章 77: A Mild Hallucination

Amanda came with Christoper to the south border that day, finally free from the worries of Kiesha and Theo's disapproval of her. Now, she had a more important matter to discuss with Christopher; the voice she heard the other day.

Last night, she learned that Christopher returned to the castle at dawn. She understood he was tired, and he did not come to her room like the usual.

In the morning, right after breakfast, they went straight to speak with Theo. She did not have the opportunity to probe earlier, but she meant to soon enough.

Like the previous journey, she clung on to Chris as they flew to the sky, but unlike Khalil and Razul, Christopher could carry her weight with minor discomfort. They only rested once for ten minutes before flying back up again.

When they arrived at the border, Amanda saw a long line of stone barriers. The same with the west and north border, which she had already seen herself.

Several of Aeros' men guard from within while some were flying up in the sky, looking out for any rivals.

They landed in an open area, next to a stone-walled tower, and made a walk to the men on guard.

Like always, whenever there was no need for his wings, Christopher hid it, shrinking it on his back.

Christopher examined the location. The entire time, Amanda only followed Christopher's lead as he spoke from one soldier to another.

It was only after receiving news from the flying men, scouting the sand-colored skies did Christopher leave with Amanda, assured that the Oscorians were not attacking that day, at least in that border.

Christopher brought Amanda to the nearby village where he decided for them to take their lunch. He brought her to a tavern of his choice, serving home-made noodles and vegetable broth.

Sitting on a table for two, Amanda found the chance to bring up the voice she heard the other day.

While everything in the past suggested that he was not the man she had long searched for, the likelihood that Christopher was the master of the blue crystal - the master of water was a big possibility. Come to think of it, she fell in love with him. That was the first factor to consider.

She had many questions in her mind, like why she never felt the crystal in him. It did not seem like Trisha sensed it as well. Lastly, she wondered if the voice she heard was real and whether it was another wishful thinking.

She asked, "Chris? What do you feel about... water?"

He leaned back and said, "What do you mean? Water? I need water every day, but our world is running out of it."

Amanda pouted her lips, thinking of a better way to approach things. She said, "Have you ever thought - imagined of controlling water?"

She raised her hand and as if she was grasping an apple she added, "Say for example, shaping water with your hands."

Her eyes were nearly closed. Her face looking very serious.

"Pfft! Haha! What are you talking about, Amanda? I'm not a superhero from earth! I'm just a man who could erupt wings," said Christopher. He continued to chuckle at her suggestion.

His reaction made Amanda frown. Her mouth twitched before saying, "Well, it's just that I've always wanted to control... fire." She shrugged and said, "Anyway, that was just hypothetical. Me with fire and you - maybe with water."

Christopher only looked at her oddly. The only strange experience he had with water was when he sweat too much five to six years ago and when he cried nearly a barrel of tears. He looked down at his food and told himself, 'But then again - it was evil. It must have been.'

He rolled a noodle on his fork and ate. Only after chewing it down did he answered, "I easily get cold. Other than drinking water, I don't like it very much."

Amanda sighed. She would not know what the symptoms are with the water element. For her, she just went on fire, burning the orphanage she grew up on.

She started to eat with him and towards the end of their meal, she decided to just asked him directly. She said, "You know, Chris. I - I thought I heard a voice from yesterday. The voice said, he lived inside of you? I just wanted to - "

"I did not hear a voice Amanda." Christopher said. He cut her off, feeling his heart racing.

He forced a wide grin on his face and added, "That was probably the effect of the medicine I gave you. It can have a mild hallucination, affect - but its only temporary."

Christopher abruptly drank a glass of water before adding, "Don't worry about it."

Trying to avoid the topic, Christopher got up and said, "You know what? We better go back to the castle. Let's check some ancient books with Zack and see if there is anything that explains your golden sword."

'Hallucination?' She repeated in silence.

Amanda would have been convinced altogether, except that she did not drink the potion. She only pretended to drink it.

The entire ride back to the castle, she was silent. She hugged him tight against his chest as he held her. She tried to feel the power of the blue crystal, just the way she could with the other masters, but after a minute of holding on tight to Christopher, she realized she no longer had the red crystal in her.

She would not be able to feel it, not while she was a normal person. She told herself, 'Why would it matter now? When I tried before?'

Amanda was conflicted throughout the day, even as they went to the library and looked for information about her sword. She was utterly uninterested.

Christopher and Amanda went through piles of books, but they could not find any information.

"Christopher, let's just stop this. Besides, I found it on earth! What are the chances I would find it in this world," she said while looking past him and checking if Zack was in a safe distance.

"Well, we try to keep a record of everything even from other worlds. Zack, especially," said Christopher.

"Even on earth, I doubt we have a record about this sword." She shrugged and said, "No mater. I consider it as a gift. It saved me once, and it saved you as well."

"Like I said, it's not evil," repeated Amanda.