Asch's eyes opened as he violently sat up from his previous lying position, his chest heaving; the shadows of the recurring nightmare he had just experienced still lingered deep in his mind. “Not yet,” he groaned. Even though a cold draft swirled in the room he shared with his little sister, he was sweating. He waited until his heart stopped beating and threw the threadbare quilt that served as his pearl from his legs. Standing up, he ran his fingers through his dark hair, doing his best to tame the messy tangle that had developed from his restless movements. Crawling towards his humble dresser, he grimaced as the moldy boards creaked beneath his feet. Glancing at his little sister, still asleep in her crib, he breathed a silent sigh of relief and gathered his clothes and bags. As soon as he closed the bathroom door behind him, he exhaled, this time audibly. Turning on the faucet, he wrinkled his nose as the smell of sulfur filled the room. "Ugh – that's new," he coughed, hurrying to turn off the faucet. It looked like he wouldn't take a shower this morning. He got dressed and looked questioningly at himself in the mirror while putting on his cargo shorts and shoes. His mind still foggy from sleep, it took him a few seconds to realize that he was wearing his white V-neck, adorned with his golden emblem, inside out. A slight red tint appeared on his cheeks as he quickly put the shirt on correctly, grateful that no one saw the mistake. As he slipped the last vial of dust into his baldric, he picked up Blademerang, his weapon, slowly sheathing the double-edged shortsword over his right shoulder. A shiver of excitement ran down his spine as the familiar sound of the blade was struck... middle of paper... Please don't torture me with the past by reminding me why you are here today 'today in my son's place. " His hand instinctively reaching up to grab his bandana, Asch's happiness at receiving the birthday present faded as he listened to Vernon, who was only telling the truth. Not daring to open his mouth again, the two sat in silence. Once again, the tension-filled car ride was coming to an end; through the tinted windows, Asch could see the airport, growing larger and larger in his field of vision. He quietly checked his parchment for the terminal number going to Beacon, and made sure he had his student ID which served as his ticket for the airship. Glad that everything was ready, he sat down. tirelessly in the cruise limousine, playing with his throwing knife as his future came closer and closer in the form of an airship bearing the famous Beacon crest..