Arogen

Chapter XXIII

"Eat, boy," a guard snarled, sliding food under the opening of the cell. Inside the cell was a little boy with long, curly dark hair drooping over his face covering everything but his eyes and nose. Zion couldn't have been more than 7 then. He was filthy, covered in dirt crouched in the corner of the dirty cell, clutching the wall protectively. He eyed the guard carefully before snatching the bowl of slop and gobbling it down a few gulps. He shoved the bowl back through the opening, glaring at the guard.

"Good. Now rest." The guard walked away, bowl in hand, leaving the boy alone in his dark, dirty cell. The boy went to sleep shivering, with only a torn, faded shirt to keep him warm.

A few hours later the guard returned, unlocking the cell before dragging the boy out by his shirt. He led him outside where sweaty soldiers were practicing with wooden swords. He shoved the child forward, letting him fall to the ground. Angry, the boy turned around to glare at the guard with bright, red eyes.

"Show us your power boy!" he commanded, eying the boy hungrily, clearly coveting his power.

The memory sped up showing the boy live out his life in a cramped, dirty cell eating slop every night until he was brought out and ordered to fight men, twice his age for sport. He was ridiculed, pushed, spat on, whatever it took to awaken his power and turn him into a monster. It always resulted in a blood bath, applauded by his captor. His innocence was snatched away from him only to be used as cruel entertainment. This continued on for years until he finally escaped when he was 12 years old.

I slowly opened my eyes, looking at Zion. Tears trickled down my face as I felt his pain, his agony, his regret, his fear. I reached out, grabbing him and pulling him towards me in an embrace. He stiffened under my embrace, slowly relaxing and bringing his arm around me.

"It's okay," I whispered.

I felt furious, blood rushing through me at the thought of anyone using him for sport. They made him do cruel and inhumane things and I clenched my teeth to control my thirst for blood. I could feel my entire body heat up, overcome with emotion. I felt pure rage. I wanted to destroy everyone who ever had a hand in destroying his life. I felt a thirst for vengeance and my talons began to emerge as a result of my rage. I growled, as claws began to protrude from the base of my nail as I focused my rage on everyone who had ever hurt him.

Noticing what was happening, Zion began shaking me, "Saron, SARON! STOP!" His voice was just a faint whisper. I felt my strength growing as my eyes gleamed with resentment.

Before I realized what was happening, Zion grabbed the back of my neck, pulling me towards him, planting a kiss on my lips. My rage slowly began to subside as all my emotions faded away, calming me. It felt as if lightning had struck between us, freezing me where I was. My claws slowly began to shrink, sinking under the base of my nail. Sparks were exploding inside of me as we kissed, my senses on fire at his touch. I could feel our magic rushing between each other. It was as if we were no longer two bodies, but one. I felt a bond form between us, getting stronger the longer we kissed. It felt like an electrical current flowing between our bodies. It was like nothing I had ever felt before. What is this feeling? My eyes fluttered open and I saw his pupils dilate, letting me know the kiss was having the same effect on him. Terrified by the intense feelings I was experiencing, I pushed away, gasping. I stared at him, panting, unsure of what to say. He watched me expectantly, waiting for me to break the first word.

"What was that for?"

"I didn't know how else to stop you. You were losing control."

"Did you feel that?" I asked him, still disoriented.

"Yes."

We sat there in silence for a couple minutes as I processed what just happened. Something had changed between us. I didn't know what it was and we both wouldn't speak it out loud. I tried to push it out of my mind but I couldn't. I changed the subject in an attempt to distract my brain from what just happened.