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SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 11 • Michael
North POV••••••"Yesterday was great" I said while wearing my sneakers."I hope she goes for prom. Michael needs to know she's okay and it is possible she might be my date. I couldn't reach him last night, which was odd. His line is always available" I uttered while reaching for my phone on the table.I stood up, dialled his line and walked to the door to leave the room. "Still no response. Crap! I hope he didn't get kidnapped. If he did, and his parents do pay ransom, they will definitely start to home school him. Damn! I hope that is not the case" I said as I reached the sitting room.*It is a little bit chilly today. Maybe I should get my hoodie...Nah, I'll be fine*I yourned, shutting the door behind me.It's a Saturday, so I usually go for morning jogs. I started doing that since I was 14. Because, before my dad died. He would always tell me, "A man should always make out time to exercise"I wanted to start from the age of 9, but my mom didn't let me.She would always say, "You
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 12• Michael: ii
•••••"Alright, I'm on my way" I exclaimed while turning off the TV to grab my house keys."No wait! Stan is on his way to get you. He'll be there soon""Yeah.... I see him now" I said while locking the door behind me and seeing Mr Stan's black E200 Benz roll in next to the tree."Great, see you later""Yeah... later" I replied ending the call."How did you get here so fast? The hospital is like 40 blocks away" I whispered as I watched him open the back door for me."Hello, Mr North. Your lift is ready" Mr Stan in his sweet professional voice."Hey, Mr Stan" I said while walking down the stairs to get in. "Fancy ride. Thanks" I voiced as I got in.He entered and we drive off.About 11 minutes later we reach the hospital. 11 minutes of torture I'd say."Thanks, Mr Stan. But could you please slow down next time" I said while exiting the car, my voiced laced with distress."Sorry Mr North. But I did go slow because that was our first ride. I normally go faster than that""Oh, okay. Great
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 13• Michael: iii
Michael POV•••••••*You mustn't be that cold Stan.*"Now tell me, why would my own son, who has a personal driver, let himself drive a bicycle" Dad exclaimed. "I got you a personal driver, a good one! So I do not see why you would want to drive a bicycle instead. When you turned 13, you decided you didn't want to school at the best school in the state, which was allowed! I didn't want to force you. You said you preferred a public school instead, and your mom and I let you. So we got a professional driver who also could protect you"His expression turns thoughtful. "Look son, you have your free will, but you are still my son, and as your father, I'm disappointed in your recent choices" "Sorry, Dad. I just didn't want to feel entitled. I want to do things for myself. I don't want to be known as the son of a wealthy man, I want to be known as Michael. Not for what was handed to me, but for what I do. I appreciate everything dad, even for flying all the way back here to see me, I really
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 14• Michael: iv
•••••An hour laterMy phone rang, waking me up from my sleep."Hello?" I asked."Yes, Mr North, is it?" The person asked."Yes, it's North. Who's this?""I am calling from Jill's store. This is to inform you your violin has been fixed. Could you come pick it up""What! It's fixed. That's great! Yeah, I'll be there in about 25 minutes" I said, my voice laced with excitement."Alright""Wait, is Joe there?""Yes, he was the one who asked me to call you""Okay, thank you!" I said, then ended the call."YES! Finally! I can get to play it again. It's been a week, now I can't wait"I exited the house and got on my bike. But before I could hit the road, Ashlyn called."Hello" "Hi, North" "Hey, Ashlyn, watsup""I'm good. Are you free?""Hmm.. No, not really. Is something wrong?""No, nothing is wrong. I was wondering if you could come to the skate park""Oh, yeah sure. Are you there right now?""No, but I'm about to leave""Alright. Tell me when you get there. I'm about to go get my violin
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 15• Michael: v
••••••10 minutes later.."Okay, where is she?" I muttered as my eyes scan the park.I picked out my phone and called."Hey, are you here yet?" She asked."Yeah, but I can't find you""Uhmmm, are you wearing a grey hoodie?""Yeah""Okay, look to your right, I am waving my hands""Okay! I see you" I said as I noticed her next to a tree.While riding toward her, I noticed two other people with her - A tall guy and an average height girl."Sorry, I brought my bike instead" I voiced as I reach them."Yeah, it's cool. So, how is it?" Ashlyn asked."The violin? Yeah, it looks good. They fixed it"She smiled. "That's great. Come on, let me introduce you to my friends""So.. This is Hima, and that's Dave" she said while giving an introducing gesture. "Hey, nice to meet you" Hima said."Sup, dude" Dave greeted."Hey" I replied."So, the famous North! The one who plays the violin!" Hima grinned."Famous? What..?" I smiled, blushing a little."Yeah. Ashlyn told us about you. She says she has a
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 16• Michael: vi
My heart skipped a beat, but I knew with their support, I was ready to take on the skate park.Yeah! Bring it on!•••••3 hours later."Well North, you're a natural" Ashlyn said."Thanks! It took a while to get the hang of it though""Yeah! Well, it did take you 3hours to get you moving a short distance on your own" Hima said as she laughed, which caused Ashyln to release a little chuckle.I quickly turned to look at her, which made her stop. I chuckled, "Well, you're right, I guess I suck at skating" . Then began to laugh, which caused us all to bust into laughter.Still laughing, Hima asked,"Hey, where's Dave with those snacks".I looked to my left, "Oh, see him coming""Okay, guys. Sorry for keeping you waiting, I had a little hold up on my way back" Dave said as he dropped a bag filled with snacks."Oh really. Is your hold up the counter girl you've been crushing on" Hima exclaimed. "Don't mind Dave. He takes his time to get here whenever he goes to buy our lunches. And that's b
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 17• A New Beacon
••••••I sighed and asked, "Are you an Avatar?"There was a pause on the other end. Then Michael finally replied, "An Avatar? Is that what this is?""Holy shit! I knew it. You are sensing it right? How different your body feels, and how your senses have heightened. You feel it, right?""What! You too?" He asked."Yes! So, you are one! Or have just become one""Avatar? I do feel changes though. But I'm not sure I can bend elements. And I thought there could only be one Avatar?""No! Not that kind of Avatar. It's a long story. Can I come to the hospital tomorrow?""I'll be discharged tomorrow. So you could come to my place instead""Alright. I'll be there. Send me the address""Why don't I just ask Stan to pick you?" "No! Don't worry about that. And I'm sure he's tired. So I will get there myself""Okay... Cool. You know you could text me the info about this whole Avatar thing, right""I wish I could. But if I did, I'd sound unrealistic""Oh. Well, now I'm just really curious. I'll see
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 18• A New Beacon: ii
•••••12 minutes later"Tengen said we get powers. I thought mine was phasing, but it's not. I wonder what Michael power would be" I voiced, finishing my last push up.I exhaled."That's 50 push ups done. Usual routine checked. Now to shower"On reaching to grab my towel from the wardrobe, I quickly drift my gaze towards my window. A respond to fear and uncertainty.*What was that?!*I paused, staring at the window. Then gently walked towards it to find out what I had felt, but saw nothing unusual."Why are my hairs standing? What was that?! What did I just feel! Goosebumps?.. No, that was more real than a goosebump" I said under my breath.I stretched my head further out and saw my neighbor, Denise, kissing her boyfriend, Steve, by the tree outside.Mr White, the convenient store owner across the street locking up his store. A normal scene I expected late at night.Shifting my gaze towards my right, I noticed a man at a distance, walking with a ferret. Nothing unusual was happening.
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74• Noticable Growth: iv
Immediately, she blends with the shadow, rendering her unnoticeable.••••••I smile.They are improving. That's good. They should. The world out there can be unforgiving."Better! React faster" I shout.North swiftly dodges two speeding balls, his fluid movements a testament to growth.But one ball grazes his shoulder and he winces a little.Yet recovers swiftly.Michael spins left, dodging a ball mere inches from his ear.He catches one with his left hand.Deflects another with the caught ball.A third hits his chest, he stumbles, but quickly regains footing.Claire's reactions are faster.She dodges two.A third almost reach her thigh, but she quickly spin to the right and recovers her footing.My gaze sweeps, assessing. Their growth shines as cannons fire and balls hail.North's head tilt to the left, dodging an incoming ball. He shows progress with his powers as he anticipate the next ball.Michael's hands rise, deflecting two balls. Another ball hurtles toward him. He shifts his
73• Noticable Growth: iii
Meanwhile in an experimental Lab in school.Dim fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows.Dr. Kim scrutinized the Grade 4 Demon's glass enclosure at the right side of the lab.Its translucent dark form shimmer, ethereal skin blending.It eyes burn unnaturally.Wiry limbs faded.An unsettling chill surrounding it.Suddenly, the demon's eyes flash.Its form condensed, shrinking.Dr. Kim blinks.The enclosure seemed empty."What the?" She voice.She cautiously enters the enclosure, checking every corner.Confirming the demon's absence.Satisfied, she turn, exiting the enclosure to sound the alarm.But her instincts screams warning.Something was off. She turns around, checking the cell, he eyes roam her surrounding.She removes her wipe as she feels the change in the surrounding air.But yet, no trace of the Demon.She walks gently towards the alarm, her back to it.Fingers outstretched.But before she reached it, the tiny demon that was laced to her back, expanded.Enveloping her, she resi
72• Noticable Growth: ii
The tennis ball cannons roar to life, firing balls at unpredictable angles.I watch intently as Claire, Michael and North stand firm, blindfolds secure, relying on their other senses.The first balls hurtle toward them, trajectories uncertain.Claire pivots swiftly, dodging with ease, her agility allowing her to evade most balls. She twists left, avoiding a ball by inches, and leaps right, dodging another.Michael struggles to keep up, deflecting some balls with his hands but missing others. One hits his shoulder, and another grazes his ear.North moves quickly, but the balls' speed overwhelms him. He dodges a few, but others hit his chest and arm.I shout, "Adjust! React faster! Trust your instincts!"The cannons fire relentlessly, balls bouncing off walls and floor.Claire's agility proves advantageous, but even she can't dodge every ball. One hits her upper back.Michael stumbles by the ball that reaches behind his knee.North grunts, taking a ball to the stomach.Despite efforts, b
71• Noticable Growth
••••••Professor Patel stands at the forefront of the lecture hall, surveying the room with an air of authority."Today, we delve into Rankings, Classes and Grades" she announces, her voice commanding attention."Before us, we have the Avatar Rankings, a classification system developed to categorize reawakened humans, known as Angel Avatars. The rankings are: Z, SS, S, A, B, C, and D."She gestures to the diagram projected on the screen behind her."The Avatar Rankings signify the level of divine influence within an Angel Avatar, with Z being the highest and D being the lowest.""Conversely, demons are classified using Grades," Professor Patel continues. "Ranging from Special Grade, the most powerful, to Grade 5, the least."The screen behind her updates to show the Demon Grades:Special Grade - Highest tier, extreme threat Grade 1 - High-tier, significant threat Grade 2 - Mid-tier, moderate threat Grade 3 - Lower-tier, minor threat Grade 4 - Low-tier, minimal threat Grade 5
70• Entangled Threads: iii
•••••I nod, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation."Tell me more about these encounters," she asks, her eyes filled with curiosity.I recount the moments with A, from the initial contact to the recent conversations.She listens intently, her expression thoughtful."When did you first notice this connection?" she asks."After Ashlyn's death" I reply, the memory still piercing.Her gaze softens. "I'm sorry again for your loss, North."She pauses, collecting her thoughts."Your ability to communicate with A is remarkable," she says. "But I suspect there is more to it. Something triggered this connection.""I don't really know what it could be. But A mentioned something about past lives" I say.Patel leans forward, her brows narrowed. "Past lives, right? I've been considering various explanations for your Angel communication. One possibility stands out: residual energies from past experiences.""Past experiences?" I repeat, intrigued.She nods. "Unresolved threads, North. Fragments
69• Entangled Threads: ii
•••••To master our abilities."Alright, let's go again!" Saint declares, as he wraps his blindfold around his eyes."Right!" Michael, Claire, and I exclaim in unison, our determination palpable.We give some some distance from him."Begin" Saint utters.We charge into the fray, blindfolds secure, senses heightened.The sound of our footsteps echoes through the room.Saint's giggles resonates, taunting us. He is having fun.I track his movement by sound.A faint rustle of fabric.A soft creak of the floor.A subtle shift in air pressure.I fire blindly.A paintball whizzes past Saint's ear.He spins and returns fire.The paintball explodes against the wall.Michael's gunfire intensifies.Claire's shots ping off the floor.Saint dodges using echolocation to evade our shots.He leaps over a stray paintball an lands softly.He fires a paintball, it grazes Claire's arm.She gasps, adjusts her aim and fires back.Saint's grunt confirms a hit.Michael seizes the opening and release shots ag
68• Entangled Threads
••••••The school bell rings, signaling lunch break.Michael, Claire, and I drop our lunch trays on the table where Phillip and his teammates are seated."Hey, guys" I say."Oh, hey!" Phillip voice with a smile."How have you guys been?" He asks, his brow furrowed.Michael shrugs. "We are still alive."Lora chuckles. "So okay?"I nod. "We almost drown to death, but yeah, okay"Henry's curiosity is piqued." 'Drown to death'? What happened?""The 'leap of faith' exercise was quite the experience" Michael says touching his wrist.Claire chuckles.Phillip leans in. "Tell us"I grin. "Imagine jumping off a cliff next to a waterfall, trusting your instincts to save you."Michael chimes in."Yeah, and all for the purpose of having faith in our abilities."The group falls silent, captivated by our story.Phillip breaks the silence."Saint's methods are certainly... unconventional."Lora nods. "But effective?"I exchange a look with Michael and Claire."Yeah, we were able to summon our wings
67• Leap of Faith: iii
The drive home begins.••••••I enter the house, trying to hide my limp."Hey, mom" I greet."Hi, baby. Welcome back," she says, removing muffins from the oven.Her eyes sparkle as she turns to face me, stopping from rushing up the stairs."So, how was camping?" She asks.I attempt a nonchalant smile."It was great. Saint and the others were awesome."Mom's gaze drops to my ankle."Awesome, huh? And what's with the fancy ankle wrap?"I chuckle, caught."Oh, uh, just a little mishap."Mom's eyebrows rise."Mishap?"She sets the muffin tray down, marching toward me."Let me see."I hesitate, but she's determined.She gently unwraps the bandage, revealing a bruise.Her expression changes from curiosity to concern."North! What happened?"I shrug."Minor slip during a hike. No big deal."Her hands on her hips."Minor slip? Saint was supposed to keep an eye on you, not turn you into a human sling."I laugh."Mom, it's really fine."She sighs. "Get ice on that. Now."As I obey, Mom mutters
66• Leap of Faith: ii
As we sit, the sound of Claire's laughter and Saint's encouragement carry on the wind, a reminder of our shared journey.•••••2:00 pmMichael and I sit, our backs against each other, eyes closed, focusing on our inner energy. The gentle breeze carries wildflower scents, and warm sunlight casts a comforting glow.We've been practicing Mana control for hours, striving to contain its flow within our bodies. Our breathing slows, reflecting our growing mastery.Claire's screams and laughter echoes through the air, mingling with Saint's screams and encouragement. They've been airborne for hours, refining her wing control.Occasional breaks punctuate their aerial training. They descend, sharing smiles and praise, before ascending again.As we meditate, I sense Michael's Mana flow stabilizing. His aura, once turbulent, now resonates with calm intensity."Your control is improving," I remark, opening my eyes.Michael's gaze meets mine, his eyes crinkling."Yours too," he replies. "We're getti
