Echosight: Mending Fallen Stone: book 2

The monster inside

Riku POV

I collapsed onto my bed. Tired and shock from what happened just hours ago. The sky was dark and dreary. I wasn't sure what to do now. The beast was gone for now, and next time might be our last. I clutched the stone around my neck. Cole hasn't said a thing since the whole battle situation started. Then there was that.

The image of a boy dragon hybrid staring at my very soul. His red eyes locked on killing, and his wings sharp and ready for the swooping kill. That wasn't Cole though, but the beast that he's afraid of being. I tried to shake the thought from my head. " I'm sorry, I should had tried to help you, but I didn't." I clutch the bed. I had faced many evil spirits in my lifetime, but this...this was different somehow. I was afraid.

*glowing sound*

I looked at the stone. Cole was trying to connect to me. Should I let him out? I looked deeper into the stone, and saw his eyes burning to come out of the stone prison. " Ok, here it goes." I whispered to myself. I touch to stone and in a slow wave of light Cole appeared at the side on my bed.

He opened his eyes and looked at me softly. I gave him a faint smiled. " Hey, Cole." I whispered. He looked at me and clenched his teeth.

" I'm sorry. I should had known better than not to let him take control of me like that. I was reckless, and because of it I hurt you." He said. His voice almost seemed broken. I shook my head and got up to face him eye to eye.

" Cole, this isn't your fault. It's that creatures. He tried to take control of your feelings and he was at a greater advantage than the both of us." I said to him I grasped my arms around his waist and hugged him. He hugged me back and kissed my head.

" Riku, I'm afraid." He whispered. My eyes widen. Never in my life I would think that the master of earth, the leader would be afraid, but then again leaders always fear what's to come and the safety of their team. " I'm afraid of what I've become. I'm no ninja or human anymore. You've seen what I'm capable of and that evil that rest inside of me is becoming restless. Maybe for the sake of you and your friends is that perhaps I should allow him to take me."

" What? No! Cole you're not putting anyone at risk!" I backed away from him in total shock of his words. " Cole. There's no monster inside of you. It's all in your head." I remember the time I peered into his mind. I saw he lost of hope, and fear that he wasn't a ninja anymore. " Cole, when I saw into his head I saw when you collapsed to the floor and kept saying that you weren't a ninja anymore, you were a ghost."

I looked at me for a moment then turned away. " I wasn't kidding either. How can I help protect my home when I'm just a spirit with no future. I looked through the ice and what I saw was nothing." he began to shiver. I combed my fingers through his raven black hair.

" Cole, you do have a future. Maybe you misread your message." He turned towards me. " Your future is probably unknown, and met for you to find out for yourself. I bet there's something waiting for you in the future." I gave him a smile. There was silence for a moment, the rain outside pitter pattered on the glass windows. We laid on the bed lost in the noise. Cole's grip around my shoulders was strong, but it made me feel safe. I trusted him, I know he wouldn't hurt me.

" Riku, I have to ask you. Why are you helping me after what had happened. I could lose control at any moment now, and I could hurt you." he whispered. I scoot closer to him.

" You said it yourself. A ninja doesn't save himself-he protects those who cannot protect themselves, and that's what I'm doing now." He looked at me weird. " What I mean is I'm protecting you from the darkness that's clouding your heart. One rock may shatter and fall, but it will mend and become a stronger one." I smiled. Cole blushed a bit, and looked into my eyes. A strong steady gaze one that calmed my racing heart. He was a rock that his team stood on, and now it has to mend, and become stronger.

" Riku..I don't want to leave you." His warm voice echoed in my ear. I closed my eyes and whispered.

" I don't want you to, either. I need you."