POWER: A Tale of Greatness

Chapter 21: It has Sprouted

"Did I just do that?" James asked himself as he swam behind his father. "I did this and that and everything I did was just... unbelievable!"

His excitement lasted until they reached the river. Silent and dark, they moved through bushes—his father remained quiet—and not long after, they reached the village. Two of the tribal guards faced them as they stride towards their house, nearby the Chief's Hut.

"Good evening, Master Geron." That is the only thing that made Geronimo speak.

"Good evening." His tone echoes command and authority, not even looking at the man.

That is the moment James realized that, "I'm going to get scolded."

"James, why did you do that?!" Geronimo yells after they enter the house. "That was too dangerous! What if you failed to deflect that thing they threw. You could hav–" 

"Father, I just did what's best for the situation." James explained himself.

"I know you also want to use your abilities to hone them, but consider your life in every situation. The life of others, especially the innocent. What you did really surprised and disappointed me. Do not ever disobey me, son." Geronimo sighs deeply. He turned away from his son. "It was your instinct, a thing warriors would do in that kind of situation. But son... you are just a kid!"

"I am not a kid! Why do you always need to treat me like one?!"

"Because you are!" Geronimo pointed his finger at his son.

"Okay, thanks for teaching me everything... only to prohibit me from using them!" He walked past his father and started climbing up to his room.

"James, you're still too young to–"

James paused and faced Geronimo. "And what do you mean by warriors? You told me when I was a kid that we are nomads. Refugees of this land, remember?"

"We are not warriors, but you are." His father said, pointing at his son's chest. 

James ignored his father's words and went to his room.

"Tsk..." He raised his shaky hand after he threw his back on his hammock. "I still need to train more..." he rested his fist on his forehead.

The wind from outside caresses his wounds.

"... but, am I really a warrior?"

A thunderclap rolled over. 

***

In his slumber, he dreamt of what happened last night, the fight, their escape, and his father's scolding. Everything was clear, except for the part where he almost got blown away.

James was woken up by the tremors caused by the explosions from the outside. "What is happening?!" He ran towards the terrace and looked around. "They found us?!" 

He quickly went outside but he suddenly stopped, the rain poured down. He checked his neck and his necklace was gone. 

"Tsk! Of all the time in the world, why now?!" James went back to his room. He searched everywhere, almost flipping it over, until he found the necklace under his hammock. "I thought I lost you!" James said as he wiped it with his hands. "I know you could help us." James wore his necklace and dashed out of their treehouse, and began to look for his father. 

The attack is brutal, the Atlantians' spears, darts, and arrows are no match against the enemies' weapons. Their souls are weakened down to the point that all they could feel was worry, doubt, and fear.