Arakim's Legacy(#Wattys2015)

Chapter 28

Arakim headed for the mountain forming the western wall, away from the festivities. When he got far enough that the music was a dull sound in the distance, he found a rock to sit down. There was little light from the sky with the large mountain looming large behind him but that was exactly what he sought.

He didn't want to alarm Mena and the others but ever since they left the forest his magic had been growing at an alarming rate that even without trying he could feel it buzzing around him, doing its best to take over. Very soon there would be nothing he could do to stop it and he feared the devastation that would bring to this world if he couldn't control it. He hoped that everyone he loved would be far away from him when it happened because he doubted his survival when it happened.

Why now? That he found love and people that didn't think him strange or someone to fear. What about his cousins and his people? Did he even have time to save them from that monster before he lost it? If only there was a manuscript with instructions on how to contain the growing vortex inside him.

Hanging his shoulders in despair, Arakim wished he could cry and wash away his problems, like Adani. Or Neha? Thinking of the two girls that cried at everything. Smiling when he remembered the day he was teaching his cousin how to climb trees to her brother's disgust. And the hash she made of the whole thing, clinging to a branch when she was only ten feet from the ground and refused to let go. She told Arakim to bring her food because she was staying there till the day she died even when he urged her to let go that he would catch her. Vehemently shaking her pretty hair with tears running down her face until he rubbed her bare feet with his fingers and turned her crying into hysterical laughter while she screamed curses at him that he didn't think she knew and fell gracelessly into his arms.

Arakim chuckled at the memory and was surprised to hear another chuckle beside him. Looking around cautiously to see if anybody had joined him without him noticing only to realise that the chuckle was in his head. And only one person had been able to do that.

Tyr? He asked, just to be sure. And not surprised when the answer came.

Aye, Arakim, he said smiling. Ready to talk yet.

Blinding rage took over Arakim's mind. "I told you to leave me alone,'' he snarled. "Get out of my head right now before I do it myself.'' He gritted out.

Stubborn boy, he heard him say proudly before leaving.

How dared he? After everything he did, he thought he could get me on his side. What arrogance! And if what I thought happened then he killed my mother. How could he? Arakim thought, clenching his hands, breaths hitching. He had never felt this murderous rage before in his life at anything or anyone.

Combing his fingers through his thick hair, Arakim exhaled deeply, hoping to release the rage that was boiling inside of him. Taking deep breaths and releasing it slowly through his mouth and watched the boulder beside him break apart into four pieces. The magic looking for where to go. He unclenched his fists and watched the red fireballs on his palms and lightning sparks from his fingertips. He knew his eyes would be glowing too.

He took slow deep breaths, trying to rein in the magic before it destroyed the village and killed everyone. He slowly released it into the ground and watched the flowers sprouting all around him and felt the slight drizzle on his face.

"That was magnificent,'' said The Chief, startling him into looking at the shadows to see the figure walking to join him, and looking at the flowers surrounding Arakim with awe tinged with caution and relief. Arakim was sure that very few things fazed this leader.

Arakim hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply at him while thinking for how long had he been watching him before making his presence known and chastised himself for not paying attention to his surroundings.