A young man lounging on the grass beneath the sun let out a sigh as he gazed at the clouds drifting peacefully overhead. The sun was at its zenith, the breeze was pleasant, accompanied by the song of birds. It was hard to tell why he seemed so troubled — but he was.
"Hmm... why does she insist so much on me going."
"Hey, Raziel!"
I sat up and turned around. I could see my friend Edward running toward me.
"You really are something, you know that? You could've at least told me you were heading out — I spent over an hour looking for you, damn it!"
"Well, you found me."
"YOU BASTARD! That's all you have to say?"
"Yep," I said with a sheepish look.
"More seriously though — why were you looking for me?"
"Adèle sent me."
"I figured. You can tell her I'm not going. I'm not interested in the Soul Awakening exam."
"But Raziel, it's a unique opportunity that will probably never come again. Think about the money we could accumulate if we became Emissaries — or, let's be crazy about it, Emanators! Thioller, Elise, and Myren — we could offer them a better life."
Raziel simply watched his friend for a moment, but eventually opened his mouth. "You dream way too much. The only thing waiting for us is failure, or at best a mediocre result and an early death. I don't want that kind of life. What's the point, hm? Tell me."
Edward didn't know what to say. The only instinctive response was to lower his eyes. He looked saddened by his friend's words.
"Alright, stop moping. I just don't want you getting your hopes up for nothing," I said, getting to my feet. "Come on, let's head back. I'm tired of all this nonsense."
As we walked, I observed my friend — he seemed lost in his thoughts. His pale yellow eyes paired with his mid-length grey hair had always given him the air of an old man. Not that I was much better off myself, with my jet-black hair and crystal-blue eyes — but I liked how I looked, and that was enough for me. Our clothes were a little worn too. Poverty is rough, I thought. I had on a black t-shirt and grey trousers, the only thing keeping me decent being my long brown jacket. My friend wore an all-black outfit with a red jacket.
The streets were filled with people of all kinds — men, women, children. Towering skyscrapers, buildings lit up with neon signs as far as the eye could see, and something happening at every street corner. "Caelum... hmm," I murmured to myself. Even though I was born on the outskirts of the city, every time I came here I was filled with wonder. This place never sleeps — there's always something to do.
"Hey, Raz."
"What."
"Do you think the Founders were once mortals, or have they always been absolute beings?"
"I don't know. Maybe — after all, the Founders and their ways are unfathomable. But I'd like to think that anything is possible in this strange world."