Barcode: Legend of Apollo by Kashif Ross

processing a faint voice echoing in my head, “ Armor is made for those afraid to die .”
    Nudging Hannah, I ask, “Do you ever remember Arnold saying something like, armor is made for people afraid to die?”
    Hannah giggles and replies, “It sounds too poetic for him. I’m just kidding. I might have heard that before. It would make sense, since he doesn’t wear armor. He’s always hoping someone will kill him.”
    “He actually requested I fight him last year. It was the first and only time I ran away. Arnold squeezed the hell out of me the next time we met up.”
    The classroom door swings open as Hannah laughs at my unfortunate past. It may sound funny, but most consider a squeeze from Arnold a near death experience. As the professor reenters the room, I wonder if he could really stand against the power of Hercules.
    Professor Gardezi gestures for my cousin to enter. The stunningly beautiful girl, nearly the same height as the Payne twins, gracefully walks into the classroom as though she’d purposely shown up late. I know better—Angie’s sense of direction is an abomination. I doubt that’s changed over the past seven years.
    Now that she’s an adult, her barcodes better suit her. Each of her breasts have an arrow that points towards her face.
    Strangely, I’ve never seen Angie’s tattoo glow. I’m sure she’s used them in battle, but they always remain black. Rumors have it that the slash over Blake Payne’s eye remains black when activated as well.
    The stylishly exquisite girl glides smoothly next to Kode and his brother. The two boys seem to shape up when she enters the room. It’s funny to see that she’s the boss, and they’re her subordinates.
    Hannah punches me swiftly in the ribs and teases, “You’re staring!”
    “So? She’s my cousin.”
    “Yes, but didn’t you say your uncle wants you both to recreate Helios after you defeat him?”
    “Dennis isn’t having that. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want me fighting Helios anytime soon, and he definitely doesn’t want me have a baby to potentially kill my cousin.” Dennis may not want me to fight Helios, but he can’t avoid it for much longer.
    Professor Gardezi proclaims, “I’m proud to be the first to announce that today we’re going to welcome our own princess of Colt Arena, Angie Colt.”
    Princess? I’m well aware of what he’s implying, but that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Angie’s being praised because her birth symbolized a treaty between the West and South Coasts of America.
    Three centuries ago, after World War T left the planet in shambles, various leaders in our country argued over who should rule our land. Barcodes were just introduced to Earth, which created peace in nearly every country. With most of the East Coast demolished, our once powerful nation turned against itself and started a very long-term war—the Great American War.
    At the end, a treaty was signed that divided the country, but created a sense of harmony. Instead of fighting over who ruled America, politicians were given their own borders to govern, which reduced the death toll by the thousands.
    Angie is the product of my uncle and her Louisianan mother, the first woman to host the power of a god and not a goddess, Poseidon. Like Zeus, Poseidon does not match well with humans.
    The South’s most prized woman was bedridden nearly all of her life. Many doctors said her womb was an ocean of strength that could possibly birth the most powerful child in history. Because of this, many men competed to mate with her. But in a free-for-all war, my uncle reined as the sole survivor.
    Angie’s birth reunited the West and South Coast. Because of her, the country is only divided into two halves. Once my predestined fight with Helios occurs, America will be united under the tyrant or Colt family.
    Professor Gardezi finishes his elaborate speech and introduces the rest of the students. I listen to learn the name of Kode’s brother—Monte Payne.