Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 23

"How?" Marcus asked quietly, the throbbing in his shoulder ever present.

"It seems that created energy sources are more potent," Kou remarked as the bowl of water pulsed with the power of Seb.

Damien sat back, weariness evident in the sweat on his dark brow. His hands, shaking as they struggled to grip the pouch, opened and reached inside the bagged container. Two pieces of dried meat emerged betwixt his trembling fingers, quick to be consumed by his mouth.

"That good? Or ya need more?" He asked between bites, raising a forearm to wipe the sweat away.

"This should be plenty, man. Thanks," Marcus replied, reaching his own hands out over the bowl.

Pain screamed through his shoulder and arm as he lifted it and closed his eyes, fighting for dominance of his mental state. Kou's words fading from his mind as he struggled to focus on only the energy in front of his hands.

"What ya doing?" Damien inquired, reaching back in the bag for more. "Thought ya just needed to clean your shoulder?"

Drawing in a quick hiss between his teeth, Marcus felt the energy swell in front of him, his hands beginning to tremble.

"Gotta heal this before it gets infected," Marcus replied, his breath shaking as the water in front of him rippled with movement.

"Heal?"

The inquiry seemed genuine, Marcus deducted, but he couldn't distract his mind from the fragile hold it had over the water.

"One sec, Damien," Marcus whispered, beads of sweat emerging from his forehead and arms.

The fine thread of the link went taunt, Marcus gasping in surprise as the water rose from the bowl and coated his hands. Inching up from his encased fingers, his wrist and forearm became covered in the cool wetness.

"Once it reaches your elbows, focus on only your right arm and shoulder. The energy of the water should transfer from both of your arms to primarily your right," Kou explained, a small flash of his past coming to the forefront of his mind.

"Once you get older, Fay, you will be able to do this yourself," His father knelt in front of him, his calloused pale hands hovering over Kou's small leg and the blood that pulsed out. "Small cuts like these will be nothing to someone as great as you. With the Kou blood running in your veins and the blessings of Roz, you will always be able to mend these wounds."

As the memory faded Marcus felt the link waver, but with a steadying breath, he focused twice as hard on the coolness inching it's way up his forearms. The energy curled up further and higher, his elbows icing over and the chill shooting up his bones. His vision flickered and the world turned black; an abyss consuming everything in his sight.

Marcus's vision came back, a warmth covering his shoulder as he glanced down at the water coiling around his shoulder. Up and over his shoulder, down his back and around his arm the water flowed freely. Warmth began to emanate from deep in his shoulder, his eyes drawn to the darkened flesh becoming lighter by the moment.

"A few more moments, Marcus, and you can relax," Kou informed him.

True to his word, Marcus watched the damaged flesh and skin become healed. The water stopped, the ice melting in a blink, all falling to the bowl and table.

"What... The... Fuck?" Damien asked, his eyes wide in surprise.

Marcus exhaled slowly, his body trembling as the water continued to drip from his skin and clothes onto the table and floor.

"Why do I feel so exhausted..." Marcus asked himself, his body refusing to obey the simplest of tasks.

"Uh, ya look like you're about to pass out," Damien remarked, sitting up and opening the gallon bag. "And we haven't even got started."