"The Astral Plain," she said.
The trio were a bit surprised. They expected that this world would be similar to their world. In their old world they were a magnificent tall tower that touched the very heavens themselves. The tower had over a hundred floors each one more difficult done the last. Since they assumed they'll be a tower similar to their world, that will make everything a piece of cake or at least easier to tackle.
"Explain more about the Astral Plain," Merlin commanded. Both Keith and Kayla looked at Caster, waiting for her to explain further.
"The Astral Plain is a pocket dimension created by the nine elder gods. They say the Astral Plain was supposed to mirror a destroyed universe that is very similar to ours but this universe was long overrun soul beasts and spirit devourers.
The Astral plain is designed to train soul fighters and spirit combatants. What they train soul fighters for is still unknown to me and the other dragon and onis.
Soul fighters and Spirit combatants travel to the astral plain at the start of each year. Both factions can only travel to the Astral plain in soul and spirit form, leaving their bodies in the real world. Awakeners are given a time limit of one year to return back to the land of the livings or else their bodies will perish and their souls and spirits will be bound to the Astral plain forever," she explained.
Keith took out his phone took out his phone and checked what day it was today. His eyes widened in shock and horror as he saw the date. On his phone the date written was 14 December 2110. "Guys we might just be screwed beyond compare," he said, his voice shaky as he showed them the date.
"Fuck," Merlin cursed as he looked at the date in horror.
"Shit," Kayla cursed.
Now that they saw the date, they were faced with two problems. The first problem was that they'll be dragged into the astral Plain in two weeks top and two weeks won't be enough to train their respective fighting styles and their second problem was where would they leave their bodies whilst they were in the Astral Plain
Keith gazed at Caster and asked her question.
"Have there been any cases of dragon and oni hybrids being abandoned in the human settlements," Keith asked with a thoughtful expression.
"No there hasn't been any case of that happening that I am aware of," she answered.
"Where can we go to take a DNA test," he asked again.
"There is a hospital that is nearby. There will take the DNA and once they know that you are hybrids, they'll call the Hybrid Academy where you'll get to learn but I guess you won't learn that much since you only have one day left. But there will put you in protective pod that will sustain your body until you exit the Astral Plain.
***
Two hours later, the three young hybrids were standing before the hospital. The hospital didn't look any different from normal hospital. The trio had expected the building to be more impressive. They stepped towards the glass door and it opened on its own. They went towards the receptionist and said, "We want to take a DNA test."
The receptionist looked them and flashed a friendly smile. "Okay just wait here and I be back in few minutes." In the next second it seemed as though she had vanished but Keith knew that she used a teleportation circle to teleport.
'I hope that there is runification course at the academy,' he thought to himself as he stared at the back of his hand. The crescent mark on his hand was still present but it was partially obscured. Keith guessed it would disappear after a few minutes. This mark represented the oath the three of them made and if they don't follow through, their soul cores would be destroyed and they will lose the ability to use their Soul arts and Spellss.
He looked away from his hand and heaved a sigh. 'What is taking her so long,' he mused. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, the receptionist came back holding a tablet in her hand.
"One of you place your hand on this tablet and it will reveal the rest," she said. Keith went first and placed his hand on the tablet. He felt an energy travel through his whole body and went back to the tablet. The energy felt refreshing almost soothing. The next was Merlin then Kayla. They felt the same invigorating sensation that Keith felt.
The receptionist looked at the results and furrowed her brows in confusion. "Some of your cells don't resemble human cells. Most have cell walls like the cells of a dragon and onis and whilst the other half don't have a cell wall. The only plausible explanation for your cells to be so different is that you are…hybrids," the receptionist as she looked at them with a bewildered look in her eyes.
The trio acted surprised. "You must be kidding. For our whole lives we have been told we were humans and they even did a DNA test when were ten."
"Usually at ten years old, the dragon and oni cells are usually dormant. Those cells start to awaken after the hybrid turns 16. I'll call the Awakener Association, they'll send someone to pick you up and send you to the Hybrid Academy," she said as she took out her phone. She dialed a number and soon someone responded.
"This better be important, Serena," the voice said in a rather tired and furious.
"There are three kids here who have cells identical to those of a hybrid," she said. "And they didn't know that they were hybrids until today."
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Make sure those kids don't go anywhere," the person on the other line said in an urgent tone.