Golden Eyes Read online

  "Gentlemen, gentlemen!" a voice shouted.

  A man in a black shirt and matching pants approached us.

  "What seems to be the problem here? Does someone want to tell me just what is going on?"

  Crap, it's the principal of our school. I don't dare move as I've heard stories about how powerful a magician he is.

  Ernest was the first to speak.

  "It was this stupid pest - he bumped into me and refused to apologize."

  The principal looked over at me.

  "Is that true, Rome?"

  I hesitated before I answered.

  "No, sir, it is not." I lowered my hand, but didn’t extinguish my flame.

  "Now Ernest, last time I checked our school policies, all students are to be treated with respect and dignity, especially at this school. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Yes, sir, you do," Ernest replied as he loosened his grip on Lillya.

  I extinguished my flames and run over to Lillya as she struggled to get air back into her lungs.

  Ernest turned to take his leave and motioned to his crew.

  "Come on guys, we're outta here."

  The principal looked on as Ernest and his flunkies left the school grounds.

  "Well, Rome and Lillya, it seems like neither of you has been harmed, so you are free to go. Please do enjoy your break and try to stay out of trouble.

  We both nodded our heads.

  "Before you go, Rome, can I have a few minutes with you?"

  "Sure, no problem," I said as I locked eyes with the principal.

  I turned to Lillya.

  "Can you give me a few seconds?"

  She nodded her head ‘yes’ as she stretched her neck.

  "Rome, I sense that you possess great power and there’s something special about you. Word of advice, I suggest that you stay away from taking on people like the Knox family. Their influence runs deep throughout Pandora, and a battle against them could prevent you from getting ahead in life."

  "Principal, I appreciate the concern, I really do," I replied as I looked down at my hands. "But sir, with all due respect, I can't let go of the things he said. Just because my family is not as well off as others doesn't mean we are lesser than. I am a person just like everyone else, and I'm tired of being treated otherwise!"

  "I know it can be tough," he replied as he placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "Listen, you're going to have to learn to ignore these things. You're going to have to train your mind to block out all of the negativity that your talent will draw you. If your scores are good enough, I know a great teacher named Professor Carbin who works at one of the gifted schools that I could refer you to. He can help you train your abilities."

  "Thanks for the help. I'll keep that in mind," I said as I shook the principal's hand.

  As he turned to walk back into the school, he looked over his shoulder at me.

  "You be safe, Rome."

  So much for starting the break off on a good note, huh? I said to myself as I picked up Lillya’s umbrella off the ground.

  4

  Keala

  "Aloha Keala, wake up! Wake up! It's time for breakfast."

  I slowly opened my eyes and saw a round face staring back at me. I rolled over onto my side to let out a yawn and quickly threw the covers back over my head.

  “Hui, Keala, I'm not playing, come on wake up. We're going to be late for breakfast, and you know how the commander gets."

  “Aubrey, just five more minutes,” as I shut my eyes again.

  “I didn’t want to do this but your mom authorized me to use force if I needed to.”

  “Aubs, don’t you dare!”

  I heard the sound of water dripping on my covers as Aubrey trickled water across my body.

  "Arrrggghhh!!!!!Fine, I'm up," I groaned as I chucked my pillow at the girl perched on top of me.

  Of course, she easily dodged my throw using her super speed and laughed as she walked out the door.

  "I hate you, Aubs. You know that? Wait, how’d you get into my room?”

  Aubrey let out a deep, playful sigh.

  "Your mom let me in, silly, and Keala, you know you love me so much. I’m your best friend. What would you do without me?"

  With that, Aubrey backed out of the door and skipped down the hallway, humming to herself.

  She was right. Though she got on my nerves, the question remained, what would I do without her?

  I grabbed my extra pillow and placed it over my face and tried to remember my dream. For the last few night, I keep seeing this boy’s face, but it’s not one I’ve ever seen in person before. Yet, I somehow feel like I know him.

  The alarm on my wrist scanner begins to vibrate, meaning it’s officially time to wake up. I’ll have to come back to my dream later. Using my super speed, I zipped out of bed, and in a matter of seconds was able to brush my teeth, wash my face, and throw on some clothes.

  As I exited my room, I saw my mom sitting at the dining room table reading.

  “Aloha kakahiaka mom,” I say as I slide out of my sandals and slip on my shoes.

  “Aloha kakahiaka Keala, I see my little sleeping helper got you out of bed.”

  I snorted and smiled at my mom as I checked my wrist scanner to see if I had any meetings or other things set up for today. Thankfully, the answer was no, which meant it was going to be a chill day, at least that's what I thought.

  “At least she didn’t pour water on me this time to wake me up.”

  My mom let out a joyous laugh as she thought of the sight of seeing me sprawled in bed drenched in water.

  “Mom, that’s not funny! I could have drowned!”

  “Well maybe next time, you should get up on time,” she said in between chuckles.

  “Mom!”

  “Okay love, I’ll stop laughing. Work hard, baby, and have a good day.”

  “You too, mom,” I replied as I kissed her on the cheek and walked out the door.

  I walked into the dining hall and took a seat next to Aubrey and turned my attention to the food in front of me.

  Today's breakfast included fruit, toast and some weird oatmeal mixture. Unfortunately, we don't have many options to choose from when it comes to food since most of it is genetically created in a lab. But, hey, I'm not complaining - food is food!

  Halfway through our meal, the dining hall doors opened, and in walked a short man in an all-white outfit. All conversations that were taking place ceased immediately. He strolled over to our table and placed his tablet down in front of him.

  Clearing his throat, he spoke.

  "Good morning, Runners. Glad to see everyone made it on time today."

  He glanced in my direction as he said that remark. I have a knack for being late. It's not my fault, though; a girl needs her beauty sleep.

  "Good morning, Commander," we answered back in unison.

  "I hope you all had a good night's rest... because we have a mission today."

  Murmuring broke out at the table.

  "Now, now, let me finish. We have been assigned to retrieve cargo. A scout team that we sent out a few days ago has discovered something interesting, but the Fifth Order has them pinned down, and they need help.

  The scout team was able to get word back to us with their developments and location before their fight with the Fifth Order began. HQ will not be able to assist you during this mission as you already know the enemy has made it nearly impossible for long distance communication to happen.

  Your job is to provide reinforcement and retrieve the mysterious package and bring it back here safely.”

  I raised my hand.

  "So when do we leave?"

  The commander checked his watch.

  "In about 45 minutes. Please be battle gear ready and set to go in the next 30 minutes. You will be departing from Gate E. That is all."

  I looked over at Aubrey and rolled my eyes. She shrugged her shoulders back at me and went about finishing the rest of her food. I lifted my spoon to my lips to finish my meal. Unfort
unately, I was no longer hungry. I had lost my appetite, but I knew I'd need every ounce of strength when out on the battlefield.

  5

  Keala

  After I wolfed down the rest of my food, instead of using my super speed to go back to my apartment, I decided to take a stroll around the base. I lived at The Garden, a military city which was built at the edge of a lush forest which was flanked by majestic waterfalls that kept us hidden from the Fifth Order. Unfortunately, we never got to see those waterfalls unless we were going out for battle. Life was not always like this, though.

  It happened without warning. A bright light filled the sky and in a matter of minutes, utter destruction occurred all around the world. Ships attacked our planet from above wiping out many of our natural resources instantly and plunging our world into complete disarray.

  While it was initially unclear what their mission was or where they came from, it was clear that were declaring war on us.

  After many years of fighting against the Fifth Order, the surviving nations formed what is known as the Aligned Forces. Through their pooled efforts, they were able to create this city. Little by little, we are reclaiming our humanity and our planet thanks to those known as Runners.

  I am Keala and I am a Runner.

  I finally arrived back at home and my mom greeted me as soon as I walked into the room.

  “You’re being sent out on a mission, aren’t you?” she asked with a look of concern and fear on her face.

  I can’t look my mom in her face as I know it will cause me to cry.

  “Ya, I’ve been tasked with a mission today. But it’s all good, it should be a quick and simple job,” I said as I tapped my wrist scanner for further details about the mission.

  “This is your first mission, I’m scared for you!”

  “I know, Mom, I promise I’ll do my best to stay safe.”

  “Keala, whatever you do, please come back home to me. You’re all I got,” she said as her eyes welled with tears.

  “Mom…” I attempted to finish my words before tears filled my eyes as well.

  My mom walked over to a photo of my dad sitting on the living room table.

  “Do you know why your father and I named you Keala?”

  “Of course, Mom. You both believe that somehow, I’m the way, the truth, and the light,” I joked, attempting to ease the mood.

  She rolled her eyes and stared at me.

  “Keala, I’m serious.”

  I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears with my sleeve.

  “Actually, I don’t.”

  “We decided to name you Keala, because in our native Hawaiian tongue, it means ‘pathway’.”

  I stood there in silence as I took in her words.

  “Your father and I believed from the moment we saw you that you would be the pathway to a new future.”

  “Mom, why are you telling me this now?”

  “Well, love, it’s because I know today is your first mission and I just wanted to make sure you knew how important you are to this world and that you are powerful beyond measure.”

  Her words triggered memories of my dad who passed a few years ago. He would speak these words of affirmation to me all the time.

  “Mom, I don’t know what to say.”

  “I know it’s a lot to take in and I wish I had the chance to explain it all, but just know greatness lives within you and that even though your father is not here to witness this moment, he is proud of you beyond measure.”

  Tears immediately began to fall down my face as I thought about the things my mom just told me and the thought of making my dad proud.

  “Awwww, Mom, I’m gonna look a mess out there from all this crying.”

  “I’m sorry, baby, come here. Let’s get you cleaned up before you go.”

  I hugged my mom as she ran her hand through my hair stroking my head ever so gently.

  “Before you go, let me braid your hair. We can’t have it getting all in your way during your mission.”

  “You sure you can handle this curly mane?” I replied back jokingly.

  “Have I not been braiding your hair since you were a baby?”

  “Ehhh, I don’t know if braiding is the right word.”

  “You better sit down before I change my mind,” my mom retorted back as she playfully hit my arm.

  After getting my hair braided and saying my goodbyes, I headed down to the weapons room to get outfitted for battle. I couldn’t seem to get the story that my mom just told me out of my head. Keala means ‘pathway.’ And what did she mean when she said I would be a pathway to a new future?

  I did my best to clear my mind and get focused on preparing to deploy. A team of six of us had been assigned to this mission: myself, my best friend Aubrey, a hot-headed speedster named Lenny, Mila, the oldest Runner and our team leader, and the identical twins, Barry and Allen.

  The gear we were set to wear was pretty minimal as it was fitted to our bodies to allow for maximum movement when we were fighting and running at top speed. Our suits were linked to the command center so they could track our vitals and see what was happening in real time.

  Aubrey walked up next to me with a nervous look on her face.

  “Hey, why the long face? Breakfast not sitting right with you?” I said to her as I bumped her with my hip.

  The solemn expression on her face did not change one bit.

  “Hey, Aubs, we’re going to be fine. Just remember all the training we’ve done and I promise you we’ll be home in no time.”

  A weak smile spread across her face as my words seemingly hit home.

  I pulled her in for a hug and whispered in her ear.

  “Let’s go kick some Magician booty.”

  She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly, causing me to lose my breath.

  “Thanks, K, I owe you one.”

  “More like you owe me a few. Don’t think I forgot about you pouring water on me when I was sleep!”

  “Hey, it wasn’t my idea, your mom told me to do it!”

  “That woman! How dare she?”

  My outburst was cut short by the appearance of the commander in the weapons room.

  “Alright, alright, listen up! Here’s the brief for today’s mission.”

  6

  Rome

  I was still a bit freaked out by the fact that I was able to unleash fire. I was even more weirded out by the girl that I kept seeing in my dream. Who was she and what was the importance of that dream? Was this in relation to the fire magic I displayed yesterday? Did I actually possess the ability to use multiple magical abilities?

  I was still a bit freaked out by the fact that I was able to unleash fire. I was even more weirded out by the girl that I kept seeing in my dream. Who was she and what was the importance of that dream? Was this in relation to the fire magic I displayed yesterday? Did I actually possess the ability to use multiple magical abilities?

  I wasn't sure exactly what was happening to my body, but, for now, I had to put this mystery girl behind me and focus on getting stronger.

  Thankfully school was out for the next few weeks as our test scores were calculated, giving me more time to train. I headed on over to my secret training location. It was an old cave off a trail that has long been deserted. I stumbled upon the cave by accident back when I first awakened my lightning powers. For some reason, I felt drawn to this place, and ever since I discovered it, it has been my training grounds.

  Because my family did not have much money like the Riches, we weren't able to hire tutors to help cultivate my magic, so it was up to me to do it.

  Using the magic instructional materials that I snagged online from the Ministry of Magic Association's website, I learned a few things about casting magic. Magic is a three-step process.

  First, you must do spiritual meditation. There's no way around it. Spiritual meditation helps to increase one's ability to create and store mana. The best way to build up your mana or magical energy is to train your mind.
Mana to Magicians is what fuel is to cars. The only way for a Magician to summon magic is to have enough mana stored in the body to do so.

  The next step is establishing control. Magic can be dangerous if you aren't able to control it. For example, if you run out of mana you can seriously injure yourself.

  Lastly, the third and final step is casting. That's probably the best part, but steps two and three aren't taught until after you pass your exam and head to one of the gifted high schools.

  What I know from my research is that magic is closely related to the existence of a catalyst within the body, and to complete a casting you must successfully align multiple levels of something. That part is a little murky, but I guess I'll learn more during school.

  So until then, I merely meditate in anticipation for learning how to control and cast my magic. It took me a while to master meditating without falling asleep, but I can now meditate for up to two hours without breaking my concentration.

  For the next few weeks, I would use my time away from school just meditating.

  7

  Keala

  We sprinted across the empty streets of Dawnburgh which was once a thriving city with impressive buildings featuring unique architecture. It is imperative that we move fast and stay out of sight as we are not sure how many magician soldiers are in the area.

  Our mission was a simple one, get in and get out.

  No one said a word as we traveled, each person too busy in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, we arrived at the outskirts of Thornhaven, thankfully without any problems. I perked my ears up listening for any sudden sounds or movements, yet heard nothing. The lack of enemy sightings is what scared me the most. It’s usually never this easy moving throughout the city.

  I double-tapped my wrist pulling up the database of different kind of Magicians to see what the briefing said about our enemy. From what we know, there are four core magical elements: fire, water, earth and wind. While the briefing data isn't always right, it's better to know thy enemy than be surprised.