The white clouds above seemed to shimmer as they reflected the sun's rays, it was as if a deity belonged there.
The bright circle in the sky wasn't obstructed by the voluptuous clouds, and the fresh uncut grass was bathed in sunlight. There, a pale boy no older than thirteen had lain, sprawled out in the green meadow.
The boy's hair was under his head while a few loose strands danced in the wind. His eyes were closed as he curled his thin lips.
"Seems like it won't be long now." A voice echoed in his mind.
The boy's smile vanished, and with it went his gentle aura. "I can't enjoy anything with you around, can I?"
"She won't like you."
"It doesn't matter, she only needs to willingly give herself to me, and even if that doesn't happen... I can always force her." The boys eyes then opened, and he didn't seem at all bothered by the sun's brightness. His grey irises looked almost translucent.
"Such a young looking pyshcopath you are."
"Pyschopath?" The boy asked, not to the voice but more than likely, himself. "That would imply I have no empathy, but you've forgotten, my purpose is to save my... my-" He stopped, he couldn't remember.
"What?" The voice asked, although it very clearly knew the answer.
"...I need to protect them from you." Was all the boy could say.
"Your methods are odd, Venti Anemoi."
• • • • • • • • • •
Arius stared into the mirror, he was inspecting his shave. After Zuna brought up that he needed to, he remembered that his identity was that of a teenager. Although he knew to use the name Philip Adam Johnson, he'd almost completely forgotten he was supposed to be a sixteen year old. Arius had a realization, he was acting as himself, not one of his identities. When was the last time he was Arius?
His reactions to things were usually genuine, but they were always exaggerated. He acted like a child, to forget that he was a man with the responsibility of a thousand years.
It had only been about a week since he first met Dante, and so much had happened. Somehow they were already a team, although he barely knew the workings of some of their abilities.
It was scary how quick Arius's life was flipped upside down, and how at the same time he went along with it.
Arius was so obsessed with keeping these people by his side, that he completely forgot to question how everything happened. So many years spent not even knowing about the existence of other immortals, and now he was living with four. Arius loved to just sit and think, but he hadn't really thought as much as he usually did recently.
He knew them to some extent. Like Zuna, she was the epitome of trouble. Eirik must not have been such a stern parent for her to turn out the way she has, and she has lived for so long compared to mortals yet practices no self restraint. Even Dante, a child, was more obedient.
Actually, how does that work? Arius had read before that the human mind only fully develops after they turn 25, and Dante looks about seven. Arius would say that his own body is probably aged at about 21, while Eirik is likely the same. Zuna was about seventeen. The fact that none of them had reached 25 really explained a lot.
Anyway, today was friday, so they should probably get some supplies, since Asrael and Dante would start school the following monday. The only problem… they were all grounded. Too bad, it seemed that he would have to shop online again.
He quickly got dressed, and lamented on how Dante had slept in his own bed the last few nights. Wait, it was night right now, Arius had slept through the day. He stopped at his bedroom door and went back to lay on the bed, he really hadn't noticed how dark it was outside?
The thought didn't last long however, as he decided that now was probably a good time to get some work done. It was late, so he couldn't contact David, instead he went straight to Pierre. Heh. He texted him, and the goal was to get everyone in the Bunny Bunch a new identity. Technically, none of them had one, they basically lived off the grid.