Hazelnut was a bustling town. Farmers sold fruit at their stands. The gray smoke from the blacksmith’s table wafted into the air, only to disperse as it ascended into the atmosphere. As the morning sun was now higher than the Emerald Gate, the town finally received daylight. Philos and the others scurried towards the tavern, their stomachs empty and their hearts filled with the warmth and rush of adventure.

High above the small and humble village, a shadowy figure levitated in the air. None could see him, but that wasn’t anything unusual. He was accustomed to being invisible. He watched, as he had always done; he watched, for that was all he could do.

Above the settlement, the Starbreather, the one called “One,” floated like a specter in the wind, his deep red eyes watching the boys below. He stared at Uri. You hold it too, don’t you? The Starbreather smiled, baring his sharp, jagged teeth. You’re a small fry, that’s for sure! I bet your power will be fantastic!

He crossed his arms and sat in the air with his legs crossed. As he folded his limbs, the cosmic galaxies caught within his skin exploded upon his flesh, turning his arms and legs into bright greens and purples and blues as the galaxies collided. He turned his crimson gaze to Philos.

And you...

    You are not yet ready...

He began to laugh, a high-pitched cackle. As he floated above the city and laughed, no one saw him or heard him.

They never had to begin with.

 

The tavern had pretty much cleared, mostly because people bolted as soon as they saw an Angel. Gilliam sat silently at the bar, listening.

So here you are, Smith...these boys? He thought with a smile. Are they the ones that will save the world?

“So what’s the deal?” Alphonso said, his mouth full of food.

“Don’t speak to me with your mouth full,” Sir Smith shot back. “Foolish brute.”

“Then I’ll ask,” Philos said, smiling as he put his fork down politely. “How exactly do you expect us to take down the Morning Star Kingdom.”

“You get ahead of yourself,” the Angel said. “You must first learn to manifest the Starblood. It is only then that—”

“Help!” A woman suddenly burst into the bar. “They’re gonna kill him!”

Philos rose almost immediately and nodded at the others.

Joseph winked. “Sorry, Smithy. Looks like your little story is gonna have to wait.”

“Don’t worry,” Alphonso said, gulping down a glass of ale and cracking his knuckles. “We won’t be long.”

 

Outside, a boy stood against three soldiers: a short man, a big man, and a masked woman.

“Screw off!” the young boy yelled at the soldier in the middle.

“You gotta death wish, kid?” the short man said, a large club in his hands.

“I said screw off!”

“That’s it!” the man raged as he raised his bat to swing.

The boy dropped, his shaking hands raising to guard his head.

But the strike never came.

“You know,” Philos said as he held the tip of the club in his hand, “it’s not nice to pick on those weaker than you, especially children.”

The short man ripped the club from his hand. “And just who the hell are you?!”

Philos smiled. “Oh, I’m Philos.”

“Looks like you’ll have to kill him too, Fox!” the masked woman cackled to her partner.

“She’s right! Ya see here, this is Captain Wolfe’s territory! No one gets through the gate without his say-so. So I’d back down!” he grunted as he swung the bat once more.

With great speed, Philos swerved to the right, his foot sweeping Fox’s feet off of the ground.

“Hyena!” Fox exclaimed as he fell. “Shoot him already!”

“My turn?!” She laughed, pulling a large revolver from her cloak. “Fun time!”

A gunshot rang through the air. The air was still, the people of the village silent and frozen in fear.

“Oh my god!” Hyena shrieked as she collapsed to the ground, cradling her bleeding hand that once held a gun.

“Shooting a man who doesn’t even have his sword drawn?” Joseph said, smoke flowing from the barrel of his gun. “Bit of a cheap move, no?”

“Alright!” Alphonso roared, his large muscles flexing as he cracked his knuckles. “Which one of you bastards interrupted my dinner? My food is getting cold!”

“That’s the least of your worries.” Fox said as he produced a giant dagger. “I’ll gut that food from your stomach.”

With a rush of rage, Fox stepped forward, the blade of the dagger spearing forward wildly.

“Yeah, Fox!” Hyena shrieked. “Make him bleed!”

The blade came toward Alphonso. Suddenly, Alphonso took the man by the wrist. With his great strength, he stepped forward, sweeping Fox’s leg off the ground and raising him up. With one great motion, the short man slammed onto the street, the force of his fall kicking up dust from the road.

Alphonso combed his spiky hair. “Idiot.”

“That’s martial arts! You bastard!” Fox groaned as he rose again, holding his back. “I’ll kill you—”

Suddenly, the sounds of a wolf howling resounded from the Emerald Gate.

“Time to go back.” the large soldier said with a droopy voice as he threw the injured Hyena over his shoulder.

Fox sighed. “You’re right, Hound.” He turned to the boys. “You’re lucky this time! All of ya!”

“Are you okay?” Uri said as he rushed to the young boy as his attackers scurried away.

“Hey! Asshole!” the boy yelled, pointing at Philos.

“M-me?!”

“Yeah, you! I didn’t need you to step in! I didn’t need your help! I’m not some helpless kid!”

“Oh yeah?” Philos smiled, placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You could’ve handled it on your own, couldn’t you?”

Sudden pain shot up his leg as the boy slammed his boot into Philos’ shin.

“Aghhh!” Philos shrieked, holding his shin and bouncing around.

“Ouch.” Alphonso said.

“That little runt got you good!” Joseph laughed.

Uri held his hand to his head. “They’re both outlandish...”

The Angel walked out of the tavern, his halo glowing in the sun. “Are we done lollygagging?”

“I’m not a kid!” the boy yelled as he walked off. “My name is Dalt! And I’m not weak!”

“That kid...” Uri began.

“Has serious issues...” Joseph finished.