AWAKENING THE DREAM

Scene 1: Ordinary Life

(8:45 PM - Aoki's room, soft rain tapping against the window. His phone buzzes in his hand as he texts Hiro.)

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Aoki:

Man, another boring day. Same teachers, same lectures. I can’t believe this is my life.

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(Aoki sit cluttered desk: textbooks, an empty coffee cup, and a half-finished sketch of a floating island.)

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Hiro:

Haha, maybe you’re cursed. Or maybe you just need a girlfriend.

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Aoki:

Ha. Ha. Real funny. But hey, I've been having these dreams again. That magical world, remember?

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(Aoki glances at his sketch, the lines almost glowing under the dim desk lamp. The faint sound of wind chimes fills the air as he zones out.)

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Hiro:

Oh, the "flying islands and glowing rivers" thing? Dude, you’ve been having those for years. Maybe you’re destined to be a dream wizard or something.

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Aoki:

If only it were real. Feels more alive than this place.

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(The screen fades to black as Aoki tosses his phone onto his bed. The rain outside grows heavier, a distant rumble of thunder echoing as his eyelids droop shut.)

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Scene 2: A Strange Awakening

(3:17 AM - The rain has stopped. A faint breeze rustles the curtains of Aoki’s open window. His breathing slows, and the screen fades to a vibrant swirl of colors.)

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(Aoki's eyes snap open, and he’s no longer in bed. He’s standing barefoot on soft, mossy ground. The air hums with warmth and energy. A floating island looms above him, sparkling rivers cascading off its edges.)

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Aoki: (Whispering) No way…

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(He looks down at his hands, feeling the solid earth beneath his feet.)

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Aoki: (Eyes wide, turning in circles) This... this is real?

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(In the distance, a figure with flowing silver hair appears, walking gracefully across the glowing terrain. As she gets closer, her luminous blue eyes lock with Aoki’s.)

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Asumi:

You’re not supposed to be here.

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Aoki:

What? Who are you? Where am I?

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Asumi: (Sternly)

No time for questions. You need to leave—now.

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(Asumi raises her hand, and a soft, glowing mist begins to envelop Aoki. But before she can complete her spell, a deafening roar shakes the ground. A shadowy beast lunges from the forest.)

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Aoki: (Stumbling backward) What the hell is that?!

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Asumi: (Glaring at the creature)

Your first lesson in why this isn’t a dream.

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(As Asumi’s magic flares, a blinding burst of light engulfing the scene.)

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Scene 2: The Shift

(Late at night. A dimly lit bedroom. Aoki lies on his bed, his phone lighting up his face as he scrolls through his messages.)

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Aoki: (Murmuring to himself) Come on, Hiro… why aren’t you answering?

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(He stares at the "read" notification for a moment before tossing the phone aside with a sigh. It bounces slightly, landing near the edge of the bed. Aoki rubs his eyes and leans back, staring at the ceiling.)

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Aoki: (Quietly) Maybe I’m overthinking this…

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(A subtle hum begins to build in the room, almost imperceptible at first. Aoki's phone screen flickers before dimming entirely. Unaware, Aoki drifts into sleep. His breathing slows as the room grows darker, and the hum becomes a low rumble.)

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CUT TO: A dark, unfamiliar forest. Aoki’s eyes snap open. He’s standing upright, his body tensed with sudden alertness. The air is cool, and the ground beneath his feet is soft and mossy. Sunlight filters through dense, towering trees, casting a golden glow.

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Aoki: (Turning in place, panicked) What the—? Where am I?

(He stumbles backward, tripping over a root and landing on the ground. He winces, brushing dirt off his hands.)

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Aoki: (To himself) Okay, okay, calm down… This has to be a dream. Right?

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(The sound of rustling leaves draws his attention. A figure steps out from the shadows, their movements graceful and deliberate. It’s a young woman with long silver hair that shimmers as if reflecting light.)

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Asumi: (Softly, almost a whisper) Aoki… you shouldn’t be here.

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Aoki: (Scrambling to his feet) Whoa, whoa—wait! You know my name?

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(Asumi hesitates, her eyes darting to the ground before meeting his. There’s a mix of concern and something unspoken in her gaze.)

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Asumi: (Quietly) Of course I know your name. I’ve… watched over you in your dreams.

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Aoki: (Taking a step forward) My dreams? What are you talking about? Who even are you?

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(Asumi raises a hand as if to stop him. Her voice is steady but tinged with urgency.)

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Asumi: This isn’t like your dreams, Aoki. This is real. And it’s dangerous.

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Aoki: (Growing frustrated) Real? Dangerous? You’re not making any sense!

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(A sudden roar echoes in the distance, shaking the trees. Aoki freezes, his breath catching in his throat. Asumi tenses, her expression shifting to one of alarm.)

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Asumi: (Urgently) There’s no time to explain. You need to follow me—now!

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(She grabs Aoki’s hand and pulls him into the forest. The two run as the roar grows louder, the ground trembling beneath their feet.Showing the vast expanse of the magical world: floating islands in the sky, cascading waterfalls that defy gravity, and a dark storm brewing on the horizon.)

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FADE OUT

To be continue . . .

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