Tierra: The Downfall [Book Two]

Chapter III - Kaiden

Kaiden waited at the corner to cross the busy road. His little sister, Pacific was next to him, jumping up and down. He sighed as she rambled off about her day. She was a very hyper twelve year old. And Kaiden was a very quiet sixteen.

Kaiden looked towards Serena, his best friend, who wasn't neither quiet or hyper. But she was always happy and Kaiden was glad to have her as a friend and nothing more. The two grew up as neighbours and were pretty much brother and sister.

The cars stopped and the trio crossed onto the side walk and begun the walk home, which never took long.

"Pacific, if you keep jumping onto the road, you will get hit." Kaiden heard Serena warn the younger girl.

"No I won't. This street is quiet, I'm fine." Pacific replied.

"Yeah," Kaiden started. "But doesn't mean a car turning around the corner will see you. Get back on the sidewalk."

"Okay Kaiden." The dirty blonde girl sighed before joining Kaiden and Serena.

Kaiden and Pacific didn't look all that alike. He had brown hair that wasn't light and wasn't dark. It was just brown, while she had a mix of blonde and brown coloured hair. Pacific had freckles and dimples, and Kaiden didn't. They only thing they shared was their green eyes. Which was nothing special. To Kaiden at lest.

Serena though, chocolate brown hair with a blonde ombre to go with her blue eyes. Her nose was decorated with light freckles. Back when Kaiden and Serena were thirteen, she was going through some self esteem issues. Kaiden reminded her often that she was beautiful. And she was.

But Kaiden saw her as a sister and a friend, nothing more.

They reached their houses and went their separate ways. Nothing excited happened for the rest of the day. Serena's family came over for their normal Friday supper gatherings.

The weekend was quiet too. Nothing ever happened where Kaiden lived. Everything was boring and nothing was terribly new. Normal expansions were made, houses and businesses. Nothing else.

Monday rolled by and school was back up. Kaiden, Serena, and Pacific, all walked together to the school that was K-12. It was the only school in town since the town was so small with one busy street since that was the highway.

Kaiden sat down in his first period maths class. Serena sat next to him and turned towards him. "I'm starting to think that Uno isn't always a friendly game." She smiled.

Friday night were also Uno night. And it never ended that great. The families were great friends, so cheating was to be expected. But it was always fun.

"Not when our families play." Kaiden answered. "But that's the only thing that happens around here."

"What do you mean?" Serena asked.

"I mean nothing happens. It's the same every day. Wake up, go to school, go home, go to sleep. I wish something would happen." Kaiden complained.

"We're juniors now. Two more years then we can leave this place! Go to New York! California! Boston! Anywhere we want to go!" Serena exclaimed.

Kaiden sighed. "Not for two years though."

Serena frowned. "Okay, fine. We'll suffer two years then you and I are off to see the world!"

Kaiden was about to answer to her proposal when the teacher interrupted him. "The only way you'll be able to see the world Miss Serena is if you can pass high school."

Serena gave the teacher a sheepish grin then class started.

Kaiden thought about what Serena said about seeing the world. It would be cool, but expensive. And he was only working part time at minimum wage, that wasn't getting him any close since he had to pay for his phone.

School ended eight hours later and Kaiden and Serena waited for Pacific to come so they could leave. "Have you thought about it? Seeing the world?" Serena asked.

"I don't know Ser," Kaiden answered. "It would be great, but sadly we lack the money to do so."

Serena huffed. "Dream killer."

"I'm sorry, just stating the facts." Kaiden looked at her and they smiled at each other.

Soon Pacific came and they were off again, just for the cycle to repeat again.

As they were walking, something caused Kaiden to stop. He frowned at the weird feeling. Serena glanced at him, "What?"

"Nothing." He lied then was about to start walking when a bright light appeared in the air above them.

It looked like a rip in the air, but it was hard to tell with the bright light. "What is that Kaiden?" Pacific asked her older brother.

"I don't know!" He replied.

"Looks like a portal, but that isn't possible!" Serena exclaimed as wind was blowing hard on them.

The wind didn't feel like normal Earth wind. It had something in it that made it feel unworldly. Before Kaiden could fully register the weird feeling, the three of them were lifted into the air and pulled into the what Serena had called a portal.

Bright lights were everywhere and Kaiden felt some sort of power go through his chest and spreading through out his body. He felt a rush of joy as the power spread out. He felt more powerful, and adrenaline took over at the sudden change.

Soon the lights faded and they were falling through the air. Kaiden heard Pacific scream and he grabbed her arm. He pulled her into his arms. He turned in the air so his back was to the ground, making sure Pacific wouldn't get hurt.

They landed on a hill with out injuries. Pacific was first to her feet and Kaiden just sat up. "Everyone okay?"

"Yeah..." He heard Serena answer as he looked over at her. "But, where are we?"

"I don't know Ser. Pacific? You okay?" Kaiden looked at his sister.

"Kaiden! Look! A cute little village! Isn't it adorable?"

Kaiden turned to what his sister was getting all hyped up about. There was a forest and along it's edge was a small village. He looked up and saw it was noon. Looking back at the village, he could see the people walking around, but rather quickly.

Serena came up beside Kaiden. "They look scared. Of course, it's hard to tell from up here. Let's go down and find out where we are and why."

"What? They could be hostile." Kaiden stood up quickly. "It's too dangerous."

"It won't hurt to ask. Maybe they know how we can get home." Serena said, walking down the hill.

Kaiden groaned as Pacific joined Serena.