Resurrection {NaNoWriMo}

Chapter 23

Alias' journey to the caves was not a pleasant or short one.

Reaching the entrance hadn't been a challenge, but the few beasts that had accumulated around the entrance were. He had made quick work of them, simply using his magyk knife, and only then could he proceed. But he encountered a troubling discovery when he neared the tunnel that led straight to home, to Community. The tunnel had caved in, both walls and ceiling having collapsed into each other. He couldn't discern if it had been done purposely by his people or by the monster, or a combination of both in a battle, but he struggled to move the rocks away, despite his pool of strength.

He knew what had to be done, but the concept still caused anxiety to course through him, still caused him to wonder if he was worthy of the power she had given him, if he had the right to use it. But when he thought of her, felt her essence throughout everything he touched, he could sense her never ending encouragement, her desire for him to grow, and he knew that this was one small step in that direction.

He allowed his eyes to fall close; imitating the steps he had watched her do whenever she summoned her magyk of light. He breathed in, then out. He felt it hum in his veins, in his heart, and he drew on it, told it to reached out and move the rocks, but it did not respond to his command. He opened his eyes and looked at the mass of rubble in front of him, thought of the difference between his old magyk and this new form that he had been granted with.

He shut his eyes once more, and thought of his new nature, of how different things were now than before, and a new concept struck him. He asked his power to move the debris, to clear a pathway for him, and it did.

He opened his eyes to see the rocks shake and then roll out of the way, creating a new pathway through the beaten tunnel. He grinned to himself, a silent confirmation that maybe he did deserve the power he had been gifted if he could use it.

Weary of the monsters that could follow him through, he caused the rocks to push back into place, creating a neater, sturdier wall this time between his people and the outside. He had no idea what would greet him when he arrived, whether his people would be safe or injured, if there would be monsters or his people waiting to ravage him.

Shaking his head, he rid himself of the unwanted thoughts and pushed on; growing nearer and nearer to the place he had been banished from not on just one occasion, but two.

When he reached the end of the dark dismal tunnel, and the dim light from the torches below lit up the entrance, flowing a small amount of strained brightness into the shadowy caves. He halted at its edging, looking down at the ledges he could hop down with his eyes closed, in his sleep, he knew them so well. He raised his head to look out at Community, and felt his heart begin to race. A few dwellings lied crumbled on the edge of town, but there was no sign of a fight still. It was hauntingly silent, and there was no one wandering the streets.

He felt panic choke him, and faster than his feet had ever carried him before, he was leaping from one slope to the next, down and down, until he was at the bottom and his feet were smacking the dusty red rock as he sprinted.

He ran through the heart of Community, past the adjacent streams of crystal water, and the empty stone buildings, until he reached where everyone gathered for sanctuary, where the fate of all was decided. He stopped before the large stone doors, and tried to pull them open, but knew that they were sealed shut by the power of the elders, that no matter how much he yanked they wouldn't budge. But that at least meant some of his people were preserved inside.

He pressed his palms against the surface of the doors, and asked, begged them to open. It took time, and a steady and mounting plead as his magyk penetrated the rock, before the doors groaned and trembled. He stepped back, eyes wide and heart hoping, as they scraped open.