A Timeless Change. A Collective Story.

Cretin.

Talon

Honestly I don't know what this little cretin was but she had impressed me with the punch to Hector's face. I have to admit. Alot of people had wanted to do that for years. Hector believed he was above most. Since Magna's were like Royalty and then some... No one could get away with punching him in the face. Expect maybe this little creature. I dragged her out of the Government Chambers as fast as I could. Before Hector changed his mind about locking her up. I wasn't sure what to do with her and I was pissed off that I was now stuck with this woman but still. I dragged her back out of the Castle and moved to the van. Thankfully Carl was still sat in there on his phone. When he saw us coming he started up the engine.

"Where to Captain?" I stopped and looked at the creature who was looking up at me. I ignored her and looked to Luke and Mosi. Both of whom were looking ready to laugh.

"I can't believe that just happened...." Mosi smiled looking down at the woman. "You pack quite the punch don't you little Munchkin...." He was the first of us to speak to the woman. She slowly smiled at him. Her head tipped to the side as she studied Mosi. Most found Mosi Mwanajuma irresistible. It was hard not to want to be drawn to him. It was a common thing with Healers. Mosi was a healer first. Solider second but he was one of the best Healers you could have with you while bleeding out. He was a descendant from the Tien family. All of whom were fierce and beautiful. Even the Powered were naturally drawn to the Tiens. They were one of the largest Houses around. I watched the effect he was having on her and was incredible jealous.

"Wow what a voice you have...." I rolled my eyes and looked at Luke as he chuckled.

"What a talent you have for being such a strange Human or Tainted....." Mosi said to her before he looked at me. "Are you not even freaked that two of the Magna Mind warps couldn't Mind swept her? I mean Hector and Percy are two of the most Powerful people in the House of Magna. Yet it did nothing to her." Yes I was freaked but admittedly after having seen Jason try to have a go who was almost as Powerful as Hector fail over and over again. It was almost not as shocking now. Of course Jason looked mortified when my father suggested that we took her to Hector. Jason is Hector's first son and will one day inherit the Head of the Family. It was massive boots to fill and it was a lot of pressure. Last night when he couldn't even pick up anything off of her as she laid sleeping on the bed, he was so embarrassed and I felt bad for him. Especially considering the group of people stood around watching. My father quickly stepped in and told Jason to leave her be and that he's go speak to Hector. When I got called this morning to get the woman and bring her to the Collective I was a little worried. Now..... I don't know what to think. No one had ever been able to with stand a Magna's power. That is why alot of us wear pendants to stop them being able to get to us. It blocked their power. Us Solider especially wore them as we weren't sure if anyone with the Magna power were in the House of Orpheus.

"I don't know what this little Cretin is. Tainted. Human.... Something else. I don't know but right now I am left to deal with the s**t show that f*****g Balloch should be dealing with. Since it was his mission and him who told me to chase her down. They're just punishing me once again..." Both Luke and Mosi gave me an understanding look. Though how could they ever fully understand.

"Did you just call me a Cretin?" I almost forgot she was here. I looked down at her. She looked rather pissed off. "Look I don't know what in the name of Harry Potter is going on but I have had enough. So can someone please tell me what the hell this is all about. Now!" She's a demanding little thing. I almost expected her to stomp her foot.

"Who's Harry Potter?" Luke asked. I had no idea. Both Mosi and I shrugged.

"My name is Mosi Mwanajuma. I am a Lieutenant in the Army of Mageia. I am also Powered with the power of Healing...." Mosi pointed to Luke. "That is Lieutenant Luke Aqua. He is also in the Army and Powered with the power of Water Manipulation. He's also preparing to take his father's place on the Collective Council.." Luke gave her a smirk. Mosi pointed to me. "That there is Captain Talon RavenWolf. He is Powered with the power of Transformation. He can shift into a Wolf. Along with many other talents that he has....." Luke snorted as Mosi chuckled. I was not impressed by that. "We are all part of Mageia. A magical world that has existed for thousands of years. It started with Civilization thousands of years ago being gifted with power that they had no idea where they came from. Since then each person born to a Mageia parent or a Tainted has powers that divide into the four categories, or the Four houses. The House of Magna. They have the powers of Empathy, Psychokinesis and Telechokinesis. The House of Tien. They have powers of Healing. Longing in life. Medical knowledge. The House of IceWater. They can control the weather or the elements. Then lastly you have the House of RavenWolf. They have the ability to shift into an animal and posses it's strengths and traits. Depending on what animal you are, depends on your strengths and weakness. Some don't always have the ability to shift. Some can control animals. Some can speak to animals. Though that's the basics of it all...." That was the very short version anyway. She looked at us. One at a time.

"So all of you have powers?" I nodded.

"Yes." I commented. She frowned.

"Just one power from one of the houses? You can't have one or two from each house?" Luke laughed at the idea.

"It's never happened. It won't ever happen. You see there is law that those with the same power can reproduce. Those from different houses can't. Anyone who does.... Because everyone loves a rebel so there has been a few. They usually end up with a non powered child. It also brings great shame on that child and family. It's worse than being Tainted." He wasn't wrong there. Though those Children of the mixed were treated better than me. So it's a toss up really. She pulled a face.

"Tainted?" I sighed.

"It's a half bred. When a member of the Mageia has a child with a human. That child does develop a power but it's very limited and they usually end up doing terrible jobs around the House of Artair. They do the basic jobs like cleaning. Cooking. Serving those from the Collective. Working in the offices. Some get to work security." I explained but she just looked even more confused.

"How does a Tainted happen if you lot try to do your Jedi minds tricks on anyone that finds out about you?" Jedi mind tricks? What did that mean? Mosi shifted his feet a little.

"I don't know what you mean by Jedi mind tricks but the thing with the Powered is some like to be worshipped and humans seem to be naturally drawn to those with Power. It's like their human brain can sense something is different with us and they have to be near us. We're allowed out in the world of man and often we stumble into humans. It happens. Of course then we have to watch the human encase of a baby." There was a little more to it than that. I mean a few of the Powered had actually fell in love with their human and married them. It's a life time of shame in alot of people's eyes but they always seem more happy than most of the other Powered. So I don't know who's really living in shame.

"Has there ever been a human with two human parents with Power?" What a strange question. I looked down at her. She was looking at Mosi.

"No. The only way to have Power is through having one Powered parents. Or two Powered parent from the same House. Even then you only get the Powers of your parents. Of course each person is different and limited or more entitled depending on who you are. There has to be limits to our power otherwise people can get a big ego and try to start a war like the Dark one. That is why we only have one power. That is why the tainted have basic power and are nothing more than slaves here. Not to mention Mix breeds who have no power. Where ever our powers came from they came with limits. We're all limited. If there was an all powerful human out there with Powers that would change alot for us. It would change how we'd have to see things." Mosi answered. Truthful though something in her face looked troubled. For the first time since being here. She looked panicked.

"Not to mention the House of Magna runs this place with an iron fist. The other Houses are basically just for show. Hector is in charge of everything. Powered can't protect themselves from the Mindcrawlers and Empaths. Us Soldiers wear pendants to help block them out should we come across one but if a powerful one like Hector or Percy wanted too they could probably get past the Pendant but it would probably kill the person wearing it. You are the first person I have ever seen able to not be effected by them. No Powered, Tainted, Mix Breed or Human has ever been able to fight off their power. If there was ever any one out there with more power than a Magna I don't know what would happen to them. We have rules here but there is already fears over the House of Orpheus who want to rule over the humans as Gods. If Hector thinks that a person is a threat or could be working with the House of Orpheus then it could be bad. Very bad. The Collective had ordered a death sentence before. More than once. Usually the crimes are pretty serious but there's always times were even you doubt what Hector is doing. If someone was to threaten the Magna reign then I don't know what happens......" I looked a Luke. Feeling a little uncomfortable about telling a human all this. About talking about this so openly. We all have thoughts about this place but usually we keep it to while being in our places.

"You shouldn't speak like that around here. Anyone can hear you..." Luke looked around us before looking back at me.

"You out of every person should understand what I mean." I did. f**k I did know. The House of Magna were a constant plague on my life but still. What he was talking about could get him thrown in a cell with Mindcrawlers pouring through his mind to see if he was working for the House of Orpheus.

"No I do get that all I'm saying is The House of Magna are paranoid little fuckers who think they can control everything in Mageia. They won't think twice about having you arrested for speaking like that." Mosi reached up and rubbed Luke shoulder. He looked so angry. Luke looked at the woman who was still listening.

"What I'm saying is that we all have powers but we also have books of Rule that we have to follow. The Collective are a collection of people from each house who are suppose to have equal say about what happens here but most of the time Hector ignores the Collective and just makes up his own rules. If General RavenWolf hadn't spoken up for you in there Hector would have kept you in a cell with Mindcrawler after Mindcrawler coming in there to probe your mind. Believe me it's exhausting having someone go through your thoughts and memories. We've all had it done. It's Training we have to past to get into the Army. To see if we can withstand a Mindcrawler trying to get information out of us. So as great it was to see you punch Hector in the face. Don't do it again. Next time you might not get away with it." Luke's warning was certainly needed but she looked at me.

"General RavenWolf? Is he related?" I nodded.

"He's my father." Her eyebrow lifted. I wasn't sure what that meant. "Come on let's get out of here. I don't know about you lot but I'm hungry and I have training soon." We got into the Van and went to our quarters. Thankfully Luke, Mosi and I were in the same building, not just that. Our Quarters were side by side. The Cretin took everything in. When we got to my Quarters the lads followed me in. I kicked the door shut and moved her over to the bathroom. "Have a shower and clean up. You smell like Vodka and Weed. I'll find you something to put on." She looked at me a little offended.

"You're a little charmer aren't you?" She winked at me before looking down at her chuffs. She lifted them up to my face. "You going to help me out?" Nope.

"I saw you get them off with just a clip. I'm sure you can figure it out. Good luck Cretin..." I pushed her into the room by her waist and reached for the door. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Dick." I chuckled as I slammed the door. I heard her lock it. I wasn't worried. That wasn't about to stop me. I moved back from the door. Luke and Mosi were sat on the sofa in the corner. I moved to my cupboard and pulled out clothes left behind by my string of one nighters with Randoms. I honestly wanted to return them but the truth was I didn't know who they were. I forgot to get a name each time. I pulled out jeans, a t-shirt then looked in there for a jumper or something. When I didn't see one I reluctantly went to my draws and pulled out a black jumper of mine. Not happy about it as I dumped it on the pile of clothes on my bed.

"So how do you think this is going to work out?" Mosi asked me as I went over to the door and knocked.

"Cretin clothes!" I shouted. I could hear running water. Then the click of the lock before she stood there with a towel wrapped around her. She was wet and naked. I have to admit something kicked alive in my chest. I couldn't help but stare at her for a moment. Her eyes stared into mine for a moment before she reached up and snatched the clothes out of my hand.

"Thanks Beast." She smirked before she slammed the door in my face. f**k sake. I ran a hand over my face letting out a breath.

"Women are impossible." I muttered moving over to the guys. I dropped down between Luke and Mosi. Both of them were watching me.

"Maybe you should ask her what her name is instead of calling her Cretin. I think she doesn't like it." Luke laughed. Maybe he had a point. I shrugged.

"Are we not going to mention how that girl has had six Mindcrawler trying to get into her head and still none have even effected her?" Mosi sounded anxious about it. I reached up and rubbed my eyes. I was so exhausted. By the time we got back here it was almost time to start the day again. I haven't even slept. I was done in.

"I'm too tired to worry about that right now but there is certainly something about her. I didn't tell no one this but when I was out there last night I was using my senses to check the house out. I was deep in my power when I was pulled out of it by the smell of Meadow Sweet. It consumed me completely. Knocking all of my senses. Then everything around me when silent and blurry until I could hear only one heart beat. I looked around until I saw that woman in there. I don't know who she is but she completely effected the Wolf inside me. Nothing had ever effected me like that before. When I was stood in the room with MindCrawlers trying to probe her mind I wanted to lose it. I wanted to rip Jason's arms out of their sockets. I was like a possessed Wolf. It was a little unsettling. When Hector was man handling her in the Great Hall. I was struggling to hold it together. I don't know who she is but I can't be around her. I've always had control of my power but it seems around her. I don't." I was seriously beginning to wonder just what was going on with me. This was not good. If anything this was going to make the Cretin's time here worse. Being stuck with me was not going to help with the Mageia. Believe me. I was disliked more than Mixed Breed and the Tainted. Maybe even more than the House of Orpheus which said alot.

"OK what is happening? First this girl is able to withstand Mind Crawlers now this? You don't let anything or anyone effect you. Ever. Mageia have hated your existence since before you were born and you've never even showed that it hurt. Even though we know it does but suddenly your admitting to this woman getting to you....." Was that a question? I looked at Mosi.

"I honestly don't know what's going on but believe me last night when my Wolf went rouge and almost stalked the street to find her before the whole k********g thing, I was panicked. I even growled. I growled when I saw her. I don't do that. Women don't get to me like that. This one did. I need to go speak to the General to see if he will get someone else to have her." I said but the idea of her being with another Solider didn't sit well with me. I felt it in my gut. The door opened. I looked over there quickly as the smell that tickled my nose since this woman came into my life was suddenly so strong I felt sick.