1 | CHAPTER 1 | A New Beginning | Part 1 | {1}
19 Years
5 Months
3 Days
This was it. After so many years, he [1] would finally discover the truth, one that had continuously evaded him. Gliding his hands over a hard-cover black personal journal. Engraved with the initials A.B.B underneath an emblem crest of The Celtic tree of life or in other terms The Nemeton
Taking in the dented edges, the cracks that cover every inch of the journal, and the fading scent embedded in the pages. This smell…it’s subtly sweet. Taking another whiff of it – It’s…Birch. Recognizing the familiar scent
He grips the cover tightly in his clutches, and his hands began to tremble. But take note, dear readers, he trembled not out of fear, anger, or excitement – A teardrop falls on the cover – but out of loss and sorrow
From the moment he took his breath, his life was destined to be ill-fated.
Since infancy his Uncle had raised him, training him to be an independent, to be ethical individual, to have the heart of a warrior, the wit of a scholar, and most importantly a soul [2]
However, the one thing he never learned… was who HE was. Guising under a fake identity, with no in-depth knowledge of his family, their traditions, or furthermore who They even were. He was a Child of no one. A child clinging to fantastical beliefs
But on this very day, fate has granted him a boon
Balancing the spine of the book in his left palm. Flipping the cover with his free hand, in a hushed tone, he recites slowly “.....Grow forever..…never yield.”
Turning the next page, his movements halted midway as if a sudden jolt of electricity had coursed through his veins, leaving him momentarily stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the object of his fascination with awe.
His hand reaches for the object taking it in his grasp, rubbing the photograph between his fingers, only to reveal that there are not just one but two photo prints, each capturing familial scenes.
One captured a couple in strange garments of black and white, but gathered by the rings each wore on the fourth finger of their left hand, the picture signified the day of matrimony, or in other terms, a wedding ceremony.
The second captures a family of four, with the couple from the previous photo standing behind a pair of children smiling widely from cheek to cheek.
Taking in each detail with a distinctive eye, bringing a painful rare smile to grace his lips, securing the photos back, he then turns to the next page, and he proceeds to read the personal thoughts of his grandfather. An individual some called a demonic being of unimaginable power, or a saint sent from Paradis [3]
But there were many personas that were never expressed openly. Each contributing to the tale
And each and every one of them would be revealed through His journal
The Journal of Aaron B. Blackwood, his grandfather and formerly one of the Thirteen (13) [4]
【ARGENTINA, BUENOS AIRES, 1998】
The full date was SEPTEMBER 18, 1998
The streets were bussing with noises of nature — birds flapping and tweeting in the air — and the streets filled with sounds of people chatting, footsteps, and modern transportation; Cars, trucks, etc. However, within the masses, presently seated in the back seat of a taxi, sat a young lean man
His name was Aaron Blackwood, a well-off man judging by his neat clean attire with thick wavy black hair and unique eye color, that most found unnatural but rare nonetheless.
Underneath his shades, he observes his surroundings, showing insight as well as curiosity about local daily activities, at the sound of children's laughter, adults teasingly bickering amongst themselves, a small smile curved on his face
This halts as the Taxi drivers tread slower, before parking on the sideline, pulling the customer out of their thoughts
“Welp here it is!” Turning over their shoulder, looking through the glass Taxi partition “Calle Castro [5], thirteen.” The Taxi driver exclaims.
“Mhmm.” Expressing acknowledgment at a minimum degree
Checking the Taxi meter, he then calculates the mileage total “That’ll be five hundred, and seventeen pesos.” [6]
Rummaging through their wallet, he gives a small smirk, before handing over four (4) — 100 peso [6] notes, and a card. This action did not go unnoticed. “Uh pal, you're a few pesos.” [6] And a Few was an understatement
“Don’t worry, if you head to the address on the card He’ll pay the rest,” the cabman raises a brow, “Oh, and if you could notify him that I’m here,” He inwardly adds, That’s if he doesn’t connect the dots after this stunt. Which I highly doubt.
“Okay…” Dragging the word out
“But if he doesn’t, just come back and I’ll pay double.” Raising two fingers to emphasize his words
Peso [6] dollar sign shined in their eyes, and without another word left to fulfill the task, relying on fate to decide whichever result to take place
With a small nod, Aaron glances up and down at the exterior of his flat. A two-story apartment, with a balcony, and to his relief pottery with plants decorated around the flat “Everything looks good…at least it doesn’t look like it is about to collapse.”
Recollecting a memory
Taking a few steps closer, reaching underneath the doormat, finding a simple silver house key, and unlocking the door, the first thing that awaits him inside, was a nearly empty house; as his boxed belongings that were respectfully and tiddly placed in the area he would make his living room
Giving a nod of appreciation, taking his shoes off, dropping his stuff on the side beside the closed door
This was it, now Aaron could finally relax–
The door slams wide open, revealing a short stocky man with short snowy-white hair, a trimmed cut beard with a distinctive mole hidden on his chin, wearing squared-shaped glasses. And currently was as red as a spicy chilly pepper, that is about to burst
“AARON BLACKWOOD!! YOU HAVE A LOT OF NERVE–”
“Hey! Wipe your feet at the door”
“Don’t ‘Hey’ and order me around!” He mockingly imitates “I knew you were gonna pull one of your little stunts, but don’t even think for a second that I’m gonna fall for that again! You little–”
Without batting an eye, he successfully but unknowingly how, maneuvered around Saul safely, fulfilling his promise to the Cabman –knowing full well his Old colleague wouldn’t pay off the other half of his ride
Handing over the cash in one fell swoop, brightening up the driver’s eyes, almost glistening like gold under sunlight
“Cheers!” They said before driving off
“aAroN BlaCkWooD”
A dark ominous demeanor originated behind him; an aura one would compare to bloodlust, a small shiver went down his spine, turning around with a forced smile
One word escaped in fake fright “Yes!?”
Momentarily still silence filled the air
Lasting for one solid minute— ending the moment the two made eye contact with one another. At one sound “Pfft—“ a chain reaction occurred, following with a pair wheezing, if not squealing like pigs, continuously chortling without a care in the world
Taking a deep breath, Saul slaps the taller companion on the shoulder
“You always knew how to make an entrance!” Boisterously exclaiming
Aaron quips back “It’s the only way you’ll know it’s me.” Proudly grinning from ear to ear
“Truer words ever be spoken,” clicking his tongue “And I see you took to my suggestion,” Pointing to the side of his head, indicating he was talking about the Sunshades. “Good choice on the brand. Now come, let me show you the interior, and continue from there. There are a few things I need to update you with.”
Aaron’s interest was piqued by the last statement and followed behind the his shorter friend
Whilst touring around the new flat, a swarm of eyes watch the two interact. Curiouser and curiouser, these little shadows kept to the sidelines for now, but soon– very soon, their identities would be revealed
| FOOTNOTES |
[1]: A/N: The present character used in Third POV/Person [He/His] will remain unknown for the duration of the story, and will be later introduced in the far future. Thank you for your understanding.
[2]: Soul—being referred to in other terms as one’s spiritual core. A better perception would be Unconscious Minds; Sigmund Freud's theory. Intertwined with that theory, it falls under ‘What does your soul reflect?’ or ‘What makes you, you?’
[3]: T/N: [paRadi] Paradis is a (M) Noun, taken from the French Vocabulary, translating to Paradise or Heaven. This is part of a religion that will be further discussed in the Future.
[4]: A/N: (13) Is being the current reference for a Future part of the story being left unrevealed or delved into, until further notice.
[5]: T/L: Calle Castro, meaning Castro Street
[6]: Pesos is the monetary unit of several countries in the Americas and the Philippines. Originating in the Spanish Empire, the word ‘Pesos’ translates to ‘Weight’
