Chapter One

“James, what are you doing today?” Luke asked a much shorter person, he had a pale shade of mint for hair and his eyes were a smoldering orange. Luke was much taller but definitely not as intimidating, Luke never really liked fights but James did. James would get into fights for no reason but to test himself, yet he never got into fights with Luke or his brother Henry. 

“No, I’m free today. Why?”his voice was crisp and smooth as he continued to read the book in hand 

“I was just curious, you and Henry never go anywhere.” he teased as he read the title of the book the shorter person was reading; Lost Hope it was his favorite book. 

“You should go out tonight!” Luke tried to suggest but James didn’t even look up from the book he was reading 

“You don’t have to try and get me to go out every  single night” James spoke with an annoyed laugh. 

“Oh come on you never even leave the house!” Luke barked back as he kneeled down next to James to get on his eye level.

“Just one time?” Luke pleaded as he lowered the book James was reading, Jmaes looked at Luke, his gaze felt like hot metal, a stark contrast to his own icy blue stare.

“Fine, one time” James growled in defeat. 

“Great! I’ll see you at my house at 5:00 sharp. Don’t be late!” Luke jumped up triumphantly, as James went back to reading his book. James was Luke's best friend and one of his only friends, Henry was also a good friend but he was really shy. Luke started his way back home with a successful plan laid out, him, Henry and James would go to  the  local japanese restaurant; The Jade Place then they would order the food and while they wait James can finally relax. James has been working for three days straight on some game he made. James called it; Project Atheina the greek goddess of wisdom. 

Luke opened the door to his apartment and looked around the empty house, he had just moved in so he had no furniture other than a bed. Henry and James have never seen the inside of his house and he was glad they hadn't. They were both very wealthy and James could barely afford the house he was in. Henry was the leader in one of the most technologically advanced gaming companies and James designed games for that company. Luke was just a pet store owner, he loved his job but he could barely afford rent let alone food...food!...′How am I going to pay for Henry and James's food!‵ Luke thought as he searched his pockets until finding his wallet. 68.50..that might be enough for two people. ′I suppose I won’t eat..‵ he thought as he heard his stomach growl. 

“Well if I’m not going to eat there might as well get something here”he thought aloud searching through the cupboards. Hours have passed since he found some bread and jelly. Luke was just waiting at this point, yet no one was there, it was already 5:00 but he would wait 45 more minutes. Time went on and it was already  6:59, had James forgotten? He would ask tomorrow in class but right now he just wanted to relax. Morning came and Luke was ready to confront James as he got ready for work, James walked to the pet store humming as he went he tripped on the sidewalk into the road. Luke closed his eyes tight as headlights blinded his vision but he didn't feel any pain other than from where he fell, he slowly opened his eyes to see James with him on the street. Did  James just save him? How, when did he get there and how did he get me in time. The thoughts flooded Lukes mind as he looked up at the smaller person, 

“You were late.” He finally spoke bitterly remembering being left alone last night 

“Are we really going to do this in the middle of the street” James said as his eyes darted from person to person watching them 

“Yes! I deserve an explanation” Luke demanded getting up out of James’s grasp 

“Fine fine but don’t yell” James spoke with a gentleness, “first we should get out of here.” 

“Alright let’s go to the pet store we can talk while I work” Luke suggested as he stared on his way, James followed closely behind

“Hey Luke” James pestered as they continued on the path,“How well do you know mythology ” the question seemed so random  

“Not a lot, why” James watched Luke closely and was just about to speak when they reached the pet store 

“So this is where you work?” James asked looking around the shop and at all the animals 

“Yeah, it’s a really fun job but not alot of people come around anymore” Luke replied flipping the sign to open, “now how did you get me out of the road so fast?” Luke questioned in a much more serious tone, the room went silent as James thought of a way to explain what had happened

“Luke, some things are better left unexplained.” He finally spoke only half joking 

“Well you owe me an explanation!” Luke barcked back 

“You wouldn't understand.” James spoke sharply with a glare 

“Oh come on! I am not as ignorant as you think!” Luke snapped as while grabbing a broom

“Besides, what is the worst you could tell me?” He continued  

“Luke you are not ready to learn” James warned as Luke started to clean 

“Fine then, I’ll ask Henry” Luke spoke smugly but, as soon as Henry’s name left Luke's lips he was pinned up against the wall of the store with lightning fast movement 

“Don’t you even think about bringing Henry into this” he growled and then let him go 

“What the hell!” Luke jumped as he watched the smaller yet much stronger James glare at him, he was acting very different then normal, he was acting much more animalistic and almost primal, 

“James, what has gotten into you?” Luke demanded an answer but was met with silence. 

“Fine..don’t answer” He spat back as he started to clean again. 

“Luke, wait” James hissed as he grabbed Luke’s wrist tightly, “I’ll tell you but not now..not here” Luke was acting very different from his normal calm and cool demenore, he was acting much more concealed and worried. 

“Okay. Now please let go of my hand” Luke continued as James released him, this was the only time James had ever touched him, something must be wrong but what could it be? Perhaps it had something to do with his speed or strength. Luke continued to question James and his worries, yet nothing made any sense. Then Luke remembered how he was blown off  by James just last night, he had not yet got his explanation so he walked up to him and spoke 

“Why didn’t you show up for dinner last night?” His voice was sharp and metallic. But his postier was playful.

“You're really hung up about that now aren't you?” James teased as he was playing with the dogs 

“Well you have been avoiding the question all day!” Luke retorted as he sat down with James

“If you must know, I got caught up in work.” Luke's eyes were  hazy as he looked around the store, he looked everywhere except at James, until James stood up and began to leave Luke caught a glimpse of his eyes, were they always so bright? He thought as he got up as well and went behind the shop counter waiting for the customers. After work he pondered on what James was doing, and how James knew where he was this morning, he didn’t text or say anything, and it was not a coincidence that he just appeared. He went on about all the weird things revolving around James while walking down the street, not paying any mind to them, but as he was muttering to himself he bumped into someone, a much taller hooded figure, he got a small glips under the hood and what he saw horrified him, a man with horns and bright red eyes, he looked like a demon! Luke stumbled back as the man began to run across the street with almost inhuman speeds. James was in utter disbelief, what the hell was that! Was it real? No, that was just a custom, he told himself, he knew that demons were not real, so what was he worrying about. Luke kept walking to his apartment careful of anything that seemed out of place, but the more he looked for odd things the less he saw. Luke finally after what seemed like hours made it back to his house, yet something was off. A light shined just below the door, 

“What the-” Luke muttered under his breath as his hand reached for the door knob almost as if he didn’t have a choice he opened the door and a bright blue and yellow light consumed his vision and he fell unconscious. Days passed while he was unconscious but he finally awoke, when he woke up he was in a very traditional japanese hut, the walls were made from bamboo as the floor was a lavesh red silk. Luke was then startled as he saw two people behind a curtain to what seemed to be a courtyard , their faces obscured, yet the outline was odd. It had seemed as if they weren’t entirely human. Then the figures went inside and were in utter disbelief that Luke was awake! Luke’s visen was still blurry but he got a glimpse of the two beings, yet he refused to believe what he saw. The being was tall and had eyes that looked just like jade, his skin was pale, almost as if he had never been outside, and his ears were pointed, with hair that was as wite as fresh snow. 

“W-who are you!?” Luke stumbled back tripping over a small table behind him, the second being ran out before Luke got a good idea of what she looked like. 

“I am Yu and I mean no harm I swear” Yu spoke softly, his eyes were kind and his smile was inviting but Luke felt cold in his presence. Almost like a winter evening just after a blizzard.  Luke studied the being now that his sight has returned, he wore a wite and light blue kimono  with snowflakes embroidered onto the bottom left of the outfit. Luke had never seen anything like this before it was 

“You are Luke, correct?”The man then looked over to the table that Luke was up against, he walked over and flipped the table back over, as he passed by Luke, he felt the cold grow almost like he was touching ice. 

“What are you!?” Luke asked as he backed away even more

“Well I am a spirit” He said gleefully with a smile, Luke’s eyes were fixated on the spirit, he felt almost mesmerized, even just standing there Yu was elegant and graceful, his eyes kind and his smile warm.

“H-how do you know my name?” Luke struggled to speak as he too stood up but before the spirit could speak another being run through the doors and stopped in front of Luke and Yu, he had a pale shade of mint for hair and smoldering orange eyes, just like James but he had scales that were a deep crimson, he wore a bright red knee length shirt with gold threading on the bottom, with gilded cuffs along with a scepter he held tightly, it was solid gold and had the image of scarbs engraved on the handel. He ran up to Luke with insane speeds and studied him for a while before speaking

“Are you injured!?” He demanded as his eyes darted around the room and falling upon Yu.

“He is fine James, yet I would be careful not to startle him” Yu spoke with a careful yet stern voice, his face was still soft and inviting which only confused Luke even more. 

“What is going on, is this some kind of joke!?”Luke blurted out without thinking, yet he continued to rant “Where am I!?” he demanded as he shot up, Luke knew this had to be a joke there are no such things as spirits, or ghosts, or demons! Luke looked over at Yu then back at James. “Where is the exit!” Luke demand, having enough of this little game. 

“That would be useful now would it not..” James spoke solemnly as he looked back at Luke

“What does that mean!?” Luke was now worried and felt a twinge of doubt from his earlier accusation.

“There is no exit from the spirit world Luke..” Luke then stumbled back until he hit the back of the wall.

“A-am I dead!” Luke finally spat out with a quivering voice and shaky hands. 

“No no, well kinda” Luke said in a joking manner, trying to downplay the severity of the situation “You are in the spirit world yet you have not died, I don’t know how but I shall find out” Yu spoke up in a much more serious voice his eyes were narrow and his muscles tensed, “I must say this is the first time this has ever happened but I will get you back to the mortal plane” he looked so different now, his voice his poster and his tone all changed in an instant. Luke felt intimidated by this unexpected shift in aura, like he had just met three different people all at once. Luke then looked around the room, everything was written in symbols that he couldn't read. They looked so neat and detailed, so hypnotic..Luke could hear Yu and James talking but he paid them no mind and studied the symbols, until a loud bang!  Echoed throughout the room. It sounded like someone or something  fell. The two others stopped talking as well and tension spread through the air like a sickness.

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