The Sentinels

Chapter 1- The Age of Heroes

C A L L U M

Immortality is stupid, Callum thought as he jogged.

He didn't need to run for exercise, as immortality kept him perpetually in peak human condition. That didn't mean he didn't need something to clear his head.

The boy ran down the park's main walkway, the cool early morning breeze gently rustling the flowering trees that flanked the road.

'Those trees look like the ones near Merlin's tower...'

Callum frowned, his not-wanting-to-think jog wasn't working out the way he planned. He waved at an elderly woman and beamed a smile,"Good morning, Mrs. Ellis!" The woman grinned, waving back.

He turned down into the wooded biking trail, breathing in some fresh hair. The hustle of New York City often overwhelmed him, and the brief time he could spend in nature often helped alleviate his stress.

The boy smiled at a woman walking with her little boy,"Your little boy is adorable." He waved, and darted forward, running inhumanly fast. Another immortality quirk he liked, but would kindly give it back.

Callum owed his immortality and peak human condition to the Holy Grail, and Merlin's magic. After being fatally wounded by Mordred in the final battle of Camelot, he had almost died until Merlin had him drink from the sacred relic. To ensure he was safe, Merlin petrified Callum until he would be needed again. Too bad that time wasn't for another millennium.

Callum sighed when no one was in sight. His homesickness stirred inside him, flashes of the castle he used to run down the halls in, his mother's smile, his best friends. Callum shook his head, shaking it off. That was a long time ago, Callum, he reminded himself.

Callum checked his watch, and decided to head back to his place. In a few minutes he had arrived back to the crowded streets of the city. He tried to give people greetings and smiles, but most street-goers weren't in the good-morning mood.

Callum came to his apartment building, and climbed the stairs until he came to his window. He opened it, and hopped to the floor. Callum grinned at the sword propped against his bed,"Hey, Cal." The sword didn't answer anything back, but Callum cracked a grin,"It was a good run. But I gotta get to work."

A few minutes later Callum was ready to go, dressed in a nice shirt and tie. His spiky blond hair was still damp from the shower, making it appear darker than it actually was. He touched a silver locket around his neck, making sure he still wore the piece of his past. After a moment Callum looked to Excalibur, putting a platinum signet ring on his finger,"What do you mean you don't want me to go?"

The sword once again remained silent, being heard only by Callum. He made a face,"I'm not going to need you. It's just work."

Callum turned to leave but stopped, glancing over his shoulder at the sword in defeat,"You know, you're pretty persuasive for an inanimate object." He walked over to the window, cracking it slightly. He raised a brow,"Here's a way out, which you won't need. I'll see you soon." Callum said goodbye to Excalibur before stepped out of the door.

Soon he was walking up the steps of the American Museum of Natural History. He clipped his badge to his shirt as he stepped inside, the badge reading Cal McKnight, Docent.

He grinned good-naturedly at the receptionist at the front desk,"Morning!" She playfully rolled her eyes,"Glad you're excited to be here."