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MEET THE CHARACTERS
WARNING!
This page contains spoilers.
Proceed with caution.
Click or tap the photos to learn more about each character. Information is arranged to reduce the possibility of spoilers.
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Have questions or comments about any of the characters? Let me know!
OTHERWORLD 1: BENEATH WHICH SKY
Arkeda Mothran
Species: Otran
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Arkeda's First Christmas, ESL, No One, Professor King, Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Arkeda was born on the planet Otreau, in the city of Katósa, Osparia. He has lived on Earth, in Waukesha, WI, USA, since he was eight, when Otreau was destroyed by a supernova. He was the only survivor, sent to Earth by his parents before it happened. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, when he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in business.
Arkeda is very introverted and empathetic. He doesn't like sharing his origins with humans, though he will share the basics of his past if asked.
Like all Otrans, Arkeda is a telepath. Due to atmospheric differences between Earth and Otreau, Arkeda can levitate. He is a taido prodigy, and has a photographic memory.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Arkeda finally tells his foster parents, Dominique, James, Mark, and Petyr that he isn't human and tells them about his past. Once he demonstrates his abilities, they believe him.
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Arkeda's First Christmas, ESL, No One, Professor King, Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Arkeda was born on the planet Otreau, in the city of Katósa, Osparia. He has lived on Earth, in Waukesha, WI, USA, since he was eight, when Otreau was destroyed by a supernova. He was the only survivor, sent to Earth by his parents before it happened. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, when he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in business.
Arkeda is very introverted and empathetic. He doesn't like sharing his origins with humans, though he will share the basics of his past if asked.
Like all Otrans, Arkeda is a telepath. Due to atmospheric differences between Earth and Otreau, Arkeda can levitate. He is a taido prodigy, and has a photographic memory.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Arkeda finally tells his foster parents, Dominique, James, Mark, and Petyr that he isn't human and tells them about his past. Once he demonstrates his abilities, they believe him.
James Rochester
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: You Never Really Leave Home Behind, Worlds Collide, Professor King, Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
James is a native of Savannah, GA, USA, Earth, though he has family in Minnesota. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, when he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in language and cultural studies. He has a tendency to be very sarcastic.
James is an ordinary Earthen human, with one distinctive ability: a talent for languages. It only takes him a few months to learn a new language, and he sometimes learns two at once. He maintains his knowledge using books, movies, and pen pals.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, James finds out his roommate, Arkeda, isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—James believes him.
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: You Never Really Leave Home Behind, Worlds Collide, Professor King, Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
James is a native of Savannah, GA, USA, Earth, though he has family in Minnesota. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, when he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in language and cultural studies. He has a tendency to be very sarcastic.
James is an ordinary Earthen human, with one distinctive ability: a talent for languages. It only takes him a few months to learn a new language, and he sometimes learns two at once. He maintains his knowledge using books, movies, and pen pals.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, James finds out his roommate, Arkeda, isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—James believes him.
Dominique Marton
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Female
Books: Beneath Which Sky, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Arkeda's First Christmas, No One
Spoiler-free information:
Dominique is an ordinary Earthen human from Milwaukee, WI, USA, Earth, though she now lives in Waukesha, WI. She found Arkeda when he first arrived on Earth. Unaware the boy she'd taken in was an alien telepath, she raised him for a year before he officially entered the foster care system. In 2049, when Beneath Which Sky begins, she is 69 and retired.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Dominique finds out Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—she believes him.
Gender: Female
Books: Beneath Which Sky, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Arkeda's First Christmas, No One
Spoiler-free information:
Dominique is an ordinary Earthen human from Milwaukee, WI, USA, Earth, though she now lives in Waukesha, WI. She found Arkeda when he first arrived on Earth. Unaware the boy she'd taken in was an alien telepath, she raised him for a year before he officially entered the foster care system. In 2049, when Beneath Which Sky begins, she is 69 and retired.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Dominique finds out Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—she believes him.
Mark Flynne
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Mark is from Boring, OR, USA, Earth. In 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in criminal justice.
Mark is an ordinary Earthen human. Outside of class, he plays video games and does improv comedy.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Mark finds out his friend Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—Mark believes him.
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Mark is from Boring, OR, USA, Earth. In 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA, with a major in criminal justice.
Mark is an ordinary Earthen human. Outside of class, he plays video games and does improv comedy.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Mark finds out his friend Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—Mark believes him.
Petyr Achtenberg
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Petyr is from Hamburg, Germany, Earth. In 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA.
Petyr is an ordinary Earthen human. He is an athlete, focusing largely on taido and running. After graduation, he plans to return to Germany.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Petyr finds out his friend Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—Petyr believes him.
Gender: Male
Books: Beneath Which Sky
Flash Fiction: Saint Patrick's Day
Spoiler-free information:
Petyr is from Hamburg, Germany, Earth. In 2049, in Beneath Which Sky, he is eighteen and attending college in Houghton, MI, USA.
Petyr is an ordinary Earthen human. He is an athlete, focusing largely on taido and running. After graduation, he plans to return to Germany.
Spoilers for Beneath Which Sky:
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In August 2050, Petyr finds out his friend Arkeda isn't human. Once Arkeda demonstrates his abilities—telepathy and levitation—Petyr believes him.
OTHERWORLD 2: WHEN COMES THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
Zaivyer Verling
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Zaivyer is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha.
Zaivyer is a self-taught guitarist and singer, and is on the school track team. He knows almost nothing about his father, Zaivyer Partivan. He has the same heterochromatic eyes and small silver plate on his temple that his father has.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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On his thirteenth birthday, during When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Zaivyer discovers several impossible abilities, somehow caused by that small metal plate on his temple. His senses, strength, speed, and endurance are enhanced beyond normal ability, and he can shapeshift.
Outside of class, he plays rhythm guitar with a local Waukesha band called Skylark. Because of his shapeshifting ability, the band believes Zaivyer is a junior, not a freshman.
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Zaivyer is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha.
Zaivyer is a self-taught guitarist and singer, and is on the school track team. He knows almost nothing about his father, Zaivyer Partivan. He has the same heterochromatic eyes and small silver plate on his temple that his father has.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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On his thirteenth birthday, during When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Zaivyer discovers several impossible abilities, somehow caused by that small metal plate on his temple. His senses, strength, speed, and endurance are enhanced beyond normal ability, and he can shapeshift.
Outside of class, he plays rhythm guitar with a local Waukesha band called Skylark. Because of his shapeshifting ability, the band believes Zaivyer is a junior, not a freshman.
Joanna Verling
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Female
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Partivan
Spoiler-free information:
Joanna is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. In 2049, when her son, Zaivyer, is thirteen, Joanna is 40.
Joanna is an ordinary Earthen human. Though she wonders about Zaivyer's origins and father, she doesn't let it bother her.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Though Joanna wasn't there when Zaivyer discovered his abilities, he shows her what he can do. She knows that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple, and suspects his father knew he would develop these abilities.
Gender: Female
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Partivan
Spoiler-free information:
Joanna is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. In 2049, when her son, Zaivyer, is thirteen, Joanna is 40.
Joanna is an ordinary Earthen human. Though she wonders about Zaivyer's origins and father, she doesn't let it bother her.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Though Joanna wasn't there when Zaivyer discovered his abilities, he shows her what he can do. She knows that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple, and suspects his father knew he would develop these abilities.
Zaivyer Partivan
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Partivan
Spoiler-free information:
Zaivyer Partivan is the father of Zaivyer Verling. Like his son, Partivan has heterochromatic eyes and a small metal plate on his temple.
In 2049, when Zaivyer Verling is thirteen, Partivan is 43. During the events of When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, his hometown, current location, and abilities are unknown.
BONUS INFO (minor Partivan spoiler):
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One of the myths Partivan tells Joanna about is based on real people (real in-world, at least) that still exist. Read Chloe Walz's series, Age of the Immortals, to find out which one!
Spoilers for Partivan and When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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On the winter solstice of 2035, Zaivyer Partivan arrived at Joanna Verling's house in the middle of a blizzard. He stayed in her guest room and was gone the next morning. Despite being in a separate room from Joanna all night, he is the father of Zaivyer Verling.
The short story titled Partivan is the opening scene of When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, but from Zaivyer Partivan's perspective. It is full of hints about Partivan: his abilities, his origins, his plans. These hints will be further explained in Gateway.
Partivan demonstrates two abilities in the story: resistance to extreme temperatures and emotional manipulation. Partivan is not bothered by the freezing temperatures of Wisconsin in December. In addition, he convinces Joanna to trust him by altering her emotions.
Partivan went to Joanna's house because a being called the Arcanodis Orateia told him he had to, that it was crucial to Partivan's plans. It is the Arcanodis Orateia who tells Partivan that Joanna will have a son, that he will be the father, and that his son will save the world from a great danger. This danger comes from Partivan's homeland, which he calls Reau.
Spoilers for Partivan and Chosen:
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The Arcanodis Orateia is a glowing, gray-robed figure, the same figure that appears in Chosen. It guided Partivan to Joanna's house and gave him glimpses of his son's future.
Partivan knows John Michaels' grandfather, Damien Caven. How they know each other will be further explored in Gateway.
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway
Flash Fiction: Partivan
Spoiler-free information:
Zaivyer Partivan is the father of Zaivyer Verling. Like his son, Partivan has heterochromatic eyes and a small metal plate on his temple.
In 2049, when Zaivyer Verling is thirteen, Partivan is 43. During the events of When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, his hometown, current location, and abilities are unknown.
BONUS INFO (minor Partivan spoiler):
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.
.
.
.
One of the myths Partivan tells Joanna about is based on real people (real in-world, at least) that still exist. Read Chloe Walz's series, Age of the Immortals, to find out which one!
Spoilers for Partivan and When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
.
.
.
.
.
On the winter solstice of 2035, Zaivyer Partivan arrived at Joanna Verling's house in the middle of a blizzard. He stayed in her guest room and was gone the next morning. Despite being in a separate room from Joanna all night, he is the father of Zaivyer Verling.
The short story titled Partivan is the opening scene of When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, but from Zaivyer Partivan's perspective. It is full of hints about Partivan: his abilities, his origins, his plans. These hints will be further explained in Gateway.
Partivan demonstrates two abilities in the story: resistance to extreme temperatures and emotional manipulation. Partivan is not bothered by the freezing temperatures of Wisconsin in December. In addition, he convinces Joanna to trust him by altering her emotions.
Partivan went to Joanna's house because a being called the Arcanodis Orateia told him he had to, that it was crucial to Partivan's plans. It is the Arcanodis Orateia who tells Partivan that Joanna will have a son, that he will be the father, and that his son will save the world from a great danger. This danger comes from Partivan's homeland, which he calls Reau.
Spoilers for Partivan and Chosen:
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The Arcanodis Orateia is a glowing, gray-robed figure, the same figure that appears in Chosen. It guided Partivan to Joanna's house and gave him glimpses of his son's future.
Partivan knows John Michaels' grandfather, Damien Caven. How they know each other will be further explored in Gateway.
Grayson Smith
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Grayson is from Pewaukee, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha.
Grayson is an ordinary Earthen human. He is very focused on academics and is learning how to be a theater lighting technician.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Grayson is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Grayson is from Pewaukee, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha.
Grayson is an ordinary Earthen human. He is very focused on academics and is learning how to be a theater lighting technician.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Grayson is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
Asher Rowe
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Asher is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha. Asher is an ordinary Earthen human.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Asher is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Asher is from Waukesha, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha. Asher is an ordinary Earthen human.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Asher is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
Aidan James
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Aidan is from Muskego, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI.
Aidan is an ordinary Earthen human. In middle school, he was known as the class clown. In high school, he is learning how to be a theater sound technician.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Aidan is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
Gender: Male
Books: When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, Gateway (cameo)
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Aidan is from Muskego, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in When Comes the Stroke of Midnight, when he is thirteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI.
Aidan is an ordinary Earthen human. In middle school, he was known as the class clown. In high school, he is learning how to be a theater sound technician.
Spoilers for When Comes the Stroke of Midnight:
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Aidan is present when Zaivyer discovers his abilities. He knows what Zaivyer can do and that it somehow comes from that strange metal plate on Zaivyer's temple.
OTHERWORLD 3: CHOSEN
John Michaels
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Books: Chosen, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
John is from Columbus, OH, USA, Earth, though he's lived all over the US because of his mother's wanderlust. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Chosen, when he is sixteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI. John makes friends easily, and can be extremely sarcastic. His father is not around much because he is often stationed overseas with the army.
Spoilers for Chosen:
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On his sixteenth birthday, during Chosen, John wakes up to find a strange black strip on one ear that gives him impossible abilities. He is telekinetic, can teleport, and discovers a new mastery of fencing, though he's never done it before.
At full dark the day of his sixteenth birthday, John discovers something even stranger than his new abilities. His eyes change to yellow with slit pupils, and his voice becomes telepathic, though he is unable to read minds. These changes last until first light. He also discovers that he no longer needs to sleep.
He makes no effort to hide his new abilities and nightly change.
Gender: Male
Books: Chosen, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
John is from Columbus, OH, USA, Earth, though he's lived all over the US because of his mother's wanderlust. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Chosen, when he is sixteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI. John makes friends easily, and can be extremely sarcastic. His father is not around much because he is often stationed overseas with the army.
Spoilers for Chosen:
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On his sixteenth birthday, during Chosen, John wakes up to find a strange black strip on one ear that gives him impossible abilities. He is telekinetic, can teleport, and discovers a new mastery of fencing, though he's never done it before.
At full dark the day of his sixteenth birthday, John discovers something even stranger than his new abilities. His eyes change to yellow with slit pupils, and his voice becomes telepathic, though he is unable to read minds. These changes last until first light. He also discovers that he no longer needs to sleep.
He makes no effort to hide his new abilities and nightly change.
Jason Powers
Species: Human (Earth)
Gender: Male
Books: Chosen, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Jason is from Brookfield, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Chosen, when he is sixteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI.
Jason is on the high school fencing team, and loves meeting new people. He has a tendency to assume, unless he's corrected or sees evidence otherwise, that any unfamiliar teenagers he meets at school are potential new students, even if he meets them outside of the school year or at public events.
Spoilers for Chosen:
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Jason is the first to greet John on John's first day at high school in Waukesha, and invites him to join the fencing team. He learns just how different his new friend is during a fencing meet in Chicago, when John uses his abilities to stop a robbery at the diner where the fencing team had been having dinner.
Gender: Male
Books: Chosen, Gateway
Flash Fiction: N/A
Spoiler-free information:
Jason is from Brookfield, WI, USA, Earth. His first main appearance is in 2049, in Chosen, when he is sixteen and attending high school in Waukesha, WI.
Jason is on the high school fencing team, and loves meeting new people. He has a tendency to assume, unless he's corrected or sees evidence otherwise, that any unfamiliar teenagers he meets at school are potential new students, even if he meets them outside of the school year or at public events.
Spoilers for Chosen:
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Jason is the first to greet John on John's first day at high school in Waukesha, and invites him to join the fencing team. He learns just how different his new friend is during a fencing meet in Chicago, when John uses his abilities to stop a robbery at the diner where the fencing team had been having dinner.
OTHERWORLD 4: GATEWAY
More characters coming soon