Chapter 1: The Future And Present

…Ten years later….

“Merci! You can drop the case on the table,” I said as the deliverer dropped the case and quietly left my office. The view from my office into the city always fascinated me despite the fact that I had had this office for a while now. My life had taken an unexpected turn, presented me with a reality that I never dream of, but would not give up for any reason or anything in the world. I was the C.E.O of Finix Corp, one of the best vehicle manufacturing companies in the world. But of course, that was just a cover display, it’s not basically a just a cover to blend into this world, it’s a means to keep generating legal income. To state the truth, 95% percent of my workers are not even human, like me they are Celestial beings or Celestians as we are called.

I tore myself away from the window, walking towards the water dispenser when the case on my table had me changing my destination and making a B Line for the case. The surface of the case was smooth, making its light brown polished color all the more relaxing. With the distinct visible carvings on the case I beam a smile knowing exactly who had sent them. When I opened the case, the first thing that caught my eyes was an amulet, the one I wore when I first became a Celestial Elite Triskelion Knight, ten years ago. I smiled walking back to the window holding the amulet in my hands.

I wasn’t always like this, I thought the world was just a simple place with people trying to make a living, be successful and make a family. In my view, the only challenges in life were going through high school and coming out with good grades good enough to get you into college, then graduating college, getting a good job, having a house, finding that one true love, if such a thing exists and raising a family. But I was wrong, I was so wrong, that was just simply a human belief. There has been a war going waging on earth, right from the creation of earth that the humans have no idea about. The war of the supernatural, the celestial bodies, what people would easily dismiss as a fairytale and some would consider impossible, powers beyond the human understanding, gateway dimensions and the multiverse. Only a particular race of humans knew about us, they are known as the Arc Hunters. The world isn’t what it seems there are a lot mankind is yet to understand. The world is deeper and scarier than they know. My name is Bruce Light or as am called in the Celestial realm, “The Phoenix” and this, this is my story……..

…….present time…..

The sun’s rays announced the start of a beautiful day with the sound of birds singing as they flew from tree branch to tree branch. I always wondered what they sang about and what it was like to be in their community. The brisk sound footsteps coming down the stair told me my younger sister was finally set for school and my adoration of how sweet the sun made the morning look and how lovely the birds sang was going to be interrupted by Rose.

“Really? Tea and bread!” She settled her bag on the empty chair next to hers. “Is this your brilliant idea of a lovely breakfast?” Rose said, gracefully taking her sit opposite me. “Good morning to you too,” I said with smile, sipping my tea. Rose was all I honestly had in this world except our loving adoptive parents. We lost our parents in a car accident when I was three and she was two years old. We were taking in by the Lights, My Father’s younger brother and his wife. David and Ann Light had loved and cared for us as long as I could remember and they did their very best to make us feel like a family and a family was what we became. They didn’t have children of their own and when we came into their lives, but regardless, they accepted us as with an open heart.

“You might wanna look at the pan before you devour your brother” Ann jokingly criticized with a smile on her face as she walked into the kitchen with her coffee mug. She was in her late forties and could flawlessly pass for a lady in her late twenties.

“Good morning mum!”

“Good morning B, you slept well?” Ann pecked my shoulder before crossing over to Rose who already had her arms out to receive Ann warm hug. “Yeah I did.”

“Good morning mum, how was your night?” Rose smiled as Ann gave her the hug she’d been waiting on. “It was refreshing, did you get everything you need for school, sweetie?” Ann asked as she turned to pick up the pan from the burner. “Oh yeah, I'm armed to the teeth mum,” Rose replied taking a sip of her tea while Ann placed the fried eggs and bacon I left for Rose in the pan. “That’s my girl,” Ann pecked Rose’s cheek and moved to place the pan in the sink.

Ann and Rose had a really strong mother and daughter bond that really pleased me. They’d often go on a shopping spree together and any other girl related activities that they could come up with.

“Is there something on my face B?” Rose had in an instant become self-aware, checking if she smeared her face. “Oh no, no, no, you are perfect, I was just thinking that’s all.” I smiled going back to my meal.

“Thinking about what?” Ann and Rose asked in unison. As much as I loved both of them, I wasn’t really a fan of their duo operation and how good they were at finding out what they need as a team. I was about to simply wave them off when Ann crossed over and leaned next to me. “What’s on your mind son, you know you can always talk to me.”

“Yes mum, but it’s nothing, I was just admiring the connection both of you have, that’s all.”

“Oh.” I could see the concern dissolve into a warm smile as she pecked my forehead. “Are you jealous B?” Rose inquired, pointing an accusing finger at me while tearing her bacon with the other hand.

“Now, why on earth would I be jealous, I'm rock solid,” I retorted, using my mug to give her a salute. “Well I just want to be sure, because the sign says girls only and…” Rose eyes me for a moment and continues, “…and well you just don’t cut it.”

I was already set to her ablaze in my own way when I caught a glare from Ann, causing me to dissolve my plans. You won’t always be so lucky I thought to myself as we continued with our breakfast. One of things Rose and I share is that fact that we loved food a lot and we still had a good body shape. Life couldn’t get any better than this, we had all we needed here and we wanted nothing more. I loved my family and would do anything for them

“Hey kids!” Mr. David Light greeted as he came into the dining, “Morning Dad!” We chorused as he crossed to kiss his wife and place a kiss on Rose’s forehead. “I would so much love to be a part of this morning banter but I have to hurry up to the office. Make sure you remain good kids, alright!” He said as he gave his wife a kiss and off he went.

“Ok now guys, off you go”, Ann said looking at the time. “It’s not wise to start the week by going late on the first day of school.”