Jericho awoke to a night sky, peppered with bright stars. Sitting up, he looked at his surroundings and all that surrounded him was the empty darkness of space, yet strangely, he didn’t panic. He didn’t scream or call for help. Oddly enough, he felt safe and calm. Getting up Jericho looked down and inspected himself. He was still wearing his sweatpants from before. Considering that was the only thing he was wearing, he should have felt, exposed or cold, but instead he felt nothing. Once he had his bearings he started to walk, exploring the landscape that seemed to go on forever.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed before something started to happen. Trails of golden sand flowed from all directions, meeting up in front of him. Looking in the horizon, he could not see where it started from, but Jericho had a sudden feeling, he knew who this was. Slowly, the sand started to morph and shape, forming a human body. Once it was done, the sand blew into the wind, leaving an image of himself in its wake.

“Hello Jericho, I am Midas, god of dreams and magic. It’s about time we have a talk.”

~~~~

Jericho took his time to inspect his doppelganger. It may have looked like him, but it wasn’t. Some differences were subtle, like Midas had golden hair, compared to his brunette. His eyes seemed brighter than his own. The blue green mix seemed to shine compared to his own. Then there was the obvious features, golden angelic wings were attached to his back, fluttering every so often, and a full set of leather body armor.

All together, Midas was pretty intimidating. “So… What is up roomie.” Jericho asked, he said it calmer than he expected.

“Are you done admiring yourself?” Midas asked, eyebrow raised. His voice even sounded like Jericho’s but it was as if he was underwater.

“Yes. Sorry, but Is that what I’ll look like after the transition is complete?” Jericho couldn’t help but ask. He needed to know if he would go blond. He liked his hair color and being blond would leave so many joke possibilities from Caspian.

Midas inspected himself, then looked at his wings, “For the most part yes.”

“At least I’ll get to fly.” He mumbled, “So, Why contact me? I thought you were supposed to be dormant until the transition is done.”

“I am not some D list god.” Midas huffed, “I am powerful enough to manifest to you and complete your transition.” His wings fluttered violently. It let Jericho wonder if they were connected to his emotions. “We’re getting off topic, I came to you to tell you what you can do to avoid judgement from the Keeper’s council. I can’t let my new vessel get imprisoned right before I can take the helm.”

“Gee, that’s pretty generous of you.”

“I know, I am amazing.”

Jericho wondered if he understood sarcasm or that was his way of being witty, but either way he felt reassured that he was going to be compatible with him.

“But what you need to do is join the Keepers. Rise from their ranks, earn their trust.”

Jericho couldn’t deny that he thought of it before. After the wendigos were gone he had pulled Diana aside to ask her just that. The only reason he looked for the supernatural was because he wanted others to believe him, to not call him crazy. But with the discovery of the Keepers he now knew he didn’t have to prove anything to people. He was right, and there was another world out there who knew it. So why not be a apart of that world instead of one that keeps denying you.

“You already know I told Diana I wanted to join. Why are you telling me this.”

“Because you can’t let this slip by. You need to do this for both our sakes. I don’t us want to end up like Trishula and his vessel.”

“What about them?” Jericho asked. His interest peaked.

“He’ll tell you when he’s ready.” Midas reassured him. “I don’t have much time left. Just join the Keepers and you’ll be safe.” With that, Jericho was hit by a gust of warm wind and he blacked out.

~~~

Jericho woke to Marcus’ room. He was holding Marcus like he remembered who was still breathing softly into his chest. He held his boyfriend tighter as he remembered what Midas had told him. What had Marcus gone through to make Midas not wanting to end up like him.

Kissing the others neck, he began to wake him up, “Marcus, it’s morning.” He spoke softly.

Marcus hissed at him and lifted the covers over his head. “No.”

He laughed as he expected the reaction. He instead got up and went to the bathroom. Once turning on the lights, he shrieked as a small furry figure pounce on him. Luckily he had caught the figure before it hit his face.

Cleo hissed and clawed at Jericho who only sighed and dropped the cat. He watched her run down the hallway and cursed, “Damn, just when I thought it was too good to be true you come back.” Looking back at in the bathroom, he saw Yoshi sunbathing on a bar of soap.

Picking up the small lizard, he placed him on his hair and looked at the mirror. Small patches of golden blond hair had started to take over his dark brunette hair. He groaned and tried to think happy thoughts, “At least I’ll be able to fly.”