Hate

Chapter 11

Before he came out of his slumber, Xavier felt the heartache. Opening his eyes, a wave of agony washed over him. Sitting up on the sandy floor of the cave, he pulled his knees to his chest, sobbing quietly.

Rage and grief clawed at his soul. 

At that moment he hated the ocean with every part of his being. Since making his decision to give himself to her and reap bliss in return, he had felt nothing but regret. She took everything from him. His free will, his mind, his body, his soul. 

And now, Jaycell was gone. 

At the entrance of the cave, the water massaged Javier's feet, calming his worrying mind. Here he was again, fighting another battle on behalf of the ocean, hoping victory would be the result.

Sighing, he turned and approached the sleeping group. There was much to be done and very little time. 

Ignoring the soft sobs of his brother, he woke the others, shaking them gently. 

Arising, Cold stretched. She dreamt of her friend last night. They frolicked in the sand and then splashed in the waves. Taking one last swim in their true form. In her dream, Jaycell bid her farewell, promising to see her again one day before she disappeared into the depths of the sea. 

Nate arose with red flames coating his skin. In his slumber, he was fighting for his life. Fighting to avenge Jaycell and protect his friends. 

He was on high alert as he turned back and forth, looking for the hunters that previously attacked him. Seeing familiar faces in the dimly lit cave, Nate forced himself to calm down. Clenching and unclenching his fists, he forced the flames away. 

"We have to move," Javier commanded, staring at his young soldiers.

"Or we could stay here, where it's safe," Xavier growled.

"You know what our duty is, Xavier."

"And look what our duty brought Jaycell! She's dead because she chose to obey the stupid, ocean."

"Xavier..."

"We're all going to end up dead if we go out there!"

"We have a chance to set things back the way it was before the hunters destroyed Aurelia. So Jaycell died, that's all part of the job," Javier reminded with a commanding tone. 

Standing, Xavier slowly approached his brother. He stared into his eyes, anger evident, "I'm done putting my life on the line for her selfish wishes."

Xavier was not taking a step outside of that cave. If they wanted to blindly follow her command, then let them. He had suffered far too long and lost too much. He was done.

Xavier fell to his knees, howling out in pain, clutching his head. Rolling on the floor, his face turned red and his veins became visible.

'You will do as he commands!' a forceful voice, shouted in his mind. He could feel the mystical fire burning his body as she constricted his heart. Struggling to breathe, he tried to fight back in the mental battle.

"What's wrong with him?" Cold asked worriedly. Nate rushed toward Xavier as his body convulsed, cries of agony filling the cave. 

"Don't," Javier commanded. 

"He could be dying!" Nate shouted. 

"She won't kill him."

Xavier heard her routine chants, drowning his every thought. He wished that she would just take control of his body. He wished that she would lock him away in the subconscious of his mind like she usually did.