Seth becomes impatient

“Idris, how is she on that level of a journey?”

“That’s not something that a newbie is even supposed to be witnessing. This is outrageous!” Seth slammed his coffee cup down. Thud! The sound echoed like a gavel in a courtroom of fate.

“Seth, I don’t know. I never had that purpose, sorry,” Idris said, rubbing his forehead.

They both stared into the relic bracelet Charlene was wearing, watching with frozen breaths. Through its shimmering lens, they could see and hear the Judgment Realm—an arena of souls and destinies—but couldn’t speak directly to her.

“Who do we even complain to, Seth?” Idris threw his hands up, more in spiritual protest than confusion. “We weren’t even supposed to see this. How will we explain that we used the relic to spy on your daughter?”

“Yeah, I get what you’re saying,” Seth said, pacing. “But in all my years as a journeyer, I have never—never—heard of a newbie’s first case being that magnitude! A mobster hit man and a female serial killer? That’s not a first step. That’s a spiritual ambush.”

“You think they’re setting her up?” Idris asked.

“It had to be the Council,” Seth muttered. “It had to be.”

“Calm down. Focus.” Idris exhaled. “Since when does Argun let the Council dictate his will?”

Seth shook his head, eyes glassy. “Charlene is strong, but I’m traumatized by what I just watched. Things like that… those don’t belong to first steps.”

“She stopped that madman Tony cold. Did you see the wall she put up? That wasn’t instinct. That was legacy.” Idris leaned forward. “You’re underestimating your daughter.”

Seth didn’t answer. He just stared. Somewhere between awe and dread.

“Realm to Seth!” Idris snapped his fingers in front of Seth’s face. “What are you thinking?”

“I heard something about my power line once… I never gave it much thought.” Seth’s voice grew low. “But I need to talk to Argun.”

“You can try,” Idris said. “But Argun can’t stand you. You made him look bad at the Council. Don’t go hugging that porcupine.”

“I’ve got an idea.”

“You’re not going to listen to me, are you?”

Seth disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he had something in hand.

“He’s got an idea,” Idris muttered.

Seth rubbed the mark on his wrist. “Gatekeeper Argun, I summon you.”

A shiver ran through the air. A ripple of light tore space open like a page being turned.

Argun snorted. “What do you want, Infidel?”

He hovered in the portal, eyes cold. Seth stepped forward.

“I noticed Charlene wasn’t able to bring you your daily drink today,” Seth said, presenting a cup with a straw. “Thought I’d help.”

Argun’s eyes narrowed. “Give me my coffee.” He extended his arm through the portal.

Seth held it back. “One question first.”

Argun’s eyes glowed a sharp yellow. “Ask. Be quick. I don’t care for you.”

“Who chose Charlene’s group?”

“That’s easy. I did.” Argun moved to grab the cup.

Seth yanked it back. “Then I have another question.”

“You asked your one.” Argun moved to leave.

“But I’ve got another coffee,” Seth said, holding up a cup twice the size of the first.

Argun paused. “What’s your question, Infidel?”

“You said you chose accordingly. Accordingly to what?”

“To the fates’ abilities and power levels,” Argun replied. “I sensed her energy the first day I met her.” Slurp. Slurp. “You have no idea, do you?”

“Of what?” Idris asked.

Argun scowled at him but said, “Of how strong the little one truly is. Not since the First Spear have I felt such power. Slurp, slurp.”

Seth went still. For the first time in years, he thought of his parents. Odo and Beth. The memory crept in like dawn chasing out the night.

“You need to check your lineage,” Argun said. “You might be surprised.” He snatched the second cup and tossed the empty one at Seth. Pop. It bounced off his chest. The portal sealed.

“He really doesn’t like you,” Idris said.

“Nope.” Seth wiped off the coffee residue. “But we’ve got work to do.”

“Let me guess. You want to go to the Archives.”

“Exactly. And I need your help.”

“Why me?”

Seth held up a pouch of stone relics. “Two eyes are better than one. And you can be my lookout.”

“You’re determined to get me reconditioned!”

“It’s not that bad,” Seth said. “You can’t blink for a week, but—”

Idris punched him in the arm.

The Archives rose like a temple. Scrolls lined walls reaching into shadow. No teleporting allowed. Sigils guarded its gates. This place, this holy place, was no man’s playground.

At the top of the stairs, Haroon stood smirking.

“What are you two doing here?”

“Don’t you have something better to do, Haroon?” Seth asked.

“Nope. Seth, during your reconditioning, you had plenty to say—mostly crying.”

Seth grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off his feet.

“Wonder if you’d bounce down these stairs,” he growled.

Haroon’s legs kicked in the air. “Please, no!”

Seth lowered him and patted his chest. “Good day.”

Inside, two stone eagles flanked the entrance. A voice welcomed them.

“State purpose,” it commanded.

“Track lineage,” Seth said.

“Please remain still.”

A scan of light covered Seth.

“Son of Odo and Beth. Please proceed.”

White arrows guided them as the floor rose. Idris looked around.

“How old were your parents?”

“Three-fifty? Maybe more. Why?”

“We’re going high. Too high. Originals from Earth are at the top.”

A scroll popped from the wall. Seth reached. A hidden needle pricked him.

“Ouch!”

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Lineage confirmed,” the voice said.

The scroll opened.

Bringer of Life. The Nazarene. The First Spear.

He gave life to Odo.

Odo married Beth.

They gave life to Seth.

Seth married Tamera of Earth.

They birthed Charlene.

The scroll sealed itself.

Seth staggered. “My father is…”

Idris stepped back. “Seth… you’re descended from the First Spear?”

Seth blinked. “Then… what is Charlene?”