The voice seemed to be coming from all around him. It was strong and smooth, somehow setting his mind at ease, yet instantly sobering. Josh felt a sudden brush of wind behind him. He turned, shocked to be feet away from the source of the voice. The newcomer was a young man, perhaps two or three years older than Josh. Through the dim light of the moon, Josh could see he had wavy, blue hair and large, blue feathered wings on his back, which fluttered as he landed.
"Who are you? What are you?" Josh stammered.
"Call me Bluejay. Everyone else does." Bluejay sat down as he spoke. His voice seemed to have a calming effect on Josh. He somehow felt he could trust him. "I'm a mutant. And apparently, so are you. I was not expecting that."
"I'm Josh. Josh Foley," he said, sitting beside him. "What's a mutant? I'm no good at science."
"There's a theory that all living things are made up of cells, which can be seen with a powerful microscope. Inside those cells, they say, is the manual on how to make you. Each generation gets the information from the previous generation, but little changes, called mutations, happen all the time. When a very large change happens all at once in a single generation, we call the offspring a 'Mutant.'"
"So..." Josh hesitated. "So you're not an angel?"
Bluejay laughed. "That's a tricky question. My parents were every bit as human as anybody's ever were, if that's what you mean. Others like me, with wings, I mean, are called Cheyarafim. Some say that's what angels are."
"So there are others like you? Are there many?" Josh asked excitedly. He nearly forgot to offer Bluejay some of his wine and jerky.
"If you mean Cheyarafim, I only know one. We call him Archangel, and he is really impressive. As for mutants, like you and me, we are very rare, but our numbers are growing."
"Oh yeah... I'm a mutant, too." Josh looked down at the golden skin on his arm. There was no trace of redness or pain, no scar. "So what, I turn burns into gold or something?"
"You have regenerative powers, it seems. I do as well. My body heals itself from injury very rapidly, and I never get sick," Bluejay said. "Of course, I don't turn gold when I heal. It might be a side effect of your mutant powers."
"Hang on, you said you were surprised I am a mutant. Why are you even here, then?" Josh was starting to get nervous.
"It's the Kingpin," Bluejay sighed. "My people caught wind that he is trying to form new weapons and recruit mutants. Oh yes, he knows about mutants. He has powers, too: incredible strength, near invulnerability, and he can make himself immovable."
"I think those men said something about Uncle Harold building something before... before..." Josh broke down, a fresh wave of grief overtaking his whole body.
"Josh, I am so sorry about your father. I followed them to gather information, but I swear I wouldn't have let them go in if I knew any of you were in real danger." Bluejay's voice quivered as he spoke.
"I don't understand why they would care about Uncle Harold. The junk he sells is available in a dozen mechanic shops in this city alone. The only thing he does differently is Tinker with lightning-power. With all the work he's done, he has only powered small devices for very short periods of time, and he's nearly been killed by lightning three times. That crazy idea is worthless," Josh added.
"Lightning power?" Bluejay gasped. "That must be why they want him. Maybe these new weapons will use lightning."
"But the Kingpin would need a sustainable source," Josh said.
"Which he could just get if he knows where to look. Emperor Sunfire's daughter possesses the power of lightning. If we don't get to them first, we could really be in danger!"
"You gits are in danger right now!"
Josh turned toward the voice. There was a green man with greasy shoulder length hair squatting beside two armed soldiers. Josh did not recognize the uniform, but he had a hunch he knew who they worked for.
"Toad hates birdy-boys! Toad will get a bonus for telling the Kingpin about the esteemed Emperor's daughter!" the green man croaked.
"You won't get the chance, slimeball!" Bluejay yelled as he leapt at Toad. his speed was incredible, and his wings allowed him to cover the distance in a single bound. Bluejay punched Toad twice in the face, only to be sent toppling by a bone-crunching kick from his adversary.
One of the soldiers grabbed Josh around the middle, pinnging his arms down. Josh wriggled and squirmed until his left arm was free.
"You monsters killed my father!" Josh bellowed. He had never felt such hatred in his entire life. He grabbed his assailant by the neck. He felt his skin go cold as the golden color turned to midnight black. The soldier's eyes widened. The next moment, the soldier dissolved into the air, clothes and all.
Toad and Bluejay stared, stunned. The other soldier was furious, and pointed his crossbow right at Josh. His arrow soared through the air and hit solidly in Josh's chest.
Josh could feel his knees buckling in pain, but he never hit the ground. he could feel a pair of strong arms around him and a cool breeze on his skin. He forced his eyes open. He saw a cloudless sky, and large, blue wings. Then, he looked down at his chest. The arrow had hit right where his heart was. Blood was everywhere, and the last thing Josh remembered was a sound like a thousand chirping birds.