The Legacy of P'hiçá - Book 1: Lokaci

Chapter 2: Mysteries and Legacy

- What happened? - Alotis asked, his heart racing. His eyes opened suddenly, but everything was spinning and blurred around him, as if he were in a dream he couldn't wake up from.

He turned his head to the side and saw Kassidy standing there. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was Miss Rose's spell, but so many things seemed disconnected and confusing. Nothing made sense.

- I don't really know. My mother brought you here, but she didn't explain what happened. Only that you collapsed out of nowhere. My God, we thought you were dead! - replied Kassidy, visibly relieved and thrilled to see him awake. She hugged him tightly, her heart racing as she felt Kassidy's arms wrap around him, bringing comfort to that hazy feeling of disorientation.

- And is she all right? - He asked, concerned about Miss Rose's health and safety after that strange incident. He feared that something had gone wrong with the spell.

- Yes. Whatever happened, it only affected you.

Just then, Rose came into the room, looking equally relieved. But there was also a note of irritation in her gaze.

- Young man, if you faint like that again, I swear I'll leave you there.

- Mom! Is that a thing to say? - exclaimed Kassidy, blushing with embarrassment at Rose's public threat.

- I'm just kidding my child, this whole story scared me too. Alotis, what exactly did you feel?

- I don't know, it seems like I just slept and woke up here. Only it was different, I knew I was asleep, but it seemed to last only a few seconds.

In telling them about it, he mentioned the distinct feeling that time had somehow bent around him. Rose frowned, intrigued but reluctant to fully believe it, eager to know more before she became emotional. He tried to describe the strange, color-filled visions that came to him, as if he were briefly receiving glimpses of the past or the future. Rose nodded slowly, clumsily, as if she were cogitating the possibility.

- Hm... This is all starting to make sense. - replied Rose, whose voice sounded relieved.

- What do you mean, Mom?

- Alotis fainted just as we were casting the mind manipulation spell. Although it was not perfect, it was enough for me to confirm that he has some magical connection.

- And I do!? Her eyes widened in surprise and expectation. He had never imagined he had magical powers.

- Yes. However, the spell not being complete caused a lot of interference, so the information I had was not very clear.

- So you know he has a magical connection, but you couldn't figure out what the element is. - summed up Kassidy, looking at him curiously.

- Exactly, but now I have a hunch. - Rose answered, her voice revealing something more than relief. There was determination and confidence.

Kassidy and Alotis turned their gazes to her with the same anxiety and curiosity.

Alotis was beginning to entertain the idea that he could use magic from his familiar grimoire, but doubted that it possessed any real powers.

- What you are describing suggests that you may have an affinity with Time Magic - I finally said - In P'hiçá, we call this Lokaci, the essential element of time.

Alotis' mouth dropped open, such was his surprise. Having his own magic element was amazing, but also intimidating.

- Does this mean that I can control time? Alter the past or the future? - he asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.