CHAPTER 1
“Careful! We don’t want to fuck up and get caught again,” Teo whispered as muffled voices bickered inside his backpack. Finally released from his usual stint in detention, Teo was eager to put the plan he’d spent the last two days concocting into action.
Bracing himself, he jogged across the street to where the target of today’s prank loomed. The Academy advertisement was unavoidable, plastered on a brick wall of the school. In large gold letters, it read:
Come See the Academy’s Best Compete inTHE SUNBEARER TRIALS
Tall figures stood in an arrow formation on the black background of the poster, power posing and smiling for the camera. Teo recognized the woman standing in the center as Brilla, who had been crowned as Sunbearer in the last trials. Flanking Brilla were other past Sunbearers, recognizable by the golden sunburst crowns they wore on their heads.
It made Teo want to barf. He figured since he was forced to see it every day, the least he could do was add his own artistic flair.
Unfortunately, the poster was at least as tall as Teo—who was a proud five foot ten, thank you very much—and well out of his reach. Which was where Peri and Pico came in.
Most people in the city of Quetzlan had a bird, but they were more than just pets, they were companions. It was a lifelong bond between bird and human. But only Teo and his mom—Quetzal, the goddess of birds—could communicate with them directly.
Or, in Teo’s case, occasionally team up for some light defacing of school property.
“Coast is clear, come on out you two,” Teo said as he unzipped his backpack. Immediately, two birds poked their heads out. “You remember how to use these?” Teo asked, pulling out two of the smallest cans of spray paint he could find at the store.
Of course! Peri chirped.
I love these! Pico said, expertly popping the cap off with his beak.
The two young caiques were Teo’s partners in crime and always down to clown. They’d agreed to help Teo before he even offered up the dried mango in his backpack.
What’s the plan? Pico asked, tipping his head to stare up at Teo.
“I think they could use some humbling,” Teo said, eyeing the Golds. “Maybe some funny faces?” he suggested. “I’m open to your artistic interpretations.”
Great idea! they agreed before taking off.
“Try to hurry!” Teo called after them, checking the time on his phone.
You can count on us!
The best part of this prank was by the time anyone found his latest work of art, he’d be long gone to Sol Temple.
The Sunbearer Trials were the biggest out of all the holidays in Reino del Sol—a competition of the very best semidioses that kept the sun fueled and ensured the safety of their world for the next ten years. What had started as a sacred ritual thousands of years ago was now a televised and sponsored event that took over the cities. And Teo and his mom were required to attend.
As a simple Jade, Teo knew there was no chance he’d ever be chosen by the omniscient Sol to compete—something he was constantly reminded of by the posters that had been hung on the sides of buildings and light posts for weeks. They were all over social media, too, making it impossible for Teo to escape.
Like their parents, the kids of Gold gods were stronger and more powerful than Jade demigods. Some could produce and control elements and even move mountains. They went to a fancy academy and had fancy uniforms and got fancy training from the age of seven to be the Heroes of Sol. Whenever there was an emergency or disaster, the Golds were summoned to help.
Meanwhile, Teo and the other Jades weren’t deemed powerful enough to attend the Academy, so they got stuck going to public school with mortal kids. Quetzlan High was held together with duct tape and glue, and the only uniform Teo was ever given was awful lime green gym shorts and a gray T-shirt that didn’t fit. While Golds traveled around Reino del Sol saving lives, the most interesting responsibility Teo had was judging the yearly Quetzlan bird show.
He was tired of every privilege Golds received getting rubbed in his face.
Pico and Peri used their talons to hook into the advertisement’s canvas, giving them something to hold on to while they wielded the cans of spray paint and got to work.
I’m getting good at this! Pico said, repeatedly banging his head on the nozzle as he sprayed light blue paint haphazardly across the beaming faces of the Gold semidioses.
Peri’s focus was solely on Brilla. When Teo asked what she was drawing, she proudly announced, You said to give them funny faces. Nothing’s as funny-looking as a cat!
“That’s very clever, Peri,” Teo agreed.
The graffiti was messy and definitely looked like two birds had done it, but damn was it satisfying to see those smug expressions covered in paint.
“Time for the final touch!” Teo dug into his pocket while Pico and Peri glided down to perch on his shoulders. He unfolded a piece of paper he’d scribbled on during detention. “Can you write this across the top?”
Oh, that’s a good one, Son of Quetzal! Pico chuckled before plucking the paper from Teo’s hand and taking off.
What does it say? Teo heard Peri whisper as she flew after Pico with her can of spray paint.
I don’t know, I can’t read!
Peri held the paper while Pico tried his best to re-create the words. What Pico produced was absolute gibberish. Teo laughed behind his hand, not wanting to hurt the bird’s feelings.
That’s supposed to be a loop, not a squiggle! Peri said.
It is a loop!
Peri huffed. Will you fly up and show him, Son of Quetzal? she asked.
Don’t ask him that! Pico snapped, nipping at Peri. You know he’s sensitive about his wings!
Teo pretended he didn’t hear them, even as his wings flexed against their bindings beneath his shirt. “It doesn’t have to be perfect!” he said. They needed to be in and out before anyone saw.
The spray can hissed, coating Pico’s white chest in sticky blue paint. Teo winced. “Not so loud!”
My feathers! Pico squawked, flapping his wings in dismay.
“Teo?”
We’ve been caught!
Abort, abort!
The spray cans clattered to the ground as Pico and Peri flew off, bickering all the way. As the sound of footfalls approached, Teo scrambled to grab the cans and shove them into his backpack.
Dreading who he’d see, Teo turned toward the voice. Luckily, it was just Yolanda, one of the city’s mail carriers, accompanied by a red-lored parrot on her shoulder who delivered letters to residents through their open windows.
Hello, Son of Quetzal! the bird sang with a respectful nod of his head.
Copyright © 2022 by Aiden Thomas
