and disbelief.

"Is this supposed to be me?" a young adult man asked, examining the watercolor portrait of Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix.

"I tried chanting a spell. Why doesn't magic work here?" a boy wondered aloud.

"Shh! Someone's at the door!" a young girl gasped in surprise.

     And there I am, in that moment, I find myself face to face with individuals from a realm beyond my own. Before me stand Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix—people from another dimension. As our gazes meet, a collective gasp hangs in the air, our breaths suspended in a shared moment of astonishment and wonder.

"G-guys!?" I gasped in disbelief, my eyes wide.

"Oh! Hey...!" Chloe waved at me bashfully.

     In that instant, a surreal sense of detachment from reality enveloped me. Initially transported to their enchanting realm, now witnessing their arrival in our universe, I couldn't shake the notion that this surreal experience might all be a dream. Fear mingled with astonishment as the unexpected unfolded before me. Yet amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a profound joy surged within me, overpowering any trepidation, for I was reunited with my cherished friends at last.

My eyes glistened with joy and my heart ached with unspoken emotions as I exclaimed, "Guys!"

"Denis!" they grinned, greeting me warmly.

Suddenly, a voice erupted from behind me, coming from the hallway. "Denis, 'nak! The lights were out momentarily. Are you alright?"

I quickly turned around and saw my mother, Michaela, approaching the office. "Mom!?" I gasped faintly.

"The storm is too violent. You must take a shower now before the water runs out next—" she suggested. But even before she could finish her statement, her words tumbled upon seeing Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix in my office for the first time. "W-who..." she stuttered, her eyes fixed on my friends.

"...Hi!" Chloe smiled.

My mother locked her eyes on me squarely, her teeth grinding in apprehension. "Who are these people...??" she asked in a hurry.

"Oh! They're the friends I'm talking about from the other universe!" I explained.

"So, I suppose it's in our genes? Maybe I also see things," my mother laughed it off.

"No, they're for real," I affirmed.

"...R-Robert! Robert!" my mother panicked, calling out to my father.

"What is it, Michaela!?" my father asked in a rush, hurrying towards her.

"Strangers!" my mother shouted in fear.

As my father, Robert, gazed into my office and saw my friends, his eyes widened, and he barked, "Woah! Who the hell are you!?"

Quickly sensing the need to intervene, I spread out my arms. "Mom! Dad! Please! Parang awa n'yo na! Pakinggan n'yo na muna ako po, ha?" I said, trying to tell them to listen to me first. "Look... they're, uh! They're my friends! They are the people I have always been talking about ever since I woke up from my coma," I explained earnestly.

"They're..." my mother muttered, "...what...?"

"You mean you snuck in a bunch of strangers in the house and made them pretend they're the people you met in your dreams?" my father asked. Typical.

"No, they're real!" I grunted.

"Oh, they're real, alright," my father scoffed.

"God, it's them who Lyvie and I've been talking about," I groaned in frustration.

"It's them? Them? As in... in Lyvie's stories??" my father, Robert, stammered.

"Lyvie? I'm certain she was also the one teleported into our universe, alongside Denis. In the end, both of them were able to return back home," Philip interjected, posing his thoughts.

"Huh...?" my parents murmured.

"Dad... Ma! Please... Lyvie was also in a coma, and we both woke up at the same time. And upon waking up, we had the same tale! Didn't we??" I argued.

"Enough!" my mother, Michaela, shouted. "Alright, everyone..." she began, adapting a calmer tone in her voice. "Downstairs... now."

Harris' POV

     Upon Denis' mother's order, we descended to his abode, mindful of our roles as guests, obligated to exhibit courtesy and decorum. As we navigated the staircase to the lower level, a pervasive sense of mundanity pervaded the house. The walls lacked the embellishment of mystical artifacts, and the furniture bore no ethereal sheen—a stark departure from the fantastical ambiance Denis once likened to a realm from a cherished fantasy game.

"Alright, everyone... please tell me... is this all just a joke?" Denis's mother asked kindly, crossing her arms in uncertainty.

"No, Ma'am. We're... we're teleported here from our realm, just as how Denis was sent into ours two years ago," Philip explained to Denis' mother.

Denis's mother appeared clouded with confusion as her brow rose to her hairline. "...Oh," she breathed out.

"You mean to tell us... a completely different universe exists?" Robert sought clarification.

"That's what I've been telling you all, Dad," said Denis.

"If... if you're all being genuine... then, uhmm..." Denis's mother looked around, trying to think of something. "How about tea, everyone?" she suggested.

"I'd love to!" Chloe grinned, leaping on her toes as she raised her hand.

Denis's mother smiled at my little sister as she joined her hands. "Right, I'll brew you some," she offered kindly. Wow, Denis' mother seemed so nice all along. "Uhh..."

"Chloe, Ma'am," Chloe introduced herself, revealing her name.

"Oh, Chloe. Well, then. My name's Michaela. You can call me Ella," she introduced herself. "This is my husband, Robert... uhm, Denis' father," she continued, patting Denis' father on the shoulder.

"I'm Philip," Philip stated, stepping forward and placing a hand on his chest.

"Meredith."

"Presley!"

"Felix here!"

     While my family engages in introductions with Denis's parents, my attention is drawn to Denis's captivating brown eyes. Their allure strikes me profoundly, a feature I seemingly overlooked during our years of separation. Why had I not recognized this compelling charm in him before? A peculiar sensation washes over me, stirring an unfamiliar emotion within.

While I stared at Denis in the eyes, his parents glanced at me, awaiting my turn to introduce myself.

"...And you're...?" Denis' mother, Michaela, prompted, looking at me with a polite but timid smile.

I snapped out of my reverie, jolting from surprise. "Oh! Uh! I'm Harris!" I introduced myself.

"Oh! He's Harris," Denis giggled.

"Hm," Michaela smiled at me. She seemingly looked like she found my shock amusing. I should just take that as a sign of a good impression.

"So... mind if you all tell us how you all got here?" Robert inquired, reclining on a sofa, his hands locked.

Philip's POV

"It'll be an honor, sir," I bravely began.

     As I recounted the tale of our journey into this peculiar universe, a profound silence fell over the room, enveloping us as if we were collectively transported back in time, reliving the experience through a vivid flashback. It was a memory etched within the walls of our home, a night after a celebratory feast prepared by my girlfriend Meredith and her younger sister Chloe for my soon-to-be brother-in-law's birthday.

     We had waited eagerly for Denis' call, but it never came. Attempts to reach him through our crystal phones proved futile, casting a shadow of disappointment over us, particularly palpable in Harris' dejected demeanor as he grappled with the possibility of not reuniting with Denis. Yet, Oracle Miriam, with her compassionate nature, unearthed a solution for us, regardless of the sacrifices it might entail.

     Guided by Oracle Miriam, we embarked on a journey to her secluded rural town perched atop a plateau, where the portal leading to Denis' universe awaited. Once opened briefly two years prior for Denis and Lyvie, the portal had since lost its energy, rendering it impassable. The risks of fleeting contact with external realms had been deemed too great. However, our yearning to reconnect with Denis prompted Oracle Miriam, the portal's architect, to make a rare exception and grant us passage. There, amidst a delicate mist, we stood in secrecy, invisible to all, poised to reunite with Denis once more.

"What you want will bring grave consequences upon our world. Do you wish to continue?" Oracle Miriam warned ominously.

"...Yes," Harris nodded in affirmation.

"We do," we all chimed in, the others nodding as well.

     With unwavering resolve, Oracle Miriam revitalized the stones serving as totems for the portal's energy, illuminating them with a silent incantation. In an instant, the closed door concealing the portal erupted with a brilliance akin to the sun, radiating pulses of energy that flowed beneath its threshold. Despite the sudden wave of doubt that gripped us, a fierce determination propelled us forward, urging us to step through and traverse into the present realm.

     As I slowly open my eyes, taking in the faces of everyone in the room in this current moment, it marks the conclusion of our extraordinary journey.

Robert's POV

     The audacity of these young individuals in today's world is truly staggering. To jeopardize their very universe and future for the sake of their desires is utterly alarming. My raised brow and pursed lips convey my silent disapproval of their reckless actions.

"...So... uhm... you all are risking your universe and future, all for the sake of your wants? What a shocker you, young folks, are doing nowadays! Back in my day, I—"

"Dad!" my son, Denis, interrupted, his face stern. "Erm..."

I froze. I couldn't upset my son or whatever. Even I, as a grown man, am afraid whenever he gets angry. "Oh," I murmured.

"They all just wanted to see me again. And trust me... if you remember well our stories, it's them who helped me defeat that evil warlock from their universe. Thus, they possess the willpower to uphold their responsibility," Denis reasoned. "...With me."

"...Fine... fine, then... I'll... I'll trust each of you..." I stammered hesitantly.

"But what should we do now? Is there a way for you all to return to your world when necessary?" my wife, Michaela, inquired in concern.

"Yes. Yes, Ma'am," Philip answered. "Just like in our realm, we made a portal to bring people here. But in our current situation, we have to build yet another portal to connect the bridge between our two universes."

"So, we're gonna go look for totems again?" Denis asked.

"Sorta?" Presley replied sheepishly.

"Great, here we go again," Denis remarked with a deep sigh.

"But it's kinda different this time," Philip clarified.

My son, Denis, glanced at Philip. "Oh?"

"Oracle Miriam said your world is far different from ours. No magic. No spells. No fantasy stuff you've been talking about," Philip stated.

"No wonder why you've been describing our realm as fantasy," Meredith mused, gazing around our home's interior.

"So, what should we do to connect a bridge between our two realms?" Denis questioned.

"Oracle Miriam told us that one of us has the ability to lucid dream. In that dream, we'll be able to get the key to the portal leading to our place," Philip informed.

"...I... I can lucid dream," Denis thought.

     We all looked at my son, our brows raised. As his father who had heard all his tales, I could confirm he did dream a lot. Perhaps he just has such a strong imagination that he can control his dreams.

"You can?" Chloe asked, seeking clarity.

"Yeah..." Denis sighed. "And one weird thing is... just a few weeks passed, I even had a vision," he disclosed.

"What vision?" they asked.

"You see... I once found myself in a dream, surrounded by darkness. In front of me was a marble counter, much like the one in our kitchen. And there, a green bowl brimming with water was placed. It was then that my cat started lapping up the water," my son recounted. The tale felt oddly familiar as if he had shared it with my wife and me before. "Upon waking up, I made my way downstairs. I asked Mom if our cat had been at the green bowl on the counter," Denis continued, his gaze locked with my wife's. "She replied, 'No,' but moments later, a call from her drew me back to the kitchen. There, we caught our cat red-handed, sneaking a drink from the very same green bowl on the counter," he concluded, his voice resonant and composed.

"...That's crazy!" Felix deadpanned.

"I know, right?" Chloe whispered loudly.

     As my son continued his outlandish narrative, a part of me wanted to step in and halt his storytelling. His words seemed nonsensical, potentially painting him as a fool in front of his supposed friends from the other universe. Perhaps this behavior was the norm in their world? I couldn't be certain; after all, unlike Denis, my son, I had never ventured into their realm to understand their customs and practices.

"You know what the crazier part is?" Denis began. "My coming to this world was prophesied by a faith healer... and now, I had some sort of vision and ability to control my dream... just like Oracle Miriam!" he revealed proudly.

     This nonsense coming from my very son's mouth is enough to push me to my embarrassment. Knowing I must interrupt, I stand up and cautiously approach Denis, placing a gentle hand on his back. With a firm press of a hand, I release a heavy sigh and close my eyes.

"Denis, Denis... enough now... you're gonna make yourself look like a fool in front of them," I whispered.

"Oh, sir, uh," Philip began, capturing my attention.

But as I looked at Philip with a stiff glare, he seemed to hesitate, probably frightened by my rigid look. So, I adjusted my countenance a little, raising my brows and tugging my lips into a faint smile. "Hm?" I responded.

"...Heh, we... we believe Denis," Philip stated confidently.

"For real?" I questioned.

"Dad, please, just believe us, as they believe in me; they're my friends," my son urged kindly.

With a sigh of resignation, I finally yield and trust them. "...Fine..." I muttered.

Michaela's POV

     It appears that this lengthy conversation has come to an end. Such matter of a fact has slightly brought me a headache—and presumably, the others feel it as well. Trying to ease everyone into the mood of our comfortable home, I decided to address everyone and offer them a little shelter against the violent storm outside. With a humble smile, I step forward, clearing my throat.

"Alright! Well! Robert? Can you bring out the mattresses and open the spare guest room? You can lead our 'guests' there," I asked kindly. "Meanwhile, I'll brew some tea for you, hija," I said kindly, turning to Chloe. "Anyone else wants some tea? Or just water?" I continued to offer. "Coffee? How about coffee? Though I don't recommend it since it's night!"

"We'll love some tea, Mrs Ella," Meredith smiled.

The others nodded in agreement. "Mhm!"

"I'll just have milk if you guys have that, please!" Presley grinned politely, raising his hand.

"Oh! We have non-fat milk! You'd want that?" I smiled back, reciprocating his kindness.

"Oh! I'd love to, Miss!" Presley replied, bouncing on his soles.

Suddenly, Harris stepped forward and stated, "While we'll be uncertain about the possibilities in this unfamiliar world, it's advisable we remain quiet about our identities for now. We shall keep the reality behind everything shrouded with pure intention to keep ourselves safe and so that our universe won't clash."

My son, Denis, stared at Harris briefly before replying. "You make an absolutely good point, Harris," he commented, his face clouded with awe and admiration.

"Hm," Philip noted. "Everybody got that?" he asked, glancing at everyone.

"If we're able to trust you, then I'll say... you'll able to trust us as well," I remarked calmly.

"Great!" Presley cheered.

The others smiled, possibly moved by my kind gesture.

Harris' POV

     Later, Denis toured me and my family around his house, stumbling upon unique pieces of furniture that were reminiscent of our world's decoration—just lacking magic. At the end of the tour, Denis showed us his room. It unfurled just like my bedroom, and of course, it had a bed on the side, positioned near the window. Denis widened his bedroom doorway for all of us to pass, and upon entering, he turned on the lights with a flick of the light switch.

"Wow!" Chloe gawked at Denis' bedroom, beholding the sight.

"And here is my bedroom!" Denis announced as we entered.

"What a great room you have, Denis," I complimented him.

"Gee, thanks!" he responded. "Heh, remember the time you showed me your room, Harris?" Denis asked with a giggle.

"I'm sure I didn't show it to you, but you found it yourself, and I kicked you out, didn't I?" I laughed softly, crossing my arms and shaking my head lightly.

"Hehe, "Meredith giggled in the background, recounting the memory.

"Hah, yeah," Denis chuckled.

"Say, tell us about you and Lyvie. I heard earlier that you and Lyvie are both telling everyone about our existence. Does that mean she lives in your universe, too?" Philip asked with a smile.

"Little to say, you're right. She does live on this Earth as well," Denis revealed.

"Gosh, what did the warlock have to do with this dimension? He seemed like he took a lot of people here," Meredith thought.

"Because he took the ones that he thought he could convince to become evil, as they were already emotionally weak," Denis replied.

"Then, why does it seem like everybody is 'emotionally weak' in your place?" Philip inquired, raising a brow.

"The longer you stay in this cruel world, the more you'll realize why," Denis stated.

"Oh," we nodded.

"Speaking about that, how's Lyvie? Considering how you two acted in our realm, are you guys... like... hanging out?" Presley wondered aloud.

     Upon encountering that singular, specific question, my mind, too, begins to wander. It is a query that tugs at me, drawing me inexorably towards the truth, igniting a curiosity that yearns for Denis' response. What might Denis and Lyvie's relationship entail at this very moment?

"Oh! Heh... we're... we're in the process of courting," Denis admitted bashfully.

"Ohh," everyone nodded, absorbing the information.

     While those around me embraced the news with enthusiasm, an immense pang of sorrow unexpectedly gripped my heart. The source of this inexplicable ache eluded me, leaving me bewildered by my own emotions. Why did I find myself caring so deeply, to the extent that it felt like a physical wound in my chest, turning my lips downward in a grimace? In reality, I should be overjoyed for my closest companion, Denis, on the brink of entering a new relationship. Despite my efforts to mask my inner turmoil with a forced smile, my eyes betrayed me, shimmering with unshed tears.

"What's courting?" Felix asked.

"You know! Uh, ligaw? Right?" Denis explained.

"What's ligaw? Ah! We only know the word courting, but what's ligaw?" Philip asked.

"Thinking about that, how are you guys understanding me? I'm speaking English, and you guys are supposed to be speaking in Asbrannian. Aren't we supposed to, like, you know? Ask a wizard to break the language barrier with a spell??" Denis mused.

"Well, as far as what we know, there is no magic here. So, I assume we're set to whatever language you understand the best," Philip speculated, raising a wise brow.

"...So, you guys are speaking English," Denis told us.

"Ohh," we nodded, taking in his words.

"What's English?" Felix asked.

"But do you guys understand Filipino? Uh, Tagalog? It's... it's the language in this country," Denis asked, giving a brief explanation.

"What's Filipino?" Felix wondered.

"Ah! It sounds like Philip's name!" Presley giggled, pointing at his half-brother.

"Wait, hold on. I'll speak Filipino, and you guys tell me if you understand me, alright?" Denis prompted.

"Okay," we replied, bobbing our heads up and down.

"...Hm...uhh... ako ay... uh. Yo soy si Denis. Mi padre es desde—" he spoke but cut off his words. "Wait, no, that's Spanish—" he corrected himself. "Hold on. Uh, ako ay si Denis. Eighteen years old na, galing sa bayan ng Santa Rosa, Laguna. Ang pangalan ng mga kaibigan ko na galing sa ibang mundo ay Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, at Felix!" he ventured. He then continued, his eyes sparkling, as he turned to face me, peering deeply into my amber eyes. "...Matagal kung- matagal ko nang hinihintay ang panahon namagkita muli kami. Dahil... dahil isa sila sa pinakamagaling na tao na nakilalako sa buong buhay ko. At ngayo'y nagkita na muli kame, sobrang saya ko namakita ko muli sila..." Denis stated.

"Wow..." I uttered, our eyes fixated on one another.

Philip's voice suddenly broke through Denis' monologue, saying, "Okay, I didn't understand anything."

"Neither do I," Presley added.

"Okay, I suppose you guys can't understand Filipino, only English," Denis said, his eyes wide.

"Supposedly," Meredith responded.

"Okay, it's fine because y'all look like you're from different countries anyway," Denis reassured us.

     Unexpectedly, a familiar voice seeped through the conversation. We all turned around and faced the doorway. And there stood Denis' father, Robert.

"Hey!" Robert announced. "The guest room is ready. Y'all can put your butts there now and make yourselves at home."

"Fantastic!" Chloe giggled.

"But... the problem is, the guest room only has one bed that can fit one person. I laid down two more mattresses on the floor, with each one able to hold only one person—two individuals at most," Robert contemplated, his eyes glued on the floor.

"I'll take the bed," Chloe claimed, her chin raised with pride.

"Philip, Presley? You two brothers share the mattress. I'll sleep next to Felix," Meredith suggested.

"Wait, how about Harris?" Denis asked.

"Oh, yeah, about that... hmm..." Robert pondered.

"It's fine. I guess I'll sleep on the floor," I humbly offered.

"No, you won't sleep on the floor. You're our 'guest!' Come on!" Denis countered.

"Heh, there's nowhere else to sleep anyway," I replied with a smirk.

Denis turned around and faced his broad bed. "Hmm..." he began contemplating. "I mean, the bed is wide enough to accommodate both of us, right?"

     The mere thought of Denis and me sharing a bed was unfathomable. It sent my heart racing like a falcon in flight. My eyes widened, my face flushed with a crimson hue, the color deepening with each passing moment.

"Heh, I! I don't think so!" I replied.

"Really?" Denis raised a brow, turning around once more to examine the bed's width. "...Look!"

     Denis hastily grabs my wrist and pulls me close to his bed. Then, he jumps on the soft embrace of the mattress. Locking a smile on me, he crawls his way to the edge and pats his hand on the vacant space.

"See?" Denis giggled.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I smiled.

"Very well then. Uh, I guess, uh, I should show the others their room," Robert suggested.

     With Robert, Denis's father, excusing himself and guiding my family to their guest bedroom, a hush falls over the room, enveloping us in an uncomfortable silence. In this momentary awkwardness between Denis and me, despite our close bond and history of supporting each other through thick and thin, I find myself unable to meet his gaze. The idea of sitting on the bed, let alone sharing it for the night, feels strangely daunting and out of place.

Denis' POV

     My gaze shifts to Harris, anticipating his next move, only to find him frozen in place like a statue, devoid of any motion. A flicker of concern creeps in—could he have regressed to his former self? Mustering my resolve, I clear my throat and gently nudge his back, prompting a startled gasp to escape his lips.

"Hey, dude!" I began.

Harris gasped. "Oh—"

"Uhh, you alright?" I asked in concern.

"Hehe, yeah," Harris replied, scratching his nape.

"How about we go ahead and take a shower? Then, we can go to sleep for the night. It's comfy to sleep right now! Cuz it's raining!" I suggested blissfully as I gazed at the dark expanse above through the window, yet I was totally unaware why Harris' face seemed to be as red as a crimson apple.

"Heh, yeah," Harris replied.