The Impossible Stars: The New Age

By Kaisha Bisht and Aum Karra

High school friends Stryke, Xy, and Jack never expected to become Zodiacs, but a sudden mission on the last day of school changes everything. Bullies, escapes, and bullets lead them to a Zodiac Camp, where they face backstabbing, grim reaper kittens, and more. As they grapple with flying buses and deadly ma

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Marketeers
• Release date: Feb 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9781962905190

Book preview

PART I

Nail, hair, and spa

Chapter 1

Minors being shot at

Monday, May 29, 2028, 14:07

Celestia Mason didn’t see the point of school.

She knew all she needed to know to be a baker, waitress, or park ranger (her dream job). Despite that, she had to go to Shadow Trail Academy, where everything was boring, and there were absolutely zero extracurricular! That all-in-one school wasn’t a good combination.

Ever since Xiandra had told her about that dream with Charlotte, calling her to the nail salon, Celestia had been feeling uneasy. At least it was the last day of school. Then no more wasting eight hours a day on meaningless torture.

Celestia’s best friend, Maci Miller, trotted beside her. Celestia! Trevor Walker called. Trevor was one of her best friends. He was tall and muscular, with a buzz cut. He had coffee-bean brown skin and loved his bow and arrow, but he wasn’t allowed to bring it onto campus for legal reasons.

Well, we can see each other after school. I have history, you have science, Maci said, motioning for her to join the group of people under the dead tree. Celestia gave a regretful glance towards Maci, then strolled over to her group. There was Trevor Walker, Xiandra McKenna, and Stryke. No one knew Stryke’s real last name. Nor did they know where he got the silver streaks in his hair. Xiandra was talking rapidly with her best friend, Charlotte Gonzalez.

Stryke had sand-colored skin and curly-wavy hair that fell over his eyes in an undercut. He lived in the Smiling Faces Orphanage. In case you’re wondering why they didn’t choose a better name, it’s because it’s an orphanage for kids who are 2-8 years old, and Stryke never got adopted, unlike a few lucky children.

If you looked at Stryke, the first thing you would notice would be his ocean-teal eyes, a rare phenomenon that was only seen in a handful of people in the world. Come to think of it, Celestia never had seen another person with Stryke’s eyes… Then you would notice his hair was primarily black but had silver tips, and there was no dye at Smiley’s orphanage, so it had to be natural.

Xy had vanilla-colored skin and pale gray eyes, with flecks of silver, and a lot of freckles. She had shoulder-length curly red hair, and today she had her hair in a messy bun.

Charlotte was your average Latino high schooler with long, straight brown hair and a gentle smile. She had hazel eyes that you could get lost in, and at the moment, she was doing a handstand competition with Xy.

Celestia had medium straight light blond hair, currently with streaks of pink. She had bright green eyes and was wearing a tank top and shorts with her brand-new Nike shoes.

Charlotte picked up her books and headed to History. Only two hours left! Stryke said. Two hours? I thought we were here for years already! Celestia replied. Yeah. her other best friend Xiandra agreed. Two hours! Good thing it includes the homeroom. I am dying to get Marissa to sign my yearbook. She added. I don’t mean to discourage you, but I don’t think she would do that, Celestia said. Xiandra scowled.

Celestia, I don’t think you want to get on Xy’s bad side, Stryke said. Xy was what they had nicknamed Xiandra in kindergarten, and everyone calls her that, so we will too.

A few hours later, they gathered in their usual meeting spot under the shade of the dead maple tree.

Three, two, one-

Stryke was cut off by the school bell ringing louder than usual and the nerd, Zedd Stun, tripping over his own feet.

I can imagine Monsieur Flagorneur’s face right now, Celestia said. Too bad he doesn't have any kids to torture over summer vacation, Xy joked. Well, you don't have him right next door! Stryke said. Who in their right mind would live next to an orphanage? Trevor said, catching up with the trio. He has a lot of kids to torture at the orphanage, so he’s there, Stryke replied. Just then the school bully/crybaby Jamie Johnson walked by while picking his nose openly, thinking he was hot stuff.

He was the principal’s son, so no one dared to talk about it. He grabbed the nearest kindergartener and promptly gave her a wedgie, then stuffed her in a locker when she refused to give him her lollipop. Jamie kept on walking and the story repeated but this time it involved punches. He flipped his dark brown hair to the side and then flared his nostrils. The teachers were looking disgustedly at him but were scared to confront him. Stryke immediately popped up in front of Jamie with fists raised.

Ya wanna have a go? Jamie demanded. I wish Stryke would stop getting into fights like this! Celestia said.

Stryke was at a disadvantage because he was underweight at only ninety pounds. But to everyone’s surprise, he immediately smacked Jamie into the wall. When Jamie tried to react with a punch to the stomach, Stryke dodged easily and responded with a spinning kick to Jamie’s temple. Jamie collapsed on the floor, too wiped for a snide comment. Wow! Trevor exclaimed, will you show me how to do one of those spinning kicks?

Nah, Stryke replied. All you’ll get from trying one of those is crotch strain. Speaking of strain, Celestia interjected, We need to get the heck outta here before the principal sees his kid like this, True, Trevor replied, breaking into a run. They made it to the playground in less than a minute, where the swings creaked and the slide was cracked.

Three minutes later, when they were at the edge of the playground, a resounding bang rang out. There was no mistaking that sound. Gunfire.

Chapter 2

Zodiac manicures

Monday, May 29, 2028, 14:21

The bullet whizzed past Celestia and shot through the fence behind Xy. Both of them jumped at the sight. What the? Xy was cut off by another bullet, nearly hitting her neck. I think these are tranquilizer darts.

Tranq darts or not, someone’s shooting at us, so we should be running! Celestia replied.

Who would ever commit armed robbery at a school? Stryke demanded sprinting past them. If you're one of those hotshot big-time villains, the bank’s around the corner!

And don’t worry! Xy said, If you faint, I’m CPR certified!

Less talking, more running!

Trevor barked from somewhere behind them.

Sorry, Stryke replied. They hurtled across town, sticking to Atlanta’s back streets. Where the heck are we going? Trevor demanded. Just follow us, Xy replied. They barged into a shop called NAIL, HAIR, AND SPA.

Uh, guys! We’re about to die! It isn’t the right time for a mani-pedi! Trevor said.

Stryke glanced at Xy, who had told him about her dream with Charlotte. Yeah, Stryke replied. Xy knows where to go.

Yup, Xy added. Celestia, you have an ID. Ask the clerk for four Chinese manicures.

They went up to the counter. Four Chinese manicures,

Celestia repeated to the lady at the counter. She handed her ID card. "How do you have an ID?

You’re fifteen! Trevor said. Celestia ignored him. The lady looked at the card and then at the four of them. And who is your mentor? Anyone who’s- you know- been? She asked. That would be me," Xy said, stepping forward. She didn’t know what made her do it. She. Just. Did. The clerk motioned for Xy to scan her finger on a red pad embroidered with gemstones, as Charlotte had done in her dream.

She obeyed. You’ll get your ID once you get in. the lady said after looking at the fingerprint. She took another look at the card and led them to a small room. They sat on a bench, and Stryke pressed a few buttons. Okay, now things are just getting weirder. Trevor, aid. Xy pulled a lever, and the entire room started going down, like an elevator. Aaah! Earthquake! Trevor yelped. He started frantically running in circles like a maniac. Are you getting in touch with your psychopath side? Xy asked.

Celestia, Stryke, and Xy sat on the bench, and Celestia calmly flipped through a magazine.

When Trevor finally calmed down, he reached into his back pocket and took out his inhaler. He then took a few puffs. What the heck is going on? he asked. Xy and Stryke exchanged looks. Well, to get into the private room, you need to have a private appointment, don't you? Xy demanded.

After about 10 minutes of uncharacteristic silence from Stryke, Trevor asked, Are you sure it's this deep? No. Why? Stryke replied. I’ve never been here before, he added.

You haven't? Trevor demanded. Okay, great! After someone shoots at us you take us to some creepy spa where you've never been before? And what kind of spa has an underground lair, too?.

Alright, alright, relax! Stryke said. The elevator stopped with a thud and the doors opened with a pneumatic hiss. Don't remember that happening last time, Xy muttered. What happened? Celestia asked.

Xy’s dream had been vague. She appeared in front of the spa, and Charlotte stepped out. "Welcome," Charlotte announced. "To your new home. Xy floated into the doors, where she watched Charlotte scan her finger, show a red ID, and disappear down the elevator. Xy followed. Inside, the elevator landed softly, and Charlotte ran into the shadows. Xy took a step forward, but everything went black, and she woke up. Before Xy could answer, a booming voice rang out through the hall, Welcome to the Chamber of the Zodiac."

Chapter 3

Chinese Dumbledore on steroids

Monday, May 29, 2028, 17:53

The whatsit who? Excuse me? Stryke asked. The Chamber of the Zodiac. the voice repeated. Now, a man stepped out of the shadows. I am Shihuangdi, Northern King, Guardian of the Zodiac, the first demigod son of Pangu, master of the Zodiac, also known as the Jade Emperor."

They had no idea what this creepy old man was talking about.

Stryke, Xy, Celestia, and Trevor were in a large, palace-like room with a few seats around round tables and a chandelier. There were several hallways, and the walls and floor were made of obsidian.

Aren't you the guy who held the zodiac races? Stryke asked. If so, shouldn’t you be dead?

"Yes, but I would prefer you not to refer