A Descendant of Water

Chapter 24 - Together II

Alex sensed that Alma was worried at the sight of Seth being so close to Lin. He could see it from her wrinkled brow. He slowly took her hand in his and walked back to the seats near the fire.

Seth gently released her from the embrace and looked at her. Straight into her eyes ones again. Lin can never escape his eyes ones he locks her up in them. Her mind forgets everything else around them all she could feel and think is Seth. Her heart raced and pained at the same time.

"How have you been?, your injuries? did you do the treatments to them?" His voice was like a balm to her soul.

"They are ok Seth" Lin smiled , her eyes dancing in the moonlight. He looked down at her ankle ,it has healed to a great extent he could see. He gently touched her cheek bone where it was blackened and swollen before. his fingers lingered on her skin ones again goose bumps reacted before anything else. She winced at the stings of pain escaped from her injury. but it was much better now. He withdrew his fingers.

"when was the last time you did treatments to these?" his lips were set on a thin line.

" I did treatments to my ankle a few days ago, but the face I had forgotten. How do you feel now? " She smiled.

He smiled.

"I thought I'll not make it. After I went to the cave, I wanted to have a look at the wound. I don't know how it happened. Then I felt dizzy and that's all I remember. I passed out I guess"

He hesitated for a bit.

" But I heard a voice ......I thought I was dreaming..but somehow I felt a new energy forming inside me..."
Lin's breath hitched. She silently prayed at he wouldn't remember her words for him.

"A v...vo ..ice?" Lin stammered the words.

Seth observed her expression. He knew the owner of those words.

"Yes.. a voice" he smiled at her. So many things were running in her mind.. she felt embarrassed. She didn't know how to react.

"Both of you please join us for the dinner." master called out to them.
They both nodded and made their way to join others.
Seth moved very slowly. He wasn't fully recovered. With each muscle contraction stings of pains rushed through him. He clutched his wound as he took a seat. Slowly he straightened up and settled. Lin sat accross him.

"This was also a close call Seth. A few more hours you would have died. You have to be careful ,you'll not have a third chance . How did this happen son" master in between sips of his soup.
Seth was confused for the same reason. He didn't know . I wanted to rewind the battle that happened but he didn't have strength to do so.

"I don't know master."

"If one is able to harm you this much without your knowledge then you are in gave danger."

But for others it was a mystery as well.. but Lin had another problem running in her mind.

" What do you mean third time master?" it was Lin who broke the silence .
Seth looked at her. His eyes carried a worry she didn't expect to see.That was a memory he didn't want to remind specially when he is trying to forget about it.

Alma starred at Seth with a blank expression. Ofcourse she knew it was his only weakness.

"Dear one you must have been wondering why I keep telling you that he is stronger than you think and he himself had told you that"

"Yes master" Lin responded but intently listened.

"He has a connection with ways of water just as you do Alex"

Everyone except Alma was surprised. Lin starred at Seth with widened eyes.

"So you can control water like a water bender and can you breath underwater ?" Alex was very eager to know.

Seth sighed.

"No I couldn't breath underwater. But I could control water."

"But Alex do not think that Seth and you are the same. " master joined in.

"You have got this gift as you are a descendant of the water tribe but Seth it is a gift he has got from birth. So he doesn't have an ability strong as yours. He worked on improving the skill but he got gravely injured and then ... " Master's voice trailed off.

"He didn't continue his training..." He picked from where he stopped.

"Is it the injury on your chest?" Lin asked in a soft tone. She has seen it clearly. She could say from the looks of it, it is a grave wound.

"Yes" Seth responded in a low tone. Lin could see he wore an expression, she couldn't read.

There was an awkward silence everyone was trying to process all what they heard in their mind.

"That would have been pretty dangerous wound Seth. I know it would have been hard for you. But now we have a bigger problem at stake. We need to retrieve that seal before it's too late. I can't do it alone. I need the support of all of you. Specially you Seth. You can be a part of this mission. You and I can fight together . We have the same talent Seth. It's for a reason " excitement took over Alex. He got up from where he was seated.

"No I can't. " Seth declared. Lin starred at him. But Alex was not giving up.

"Come on Seth. We can do this. "

"No Alex you don't understand " Seth patiently trying to slip off Alex's plan. Lin could see his face twitching and his breathing seem to be increase it's pace. Something was not right.

"I do understand Seth. There is no need to be afraid. We can practice together and face this"
Alex tone was high in spirits and eyes are gleaming.

"Forget it I'm not doing it"

Seth looked away at the ocean. Unpleasant memories are at bay. He couldn't let them take over his mind.

Alex was loosing his excitement and disappointment took over him.

"You don't need to be afraid of getting injured again if that's what you are worried of. " Alex blurted out in a stern voice.

Seth tore his glance away from the ocean and glared at Alex. His lips were set in a thin line and his brow was wrinkled.

"What did you say" Seth's tone was sharp.

"Alex you should stop " Alma finally spoke after a long silence. She knew his tragedy. It was something that could bring out a dangerous temper Seth was holding back for many years.

Alex didn't listen to Alma. He completely ignored her.

"What I just said, everyone speaks of your strength. How strong you are and you are a warrior in your village. But you have given up on your ability ,an ability you got by birth just because you got injured ones. You call yourself a warrior!?"

Alex's voice raised and his eyes narrowed.

Seth got up clutching his wound. Stings of pain travelled through his body, but the pain struck his mind is more than he could retain.

Master Ronan silently observed all. He didn't want to interrupt what was happening. Things are the way it should be.

" You think I stopped afraid of something like an injury!?" His voice rose dangerously. He was trembling.

Alex felt alarmed. He felt there is something more than a wound.

"Then what? Tell us what are you hiding?"