A Descendant of Water

Chapter 26 - Shift

Rachel was in deep thought in her room . It was noon in their little isolated island where the chief was having a grave hunger for power. It was ones a beautiful place to live in , their ruler was not so blood thirsty as he is now , she has heard from her mother's tales of old days. She is the only lady who is from the mainland and she knew about Hican very much , he allowed her to be with general Lee ,begin a family and most of all offered their preserved medications to cure her.

After returning to the island from a secret mission Hican had completely changed himself. This puzzled many but no one can question the chief. But Caleb was altogether a different character. Rachel knew he haven't been in the real world yet. He was always a pawn in his father's game. She sensed that she could change him.

Her thoughts were disturbed by a sharp knock on her door.
" Rachel, are you sleeping?"

" No mom, come in"

Her mother came inside the room and sat on her bed. She smiled brilliantly at her. Rachel always loved the way her mother smiles. It makes her forget every single problem she is in. But sadly her mother always knows when she is disturbed in her thoughts.

"what is it that bothers you sweety?"

" nothing mom. I'm alright"

"are you sure?

Rachel nodded her head.

" are you worried of your friends you left there? I miss my family and friends many times. "

"you know it's not the same for me mother. I caused a great misery to my friends before coming here. "

She sighed and looked down.

Her mother gently put an arm around her.

"You know sweetie there is always a place where you can start correcting your mistakes. You just need to find it."

" What do you mean mother? I am just a pawn in this game for honor"

"You are not the only pawn my dear. There is another person. I'm sure he also has his own mind, an own way of thinking. you just need to help him figure it out. It's where you can start."

with that remark her mother left the room. Rachel needed this. She knew her mother is correct. Now she needs a way to bring down the barriers holding back the real Caleb within.

Later that evening Rachel went to see some of her old friends from the village. She was happy to see them all well. Next she took a stroll down the shore. She loved the sound of the waves and feel the cool breeze brought from the sea. As she continued to walk along the beach she spot someone. A boy not too far from where she stood , was practicing martial arts on a small cliff. His body was bare to the waist and wore a pair of baggy jeans with a belt. It took a minute for her to realize that it was Caleb.
The rays of the evening sun showered on his golden skin. His built muscles stretched and flexed with every move. It was worth staring at. She wondered whether there is any good left in his heart to change him to who he really is. He caught her starring but he just casually waved at her gesturing her to come up the cliff. Her cheeks turned red , she wish she could dig a hole and disappear at ones. What can she say for starring at him for no real reason and most of all his torso was bare. "This is embarrassing" she thought to herself. She was hesitant but she had no choice.
Slowly she made her way to a pathe that lead to the cliff. It isn't that high so she managed to climb it with ease.
She saw he was now standing at the edge of the cliff starring at the sea.
She slowly moved towards him.
"Do you come here always ?" Rachel questioned.

"Yes" he answered, still starring at the sea.
" but it is not to practice my martial arts." he responded with a long sighed. Rachel could say his long breath had many things to say but she was confused and still embarrassed so she was unable to figure them out.
Rachel now stood beside him. She looked at him. His green eyes are now calm, she couldn't see a rage in them instead she saw for the first time they had a warm expression written on them.
" Ever since I was little, I was taught only about regaining our lost honour. I was like a programmed robot. I'm not a people's person. I had a mind of my own. I only had my own-self to share my thoughts. I had no mother from the time I remembered. I had no one to teach me how the world is. This is where I use to come. I found that sea is my only companion for everything. I found comfort just starring at it. That's why I come here. "
He turned to face her. The wind rustled slowly touching the nearby trees and the wave call was carried throughout the island. Rachel turned to face him as well. She starred into his eyes hoping that she could read the expression.
" The world is not what you think Caleb. There are people you can trust and rely on , but you need to calm down your rage within you if you want to see it . "

His expression was blank .

" I was groomed this way Rachel. This is what I am. "

"If this is who you are is that why you come here looking for comfort starring at the sea?" She asked in a small voice.

His eyes widened into a confused expression.

"If you are groomed for this . Then you should be happy about you, about what you are doing , about who you are. Why do you come here Caleb?"

"You don't understand Rachel!! " his voice raised . "I am a machine made to fulfill my father's orders. Not a human with feelings....."

"A machine with a Heart!" Rachel cut in.

Caleb gulped down the rest of the words and starred at her in disbelief.

In a stern voice she continued,

"You say you are a machine. Yes true but you are a machine with a heart. You are a human who has feelings just like us. You are just trained to follow and believe your father's orders. This is not you Caleb. The real you is within struggling to come up. That's why you come here. Your actions do not agree with your conscience. You suffer within for what you do."

He was now looking onto the ocean.

"You decide Caleb. It's your turn now. If not you will live a life with regret and die"

With that remark Rachel left, leaving Caleb starring at her.