"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."
— Helen Keller
———
"Are you done interrupting me?"
Anton's voice carried an edge of exasperation.
"Go on, fine bard." Zeke gestured magnanimously from his seating position.
"After that awkward moment, Jude and I spoke. Then we went our separate ways, I realized—I'd become a burden to him."
"Wow. So weak." Michael's tone was light, mocking.
"Heh." Zeke scratched his chin in mock contemplation. "How powerful was Michael back then? Or in the future? I don't even know which one it is anymore."
"I'll get to that part of the story."
Anton's expression hardened slightly as he continued. "As I said—Jude was the forerunner of geniuses. Even when someone appeared stronger, within months he'd surpass them. He was invincible among his peers."
He paused, gaze flicking toward Michael.
"All except Michael. We even wondered if Michael was his peer."
"Well, I'm not." Michael's voice was flat, matter-of-fact. "I'm older than him."
