Chapter 1.7: ‘Darkened Flame’

Year: 2483 Month: June 2nd

Kai awakens to see Cayde stood over him, calling his name. Kai quickly sits up and feels his cheeks, the mask was gone. He looks up to Cayde and asks,

‘’Where’s Harrison?’’

Cayde squints.

‘’Who? That guy who got shot? He’s downstairs. But what the hell happened to you?’’

Cayde points at Kai’s forehead. Kai tilts his head and touches it, there was something poking out of it. It had a smooth yet rough texture and was relatively long. Kai jumped up and ran across the room to a mirror. He almost screams as he sees his reflection. A long blackish-purple horn extended itself out of his forehead and was curved upwards slightly. Kai felt it once again, confirming his reflection. Was it the mask? He thought. Or was it because he used his power?

‘’It was me’’

Kai once again hears the voice and turns to Cayde.

‘’Did you hear that?’’

Cayde stares at Kai oddly.

‘’Hear what?’’

Kai drops his arms to his side and sighs. Whoever this voice was, Kai guessed they were bad news. He turns and motions to Cayde.

‘’Let’s just go downstairs. Maybe Apollo will know something’’

They both make it downstairs to see Harrison shirtless downing a smoothie whilst Apollo stares in shock. He finishes with a gasp and turns to Kai.

‘’Kid! You’re awake! What’s up with that horn then eh?’’ Kai once again touches it and shrugs. Harrison chuckles and grabs his mask. ‘’You touched this didn’t you?’’

Kai’s eyes widened.

‘’How did you know?’’

Harrison narrows his eyes.

‘’I knew it, you’re his descendant.’’

Kai leans forward.

‘’What do you mean, ‘his descendant’?’’

Harrison slams the smoothie cup onto the side and steps towards Kai.

‘’You heard voices lately?’’

Kai steps backwards.

‘’y-yeah’’

Harrison continues approaching.

‘’Any weird urges?’’ Kai nods. ‘’Hmph. As I thought.’’ Harrison spins on his heel and walk back into the kitchen.

‘’Hold on! You can’t just say something like that and leave me without an answer. What do you mean by ‘his descendant’? Who are you talking about?’’

Harrison raises an eyebrow at Kai’s boldness.

‘’Your ability. It’s not something you randomly got like the other power enabled out there, yours got handed down. That’s what I meant’’

Kai’s eyes widen and he looks down at his hands. His ability was handed down to him? Like an heirloom?He looks up at Harrison who is inspecting the horn on his head.

‘’Try activating your ability.’’ Harrison commands. Kai looks up, puzzled.

‘’Why?’’

‘’I just want to test something.’’

Kai slowly nods and breathes deeply. He takes two steps back and tenses his arms. He feels the dark flames begin to form, but they never come. Kai stops and tries again. The flames never form. He looks back at Harrison who is nodding.

‘’Now try to imagine my mask in your hand.’’

Apollo stands up and waves her arm,

‘’Stop it now. You cannot do whatever you want in my house.’’

Harrison presses his finger against his lips.

‘’Let him try’’

Apollo grumpily sits back down. Muttering to herself. Cayde smirks at her and takes a seat near the door. Kai looks down at his right hand and tries to imagine the mask in his hands once again. He suddenly feels a rush of energy as a dark flame ignites in his hand and takes the form of the black mask. Kai grins as he sees Harrison grit his teeth. Cayde starts to clap and Apollo shakes her head.

‘’How does this help? You can’t go outside with that horn.’’

Kai’s stomach drops, Apollo was right. There was no laying low with this horn. Harrison sighs and walks over to Kai.

‘’Put the mask on.’’ Kai hesitates. ‘’ Don’t worry, you won’t faint this time.’’

Kai gulps. His hand shaking, he equips the fiery mask. It grabs a hold of his face and a rush of incredible energy rushes through his body. The mask’s horns grow is size and his eyes get enshrouded in the dark flames. His hands get covered in black stone gauntlets with purple-flamed claws. Cayde jumps up and backs away quickly at the sight of the transformation. Harrison glares at Kai and reaches for his own mask. Apollo grabs a nearby steel cup and prepares her ability. Kai notices their agitation and attempts to calm down. He clears his mind and loosens his shoulders, breathing deeply. His breaths sounding like an ancient minotaur’s. The flames start to weaken and he reaches for the mask.

‘’Stop’’

Kai starts panicking. Not now.

‘’Don’t resist’’

The deep voice once again took control of his body.

‘’I was just starting to have fun’’

Kai feels the flames grow once again and he screams in frustration. His scream rattles the cutlery on the shelves and causes a cup to fall off the side. Apollo activates her power and her skin turns to steel. Harrison equips his mask and becomes enveloped in flame. Cayde raises his hands and jerks backwards.

‘’Guys let’s just calm down’’ Cayde blurts out.

Kai turns towards him and glares. Cayde winces and cowers away. Harrison tries to grab Kai’s attention.

‘’Hey! Kid! You need to calm down. Your ability is too strong for you to handle. Just calm down and don’t get too emotional.’’

Apollo stands in front of Harrison.

‘’Be quiet! All you have done is make things worse’’ She turns to Kai and places one hand out in front of her. ‘’Kai I need you to calm down and stop almost breaking my stuff ok?’’

Kai tries to loosen his muscles again but the voice gets louder.

‘’This is BORING’’

The dark flames start to burn even hotter and Apollo reels away at the heat. Harrison curses and shoves Apollo out of the way. He storms towards Kai, raising his fists. Kai tries to warn him but Harrison dashes forwards and was almost instantly behind him. Harrison grabs the blender of the side and smashes Kai over the head with it. Kai drops to his knees. Then flops onto the floor. His eyes begin to droop and he falls unconscious.