Noel had come back from school to find Anele had prepared food for him, they ate in silence and went to their daily sparring match afterwards. Night came and Noel went to sleep, still not saying anything to Anele, he thought he should first try to figure out what going on before telling her anything and she also pretended to not know anything. While sleeping, Noel had a dream but this time it was different, instead of dreaming of his mother, he dreamt himself standing infront of an endless crimson wall with a giant hole in it.
He did not know why since it obviously looks like a wall but he had a feeling this was a gate, just so large the portion of it infront of him seemed like an endless wall, as to where the gate lead to, he had no idea. While stuck in his dream, he was not aware of the disturbance happening outside. The bracelet in his wrist was releasing invisible pulses matching his breathing, or rather his breathing had adjusted to match the pulsing of the bracelet.
Somewhere in the centre of the Bialowieza forest, there was a region spreading over 50 kilometres in diameter. This region was not recorded in any map, this place was as beautiful as a painting of Gods, trees were tall and lush, flowers of all colours filled the ground, butterflies fluttering in the wind and birds singing in the trees, with all types of small animals on the ground and large ones grazing the grass and bushes.
Strangely non of the animals here were predators, even the birds which would occasionally eat insects only either lived on grapes and berries or ventured out for food, this place seemed like paradise. Deep in this region there was a tree house standing on top of a large tree that looked ancient, it roof covered by flowers of all shapes and colours, each of it four corners seems to have vines growing on them, this house did not look like it was built but rather it was part of the tree itself, even the stairs made of vines, wood and flowers seemed to have grown naturally that way.
On the porch of the house sat a beautiful woman with long black silky hair that had flowers stuck to it. The woman was knitting what seemed to be a sock made of pink cotton when she suddenly stopped and raised her head looking up. She showed a beautiful smile and plucked a flower on her hair, blowing into it, the flower turned into a beautiful butterfly, she whispered to it and it vanished into thin air. Perhaps things will get better for us, she said with a small beautiful smile that had a hint of sadness into it while looking at a small village built on trees further in this hidden realm of theirs.
Somewhere in the Vatican, in an underground large hall were three people on a high platform at the front of the hall, behind them was a giant painting of angels slaying demons and masses prostrating themselves to the heavens. Among them was an old man sitting in a throne decorated by golden linings and jewels, this old was dressed in a popes attire and was carrying a sceptor with a golden cross on top. On his left stood a man in a black robe wearing a Rosary and on his right stood an old but beautiful woman carrying a small silver cross in her hands. All three were radiating powerful auras, especially the old man on the throne.
It seems it has reappeared, said the woman. I think we should retrieve it before the others, replied the black clothed priest. It will not be that easy, with her around getting to it would be a perilous endeavour, she replied. I think you all giving he too much credit, what can one woman do against us, he said with a blank face. Underestimating her would be foolish, but it true that her by herself cannot stop the might of the church, but we also cannot send anybody powerful enough to hold her back without alerting the others or the association and we would just be sending the rest to their deaths. She replied.
So what?? It should be their honour to die for the church, he said with a calm look. There's no honour if their deaths achieve nothing. What does Father think we should do?? She asked the old man in white robes. Mhhhh, send a message to our people in the area, tell them to keep an eye out but not get too close lest they antagonize the Reaper, replied the old man.
Powerful people all over the world were alerted, A sorcerer In the deep dark forest of Nigeria, a snake whisper in a small village In Iraq, a priestess in Egypt, a giant spider three metres tall in Australia opened it eyes, fangs dripping with venom before closing them again. A giant white serpent in the Amazons worshipped as a God by the local tribe suddenly hissed as it raised it head before lying down again.
A truck driver in Europe sniffed the air before smiling lightly. A man with red eyes and pale skin was sitting on a throne in a room with a red lighting, a corpse of a young woman was lying on the floor pale as if drained of all blood, he laughed a little before licking his lips. A man training with his sword in Japan and a fisherman in China. Every single powerful man, woman and beast in the world could tell a storm was brewing. Some anticipated it, craving the chaos to come while some were worried and others hopeful. The cause for this disturbance was still sleeping soundly stuck in his own dreams without a single clue. As Noel breathing kept matching the bracelet, in his chest blue wisps that looked like electricity kept gathering and dissipating, this process kept happening until morning when Noel woke, he was still oblivious to what happening.
When he woke up he felt refreshed, he noticed that tiny symbols were imprinted on the beads. He had no idea what any of the symbols mean, so he wrote them down on a paper before going to take a shower. Today was a weekend so he did not have to go to school. He had planned to stay home all day but after seeing those symbols he thought he should go the library and see if he can learn anything about them.
After having breakfast he got up, when he opened the door, Charlize and her parents Charlie Snyman and Dalena Snyman were already infront of the door just about to knock. Oh hi Mr and Mrs Snyman, nice to see you, please come in, he said. Thank you Noel, they both replied with a smile, is your aunt at home?? They asked, yes she is. So what your plans today, going to stay home all day?? Asked Charlize. No, I actually intend to go to the library, he replied.
Can I tag along?? Yeah sure, it will be nice to have company, he replied with a smile. The two of them took of, her parents and Anele were left alone. They went to the living room and Anele went to make tea. They sat down, sipping his tea, Mr Snyman spoke first, have you told him yet? Not yet, replied Anele. You know you have to right? After last night disturbance they going to come for him and you can't protect him from all of them forever said Dalena
I know, Anele replied, I just wished it didn't have to come to this, first it was big sis, then that little stubborn girl and now him,he's the only family I have left, I don't want to lose him, she said with a hint of sadness. Is the famous Reaper going to cry?? Teased Dalena. Do you want to die you flame bitch? She retorted.
Ahh she called me hot, said Dalena with excitement. Anele was just dumbfounded, she signed softly before taking out a black egg and crushed it, black smoke came out of the egg and turned into a crow, she whispered some words into it and it disappeared into a puff of smoke.
He had yet to awaken so he is still under the protection of the association, I doubt they would openly antagonize it, said Charlie. I wouldn't put my hope in them, they too are attracted by the secret of the key and some among the top brass are quite shameless, they wouldn't mind disregarding their own rules for benefits, said Dalena.
You right, which is why I'm going to protect him myself, I don't mind erasing a few organisation to send a message. Charlie and Dalena felt the temperature go down but they were not fazed. Either way the boy will need to grow stronger to survive what is to come, both of them will, said Charlie with worry.
While the grown up were having their conversation, the two kids had arrived at the library. They started at the history and archaeological section. So what are we looking for again? Asked Charlize, ancient civilizations, lost languages, something along those lines, he showed her the symbols, tell me if you see something like this, he said.They kept searching for a while and he didn't find what they were looking for so they switched to languages section and still nothing, looking a bit tired Noel was about to give up when he suddenly had an idea, wait considering the nature of the bracelet he might have been looking at the wrong place.
They went to the fantasy and mythological section, he read the tales of Gilgamesh and he noticed something, on the painting of Gilgamesh spear there were symbols not unlike the ones on his bracelet, this piqued his interest. He continued to read multiple myths of Gods and heroes and noticed that in multiple of them, these symbols kept appearing, from the immortal daost of China to the samurai and Shinobi in Japan Buddhist, vampires and werewolves, witches, sorcerers and Druids, regardless of where the legends are from they all seem to have a connection with these symbols.
Although he learnt a lot he still had no way of translating them so they both tiredly left the library. It was already dark when they got out, they had stayed until the closing hours with even realising it. The got into Charlize car and started driving back home. While on a vacant road with trees on both sides a black SUV suddenly hit them from behind, Charlize lost control of the car and it started drifting before hitting a tree.