King of Creatures

Chapter 25

Amari stifled a yawn. He couldn't fall asleep, so he had just let Max sleep, waking him up once the sun began to set. Now, he deeply regretted it. He squinted ahead at the distant city. He just wanted to get this over with. To go back home and surprise Devon. Or maybe scare him. Unless you died. Amari stopped walking and turned around.

Max gave him a concerned look and Amari shook his head before turning back and following the path. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Aayma meowed, trotting up besides him. Amari scoffed. "Yeah, sure." You will. The cities not getting any closer..."Oh my god, SHUT UP!" Amari shouted. Aayma gave him a look of indignation before sulking off.

"Don't." Amari said, pushing away Max's hand, he had tried to put it on Amari's shoulder. "It's just...I don't..." Amari could feel tears streaking down his face again. "I don't wanna do this, I really don't." He said quickly. The world seemed to be spinning as Amari struggled for breath. "I d – don't...I – I – " Instead of finishing his sentence, Amari put his head in his hands and let out several loud, piercing, screams. He screamed until his throat was sore and his head hurt. Then he crumpled down into the ground, sobbing.

At some point Max had sat in front of him. "I'm sorry I just..." He managed to muster once he had calmed down. "I never wanted this. And I know, I know, you didn't want this either but. I dunno, it seems like you...you're more prepared. I've had my life flipped upside down before I even knew about this. I – my mom, m – my friends, a place to stay... I barely even graduated. I almost dropped out because of e-everything. And then I got...I just don't want to do this. Especially not when I might die."

"You wont die." Max said lifting Amari's chin.

"Everyone else has." Amari said dismissively.

"W – well that's because t – the prophecy hasn't been d – done right." Max countered. Amari shrugged, wiping his tears.

"And whose to say this time'll be any different?" He retorted, the feeling of embarrassment swelling inside of him.

"I dunno." Max shrugged, then sighed. "M – maybe it's repeating cause o – of so m – many failures." Amari nodded before taking a deep breath and standing up. Max followed suite, grabbed Amari by the shoulders and turned Amari towards him. "I – I don't think you'll die. T – the prophecy's already g – gone s – sideways. You've already changed it. Its...I – I don't want to tell you you're being dramatic or that you need to calm down but...Y – you'll be fine. Promise."

Amari looked down at Aayma, who was rubbing against his leg and purring.

"Promise?" He said after a while, looking back up.

"Yes." Max let go of Amari but still stared him in the eyes.

"O – okay. But this mean that if I die then I get to haunt you." Max shot him a smile.

"No worries. Now, are you ready to go?" Amari looked down at the path and followed it up to the city. His anxiety from before creeping up his spine. He shook his head and pushed it down.

"R – ready." Finally. Amari looked down at the gigantic feline and shot her a slight smile. "Sorry." He said sheepishly. You're fine. Just don't yell at me again...I may just scratch you...

"L – looks like its finally getting closer." Max pointed out a few hours later. "I's about time too, felt like I – it was moving farther and f – farther away." Max laughed. Amari shot him a small smile and looked over at Aayma, who meowed knowingly. Amari looked up at the city. The two lights were dancing above in the sky just like the night before but this time they were pink and yellow.

"I feel like throwing up." Amari admitted as the city got closer. They could now see that the outside of the city was walled in with two big golden gates. The top of the walls looked like they had grown bushes and vines were growing up the sides.