Crossroads of Two Worlds

12-Meeting The Potters

(Picture this guy above as James at current age, 13. Or picture him how you want, either way.)

Maya, shocked into speechlessness by the powerful wind that I had never summoned before, loosened her grip on my arms enough for me to use my lower body to flip her over my head. I ran to the next kid approaching the flag. I didn't realize that I was running so fast that my feet left the ground. I flew over the creek and as I was in mid air, I realized that my shoulder no longer hurt and the cut on my arm seemed to heal, not even leaving a scar behind. It dawned on me then, that I had left my swords on the other side of the creek, and I longed for them. But I would just have to do with what I had. Purely on instinct and impulse I raised both my hands and made a spiraling motion with my hands. The leaves on the forest floor rose into the air and the wind blew fiercely, yet it didn't blow me over, despite whipping my hair all over the place and yanking it out of its braid. The circling leaves swirled higher and higher and spun around and around the four campers approaching the flag. They were swept away by tiny tornadoes, but I had control over my storms and I knew that they would deposit the four campers near the Big House.

It was strange for me to have such pure and absolute control over something so wild and free.

Still more opponents arrived and I wanted my swords more than anything. I glanced over my shoulder at the other side of the river bank where both swords were discarded on sticks and leaves. As if the swords themselves could read my mind, they shot off the ground and flew across the creek to land in my hands. I beat more and more campers coming for my flag. I couldn't let my team down. I wouldn't. It helped that I felt like I could keep fighting all night and still have energy for more.

Penelope Sheene, a blonde girl from the Hermes cabin, approached, her three meter long Greek Dory in hand. I hadn't met her yet, but based on her smirk, I wouldn't enjoy her presence. I smirked back and snapped my fingers, just for show really. I felt powerful, indestructible, and it was fantastic, knowing that this cocky girl could be put down by a single twitch of my finger. I made her Dory get struck by lightning, a sudden bolt from a clear sky. I made sure that she wasn't seriously injured, just knocked out, before turning to see if I had any other opponents.

There were none.

Suddenly, a shout was heard from the opposite side of the woods, where our team had just infiltrated their base, and a horn blew, indicating that the game was over. It had been half an hour, but felt like five minutes.

My team had won.

I whooped, knowing that if I hadn't been here the other team would've won instead. It was a marvelous sensation, being needed for something important. I knew that the other team thought that this would be the best place to tackle because I was weak, and I was proud to prove them wrong.

Maya grinned at me, happy that I was okay. I was more than okay really.

It was a rush of excitement that I could barely describe in full detail, for fear that the memory might sour if I'd told anyone. I ran happily back to the big house, except half-way there, I realized that I'd been going so fast that I'd been flying.

It was one of the best days of my life. I just didn't understand why it hadn't happened earlier?

I dropped down at (crash-landed into) the big house and got to my feet, thinking that I needed to work on my landings.

Helena came up from behind me and patted me on the back, "You'll make a good warrior someday."

From her it was practically bowing down and professing her pure and undying love for me, "Thanks, Helena."

She walked away with her weapons sheathed and I just stood there for a few more minutes. All things considered, I think I deserved to revel in my success a little longer. I tilted my head towards the sky and found it a clear and cloudless blue. I hoped my dad was proud of me.