Prologue

A rooftop, Aegyptus, 3124:

He was ecstatic. It was that time of the year when the rains cascaded over the earth, washing away the dirt from the roads and the heat of the summer, releasing a fresh scent of damp clay and moist bark, a fragrance unique to that season alone. His mind, however, was on far more important matters, important to him that is. For who in their right mind would hold up a big iron pole and hope to get struck by lightning? Indeed, it seemed he was insane. From the house across the street, a girl sat at her window and watched him calmly. Maybe she was out of her mind too? Soon, the sky lit up as a flash of lightning struck the pole, travelling down its length faster than anything mankind had yet discovered and into his body, frying him on the spot.

Or that is what should’ve happened. When the smoke cleared, he was still standing, hale and hearty. What’s more, his body seemed to be enveloped in a white-coloured sheen.

“Got some good shots! You were looking so fucking cool”, shouted the girl, waving her phone. “I’ll share it to you after doing some edits.”

“Thanks a bunch, you’re the best friend I could ask for-“, grinning wide and giving a thumbs-up, he suddenly paused and cocked his head to one side, as if listening to something

“Gotta go, dad’s calling. Don’t forget to send them, k?”, and he rushed into the small shed at the corner and down the stairs, not keen on making his father wait.

“Silly Jor, am I just a friend to him?” The young girl’s sulking voice was drowned by the rain, the drops of water falling from the lintel onto the sill of the open window being the only witnesses to her confession. A gust of wind blew in numerous raindrops, making her shiver and close the window. Not that it mattered much, for she was already soaked to the bone, having been sitting there for the past half an hour and clicking pictures for her ‘beloved’.

“I’ve tried so many things, is he that dense? Or does he not like me? No, don’t lose hope, Andy. He’ll surely notice one day.” Even the skies thundered, seemingly awed by her fierce determination. Picking up her sketchbook, she went through the numerous portraits she has drawn, portraits of him. In her eyes was a crazy glow. Someday, surely…

The boy at the receiving end of this fierce love forcibly suppressed a sneeze. Was someone thinking of him? He lifted his head slightly, immediately regretting it.

“Jordan ‘Jor’ Ardolf, what did I tell you about playing with thunder?”, a strict voice rang out. Any random stranger would’ve been scared too much to even consider the unnatural question, such was the aura of the person.

“I-I’m… sorry”, Jordan spoke feebly, a total contrast to his previous bubbly self.

“You have more powerful abilities. I better not see you using that bastard god’s power ever again. Go and take a bath. I should see you in the study in”, here he looked at his watch, “fifteen minutes.” He turned and left, the sound of his boots against the floor prompting Jordan to keep his head bowed down. Only after the footsteps had faded did the tears burst out of his eyes. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he knew better. He could only suppress his feelings. You’ll never understand. You never cared enough to understand. The only connection I still have with my mom. I hate you. I HATE YOU…

In a dimly-lit study, a man stood still. I’m sorry, Josephine. But you know why I’m doing this. I can’t lose him too.

A family divided by miscommunication. How tragic indeed!

A dark cave, Earth, 2024:

The sound of water trickling down some rocks fills the background. Situated far away from civilization, its quite likely nobody even knows about this particular cave. Nobody who’s still alive. The surrounding forest is usually saturated with the chirping of birds. But not today. Even the air is still, as if afraid to move. Suddenly, the rocks start to crack. A terrible din echoes through the forest. Or is it some heavenly melody? Can anybody tell for sure? Everyone who heard it, mysteriously vanished. Where were they taken? To hell? Heaven? Or some twisted, boundless void to where souls retire after death, only to be thrown back into a cycle of rebirth? If only some entity powerful enough to withstand the pressure were present at that moment, they would have seen two eyes, apparently avian, bursting with fire, seeking to burn the world, if only for its entertainment, before they too would vanish.

An office, Aegyptus, 3124:

A melodious female voice rang out in the room, carrying a sense of haughtiness that comes with age and power. “Aren’t the gods quite powerless now?”

In front of the desk, a blue-skinned man sat tensely, his hands clutched together and his fingers drumming against his knuckles as he stared at the luxurious high-back chair currently facing away from him. He had the power to kill this mortal woman who dared to act so arrogantly in front of him, a god in every sense of the term. Yet, his fear held him back, fear of facing the consequences, fear of facing Him. He unclenched his jaw and said, “The phoenix has chosen its partner.”

“I know.” A short and simple reply. Completely disregarding the effects this phenomenon will have on the future. No, maybe the confidence to disregard came from her faith in Him. For even if she was just a pawn, he still took care of her, as one would of their pet.

But he didn’t have that same faith. He couldn’t, at least not in Him. So, he banged his hand on the table, making it explode. “That guy is a lecher, a pervert, a… a degenerate of the worst kind. Why should he be given such power? Is there any guarantee he won’t misuse it?”

Creeakkk!!! The chair turned, revealing a woman of breath-taking beauty. Long black hair flowed down her back, straight and silky-smooth. Her eyes radiated wisdom, with a bit of arrogance. Her skin was smooth and blemish-free. A voluptuous yet fit figure, she was bound to turn heads wherever she went. Even the man sucked in a deep breath looking at her. So low had the gods fallen! Smirking proudly, the woman questioned, “Finally lost your cool after so many millenniums, huh Vishnu?”