Sealed by Fate

Chapter 8: The Maze

"Will my friends be mad when they find out I hid the truth of my destiny," the worry is present in his whispered voice.

He hated that he had to keep his assignment a secret. Others could only speculate, some condemning him to a life of servitude, while elders predicted remarkable things. The Cosmo's had reassured his parents that his calling had not yet been woven into the grand design.

It is not a lie, but it is not wholly accurate. Giving his parents comfort was the most important thing: a nobody, a null, a burden to his parents beat into his very being. Melchor needed to reassure his parents that he would become all they hoped for and more.

When he was finally assigned his apprenticeship in the maze, the cheers from all who cared for him echoed in the grand hall where his going away party was held.

Now, he was where he belonged. Melchor could not contain his excitement and his inability to stop reliving his past at this moment. He was here; the first great battle was over.

"We won," Melchor cheered quietly.

Watching the action as it played out was indeed different than watching it in a vision pool at home. Maybe watching it as a third party, not an active participant, made a difference. Melchor still did not understand his overwhelming need to run into the maze and assist the occupants in reaching their destinations.

"It is my job to lead people through the portals, but I did not know I had to help others other than Zee and Nu. I will need to discuss that with Cosmos. Did I overstep?"

It gave a whole new perspective to this day. It had never looked or felt so emotional. Melchor would be a part of all this from now on. This was his life, family, adventure, and finally his purpose.

He was merging with the one who brings light and bright into worlds. It was heady stuff.

When Zee and Nu were born in the mortal realm in their current incarnation, thousands of years had passed from their first creation. So many lifetimes, and now all the puzzle pieces are falling into place properly.

At least, that was what Melchor hoped. It would suck to relive this again. Cosmos had said this was the last evolution the worlds had, their last chance, but he did not sound as confident. It was not like the Cosmos to have doubts. No matter what happened, Melchor would do his part.

"This is my time. Tag me in. I am ready," Melchor whispered, still buzzing from the adrenaline rushing his body.

It felt like his first class in portals. D-Day, he liked to call it. Melchor learned he was born at the exact moment as Nu's creation. Nu came into being as a tiny string held in the palm of Zeus's hand.

Soon after, the magnificence of that string was shared with the string's lifemate, Zee, the son of Aries. Zee stared at the string with unbounded love. Their moment... it had begun.

At the same time, Melchor's parents held him in their arms. They were so happy that their son was finally born. His beauty and brilliance, they said, dazzled all who saw him. A tint of a blush, even at this moment, touched Melchor's cheeks.

He was born with the dazzling insignia on his shoulder, engraved in rhodium, not the usual gold or silver, depending on the rank and file. Rhodium was reserved for those who have great things in their future. The ones who served the greats of the galaxy

His emblem was clear; he would become a portal master like his parents. Their brows furrowed as they marveled at the unique color they had only seen at a distance. They realized the usual place of assignment was left blank. This had never happened before in all of Echo.