"The Golden Continent is by far the strongest nation I've ever laid my eyes on. With the power to face the world, they withhold it against their foes to fight the greater evil of tomorrow. Grace be upon them and their citizens."
— Aleric Flourd, December 6, 1967.
In the city of Angelica, giant, palm-like trees gleam under the warm, soothing breeze—their brightness ever so gracefully shining on the golden grass below.
Street angels perch on corners, their melodies rising harmoniously. "O Mary, O Mary, you come with my heart. Bring forth your great love, and make me all the more. For love, I have waited; it's all in your hands. Give me all your attention as all I will need."
Grumbling and irritating frowns collapse into endearing smiles—easing the shoulders of stress and headaches of labor.
One day, a prominent business angel stops infront of a young street angel. "Hey, can you do a favor for me?"
"Yes, I can do such," she says, opening her box of instruments. "What would you like?"
The angelic man scratches his beard. "Thanks, I've always heard your melodious voice from my walks to work and it has tormented my mind greatly everytime I listen to 'My Fantasy World'. Can you sing it for me?"
"A man of art you are," she said, grabbing a violin from the box. "I'll try my best, sir."
The man tosses a hundro into the jar. "I doubt any imperfections that come your way."
Inside bustling bars, chaos reigns as many gather as brethren—regardless of race, political, or social stature—to watch the tournament.
A massive TV broadcasts the finals: the referee's whistle rang around the stadium as the Hawkins toss the ball to their star player, who deftly evades the opponents' tackles, drawing chants from the bar: "Ralsee! Ralsee! Ralsee!"
With psychological tactics and complex maneuvering, he outplays the Jasmins as his allies tackle them one by one.
Ralsee nears the goal, but in an instant, his flag is swiftly snatched by the rival's speedster, ceasing his near flawless run. And as fated, the game ends with the Hawkins just 1 point behind their adversary.
The crowd explodes: "WHAT!" "Unfair!" "Really?!" "HOW?!" "BOO!" "CHEATER!"
Drinks fly across the room, spraying foam onto the freshly, waxed floors. Angels ran in all directions in spite of other's wellbeing. Behind riot shields, exhausted employees sigh with practiced precision.
The Janitor mutters, his voice strained and body tensed as ever. "I just waxed the floor today… Why?"
The bartender dodges a flying pint, wiping the suds off his beard with a worn rag. "Mr. Hassam doesn't pay us enough for this," he grumbles, catching a shot glass mid-air. "Why are we the only bar without a ban list?"
The waiter lifts his fist. "Because he's a cheapskate." A beer glides past his arm as he jumps back into the counter.
The waitress, with her back against the wall and shield infront, irritably stomps her foot. "I'm gonna ask that fatass for a raise and he better say yes."
The cook pokes his head from the kitchen with a smile on his face. "Oo~, are we gonna do a revolution or some, 'cause I'm down for it."
A security guard snorts, crossing his arms over his manly chest. "Pimelo, you better not be afraid of prison then."
Outside the entertainment venues, laboring workers toil tirelessly till night.
Across a few blocks stands an average toy shop the size of an average factory. A young fairy's wings drooped as he shoved the last remaining plush dragon on the top shelf.
The empty box thuds onto the floor as he slowly descends, lying his sore back against a cold, metal pillar. "Replenishing my Phylx after a day's worth is so exhausting," he says inbetween breathes. "We should've sold our building to the Gamapo company ages ago. That money could've bought us an island—oh, or a resort. We could've become shareholders."
An elder fairy erupts from behind the counter, letting out a belly laugh. "Tell me about it. But as long as business thrives, we'll manage, son."
He gets up from his chair. "This right here"—he pats the solid, concrete walls—" has been in our hands for nearly seven hundred and forty years, and it's not coming out now. Some might call this generational trauma, but we call this life."
"Life of a miserable fairy," the son scoffs.
The father steps close, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I was once like you—rebellious, dreaming bigger. But I outgrew my rebellious phase and took on my responsibilities. We've built a reputation around here for being genuine with our craft. More so, many view us as the fortieth wonder of the world. Isn't that crazy? I know it'll make you unhappy, but you gotta keep a smile on your face, even when it's tough. Got it?"
The son slowly looks down at his weak, calloused hands, silent in thought. "Oh… okay."
But far from the chaos of communion, the onlookers of neutrality, the laborers of tomorrow, and drama-filled being comes the next challenger for Elrus.
In a quiet, dimly lit hospital, an angelic man grips his lover's hand. "Let me ease your pain, dear," David offers, his hand emitting a soft glow.
Sphyla's eyes sparkle, her mouth shaping into a sloppy smile. "Thank you, David. I really appreciate it."
The doctors enter the room in time to hear parts of their conversation.
One of the doctors, a young maiden, quickly butts in. "Easy, love birds. We'll supervise from here on out to avoid any complications. She'll be fine, sir. Leave it to us until you are required."
The doctors quickly settle in. One positions herself between the legs, while the other checks the vitals. Afterwards, the doctors give a thumbs up.
David and Sphyla's healing magic flows throughout her body, numbing her pain receptors, while the maiden makes haste with her tools.
After a quick and painless procedure, a newborn weeps in the doctor's arms. Sphyla sags against the bed—devoid of energy and logic to feel the bliss of space within.
"Congratulations," the doctors said, clapping their hands in excitement. "Let's take a quick look at that fellow before you leave."
As they inspect the baby for any signs of illness or disability, they instead freeze in awe.
The infant gleams faintly, his wet wings shimmer greatly, and his eyes are more luminous than those of a typical Genesis angel.
"A charged Genesis baby?" one whispers.
"This is my first time seeing one of this caliber!" the female doctor cries.
David and Sphyla stare in awe.
"God has blessed us," David exclaims, tears streaming from his cheeks.
"Indeed," Sphyla nods faintly.
Sphyla reaches out for her baby. Cradling the newborn in her arms, she murmurs to herself, "Just what will you become, little one?"
The life of Kailus:
—When I turned eight, I went on a camping trip with my parents. I remembered my mother being furious at my father for not bringing her tea bags. She left us alone to search for some synaphis leaves.
Whilst on her excursion, Dad huddles me to a shore where a dove lay. Its legs were beyond repair as if it survived an encounter—all mush with no structure. Stained blood surrounded the dove, summoning any predator within its vicinity.
"Okay Kailus, as your first training, I'll need you to do one thing for Papa." He gestures to the young, wounded dove frantically staring at them. "Can you heal the poor dove?"
"Okay, daddy!" Kailus says eagerly. He waddles over with a big grin. "Don't worry ducky, I'll heal you."
The dove tries to run, but Kailus grabs a hold of it; and in an instant, the dove's legs return to normal as if nothing happened.
"Okay ducky, you can go now!" Kailus says, harshly patting the dove.
The dove stares at Kailus for a while before dashing into the dense forest, making joyful quacks.
David scratches Kailus' head. "Way to go, superstar. Your powers are kicking in. Don't tell mother about this alright?"
Kailus jumps ecstatically. "Ok!"
'My father, David, trained me under the Solomon Rule for the first time. My first task is simple, healing animals and whatnot, but it has grown harder over time—or so I thought.'
—At ten years old, I ventured into the hidden library beneath our home. I scour through my ancestral history to see if my grandparents were apart of the Solomon Excursion, but instead, I found my father's open autobiography.
Overwhelmed by curiosity, I take a sneak glimpse at its content: "During my teenage years, my sister ate my chocolate ice cream, so as a consequence, I dunked her toothbrush in the toilet. You like to steal ice cream, huh? How about you taste its remains! She used it for 4 years, and I never said anything about it ever again."
I giggle at my father's depravity and touch the page, intending on viewing more, but as the sound of footsteps creeps closer, I dash off into the cellar. Father had no idea I was there.
'I know reading a living relative's book is forbidden, but it was just too irresistible. Don't expect wandering eyes if you leave it open. But~, the book proves one thing, and one thing only, and that's my Father's pettiness. I still remember he pushed me to the point of exhaustion over a two-topping sandwich. I repeat, a sandwich you could've made in three minutes! After all, he's the same man as yesterday and forevermore.'
—When I was twelve, my mother dragged me into the hospital.
"Sweetie, don't be a burden on mommy. You hardly do anything with me. We're just going to see your auntie and that'll be it. Will you please calm down?"
"No, I don't want to," Kailus whines. "I want to go home and talk to Jessica." (Our "pet"' eye btw if you didn't know)
Sphyla grasps his arm with a tight grip. "You will come and that's final," her voice harsh and dense.
Kailus has no choice but to oblige. With his head tilted low, he walked sluggishly throughout the hall.
'I was forced to visit Aunt Anabel during her break. I thought it'd be boring, but while they were chatting, I managed to sip some of Auntie's poison liquor. Guess what? It was absolutely disgusting! Honestly, made my time there worse. I don't really get the hype for it. And now looking back, why was she even drinking near patients?'
—At sixteen years old, I, with my father, entered a massive building. It's coated in a gothic style with vivid vampiric imagery around the area.
David pats Kailus' back. "This is ?#&%@ where you'll be trained by the most prominent person in Angelica, while me and your mother will be at work," he explains with a wide grin.
Kailus shivers lightly. "It's too big of a place dad, I'm kinda nervous."
David gives a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, you'll be a-okay!"
'A-okay, my ass. I couldn't remember much… too much blood was devoured. Father called it 'training', but 'she' drank more than I could regenerate, and I'm a CHARGED GENESIS ANGEL! I was bedridden for days, missed a week of school, and had a nervous breakdown. And all he gave was a golden bracelet—pathetic.'
—At eighteen, I recline with my parents on a branch, watching the amazing festival below. The yellow fireworks and blue lanterns coated the sky.
"Son, are you ready to leave?" David asks.
"…yes, I think I'm ready," Kailus answers, staring at the sunset.
Sphyla holds Kailus' arm. "Then promise us you'll come back here when you have grandkids of your own."
"That's if I can find one," Kailus adds.
David and Sphyla laugh as the sun fades in the distance.
'At eighteen, I finally left my home for the Oldest Solomon College," he wrote, "ready to begin anew and leave this life behind… Oh, and the branch beneath us broke, and my father fell and broke his spinal cord and rib cage. He had it coming.'
As he's writing in his autobiography, Sphyla yells out from the kitchen. "Kailus, sweetie, come out of the library or you'll miss your first day!"
"It's time already?" Kailus mumbles to himself. "I thought I'd be done by then."
He leaps up in an instant and grabs his autobiography.
'The college opens to all who turn eighteen across the Golden Continent. It's meant to teach economics, social cues (if needed), intense biology (you know what that means), and you get the point—it's to prepare everyone for the real world. I only heard of it through whispers about its own economy. Everything about it sounds so amazing!'
Kailus rushes to his room. As he's about to enter, Sphyla hugs him from behind and smothers him with kisses, causing him to drop his book.
"Oh, Kalie, how you've grown so much. Be sure to take care of yourself," she whispers, rubbing her cheek against his.
Kailus escapes from his mother's clutch just for David to pull him into a bone-crushing hug. "Train daily, son. And stay strong like your father. Trust in God for stability like always."
Kailus nods proudly with a hint of irritation across his face. "Yes, Father," he grumbles.
Sphyla pouts. "No love for me? Oh, how you've always been a daddy's boy your entire life. I still remember when you were, but a mere child, flying for the first time. I opened my arms, expecting your precious presence in between them, because that's what all babies do: 'Favor their mother'. But oh nooo~, instead, you went into your bumbling-idiot dad! He didn't even see it coming. But I guess that's what I get for getting my hopes up in having a mama's boy."
David pulls her close, gently pinching her cheek. "Well, at least you have me..."
"Save that for the bedroom," she quips, turning her head away.
Kailus, not wanting to add any substance, picks up his book and enters his room.
He packs whatever he can find useful in his suitcase as the soft flapping of wings inches closer, coming from no other than Jessica, the ophanim.
The flying eye, a pure black and white star, stares with elongated pupils, her odd presence brings animosity from within. Her wings flapped continuously in the air—alerting anyone to her presence.
Kailus smiles as he arranges his clothes, including his favorite blue robe, into one of the suitcases. "Why are you always thinking? You barely said anything yesterday."
Jessica responds blankly. "I'm still trying to process the elimination of you from this household."
Kailus fills the others with shoes and undergarments. "That's a weird way to put it into perspective."
Jessica replies. "It's not really. I've seen all parts of your life. From spoiledness to accountability, I'm surprised you were able to find adulthood years before the moment came. Many of my own lack merely two years behind in their maturity. You should be grateful for your foresight. Many, and I mean many, successful people exude a different aura around them, and I can sense that very well within you."
Kailus stares blankly at Jessica. "Don't mention it again."
Jessica widens her eyelids for a bit. She then blinks irregularly, signaling her understanding.
He leaves his room with two suitcases in each arm. David and Sphyla are loudly speaking in the living room, unaware of his presence.
'This is my chance to leave without another monologue. Sweet baby Jesus, here I come!'
As he grips the front door, Sphyla suddenly calls out. "Kailus, one last thing," she says, hurriedly running toward him.
She grasps both of his hands and looks him dead in the eye. "Learn to forgive yourself. I hear you at night screaming in your room at things you should've forgiven yourself years ago."
A vivid memory surfaces:
In class, the teacher announces. "Take notes—this is for your finals."
He looks around in his bag to find nothing.
'Aww, I've given all of my pencils to my friends. I hope my classmates have spares.'
He asks the classmate beside him. "Do you have a pencil?"
The bunnygirl scoffs loudly. "How about you get your own supplies? This isn't a daycare, Kailus!"
The class roared with laughter as Kailus sank into his seat, mortified.
Flashback ends.
Kailus jerks back to the present from Sphyla's tight embrace. "Just don't embarrass yourself, darling."
Kailus pats her back lightly. "I will," he said, staring off into the distance.
He waves one last time before taking off. They wave back with tears in their eyes, watching their child disappear in the distance—leaving them for the last time.
When he's out of view, David pinches Sphyla's waist, causing her to yelp. "Great, you reminded him of that."
She smacks his head. "I was just being cautious!"
"You know that's my weak spot!" David groans.
Sphyla whispers into his ear. "How about I make it up since the house is empty?"
"Fine," he mumbles, rubbing his head.
Jessica exits Kailus' room. "David, Sphyla, let me follow the boy for just a moment."
Meanwhile:
Outside, Kailus soars ahead, passing many along the way. Angelica's golden roads gleam, lined with shops, bars, and entertainment venues—forever vibrant.
On speakers, The Magical Musicians' vocals drift throughout the area: "I know that you believe~ that good is defeated, but I'll tell you that the coin's on the roll. Hope did it! (Yeah) Hope did it! Now that the coin's on the roll."
"Ah, "Last Chance" was one of my favorites when I was five," Kailus sighs heavily, reflecting on his time.
'Now that I'm leaving my home for a place full of strangers, it feels isolating. Yes, I was silent for most of my time, but it's because they always deviate the conversation into 'lovey-dovey', rather than about me.'
He looks up at the sky. 'Losing my only source of comfort is my greatest fear—and fear, one way or another, always comes to challenge me out of all beings. Now, I'm left with only myself, my parents' lessons, and no allies to save me. I think I'm prepared for what's about to happen.'