Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Seven:teen

The next morning, Telk was the last to wake, save Khel who had yet to regain consciousness. The others had all already left the room; even Reif, who had stayed up later than Telk.

Light streamed in through the window next to Telk's temporary bed, nearly illuminating the entire room despite the curtains being drawn shut. Telk sat up, having to shield his eyes from the light as they adjusted. Once they could comfortably see, Telk's eyes fully took in the room around him, eventually falling on Khel - more specifically, the diamond on Khel's arm. The appearance of Ydris's mark was far too similar to the mark on Telk's chest to be mere coincidence.

"'Rebirth,' eh?" Telk muttered to humself, letting his attention fall back on Khel. "Looks like we're in this together."

He rubbed his chest with uncertainty at the thought of going through whatever ordeal Khel currently was. This whole time Telk  never told Reif or Therias about the mark, because he barely felt comfortable enough to speak with either of them at all, but now he wished he had a bit more knowledge on the sigil. If what Reif said was true, then Telk was destined to become the god of wind, wasn't he? Or was he already the god of wind? Or was he merely host to Avion's power?  He still didn't fully understand anything regarding the gods or these symbols, which only frustrated him even more. Telk wanted absolutely nothing to do with any of the gods, and yet something like this had to happen to him.

Of course.

Telk had always had horrible luck with almost everything in life - why would he think it any different now? Just because Lev forgave him? Because Reif may be a potential friend after all? Whenever something good happens, something inconvenient or even tragic was sure to follow to rip the pleasure right out of Telk's heart. He loathed the gods more than almost anything in the world, so of course he was stuck with a deep connection to one.

Telk reached under his bed to retrieve his bag that he'd stowed underneath, then pulled out the book he had been carrying in it. Laying the book in his lap, he tenderly traced the sigil on it with his finger. In response to his touch, the symbol briefly glowed, evoking a strange warmth to form in his chest. In a way, he felt almost connected to the book itself. So maybe the book would hold some answers for him, then.

He started flipping through page after page, hoping to find any useful images that may help him to learn more. To his disappointment, most of the pages were blank, but a few were covered in the writings of a language that Telk couldn't hope to understand. And yet, looking at the language struck Telk with a sensation of familiarity. All writing systems looked like indecipherable series' of shapes to Telk, but this writing in particular just felt so different compared to others. He couldn't quite explain it, but looking at the characters on the page didn't render him lost and confused. Instead, he felt as if he may actually be able to read it if given the time. But how was that possible? Was this the sigil's doing?

Telk sighed and continued flipping through the book. He'd study it later, but for now, what he didn't have was time. Who knew where the others were or when they'd be back?

Unfortunately for him, Telk's search proved fruitless as there was nary a picture to be found in the entire book - just piles of useless text. He cursed under his breath and in one swift motion, jammed the book back in his bag and pulled it shut in defeat. Once more his eyes found their way to Khel. This whole time, Telk didn't even know what the symbol on his chest had meant, and yet, Khel was clearly already able to use Ydris' power. Did that mean Telk could use Avion's? As he thought about it, his mind drifted back to when the mark first appeared on his chest and the miraculous gusto of wind that saved him from being captured. That must have been it - Telk's power. If only he could harness it, he would never have to be worried about anything again. He would never need to feel so useless or defenseless - he could actually help Lev as thanks. For once, he wouldn't have to run away.