Silent Ruler [DNF]

Chapter 9: Describe a sunset

The two of them went separate ways as they reached the camp. George was completely drained, physically and mentally, and crashed down on his bed the second he had removed his dust covered blouse.

Apart from his close encounter with death, George couldn't deny that the training session had been fruitful. He wasn't a freak after all. Well maybe slightly, but he wasn't the only one, which felt reassuring. His eyes suddenly landed on the blue book on the floor below his bed. He was pleasantly surprised when he noted that the scripture was still readable.

A part of him was spooked that the title was 'George'. Sure, it was a common name, but he just knew that it was meant for him and him only. His heart sped up as he opened the cover. First page contained one phrase: Memento mori. 'Remember that you're mortal' in Latin and the same pattern that he had seen lit up on the cave wall. He proceeded to shuffle through the book that had both writing and pictures. It gave some insight on how the energy sources worked, how feelings could enhance or hinder the effect of your channeling. The book also claimed that the power to change the elements according to one's liking was merely a way for nature to contain balance. Misuse of that ability would result in consequences.

Another phrase that was emphasized in the book was 'Regression towards the mean'. George recalled Bad briefly going over its meaning. He couldn't remember the exact definition, but something along the lines that everything will eventually even itself out. Once again, an insinuation that nature would always find a way to achieve balance.

No doubt an interesting read, yet something urged him to go to the last chapter of the book which was simply titled 'George'. With wide eyes he stared at the first page that depicted... him. The same hair – both style and color – the blue and brown eyes, his exact face shape. Everything was spot on. Underneath the picture was all three elements encapsulated in the same triangle pattern as in the cave. The symbol for water was more prominent than fire and earth, which George guessed meant that it was the one he connected with the most with. The guess checked out considering how truly consumed he had felt the two times he had been in contact with a running water source.

He huffed amusingly as he remembered how the book had described each element. Fire was expressive, driven by passion and strong emotions such as anger. Easy to trigger but not necessarily persistent and could die out quickly. Earth was seen as stubborn, close to impossible to change and tended to go its own way. Lastly water. An unpredictable element, easily changed and adaptive to its environment but could be both stubborn and expressive depending on the surrounding. George knew neither Dream nor Sapnap on a deeper level but the pieces he had picked up so far went rather well together with each main energy source.

He kept mindlessly flipping the pages until he got to the last one. That's when his interest peaked, but also when an eerie sensation entered his mind. Top of the paper was a short text:

"Your end will be their beginning."

A somewhat vague statement that could be interpreted in various way. But to George it sounded like an indication that he was heading towards changes, changes he didn't feel ready to face.

The door opened and George yelped in surprise while simultaneously throwing the book away. Dream stepped in and rose an eyebrow in George's direction. His face heated from embarrassment.

"Dinner-time." Dream announced and threw the goggles in George's direction.

George got out of bed and only then realized that his upper body was bare. He wasn't extremely self-conscious regarding his body, but he knew that he was just a twig compared to Dream whose muscle definition was visible through his shirt. The blonde was actually quite good-looking if George was being honest. Athletic frame, sharp facial features that was beautifully framed by dirty blonde locks, tanned skin, piercing green eyes and freckles that were sprinkled across his entire face. Though, the beautiful features were often overshadowed by the constant look of disgust that Dream had practically every time George was near.