‘I have to get smarter.’

(Those were the words I told myself when I survived the desert,

But did I really,

All of I’ve done since then is make bad decisions.)

Boom!

Darius tanks an explosive blast from the king, he subsequently retaliates with a massive swing of his sword, creating a gust that quells the crimson flames,

(Why did I even want to help these people again?

Do I really care?

Or am just using them as a distraction.)

Thud!

Apollo hits the ground forcefully,

The queen cackles pleased at her doing,

(Just when I thought I had my emotions in control,

I lose it, make a rash decision,

When did I get like this?

Or was as I always like this?

Before I got here,

Who was I?)

“I.h.ve..h.r!” Lyra shouts something, but I can barely discern it over the ‘voice’ in my ear,

Her voice.

Lyra looks in my direction

Is she asking for help?

Does she want me to help?

To fight?

What can I possibly do?)

K...

K.g.

Ka..

K..e

Kag.

Kage!

“Fight me!” Kage aims his bow at the pair preparing to fire, then:

……

…....

……

Nothing.

He isn’t frozen by magic, enchanted nor paralyzed,

Kage stands statue-like, his arrowless bow points to his fear,

“How pathetic,

The boy is scared stiff!

What happened to all that talk?

You are actually the joke,

Hahahaha!” the former king laughs

“You’re worried about the wrong person!”

Darius chucks his great sword at Flint rushing at him,

Flint narrowly dodges but the sword immediately vanishes, Darius slashes out from behind him, grazing the man who currently holds the title of head priest,

“Aghh

You ruined my holy garb!” Flint grouses at the ripped garment,

Apollo noticing Darius’ que springs into action against the queen,

“Get Zinnia! He yells to Lyra

The girl nods and begins sprinting towards the partially destroyed orphanage,

Karina paces back and forth, still trying to figure out where she stands in this,

The battle ensues.

“Lighting God Fist!”

“How shameful,” the Queen mocks dodging Apollo’s attack,

“Adding ‘God’ to a basic lightning attack does not make it any more powerful boy,

“It sounds strong though, and still hurts a ton,” Apollo retorts

“I’ll show you power!

Steam Blast!

An outburst of steam gales onto Apollo, the pressure of the hot wind drops him to his knees,

“You can train however much you like, but your magic will never get any stronger,

How you are my sister’s son still baffles me, it’s no wonder she kept your father secret from us,

He must be even worse than you!”

“Say what you want Aunt,” Apollo struggles to his feet

“I always knew you felt this way about me,

It is kind of refreshing to hear you speak to me truthfully for once,

Lighting knee-”

“-Steam geyser!

Before Apollo could attack a column of steam rises from beneath his feet knocking him into the air…......

………

………“Vertical Slash!” Darius continues his onslaught of attacks on the king, pressuring him back,

“We don’t have to do this Darius, my boy,” Flint acknowledging the man’s strength,

“Think about it, you can be a part of a greater cause,

What is higher than being a ‘disciple of God’ himself!”

“You’re stronger than I thought,” ignoring the offer, Darius rams the fuller of his sword into Flint,

“Ahhhg!” The former king tries to evade but gets knocked down,

“Fine, Ignore me!

I was going easy to show you, I care, I acknowledge your power,

Murdoc does too,

Unfortunately, I will have to beat you into submission,

Crimson Explosion!”

……

……

“I have her!” Lyra shouts, emerging form the debris with a dazed Zinnia in tow,

Though, now conscious, the girl’s perception of reality remains hazy,

“Get her to Karina and get away!” Darius orders blocking another mini explosion with his blades surface,

“I’m not running away!” Lyra refuses obstinately………

……………..

(Everything I’ve ever known has fallen apart once more,

Should I see it as a blessing, or curse?

The art of sound was given to me,

A girl who hated silence, could now willingly create her own,

Now I see it has it evolved even further,

But what is higher than sound?)

“I won’t be running either!” Karina asserts, Lyra nods to her pleased...

(The only way forward for everyone is by putting these two in the ground,

Kage,

Kage!

You hear me, don’t you?

I sense a change in you,

Has your magic evolved as well?

Kage!)

Karina now at Apollo’s side finally joins the fray.

(Kage.

When you’re ready to move again,

I hope you choose to fight with us.)

…………

(Karina?

She was speaking to me.

It wasn’t the buzzing this time?)

My arms pain from being suspend in the same position for minutes

(Has fear consumed me once again?

As I face someone with the power to crush me

My mind harkens back to Jissepi,

At every turn, every try, he put me down,

Beat me into obedience,

Using just his raw strength,

Forced me to shut off my emotions,

Made me like this,

I can’t be put in a situation like that again.

I won’t!

Is that why I’m afraid to fight,

Jissepi’s ghost haunts my very existence,

But if I don’t fight,

Wouldn’t he eventually catch me?)

“Looks like I won’t be running away as well!”

Shaking myself I spring into action.