Love's Dark Legacy

|Side quests

Javero was one of those friends that you didn't see out on weekends you'd just see him at school, he was pretty picky with who he hung out with. Even though he got along with everyone, no one really knew anything about him but for some reason he knew everything about everyone. His excuse for not hanging out with others is that he went to another city on weekends. Plus he'd post his trips occasionally, and he seemed to be more comfortable with the older crowd.

Javero leaned back against his bed, his mid-length curly hair falling over his face as he scrolled through his phone. A playlist of old-school jazz filled the room, the gentle rhythm matching his chilled-out vibe. His room was a reflection of who he was: art sprawled on the walls, crystals scattered across the desk, books on everything from science to spirituality stacked messily in the corner. He could sell those books for a fortune considering books are rare now, but books on spirituality was rare in his father's library.

He paused for a moment, staring at the latest meme Celia had sent him. He chuckled and typed back, " no way u actually found this funny"

Her response was immediate: "At least my humor isn't from 2016, Javero. Pick me up in 10. We're going out."

Javero grinned and jumped up from the bed. He tossed on a pair of ripped jeans, his favorite vintage band tee, and grabbed his jacket before heading downstairs. His mom was already waiting for him in the kitchen, sipping on her coffee. She was an enigmatic woman—elegant, with an ageless beauty that made her look as if she'd stepped out of a classic movie. Her red scarf fluttered softly in the breeze from the open window, matching the crimson lipstick she always wore.

"Off with Celia again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smirk.

He had no idea why his mom kept hinting a relationship with Celia on him. He wasn't at all attracted to Celia, though he was bi-sexual and she was fun and obviously beautiful he just didn't see her that way, even though people told him a million times Celia had a crush on him, he just thought they were saying stuff for the sake of saying it. He sometimes wondered if he was asexual or something of the sorts, as soon as someone did something that he didn't like he would instantly tick them off his list.

"Yeah mom." Javero rolled his eyes smirked back. "I'll be back later, okay?"

"Stay safe," his mom said, her voice carrying a warmth that was almost hypnotic. She reached over and gently touched his cheek, a gesture she often did but never explained. There was something in the way she looked at him, almost as if she was seeing a future he couldn't comprehend yet.

Javero shrugged it off, kissed her cheek, and headed out the door. As he stepped onto the sidewalk, his phone buzzed. It was an unknown number. He knew who it was before he even answered.

"Dad."

"Javero." The voice on the other end was deep and commanding, yet oddly soothing, like the rumble of a distant storm. "How's your training coming along? Have you been preparing?"

"I've been doing what you asked," Javero replied, his voice more serious now. "you know I'm not a puppet, right?"

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a low chuckle "don't forget, your role in all of this is bigger than you know."

Javero rolled his eyes. His father always spoke in riddles, and it was exhausting. "Yeah, yeah. I'll call you later."

He hung up just as Celia pulled up in her sleek black car, music blasting so loud it made the pavement vibrate. She grinned, leaning out the window. "What are u waiting on? get inn!"

Javero jumped into the passenger seat, and within minutes, they were speeding through the city, the wind whipping through his hair. Celia's laughter was infectious, and Javero found himself grinning despite himself.

Celia was quieter than usual though and it made him a little uncomfortable.

"Where are u dragging me off too should I call my mom I'm kinda scared ?" he asked, leaning back and letting the music fill his head.

Celia glanced over, her eyes sparkling with mischief." Ughh, please . Found a new place down the street Apparently, they play a mix of dancehall and Afrobeat on Saturdays. You in?"

Javero knew dancehall was Herculeana's thing, why was she suddenly interested in dancehall now?

"I'm not interested in dancehall music Celia," he rolled his eyes and teased. She was suddenly silent again.

Maybe there was something going on with her and Herculeana he thought, this trip seemed like one they Celia would bring her to but he guessed he'd just be nice since their might be something going on between them.

---

The night was alive with energy. The place Celia brought him to was vibrant, with neon lights flickering against graffiti-covered walls. The DJ was already spinning tracks, and the crowd moved to the heavy bass, completely lost in the music. Javero could feel the beat vibrating through his chest, the rhythm tugging at something deep within him.

Celia was standing at the bar drinking, Javero knew it was now time to worry. He pulled her hands and the went outside where it was quiet.

"What the fuck is going on with you babe?" he asked

She looked down "nothing's wrong"

He squinted his eyes " did you and Herculeana stopped talking orrr?"

She looked up quickly "nooo what??" Nothing Jav I'm just... you know..."

"You know...."

"You knowww...." She mocked

He smiled a warm smile  at her, her cheeks started flaring up and she turned away.

. "So, are you ever going to tell me what's going on with you?"

Javero blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. "What do you mean?"

Celia shrugged. "I don't know. You just seem... I don't know, like there's something you're not telling me. You've been acting weird lately."

Javero hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. He trusted Celia, more than anyone at the school even the city , but some things were just too big to say out loud.

"It's just family stuff," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "You know how it is."

Celia eyed him for a moment, then let it go. "And you're upset at me for not opening up

He chuckled "it's not the same Celia,"

"Whatever,"

Javero smiled, grateful for her easy-going nature. That was the thing about Celia—she never pushed too hard. She just let things be, which was exactly what he needed.

---

Later that night, as Javero lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming. His father's words echoed in his mind: *Your role in all of this is bigger than you know.*

Javero knew he wasn't like everyone else. He'd always been different—more attuned to the world around him, more aware of the energy that flowed through every person, every object, every moment. But what his father wanted from him, what this "role" was supposed to be, he still wasn't sure.

He glanced at his phone, debating whether to text Celia again. But then he smiled, shaking his head. Tomorrow was another day, another adventure. For now, he'd just let the rhythm of the night carry him into sleep.