Growing up in poverty, Taye never expected anything good from life. Living out on the streets, he had only one goal in mind.
Survival.
As long as he lived to see another day nothing else mattered. It didn't matter if he had to steal for food.
It didn't matter if he had to fight for a warmer place to sleep. For him, it was kill or be killed.
Things began to change as he grew. He awakened an amazing ability. As he made some new friends.
****
For the past 4 years, Taye had participated in a series of underground fights for Ercell, becoming his youngest Champion. He held the record of most losses in a row.
During each contest, the fighters were prohibited from using their abilities as a way of keeping the fights more entertaining for the audience. In that regard, Taye had made him a lot of money for one particular reason.
The color of his skin.
With a light brown skinned complexion and heterochromia, Taye obviously attracted a lot of eyes. Most of the people in the club had a certain level of disdain for people of color.
Those who came to watch his matches mostly did just so they could see him get pummeled.
Most of the fighters enjoyed matches with him as they guaranteed a win and a bonus if they broke a few bones.
That was his reality.
On that day, Ercell had called him over to discuss his next matchup. For a small fee, he was set up against a man he knew all too well.
They called him [The Father], a racist priest that worked with Ercell in child trafficking. The Father would book a private match with Taye from time to time and Taye was always told to stand there and take it.
Whenever he had an encounter with his employers, Taye never spoke. If a question was asked he would just nod, as he was not allowed to be heard in the room.
****
After he left Ercell's Mansion, he walked all the way to the city. The Mansion was located at the far end of the city, it took roughly 20 minutes to get there by car.
As Taye trekked on his own, no car dared to stop and offer him a lift. When he got to the city, most people avoided him like a plague. Some avoided him because of the bruises and scar on his face.
With the eyes of everyone on him, not even his brethren came up for conversation. Taye did not mind though. It was even safe to assume that he preferred it that way.
He did not care for what other people think because he already had someone who cared deeply for him. As the person's image crossed his mind, Taye could not help but smile.
His smile caught the attention of a woman passing by. She looked at him in disgust and took a step back. The woman had not been alone. She was walking hand in hand with a man that looked at least 10 years older than her.
The man saw her expression as well as its source.
"Hey, you looking at my girl?"
The man questioned, threateningly.
Taye looked at him in confusion. The man's brows furrowed and he shoved Taye.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
Silence.
Taye did not respond, instead he continued on his way.
"Yeah, that's right. Get lost, ni***!"
This seemed to be a common occurrence as bystanders simply passed by without even betting an eye
The woman praised his boyfriend like he was a hero for defending her against Taye.
Meanwhile Taye was angry and frustrated. He did not understand the reason behind the man's anger towards him. What did he do that was so wrong to make them look at him in disgust?
All he did was smile. Was it because of that?
With a heavy sigh, Taye chose to ignore it and continue on his journey. He did not walk for long till he reached his destination.
Part of his contract with Ercell was that he lived in a location where he could be escorted from at any given time. A place that Ercell would know about. As such, he was given a small apartment in one of the complexes owned by the Family.
Its space wasn't too small, it had wifi at least. But that was not what made the place feel like home.
Taye knocked on the door before opening it.
"I'm home."
He said, walking into his apartment.
There was some rustle and mumbling coming from the other room. Then a voice spoke.
"W–Wait.."
Hearing the voice was like music in the ears of Taye. He quickly ran into the other room and found someone desperately trying to get out of bed.
Short black hair, a refined body with the abs of steel. An even tone complexion and flawless skin. There he stood trying to put on his shirt.
His face flushed red from embarrassment as he saw Taye standing by the door looking at him with a warm smile.
"I see you're still in bed, as usual."
Said Taye, teasingly.
"Uhh... I swear I was gonna get up and clean you before you got back."
He stuttered as he tried to explain and Taye could not help but laugh.
"Come on, I'll help you clean up."
He offered.
"No, it's fine. I have to be able to do this much by myself. You should go on and take a shower 'cause wow, you're a mess."
"Hm, wanna join me?"
Hearing Taye's question, Elis' face flushed red.
"C-Can I? -- I mean no! Maybe next time."
Taye walked to the bathroom while taking off his clothes, by the time he reached the door he was already fully naked.
Elis' could not help but admire his body from behind.
'Ah, fuck it.'
He too took off his clothes and rushed into the bathroom.
"I thought you didn't wanna."
Taye spoke, teasingly.
"Shuddup!
The two gazed at each other's eyes before slowly leaning in, locking lips.
****
An hour later, Taye was getting dressed and preparing to leave. Elis' woke up and saw that he was already fully dressed.
"Where are you going?"
He asked, still half awake.
"I have something to take care of, I'll be gone for a couple of days."
The answer came as a surprise to Elis.
"What?"
Taye looked at him and gave him a smile.
"It's only a few days. I promise to come back."
Although Taye had said that, Elis could not help but worry. Every time Taye left he always came back covered in bruises. The worst one left a permanent scar on his face.
But there was little he could do to stop him.
"At least let me make you something to eat before you go"
Those were the only words he managed to say. He wanted him not to go, but couldn't bring himself to say it.
"What are you talking about. I already ate. And it was delicious."
Taye teased and leaned in to kiss his forehead, leaving Elis' face red. Before he could even say anything, Taye was already by the door.
Before opening it, he paused and said:
"I love you, Elis."
With that, he left. He didn't even wait for Elis to respond.
Elis was taken aback by his actions. Taye had always told him he loved him but today it felt different.
It felt like he was saying goodbye.
****
Walking out of his apartment, Taye did not dare to look back. He was scared that if he did, he would not want to leave. His steps were quickened when he heard the neighbors door open.
He thought it might have been Elis running after him. He didn't want to hear his voice. Not right now.
And so, he ran.
He ran, and ran, and ran, and ran. He dared not to stop until he was kilometers away from Elis.
When he finally stopped, his phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and answered it.
"Jason has left. As expected, _They_ were were sent along with him."
Taye was almost relieved to hear that.
"So, we continue as planned?"
Taye asked.
"Yes. It's time for Eden to make an entrance."
And so it began...