Fate's Emergence

•] XXVIII [•

"Under Pressure"

    "What do you mean difference in skill , what's so different about Earth and this realm ?" "How many islands are there exactly ?" Iniko thought as he tied a spare rope around the hooks and off to their oars . He huffed as it was dug into the ground for stability .

     Gamoorah was the first to reach the grassland , as it swayed in the night wind . "Earth's atmosphere does not vibrate at the same frequency as Middle Earth . Though your abilities are strong and can be seen here , that's not the case on Earth ."

The moon lingered at the center of the island , acting as a direct reflection . Now inhabiting Earth , this land was truly that of one wavelength . They happened to be the only sins who hadn't the knowledge of their element on Earth . Unable to access it within their first life there .

Ceres attempted to release a fireball from her palm , the air grew dry and hot , and the grass around them caught on fire . "That's reasonable ." She muttered , then turned to Iniko , Gamoorah quickly spit to put out the flame .

     He cast a circle to open a void , yet failed miserably . "On Earth , you'll need to find the nearest doorway , but during the bewitching hour , shadows act as a gateway , so any shadow will suffice ."

     Iniko looked out to his surroundings , sparse tree growth and no homes within a twenty-kilometer radius . He was stranded , flushing the light from the stars , the world went dark . "Tí liàng !" He belched , every blade of grass glistened with a light .

     "The stars Iniko ," Gamoorah warned , "midnight falls in five minutes , you'll have your chance ." Iniko was forced to take the backseat whilst Ceres led their adventure to the island . He released the stars' natural illumination , ensuring to leave a bit more for the recovery .

His breath grew still as he pondered the manner in which he'd escaped his sentence .

Eyes catching a glance of a familiar shadow , unbeknownst was the necessary level of caution to such a familiarity . Iniko had completely disregarded the conversation among his peers to give full attention to his surroundings .

In every corner of his eye , there was a shadow dancing just around the corner . It brought a tightness to his chest . "Why don't you hop on , darling ." Gamoorah's voice cut through the thumping of Iniko's heart . She'd noticed the scent of fear by the faint change in the breeze from the south .

At her behest , he slowly made his way , still trapped in thought . Every sleepless night and every early morning . The call of birds and tiny squeals of mice . With every beating and each bruise , his fingers glossed over the length of his forearm .

Purpled knots and yellowed skin were but all he could recall of his last day in his cell . The coarse straw pillow scraped at his skin with each toss .

Thin bedding that stained all too well and refused to retain heat , even during summer. His shackles splattered in excrement , the pile of laundry he'd use for rags that bore through the nose like wildfire . "Yet they always returned ."

A breath grew from his stomach , every sense tuned to profound levels . "Smells nothing like that now ." He said to himself , the aroma of a wave-beaten beach , the scuttle of crustaceans , the taste of salt in the air .

Ceres turned to examine him , ". . So what you're telling me is that because of this difference in wavelength , I must conserve energy and bring tools to even access my abilities ?" Gamoorah nodded approvingly , they'd been discussing the act of talismans within the last few minutes over the ankh her mother had bestowed .

"It's Midnight Iniko , try building that first gate ." He dismounted her side & stepped into a deep canopy of trees . A shadow loomed over like a chilling coat , his ears ringing at the sound of bats hunting beneath the safety of night .

The thoughts of his hellish home loomed in the forefront of his mind , "I don't think I should open a gate at this time Gamoorah , I apologize ." He was frightened of what would lie in wait for him on the other end .

     "Your fear does not constrict you Iniko , it is a challenge of resolve . Treat it as such henceforth am I understood ?" Iniko could sense the severity in her demeanor and just how dire her tone was . If Iniko was to be scared of every monster hiding within a shadow , he'd never understand the capacity for beauty within his element .

     "A preconceived notion that shadow is bad cause horrible acts have been committed against you in the dark of night ? Where shadows so happen to lurk the most yet they carry no malice ." Iniko mumbled in a surefire way to convince himself of his safety .

     "You're not chained to a wall any longer Iniko , you're a free man ." Ceres' words carried through the quadrants of his heart , igniting a passion long beaten into hiding .

     "I'm safe . . I can ensure my safety ." Iniko could see the blinding light of a portal within his mind & reached through the vacant space . To the watching eye , his arm had appeared missing , just to be pulled back into view by Iniko's sharp movements .

     His hand felt as though it had been in an electric chamber waiting on the slow arrival of neural transmissions . The possibility of nothing , an unmovable blank space . With a blink , the light dimmed , until there was no illumination left , the possibility of mystery .

     "For what would emerge from a space I have no clue to expect ?" His voice trailed as he closed his connections to the gateway before him . "Nicely done , Iniko ?" Ceres spoke gently unaware of the imagery her fellow sin experienced .

She jumped at the chance to embrace Iniko , locking their opposite arms . "You're the Sin of Envy , Master of Darkness . My word is true . ." She spoke into his ear , leading them off deeper into the island .

Through the deep tree line , she spotted a secluded rock in which she thought was perfect for her meditation . Iniko continued to flick particles toward the darkest of shadows to open gateways . Unlinking their arms they decided to split and pursue their training .

He walked her all the way to her seat and waited for her to sit . Once she had done so she looked up with a smile , clasping her hands one over the other . Her body grew hot to the touch , she'd activated her element .

Iniko trots back to his labyrinth of portals and dove through the first , exiting towards the furthest . From there he jumped into another , finding himself bouncing beneath the trees . "I have to anticipate where each will lead . Or maybe I don't have to anticipate at all ."

With a deep breath , he picked a partial and saw images of Ceres as she sat in meditation . "There ." He leaped through and found himself just beyond the first portal he'd jumped through .