Ten Thousand Year War - Chap 1

"Once you do your cool down stretches you can go take a bath in the basement hot pools." He looked on proudly as the three boys did the Pilates Muscle Stretches. Even devoid of any muscle or speed enhancements he could still knock these young pups on their arses. He grinned ruefully, thinking, that will change with size and skill.

Once they were done they raced away, seeing who would be the first one to the pools. Michael and Arthur were tied in the lead with Gabriel way behind. The two older brothers jostled and pushed each other trying to get the upper hand, until Gabriel swept by, just a small blur, barely visible against the setting sun. Michael and Arthur laughed and slowed down, just jogging now instead of running flat out. Arthur laughed again and said, "He always was a fast little bugger. Now, with the enhancements, he's a speed demon." He looked over to Michael, the older brother. "Why do you suppose Dad's given us these genetic upgrades? I mean, what's the point."

Michael, always a serious and somber young man, brushed a stray lock of long white hair away from his face. It was forever escaping his silver clasp. "I don't know, maybe so we're better able to protect ourselves?" he thought out loud. "Why not wait until the meeting at Dad's study. You can ask him then. So how do you like your enhancements?"

For an answer Arthur sped up and veered off to the side where there was a small grassy slope. He dashed up the slope and, at the top, jumped off and shot 20 feet in the air, screaming in exhilaration the entire way down. As he came back down, he rolled into a tumble and sprawled, spread eagled.

Michael shook his head in discontent and slowed down beside his impetuous young brother. "This is not what Dad gave us these enhancements for!" he said stiffly.

Still sprawled all over the ground, Arthur laughed. "Lighten up, Bro. We're young, have fun!"

Arthur slowly pushed himself back up and they started to jog once more. A few moments later, they crested a hill and saw the Paen'Dragaan Estates with Gabriel sitting on the bottom of the main entrance steps, lazily waving with a smirk on his face.

Magnus sat at his mahogany desk fiddling with a print-out of the message that David had sent him.

"Damn!" He thrust the print out onto the desk and leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes. As Magnus scanned over the print-out, he memorized his instructions: Bring the family with him, Translocate to Akaari and bring the Eolith crystal. God, what a time for this to happen. Just when things were starting to look up.

Magnus opened his eyes and sat up straight as the three boys entered the study. Sitting behind the desk Magnus nodded his head in greeting. "Boys, I am afraid I have some grievous news." He took a deep breath and blew it out soundlessly. "Arix was murdered yesterday."

"What!?" Michael took a step forward from surprise. "How?, Who?" he demanded.

Magnus held up his hand. "It was an assassin with a rifle. Apparently David was showing some diplomats from Troy around the city and he had Arix with him. The assassin evidently figured out his route and set up a trap. The Council is not sure whether it was Arix himself the assassin was after, or David, but we should be glad that both of them did not die. Just after the shot was fired, David tried to bring Arix to cover before he realized he was dead.