March 15, 2103
Kalvin Keefe
A hundred years in the past, there existed a common myth that redheads would no longer exist; a genetic fault that would correct itself over a century. Here we are, a hundred years later, and merely one still exists. The last redhead.
There was something Kalvin Keefe detected when he initially encountered the redheaded boy as just a mere child. He discerned it then just as he still does to this very instant. That intuition is what brings him to his current expedition for more juicy information. And that expedition has concluded at a solitary room that conspiracy theorists would forfeit their left eye to witness or even have its existence acknowledged.
The dark and shadowy room Kalvin was in was like a place out of time, a place that could be used to rest without consequence. The darkness, in that way, was a sanctuary, a place to recharge and disremember the universe. Nevertheless, with the whole Milky Way Galaxy at war, how could Kalvin let himself succumb to the temptation to relax? He was too important for that; too needed.
Kalvin flipped open a lighter and lit the torch just above him. The room was visible. Just as he anticipated, there was a coffin at the center of the room, decorated in Egyptian hieroglyphs, as were the limestone walls. Behind the coffin and around the back corners was an elevated platform full of pottery, jewelry, and other treasures; just what he projected to find in a undisclosed, nameless tomb concealed below one of the pyramids.
It was time to make his play. Kalvin slid off the lid of the coffin, which was surprisingly thin and light. Nothing was inside. He then opened a book as ancient as these pyramids to a bookmarked page.
From his bag, Kalvin set a wooden mask in the coffin, then pulled out the skull of a jackal by the eye sockets and set it to the right of the mask. Succeeding that, he took a container full of gold dust and poured it over the other ingredients, the next of which was graveyard dirt. Lastly, he took a blade to his palm and sliced. Kalvin grimaced as the blade drew liquid crimson, and he squeezed so the blood would trickle over the rest of the ingredients. His blood was absorbed by the gold dust and dirt.
The coffin began to hum, and miniature rings carved at the edges glowed a black light. "I have come to make a deal; a bond unbreakable," Kalvin spoke in Coptic.
As he pressed the square hieroglyph emerging from the front of the coffin, the pyramid above Kalvin shook. But it persisted for only a few seconds before everything went dead. The coffin stopped glowing and humming. The torch had snuffed out. Even Kalvin's cyberwatch shut down. Darkness.
"Damn." Kalvin fiddled with his cyberwatch for longer and longer. A minute ticked onward. Nothing. He was trapped in darkness.
"Let me help you."
The unknown voice raised the hairs on Kalvin's arms and legs, and he partially tripped over himself. His heart froze in time for a split second before a chill rushed down his spine.
The torch in the corner relit, and he beamed his gaze towards the direction of the voice.
There was a being, resembling a man, though some of his proportions were just a bit off. He wore a short kilt that was lopsided to his right. Both legs were wrapped with cloth that went past his knees. The same cloth wrapped over his chest and left shoulder. Furthermore, the male being wore a black spiral-patterned mask that focused and spiraled around the eyeholes. Through the holes, Kalvin saw eyes like a human, with the irises glowing gold. With golden-brown, spiky hair and mixed color skin, the man appeared at least closely related to a human.
The mystery man put his hand on the back of his neck and shook his head as if trying to mend a strain. "The path to your galaxy is hard to manage these days. And with the worst summoning I've ever endured on top of that-- Whew-- I'm just glad I made it in one whole person. Yet… it has been a few centuries, so I will forgive the imperfections."
"Centuries?" Kalvin asked.
"Since I was lasted summoned here to… what was it you humans called this planet?"
"Earth."
"Could've sworn it was named something else last time."
"Then you are indeed ancient. Which means, despite all rationality and science, the summoning actually succeeded."
"And I thank you for that." The eyes of the masked man smiled at Kalvin.
"Forgive me, but I must know. I have noticed you are communicating in English. How is that possible? And who are you anyway?"
"English? Whatever language you hear is just a trick of the mind that I use to speak with all. As for my name, I've been called thousands over my lifespan."
"This book names you Master of Secret, a man who knows all."
"Rumpelstiltskin, Swallower of Millions, Sinnerman, Reality, Undertaker; call me what you like. It does not matter."
"But you must have a real name."
"If it matters so dearly to you, call me The Broker. I feel that name should suit your style. So… what is it you desire most in this world?" The Broker asked.
"As in anything I desire, you can grant me?"
"Not anything, but most things, and only one thing per customer. Though… don't ask me to end your war. That's something I'm not allowed to do," The Broker said. Kalvin figured it would not be that easy.
"The price?"
"Your soul."
"WHAT?!" Kalvin's jaw dropped.
"Upon your natural death, of course."
"What if I… what if I find another to trade their soul to you on behalf of myself?"
The Broker laughed. "In all of… well, forever, no one who has summoned me has ever thought of that. Though, if you can find some lowly sucker to forfeit their soul, then you have a deal."
"Perfect." Kalvin grinned.
"Before you go soul-searching, I wonder of your wish."
"I have a student at the moment, a redhead named James Stone. There is a spark in him, and I want to know more of his future if you can handle it."
"Ah, the future. Such a mysterious thing; like a chain of rivers all starting from one lake and ending at another, but it's the in-between that is the fun part. While I cannot say in absolutes, I can say in likelihoods as to his future paths, and even how to direct him down certain, desirable roads."
"Perfect. I will commence my travels of nabbing you a soul."
"James Stone," The Broker mumbled to himself. "What an interesting set of paths. And many of them crucial to the outcome of the very fate of the galaxy. An adventure is truly in store for that lad. Rahaha, I guess you can consider that slip of my tongue a sneak peek as to what is to come, Kalvin." Kalvin noticed the man spoke his name, though he had never introduced himself. "Since you summoned me here, I might as well make the most of my limited time by searching for willing souls." He snickered. "I have a feeling we will speak again very soon."
The Broker evaporated into black particles until Kalvin could no longer perceive him. However, it mattered not to Kalvin what the masked man did for the time being. His only focus was convincing someone with something to lose to offer his soul in exchange for having that something fixed. It would be the simplest way, anyhow.
On those thoughts, Kalvin began his crusade.