🔥 The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) 🔥

Chapter 21: Olive Branch

Sakima opened his eyes.

The Seriens and H.E.R. stood in a circle around him. He still sat cross-legged on the floor and stripped down to his undergarments. His legs were numb and his stomach growled. All of the aches and pains he suffered during his journey were gone, but the bruise he had given his mirror throbbed on the right side of his forehead.

Strange what remained and what didn't.

Lila handed him a cup of tea. "Drink this and tell me how you feel."

Sakima nodded and took it. As he swallowed, his throat felt parched and raw. "I feel fine. How long?"

"Four days," Sabin said.

"The things you experienced are for you alone," Kianna said. "You do not have to share them with us."

"You have friends who will accept you, if you let them. Do that for me."

"I would like to share," Sakima said.

Everyone's eyebrows went up.

Sakima sighed. "I know I am a hard man to understand."

"Understatement," Turrent said.

"Shut up, Turrent," everyone said.

Turrent shrugged.

"Thank you, everyone," Sakima said.

Kianna gasped.

I'm not that bad.

Sakima unfolded his legs, the blood working its way through his system. "One: I am able to access the Path of earth now. I can feel it coursing through my veins with such force as if there was a block before."

"I should have guessed," Sabin said. "Especially with those rock shards you summon."

Sakima nodded.

That is true.

"Two: Part of this connection is a pull to the four of you. I did not feel it before, but now I do. There is another I feel this pull to as well, even though a vast distance separates us. It is in the direction of Yua."

Alaina furrowed her brow. "Are you saying there is another Serien?"

Sakima nodded.

She pumped her fist. "More new people!"

Leena rubbed her backside. "And more days in the saddle."

"Yua." Sabin stroked his chin. "A sixth Serien in Yua. But Wade said..."

Kianna touched his shoulder. "Wade is limited. All the stories are clear."

Sakima smiled. "H.E.R. and Kianna, may I ask you to leave?"

Lila raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me to leave my home?"

"This is for the Seriens' ears only."

Kianna shoved her mother towards the door. "He's asking! I don't know what happened, but I want to encourage this."

When they cleared the door, Sakima took a deep breath. "In the spirit of full disclosure, I will say this once. I am a friendly man. I expect that you will use the proper discretion as news of this might-"

Turrent smirked. "You're friendly?"

He rose to his feet. "What is that supposed to mean?"

All of the clarity gained after using the oinya was gone, replaced by the familiar resentment of all those around him.