Chapter 8: Chapter 7
Axion's P.O.V.
I feel someone's hand in mine as I wake up from my dream.. Her head rests on her arm on the bed beside me. I turn on my side and smile. She's been taking care of me my whole life and even now when she needs her own sleep she's still here, worried about me. I let her sleep and instead try to remember how I got here.
I try and take in everything to remember it better but my eyes betray me and catch sight of a new blue and purple mark on my left arm. I turn it around, back and forth in disbelief. The moment is gone now. "Oh my god, oh my god..." I trail off, utterly confused.
"Axion, you're awake!" Her hands gather me in a tight hug. She pulls me to her chest and holds me there, her body shaking. "I was so worried," her voice wavering. I hug her back and let her cry. I shouldn't have ran off like that, but Moco....I hope he's alright.
"I'm...okay," I say to her, not really sure about it myself.
"You were out for so long. I thought you were never going to wake up," Mom says as she pulls away. Tears rolling down her cheeks.
"How long have I been out?" I ask softly, afraid of the answer.
"Five days."
My throat tightens and it cracks as I speak, "What? Where are we?" Have I really been asleep for five days?
"At the castle. I should get the Elder, he said he needed to talk to you as soon as you woke up. To explain."
"Explain what?"
"Sweetie, you've changed. I can't describe it. But first, are you hungry, thirsty?" Her mom instincts return and she hands me a filled plate of food. I don't press because I AM starving. I feel the hunger pangs.
"Very," I groan.
"Here. It should still be warm. I'll go get the Elder."
On the plate is green beans, breaded chicken breast, and mashed potatoes. It is a little cold after I take a bite, but I'm too hungry to care. She points out a glass full of water on the bed's side table. "I'll try not to be too long. If you want to take a shower there's some clothes in the bathroom, alright?"
"Thank you, I'll be sure to take one."
"Okay, be back soon," she smiles and gently shuts the door behind herself.
I pick up my fork, eating hungrily. I'm nearly ashamed of myself when the plate is cleaned off within a few moments. The water disappears with it. My stomach is now satisfied, but the rest of my body isn't. I feel dirty, my hair oily. I pull back the covers and shiver, as I'm only in my undergarments.
Wait...
Then I remember the fire, that man who visited me, and my dream with Lilith, though that was just a dream. It probably didn't mean anything. I shiver with disgust at the thought of that man. I check myself all over and then sigh in relief, nothing wrong with my body.
I need a shower. That'll help me think better.
On wobbly legs I make my way over to a door that opens up to a luxurious bathroom. I feel hesitant to use it because it's so nice, but nature is urgently calling.
After taking care of my business I go to the ceramic tile sink and splash water on my face. My head clears considerably and I feel fully awake now. I find the clothes mum left on the counter along with some towels. There are bottles of hair soaps and washes in the sink cabinet. I pull out two strawberry scented bottles and bring them over to the walk-in shower. It's got a glass sliding door and ceramic tile on the floor, wall, and ceiling. I turn the knob to hot and water comes spouting out of the showerhead on the wall. I take off my little clothes and step under the steamy water. The beads of water pounding soothingly on my back. I let the warmth relax my stiff muscles.
My mind is foggy when I try and recall the burning tree, but I push deeper towards what happened. I had been...trapped under a tree that was on fire. I couldn't get out. Someone must have found me. I had been burning...no wait, I wasn't. My...
I look back at my mark covered arm. There had been a blue glow and an invisible force keeping the fire away before I went unconscious. Was it magic? But I've never used magic before, how could it be? I have no other logical explanation for it, though.
What about that man? He never told me his name. Did it really even happen? It felt real enough. It certainly was like no dream I've had before. He said a lot of things. Something about a Dark Lord and a gift. He wouldn't tell me what it was. Maybe it was a dream too. It doesn't make sense.
I squirt a glob of shampoo into my hand and massage it into my hair. My head feels heavier than usual, probably from being dirty. I scrub my fingernails into my scalp.
My head tilts back to let the hot water rinse out the soap. My head prickles in some spots. I close my eyes and let the water wash away five days worth of oils and grime.
What did Mom mean by the Elder needing to explain some things to me? Did something bad happen? Or maybe it's about the mark? She said I've changed.
I step out of the shower and shut off the water. I then flip my hair in front of me to towel dry it. After drying the rest of myself off I put on the clothes. It's just a plain pair of blue jeans that fit snug and a green t-shirt. I shake my hair out and search for a brush. I find one and run it through my hair. It glides easily through it. I walk in front of the mirror as I brush. I stop mid-stroke when I see my reflection.
And.
I.
Scream.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone