The Relative

Chapter 19 - Warnings

I traveled nonstop to get to the mansion. It took me over a week on foot to get there, but I did. I reached the mansion, alone, tired, hungry, and grieved. "Aunt Lucy! Kiera! Jason! Zaria!" I called over and over as I walked towards the house, ready to drop any minute. The door to the blue house opened, and out came Jason. "SAM!" He ran towards me, followed by Aunt Lucy. I smiled, continuing to walk, not having the energy to run. Just before Jason reached me, my body gave way and I fell. My eyes closed on the sight of Jason's worried face.

I awoke in my bedroom, Jason, Zaria, and Aunt Lucy at my bedside. "Hi." I said. "Oh Sam!" Zaria enveloped me in a hug as well as she could. I smiled, happy to be home. "You were dehydrated and thin from not eating. You have major scars on your chest and side. What happened to you?!" Aunt Lucy exclaimed. I told her everything, fighting the Celestial, the Boons, Omega, and finally Mark. "We'll hold a ceremony in his honor. He was a worthy Beginning." Aunt Lucy said solemnly. "He saved my life, twice. I have more to thank him for than anyone."

It took me over two weeks to fully recover, missing Mark's funeral. I hadn't realized how much traveling by yourself and carrying grief could do to you. Once I was able to begin to practice to fight again, I was finally able to tell Aunt Lucy even more about Omega that I didn't want Jason and Zaria to know. "Aunt Lucy!" I called. "I need to talk to you."

"Omega is more than the person who killed Mark. He's a Being and he controls the Beginnings who didn't do well in their previous lives but didn't do bad either." Aunt Lucy put her hand up, stopping me. "He's not a Being. He's one of the first Beginnings given power over a portion of the dead. He was one of the most courageous Beginning's in the war against the Followers. The Beings rewarded him with power over dead. His reward was that position, but he now uses it for evil. He controls those who have been placed in his 'care'." I was surprised. Not only did Omega lie to us, but was keeping us as, practically, slaves. "Aunt Lucy he wants to know where the mansion is. He kept killing Mark's girlfriend and my 'parents' over and over to do it. He'll stop at nothing to get the answer." I paused, waiting for her response. "We'll have to all train even more now." "Why do you think he wants it?" I asked, curious. She turned to me, a grave expression on her face. "To grow who he controls to fight the Beings for more power."

Later that night, Aunt Lucy called an emergency meeting. "Beginnings alike. Today it has been brought to my attention that we must be on our guard and train fervently. A powerful Beginning wants to find us and will do anything to do so. No one leaves the mansion without permission lest we run into him. Tomorrow morning, we will advance to war training and take up patrols so we will be ready for him." Everyone in the crowd nodded in agreement. "Curfew is now ten o'clock, we have a full day of training tomorrow and I need you all fully rested. You are dismissed."

"Hey Sam! Wait up!" Jason called after me. I turned around to find him bounding after me, zipping his way through what was left of the crowd. "Hey." I said calmly, smiling. "Can I ask you something?" He said, walking with me. I nodded. "What was it like, living with your parents again?" That made me somber. "Oh, sorry for asking." "No it's okay. It's just, they weren't really my parents. They were shape shifters pretending to be them." I said quietly. "I never actually got them back. They're in a different place than Destiny Films, a better place. Which is good to know since they're not being ruled by Omega." I added. Jason smiled, "Well I'm glad you're back safe and sound." Jason hugged me before running off, leaving me with a warm soft feeling inside.