Today felt different. There was a bit of excitement in the air for everyone. I didn't realize how tense the others had been before today. They had smiles plastered on their faces and seemed almost giddy. I still had no idea where we were going, and they refused to tell me. It didn't matter even if they did because I didn't know anything except the empire.

I sat beside Gabriel, and for the first time in over a week, I spoke to him.

"I want to know what I am and what it means. That is if you're still willing to tell me, sir."

A slight smile spread across the older man's face as he turned to me.

"I'm glad. I told you before that Forchunae means 'One Who Is Fortunate,' but it has also been translated as 'The Fortunate Ones.' They're interchangeable; it just depends on where you are from. What you need to understand is that we are still human. We are not demigods or the next step of human evolution. Some people think that we are better than regular folk and it is our right to rule. We are not better than them, just lucky. Fate did not choose you, Tyler, your awakening was random, and scholars still have no idea what causes it. Don't ever think that you're better than someone due to being a Forchunae." He spoke calmly and with a practiced cadence.

“I don’t think I’m better than anyone, and certainly not because I’m a De- I’m a Forchunae. Veaos told me that we’re faster, stronger, and tougher than other people, but so are the Justicars. Why would people think that we’re demigods?” I almost said the word that had made him fly off the handle. However, the rage I expected never came.

“Yes, I heard about the conversation the two of you had. You have to understand that it isn’t just those attributes you listed. We also age slower, heal faster, and live longer. The average lifespan of a Forchunae is two hundred years old, and some even live past that. Awakening is multiplicative for your body. To give you an example, Veaos was already a monster of a man before he awakened, and he only widened that gap since. None of that is why some worship Forchunae as demigods; that is due to our Gifts.”

I interjected because a question had been nagging me ever since I woke up on that wagon floor. “You guys keep saying that word, Gift. What do you mean by that, because it feels like you mean something different from our bodies' changes?

He turned to face me, dropping the reins, and I realized that Pride and Luna never needed any steering. “Tyler, some people find it rude to ask this question, but I will need to know to help you. What is your Gift? What is your Word?”

There it was again, the emphasis on what seemed like mundane words. First Gift and now Word, I had no idea what he meant. “I don’t know? I don’t even know how to find it out. Maybe I don’t have one?”

“I don’t want to bring up bad memories for you, but do you remember what the judge told you when they took you in?”

Flashes of that evening go through my mind. The judge told me I was found guilty of being a Deforchunae and killed three classmates whose families had to have a closed casket funeral because of what I did. I still don’t have any memory of what happened between us. “Yes, I remember what the judge told me, but I don’t know what I did that got me there in the first place. I blacked out after I argued with the kids at my school. I don’t know what I did to them. I- I'm sorry, Gabriel."

He looked surprised to hear that and didn't respond immediately. We rode in silence for a bit before he finally answered.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Tyler. It isn't unheard of for someone to be unaware of their Word. I told you before that it is considered rude to ask someone, but there is no rule against telling someone. It is up to each individual to share what they can do. Every single Forchunae has a unique Word that gives them power. However, once a Forchunae dies, their Word can reappear in another. The powers your Word gives you depend on a multitude of factors. One; your interpretation of what it means. Two; your understanding of what it means. Three, your creativity and ingenuity. Finally, your feelings about your Word and how it relates to you. I know some of that sounds the same, but it is different. Let me give you an example of a Forchunae I know. His word is Close, and he interpreted it as having the ability to 'close' things. He found out he could close doorways and windows from across the room. Using his creativity, he grew to understand his power deeper. And now he can Close your windpipe without even touching you. He might have even further expanded his capabilities since.”

I can't even imagine how powerful the man must be. It makes me wonder what kind of Word I could have. I hope it's powerful and cool. Shame fills my brain as I recall what my Word has already done. Whatever it is, it's dangerous, and I shouldn't take it lightly. Curiosity wins out over my shame, and I ask Gabriel something I've been wondering.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is your Word?"

He smiles at me, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "My Word is Live, Tyler, but it rarely feels like a Gift. It feels more like a curse most days, but enough of that. I'm sure you're curious as to what it does. Live has two powers to it. One is passive, and it is that I cannot die. I will live forever and look just as I do now. I know I don't look like it, but I'm over 4000 years old."

"WHAT?! Are you lying? You don't even look as old as my father, and he's fifty-two," I shouted.

"I am many things; a liar is not one of them. My body constantly repairs any damage done to me, including aging. I'm sure you remember what happened when we rescued you."

He took a small dagger out of his pocket and slashed his arm open. I recoiled back in shock at the sudden violence. I watched as the blood on the seat flowed through the air back into his arm. The wound rapidly healed and fixed itself until not a blemish remained. He put his dagger away and continued talking like nothing had happened.

"You can see I'm telling the truth. I try to become a constant for anyone I help. Tyler, I will be here and willing to help you for your entire life."

I am stunned, unsure of what to say. The more time I spend with him, the more I start to see the kind of man Gabriel Sol is. The idea of a timeless mentor helping me figure out what I want to do is comforting.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate what you've done for me, and I am grateful for any help you have given me. I do have a question; you said you have two 'abilities,' what is the other one?"

"It is a power I don’t like using and haven't had to in a long time. I'd rather not explain it," he answered.

After that question, he seemed almost sad, so I figured I should give him some quiet. I wasn't nervous anymore but hopeful about what was to come. I still don't know where we're going, but Gabriel said we'd be there soon. The final leg of our journey dragged on for what felt like forever, even though Helena told me it was only an hour. We began to slow down as we turned onto a smaller path off the road. We followed it until arriving in front of a log cabin. It was quaint and cozy-looking complete with a chimney. As we got closer, I noticed that the place was larger than I initially thought. We pulled over to the side, and everyone got out to stretch.

“FINALLY! THE RESCUE WAS A SUCCESS!” Veaos yelled as he leaped out onto the grass.

“Be quiet, please. We can celebrate when we’re back. The mission isn’t over,” Marissa said while checking our surroundings.

“It’s okay, hun. All of us are safe and healthy, and that’s all that matters. Let him have his fun.” said Helena.

I turned to Gabriel to ask if this was our destination.

"It's the last stop but not our final destination. Veaos, Tyler, Helena unload the wagon. Marissa do a sweep, we're not out of the water just yet."

I got off the driver's bench and walked over to help everyone. Helena passed me two of the crates that were larger than my torso. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to lift them, but I didn't struggle at all. Gabriel had told me that my body would finish changing in about another week. Even now, I could feel myself getting stronger and healthier every day. I haven’t looked in a mirror since we escaped, so I’m unaware if I look any different. I was always ordinary looking, probably why my classmates had picked on me. It's easier to go after someone that nobody notices.

Marissa was busy checking out the perimeter with intense scrutiny. She told Gabriel that we were clear, and everyone simultaneously seemed to relax. I didn't think we were in any danger; I can't imagine anyone or anything giving our party trouble. Once we had unloaded everything from the wagon, Gabriel approached the cabin's doors with the others and me trailing behind. Two large stained okay doors greeted us. Up close, I noticed that they were taller than even Veaos. Even stranger was that Pride and Luna followed us inside. I turned to my right to ask Veaos about the horses.

"Hey, are the horses supposed to be inside? Won't they make the place messy?"

Both of the Nightmares turned and looked at me, almost offended. Or as close as a horse can mimic that. It will take a while before I’m not unnerved by their translucent bodies.

"Well, how else are they going to get home? Pay attention, kid. You're about to see something truly amazing." Veaos responded.

I watched as Helena walked over towards the doors that had just closed behind us. Everyone was quiet, and even the horses stopped shuffling. She strode forward confidently, and I could feel a physical pressure descend upon the room. It was a struggle to stand, and I could feel goosebumps along my arms. All of this culminated in her grasping both doors by the handle and pulling them open. I don't know what I expected, but her just opening the doors was not it. Until I looked outside and instead of seeing the grassy forest, I saw the inside of a different building. Everyone began picking up the crates and walking through, but I couldn't even begin to guess what had just happened.

"How? Wha-what the heck did you do? Where'd the forest go?" Multiple questions spewed out of me.

"This is my Gift, hun. The forest and cabin are still there. Look out the window over there," Helena answered.

I turn to my right and see the wagon still sitting there through the window. I walk over to the window and open it without any issue. Leaning out of it, I look towards the entrance to the cabin and find no trace of the stone building—that old voice whispering about ‘Dark Ones’ and demons echoes inside of my head. I squash the voice; it’s better just to ask Helena than jump to conclusions.

"I still don't understand how you did- whatever it is that you did miss. My brain is struggling to understand what I'm seeing."

"It's simple; My Gift, my Word is Connect. All I’ve done was Connect these two doors."

She Connected two doors? Is it some sort of instant travel? I already had no idea where we were, and now we could be anywhere. It dawn's on me that I am at a crossroads. If any part of me is still loyal to the Strakken Empire, I can't go through this doorway. It will be a new chapter of my life if I walk through it, a new me. It should be harder to throw it all away, to leave my family and old life behind, but it isn't. With my head up high, I walked into a strange new world.

My name is Tyler Everfell, and I am a Forchunae.