Kami's courage - A Born of Shadow Fanfiction

6 - The love of a father

"I want to understand something, first." Kami said. "Why? What can you gain from hurting all these people?"

"Power, of course," the Shadow Queen said, and began pacing the room. "I was not always the Queen I am, you see. I was once a mere human, struggling to survive while her mother wasted away working tirelessly to earn less than half what she deserved. Until one day, her mother fell gravely ill. Desperate, the daughter dropped out of school, which she loved, and tried to help. Eventually, it proved insufficient. Faced with no other choice, she resolved to ask her father for help. He had left years before with promises to send money, which had never come. Imagine the daughter's surprise when she found her father living comfortably, and with a new family of his own, no less! Still, she pleaded. But the father wouldn't hear of it. Still, he reluctantly tossed her some money. The daughter hurried to secure the much needed medicine for her ailing mother. But by the time the daughter returned, her mother had passed away."

They all stood transfixed as they listened.

"In order to survive and fend for her brother, she resolved to stealing. She had no taste for it, but what other choice did she have? So, one night, after hearing of the archaeological research led by Ahmed Hassri, she decided that was the perfect place to find valuable objects to sell. So, one night she crept into the site, and found a large jar that she was fairly certain was sell for a comfortable amount on the market."

She paused a moment, then said:

"And then, the most incredible event came to pass. The jar contained a powerful entity, which connected with the girl and gave her powers beyond her imagination. Powers of a Shadow Queen."

Kami and the others were silent a moment, then Liam said:

"And you never want to return to that, so you make sure you always have more power. Is that it?"

"That is the idea. But not only. I want everyone to know that I, the Shadow Queen, is the most powerful being in the world."

"You can have all the power in the world," Kami snapped. "You just look like a brat, to me."

"How dare you!"

"Kami, I wouldn't antagonize her," Liam said in her ear.

Kami ignored him.

"You think your hardships justify this?" she demanded, indicating the room around. "That not having an easy life gives you the right to make people suffer?"

"It was the just punishment for what the pathetic man who conceived me did to me and my family!"

"What about the others? All the innocent people who never did anything to you?"

"Then fight me and we shall see who is right," the Shadow Queen said.

Kami stepped forwards. A part of her wanted to say that fighting wouldn't prove her right, but she could see that there was no reasoning with the Queen.

"Fine."

Liam caught her hand. Kami turned and looked up at him. He seemed to be searching her face, his hand a little tighter than was natural, as though he wanted to hold her back.

"Kami..."

His eyes told Kami he wanted to talk her out of it, but that he knew she wouldn't listen. And he was right. If she didn't do it, who would? Who could?

"I..." Liam began, his eyes boring into hers.

Kami didn't need him to speak. She touched his cheek, reached up, and kissed him. His lips tasted better than anything she'd imagined, and yet was nothing like she'd expected. She pulled back and forced a small smile.