The Awakening

Chapter Two

Darkness followed him as he paced through his study, a heavy weight had rested on his shoulders. The wooden floorboards groaned as his steps turned heavier. Books were scattered around his table as his search eluded him. Some books were open, seemingly untouched, where other books had been crumpled due to frustration. He had stopped pacing for a split second and silently leaned onto his table to study the maps that lay open before him. Vexar. His world, the world of elements. Ruled by magical beings. The Fae.

Built around five continents, each defined by a different element: fire, earth, water, air, and spirit. Known by the Fae as Teine, Talamh, Uisce, Gaoth and Anam.

His gaze lingered on the continents as he narrowly studied them with a frown. Absentmindedly, he traced the continents one by one. With a snarl of disgust, he shot his finger back towards Teine. The fire continent. His continent. The continent he threw himself into. One that did not want him for his lack of fire but had no choice but to accept him. His snarl deepened as darkness lapped around his feet. Images of volcanoes, deserts, and blistering sunny days ran through his mind. However dull it had seemed, the continent itself had a beauty to it that was underestimated. Power seemed to radiate from the map itself as his fingers traced the lines and edges.

Forcing himself to look away he trailed the drawn mountains of the earth continent. Mountains that were filled with forests, greenery and caves. The exact opposite from what he had known of the fire continent. Talamh, had by far been the most beautiful apart from Anam, the spiritual continent.

Struggling to contain his lingering rage over the differences he had experienced with all the continents, he distracted himself by briefly studying the water continent.

A place of oceans, islands, and rivers. Peace. His disgust spilled out with a sneer. Darkness peered around his shoulder, eager to know what had distracted him from the reason behind the books scattered around his table.

Forcing himself to look at the maps and not give into the darkness that seemed to consume his aura, he followed the patterns and lines of the air continent. His affinities' continent. A land of endless blue skies, puffy clouds, and sweet-scented winds. He huffed an irritated breath. Nobody on his continent understood his power. His desire. Weaklings. He thought.

Shrugging uncomfortably at the tug in his mind, he lastly settled his gaze on the spirit continent, a land of dreams, magic, and mysteries. Anam. More powerful than even the fire continent, however, so innocently portrayed. He noted nothing on the map indicating the power that lay hidden beneath the surface which frustrated him even more. Turning away from the maps, he peered at the chaos in front of him.

"There should be something in these damned books!" He slammed his fist down onto the table.

Pages flew from the table, stopping midair before starting a slow spiral around him. He had liked to think of himself as a master of wind, though somehow a consuming fire had burned in his soul. His darkness. He was contained by none, however, ruled by a need to master everything. This need had surpassed all his innermost thoughts. It had made him cruel. Cruel enough that he did not care about his family, friends, or the continent. Caring had made him weak, and he did not tolerate weakness. Power was power- simply put.

His sons seemed as though they understood the darkness within him, surprisingly, however his wife did not. He thought he could tolerate her. Deal with her. Though she could not tolerate him. The bitterness of her death lingered on his lips. He tasted the hatred and the loveless words she yelled at him before she took her own life.

A growl rumbled low in his throat as a sinister smile spread on his lips. He knew that when he had finally found what he was looking for, every single Fae would grovel at his feet. Earthborns, pure mortals, would have no choice but bow. Though they were almost impossible to find, he would herd them all and make them bow. Perhaps use them. Unfortunately for now, only his frustration had lingered at his empty hands. He had found nothing.