Frost and Flame, Foes in the Dark (book 2)

Chapter 20, Meeting the Enemy

Year 783 Octavus, day 36 of the seventh month of Domorus

Taking deep breaths, Akana focused on his mind. Letting all others fade away. The grass rustled when a breeze hit him, reminding him of reality.

"We are on a mountain, how can it be so damn hot on a mountain?" groaned Ceva, waving a fan like crazy trying to get some air on her while she panted in the shade. Opening one eye, Akana peered at him where he sat in the sun.

"I think it's rather tempered. It is a chilling breeze at least."

"Chilling?" Ceva groaned, looking over at Akana basking in the sun. "The gales are barely noticeable because they are so warm. I'm not even sure I'm currently breathing because I cannot feel the air go down my lungs."

"Don't be silly, you are alive, aren't you? That means you are breathing."

Ceva rolled her eyes, "Very astute of you. What are you doing anyway?"

"Meditating."

"Right. Why?"

Akana let out a sigh and opened his eyes. There was no point in trying to meditate in this park when he constantly gets interrupted. If not by Ceva then by people walking by and greeting him, some stared openly at him. Akana rose, brushing himself off before he sat down beside Ceva on the bench.

"The Mayin told me that my inner sanctum, the one Sen lives in, takes the shape of whatever I want. Since I haven't used the inner sanctum, it as corroded into the most basic form my mind can think off."

"Which is?"

"A cave."

Ceva snorted," You are forcing your brother to live in a cave."

"Yes, I feel rather guilty about that. I am the elder of us two so it's my responsibility to ensure he lives well," Akana said, ignoring Sen's protest when he said he was the elder.

"So, you are trying to change the cave into something more livable," Ceva peered at Akana. "Have you succeeded yet?"

Avoiding Ceva's knowing gaze, Akana said," Somewhat... It has changed shape at least."

Sen snorted, not shy with uttering his discontent. Akana couldn't blame him, it turns out he was not much of an architect.

"To what?"

"A cube."

The silence pressed down upon them as Ceva stared, soon the silence was broken by her laughter echoing in the air," A cube?"

"Indeed."

"And you are now forcing your brother to live in a box."

"...Yes."

"Has he protested yet?"

"Several times, by taking over my body and refusing to give it back," Akana muttered. "I have promised to do something about it as soon I got my body back, but it turns out that I haven't a creative bone in my body. I don't know what to make."

"Well, I can say for sure that none are surprised by your lack of creativity," Ceva said, and Akana hushed Sen who agreed loudly from his mind. "But you are in a city filled with amazing architecture, just recreate what you see. Maybe recreate the mansion for now, or why not Eighpalas."

"That..." Akana frowned, "Is not such a bad idea. It might take some time to recreate Eighpalas but I think I can do the mansion quickly enough."

"See? I'm good at keeping the peace in the family."