H O L’ U P

A high pitch ring cut through the silence of space as a trans-dimension passenger plane began its lift into the atmosphere . The ring was almost unbearable, causing infants and the young passengers to cry or grasp their ears. The effect was a chorus of laughter from the older passengers.

"How's that funny!" a young boy questioned his mother. He was a young boy no older than 13, his hair was curled and tapered along the sides. His mother, still laughing, started rummaging in her pocket book, along with groups of other adults who began searching their bags.

"Here, eat this" his mother commanded and offered the boy a hard candy.

"It gets rid of the ringing sound"

The boy eyed the candy for a moment before taking it greedily. Content with the fact alone that he was getting a snack. Regardless of the circumstances.

"The ringing and popping in your ears happens when the plane begins to cross through dimensions. The sound will become more and more high pitched but the candy you eat is a sort of medicine that blocks the waves from-" the woman stopped, noticing that her son was no longer paying attention and went back to tapping at a portable game system.

She sighed, leaning her head back against the rest of her seat. Children were the most blessed among us, their carelessness and utter ignorance allowed them to live in a world of their choosing. The woman reclined her seat, plugging earbuds into her ear before beginning to lull herself to sleep.

"Hey. "

"..."

"Hey" the voice repeated

"... " the woman twitched.

"MOM"

"WHAT!?"

"How does the plane work? "

"... You have to be kidding me I just sa-"

"You said that the candy blocked the vibrations, you didn't tell me how the plane crossed dimensions." her son interrupted.

"Che", she sucked her teeth. The kid was bright, she would admit and she couldn't even be mad at that.

"God you're just full of questions, I'm far from an engineer Jasper. It has something to do with Aether. Have you paid any attention in class? "

" Of course not"

The woman responded by swiftly chopping the boy in the neck, who snickered and held his hands up defensively.

"Aether is the essence of reality Jasper. It's what all things are made of and what all things must abide to. In short it's the highest kind of magic, and the planes, from what I know, can fly across the realms due to it. "

"Terrible answer," a cracking voice emitted from the rows of seats behind them.

It was a boy no older than fourteen with chestnut skin and curled locs that raged against gravity. He wore a bandana tied around his head Tupac style. Six Inches Above his head a Black and gold halo floated majestically. The boys oddities continued, beneath his eyes are two feral tribal markings which seemed to be his natural skin and ,boldly gave him a somewhat threatening look. Above his eyebrows two perfectly circular dots completed his tribal appearance, Jasper thought it was dope; the kid looked like a beast.

"The planes engines run a complex system of commands called an Aether Code. It's kinda like a computer but it's sorcery instead of technology..." the boy, albeit a bit obnoxious, was well informed. He also, to the delight of Jasper's mother, kept him busy. Hell maybe the boy would learn something! Jasper's mother tuned the two out, plugging her earphones in, and scrolling through her music app. She started skipping through her Playlist randomly, stopping when she heard the tune of "Hol’Up" she smirked, well ready to catch some vibes.

"So what's your name?", Jasper asked the other boy.

"I am Prince Aevum "

"Quit Flexing", Jasper said in disbelief. "How are you a Prince?"

Aevum narrowed his eyes in irritation. He boldly shot his finger to the halo above his head.

"That's like asking how I was born. Can't you see the crown, smart ass? "

Jasper waved his hands in defeat.

"OK OK. Though why is Royalty on a plane with us. "

"Cuz you’re flying first class. My dad says that there aren't many planes going from the mundane world to the higher planes. "

Jasper paused at the statement, his father he figured, had to be king. The idea of there not being too many planes sounded reasonable. From what Jasper knew, the modern mundane world was a lonely civilization without magic, let alone Aether. His mother had made it dire to him that utmost secrecy had to be kept when they were visiting "Earth".

"Well what if someone tries to assa-"

Aevum jumped covering Jasper's mouth with his palms.

"MMM! MMHH" Jasper struggled.

"Shhh!" Aevum put a finger to his lips, telling the boy to shut up. Jasper watched as Aevum's eyes shot to the corner of his vision at a raven haired woman whose hair was divided into two long cornrows. She was beautiful and Jasper couldn't see her being a day over 28, she had flawless mocha skin which seemed to glow.

However there was something else that Jasper had come to pick up, an eery presence, as if he were about to be attacked. It was crazy, his brow started to break into a cold sweat and he could feel adrenaline pump through his body as his heart began beating faster. There was something otherwordly and vaguely threatening about her,: she was dressed in all black, with several pins shaped like constellations and Astral bodies glistening on the collar of her bomber jacket. She gave Jasper a smile and nodded her head to Aevum's delight.

"Phew" Aevum exhaled dropping his hand from Jasper's mouth. Jasper began wiping his face, the foreboding presence having disappeared.

"Yo bro, don't sweat all the details. If I'm here everything is safe. "

" Right" Jasper said still a bit shaken. He looked to his mother who was muttering song lyrics.

"I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air

Stewardess complimentin’ me on my nappy hair... " the woman continued to rap along with her eyes closed.

Aevum reclined his seat, dangling his legs over an empty seat in front if him. He felt content that his new friend hadn't lost his head. He is the Prince, without a doubt he's well protected, with his raven haired wet nurse on the plane practically nothing could happen. Aevum looked at Jasper's mother, a younger woman with short hair and tattoos, she was listening to a familiar song.

" If I can fuck her in front of all of these passengers

They’ll prob’ly think I’m Osama

The plane emergency landed..." she sang along.

"Ohhh" Aevum thought before joining in.

"Hol’ up" they said in unison before the plane was blinded. a flash of light which overcame the skyline. The next few moments were fast, so deadly quick. The plane rocked out of the sky, passengers heads literally spun, a chorus of screams flooded the jet with panic. The plane lurched, meeting the ground, metal wrenched as the wings of the steel beast ripped off, before the plane erupted in a fiery rebellion against nature.

Everything had become black and quiet. It was a serious issue, but as Aevum's eyes fluttered open he could only begin to imagine the stunning effect of a flashbang in any fps game. The second thing he noticed was his raven haired caretaker kneeling above him, holding a totaled wing of a interdimensional jet with the back of her hand.

"What's going on " Aevum said groggily.

"Someone's interrupted our flight"

"And?"

"I had to improvise the landing young Master"

Aevum's eyes shot open as he surveyed the area. They had landed in a city which would be beautiful if it weren't for the obvious carnage. Whatever had wrecked them had taken a toll on the area besides the plane debris scattered; there was blood and bodies, bullet holes and the residue of aether tattering the buildings.

"Stay near me at all times. " Aevum's wet nurse commanded.

Aevum stood as his wet nurse pulled her fist up sending the jet wing flying to the side. Aevum searched the skyline immediately, hanging in the air was a 11 moons lined up together diagonally. Aevum nodded his head slightly.

"This is our territory, I can see the moons! "

Aevum's declaration was cut off by the sounds of sirens causing him to spin around. As he did, he heard a murmur and ruffling from the debris behind him. It was Jasper and his mother. immediately his face paled.

" Mom. " Jasper cried weakly.

" Mama! " He shouted as he cradled his mother's body. Jasper began shouting and shaking her furiously.

" Mommy, mom please..." he cried in defeat. Jasper's mother was badly injured, her flawless skin had become burned terribly along her right cheek down to her thighs. Aevum could hardly recognize the woman any longer, but Jasper could.

Aevum watched with sweat dropping from his brow, his expression shocked and flustered. He didn't know what to do. He didn't even catch what happened to them. He was livid though, he had told the boy he was safe with him but a moment ago.

"W-why didn't you help them! " Aevum shouted at His nurse.

" I did what I could " she answered calmly, unphased .

"You’re stronger than that! you could have gotten us all!"

"I had to prioritize you Prince Aevum. " she said emphasizing his title.

" I didn't Have enough time to rescue you and your acquaintances"

"You’re faster than Lightning Madame Khaos. "

" With what arms would I have shielded her?" Khaos began to walk towards Jasper and his mother.

"Do you think she would be happy if I grabbed her instead of her son?"

Khaos kneeled beside Jasper bringing his head into her bossom. All the while inspecting his mother. She placed her hand on the woman's chest and a the purple glow of Aether began to coat Jasper's mother.

"What are you doing to my mother?! "Jasper shouted struggling against her grip. He bit at Khaos's hand before he realized the rise and fall of his mother's chest.

" I'm healing her... I'm not a medic, but I'm able to keep her vitals steady. When we were attacked I released my Aether to tank as much damage as possible. I apologize for not being able to move quicker. "

Aevum watched as the sirens approached. he could see men cloaked in all black. He gritted his teeth as his instincts kicked in. A normal human body would tell him to run, but Aevum's told him to fight. He stood up defiantly at 4'11 and he summoned all of his strength and roared.

The ground split and a typhoon of air and debris pushed the armed forces back. The pressure was powerful enough to send many officers off their feet flying backwards.

Aevum's eyes sparkled. "Lit" he said congratulating himself before turning his head to Khaos. His expression dropped when he saw her outstretched hand pointing in the direction of the carnage.

"I thought.. " Aevum muttered, understanding it wasn't his attackers but his caretakers.

" Good Attempt young master, however don't take your eyes off the enemy. " Aevum swiveled around and was greeted by a woman dressed in similar clothes to Khaos. She had a peachy yet light brown complexion, hair braided up and black lipstick. She brandished a microphone.

" Chillllll" she said causing everyone to sweat drop.

"We are La'Caille Cavalry Unit. I am General Aulani. we are currently in a rebellion against the Prime Minister. Emperor Tian has honored our revolution. Please come with us peacefully "

Aevum, not knowing what to do, looked at Khaos who brandished her cellphone and began tapping at the screen. She looked up and turned the phone to Aevum.

" It's your father, what they say checks out. "

" pfff BOOOM", The ground shook again as a fiery projectile shot through the sky again, crashing into a building in the distance.

"Hurry! It's not safe here! " General Aulani shouted urgently.

Aevum nodded at Khaos who cradled Jasper's mother before tugging at the boy, urging him along towards a row of Jeeps. Within a matter of moments they were buckled in and driving into the distance.

" Where are we going? " Aevum asked looking towards Khaos who sat beside him in the back of the Jeep.

" The La'Caille Palace"