In an apocalyptic world where supernatural creatures no longer hide in the shadows, twelve houses of mortal and immortal societies rule and govern their regions. Elysium, what used to be the United States, was split up after the Great Awakening.

When all of the supernatural beings grew tired of living in secret they attempted to make themselves known peacefully. When the humans refused to coexist, a war broke out ultimately destroying civilization and dividing everyone into their own parts of the old world.

Remi

An eager young angel at the front of the class raises her hand emphatically, trying to get my attention first. The name tag on the front of her desk reads Andromeda with decorative stars surrounding it. As I point at her and allow her to ask her question, her whole face lights up with a smile.

“Mr. Remi, what’s it like to compete in the Ethereal Games?”

“Your teacher asked me here to talk to you about fire safety, not my past as a Protector of the games,” I stated simply.

Before I knew it, the entire class of seven and eight year old angels erupted in pleas and questions regarding the games. I knew that staying on topic would be difficult as soon as the teacher introduced me as a past Protector of the Ethereal Games. Angelic children were told about the importance of the games from a very young age.

With a heavy sigh, I raise my hand to quiet them down, “Participating in the games was an immense honor. Vigorous training is necessary and looking back, I wish I had prepared myself more in the years before my selection. Each facet of the games is strategically formulated to test your skills in order to determine who truly is the most capable of those chosen. We worked alongside our angel very closely and learned so much from them.”

“But you don’t have wings, how could you work that closely with one of us?” A boy in the back blurted out. Travis, was written on his name tag.

“It’s true, I was once just a mere Seelie fae, but during the selection process my angel bound their powers to me, essentially granting me the grace of immortality and strength in exchange for my services. Which benefited me in the games once I lost my wings during the final round” I answered calmly as if the boy hadn’t just tried to insult me for being fae-born.

“How did you win?” another boy asks.

“Hard work. There isn’t just one way to win in the games, but the most important part is to head your angel’s training and trust your heart. Some of the obstacles are meant to distract or even trick the mind and you must never lose sight of the task at hand or what is important.”

“Do the angels…just forget about you after the games?” a shy girl asks quietly, unable to meet my gaze.

“No, I am still very close to mine to this day. She has helped me to become the man I’ve always dreamed of. In fact, that is how I’m here today. After the games, I wanted to follow my dreams of helping others. Without wings as Travis so astutely pointed out, I have limitations within the House of Taurus, but that does not make me useless. When I was about your age, I dreamed of becoming a firefighter. Now I organize the ground units of the House of Taurus’ firehouse,” the children stare at me with wide eyes.

“You’re in charge of all of them?” Andromeda whispers in awe.

“Yes, and that is why I’m here to speak with you today, I want to go over the basics of fire safety so should you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you’ll know what to do.”

Over the next half an hour, I teach the children the basics of fire safety. It warms my heart to see them working together as they pretend there is a fire in the classroom and what they should each do to extinguish it and get everyone out safely.