ILLUMINE

Chapter Two

Illumine stood in awe, his eyes sweeping across the dazzling cityscape of Kova. The towering buildings with their shimmering lights and the bustling streets below were unlike anything he had ever seen. The air was alive with unfamiliar sounds—honking cars, distant music, and voices blending into a chaotic symphony. It was overwhelming, yet fascinating.

Lost in admiration, Illumine failed to notice one crucial detail: he was n***d. As he wandered, oblivious to the stares, someone finally noticed him. A shrill scream pierced the air, breaking through his trance.

A woman gasped, shielding her eyes. "What—what is wrong with you?!" She stumbled backward, her voice sharp with alarm. Others joined in, their voices rising in confusion and anger.

“Get out of here, you lunatic!” someone shouted.

Illumine froze, bewildered by the sudden hostility. “What have I done?” he muttered, trying to make sense of the commotion. He raised his hands in a gesture of peace, attempting to explain, but the crowd’s agitation only grew.

Lion, sensing danger, let out a low growl and nudged Illumine’s leg. The message was clear: run. Without hesitation, Illumine turned and bolted, weaving through narrow streets and alleyways, the sound of curses and shouts fading behind him.

He finally stopped in a quiet compound, gasping for air. Leaning against a wall, he clutched his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart. “Ohh,” he groaned, “why is this body so weak? I’ve never felt anything like this before.” His voice was a mixture of frustration and confusion as he tried to steady his breathing.

As he glanced around, his eyes landed on a small window. Curiosity piqued, he approached and peered inside. It was then that he noticed his reflection. His cheeks flushed as the realization hit him: he was completely n***d. Panic surged through him. “What is going on?” he whispered, stepping back from the window.

Scanning the area, he spotted a clothesline strung across the compound, laden with garments drying in the cool night air. With careful steps, he approached, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. He grabbed the first set of clothing he could find and quickly dressed himself. The fabric felt strange against his skin, but the sense of relief was immediate.

Just as he adjusted the ill-fitting clothes, a voice broke the silence. “Mom, you stress me so much!” it said, the tone frustrated but resigned. “I don’t want to marry her, please leave me alone.”

Illumine’s eyes widened. The voice was getting closer. Panicked, he ducked behind a stack of crates, his heart pounding in his chest. He held his breath as the footsteps drew nearer.

A young man appeared, muttering under his breath as he walked into the compound. He stopped abruptly, his eyes scanning the area. Illumine shifted slightly, trying to remain hidden, but Lion let out a soft, involuntary growl. The man’s gaze snapped toward the sound.

“Who’s there?” he demanded; his voice tinged with alarm. Taking cautious steps, he moved closer, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Illumine. For a moment, neither spoke, frozen in surprise.

Then the man screamed. “What the hell? Who are you?”

*** *** ***

Meanwhile, back in the celestial realm, Gavriel was busy with his duties. After glancing into Illumine’s room earlier that morning and seeing a body on the bed, he assumed the boy was asleep. Satisfied, he left to attend the Holy Revolution’s general meeting.

The meeting concluded as usual, but as the angels began to disperse, the Holy One’s voice rang out. “Gavriel, my precious angel, stay behind. I have something to ask of you.”

Gavriel knelt before the Holy One, his wings folding neatly behind him. “Yes, my Lord. What do you wish of me?”

“My precious angel, the first in line,” the Holy One began, His voice both gentle and commanding. “I hope you still have your eyes on the creature in your care.”

Gavriel’s face lit up with pride. “Oh, Holy One, yes, I do. I even checked on him this morning. He was asleep, just like a human…” His words trailed off as the Holy One’s expression changed.

“You mean the same one who is on Earth as we speak?” the Holy One interjected.

Gavriel’s wings twitched as panic began to set in. “Wait, that is not possible,” he stammered. “He was on his bed a moment ago!”

The Holy One raised a hand, silencing Gavriel. “See for yourself,” He said, and with a wave of His hand, a beam of light illuminated an image. Gavriel stared in shock as he saw Illumine in the human realm, wearing mortal clothing and looking utterly out of place.

Gavriel’s heart sank. “Oh, Lord, please forgive him,” he begged, falling to his knees. “I will summon him back immediately and make sure he…”

“I don’t want that,” the Holy One interrupted His tone firm.

“What?” Gavriel asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Holy One’s eyes glimmered with something between amusement and anticipation. “I am quite interested to see how this will unfold. Perhaps now he will understand the true meaning of humanity.”

Gavriel hesitated, torn between duty and obedience. “And what would you have me do, my Lord?”

“Nothing,” the Holy One replied. “You must not interfere without my permission. Let this play out as it will. You may leave now.”

Gavriel bowed deeply, his heart heavy with worry but bound by the Holy One’s command. He left the chamber, leaving the holy one all alone as he thought out loud “ I like a little bit of adventure, let see how you will be able to survive”

*** *** ***

In the small living room of the house, chaos erupted. The young man who had discovered Illumine pulled him into the space, his mother gasping when she looked at the stranger.

“What is wrong with you?” the older woman exclaimed, clutching her chest. “Oh, and he is young ooo! Who would make him turn mad?”

Illumine tried to speak, his voice trembling. “I… I’m not mad. I am an angel. I don’t have wings, but I live with the angels and the Holy One. I’ve seen them. Please, believe me.”

The young man frowned, pacing back and forth. “What do you mean, you’re an angel? Angels don’t just fall out of the sky and wander around n***d!”

“It’s true,” Illumine insisted, his eyes wide with desperation. “I came from the celestial realm.”

The older woman shook her head, muttering to herself. “What kind of trouble is this? My son, just call someone to come and take this boy. He’s not well.”

The man nodded reluctantly and stepped away to make a phone call. Illumine’s heart sank as the mother continued to look at him with a mixture of pity and fear.

Minutes later, a van arrived outside. Two men stepped out, their expressions cold and unfeeling. They approached Illumine with an air of authority, ignoring his protests as they took hold of his arms.

“We’re here to help,” one of them said, though his tone was anything but reassuring.

Terrified, Illumine struggled as they dragged him toward the vehicle. “No, wait! I’m not mad! Please, listen to me!”

The older woman wrung her hands. “Just go with them, my boy. They’ll take you somewhere safe.”

As the van doors slammed shut behind him, Illumine’s panic reached its peak. He pressed his hands together, tears streaming down his face. “Holy One, please,” he whispered. “Help me. I don’t know what to do.”

At that moment, he felt a familiar presence—Lion. Through the small, barred window of the van, he caught sight of the creature racing after them, its golden eyes glowing with determination. A spark of hope ignited in Illumine’s chest.

The van rattled down a deserted road, the city lights fading in the distance. Suddenly, Lion leaped onto the vehicle, its claws scraping against the metal as it climbed toward the roof. The men inside heard the noise and cursed, their grip on the steering wheel tightening.

“What the hell is that?” one of them shouted.

Lion roared, a sound so fierce it seemed to shake the vehicle. The driver swerved, trying to shake the creature off, but Lion held firm. Its powerful jaws tore through the roof, creating an opening just large enough for Illumine to see daylight streaming through.

“Climb,” Lion’s presence seemed to urge him.

Illumine, filled with newfound strength, scrambled upward. The men inside shouted in confusion, one reaching for him, but Lion growled menacingly, forcing them to retreat. With one final push, Illumine crawled through the opening and onto the roof of the van.

Lion leaped to the ground, signaling for him to follow. Without hesitation, Illumine jumped, landing awkwardly but unharmed. Together, they sprinted into the woods, the shouts of the men fading behind them.

As they stopped to catch their breath, Illumine knelt beside Lion, placing a hand on its head. “Thank you,” he whispered, tears of gratitude filling his eyes. He felt hope for the first time since arriving in Kova.

Illumine and Lion wandered through the streets of Kova, their steps uncertain and weary. They searched for food, for shelter, for any sign of relief, but the city seemed unyielding. Towering buildings occupied every corner, their shadows casting an oppressive gloom. Where there were fruits, they hung behind fences or sat in markets, guarded fiercely by vendors who eyed Illumine with suspicion.

When Illumine approached one such vendor, he held his hands out, his expression pleading. “Please, I’m hungry. I just need something to eat.”

The vendor scowled, waving him away. “Get out of here! Go find work like the rest of us.”

“But I—” Illumine began, only to be interrupted by the man.

“I said leave!” the vendor shouted, stepping forward threateningly. “I don’t have time for beggars.”

Illumine retreated, his cheeks flushing with shame. He approached others, but the responses were the same. Some ignored him, others chased him away, their words sharp and cutting.

“What’s wrong with you, boy? Go home!”

“I don’t have a home,” Illumine whispered to himself, his voice lost in the din of the city.

Days passed, and Illumine’s body grew weaker. Hunger gnawed at him, a relentless ache that refused to fade. One evening, he found a quiet alley and sank to the ground, resting his head on Lion’s side. Tears streamed silently down his face as he murmured, “Maybe this is my punishment. I should have stayed where I was told.”

Lion nuzzled him gently, its presence a small comfort. But Illumine’s despair only deepened, his heart heavy with regret.

A soft rustle drew his attention. He looked up to see a girl, no taller than himself, standing a few feet away. She held a small package in her hands, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she stepped closer and extended the package toward him.

Illumine hesitated, his brows furrowing in confusion. “What is this?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

The girl said nothing, simply placing the package in his hands before stepping back. Illumine stared at her, searching for an explanation, but she offered none. Finally, he whispered, “Thank you.”

The girl nodded once and turned, walking away without a backward glance. Illumine watched her until she disappeared around a corner. Then he looked down at the package and opened it. Inside was a pack of biscuits.

Before he could take a bite, he glanced at Lion, intending to share his gratitude. But something was wrong. Lion’s form had changed. Instead of the majestic creature he knew, a scruffy dog now sat at his side. Illumine gasped, leaping to his feet. “Lion? What happened to you?”

The dog—Lion—tilted its head and gave him a familiar smirk, the same knowing expression it always had. Illumine’s fear melted into relief, and he dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around the creature. “I thought I lost you for a moment,” he whispered. Lion let out a soft huff, leaning into the embrace.

With trembling hands, Illumine opened the biscuits and took a bite. The flavor was unlike anything he had ever tasted, sweet and comforting. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. For the first time in days, he felt a flicker of joy.

The next day, Illumine decided to find the girl who had given him the biscuits. He retraced his steps, following the path she had taken. He saw her enter a gated compound and hurried to catch up, but by the time he reached the gate, it was locked. Frustrated, he lingered outside, staring at the place where she had disappeared.

He considered giving up but couldn’t shake his desire for more of the biscuits. They had been more than food; they were a gift, a glimmer of kindness in an unkind world. Determined, he waited near the gate, hoping to see her again.

days passed with no sign of the girl. Just as Illumine was about to leave, the gate creaked open. He slipped inside, Lion close at his heels. The compound was quiet, a sprawling bungalow house dominating the landscape. Illumine stopped in his tracks, mesmerized by its beauty.

As he stood there, the door to the house opened, and the girl stepped out, holding a garbage bag. She froze when she saw him, her eyes widening in shock. For a moment, neither moved, the silence stretching between them. Illumine felt his breath catch, his gratitude and curiosity mingling with uncertainty.

Finally, the girl broke the silence. She frowned, dropping the bag into the bin with a thud. “What is wrong with you?” she asked sharply, her voice tinged with frustration. “Can you stop following me? What do you want from me?”

Illumine hesitated, his words tumbling out awkwardly. “I… I don’t mean to bother you. I just wanted to say thank you. And… I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

The girl’s brows knitted in confusion. “Thank you? For what?”

“The biscuits,” Illumine replied earnestly. “You gave them to me when no one else would. I… I don’t have anyone.”

She crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. “So, you’re following me because of some biscuits? That’s weird.”

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Illumine said, his voice soft. “I just… I need help.”

“Help?” she repeated, incredulous. “I don’t even know you. How am I supposed to help?”

Their argument escalated, the girl’s voice growing louder as she tried to assert her boundaries. Just as Illumine opened his mouth to respond, a sound came from the house. The girl stiffened, her eyes darting toward the door.

“Oh no,” she muttered under her breath. Panic flashed across her face as the door creaked open. A tall, regal woman stepped in, her dark skin glowing under the porch light. She wore a brightly patterned wrapper and a stern expression that commanded attention. Her hair was wrapped neatly, and her eyes scanned the compound with sharp precision.

“Nkem,” the woman called, her voice firm and authoritative. “Who are you talking to?”

The girl’s name was Nkem. Her face paled, and she grabbed Illumine’s wrist, pulling him and Lion toward a small cage near the back of the compound. “Stay here and don’t make a sound,” she whispered urgently, shoving them inside and locking the door.

Illumine crouched inside the cage, Lion beside him, as Nkem hurried back to her mother. He listened as her voice shifted, calm and obedient, answering her mother’s questions.

Hours passed before Nkem returned. She opened the cage, her expression tense. “You need to leave,” she said firmly.

“Please,” Illumine begged, his eyes pleading. “I don’t have anywhere to go. Just let me stay here, even for a little while.”

“No,” Nkem insisted. “If my mom finds out, she’ll kill me.”

Their voices rose again, the argument carrying into the night. Suddenly, the door to the house opened, and Nkem’s mother stepped outside. She froze when she saw Illumine in the cage, her sharp eyes taking in the scene. Silence fell over the compound as the three of them stared at one another, the tension thick and unyielding.