Rain was steadily pattering against the window, warping my view of the outside. Chatter was ringing out around me but despite that, I kept my gaze firmly locked on the school gates, staring at them as if I was in some sort of trance.
A whisper came from my right, a familiar voice, "Hey Zach, you might want to look at the board, teach seems like he's going to scream if you keep looking away".
"All right thanks Max", I replied without looking back, instead keeping my gaze locked onto the gate.
Man, this is so boring. I wish something interesting would happen. Being average in every way and spending almost all my time in school gets exhausting and boring after 12 years. I'm your typical boy after all, short brown hair, brown eyes, 5'10 tall. You could find me in any corner of the Earth if you tried.
I looked to my right at the boy who had called out to me. I have no idea why Max treats me so well either, hell I haven't even spoken to him properly, yet for some reason this monster of a man treats me like a friend.
I bit down on my bottom lip and scowled at his large shoulders. Its such crap, he's only 16 yet he's 6'5 and built like a house.
"Ok that about wraps it up for today, you can all go home now" The teachers-tired voice managed to capture every student with just those words.
Finally its over, I can go home. However, things don't always go as planned, as I stood up to leave a huge hand slapped my back.
"Yo Zach! Want to go hang out for a bit, I'm pretty sure we walk the same direction", Max said while laughing.
That hurt you big oaf!
I cursed him internally with a grimace creeping onto my face. Quickly fixing my face and replacing the clear anger with an uncaring expression, I responded, "Sure, why not. I was thinking of grabbing a coffee though, if that's cool?".
It was perfect, I've been meaning to ask Max a few things anyway.
Walking along the pavement, the downpour of rain had been replaced by a grim grey sky. Of course, Max being the beast of a man he was continually walked into leaves and bushes getting himself soaked for no reason. He's empty headed as well, guess one man can't have everything after all. I smiled at him unintentionally, wondering if he had anymore faults.
Stopping off and sitting down in a coffee shop, I asked what I was meaning to ask for so long.
"Hey Max, why is it you're so friendly with me?".
Max whipped his head around and stared at me dead in the eyes. Immediately I felt threatened, which doesn't happen very often. But Max's expression softened into a solemn smile.
He huffed and looked away again, "It's because you don't treat me differently and don't preach to me about becoming a good guy. So, I suppose what I like is your uncaring character", he said, his words strangely sincere.
"I-I don't", words failed me completely and I was taken by complete shock. The way Max treats people isn't good at all, he's your stereotypical bully. The only reason I didn't try to interfere was because I simply couldn't care. I mean other people's business is theirs, right?
But seeing him so sincere, it was … well … nice to see.
"I see, so that's it. I'm glad I know now, thanks Max", I stuttered back scratching my cheek, not knowing how to properly respond.
He's spot on about uncaring though, I don't particularly care about anything besides my family and friends, but everyone has different morals, right? It's only natural. I might just make an effort to get to know Max more now, as long as he doesn't try to change me as well.
After parting with Max outside the shop, I stood silently and watched him walk for a moment before turning and heading back home, when suddenly a white blur shot into my chest. My breath got caught in my chest but there was no pain and my breath returned almost immediately. My entire body went cold as I gulped.
I brushed it off as something minor and continued down the path towards my home. I withdrew the key and unlocked the front door, stepping inside. "IM HOME!", I called out into the empty hallway, awaiting a response. I was met with nothing, so I assumed my mum isn't home from work yet.
I pulled the door closed behind me, as soon as it clicked shut, my knees buckled beneath me and a searing pain washed over my entire body. I clutched at my chest, desperately pulling my body towards the phone further down the hall.
"Crap what the hell is this!".
Panic was laced in with my panting voice while I lay gasping for air. My eyes quickly lost focus whilst I lay there unable to move. With everything fading into black, a singular terrifying thought crossed my mind. No way! am I about to die?!
…
A glass image simmered to life displaying Zach's unconscious body. The emperor's eyes bulged and a manic grin was plastered across his face.
"Finally," he laughed "All 5 Crystals have found their hosts". He turned away from a grand alter supported by 5 beams and faced a large crowd. The marble hall was filled with officials, all jeering and clinking glasses. A lone voice cut through the silence, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Emperor sir", Seraphina stepped forward and kneeled, "Forgive my rudeness as I understand this is a grand occasion that should be celebrated. However, I must know, can you tell what form the mortal's Celestial power will take?"
The emperor glared at her, his gaze so fierce it could've put a hole in Seraphina's chest. Sighing he thought yet again, 'will this girl ever try not to rush things and take time to enjoy the moment'.
He spoke and immediately every official kneeled, "Very well, it has been long enough. I shall see if the form their power will take has become visible yet".
After a momentary pause the emperors eyes shifted to a great amethyst hue and nodes of colour filled the hall. Sparks of blue, red, brown, green and yellow could be seen, it was truly a beautiful scene.
"The emperors gaze control truly is magnificent", a voice whispered in the crowd.
"Silence!" an attendant screeched, his voice like chalk on a blackboard, "His imperial majesty needs complete silence to focus on the readings of the aura fluctuations". The emperor glanced over at him. Coughing the aide stuttered, "I apologise your highness, please continue".
With his eyes widened, the emperor began scanning each of the 5 glass panels and widening the view to determine location, and most importantly, if any of the mortals could be useful. With his eyes darting around the panel, he muttered to himself, "The mortal in Russia has a brown tinge clinging to him, that's earth Aura. Canada has earth as well. China has a red hue, that must be fire. Japan has blue and some white, perhaps an amalgamation of ice and water, very good".
Swiping over to Zach's glass panel, the emperor stumbled and fell back, his face racked with fear, "W-What is that!?".
"Your majesty!", 5 attendants screamed, rushing over and looking on, shocked at the ghostly pale emperor, "Y-Your majesty", they all probed. Standing back up, the emperor glanced over his shoulder. Seeing everyone in attendance sharing worrying glances with one another the emperor spoke quickly, "I'm fine back to your stations now!", he snapped trying to keep his authority from faltering.
His face was racked with sweat, he locked his gaze on Zach's unconscious body and began biting his bottom lip, "just what is that?".
A yellow glow was going haywire around Zach's body, with cracks constantly tearing the aura. The emperors face suddenly became masked in ecstasy, "Incredible!".
"This boy has lightning! We must secure him immediately", he bounced on his toes, something that should've been impossible in his old age. He spun on his heels, facing Seraphina with an expression that was completely unreadable, he shouted, "Seraphina, make your way to England in the Mortal realm immediately and bring the boy to the Celestial realm".
Seraphina was stunned, "But why? I don't understand", she argued.
The emperors temper reached boiling point before he screamed, "Go Now! The boy has a lightning attribute!".
Everyone in the crowd was shocked into silence, looks of confusion, anger, but most notably fear written across their faces.