Chapter 1- Sweet Freedom

December 3, 2027

         It was a surprisingly warm winter day. A nice breeze, the hot sun, the clouds in the sky looked thin and wispy. Today was the perfect day to lie around and do nothing. As these thoughts passed through Niana’s mind, he knew that even if it was perfect that his mentor would force him to train. Niana didn’t see why he had to though, he was already tall and built, and was smart as well. Niana had dark brown medium length hair, glassy blue eyes, and had quite a bit of muscle on him. He was also tall for a seventeen year old, had nice tan skin, and was pretty attractive. Of course he knew this, so he usually went shirtless and only wore shorts in case a girl came by and caught a glimpse of him in the midst of training. He snapped out of his daze as soon as he heard, “Niana Rasti Poroto! Get your a*s in here and start training!”

Niana didn’t know why she insisted on using his full name when she was getting his attention. Jesse Poroto, Niana’s mentor and foster mother, was strict when it came to his training. She was a woman in her forties, had long black hair, and was taller than Niana but not by much. Usually she wore long robes, had solid white eyes, and always had a tired expression. Niana loves Jesse and he showed it as best as a seventeen year old could, but she still got on his nerves at times. “Master, do we have to train today?” Niana said in a whiney tone. “Yes! If you want to become stronger then you have to work hard.” Niana wouldn’t admit it, but he didn’t really care about training all hours of the day. He’d much rather be flirting with girls or be with his friends. Not that he would say that to Jesse’s face but he kept that thought in mind. Jesse started to talk as if she could read his mind.

“You know what? You’ve been working very hard lately and I know that you have tried your best, so I’ll give you today off.” Niana cheered but Jesse started again in a stern tone. “But the second you slip up in training then I won’t let up and you’ll train from the time you wake up, till the time you pass out on the lawn.” “Thank you master, I will work hard as ever tomorrow when I start training” Niana yelled, trailing off as he went ran his separate way. The only thing Jesse could think about is the fact that he might get into more trouble than he could imagine, because little did he know, he harnessed a great power that only she knew of.

Niana thought to himself as he was running down the hill to the city that he knew exactly where he was going, to see his best friend Steven Laogo. He couldn’t even remember the last time he talked to him in person, sure their was a hologram video chat every once in a while but that was about it. As Niana drew closer to Steven’s house he saw something that made him shudder and his nerves go crazy. There she was, the most beautiful girl in all of Timonia, Amilia Stolonis. One look at her could make any guy fall to pieces, even the guys who thought they had it all figures out melted at the sound of her voice. She was like an angel, but an angel who did something and was punished by being placed in this hellhole known as the town of Timonia. Just the thought of her having a hint of a naughty girl in her got me hot and bothered. So to protect myself I stepped away and continued on my way, trying not to be noticed. Doubt she even knew who I was anyway, sure I passed her on occasion but I’d have to be crazy to actually try and engage in conversation with her, let alone even try to explain to her how I felt. Even though I had a feeling that she knew almost every guy was in love with her, but it was still worth the secrecy.  

As soon as I got to Steven’s house I banged on the door as if I was in a panic, he answered the door with a worried look asking, “Are you all right?!” I knew I was but yelled a witty response to give him a scare. “No! I’m not! I think that my house is on fire! I need your help!” He started out the door while grabbing me and dragging me along but I laughed as I finished my sentence. “By the way, I’m pulling your leg and just came over to see you and tell you about what I saw!” At first he didn’t respond but then he came to a halt and looked at me. “That was the stupidest joke in the whole world, it really was.”  He looked away from me for a while, after a short silence he just turned around and we both went into his house.

I felt like a girl gossiping to her girlfriend when I talked about seeing Amilia, but I didn’t care because I wanted somebody other than me to know. His expression didn’t show a hint of him caring but I knew on the inside he was wondering how I didn’t just run back to my house in fear of her beauty. “She is the most beautiful thing ever and I’m going to marry her some day.” I said jokingly. “Yeah right, you and what personality?” I knew now he was making fun of me but I just accepted it and went on. After a while of talking and catching up I knew it was getting dark out. So as I walked out the door I said, “I don’t want to worry Jesse so I’m going to head home.” He only responded with a shake of his head but I knew he understood.