To Matt - It's good to be back after so long! I've been so caught up with life (And my significant other...
) That I have completely forgotten about writing ANYthing! BUt with some (Ok, maybe A LOT) of support from her I have begun my first original story... Also, it is unfair that now a story set in high school seems so unoriginal when compared to Harry Potter, when it is obvious to anyone with even a moderate literary library that the setting of School is a very old one indeed...
To ArtificialIdiot - I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far! It's always good to hear comments like these, but if there is ANYthing that needs to be improved, to not hesitate to jump on it and let me know! (This goes for everyone BTW) And about fanfics, I don't bother to follow the characteristics of the original characters too much, because I find it much more interesting to implement quirks and features of mine that normally wouldn't be suitable for the series and the rating it has...
To Oh look I'm... - Once again, Glad you like it, but be warned that this is definitely not going to be a typical superhero story, complete with spandex and tacky masks
, this is going to be more of a fantasy story, with (mostly) original creatures and some borrowed from popular folklore... You'll see what I mean soon enough!
Anyway, on to the next exciting chapter!
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THAT old tree...
“What’s so special about the Celestial?”
“His power… his ability. It’s very…unique.”
“Okay so, fair enough about the Celestial, but is it really worth to stake our whole operation on this one school?”
“Even if it was just him, yes. But the fun doesn’t end there, oh no. There’s also that girl, the Halfer.”
So happy he was with his success, he failed to notice that another individual had crossed his path, and they collided. Damien fell backwards and his assailant fell with him. Shaking the birds tweeting around his head out, he inhaled a deep breath in readiness to blast the careless person with a violent tirade of insults.
That’s when he saw who exactly had bumped into him.
She was an
Arratun, her small horns and the dirty-blonde patch of hair atop her head giving her away. An Arratun is born from a Demonic and an Angelic parent. The horns betray her demon side, whereas her blonde patch mirrors her Heavenly heritage. She was also short, though not too short, and her hair, barring the small blonde patch, was dyed a raven black. Damien exhaled quickly, knowing that it wasn’t in his best interests to upset an Arratun, and lent her a hand. She refused his help and pulled herself to her feet with little fuss. Damien simply grinned nervously with his hand still extended.
“Um… sorry ‘bout that, I wasn’t paying much attention.”
The half-demoness simply raised an eyebrow.
“Uh… so yeah… my name’s Damien, by the way.” The increasingly unnerved Celestial continued, hoping that she’d at least play along.
Damien’s hand was still extended, waiting for an answer from this pale-skinned
halfer.
“Anzu. And watch where you’re going.”
And with that, the conversation was as good as finished. Damien blinked and she was gone.
He sighed in relief. An Arratunian’s temper is something he could live without.
The incident now history, Damien continued towards the old oak tree on the border of the school grounds where he normally spent his recess and lunch. With what seemed to be his fifth sigh in a span of only ten minutes, he lowered himself beside the gargantuan trunk and lost himself in thoughts once again.
Bad day, young one?
Damien smiled.
You could say that, Baezk’le. You could also say it’s been one of the best. That’s why I’m a Celestial. The uncertainty compels me.
The great oak reverberated with jest.
When Damien first entered the gates of this school, his gaze was immediately drawn towards this Oak tree that stood by itself in the middle of a completely empty grassy plain. Before long, it became his safe sanctuary, a place where no-one else bothered to go except him. During a rather sleepy recess, Damien had dozed off on an exposed root, and was more than surprised to hear a voice coming from the tree urging him to wake up and go to class. Thinking that is was just his imagination, as he did have an overactive one, he thought no more of it and wandered back to the school buildings. The following lunch found him once again at the base of the tree, only to hear a deep, wizened voice informing him, whilst branches snaked their way around his body, that he was currently prisoner to the tree-lords of
Zret-Lhafek where he would spend the remainder of his life as a cocoon for their saplings. Once Damien had stopped his hysterical screaming and struggling enough to hear the old tree shaking in laughter, the two quickly became friends.
Haha… you should be proud of being a Celestial, young Damien, and I can feel that you are going to be a very strong one, very powerful indeed.
Damien landed a playful punch on the trunk of the tree, to which he received a slap in the face from a whip-like branch.
Ow… Damn it Baek-
Another slap.
Watch your tongue, Damien.
Sorry, sorry. You hit too hard.
The tree ruffled its leaves.
You are much too weak, child. Focus more on your training, not your daydreams of girls in bikinis.
Damien grinned.
I can’t help it Baek, have you seen the assets on some of those Angels? Redefines the term ‘Heavenly’ eh?
He received no response.
Ok, ok stupid question. Of course you have, and you don’t care, right?
Still no response.
Baek?
Hush, young one.
Damien turned his head to look for any sign of what had caused the great Oak to cease talking. He spotted it in the form of Anzu, the Arratun he had unceremoniously bowled over at the beginning of lunch.
It’s her! What’s she doing here?
You know her, Damien?
Yes, she’s a girl I accidentally ran over on my way here.
You RAN HER OVER? She’s an Arratun, what were you thinking?
I wasn’t thinking…
Damien had a faint sense of Deja-Vu.
The two were so caught up their bickering that they failed to notice Anzu until she had gotten comfortable on the other side of the tree.
“It’s you again.”
Damien froze like a rabbit on a freeway. She had already spotted him, even though he was on the other side of the towering tree.
“Oh! Hey, Anzu… Um, how’re you?”
“Sore.”
Damien winced. “Uhh…yeah, sorry about that, again.”
“Forget it; you’re only apologizing because you’re afraid of me.”
She’s got you there, Damien.
Shut it, Baek- SLAP.
Anzu turned around at the sound of branch hitting flesh.
“Running into me wasn’t enough? You had to run into the tree too?”
“NO! I mean, no, the tree hit me.”
Anzu shook her head sadly. “You fool, a tree can’t hit you.”
“Heh, Baek can, and he hits hard too.”
What followed was an awkward silence as Anzu simply stared at Damien as if he were insane. She slowly turned her gaze towards the tree, half-expecting to see a face embedded in all that bark, but all she saw was the Oak’s rough skin.
“Baek?” Was all she managed to utter.
“Uh, yeah.” Damien replied, becoming increasingly unnerved.
“Who’s Baek?”
“The tree. Baek, or
Baezk’le. The tree is Baek.”
Anzu looked at the tree again, as if there was something she might’ve missed. There was nothing, all she saw was a plain old Oak tree, standing forlornly in the middle a grassy plain that made up most of the school grounds and beyond.
Baek, say something! Tell her I’m not crazy!
I’m sorry young one, I should’ve told you this a long time ago.
Told me what? What is it-
“What are you doing?”
Damien’s mood changed, from slight indifference to almost panicking in a mere iota of a second. Why couldn’t Anzu hear what Baek was saying? What did Baek mean when he said he should’ve told me something? These were all valid questions, but ones that simply couldn’t be answered by him.
Damien regained slight composure and replied “Nothing. I was…nothing. Forget about everything I said. So, what are you doing here, anyway?”
“I’ve always come here. This is my spot.” Anzu replied rather indignantly, as if to say the shade of the Great Oak tree wasn’t big enough for the both of them.
“Then how come I’ve never seen you here before?”
“Because you weren’t here last year.”
“Fair enough. Do you mind the company?”
Anzu was taken aback by this sudden politeness, and didn’t quite know how to react. On the one hand she couldn’t think of anything she’d want more than privacy and solitude. On the other, misery loves company.
“As long as you keep your distance.”
“Understood.” Damien replied, feigning a military salute before scooting across and behind the Oak tree. Anzu’s normally apathetic composure cracked momentarily, and she allowed a small grin to light up her delicate face before it vanished into the proverbial wisp of smoke, as if it was never there to begin with.
You sure know how to cheer people up, Damien.
I didn’t do anything, Baek.
You didn’t need to, young one, all you had to do was be yourself, and you did that.
She seems so… hurt. And defensive.
The old tree sighed, a deep, rumbling sound that shook his leaves and Damien’ teeth.
And yet, it only took you five minutes to break down that defense that probably took her her whole life to build.
But why? Why is she like this?
Baek sighed again, this time in a slightly tamer tone.
Because she is an Arratun, Damien. Arratun’s are extremely rare, you know that, and because of their lineage, they are viewed upon with contempt and suspicion. She’s an outcast in both worlds, the Demonic and the Angelic.
For the first time in his life, Damien felt a strange sensation, an urge to help her and make her feel welcomed. He had no idea that in a few moments, he’d be doing exactly that.
What she said before, what you said before, about me being able to talk to you but she can’t, what was with that?
There was a silence as Baek contemplated the best way to tell this story.
Young Damien, as you know, being a Celestial means going down a path of endless possibilities. During your early years your potential power is unknown, and-
Yes yes, I know all this. Damien said with sudden impudence. He received another slap to the face for it.
Quiet boy, I’m the one telling this story here, now sit and listen, otherwise I’ll prove to you that I wasn’t joking the first time we met.
Damien quickly remembered the threat to hollow him out and turn him into a breeding place for carnivorous plants and shut his mouth with speeds in excess of mach 5.
That’s better. Now, where was I? Ah yes, uncertainty. Once a Celestial reaches puberty, he undergoes a transformation as his powers manifest. Telekinesis, flight, pyro-kinesis, geokinesis, it’s all possible, yet unknown. Some Celestials acquire magnificent powers of matter manipulation, others, well, others acquire the fantastic ability to change the colour of their skin.
Damien nodded. He had been through that phase, just like every other Celestial he knew, which, granted, wasn’t many. He had yet to figure out what powers he had acquired, but that was common amongst many Celestials. Some even passed into their twenties before finally discovering what they had gained.
But that still doesn’t answer my question.
I’m getting to that, us elderly like to drag on a bit with our stories, now shut up and listen. Some powers that Celestials can manifest are rarer than others. Flight is the most common, followed by being able to command wind, because a Celestial’s natural affinity is with the sky. Things such as light manipulation and geokinesis are also common, but not as much. But there is one power, one ability that hasn’t been seen in thousands of years, Damien.
And what would that be, Baek?
The ability to communicate with nature.
Damien stiffened. Communicate with nature? He could… he could communicate with nature? Baek wasn’t an exception?
You mean… you’re telling me that I can talk with any plant?
And animal, Damien.
Animals as well?
But…but… why me?
That’s a stupid question to ask, you’ve been granted a wonderful gift, don’t ask why, ask what more you can do with it.
I…wow. I don’t know... I don’t know what to do now… Damien replied meekly. He was unique, special, a never-seen-before Celestial in thousands of years.
I guess… Damien began.
I guess me and Anzu can be freaks together, then.
Ha, ha, ha. Indeed, Damien, although she’s a much more attractive freak then you could ever hope to be, I’m afraid to say.
Oh come on Baek, how can you say that to about my roguish good looks and sharp wit?
Roguish? Is that what they-
Before Baek could finish his scathing comeback, he was interrupted by a group of
demons that had somehow found their way to Baek’s resting spot.
“I take it by your silence that you are suitably impressed?”
“It…I…No, no it can’t be…”
“Oh but it is! That’s the wonderful thing about it! Can you imagine the power such a being would have? And so young and naïve, so impressionable…”
“You can’t be serious!”
“I am. Do you have a problem with this?”
“I…no, no problem.”
“Very good.”
“Uh… About the Halfer, all I’m seeing is a scared little girl.”
“She may not seem like much now, but you will see the potential this young one harbours.”
“Do… do you think she could actually become a Sera?”
“There is a distinct possibility.”
“But remember the last two Halfers we thought could become Seras-.”
“Were false alarms, yes I know. This one is different.”
“Fair enough. Is that all?”
Of course not! There’s also Azazael, the Demon.”
“Haha, I shoulda figured you’d be here.” This brash comment was accompanied by grunts and chuckles, the kind you’d hear from a Neanderthal once he discovered fire for the first time.
Damien poked his head around the tree trunk in order to get a better look at the cavemen, as he liked to call them. He noticed that they were talking to and berating Anzu, and that they had not yet seen him. He turned back and grinned.
You’re very popular today, Baek. Is there something you’re not telling me?
Very funny, Damien. Are you going to help the girl or not?
What am I supposed to do? I talk with plants and animals, like you said. I don’t have super strength, or flight, or telekinesis. And even if I did, they’re demons! You know, with the fire and brimstone and the demonic overlord parents, that’s why we don’t mess with them.
Coward.
That one word did more then a slap in the face could ever do. No-one had called him that before.
Don’t call me that, Baek.
Then do something about this.
What can I do?
Confront them.
I can’t!
Why not?
Because I’ll get pounded into the dirt!
So you’re afraid?
Well, yes!
Then you’re a coward.
At this point Damien was fuming. Today was too much to handle. Bowling over an Arratun, finding out he has a gift that hasn’t been seen in thousands of years, and now this.
Ok fine, you damn sapling, I’ll do it. If I come back in a wheelchair with no use of my legs, it’s your damn fault.
Satisfied he had gotten enough insults in the one sentence; Damien picked himself up and circled the tree trunk, where he came across one of the demons, possibly the ringleader, dangling one of Anzu’s books just slightly out of her reach in his pudgy, red-tinted hands. Distracted by Damien’ sudden appearance, Anzu managed to snatch her book back from his grey fingernails. Angered by his loss, he approached Damien and thrust his scaly face to within inches of the Celestial’s.
“Who in the Divine are you?”
“I’m the guy who’s not into other guys, so if you want a kiss, eat a breath mint and turn to one of your boyfriends behind you.”
Without warning, the demon spat in Damien’ face, the disgusting black tar-like liquid slowly making its way down his face.
“So, you think you’re funny, do you? Did you find that funny?”
Trying desperately to keep his cool, Damien simply grinned before replying. “I think I’m hilarious, and I found that to be rather typical of your kind.”
If it was possible, the Demon boy got even angrier, and although he was shorter than Damien now, if he managed to transform into his true demon state, there was no telling what he could do. He was close to doing it; Damien could literally feel the heat emanating from the demon’s skin. It didn’t take long to anger a demon child.
“You better watch yourself, Celestial.”
Damien continued grinning “Or what, stumpy?”
“Or else I’ll turn you into ash!”
“Oh really? How do you propose you do that?”
The demon narrowed his eyes and hissed through clenched canines. “I’ll transform into my true self, and then you’ll see.”
Damien stooped down slightly to meet his gaze. “I’d very much like to see you try.”
That was it. With a roar, the demon boy suddenly sprouted reptilian wings from his spine, and two long, curved horns emerged from his skull as is entire body grew bigger, leaner and meaner, until he stood almost two heads taller than Damien.
To this day, Damien still wondered why he had decided to anger the demon enough for him to transform. It was an extremely idiotic idea, and if Baek hadn’t been there, he would surely be dead.
Um, Baek? You got me into this, a little help here?
No response.
Baek??
The demon howled as his friends started hooting and hollering, egging him on whilst Anzu stood petrified and shielded herself behind the trunk of the great Oak tree.
Now do you regret angering me, you stupid Celest?
“I regret I didn’t bring a camera with me to take a picture of your retarded face, that’s about it.”
Oh geez, I never learn. Baek!! Help me out, PLEASE!
Another roar escaped the demon’s lips as he charged Damien, who had managed to slowly put some distance between the two of them up until now.
Fore! Baek cried, quoting the oft used phrase to warn people of an incoming projectile during the ancient sport of gnome tossing.
“Crrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaack!” The great tree literally swung back like a
Krezek player before using every ounce of its ancient strength to smack the repulsive demon square in the face with a particularly large branch. The connection between bark and skin seemed to last for an age, with more than a few teeth coming loose in the attack and flying in various directions. The demon was forced off his feet and hung in the air involuntarily before landing roughly on the ground, a battered, broken and ultimately defeated hell spawn. With a cry his friends scampered off, tails between their legs and with no concern for their fallen comrade. The ugly ringleader soon came to and followed suit, now in his normal state and no less petrified of the immobile tree then his so-called buddies.
Woohoo! You legend Baek, that was awesome!
Indeed it was, Damien, you owe me.
“You mean to tell me that Demon is also one of your ‘Special Students’?”
“He’s just a child. They’re all still young. All they need is some training and a slight push in ‘our’ direction.”
“Are they worth the time? I don’t want to have to endure a repeat of the events we went through last year.”
“Listen to me you insolent brat, the only reason you’re here is because of your ass-kissing father. You do not have the privilege to question me, nor to mock my remarks. Also, don’t even begin to bring up what happened last year. Just because you got cold toes while the rest of us were thrown in prison or executed does not give you the right to speak of it. Am I understood?”
“…”
“Very well.”
Damien grinned at Baek, playfully punching the trunk and receiving another slap in return. Maybe being able to talk to plants wouldn’t be as useless as he had first thought…
Anzu’s eyes were as wide as saucers in shock. Whereas before she had been annoyed, now she was terrified.
Damien, you had better try and explain the situation to Anzu, she seems slightly…afraid.
A rather large understatement, but quite true nonetheless. Damien approached her slowly, but every step he took she matched it with another step backwards.
“Anzu, don’t worry, the tree here explained it all to me. I can talk to plants.” He said cautiously, suddenly realizing how insane that sounded.
“You can what??”
“It’s my Celestial power. It’s how I’ve been talking with Baek all along, my ability is that I can talk with flora and fauna…”
Anzu relaxed slightly, but she still kept her distance from Damien.
“But…but Celestial’s can’t talk with trees, only the Rangers of
Boethgraw can do that, it’s a power unique to them alone, it says so in the text book!”
Damien gave Anzu a perplexed stare, as if to say
You’re quoting from a text book now?
“It’s true! Celestials can’t speak to plants, Mrs. Dafrey said so herself.”
“Ok Anzu, I need you to relax. This isn’t that big a deal. All you need to do is ask someone who actually knows stuff.”
Anzu closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Under her breath she counted backwards from ten, over and over again. When she opened her eyes, she was met with the close-up face of Damien, staring at her with one of those “What are you doing?” looks. She yelped and jumped back in fright, dropping her book in the process.
“Ok Mr. I-can-talk-with-trees, you have fun here, talking with your buddy Bael or whatever his name is; I’m going back to class, the bell went five minutes ago.”
That was that, Anzu picked her belongings up from the ground and walked briskly off, nose in the air in her best attempt to seem as if nothing had ever happened. Damien shook his head sadly and turned back to Baek.
Can you believe her?
Actually, yes I can, the bell really did ring five minutes ago.
Oh, damn.
Without so much as a farewell, Damien bolted across the school grounds, overtaking a severely confused Anzu in the process. If he was late for one more class this week, he’d surely be suspended, and spending more time than necessary with his family is something he sorely detested and could live without.
- the idea of having this be "just another gig" is really quite class.
