The dancing leaves flew around the swaying trees. The birds chirped happily because they knew that they survived for another day. The cats and dogs stopped fighting each other like they were friends. Even the usual calm river became rushing waves splashing against the shore - as if marking that the day was special. Yet the ones who mattered for him treated it like just an ordinary day.

Yes, this was Azeur Brandt's birthday.

The date today was Agno, the 8th month of the year, 2020. Ten years ago, in that same month, Azeur was born from a rich family on the fourth day. His father was the mayor of Halian City. His mother was a great magician and an elder of the Council. His only sister was a topnotcher in a prestigious school. Even his brother, two years older than him, was chosen to represent his city in the upcoming Magic Contest. What's not to like, that was what he usually asked himself. Yet he knew, in this household, he barely existed.

"My child, your food's ready."

Azeur's eyes lit up when he heard that familiar voice, and turned around in excitement. "It's you, Nana! You're here!" He forced his tiny feet to run and hugged her tightly. "I miss you."

Danica Shell, or Nana, received his gestures with happiness. The white on her hair, the wrinkles on her face, these were the evidence of her age, yet for him, she would gather her strength to visit him every time she was free. She patted his back, her eyes misty, "I miss you, child. And happy birthday."

Azeur paused a bit, his lips slowly curved into a smile and raised his head. "Thank you, Nana. This means a lot to me."

"I know." Danica got the tray and set it on the oak table, wiping the surface with a clean cloth. "There, it's a cupcake. And it's carrot, your favorite."

Azeur clapped his hands, his feet moving around like a monkey. "Yay! I can eat carrot cupcakes again."

He was about to grab it when Danica stopped him. "You should make a wish first."

"Okay!" Azeur closed his eyes and said, "I wished that my dream will come true."

BANG!

"Thunder!" Danica approached the open window, her face frowning as she stared up the sky. "It's dimming and the winds are getting strong. There should be a thunderstorm." She closed the window and locked it. "There, this should not disturb our celebration, right?"

Azeur nodded, his hands holding the cupcakes as strong as ever.

"Well, before you eat, tell me about your dream."

He set the food on the table. "Well, it's a dream, like a dream when you sleep."

"Oh! I thought you were talking about ambitions." Danica sat beside him, "Go on, what about the dream?"

Azeur scratched his head. "It's really crazy, you know. You might not believe me, Nana."

Danica gave a light chuckle, "I won't laugh. I promise. Besides, dreams are supposed to be crazy."

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He took a deep breath and recounted it, "You see, I was walking at a great beach. You know, this wide," he opened his arms sideways, "and as I walk, there are many creatures, scary monsters, looking at me. But I was not afraid. I walked straight ahead until I reach a throne. And a loud voice called my name. He says, Azeur, my incarnate."

There was still silence. Danica's brows were furrowed, she knew this was just a dream but something made her heart beat faster. Even then, she nodded her head, "So your wish is to let your dream come true? So you want to become a God incarnate?"

Azeur giggled. "I know it sounded silly but hey, I've read a book once, and it say 'If you've gotta dream, you gotta dream big because it's free. Only make sure that you are not caught up with it and stay grounded in reality."

"A wise saying."

"Yeah!"

Danica smiled and took the plate, "Go on. Eat it."

"Okay." He was about to take a piece when the plate cracked and the cupcake fell on the floor. Like an orchestrated action film, a mouse came rushing from a tiny hole, partially hidden by a table, and ate the cupcake. At once, its body shivered before it became still.

"Nana, the mouse is dead..." Azeur had a realization and stepped backward, his eyes reddened because of his suspicion. Even though he was young, he was very intelligent. But because of the funny dream he always had every night, which warned him that he should not expose his ability nor intelligence before he could protect himself, he exactly did that. The cost was his family's rejection.

Danica's eyes sharpened, the looks of a kind woman gone on her face. She unsheathed her dagger and pointed it at him, "You should have just eaten the cupcake to spare yourself from this."

Azeur, who was holding his emotions, began to sob. "But Nana, why? You worked for us since I was born. Wait...don't tell me someone sent you to work here just to kill me?"

"Truly intelligent. Madam is right. You are a threat to the world."

"But how did she come up with that decision? Why kill me?"

Danica snickered. "Well, I think it's kind of me to explain it to you before you die." She stopped as she coated her dagger with poison, and continued, "You see. Madam is a psychic, blessed with the gift of the seer. She predicted that on the 8th day of Agno, 2010, a young child of great evil will be born. Using the mystic powers of astrology, she found out that this will happen in the city of Halian. So, we come up with a simple solution."

"A Plague that only affects babies...so you were behind that incident." Azeur sighed deeply, recalling what her mother said a year ago. "But I survived and your plan failed. But why wait ten years just to kill me again?"

"I actually tried but Madam stopped me, the reasons I don't know. She changed her plan and this time, I became a nanny inside your house."

"I see."

Danica was about to strike when she saw his odd expression. Taken aback, she asked, "Why are you smiling?"

Azeur gave an almost shrill laugh that echoed inside the room. "Because your plan failed. You see, I forgot to remind you that my dream is actually true. I am really the God Incarnate of Azeur."

Danica felt the tingling sensation on her nape and sprinted forward. She thrust her dagger as hard as she could but her hand stopped midway. Her body was frozen.

"Release me! Azeur, my child! Release me, right now." Danica's voice quivered, she was like a statue.

The tears on his eyes did not stop falling. His face was messy but his stares did not soften - they were as sharp as daggers. "I trusted you! Everyone is just a liar! My mom does not love me. Even my dad ignores me. My brother rejects me while my sister hates me. All this I can take. But you! I've treated you like my family! I did not feel that lonely because, in you, I have a mom, a dad, a brother, and a sister. But why?! Why?!" Tell me, did you ever been true to me? Did you really care about me?!"

Danica's eyes went misty. "Yes. I...I indeed care for you. But everytime I took care of you, bathe you, gave you food, accompany you, as time passed by...I dreaded that this time will come. But you know. You got to do what you got to do."

Suddenly, a rushing wave of energy entered his mind and he saw what happened thousands of years ago, during the world's creation.

Then there was a momentary silence. This time, his tears had stopped falling. He raised his head and stared at her, his smile curved lightly, almost a sneer. Then he said in a chilling voice, "You're right. You got to do what you got to do."