Time-Locked: A Journal of Irony & the 11th Soul

My Life, Family, and Recruits

"Normal is overrated."

That's what I had to tell myself. Because if I start wanting it too much, I might just go crazy realizing I'll never have it.

Some people run from normal. Me? I chase after it like it's some rare, endangered species. But normal always slips through my fingers, leaving me with homework, irony, and chaos.

...~•~...

If someone were to look in through my bedroom door right now, they'd think my life was... normal. Predictable, even.

There I was, finishing my class notes and struggling through homework. On my loaf bed, my younger sister, Lovely, was lounging on my bed with her laptop, her fingers moving fast as she edited another video for her social media. Every few minutes, she'd pause to engage with her followers on her phone, tossing out comments like, "Oh my gosh, guys, you're all so sweet! Anyway, here's a sneak peek at my next project... Any guesses?"

Meanwhile, Mira was sprawled beside her, sketchbook open, kicking her legs as she scribbled something dramatic in neon gel pen. Every so often, she'd glance at my sister with admiration practically sparkling in her eyes. "You're so cool," — "How do you do all that so fast?"

My sister smirked, barely looking up. "It's a talent, kid."

Mira nodded seriously, like she was taking notes.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, the topic of D'Colours Tour came up.

"You have to come," my sister insisted, her eyes gleaming as she spun her phone around to show me yet another ad for the upcoming concert. "It's literally a once-in-a-lifetime thing! Their first tour ever! They're playing in LA and it's gonna be 💥."

"Your sister is going? We can barely get our sister to talk to more people." one of her friends chirped from the other side of our video call. "I think if Melody comes, maybe... We can make Harmony tag along."

Melody: "You can try that twins, but I'm not going." — "I'm on Harmony's side for this matter." — "And... You three sound and look way too prepared."

"We're already saving up for the tickets. Part-time jobs and everything."

I stared at them blankly. "Girls, you already have money. More money than I ever had."

Lovely: "It's the principle of it."

Melody: "You mean the principle of getting paid to hang out at a restaurant they own?"

...~•~...

The twins— Rosemary & Primrose

They're the twin younger sisters of one of my recruits, Harmony.

Their parents own some of the most successful restaurants and these three bestfriends are having "Part-time jobs" there *sighs* they probably just wanna hang out.

Lovely, Mary, and Prim are bestfriends since forever. Shouldn't be surprised... because until this day, our fathers are an inseparable infuriating ridiculous yet deadly duo.

...~•~...

She gasped. "It's called work experience!"

Melody: "Yeah. Rich kids 'working' for fun." — "You just wanna hangout more, admit it..."

Lovely: "NO" — "...maybe."

And then, just like that, we heard the front door opened.

Our parents are home.

Mom, in her usual work attire, a sure sign that her shift at the hospital had been long. Dad, taking my mom's things and putting it away for her, before walking to the couch. He looks more exhausted than usual. Normal parents, coming home from work.

Except...

"Dad, you look like you just wrestled a sea monster," I told him as he dropped onto the couch with a sigh.

He smirked. "Close. Just a ship full of drugs."

Before I could comment, the doorbell rang. Mira's mom was here to pick her up.

"Mommy!!" she ran for a hug, typical Mira you know.

"Hey, baby!"

"Where's Daddy?" Mira asked, as her mom slips her into her jacket.

"Still in a meeting at campus." her mom answered smoothly.

Mira huffed. "What took you so long, mommy?"

Her mom just smiled, zipping up Mira's jacket. "Well, baby, some ships aren't meant to be left sailing." She stood, smoothing down her sleeves. "Let's go pick your sister up from daycare."

Mira grinned. "Okay!" — "Bye Melody! Lovely! Auntie K-sya! Uncle Skip! Bye-bye everyone! Thank you!"

"Bye-bye, Mimi! Until next time!"

Mira: "Oh, oh! Mommy, guess what? Today we—"

Her excited chatter faded as they stepped out the door.

I turned back to my dad, who was sipping another cup of coffee like he hadn't just taken down a criminal operation at sea. My mom was already in the kitchen, heating up leftovers.

A normal night.

As normal as it could be.

...~•~...

Dinner at our house always looks normal.

Well—mostly normal.

Mom is tired but still checking on us between bites, reminding my sister to put her phone down and finish her food first. Lovely was scrolling through her phone, probably replying comments or DM's or whatever. Dad, fresh from whatever ridiculous case he just wrapped up, is already halfway through his plate like he hasn't eaten in days.

And me? I'm rushing through my dinner like I'm in some kind of speed-eating competition.

"Sweetheart, chew," Mom says without even looking up. "Did you forgot about something, again?"

I swallow (barely). "I forgot it's Sunday, mom. In my head it's still Saturday. That means the report meeting is tonight—And wether Winter is approved or not is coming out tonight too, and I..."

Mom sighs, setting her fork down. She always worries. "At least drink something before you go?"

Dad, on the other hand, hypes me up... Always. "Atta girl, go run your empire."

"I'll try not to cause an interdimensional crisis this time."

I grab my grandpa's book before heading out. It looks ordinary enough—worn leather, a little heavy, something no one would think twice about. But when I open it, my world changes.

Because in the blink of an eye, I'm back at Aetherwynn.

...~•~...

The moment my boots hit the polished stone floor of my castle, I'm already on the move.

A pair of armored centaurs stationed near the throne room bow their heads. "Welcome back, Majesty."

I nod in return. "Good to be back."

I past the bustling halls—until I reach my study.

And inside, waiting in the center of the room like she owns the place, is Symphony.

Lounging lazily on my desk with her tail flicking. "About time, Sweetheart."

"Have we received all the reports?"

She stretches, ears twitching. "Yes, I arranged them neatly on your desk. You're welcome."

I glance at the absolute pile of papers. Neatly stacked, sure.

"You're the best."

"I know."

The report meeting is in 15 minutes. Reviewing all of this before then?

Good luck me.

...~•~...

The connection stabilizes. One by one, the glowing symbols in front of me flicker to life, forming seven windows. Their faces appear—some clearer than others, depending on their connection strength.

Ixora: "Alright, let's do a quick signal check."

Kyle: "Loud and clear."

Ixora: "Nice." — "Everyone else? Miles?"

Miles: "Over here!" 👋🏻

Ixora: "Good." — "Now... Girls?"

Arika: "Connection stable." (Hair tucked neatly behind her ear with a purple headband on)

Harmony: "Same here." (pulling her baggy sleeves up before putting her hair up in a claw clip)

Summer: "No complaints." (Adjusting and multiple checking her camera)

Ixora: "Alright, now... Brothers?"

"Not brothers." a boy quickly protested.

Ixora: "Cousin... Brothers?"

"I hate being referred with him like that."

Ixora: "Sounds like your signal is fine, Parker."

Edward: "Sure whatever."

Ixora: "Eric? You there?"

Eric: "Yes." (But his screen is just static—Again)

Miles: "I see grey ants. Where's your face?"

Eric: "I'm— work—ing on... it—" his voice glitches.

Ixora: "It's fine, just listen in." — "Okay, everyone in?"

The others confirm, some nodding, some giving a thumbs-up.

Ixora: "I've reviewed the reports from your supervisors. You're all improving at your own pace, and I've compiled the feedback." — "I'll send the updates to your books now."

Ixora: "Please do me the honor, Charbub."

...~•~...

Charbub is a Scorchlet, a tiny fire lizard with more enthusiasm than sense. Barely the size of my palm, his tail sparking every time he got excited—which was often.

I held out the paper, and the moment it touched his snout, a brilliant blue fire ignited. Within seconds, the ashes turned into a spiraling ember before vanishing into the air. Gone. Delivered.

Charbub then chirped, a crackling sound like firewood, and wiggled his tail.

I had a feeling he'd demand extra snacks for this one.

...~•~...

The enchanted books beside them glows as new information inscribes itself in flowing script. "Done," I announce. "Check your books for updates."

...~•~...

Ixora: "Before we continue... Any questions?"

Most of them shake their heads, already flipping through their books, but then—

Miles: "Uh, yeah." — "Why is my book... falling apart?" — "You see... It's getting worse."

I looked at the book in his hands, its pages... Aren't hanging on, the pages are loose and fluttering to the ground. Ah.

"Because you represent Honesty, Miles." I explain.

He blinks. "Okay...?" — "Honesty, I get it. What I don't get is... Uh... what do I do? Do I just let it fall?"

Ixora: "No, you... Miles, are too honest. You have absolutely no filter." — "Your book reflects that."

Miles: "But honesty is good, right?" — "Papa told me to be honest." — "So I do not do lie."

Ixora: "Of course! But when you blurt out things like— 'you look 5 moths pregnant today' or 'It's okay, your cooking isn't the worst in the world, just the worse I've ever eaten' —it, um... tears at the structure a little."

Miles: "Oh..." (looks down at the barely held-together book) "So, what, I have to lie?" — "I don't wanna lie."

Ixora: "No, you just need to learn how to be honest without destroying everything in your path."

Before he can process that, another voice cuts in—frustrated, as usual.

Edward: "Okay, but my book barely even opens," — "Like, seriously, I won't even worry about damaging it—I might lose fingers trying to pry this thing apart."

"Yours is Peace, Parker." I say simply. "Remember?"

Edward Parker visibly recoils. "What?!"

I nod. "Peace."

Edward: "I was told, but no one told me—Why the HELL am I Peace?!" (looks personally offended)

Ixora: "You tell me," — "You have massive anger issues, you hate working in a team—"

Edward: "Okay, okay, princess, I get it!" he snaps, gripping his book tightly. "Still, PEACE?" — "That's such stupid nonsense! Why can't I be given something better?"

Ixora: "What's better than peace?"

He opens his mouth—then groans, rubbing his face. "Ugh, I don't know! Something useful!"

I lean back, "You say that like peace is useless. But as much as you don't seem peaceful, you don't start chaos—you end it." — "That's quite useful and nice I'd say..."

Miles: "He ends it harshly." (^-^)

Edward: "Shut up, kid!"

Miles: "Why??"

Kyle: "Guys enough. Please."

Edward stays quiet, still glaring. Miles still wondering what did he do wrong?? And I continue.

Ixora: "Parker, you protect your own peace," — "I mean, yeah, you do that by isolating yourself. But still, that's a form of it."

Miles: "And by cursing people." — "What...?? He curses me."

Edward: "STFU!!"

Miles: "See?"

And again, Kyle tries to calm the situation so I can continue.

"So if you look at it from another angle, peace is in you, Parker. Your way of handling things is... unconventional, sure, but it's there."

Edward: "So what? I have to change into someone I'm not?"

Ixora: "No." — "It's about unlocking your true self. And that takes time."

He exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Sounds like another complete bullshit."

Ixora: "Probably," — "But that doesn't mean it's completely wrong."

He doesn't argue further. But he does glares at his book like it personally betrayed him.

Ixora: "If you think your book is ironic..." — "Take your cousin Eric over here." — "He's the representative of Love isn't he?"

Edward: "Yeah, real fitting." (sarcastically)

...~•~...

Ixora: "You look at him, and the last thing you'd think is Love, right? But despite all that intimidating brick wall facade, he's basically Mother Nature. He loves and looks after people & things without making a show of it. Just because he doesn't look like a sweet cupid or something doesn't mean Love isn't there."

Eric just stayed quiet and looks away.

Ixora: "It's not about what you seem to be. It's about what's actually inside you—even if you don't see it yet."

Edward: "Yeah, great speech." — "Still don't like it."

Ixora: "We all know you don't like it, Parker." — "Live it."

...~•~...

"Before we wrap things up—Winter, you here?"

Winter peeks out from behind her sister's arm, nodding shyly.

I smile. "Good, because I've got something for you."

I hold up the letter, "Straight from the King of Enchanteur."

Murmurs ripple through the group as I break the seal and unfold the letter.

Eric, who has been lounging with his arms crossed the whole time, suddenly sitting up straighter. He briefly looks towards Winter, before he schools his expression back to neutral.

I pretend not to notice.

Clearing my throat, I begin to read.

"Winter Skye, through trial and test, you have proven your heart, your strength, and your worth. It is with this decree that you are recognized and accepted as the next Enchantes. You shall stand alongside your peers, bound by purpose, and in due time, receive the gift that is yours to wield."

A breath of excitement sweeps through the group. Winter's hands tighten around Summer's sleeve, her eyes wide.

Ixora: "The official ceremony—where you'll receive your book, your gift, and be assigned your supervisor—will be held... after midterms."

A collective groan follows.

I lift a brow. "Yeah, I know. School first. We gotta deal with it."

Winter looks stunned, a tiny overwhelmed smile tugging at her lips.

"Congratulations, Winter." I nod at her warmly. "You earned this."

Summer nudges her gently. "Say something, Skye, c'mon..."

Winter: "Uh... Thank you..."

I swear Eric's grip tightens slightly on his arm for a second.

...~•~...

As the group reacts to Winter's announcement, I catch a subtle shift in Kyle's expression. His gaze was on Eric for a second—before his lips press together like he's holding back a laugh.

Oh. Oh, I know that face.

I narrow my eyes slightly. Hello... I'm available... Go on read my mind, c'mon!

Kyle: Didn't you know... Patience is virtue.

Ixora: You found something, didn't you, Kim?

Kyle's smile twitches. Maybe...

Across from him, Arika, our other mind-reader, raises a brow, sensing something is going on. But she keeps her focus, pretending not to notice.

I lean in just slightly. Spill.

Kyle is looking way too pleased with himself.

Kyle: Later.

Ixora: Oh, I see how it is.

I give him a pointed look. Save it for later. But I get the first scoop.

He barely holds back a snicker. Deal.