The Horizon Strangers

The Weight of Knowledge

Sam POV

I put my hands on my head. 

Too much....just too much. 

The memories flooded my mind like a raging river, overwhelming me. 

That was awful. The Xytherians were scarier than I thought, even more terrifying than the Virelians. They had no love, no hope, no care. 

All they did was destroy; they lived and breathed destruction.

As the images replayed in my mind.....cities in flames, families torn apart....I felt a physical ache in my chest. I couldn't shake the weight of their pain, the hopelessness of their cries. 

How could a race exist that thrived on chaos? I closed my eyes, trying to block out the horrific visions, but it was impossible.

Then, I noticed a glass of water being placed in front of me. I looked up, and it was Josh, his expression softer than I'd ever seen. 

"Thank you," I said, my voice coming out rough and strained. 

I took the glass, needing something to ground me amid the storm of emotions.

He watched me closely, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked gently.

"Okay?" I echoed, incredulous. "How can I be okay after seeing that? Those people...." I paused, swallowing hard. "They were just living their lives, and then... the Xytherians came. It's so unfair."

Josh nodded, his jaw tightening. "I know it's a lot to process. But you need to understand why this matters, Sam. The Xytherians don't just want to conquer worlds; they want to erase everything....every trace of hope. And if they come for us, we have to be ready to fight back."

Josh stepped closer, his presence offering a strange comfort. "You have powers within you that can help protect your family, your friends. You can make a difference, Sam."

I shook my head, feeling lost. "I don't know how to embrace that. How can I be strong enough to face something like the Xytherians? They're monsters."

He took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "You are stronger than you realize. I saw it in you back at the Virelian base. You have the potential to harness that power, to fight back. But you have to believe in yourself."

"Believe in myself?" I echoed, the weight of my doubt heavy on my chest. "How can I believe in something I don't even understand? I don't know what these powers are or how to use them. What if I mess up? What if I can't control it?"

Josh's eyes softened, and he reached out, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You won't be alone in this. I promise. I'll help you every step of the way. We can figure it out together. You're not expected to have all the answers right now. Just take it one step at a time."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, easing some of the fear that had been gnawing at my insides. I wanted to trust him. I wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could tap into something greater within myself.

Josh's words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of their truth pressing down on me. I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "I can't just stand by and watch as they destroy everything. Not after what I've seen," I said, a fierce determination igniting within me.

Josh nodded, relief flooding his features. "That's the spirit, Sam. Together, we can learn how to harness your powers. We'll find a way to make you strong enough to face the Xytherians."

He smiled gently, his eyes filled with encouragement. "You've already taken the first step by accepting that you can fight. Now, we'll train. We'll practice your abilities and uncover the power that lies dormant within you. You're not alone in this."