The Expansive black space with numerous planets stretched out before the rickety old wooden carriage that rode along the bumpy road and creaked at every little movement.
The conductor of it, an old man: dressed in a tattered cloth and military boots, with gray hair, intense brown eyes, and a old fashioned hat - steadily tamed the machine-like contraption and steered it in the correct direction of the narrow path. The stars and planets danced and shone like a disco ball and the small planet of the northwest sector of the universe was the dance floor.
This was God's creation, it was a masterpiece.
As the carriage continued down the path, the far-extending farmland around them was like a canvas painted with hues of gold and green, and the occasional burst of color from the wildflowers. The old man couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the vastness of the universe. He had traveled through many planets and galaxies in his long years, but he never ceased to be amazed by the beauty and complexity of it all. Suddenly, in the rickety old machine, there was a rumble. In the back of the carriage, a loud crashing sound resonated through the dead air as a figure jumped from under the cloth in the back of the carriage, it was a boy. About 17 years of age, with olive skin, straight jet-black hair, with a large protruding tattoo symbol tattoo on his right arm. "YAHOO!" the boy exclaimed as he burst through the cloth into the chilly air. The old man had since pulled a rifle and had it aimed straight with a dead intent on pulling the trigger. The boy threw up his hands in surrender, a wide grin on his face.
"Relax, old man. I come in peace," he said, holding up his hands. The old man narrowed his eyes and gripped the trigger even harder. "What's your name boy," the old man asked, his voice was gruff. "Jax," the boy replied, still grinning. "What are you doing in my carriage?"
Jax shrugged. The boy shrugged, still grinning. "Just thought I'd hitch a ride, see where this old carriage was headed."The old man narrowed his eyes. "You're a stowaway," he said, his voice heavy with accusation.
The boy laughed. "You could say that," he replied, his voice still smooth. "But I promise I won't cause any trouble."
Abruptly, a Dove as white as snow, but with eyes as golden as a sun itself almost materialized on Jax's shoulder. The old man slowly lowered his rifle as he gaped with amazement.
"And you?" Jax asked. The old man snapped his attention back to Jax, "What's your name, old man?"
The old man hesitated for a moment before responding, "Call me Cael." Jax nodded, his grin still plastered on his face. "Alright then, Cael," he said, "Where are we headed?" Cael hesitated for a moment, eyeing Jax warily. He wasn't sure he could trust this boy, but at the same time, he didn't feel threatened by him either. "I'm headed to a small town on the east of this planet, I'm a trader that has to make a delivery today." He continued. "Oh, so that explains these little gizmos back here I smashed," Jax remarked as he raised an assortment of electronics-they were little devices that had small pipes intricately through the body, that had small green buttons plastered against it glowing ominously in the night. Cael's eyes widened in shock as the delicate devices he was tasked with delivering were smashed. "You Imbecile!" Cael exclaimed "You don't know the value of those 'little gizmos''" Cael continued as he hopped in the back to see if he could piece the gadgets back together.
Jax chuckled softly and hopped down from the carriage. "Relax, old man. I'm sure they weren't that important," he said, not bothering to stick around to see if Cael had heard him. Instead, he wandered over to the edge of the road and gazed out into the fields, watching as the wind rustled the tall grass.
Cael grumbled to himself as he attempted to piece the gadgets back together. It was going to take hours to fix the damage Jax had caused. He wondered if he should just leave the boy out here and continue on his way. But something in him hesitated. Something was intriguing about Jax, something that told him he shouldn't be so quick to dismiss him.
Cael then looked at the small gauge on the carriage and panicked, he was late for drop-off. "C'mon, boy if you're coming we have to go now!" Cael said as he jumped into the driver's seat and started the large carriage contraption.
Jax leaped into the back of the carriage and smiled as wide as a Cheshire cat. "Let's go!" he exclaimed, feeling the thrill of adventure coursing through his veins.
As they raced down the road slowly Jax was able to see a small city in the distance. The city was bustling with activity, steam rising from the many pipes and factories that dotted the landscape. Jax's interest was piqued, and he leaned over the side of the carriage to get a better look. "Is that where we're headed?" he asked, his eyes wide with wonder. Cael grunted as he focused on the road pushing the machine to its absolute limit to reach the city.
…
As they approached the city, the air was filled with the sounds of clanging metal, whistling steam, and the chatter of people. Jax couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as they rode into the city square. The streets were lined with vendors selling all sorts of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade jewelry and trinkets. The smell of roasted meats and baked goods wafted through the air, making his mouth water.
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of a large building with the words "Doveport Trading Co." emblazoned on the front. Cael jumped down from the driver's seat and made his way to the back of the carriage, where Jax was already waiting. "Wait here," he said sternly, before disappearing into the building with the broken gadgets in hand.
Jax leaned back against the carriage and watched as the people bustled about their business. He had never seen anything like it before.
As Jax was observing the environment and taking the scenery in, a small child ambled to the bottom of the carriage and tugged at his worn gray t-shirt. Jax looked down, surprised to see a small girl with big brown eyes staring up at him, the girl had a tattered brown cloak on with soot covering her.
"What's up, kiddo?" he asked, hopping down to her level.
"My Mommy is very sick and she needs medicine, can I have some money?" the child queried, as she tried her best to look innocent to Jax.
"Of Course" he responded as he winked at her
Jax turned around and rummaged through Cael's carriage and found a small pouch of money, "I'm sure he won't mind if I take a little bit for the needy''
He smiled and slid a couple of coins out, he then turned around and handed the coins to the little girl.
"There you go!"
The little girl then tilted her head and narrowed her eyes ``That's all?" she questioned.
"Yep!" Jax proudly stated as he glowed with his hands on his hip.
The girl all of a sudden emitted a faint purple energy, punched Jax in his scrotum ran off, disappearing into the crowd emitting the purple energy. Jax doubled over in pain, gasping for air as he clutched at his crotch.
He looked up to see the little girl disappear into the crowd, her tattered cloak flapping behind her. "Hey! Come back here! That's Cael's!" He yelled as he raced after her.
Jax ran after the little girl, pushing his way through the crowd. He could feel the pain in his groin subsiding, but he wasn't going to let that little thief get away with Cael's money. As he turned a corner, he saw the little girl disappear into an alleyway.
Jax followed her, his heart pounding in his chest he rounded the alleyway, and his eyes widened at the sight in front of him. The little girl was standing in front of a group of people, all of them armed with otherworldly swords, their silver blades adorned with evil symbols humming with ominous energy. The group of 7 people was clad in dark leather armor, some covered with masks. The girl stood in front of one of the soldiers talking low as the rest of them stood attentive with their hands on their swords facing Jax.
"Take this to your brother," the tall soldier said quietly to the little girl, as she nodded and ran off. "Hey!" Jax said, "Where are you going with Cael's money?!" he yelled at her. For a split second, the little girl grinned coyly at Jax and snickered, and ran off.
"That Old man's money is the least of your concerns, boy," The tall soldier said as he slowly unsheathed his sharp blade that glinted in the street light.
"Take him down"
The Soldier said as he pointed the sword. The 7 soldiers that were facing Jax exploded toward him with extreme speed, dense purple energy emitting from them. Jax taken aback for a moment muttered one word
"Uriel"
The menacing white dove then materialized on Jax's shoulder as his protruding Cross tattoo glowed with extreme golden light. Jax's fists clenched as he focused on the strange golden energy emanating from his tattoo. The first soldier lunged at him with his sword, but Jax effortlessly dodged the attack and sent him flying with a powerful punch. The other soldiers quickly followed suit, but Jax was like a blur, moving faster than they could track as he weaved through their ranks, striking them down one by one. As his fists connected with the soldiers' armor, they were sent flying back, crashing into walls and crates. Some of them tried to get up, but Jax was too quick. He leaped into the air, spinning around as he unleashed a wave of energy that blasted through the soldiers, sending them flying in all directions. As Jax landed he noticed the tall soldier surprised behind his dark, cold mask. As Jax walked towards him emitting the same golden energy. The soldier then readied himself, pulling a large battle ax from his backplate and emitting a more dense, more evil purple energy from the other soldiers.
The soldier then moved at lightning speeds and exploded lunging at Jax with his huge ax. Jax managed to dodge the attack, however, the force of the ax sent a shockwave through the ground, shaking the entire narrow alleyway with purple energy. The soldier ripped the ax from the ground and swung again, but Jax was ready this time. He caught the ax with one hand, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through his body. "You will die here before you get to my master" the soldier screamed at Jax as he poured more dark energy into the ax. Jax grimaced with pain, and said "Who is your master?" as he mustered more mysterious golden energy into his hand, Jax's tattoo glowed brighter as he channeled more of the golden energy into his body.
With a sudden burst of strength, he shoved the soldier back, sending him tumbling to the ground. The soldier quickly got up, his eyes glowing with an evil light as he raised his ax again. But Jax was already moving, launching himself at the soldier with a flying kick that sent him reeling. He followed up with a series of quick punches and kicks that landed with devastating force.
The soldier staggered back, his energy waning as he struggled to keep up with Jax's lightning-fast attacks. Looked up For a moment, he saw a symbol the size of a sun behind Jax,
He knew that symbol throughout his whole life and the history of the beginning of the universe
Two large beams horizontally intersected, one smaller than the other, higher up on the first beam. It was a cross, a symbol depicting the death of a man who died for the whole universe, known and unknown.
This was Jax's power. What truly fueled him
Waning in pain from the last attack, the soldier heard two words.
"Soul Ignite"
As the soldier looked up he saw Jax floating with a large golden fist that looked like a highly esteemed knight's gauntlet that materialized around his hand. A quake that shook the whole city was heard throughout the planet.
…
Loud footsteps echoed throughout the building corridor as Cael and a foot soldier walked through it, occasionally a loud exhale of force would radiate as the old pipes and engines worked in unison.
As Cael walked through the corridor, eyes scanning the dimly lit interior. He passed by spaces of rows of workers hunched over their stations, working tirelessly. As he made his way to the end of the corridor, he came to a large metal door guarded by two burly men that opened the door to a large room.
The musty stench made Cael falter as he walked through the doorway, The walls were adorned with expensive artwork, and the plush carpeting underfoot muffled any sounds made by approaching visitors. The lighting was dim, but the room was still well-lit, creating a cozy and professional ambiance.
The room boasted a large window that provided a stunning view of the mines below underground, with large inner workings of underground operations that went down as far as the eye could see.
As Cael made his way into the room, there stood two men turned around looking at the large window.
One was a healthy but slim boy about 20 years in age, with pale skin, volcano-red hair, and combat attire.
The other one was a large man with dreadlocks in an expensive, black, custom-tailored suit from one of the most prestigious shops in town, his shiny shoes shone in the light of the room piercing the eyes of anyone who looks at it, and frame so big that it stretched the large suit to its limit.
The Large man turned around and faced Cael grinning, "Oh Cael my friend!" he exclaimed as he walked towards Cael raising his cane the size of an average teenager. "How i've missed you, you old bastard" he continued:
Cael gulped then took a deep breath "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the devices you have requested, won't be able to arrive to you, sir"
"Oh, I know all about your little situation, don't worry," the large man said in a condescending voice as he placed his hand on Cael's shoulder. Cael cowered in fear as the large man's grip
tightened, his fingers digging into Cael's flesh like talons. Cael felt a shiver run down his spine and he knew he had messed up.
He tried to think of a way out but his mind was blank. He had known the consequences of not delivering on time, but he didn't expect them to be this severe.
The large man chuckled, then released Cael's shoulder, "Relax Cael, I have a deal for you," he said as he walked back to the window. "I need someone like you, agile, brave, and intelligent," his voice trailed off as he gazed out of the window at the mines below. "What exactly do you need me to do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The large man turned around with a wicked grin on his face. The large man turned around with a grin on his face, "I need you to steal something for me. Something very important" he said as he laughed. Cael swallowed hard as he realized just how much trouble he was in. But then again, trouble was nothing new for him.
Swiftly, a little girl in a brown cloak raced in the large room with a pouch and ran towards the other man with red hair and handed him the poach. Cael recognized that pouch, he knew it all too well. Cael erupted with anger as he pulled out his energy pistol and pointed at the large man. "DRACUL" he screamed as the man named Dracul cackled.
"You know the consequences Cael '' Dracul said as he waltzed towards the barrel of Caels energy pistol. The little girl and boy stared straight at Cael as he pointed his gun straight at Draculs head, unable to pull the trigger. The sweat trickled down Cael's brow as he debated whether or not to release the trigger or not. All of a sudden a cyborg arm shot out of Dracul's expensive suit and grabbed Cael by the throat clenching it.
"Who do you think you are?" Dracul cackled as a reddish-purple energy emitted from his eyes and arm, the arm revealed itself to have inner workings of the factory itself, pipes and steam engines entrapped within it with high-pressure steam pushing out as he increased the pressure on Cael's throat.
Dracul released Cael as he fell to the cold carpet floor gasping for air, writhing in pain. "Get out of my sight before I kill you," Dracul said as he stood over Cael with a darker tone in his voice. Cael got up and ran for his life, struggling, but moving as fast as he possibly could because there is one thing that he knew was true, Dracul gave no empty threats, he was king.
As Cael left, Dracul turned to the siblings stretching his neck, "Make sure he goes through with the assignment this time" Dracul said "Change is coming!" The boy nodded as he walked out of the room with his little sister in his arms as Dracul cackled loudly.