Cold... so cold.
Those were the last thoughts of Lay Summers as he lay on the asphalt, blood pouring out from all over his body like a deflated sponge.
"Hurry bring them over here"
"Someone inform Master"
"Take care of this one first, his vitality is slipping away"
Faintly, Lay could hear the sound of people talking, a crowd of people. As the last words were said, a hand full of warmth appeared on his shoulders, chasing away the cold of death.
Gradually, he was able to lift his eyelids and look at the person above him, albeit for a brief amount of time. The person has a kind face, gentle aura, coupled with his modest monk robes. For a moment, Lay felt the compassion of an elder, a feeling he felt when he was a child and gradually forgot as he become an adult.
Unconsciously, he looked down, catching a glimpse of his body. Suddenly, Lay froze in shock, his heart still lingering in the adrenaline of the accident now calmed, forced him to close his eyes.
-
Kamar-taj
Here is an isolated community located in Tibet, on the Himalayas. On the outside, it is a place for monks to meditate and contemplate the way without external influence.
However, only those attuned to mystery can glimpse beyond this worldly facade.
At this moment, Wong, now only 10 years old had his head hung low. To his left and right, is his mother and father respectively.
Originally, his father was going to scold him, however, her wife, noticing Wong's abnormality tug at her husband's sleeves.
If it was before, Wong would not wait for his parents to speak before launching on a tirade to explain his actions. Be it slacking on his training, learning spells beyond his limits, opening portals to amusment parks and other mischievous acts.
But previously, Wong only uttered the words "I'm sorry" before falling silent.
And the reason for this silence is the person being treated in the infirmary; the husband and wife's adopted son and, Wong's brother and best friend, Lay.
Soon, the sound of the infirmary door opening rang out as the medical sorcerer helplessly watch Wong blitz through the room.
"Lay's condition has been stabilize." he paused, gathering his thoughts. "Previously, he suffered from hypothermia, thankfully, brother Hamir was there to stabilize Lay's condition, otherwise" The medical sorcerer didn't finish his words but the couple understood his meaning.
A few minutes late and Lay would have been gone forever. This fill the couple with fear and they blame themselves more for letting things to develop the way it did. Silently, they vow to keep a more hands-on approach to raising both kids.
They knew that their son, Wong, is unusually bold, always pushing his limits and carrying himself with arrogance common to kids his age.
This time is the same, Wong without informing anyone opened a portal towards the Mount Everest to prove his qualifications as a sorcerer. What's worse, is he dare bring his brother with him. As a result, Wong without a sling ring (his ring is confiscated after opening a portal to Disneyland) is unable to create a portal in time.
Thankfully, Lay like Wong is talented at the use of mystic arts. Together, they were barely able to maintain a portal before both kids fell forward. Afterwards, sorcerers who felt the fluctuations of magic curiously gathered towards their direction to see the sight of both kids lying on the ground, almost frozen to death.
"Sorry Lay, It's my fault" Wong murmured next to the sleeping Lay, his hands trembling as he reach out to grab Lay's hands.
The memories from earlier cause him a significant trauma. Mainly, how the cold caused his ever steady hand to tremble, preventing him from forming a portal.
At that time, Wong only felt regret.
If he studied hard and didn't slack off then maybe he'll have enough magic supply to sustain a portal home. If his sling ring didn't get confiscated then they could get home safely. If he didn't bring Lay with him then he wouldn't be stuck in the Mount Everest with him.
Unfortunately, there are no ifs and now, Wong, the ever so prideful, had to face the consequences of his mistakes as he watched his brother's pale face.
Days passed in the blink of an eye, but for Wong it feels like a lifetime.
Everyday he'll wake up early, do his daily meditation, go to the infirmary, and take care of his brother. He did all things diligently, from feeding, bathing and taking care of Lay's bathroom needs.
Gradually, Wong's mentality changed. If before, 20 minutes of mediation is his limits. Now, Wong can spend an hour sitting without being bored.
It's as if he aged 20 years, some of his peers remarked. Unlike before, Wong refuses to play games with them, if not taking care of Lay, he's mostly seen at the library perusing books and reading with a frown on his chubby face.
When it comes to his mastery of the Mystic Arts, Wong was now learning more diligently. Especially when it comes to creating portals. Now, wong is able to create portals effortlessly and even began showing signs of forming one without the use of hand seals or incantations.
As for Lay, his originally pale face now took on a healthier glow thanks to the medical sorcerer, his foster parents, and Wong's care.
Despite that, he didn't show any signs of waking up. The medical sorcerer examined him again but helpless to change things. With a shake of his head, he can only encourage the family to keep an eye on Lay and call him once there's a change.
-
Lay's inner world
This is a strange space, housing the consciousness of the person named Lay. The whole place is shrouded in white, offering a glimpse to the nature of its owner/source.
On the walls, scenes from the past plays like an old film recounting the memories of Lay. He didn't know who his parents were. He was abandoned in front of a temple where a younger Hamir emerge and took him inside. Together, Hamir and his wife raise him alongside Wong, his adoptive brother. Soon, the memories fast forward not unlike a film, but Lay can still feel the warmth in those flashing memories. Finally, the images stopped at age 9.
"Nine years in a blink of an eye"