Torva Messor

Chapter 20: Choices

I patiently await Lydia's return to the island, she should land soon. Not only did she manage to beat a Maxus clone, but she did so from what I felt almost effortlessly. She was strong, her anger was a powerful weapon when she wielded it. Wicked and wild rage from being held in for years and years ready to burst at the seams. If I could draw that out of her, then her power could reach even more unimaginable heights. She could even push me further and we'd have a never-ending battle for the top of the food chain. The two strongest mages on the planet standing side by side would be untouchable by any standard.

Lydia floats to the island and lands beside me. She seems distraught.

"Lydia, you managed to beat Maxus, congratulations. I knew-" She puts a hand up and although irritated to be silenced, I abide her.

"I know what you're gonna say. So let me say something before you even have the chance. I will never use my anger like that ever again." She's serious, angry even at the idea of what I was going to suggest.

"Lydia, you need that power for when Maxus returns and you know it." My voice is stern. I know what I say is true so why does it feel wrong?

"No, I don't. I still have my emotional out, I'll grow stronger with it and it will be enough." Lydia turns to face the city in the distance. She knows not to look at me now, lest her resolve be broken.

"And if it isn't?"

"So be it."

"So you choose to be weak? A lesser version of what could be?" My fists tighten in frustration.

"I'm choosing to be myself."

Lydia continues to train with Zulu and the other students. I do not observe their training anymore. Instead, I spend day after day training on my own like I used to. I can feel the refinement in my moves returning with a new edge from my power gain. As much as I hate the changes my power has made to me, I can't deny the certain level of satisfaction I get from it.

I've always known I'd have more power if I let my magic take hold of me, but never to this extent. Now seeing more of what I was capable of, I was curious just how much more I could possibly grow.

I let more of my power free while still maintaining control of it. My power grows exponentially every time I train and I love every second of it. I've moved far beyond the last time I fought Maxus on the island, though I'm sure he has too. This battle would go down in history books as the strongest battle between mages ever. I'd live to read that story as well.

Zulu and I converse about the upcoming battle. Planning, expressing worries, talks of what comes next.

"If he's taking this much time, we could assume he won't come alone." Zulu expresses as we wander the streets. People are still working hard left and right to repair damages.

"What, like another stronger clone? He destroyed the facility creating his clones. I also haven't felt another presence." It's entirely possible there's more than one base, but I don't think that's true.

"No Lydia, the normals." Zulu looks at me, and a realization dawns on me.

"The normals? Like a full-on invasion?"

"It's possible." Zulu looks at the residents of the city with concern.

"Diane will be occupied with Maxus. If the normals invade alongside Maxus and target the city, it falls to us to defend it." I say, eying the walls of the city. They are stone, but the normals have bombs and planes, they will not stop them for long.

"Yes. However, are you ready to save Diane again if she needs it?" Maxus looks at me as we enter the training grounds.

"I'm... not sure." I look off to the side. If I used anger like I did on the mainland then maybe I'd have enough power. I didn't like the feeling it gave me, however. It felt like it was twisting me in knots. As much as the mental out messes with me I can always return to who I am later. With anger, it's almost like it wants me to use it over and over again.