6 A Gatekeeper 1 (2/2)

Groups sat in V. I. P areas popping bottles of Ciroc and champagne, and a man screamed out loud as he went crazy on the dance floor. Leading to raucous cheers of encouragement from the other rowdy club goers.

Sitting at the bar on the left side was Fei Bing Bing, beside her was Zhao DeTong.

\”Why isn't he here yet Fang Kai?\” Bing Bing yelled over the music.

Fang Kai shook his green hair, causing his piercings to jingle. \”Like I said, he should've started at 8, he should have been here 3 hours ago, he's seriously late!\”

\”Call him!!\” Bing Bing yelled.

\”I already did like eight times. But he hasn't picked up. If he isn't here by 12 he's gonna lose out on a lot of pay for this shift!\” Fang Kai yelled back. \”Have you not called him yet!\”

\”I have, like 20 times!\” Fei Bing Bing fretted. She knew that Mao Lu probably didn't want to see her and Zhao DeTong tonight, or listen to them nag him about working for them, but even if he wanted to avoid them he wouldn't ditch a shift. Mao Lu had a lot of principles, working hard and earnestly was one of them. He was never late and he never took a day off. Plus the money was his lifeline, he needed it to survive. He'd never ditch a shift.

Perhaps something had happened.

\”Let's go to his place and check on him.\” Zhao DeTong stood up, \”Perhaps he's ill\”.

Fei Bing Bing nodded her head in agreement, throwing on her jacket, \”If you see him tell me straight away Fang Kai.\” Kai nodded.

__________

SOMEWHERE

Mao Lu's eyes were wide as he was greeted with a face full of dirt.

As he pulled his head from the ground he saw wavy healthy green grass surrounding him. Above his head the sky was a clear blue and floating islands could be seen. It was like something out of Laputa Castle in the Sky[1], but Mao Lu was certain he wasn't in a Ghibli film.

\”Hello\” a calm voice drifted into his ears like the wind. \”It is nice to finally see you here, Mao Lu.\”

\”Who!\” Mao Lu looked left and right but he didn't see anyone.

\”That was rude of me not to introduce myself.\” The voice claimed, \”I am the Book of Gates, your guide into the world of Gatekeepers, you can call me Gates if that's easier.\”

Mao Lu continued to look around himself like a headless chicken, yet still there was no one in sight.

\”Where are you?\” he asked in a slightly hysterical voice, \”it's rude to hide yourself! \”

The calm voice laughed, it sounded like bells chiming. \”You say I'm hiding but I am not. I am this book and I am the space inside this book. I am the trees, the grass, the sun and the sky. I am all around you Mao Lu. I promise you I'm not hiding.\”

What… It was everything around him. Mao Lu couldn't help but think \”ridiculous\” but then as he remembered being dragged into the book, the creepy girl on the bus and the way Mr. Baker had made the book appear from nowhere. Mao Lu realised that it wasn't ridiculous.

He needed to calm down. He slowly breathed through his nose and out through his mouth. He did this until he felt his heart rate slow.

Mindfulness and breathing were things he'd been practicing for a long time. Learn to control yourself, calm yourself and think rationally. It led to a healthy mind. It was how he was able to cope with stress and all the pressure he'd faced over the years.

A he calmed he realised that this was all apart of the process. Mr. Baker had said opening the book in front of others was dangerous and that once it was opened he would learn about the Gatekeepers. Although Mao Lu hadn't expected to be dragged into what appeared to be another world inside the book, if he threw rationality aside, it made sense.

He just needed to be calm and follow the situation.

\”I'm sorry for shouting. I was surprised and panicked. I've never encountered anything like this.\” Mao Lu bowed his head in apology.

The voice gently laughed again, \”It's fine. It is not the first time someone has been terrified and confused once coming here. Out of all of them I must congratulate you on being the fastest to calm yourself.\”

Mao Lu wasn't certain but he felt that the book of Gates was smiling at him.

\”Mao Lu, you have been chosen as the 888th[2] Gatekeeper of mortal realm number 145. Although just one out of 400 Gatekeepers, and a Gatekeeper of a mortal realm ,one of the weakest realms amongst the 400 realms. Don't feel like you are insignificant. As a Gatekeeper you shall bear unfathomable knowledge from the dawning era, and you have the responsibility of maintaining peace amongst the Realms.\”

\”I have verified that out of all the existences in Realm 145, you are one that is purest of heart, strongest in virtue, and has the most talent to become a Gatekeeper and take over from Wang Cao.\”

[1] Popular Ghibli film

[2] 8 is a lucky number in chinese culture, it equals wealth and prosperity