Johnson immediately began to run at full speed, his sister clinging tightly to his back as her laughter echoed through the wind. Rose's hair blew wildly behind her, strands carried by the gusts of his pace.
"Hahahahahaha! Wait, John! Wait, stop!" Rose cried out, signaling frantically with her hands for him to halt.
Johnson skidded to a stop, glancing back at her with a playful grin. "What is it, sister?"
Rose pointed ahead. "Well… look. Someone is begging for money over there."
Without hesitation, Johnson dropped Rose to the ground and strode toward the figure. "Good evening, ma," he greeted warmly.
The old woman, frail and weary, raised her head. "Would you be so kind to help me with some cents, please, my child?"
Johnson folded his arms across his chest, worry flickering in his eyes. "Hmm. Why don't you come over to my place? We've got food there."
The woman shook her head gently. "No need, dear. I already have a house. But… my only son is sick, and I really need money for his treatment."
Johnson's expression shifted to surprise. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Hmm. Please wait. I'll get something for you."
In a flash, he disappeared and returned within seconds, carrying a large bag filled with money, foodstuffs, and clothes. "Here," he said, handing her the money. "And take this too." He offered the food and clothing with genuine care. "I'll come and visit him at the hospital tomorrow. Just give us the name. Rose, won't you come?"
Rose, lost in thought, remained silent.
"Rose," Johnson called again.
"Ah...yes. I'll try to come visit him tomorrow," she replied softly.
The old woman's eyes shimmered with tears. She clutched the gifts tightly. "Thank you very much for these gifts." Her heart whispered thoughts she dared not speak aloud: How they have grown so much… I'm so proud of them. Out loud, she said, "God bless you, my children. The name of the hospital is Star Clinic, at the city center. I'll be there by 12 pm." She fell to her knees in gratitude, trembling with excitement. "Thank you so much. I'm so grateful!"
Rose stepped forward, helping her to her feet. "Don't worry about it, and please stop kneeling. I too am grateful to you, because you just made our day."
Johnson smiled broadly. "Yh, your smile makes me happy. So enjoy." He waved cheerfully as he and Rose turned to leave.
The old woman returned to the alley, but the moment she stepped into the shadows, her frail form dissolved. In her place stood a man in his late thirties, tall and imposing, his features hardened with annoyance.
"Good grief. What is it this time, Helon?" he muttered, his tone sharp as he turned backwards.
"I did nothing wrong, my lord," came the reply.
And then he appeared. Helon, the Timeless Sage.
His arrival was not heralded by thunder nor flame, but by silence. A heavy, reverent silence that bent the air around him. He hovered above the ground, suspended between dimensions, as though gravity dared not touch him. The very sky rippled behind him, fractured by his presence.
His helm gleamed gold, ancient and regal, shaped like a crown forged in forgotten stars. Arcane symbols etched across its surface pulsed faintly, and at its center, a radiant third eye glowed...half-closed, yet ever-seeing. The lower half of his face was revealed: calm, stern, and framed by a neatly groomed silver beard, each strand carved with wisdom.
But it was his eyes that spoke the loudest. One blazed gold, the other shimmered with infinite blue. They did not merely see,they perceived. Past, future, and possibility danced within their depths.
His robes flowed like rivers of galaxies, woven from starlight and ancient cloth. Celestial blues bled into burning crimson along the hems, each edge trimmed with constellations of golden thread. A golden chestplate beneath bore the symbol of universal balance...chaos and order, will and surrender in perfect symmetry.
A cloak draped his shoulders, high-collared and alive with cosmic wind, its surface shifting like smoke. Runes flickered across it
some moving, others vanishing...each a forgotten name of power. Spinning beside him floated sigils, rings of glowing glyphs and enchanted scrolls, mapping equations no mortal mind could fathom.
In one hand, he carried the Circle of Dominion, an intricate ring of geometric light forged from fate's very principles. In the other burned the Flame of the Arcane, a twisting blaze of raw energy, chaotic yet perfectly contained.
He did not walk. He existed. Still. Centered. Untouchable. Around him, time slowed, reality paused, even thought itself seemed to hesitate.
Helon had no need for words. His presence alone was declaration.
He was the Guardian of Balance, the Sage of Dimensions, the one who had seen both the beginning and the end, yet still stood firm.
Where Helon walked, truth followed. Where he stood, no lie could survive.
He turned to face the man before him—his master once, now his partner.
"My lord, I only see that you are being very observant with your children, Kairos," Helon said, floating around him with playful ease.
Kairos sighed, his tone weary. "I didn't intend to meet them today. They seem to be in a better position. And again… how is my other boy doing?"
Helon narrowed his eyes. He knew his friend was dodging. "Well, he's doing well in the universe you dumped him in. He's the sole reason why a powerful entity like you is even here, getting an heir." A smug expression tugged at his lips.
"Yh, right. Are you sure he's okay, Helon? Don't lie to me." Kairos's voice cracked, brows furrowed with worry. "I… really miss him."
"Well, last I checked, he's reincarnated here. But I can't sense his aura, nor his presence. His main body still resides sealed in that other world." Helon placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about him."
Kairos opened his mouth. "We should go back. I can't be...."
He froze. A young girl, no older than sixteen or seventeen, stood staring at him. Her eyes teared up as she spoke.
"Sir, please. I need your help."
Her clothes were torn and stained, her once-green hair matted with oil and dust. Her sharp ears twitched slightly as she looked up to him.
"What is your name, young girl?" Kairos asked gently, lowering himself to her level.
"My name is Angela Harrison. I come from the Dark Continent. I had been staying with a girl… with whom I worked when we were in Africa. And she was the only person that..."
"Shhh." Kairos cut her off, his tone firm yet kind. "You don't look so good yourself. How about I get you cleaned up first, then take you somewhere to eat?" He gestured toward Helon.
Helon raised a brow. "Are you serious right now, bro?"
"Yes. Do it now," Kairos commanded.
"Ugh, fine." With a wave of his hand, Helon transported them instantly into a fast food restaurant. Angela gasped as her rags shimmered away, replaced by fresh clothes, her skin cleansed of grime.
"What would you like to eat, my dear?" Kairos asked as he and Helon sat across from her.
Angela blinked, staring at Helon with shock. "Huh? Who are… you?"
"Oh, me?" Helon replied casually. "I'm a sage arcana. Don't worry. You can't know.."
Her eyes widened. "The legendary sage arcana? As in the True Sage?"
Kairos chuckled as he ordered meals for the both of them. "Wait, you know him? That's a first. You guys should eat up as we talk,that'll make things interesting." He tore into a fried turkey as time froze around them.
Angela's voice trembled. "Yes, I know him. He's the one that founded the Dryaid race. He taught us every magic spell we know. He is… basically our God. What blessing have I come across this day to meet thee, my God!" She fell to her knees before Helon.
Helon sighed, helping her up tenderly. "Oh, please don't do that. I'm surprised I'm even known here. It's been millenniums since my last life. I'm just a normal human who studied magic and transcended the abstract realm." His gaze softened. "A Dryaid, hmm? I didn't think your kind would still be alive. How are you here?"
Angela swallowed, trembling with emotion.
Kairos studied her intently. "That reminds me...what are you doing in the human realm? I thought you Dryaids were banned from coming here… Ah. I see. You're a hybrid. Where are your parents?"
Angela's palms grew sweaty, her breath unsteady as her eyes darted around the frozen restaurant. "I… am in search of my human father. My Dryaid mother is in Africa, with my brother. I need to make money here in America to care for them. But my friend, whom I take as a sister, is very wounded and sick right now. I have nobody to look up to for help. I've been using my healing abilities and magic. I prayed to you, sir, to heal her, but you never did…" Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Why can't my God ,the one I believe in answer my prayers?" She turned to Helon, sobbing in frustration.
Helon's expression softened. "It's okay, my daughter. I am sorry for what happened to your friend and your family. But do not falter. I will answer all your prayers, and I will make sure you never cry again." He wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
Angela sniffled, nodding. She glanced at Kairos suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "Did you… do something to everyone? They're not moving."
Kairos shrugged casually. "Yh. I paused time. You're moving because I allyowed it. Aren't you gonna eat, Helon?"
"I can't eat. You know it. I have transcended my physical body to..."
A loud grumble erupted from Helon's stomach, cutting him off.
Kairos smirked. "You're gonna eat if you're hungry." He pushed food toward him. "Here. Eat."
Angela, meanwhile, devoured her meal like a starving child. With every bite, her features brightened. She looked up, glowing faintly, and asked, "I don't sense any magic from you… what are you?"
Kairos winked. "Ah, I'm just a regular guy. Nothing more than ordinary. Kairos."
Angela laughed faintly. "Kairos, huh? I'll be sure to remember your name. At least… please don't strike me dead if I tell someone."
"Haha. You can sure tell anyone. But who's gonna believe you?" Kairos laughed, pointing at her with amusement.
Angela's smile faded into worry. "Wait. Who's going to pay for this meal? I ate quite a lot." She clutched her skirt nervously.
"Don't worry, my daughter," Kairos reassured her. "My son gave me some money, so I'll give the money to you. Please go to school and take care of yourself. It's 2035 ,you really can't get into a good job without an application." He handed her the bag of money. "Oh, also. An old woman named Tiana Stones and her son are in Star Clinic. They are terribly sick. Please take care of them and your sister for me."
Angela dropped to her knees, crying tears of gratitude. "Thank you very much, sir. I cannot repay my debt to you. Please, tell me to do anything....I'll do it. What you have done for me… it's beyond my expectations."
Kairos shook his head. "Nah. I hate being owed. I did it out of the goodness of my heart. If you want to repay me, hmm… just take care of my son for me." He stood, his time in this plane of existence nearing its end. "I'll see you soon, my dear. And if I don't… maybe my brother will."
"Master, it's time for us to go," Helon advised, as their true forms shimmered faintly. He turned to Angela, resting his hand upon her head. "My daughter… take your blessings."
The moment his touch graced her, Helon disappeared, leaving Angela alone in the street as time resumed.
Her body shone with green sparks of energy. Power coursed through her veins, tearing free from sealed chambers within her soul. She screamed in pain as the aura surged outward. "Ahhhhhh!" With trembling hands, she placed power limiters over her eyes, sealing the overwhelming force back within her. Slowly, her body returned to normal.
She looked up to the sky, tears glistening. I must repay my debt to that kind man 10
Back at the restaurant, the waiter returned to clear the table. There lay a large bundle of money with a note resting atop it.
For your meal. It was kinda nice....I missed it here. Keep the change for your sick daughter. Love, Kairos.
The waiter's hands trembled as tears welled up. "Oh my God. He answered my prayers by sending a mysterious helper I don't even know. May He bless Kairos."
She pressed her hands together, whispering thanks, before cleaning the plates.
To be continued ....