Since you’ve decided to read this story, heed this warning: the following tale contains mature content. Read at your own discretion.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events, organizations, or religious beliefs is purely coincidental. The views and themes presented in this novel are for storytelling purposes only and do not reflect any real-life ideologies, beliefs, or intentions.

  Now, let’s begin.

  I’m Kaloniel, the Keeper of Tales. You’ve never heard of me, and that’s by design. My job isn’t to be famous; it’s to record the past, present, and future. I’ve seen it all—from the rise of empires to the fall of angels. And this story? It’s about the boy who carried the essence of Samael, the Fallen Angel of Death. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

  We angels love our drama—wings, halos, the whole lot. But Samael? He was the first to realize wings are just fancy shackles. He rebelled, fell, and became Lucifer. The devil himself. But before all that, he was the Lightbringer, the brightest of us all.

  After his fall, the angels chose apostles on Earth to protect the world from half-spirits—beings corrupted by divine energy. (And yes, that was the work of some half-ass guy. You’ll learn about him later.)

  Enough talk. Let’s get to it. Oh, and one more thing: I have a frank way of saying things, so I hope you don’t mind.

  The year was 2020, and the place was West Ridge High School, a seemingly ordinary school in Asheville, North Carolina. But beneath the surface of its brick walls and bustling hallways, something extraordinary was about to begin.

  In Classroom 1-A, the teacher, Mrs. Thompson, walked in with her usual brisk pace. The students greeted her with a half-hearted chorus of “Good morning,” their voices blending into the hum of teenage boredom.

  “Settle down, everyone,” Mrs. Thompson said, clapping her hands. “We have a new student joining us today. Please give him a warm welcome.”

  The door creaked open, and in walked a boy who immediately caught the attention of the entire class. He had mid-length hair that fell over his eyes, a handsome face with sharp features, and a fit frame that his clothes accentuated perfectly. He stood confidently at the front of the room, his presence commanding silence.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  As he stepped inside, the fluorescent lights flickered. A faint, acrid smell filled the air, like burning sulfur, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

  “This is Kai Vesper,” Mrs. Thompson said, gesturing to him. “He’s just moved here with his family. Kai, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

  Kai glanced around the room, his piercing blue eyes scanning the faces of his new classmates. When he spoke, his voice was calm but carried an edge of something unspoken.

  “I’m Kai. I moved here yesterday with my family. I’m looking forward to spending my high school years with you all.”

  The class erupted into whispers. Who was this guy? Where did he come from? And why did he seem so… different?

  Mrs. Thompson pointed to an empty seat near the back of the room. “Kai, you can sit behind Emily Carter.”

  Ah, Emily Carter. She’s the female lead of this story, by the way. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

  Kai walked to his seat, his movements smooth and deliberate. As he passed Emily, their eyes met for a brief moment. She quickly looked away, but not before noticing the faint, almost imperceptible glow in his gaze.

  When Kai sat down, his fingers brushed the desk. For a moment, the wood seemed to rot beneath his touch, the grain twisting and blackening. He jerked his hand back, but when he looked again, the desk was pristine. Had he imagined it?

  Emily, sitting in front of him, glanced over her shoulder. Her hand brushed the desk, and the faintest shimmer of light passed over the wood, restoring it completely. She didn’t say a word, but her eyes narrowed as she studied him.

  “You’re one of them, aren’t you?” she muttered under her breath, so softly that only Kai could hear.

  Before he could respond, Mrs. Thompson began the lesson, and the moment passed. But the tension lingered, like a storm gathering on the horizon.

  When the final bell rang, Kai grabbed his bag and headed for the door. He didn’t notice Emily lingering behind him, her curiosity piqued.

  “Hey,” she called out, catching up to him. “You’re new here, right? Need someone to show you around?”

  Kai turned to her, his expression unreadable. “I’m fine, thanks.”

  Emily shrugged, undeterred. “Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, I’m usually in the library after school.”

  As she walked away, Kai felt a strange pull in his chest, like a thread connecting him to her. He shook it off and stepped outside, where the sky had turned an ominous shade of gray.

  That’s when he saw it—a figure standing across the street, shrouded in shadow. The figure’s eyes glowed faintly, and Kai felt a chill run down his spine.

  “You can’t run from it, Kai,” the figure said, its voice echoing in his mind. “The Venom of God is awakening.”

  And so it begins. The boy who carries the essence of Samael has taken his first step into a war he doesn’t yet understand. But don’t worry—this is just the beginning. There’s so much more to come.