The Rezo

Prologue

“Jasson Freeman.”

A blond teenager, hidden behind a tree at a distance, watched as a couple came forward, the woman crying on the man – her husband’s – shoulder. They were given a black ribbon and an envelope. The woman only cried harder while the man silently accepted the offerings. Full of emotion, the couple returned to their seats as another name was called.

“Do you regret your decision?”

The blond looked up at one of the tree’s sturdy branches. On it perched a lovely girl who looked no more than thirteen or fourteen years of age. The teenage boy stared at her for a moment before looking away and smirking lightly as he looked back at the couple.

“I never had a choice.”

He knew that comment would hurt her, yet he could do nothing but be honest. She was the one person he could never lie to.

“I wasn’t given a choice either.”

He looked up again but she wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she stared at her lap though her thoughts were somewhere else. His eyes softened. She looked so young… and very pretty. She needed a protector since she was too delicate… too fragile. Yet, she was the one always protecting him.

“How old are you?” she asked all of a sudden. Despite being surprised by the question, he answered.

“Nineteen. Come down here.”

She tilted her head as though in question. “Is that an order?”

No… Never… How could he ever order her around?

“It’s a request,” he replied. She gave him a considering look before jumping gracefully down from the branch. As soon as she was within reach, he grabbed her sleeve. She reached up and stroked his cheek.

“You look younger… Seventeen or eighteen.”

He grinned. “So do you… Granny.”

Her usually emotionless eyes revealed a spark of amusement.

“I am young,” she stated firmly. “Compared to Alistair, I am very young.”

“No one is older than Alistair.”

“Of course there is.”

He looked back at the assembled people a few meters away from them. The commemoration had ended and all began to depart. But his eyes were focused on only two people…

“They look so old now…” he whispered. She wrapped her arms around him for comfort and he gladly accepted. “If only I-“

The girl smiled sadly for him. “Jase is always seen as a brash, irresponsible, hateful and rebellious boy… But I know better. Jase is very kind-hearted with a caring and gentle soul.”

He wanted to laugh… But a sad smile similar to hers was all he could afford.

“Only you, Chruse, would see it that way.”

She held his face in her hands. “It is because I made you – and I love you.”

He stared at her. “Why are you saying that?”

She only stared back with those blank green eyes. “Alistair says such things.”

Jase almost snorted. “Don’t listen to what that insane nut says. You’re ten times better than him – no, a thousand times better than him.”

“If you say so, Jase.”

He stared at her for a long moment once more.

“I love you too, Chruse. You’ve been with me for nineteen years. I could still remember the first time we met those nineteen years ago.”

Chruse stepped away from him to look up into his eyes. A breeze suddenly swept past them; strands of their hair fluttering around their faces – Jase’s blond, Chruse’s jet black.

“If you could go back to that time, Jase,” Chruse began. “What would you choose: your death along with your family or a cursed immortality?”

Jase’s eyes became distant and far-seeing.

“If I knew better…?

“I would have chosen death.”

Chruse lowered her head. He could see the regret and hurt he caused her and his guilt became heavy. Nothing was her fault.

“But I am thankful beyond words that you were the Rezo with me that night.”

The younger looking girl – who was actually older – gave him a hopeful look. Jase grinned, his guilt ebbing away, knowing he was forgiven.

“Better you than Alistair… He just plain freaks me out.”

His companion sighed and looked away. “My Rezo can be difficult,” she finally agreed.

Jase wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a brotherly hug. “And my Rezo is nothing but patient when it comes to me.”

“If I am not, who else will be?” she replied, her tone almost teasing. “Where do you want to go now, Jase?”

He took one last look at his departing parents. Nineteen years already took their toll on them… Yet Jasson Freeman remained youthful as if he were still only seventeen years old.

Then he looked back at his Rezo – the powerful being he called upon for an exchange. Now, he, too, was one. But as long as no one asked anything of him, he will always remain as Chruse’s Rezo Master…

And at the moment, that was all he wanted.

“I’ll go wherever you go, Chruse.”

She took his hand. “Shall we go on a prowl?”

Jase smirked cruelly… Forgetting about the parents he saw just mere moments ago… Forgetting about his worries and fears for the future… Forgetting about wrong decisions or the lack of choices… Forgetting about his past…

All he thought of was the game the Rezos played so viciously.

“We shall.”

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A/N: I’ve had this story for a while but I only gained the courage (and time) to quickly post it up. Another fantasy for me! It’s too bad they’re not as popular as my romance ones… er, one… (sigh) Oh well!

If this prologue is confusing, don’t worry! More will be revealed in the first chapter (which will considerably be longer!) Now wish me luck as I have two more weeks of exams left!

Should I write the first chapter in first person or third person?

And don’t worry, as soon as I have time, I’ll update my other stories as well!

‘Till next time!