Skye Silver & The Soul of Fire Vol.1

We flew through the storm on what seemed to be a flying ball of water. It was like something out of a superhero movie. Kitai held my hand tightly as he navigated his way through the storm. Even dodging lightning strikes. The strong wind and the raindrops were going in the opposite direction of us making the raindrops crash our faces at full speed.

However when we made it to the edge of the storm the rest of the Las Vegas was normal. The storm was only surrounding the library. we flew above the neighborhoods adjacent to the library until he came to a landing in a park about 6 blocks away.

“Whats going on?” I said as we landed. “Why is that storm only in one spot and since when did you fly?”

“Those are steam clouds above the library” he replied. “They wouldn’t be here unless a God or a Demi-God was near.”

“Steam clouds?”

“Yes, and I’m not sure who made them yet but I’m sure we weren’t safe. As for the flying I wasn’t literally flying, Im just able to float on water if there is enough around me to manipulate.”

This was the most confused I had been all day. I was shaken by the ride on the ball of water and nervous for what happened to Mrs. Green. perplexed by the fact that Kitai had the ability to touch me all this time. I had so many questions I didn’t even know where to start.

As we walked across the park the storm above the Library had begun to clear up. The sun was nearly setting at this point and Kitai was in a rush again.

“We have to go to my house,” He said.

“Really” I responded? “Your parents won’t mind now?”

I had never been to Kitai’s house all the years we had known each other and he had never been to mines. I didn’t want him to run into my satanic foster parents and he always said his parents wouldn’t allow company. But now he was willing to take me to his house without hesitation. Something had changed. He was visibly nervous at this point.

“Don’t worry, today is different and my mother will be stoked to see you right now.”

“Wow really?” I asked shocked. I had no clue his mother even knew I existed.

“Yes of course.” He responded with a smirk “She loves you.”

“How could his mom love me without meeting me,” I thought. “maybe he tells her a lot about me.” I convinced myself.

As we kept walking I couldn’t help but ask.

“So how did you know about my skin?” I asked.

“I’m not who you think I am, Well I am but not exactly” He stumbled to gather the right words. “You and I are alike but we aren’t the same as the humans in this country.”

“So are we from another country?”

“Another planet technically,” he responded. “Humans can’t touch you because you aren’t a human yourself Skye. You’re a Demi-God”

“A what?” I responded.

“A Demi-God.” he reiterated. “Half Human half God.”

“So the Maverick Mythology book was true?” I asked.

“Book, What book?” He turned to look me in my eyes.”

“The Maverick Mythology book Antonio gave me in the Library.”

“Who’s Antonio?” Kitai asked with a confused expression.

“The guy from the library. I’ve seen him there a lot. I think he works there.” I said.

“Hmmm, I’ve never seen him.”

That was odd there was no way I could have saw him and not Kitai. Kitai went to the library more than anyone. If anybody knew all the people that frequented the library it was Kitai. But I knew I had seen him before and I had just spoken with him earlier.

“Oh, that’s strange,” I replied. “I bumped into him today but you were talking to Mrs. Green.”

“Oh I see.” he said as we continued walking to the edge of the park. “and he was able to read the book to?”

“Well, yea he recommended it to me.”

“Did you take it?” He asked curiously.

“Yea but with all these crash courses I don’t think I’ll need it.” I responded.

“We have to get that book back!” Kitai said. “That book is sacred. it’s not even written in English.”

Confused because English is the only language I know yet I read the book with no problem. Now Kitai was here telling me that it was in another language.

“That’s impossible” I responded. “I was reading it myself.”

“You’re a Demi-God” he responded “you can understand more languages than you know without even trying. Foreign words are translated into your subconscious mind instantly showing your eyes English because it is what you know best. Thus giving you the ability to comprehend several languages. Also if this Antonio can read that book it means he was probably a Demi-God as well.”

So many thoughts and questions were in my mind I was ultimately baffled. We continued walking to his house. The entire walk I kept looking back in the direction of the library. I was thinking off all the questions I was going to ask in order when we reached our destination.

I knew he was being honest and I was now aware that Kitai knew a lot more than he led on before. My burning question was why he hadn’t told me long before. He knew my secrets and knew that my powers had no effect on him so there was no reason for him to keep it a secret. all this time.

We passed the street where Kitai normally got off the bus and Continued straight. Confused about why we passed his stop I asked.

“Where are we going?”

“To my house.” He responded.

“If we’re going to your house why did we pass where you get off the bus?”

“I don’t actually live where I get off the bus. I like to walk part of the way every day.”

“Why would you do that?” I asked. “It’s too hot to enjoy walking around.”

“The heat doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother you either, the sun just shines so brightly over Nevada you make up in your mind that you’re hotter than you actually are.”

He was right! I always wondered why I never dropped so much as sweat gland. Even when I thought I was hotter than ever, my body never showed signs of it.

With all the new knowledge I was acquiring came memories I forgot I ever had in what seemed to be the form of a daydream. They were only flashes and not enough to show me a full story but I could tell they were mines.

Finally, we turned on a street that was nearly abandoned. there were only a few occupied houses. The rest were either up for sale or decayed beyond repair. There was one specific house on the street with a graffiti 5 point star on it. It looked abandoned but intact. If they could just get that star off it would be a great sale.

“Is this the real reason Kitai walked home.” I thought to myself. “because he lives on this street and doesn’t want anyone to see him coming here.”

We continued down the street and as we got closer to the house with the star on it the star began to fade away. “Am I imagining this?” I thought to myself. “No this is real. We crossed the street and were directly in front of the house that once had a star on it but now was completely gone.

“Is this your house?” I asked.

“Yea” He replied. “Actually I walk home because I don’t want any random Demi-Gods following me. Our houses are marked with stars so…”

“So people know where I live!” I exclaimed cutting him off.

“No” He replied. “Only if the house is owned by one of us. you’re adopted.”

“Oh”

We continued towards the door.

“So you own this house?” I asked.

“No,” he laughed. “My mom does.”

I had never met Kitai’s parents as I mentioned earlier and I had no Idea Kitai was like me.

“But that means…”

“Yes Skye, you’re not the only one like yourself here. Which is why I wanted you to stay away from that assail guy.” Kitai said as he opened the door to the house.

“Come in” he held the door open awaiting me to enter.

When I walked inside a lot of things about Kitai had finally made sense. He was neat. No, not neat he was OCD. He had to be! If he saw different sized pencils on a desk he would stack them in order like cell phone service bars. I always thought if he came to my house he would throw a fit at my foster dad and clean the entire house.

His house was spotless the whites glowed with not a spec of dust and there was nothing out of place. His house was full of gold down to the coasters on the white and gold coffee table in the living room. It was a house truly fit for Demi-Gods if they lived in America. Well on the inside at least.

“Sooo what you’re telling me is that you and your mom are rich Demi-Gods that live down the street from me?” I asked in a sarcastic tone but very serious in my choice of words.

“Well, we’re no richer than any other Demi-God.” He replied.

“Speak for yourself!” I exclaimed.

“Well, you’re different.”

“Whats that supposed to mean?”

“I didn’t mean that in an offensive way.”

I could tell he was being sincere when he said it. His face flushed with sad emotion whenever I spoke negatively about myself.

“Make yourself at home, I need to use the restroom. I’ll tell you everything I know when I get back.” He turned to the hallway behind him and faded into the darkness.

I didn’t even want to sit on the couch it was so clean. The only thing it was missing was plastic and I would’ve been sure I was in someone’s grandmother’s house. I knew that jeans were never good for white couches so I walked into the dining area and sat at the table. Excited and a nervous wreck all in one “Am I going to meet my real mother” I mumbled silently.

She looked like me. She had similar powers. Kitai touching my arm was confirmation that he was indeed like me and of course he seemed to know what was going on. Not to mention he could float on a ball of water through a hurricane.

“I’m a Demi-God!” I thought. “No, I’m dreaming. No way I could be. The outcast girl in a broken home being the daughter of a queen with powers is something out of a movie.” I continued contemplating. “But I’ve never had a dream this intense that didn’t wake me up.”

“We flew through a hurricane for god’s sake.” I meant to say it in my mind but I said it aloud the moment Kitai was walking back into the common area.

“We merely floated in the wind with a ball of water under us,” Kitai corrected. “and no you’re not dreaming.”

“You’re a mind reader too?” I asked.

“No,” He replied with a slight giggle. “I just figured whenever you did find out you’d think you were dreaming.”

“So how long have you known?” I asked. “You said you’d tell me everything.”

“I said everything I know but I don’t know everything.” He replied.

“Well tell me what you know already!” I said impatiently.

“Ok” As he walked toward the refrigerator. “Want something to drink? I have a sprite.” He said with a smirk.

Sprite was always my favorite.

“Fine!” I said holding in a smile.

2 seconds ago I was rushing him to tell me everything and now I was calm and awaiting a sprite. As I said I was a merely a ball of confusion at this point but who wouldn’t be.

He came back with a canned sprite and a straw. “If you use the straw you’re less likely to spill it on your shirt when you react to what I’m about to tell you.”

“Alright then,” as I slipped the straw into the can. “Let’s hear it.”

“Ok, The book you found Maverick Mythology. Its a book based on the stories of the Gods we are descendants of.”

“so the entire book is true?” I asked.

“Well not the entire book, some stories are exaggerated to make people look better or worse I’m sure. It’s really a book conjured up by the God of Wisdom Senary. He was a born genius and not on a Human level. Some say he was so smart by the age of 7 he could complete college courses without breaking a sweat.

“Anyway at some point he decided to write the Life stories of His Siblings. Then he sent it to them one by one allowing them to write their own autobiographies. He assured them no one would ever see the book until they were all gone and then their truest, as well as darkest secrets, would be revealed.”

“So why is the book here?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but It shouldn’t be and that’s what worries me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Why would a book hidden by the smartest God of all end up here in Las Vegas? If anything his decision to put it on earth was smart but why not Astral?”

“So to be clear Astral is a Real Place?” I Was so consumed in his story I had forgotten about all of my questions.

“Yea it is.” He Replied. “Everything Assail was telling you was tru…”

“And you’ve been there?” I asked before he could completely finish his sentence.

“Yes, I have. I’m actually 22 years old and I’m only here to watch out for you in school.”

“Watch out for me?” I said with a sternly confused look “What do you mean? No offense but you’re not much taller than me. Why wouldn’t I be watched out for by some huge guy?”

“Because a huge guy walking around with a small outcast girl like you doesn’t look very normal in high school especially considering you were mean to all of them.” He struck back. “The only people we could get near you is someone that seemed like they weren’t a threat in any way and nice enough to make you keep them around. everyone wants someone to talk to at some point and you preferred me.”

“So what are you saying, you were faking to be my friend this whole time?” I asked.

“No, of course not you came to be my true best friend over time.”

“So why not tell me all of this sooner?” I exclaimed. “I’m in a living hell at home and I reject humans because you have to make contact with them at some point in life. A handshake, hug, a kiss.”

“Ok I see where this is going.” he interfered. “I couldn’t tell you because I wasn’t allowed to, only to watch over.” He explained.

“My mother and I came here when you and I met. She gave me the responsibility to watch over you and that was all she told me about it. Eventually, we became friends and I didn’t need the responsibility. I wanted to by choice because you are my friend.”

Just as he said those words his front door swung wide open. We both caught off guard were startled. Kitai Jumped out of his seat and stood in front of me to protect me as usual when something bad was happening near. I peeked over his shoulder to see Mrs. Green Standing in the doorway. Her leg was burned as you could tell from the bottom of her now extinguished dress but she was soaked like she had been in a pool of water.

“Mom, Are you alright!”

Kitai rushed over to her and caught her in his arms just as she collapsed from what was clearly exhaustion in a brutal fight.

“I’m ok” she responded. “He doesn’t know where we are right now so we still have time.”

“Mrs. Green what happened” as I rushed to her side to help Kitai sit her on the couch. “Who did this to you?”

“Well, I think its time you stopped calling me Mrs. Green by now. She giggled.

“How can she be smiling at a time like this” I thought.

She had clearly been attacked and was hurt. “Who would do this to Mrs. Green,” I contemplated. “she was nice to just about everyone unless you really deserved otherwise.”

“Well, what else would I call you?” I said confused.

“I’m Michele Cruise of the Caves. Master of Fire. Your mother was a close friend of mines in the Land of Astral.”

“You knew my mother personally?” I asked in shock.

“I know your mother personally” she responded.

I stood froze like a deer in headlights. This whole time not only was my mom a queen but she was alive. Having to endure all of this in one day made it the worst day of my life but hearing that my real mother was alive actually somehow made the crappy day worth it.

“Have a seat I’ll explain all that I know.” She said.

We both sat down like young grasshoppers to their sensei, both extremely interested as Kitai knew as little more than I did compared to his mother.

“Skye silver you are a spitting image of your mother right down to the glow. Her name was Loraine silver.”

Even though I had already acquired this information I sat silent because she was still the substitute teacher and librarian to me.

“Loraine and I were of people of Planet Uranus. We age differently which is why Kitai here doesn’t look too old

to be in school.”

“In case you wanna stay in school longer,” Kitai said as he winked with a with a geeky smile.

I flashed a classic you got me twisted face back at him. think Ice Cubes mean face where his lip goes up and one eye squinting with the other wide open, Yea picture that look on a female.

“Anyway, your mother and I were Invited to a Ceremony of Annual Games on Astral, it was the first of its kind. The Goddess of Nature and Festivities Treasure collaborated with the God of Wisdom Senary to create them. The Goddess in attempt to cure her boredom, suggested games and festivities for the humans to entertain her While Senary The God of Wisdom agreed he also wished to make it not impossible but extremely difficult and to reward greatly the winners of the games to properly motivate them and ensure a good show.”

“She put games on Astral as well,” Kitai added.

“Indeed she did.” She agreed. “If you won in their games you were given powers up to the strength of a Demi-Gods and your mind was infinitely in your control. Whether you worked to be as strong and smart as the born Demi-Gods was up to you.”

“So did you compete in the games?” I asked.

“Oh no,” She responded. “Your mother and I were mere visitors and fans of the games like most. However, the games grew so popular that even Gods began coming to watch. After the games, the Gods gathered with the winners and had a feast. Until finally they completed the night with a party. It was at this party where I met The love of my life Senary And your mother fell for Fugaze.”

“So the God of Wisdom must be Kitai’s father which is why he spoke so highly of him earlier.” I thought.

“How did my mom fall for the God of all things evil of all the Gods,” I responded.

“A God is a God no matter what they are the God of. We were mere humans so even capturing the interest of a God was a lot. She caught Fugaze’s attention because she was an outcast like he was. She stayed quiet and out of the limelight as much as she could.”

“Just like me” I added.

“Yes just like you.” She smiled. “You’re alike in more ways than you know.”

“A couple years after you were born Fugaze for some reason turned rogue and traveled planet to planet slaughtering Gods, Demi-Gods & Humans. Your mother was so scared that he would end his reign of terror with her that she flee’d Planet Uranus to Earth with other survivors of his wrath She hoped that Fugaze would never check an Island on earth to find her.”

“Did he ever find her?” I asked nervously.

“No, he never found her. Kitai and I were on the land of Astral with her before coming to America.”

“So where is she? Why isn’t she here if you were able to come?” I asked.

Michelle laughed “Darling your mother is a Queen on the land of Astral. Kings and Queens do not leave their people.”

“Even for their child!” I responded lividly.

“Skye you have to understand she sent you away for your safety.”

“Safety!” I shot back.”I mean no disrespect Mrs… I mean.. What do I call you?”

I was still lost and confused between the nice Mrs. Green from school and the Michelle Cruise that stood before me. She was hurt, had clearly been in a fight but had no problem sitting calmly telling me about my mother.

“Ms. Cruise is fine” she responded. “and yes safety. See Its like Kitai said, Treasure The Goddess of Nature and Festivities also put games on Earth.”

“What kind of games?”

“In the beginning, there were 5 regions on Astral with 5 separate powers within them. In order to be crowned King or Queen of the Region, you had to make it through whatever the God of Wisdom’s challenge was. After the Kings and Queens were crowned the nations naturally split because people have always and will always be power hungry.” She explained. “It was somehow exposed to the people of the Land that one of the Queens of the 5 regions were the reason they were all forced to Astral and that she had a child who now also held part of the Soul of Fire.”

“So what Antonio was telling me was true,” I replied.

“Who is Antonio?” She asked.

“The guy from the library.” I responded “He had a desk piled high with books there’s no way you haven’t seen him. He’s been in the library before today. I’ve seen him.”

“Skye the only desk piled with books in the library is mine.” She said.

“Well, then who was he?” I inquired.

“Mom she ran into someone at the library today that gave her a Maverick Mythology book,” Kitai said.

“Maverick Mythology?” She said shocked. “This boy have you talked to him before today?”

“No, actually I accidentally ran into him and he told me about Loraine Silver and offered me the book,” I replied. “Why is something wrong?”

“I’m afraid running into him was no accident my dear” She responded with a stern look.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I believe he may have given you that book as a plot to confirm you are indeed who he thought you were.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

“That book was stolen from Astral where Senary hid it. He has Demi-Gods scouring the earth for it as we speak.”

The cold shiver had turned into a full body numbness. The fire inside me raged of nervousness and my palms were full of sweat. I slid my hands on my pants to dry my palms and did my best with keeping my composure.

“The Gods worry not about humans stealing the book because it is written in a language they are unable to comprehend. However, if it ends up in the wrong hands it could mean a War of the Gods.” She continued. “We have to return that book to Astral!”

I snapped out of my frozen nerves as the word Astral left her lips like I had been hypnotized with Astral being the magic word to bring me back to life.

“I.. I’m going to Astral” I stuttered.

“Yes, but first we have to find that boo…”

“It’s at my house!” I said before she could complete her sentence.

“Well that’s great news,” she replied with a sense of relief. “We will head for Astral the moment we retrieve the book. I have a feeling you’re safer there now than you are here.”

She stood up and began walking towards the hallway.

“I’ll tell you everything when I return and we begin our journey to your house to retrieve the book.”

She faded into the darkness of the hallway followed by a door closing. I was baffled, my whole life had been a lie and was about to change in an instant. To say I was scared would have been an understatement but anything was better than living with my foster parents.

Kitai sat silently awaiting his mother. He was as interested in what she had to say as I was. Even though he had been to Astral and knew these stories he still observed like it was all new to him.

“Whats Astral like?” I asked to break the award silence.

“Oh, it’s beautiful.” He responded. “right down to the glowing sand in the Desert.”

“Cool,” I replied. “Sounds amazing.”

“Picture the Las Vegas Strip as an entire country rather than one street,” he said to give a more defined explanation. “Massive buildings, Bright Lights and expensive things everywhere. Not to mention the Land has the best views on planet earth. I’m sure if the Gods lived on earth they would choose Astral.” He continued. “I’m sure you’ll love it too.”

“I hope so,” I replied. “Do you think ill meet my mom today?”

“I’m not sure,” He responded. “but it we can make it to the Cave Region’s portal in time then yes.”

“Oh I see,” I said excitedly.

A door opened from the dark hallway and Ms. Cruise stepped into the light. With a new change of clothes and her hair hanging down to the middle of her back. She had the imprint of what looked like a small flame on her forehead.

“Its the mark of a soldier from the Nation of Caves. Anyone instilled with the power of Fire Manipulation has this which is why Kitai always wears a Bandanna.” She said as she caught me staring at the mark.”

“Why did you not have one earlier?” I asked. “All the days I’ve seen you it was never there.”

“The power of Makeup” She smiled. “Come now we must go, I’ll tell you more on the way to your house.”

We made our way back out of the house and headed towards my house. The sun was setting behind the Mountains at this point. I always loved when the sun went down. The weather was perfect! Warm usually with a small breeze and no UV rays from the sun to pierce your skin.

“So you’re a soldier,” I asked as we walked down the street. “and Kitai?”

“Well yes and no.” She replied “Your mother is the only person to ever enter the darkest Cave on the Land and come out Alive. The Soul of Fire was inside the Cave and when she managed to find it she returned as Queen of the Caves. Her plan was to distribute the power of fire manipulation amongst those she felt were worthy in attempt to build a powerful community opposite of the other Regions but it backfired when her secret child with Fugaze was exposed to the people of the Caves and they turned on her. Being that she was the Queen they had no chance of defeating her and taking her part of the Soul of Fire & the cave was too risky to get their own so they chose the option to take it from her child. If they had part of the Soul of Fire they would have the chance to defeat the Queen and overthrow her.”

“So there are people with the power of Fire manipulation out to kill me in search of what I have inside me?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “Your mother knew this and did the best thing for you. She blessed Kitai and I with the power of Fire manipulation and I promised her we would watch over you in America. However, with all this new information I believe it is time to return. We don’t know how close they can be to you now, all we know is that they are here.”

We continued on the path to my house.

“So if you and Kitai have the mark and the power why don’t I? I asked.

“My dear you have something much more than the power,” she replied. “You have part of the actual soul of fire inside you. That makes you an automatic heir to the throne unless someone else acquires it before your mother passes the torch.”

“You have the power to distribute the powers Kitai and I were given by your mother,” she said. “You just have to learn to hone them.”

“So I’m stronger than Kitai?” I smirked.

“Well yes technically” She responded.

Kitai looked in awe as well as disbelief at Ms. Cruise like she had spoiled his secret. I flashed a smirk at him to get under his skin.

“But only if you work as hard as him and become as smart as him and if I know my son that will be no easy undertaking.” She smiled. “He is the son of Senary God of Wisdom after all.”

“That’s why he was going so into detail about him,” I thought.

I looked over to Kitai and he blushed as his mother said it.

“Have I been having that face when people talked about Loraine all day?” I thought to my self and smiled at Kitai. I’m sure he thought I was smiling for him but I was holding in a laugh at his awkward blush. After all, he was a grown man.

Finally, we were approaching my street. We turned down my street and I could almost instantly tell there was something off you tend to notice small things on your street if you sit out on the curb enough, but for some reason, I wasn’t able to figure it out as we continued toward my house.

“If there are Demi-Gods here looking for you. I think it best we get you trained on those gifts and prepared to defend,” she said. “We can’t outrun them now and don’t have time to train you unless we can make it to Astral with the small head start we have now.”

I had gotten so excited in my mind, I assured myself at that moment that I would meet my mother. Even if it killed me.

With my new found assurance we were nearing my house when I came back to reality and realized I had never figured out what was off about my street. Now it was clear! the sidewalk leading to my porch was darker than the rest.

“Is the sidewalk wet?” Kitai asked as we now stood directly in front of my house.

“It seems so.” Ms. Cruise responded. “You two get behind me.”