Prologue
(Chapter Song: Disciples Instrumental by Captain Murphy)
Masato POV
The only noise in my office was the occasional page turn caused by my husband, Kazuki. We were supposed to be focused on getting ready for the school's summer program, but for some reason, I couldn’t concentrate.
Kazuki glanced at me a few times to ensure I was okay whenever I stopped looking at something. “Done?” he asks, breaking the tension. I nodded absently as Kazuki stood up.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind as his fingers grazed the papers in front of me. “Did you sign the papers for the new music building?” he asked me.
“Mhm,” I muttered as he kissed my hair. “There is no new music building,” he laughed. I sighed as I shook my head and dragged a hand down my face. Kazuki didn’t say anything as he looked at me before he pulled a random paper in front of me.
“Petition to build another area in the TCA,” it read. Great, 18 pages of bullshit to read through. Lucky me. Kazuki kissed my head as he headed to the door and turned around. “Get to work,” he smiled before walking out.
I rubbed my forehead aggressively as I tried to focus on the proposal before me, but it seemed impossible. “Something’s wrong,” I thought.
Maybe I’m just being paranoiperhaps maybe I am right about it, but I can’t focus the longer this feeling goes on. Deciding to get a fresh breath of air, I leave my office and step out into the corridor.
Before I can relax, I hear heavy footsteps running towards me. I turn, expecting some random child or Kazuki, but I’m surprised to see Thanatos, the grim reaper. He looks worried, and that’s never good.
I watch as he approaches me, before he grabs my wrist and starts pulling. I retract my arm quickly as I look at him in disbelief. “What the hell are you doing?” I ask him as he breathes heavily. “Thanatos!” I hear a woman’s voice boom. I watch as the Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pele, rounds the corner angrily.
“I told you multiple times about running down these halls!” she says angrily. Thanatos seems unfazed as he grabs me again. “What is happening?” I snap.
“It’s an emergency,” he pleaded. I glanced at Pele, who was still shooting daggers at Thanatos, as I turned back to him. “What is so important that you had to disturb both me and a member of the highest council in the land?” I hissed.
“The time master is back,” he whispered. Pele’s breath hitched, as did mine, as we looked at each other. “What do you mean he’s back?” Pele asked.
I didn’t want to seem incredulous, but it’s highly unlikely that he would come back after all these years unless there is some underlying motive somewhere.
“He’s back and in the council room,” he says. I nod towards Pele as she starts making her way towards the room, as I look at Thanatos.
“How does that affect me?” I ask. I know it affects me deeply, especially with what’s been happening lately, but I need to see what motives Thanatos has. He’s not the kindest man, if you couldn’t tell.
“Don’t play games with me, Masato,” Thanatos snapped. I raised an eyebrow as he looked towards where he came from. “Akal came back with Juniper, the nature elf. He also brought Willow and Rowan,” he tells me.
My eyes went wide as I heard the names of the children who mysteriously disappeared from their schools. We went into a frenzy trying to find them, but to no avail.
“Why do you want my help? The council should let them back in willingly. Juniper has always been smart, and she most likely has all the proper documentation. Willow and Rowan will be able to see their friends again and the rest of their family. Akal might not be widely accepted, but he’ll bring back balance to our realm. What is there to help with?”
“He had a daughter in the human realm. I—” Thanatos sighs as he rubs his face.
“I met her after I accidentally broke into her house. We’ve grown closer, and she’s special to me. Kind of like a niece or a little sister. They’ll kill her unless she has a mentor, and once they find out our relationship with each other, they’ll never allow me to be her mentor. Which means she’ll die either way unless you help. You can claim her as a protégé. A mentee. Please, Masato,” Thanatos begged.
I thought about it for a few moments. I have no clue who this child is and what they’re capable of. They have no experience with their powers, which makes them a novice.
I don’t know how old she is, but I’m guessing that she’s at least 13. She would still be on the level that 5-year-olds are on with their magic, which makes her an easy target for bullying and humiliation. But I’d hate to see an innocent child get murdered just because she was born at the wrong time to the wrong people.
After a while of contemplating, I sigh before nodding. “Take me to her,” I ordered Thanatos. His eyes light up as he pulls me along to the elevator we use to get to the council room.
The ride down is silent as we both contemplate what will happen when I do this. Will the council approve? Will they shun her away or rip me from my position?
A lot can happen, but we need to stay hopeful. When the elevator stops at the bottom. We hurry out before the doors open all the way. We hurry down the hallway as we see the giant golden doors of the council room open. I step in front of the door as everyone turns to me.
“I take Dana Toronto as my protégé to be the Timemaster,” I announce, my voice bouncing off the walls of the chamber. Everyone’s eyes get wide in shock as whispers ring out around the room.
“Where is she?” I whisper to Thanatos, who just appeared behind me. He pointed towards the center of the chamber as I looked at the teenage girl. She looked around fifteen as she smiled and waved at Thanatos.
He waved back as I observed her. She has long black braids, chocolate-colored skin, a purple t-shirt, and some dark blue jeans. She seems to be completely human until I spot the marking on her arm. I make a quiet noise of disbelief as I see the eye marking on her arm.
Usually, the children will get their marks when they’ve reached a certain point in their magic. They usually get it after training for at least five years, so it’s strange that a human girl would have it.
I try to look at it a little more closely, but it’s hard to get a good view from where I’m standing. When I take her back to my office, I’ll have to check what else is there. I feel like there’s more to this girl than meets the eye.
A voice clears as everyone looks to the Draugr. He only did it so everyone would shut up before he looked at Nyami Nyami. His tongue flickers slightly as he looks at me with disdain. Well, as much disdain as a snake can have. “Masato—” Nyami Nyami hisses warningly.
I know he’s trying to scare me, but he’s failing terribly at this. I shake my head as I step further into the room, but not too far away from the door.
“I’ve claimed her to be my mentor. It will be a very tiring task since she is a novice, and she should be advanced at her age, but I will push through. She will be coming with me,” I say. Everyone turns to Bokwewa, the leader of all the schools, as he smiles at Dana. “Are you willing to learn, young miss?” he asks Dana.
She nods her head quickly as a smile spreads across her face. Akal seems apprehensive about this, but he doesn’t say anything about it. I look towards the draugr as he nods before I approach Dana.
I slowly walk towards her as I offer my arm for her to hold on to. She takes it hesitantly as we walk out of the room in silence. I make sure to close the council room door behind me as she drops her hand.
She spots Thanatos again as they embrace. “I thought you ditched us, Charles,” she said. He shook his head as he gave her one more squeeze before letting her go. She turns to me as she takes a deep breath and smiles.
“My name’s Dana Toronto. What’s yours?” she asks, sticking out her hand. I take it as I shake it and nod. “Masato Vireo. More introductions will come later; we must be on our way. We have a lot to talk about.”
