Louisiana, USA.
I jolt awake, gasping for air, as if I've been pulled from deep water. The room around me comes into focus, familiar and comforting. Sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the soft, neutral tones of the walls. My heart races as I scan the room, recognizing the space that feels both distant and close.
"Where am I?" I mumble, disoriented.
"Good morning, Morinjo. You're awake," Path Finder's calm voice cuts through the fog in my mind.
I blink, trying to ground myself. "What? Stop messing with me, Path Finder."
"Look around and see for yourself," Path Finder insists, the tone unyielding.
I take in the room—a space I know too well. The bed dominates the center of my squarish room, its thick mattress wrapped in soft purple sheets. Light spills in through the large window, the main source of illumination. The wardrobe is seamlessly built into the wall, its storage cleverly hidden away. My shoes are neatly stored in a black box beside the bed, and a mirror hangs above a small table, reflecting the confusion etched on my face. On the dresser, a few bottles, a cup from a recent netball season, and a clutter of earrings dangle off a metal dog-shaped holder.
This is my room. The realization settles in, like the steady ticking of the alarm clock on the bedside table. Everything here is familiar—the off-white walls, the neatly framed photos of my family, and the art that makes this space uniquely mine.
"So... everything was just a dream? A nightmare?" I ask, voice shaky.
"Not just a dream," Path Finder replies, his voice carrying a weight that presses down on me. "It was a revelation."
"A revelation?" My mind races, images of the nightmare flooding back—slaves, dead bodies, burnt buildings, and that terrifying red cloud. "You saw all that? The destruction? The winged aliens?"
"Yes, I saw it all, Morinjo," Path Finder confirms, his voice steady.
A shiver runs down my spine as I recall the vivid details. "I was terrified, Path Finder. Without you, I would've been lost."
"You're welcome. It wasn't frightening for me; I've seen worse on my planet," he says, as if it's a simple fact.
"Really? Worse than the battles with Joseph and Jessica?"
A sharp sound—click-clack—interrupts the conversation, but I can't focus on it. My mind is still trapped in the nightmare, replaying the horrific scenes over and over. Suddenly, the door creaks open, and Lauren steps in.
She's a vision in silver, her dress shimmering like a chandelier. Her dark hair cascades down her back, and her green eyes lock onto mine with a knowing look. She moves with effortless grace, gathering her essentials—phone, office files, lipstick, earrings, and wristwatch—before slipping them into her handbag.
"Good morning, sunshine," Lauren greets, her voice sweet but with an edge of concern.
"Morning, love," I manage, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. "I see you're all set for work."
"Yeah, but I see you slept in," she says, raising an eyebrow as she sits by the mirror to apply her lipstick.
"I'm surprised too. I never sleep this deeply."
Lauren glances at me in the mirror, her expression softening. "Maybe you were stressed or just needed the rest. Or… was it about something else?"
"What do you mean by 'something else'?" I ask, frowning.
"You know… the bed thing?" she hints, her tone playful.
"No, it wasn't that," I reply quickly, waving her off.
"Okay, so you just decided to sleep in when you have a car race competition?" she teases, a smirk playing on her lips.
"It wasn't my decision. It just… happened."
Lauren turns to face me fully, concern replacing her playful expression. "You look confused. Did you have a dream you don't understand? Or was it something scary?"
I hesitate, then lie, "No, it was a good dream."
Lauren narrows her eyes at me, clearly unconvinced. "Sweet dreams don't leave you looking like that, Morinjo. You're a terrible liar."
I chuckle, the tension in my chest easing a little. "You caught me. It was… confusing."
Lauren's curiosity piques, and she moves closer, sitting beside me on the bed. "Want to talk about it?"
"Sure," I sigh, the weight of the dream still heavy on my mind. "I dreamed about our wedding last night."
Lauren's eyes light up, but I continue before she can say anything. "Everything was perfect, until we reached the altar. That's when I realized I'd left the rings here, in the mansion. The Man of God asked for them, and I reached into my suit, pretending they were there, but… they weren't. Everyone was staring at me, including you, and I… I didn't know what to do."
Lauren's brow furrows. "Why would you leave the rings here? That doesn't make any sense."
"I don't know," I reply, exasperated. "We did everything right—woke up early, had breakfast, got dressed, and headed straight to the church. But somehow, I forgot the rings."
"What happened after you realized they were missing?" Lauren asks, her voice soft.
"I woke up," I admit, feeling the absurdity of it all. "I couldn't face what would've come next."
Lauren stares at me for a moment, then bursts out laughing. "You're kidding, right?"
I shake my head, feeling a bit sheepish. "No, I'm serious."
"That's… that's ridiculous, Morinjo!" she laughs, her eyes sparkling. "It's no wonder you woke up confused."
"It's not funny," I protest, but her laughter is contagious, and I find myself smiling.
Lauren finally calms down, wiping a tear from her eye. "Okay, okay. Maybe you should talk to the Man of God about this dream."
"Yeah, maybe," I agree, relieved to see her back to her usual self.
Lauren leans in and kisses me gently before standing up and heading for the door. "By the way, what time is it?"
"9:45 a.m.," she says, glancing at her watch.
I leap out of bed. "I'm late! Did you have breakfast?"
"Of course. I also made some for you," she says with a smile.
"Thanks, babe. You're the best."
"You're welcome," Lauren replies as she leaves. "Take care, love you."
"Love you too, Lauren," I call after her, already scrambling to get ready.
As soon as Lauren steps out of the mansion, I push myself off the bed, still feeling the weight of that dream pressing down on me. I wander into the kitchen, grab my toothbrush, and start brushing, staring blankly into the sink.
"Hm. She's right, you know," Path Finder's voice echoes in my head, cutting through the morning silence.
"Right about what?" I mumble through the toothpaste.
"She said you're a terrible liar."
I spit, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "Yeah, I know. But you expect me to lay all that on her? Tell her about that nightmare—the future? No way."
"Yet you choose to lie to that pretty girl, that beautiful queen?"
I glance up at the ceiling, rolling my eyes. "Did you just call my girlfriend 'pretty girl' and 'beautiful queen'?"
"Yes. Any objections?"
"Not really, but aren't you the one who swore never to love a woman?"
"I did. But she's different—caring, talented, brave. The best for us."
I chuckle, shaking my head as I rinse out my mouth. "For *us*? No, Path Finder. She's the best for *me*. And she's gonna be my wife, no matter what."
"Even if she discovers your true identity? That you're bonded with a god—me?"
I walk out of the kitchen, heading for the bathroom. "She won't find out, man. She won't… Now, tell me more about the future."
"You're interested?"
"Of course. You said Malacoda was sent by your father, Erebus, to destroy Earth. But I've got questions. Who is Malacoda? An alien? Does he have a family? How did he conquer Earth? And how did I end up in that old building, surrounded by corpses? Explain."
"First, let's talk about how you got into that building."
"Go on."
"What I did was time travel. I took your soul to the aftermath of the apocalypse and found your future self lying in that building among the dead. I anchored your soul there so you could witness the consequences of your ignorance."
"So, I die because of my own irresponsibility?"
"Yes, Morinjo."
I pause for a moment, trying to digest that as I walk upstairs, heading to my room. "And you never mentioned you could time travel. What about the other questions?"
"In our dream, I told you Malacoda is my father's best friend. He's from Megan, like me, Lin Ongro, Drax, and the others. He has a son, Radnak, the god of light, whom he tried to kill, and a granddaughter, Lin Ongro. His resurrection was Goliath's idea."
I step into my room, grab a singlet and underwear, and start getting dressed. "Who's Goliath?"
"The god of destruction and king of all villains. He ordered Erebus to destroy Megan and to choose someone to bring devastation to Earth."
"So, Erebus resurrected his best friend, dead for thousands of years? Does he have the power of resurrection?"
"No, he doesn't. The Seven Hereditary have that power—they use magic and blood to bring back the dead."
I finish dressing and head downstairs toward the dining room, where breakfast waits. "And now Malacoda thinks he can just descend on Earth and wipe out humanity."
"Yes. His powers have been enhanced… That's why I showed you the war's outcome. Humanity's weapons will be useless against him. It's up to you, as a leader, to gather heroes and prepare for the battle. Do you remember their names?"
I uncover the plate on the table and can't help but smile. "Yeah, I remember. But first, I need to win this car race competition."
I pick up the burger, my mouth watering as I take the first bite. The juicy, smoky beef melts in my mouth, the cheese adding a rich, salty layer. "Wow. She made my favorite."
"I see it. You weren't expecting it?"
"Not really. It's been a while since she made this, but she surprised me today."
"That's why she's the best for us."
"Yeah, man. You're right."
I take another bite, savoring the flavors. "This is so good. Too bad you can't taste it."
"I wish I could. But gods like me never get hungry. Enjoy your breakfast, Morinjo. No need to rush—you always win. You're one of the best car racers in the USA."
"Thanks, Path Finder. But this time, I'm up against legends."
"Have you forgotten? We're legends too."
"Legends, huh? Didn't know that."
"You're a legend on your planet, and I'm a legend on mine. How does that sound?"
"Sounds cool to me."
After finishing breakfast, I head back to my room, swinging open the wardrobe doors. "Alright, time to get dressed. But I'm at a loss here."
"Hmmm. Go for the white T-shirt."
"Which one?"
"The one from Asket."
"Alright. What's next?"
"The black motorcycle jacket."
"Got it. How do you know all these brands?"
"Pick the black trousers and the Reebok x Tyrrell Winston Question Mid Sneakers."
"So… that's the look?"
"Yes. Put them on and check yourself out in the mirror."
I get dressed and step in front of the mirror. The outfit is sharp, perfect for the day. "Wow. Now I feel like a legend."
"Of course. You're a legend. We're legends. Let's own this."
I step out of the mansion and slide into the driver's seat of my Bugatti Chiron, feeling the cool leather beneath my hands. The engine roars to life with a deep growl, vibrating through the car and into my bones. I tear down the driveway, the world blurring as the speedometer climbs. The sound system kicks in, blasting Path Finder's favorite song, "Happy Now," and I can't help but join in as the second chorus comes on.
"You and me, it was good, but it wasn't right, And it'll be hard, but I know I will make it out…"
Path Finder's voice echoes through the car, his tone a bassy resonance that fills the space.
"Come on, man. Sing the chorus with me!" Path Finder's voice rings in my ears, urging me to join.
I smirk, my focus on the road ahead. "Sorry, man. I've got business to handle and money to earn. Besides, I'm late as hell. The Marshalls and the chief steward will grill me when I get there. But I've got my answers ready... And, Finder, did you know you've got a solid bass range?"
"Yeah, I know. Not that it matters. This is my favorite song, and I'll sing it how I want. Now, sing with me!"
"Fine, fine." I chuckle. "Let's do it."
We belt out the chorus together, our voices merging with the thrum of the engine.
"You and me, it was good, but it wasn't right, And it'll be hard, but I know I will make it out..."
"Woohoo! Replay it, Morinjo!" Path Finder's excitement is infectious.
"Really?" I ask, but before I can hit replay, my phone rings. Liam Scott's name flashes on the screen. I answer, noting the tension in his voice.
"Good morning, bro."
"Morning... Where the hell are you, Morinjo? The racers are all here," Liam's voice is taut with stress.
"No need to worry, Liam. I'm on my way."
"Morinjo, you were supposed to be here at 9:00 a.m. How long is it going to take you to get here?"
"Just give me 30 minutes. I promise I won't let you or Xander down."
"I know you won't. I just… I'm worried. That's why I called."
"I'm fine, okay? I'm on my way. No need to stress."
"Alright. See you soon."
"Yeah, you too," I say, hanging up.
Speedway, Indiana
I pull into the pit stop, easing off the gas as the Bugatti purrs to a halt. The moment I step out, a wave of people rushes towards me, their faces lit up with excitement, cameras and phones thrust in my direction.
"Oh my God! It's Morinjo! I can't believe I'm seeing him in person!" one woman exclaims, her voice trembling with excitement.
"He's even more handsome in real life," another adds, her eyes locked on my outfit.
"I love the way he carries himself, so confident, so poised," someone else murmurs, almost to herself.
"Thank you, thank you," I say, nodding to the crowd.
A woman steps forward, phone in hand, her voice hopeful. "Could I get a picture with you?"
"Of course," I reply.
She quickly snaps a photo, beaming. "Thanks," she says, her smile wide.
"You're welcome."
Another woman approaches, asking for a photo, and I oblige, though the attention is starting to make me uneasy. The crowd presses in, making it difficult to move, but relief washes over me as I spot Liam cutting through the throng with a squad of 20 security personnel.
"Hey, excuse us! Move, make way!" one of the security guards orders.
"You heard him, clear the path!" another echoes.
Liam reaches me, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thanks for coming, man. I wasn't comfortable in that crowd," I admit.
"Why not?" Liam asks, raising an eyebrow.
"I've never been surrounded by so many people before. It's… overwhelming."
"Come on, Johnson. You've got to be tough in situations like this. It's part of being a celebrity."
"I know. I just… it's a lot to handle."
"You'll get used to it. Remember when we first made it big? We were nervous when a few hundred people wanted pictures. Now, it's thousands."
"Yeah, you're right." I nod, feeling a bit more grounded. "But I've got to go apologize to the officials for being late. Wait here, I'll be quick."
Liam grabs my arm as I start to walk away. I turn, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not just your bodyguard, Morinjo. I'm your best friend. I'm coming with you, in case you need backup."
"Alright, let's go," I agree, appreciating the support.
We head toward the track marshals and officials, my steps steady as I brace myself for the inevitable questions.
"Hey guys, guess who I found?" Liam calls out as we approach.
"Thank God," the Rally Marshal says, relief evident in his voice. "What took you so long?"
"I'm really sorry for the delay. I left early, but traffic was brutal," I explain, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
"Traffic?" the Chief Marshal says, his tone skeptical. "The race director and senior officials have been waiting."
"I know, sir. I promise it won't happen again. I took a wrong turn onto 16th street near the Indy 500, and it was a nightmare."
"What about Georgetown Road? All vehicular traffic closes at 7 a.m. there," the Chief Steward points out.
"I completely forgot about that route. My mistake. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine. Just be ready in 15 minutes."
"Thank you, sir."
As they walk away, Xander strides over, grinning from ear to ear. "Hey, bro, glad you made it," he says, clapping me on the shoulder.
"Thanks," I reply, smiling back.
"Guess what?" he asks, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"What?"
"I made some new friends." He turns and waves at a group of racers approaching us. "Hey guys, here's the man you've been waiting to meet!"
The racers smile as they come closer, each one offering a handshake.
"You must be Morinjo," one of them says, his grip firm. "I'm Vincent Donald, but everyone calls me Don. Sometimes, Robin."
"Nice to meet you, Vin," I say, giving him a nickname on the spot.
"I've been looking forward to this," he continues. "It's not every day you get to race against a legend."
"I'm no legend, Don. Just a guy doing his best."
Another racer steps forward, a confident smile on her face. "I'm Sarah. Been hearing about your cars for years. Can't wait to see them in action."
"Nice to meet you, Sarah," I reply, nodding. "I've got something special lined up for today."
A third racer, Alex, introduces himself with a handshake. "I'm Alex. Heard you've got some serious horsepower. Looking forward to seeing it on the track."
"You won't be disappointed, Alex," I assure him. "May the best car win."
Max, the fourth racer, chimes in, "I'm Max. I'm known for my agility on the track. Can't wait to see what you've got."
"I'm bringing my A-game, Max. Let's make this race one for the books."
Finally, Carlos steps up, his demeanor calm and collected. "Carlos is the name. Speed is my game. Ready to test your limits, Morinjo."
"Speed and skill, Carlos. Let's see who comes out on top."
We head to the pit stop, the excitement in the air palpable as we compare cars and discuss strategies. The race is about to begin, and I can feel the adrenaline starting to kick in. This is what I live for.
To be continued....