• 3,4o6 years ago…


    Soft, white feathers kissed his cheeks and skin as he sauntered down the long path leading to the council room. A pair of faded blue jeans and golden chains was all he wore. His raven black hair shifted in the cool breeze, hiding his icy blue eyes. Though he moved as if he were as light as a feather, hatred boiled inside of him, growing more and more with each step he took. The tall ivory pillars that lined the path were shimmering in the fading sunlight as he past them. All eyes were on him, watching his every move—some burning with hatred and others glowing with curiosity.

    “Kaden,” a soft, gentle voice whispered. He paused, looking up to see his mother standing half-behind a pillar. Their eyes met for just a moment before Kaden hung his head again. “Is it true? What everyone says about you…is it true?”

    A stab of pain struck him as tears filled his mother’s eyes. How could he tell her it wasn’t true when everyone was putting the blame on him? Kaden remained silent, keeping his head low, veiled by his dark, chin-length hair. A guard jerked his arm forward to get him walking again. Reluctantly, he obeyed. There wasn’t much he could do when his wings and arms were bound with magic.

    The gold iron gates that led into the council room opened for him as if he were a great and respected guest. The room was decorated in all white and gold—the chairs, tables, and even the binding circle where he was to stand. All the council members and spectators were wearing pure white. It was too late to feel underdressed. The scars marring his otherwise perfect bare chest would have bleed through and stained the robes anyhow.

    Glancing up, he met the cold stares of the Chancellor and High Priest. Intolerant of crime and misbehavior, their rules were the harshest and their punishments even worse. Kaden could see his sorry reflection in the High Priest’s dark, grave eyes. His long, silver hair fell down into his lap as he sat down. The Chancellor took a seat next to him, skewering Kaden with his unforgiving gray eyes.

    The room was filled with quite, condemning murmurs. Everyone and he did mean everyone, glared at him as if he were the vilest a creature—as if he was already a demon. The whispering bothered him the most. Kaden could care less if they spit on him, called him names, or threw things at him. He only wished he could get this over with so he could go back to his home with his mother.

    “Silence,” the High Priest finally called. Everyone immediately quieted down, taking their seats as if to watch the circus begin. That’s all Kaden felt like, a circus freak, put up for other’s entertainment. “Now, Kaden Stryker, you have been summoned her today for—”

    “I know why I’m here,” he said shortly. The High Priest narrowed his eyes at Kaden.

    “Very well. But not everyone knows.”

    “Not everyone needs to know. I don’t see how it’s anyone’s business but my own, your honor.” He added, raising his eyebrows cockily.

    “I see. You know, you’re a real glutton for punishment, aren’t you, boy?” He countered. Crossing his fingers and placing his hands in his lap, he leaned forward to get a better look at the back talking youth. “How old are you, child?”

    “Eighteen, sir.”

    “I see…and you have never committed a crime before?”

    “Never, sir.” It was the absolute truth. Having an older brother in the Sentinels kept him in line his entire life. There was no way he was going to disappoint his brother…until now, that is. If news hadn’t already reached his brother by now, it was going to happen eventually. He hated to disappoint his older brother—that seemed like a crime in itself.

    “Then why start now?”

    “I have committed no crime, sir. The oracles must be wrong. I have done nothing.” He commented softly. If there was ever a crime to commit, it was calling the oracles liars. They were the seers—they could see the future—and the angels all wanted them on their side.

    “Blasphemy!” the Chancellor outraged. “How dare you slander the good name of the oracles? You should be put to death just for that!”

    “Now, now, Chancellor,” the High Priest smoothed. His vicious dark eyes burned into Kaden as their eyes met. “I’m sure this boy has a reason to say the oracles might have been mistaken.”

    “No, sir. We are never mistaken,” Axelia and Astra, the sisters of the oracle, said in unison. They were twins, and were never apart. “This boy has stolen something very precious from us. And we wish for him to give it back.”

    “I have taken nothing from you! You jealous, lying—”

    He was silenced by receiving a sharp smack to the face. His bottom lip was split and he was bleeding. Hatred burned in his eyes as he met the playful gazes of Axelia and Astra. Their blonde curls wove around their impish faces; white eyes glowed from behind their curls. Even though it was self-proclaimed, Axelia and Astra were the most beautiful girls in Kyrios. Kaden had to admit that they were best looking girls he had ever seen, though their beauty could not rival with their evil.

    “You have taken something very precious to us, Kaden Stryker. And we would like it back,” Axelia spoke. She was the most outspoken of the two, always speaking her mind no matter who she was talking to.

    “Liar! You’re only saying that because I caught you handing over secrets to the demons,” Kaden accused. Gasps echoed throughout the room. The High Priest erupted in anger.

    “That is a very serious accusation, mister. I presume you have evidence to back up your statement?” He asked angrily, almost sneering. He knew Kaden would have no evidence. And he could once and for all silence the boy who was famous throughout Kyrios for being such a “great” angel.

    Kaden lowered his pale blue eyes and shook his head, almost sadly. He had no proof. He was merely and angel who contributed very little. He wasn’t even a guardian yet. Why would they believe someone like him over the two most powerful girls in the world? He glared at Alexia and Astra, who were both smiling, with pure hatred. He had never felt this strongly in his life. The anger welled up inside of him, bringing tears to his eyes. The look the twins were giving him was purely, we win.

    Turning away from them, he then noticed something—someone—that stood out in the crowed. His ash blonde hair was covering his glacier green eyes as if he was hiding. Kaden immediately knew who it was—Blaise. His best friend in the entire world had come to rescue him, he must have. Kaden tried to hide the smile that was yearning to spread across his lips. He was overcome with joy and love for Blaise.

    But Blaise wasn’t looking at him. He wasn’t moving and he wasn’t smiling. His eyes were directed to the ground, as if Kaden didn’t exist. But he had to be here to help Kaden…he was sure of it. They had been best friends since birth and shared everything together. They were going to grow up together and be guardians. It had been their dream since they were both very young.

    Calm down, Kaden thought to himself, he’s here to help.

    “Is there anyone that wished to speak up for this young angel?” the High Priest asked, glancing around the room. It was as if he was daring anyone to speak up for Kaden. Surely anyone who did was going to be condemned with him.

    “Fine. We shall take a vote. How many of the council members think this boy is innocent?” the High Priest said gravely, looking over his shoulder to see how many raised their hands: none. Kaden’s heart fell. With his gaze locked on his best friend, he didn’t even bother to notice that no one else had raised their hands.

    Maybe he just didn’t hear correctly… Kaden thought quickly. His heart was racing, beating furiously as time ticked by slowly. Raise your hand, Blaise! But nothing happened. No matter how much he mentally willed his best friend to raise his hand, he remained stoic.

    “And how many of us believe he is guilty?” the Chancellor asked after a moment. Slowly, very slowly, painfully slowly, hands started to rise. One by one, they rose until everyone, except Blaise, raised their hands.

    At least he’s— Kaden didn’t have time to finish the thought before Blaise’s hand was held high in the air. He lost every shred of hope that he was holding on to. His best friend, his brother, had voted against him. There was nothing but a feeling of utter betrayal. Kaden didn’t care that the entire council had voted against him. Only Blaise’s vote mattered.

    “Blaise,” Kaden whispered almost inaudibly, staring at his best friend with tears in his eyes. But Blaise only stared at the floor, keeping his hand held high in the air as the others put theirs down.

    “Very well then. You are guilty of stealing, lying, and treason.” The Chancellor spoke softly, his wise, gray eyes not seeing as much as the angels were led to believe. “We, the high council angels of Kyrios, condemn you to expulsion.” The crowd erupted in a burst of cheers and laughter.

    “Blaise,” Kaden said in disbelief. The council was getting up to leave while the spectators cheered Kaden’s demise. It was hard to believe that every one of his friends and family, neighbors and acquaintances, were cheering his expulsion. It was unbearable. “Blaise!” Kaden finally screamed above the crowd. Everyone went silent.

    Without turning around, Blaise paused, inches away from the door. His hair twitched in the breeze. “Kaden,” Blaise whispered.

    “What have you done?” Kaden asked. “You liar! You…you b*****d. You traitor!”

    “You’re the traitor!” He finally spoke up. “Stealing from Axelia and Astra. What were you thinking? The oracles cannot lie, Kaden. They speak of nothing but the truth. That is why they are called the oracles.”

    Kaden gaped at Blaise. Hurt resonated in his baby blue eyes. Even though he was strong and powerful, Kaden found that his bottom lip was trembling, tears in the corners of his eyes. The pain he was feeling was unbelievable.

    “Blaise, you—” He was silenced by a guard as he was teleported to the Summoning Circle, the portal to the Otherworld—Kairos, where demons lived. He found himself on the top of a tall, white pillar, overlooking Kyrios. The white city seemed to glow as the sun set behind the majestic mountains. The city was designed just like ancient Greece. It looked so far away from where Kaden was standing.

    The High Priest and Chancellor reappeared, wearing pure black robes and cloaks. The High Priest held a wooden staff in his hand, nudging Kaden towards the swirling purple and black portal. Sparks and swirls of violet and black flew into the air, dancing and intertwining. It was beautiful, but deadly nonetheless.

    “Kaden Stryker of Kyrios, we hereby strip you of your powers,”—Kaden felt a burning, searing pain coming from his insides. It worked its way to the outside, lighting fire to each and every part of his body. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. From the corner of his eye, he saw white, fluffy feathers fall from his back. They turned into ash and crumbled before they hit the ground; his wings were gone. He could no longer fly— “and send you to Kairos, the land of demons. You are welcome here no longer.” His staff hit ground and Kaden was thrown into the portal.

    He screamed as he fell through, leaving the land of white clouds and beauty as he entered the burning, decaying world of the demons. The sky was a boiling crimson, sprinkled with black clouds. The villages were on fire, forever burning. Bodies lined the streets and the smell of death was everywhere. Kaden screamed until he was hoarse as he fell from the sky. The ground grew closer every second.

    Closing his eyes just before he hit the ground, Kaden felt warmth wrap around him. He opened his eyes to find that he was safe, sitting on the floor of a large, commodious throne room. Everything was designed in black, crimson, and gold. The huge throne, surrounded by blackened skulls and crimson fire, stood solely in the middle of the room.

    A man, tall, gorgeous, and pale, sat on the throne. His white-blonde hair was cleared from his flawless face. Searing green eyes pierced Kaden as the man smiled. Everything about him screamed evil. Hatred poured from him, though he was smiling kindly at Kaden. He stood and took three careful strides towards the fallen angel, holding his hand out to the boy. Kaden looked up at him and took his hand.

    The instant he touched Kaden, energy flowed through him. It was startling but fulfilling. The scars on his chest disappeared and his skin became flawless, like a perfect porcelain statue. He felt stronger, too. Black, leathery wings rippled from his back, spreading out to a greater length than his white ones could ever reach. Blood dripped down his spine. His new wings were covered in it, and they were tender.

    “Kaden Stryker,” the man grinned deviously. His voice was like terrifying and beautiful. Like deep, dark velvet. “Welcome to Kairos. I’ve been expecting you.”