Tides of Darkness

By Solomon Woytowich

As Zeph races across the seas in search of his father, he struggles with the idea of him being alive after all the years. The search continues on until the moment he sees his father face to face. As the reality of what has transpired sinks in, everything Zeph has ever known shatters around him in an instant. He comes to see the forces that have been setting everything in motion since he was a small boy.

Victor, Gus and the rest of the group head for the Water Realm, with nothing more than Zeph’s vision to guide them. On the high seas they are met by an old enemy and must fight their way to freedom before the ship is lost. The mysteries about Victor’s past are brought into the light as he must choose to save himself or those he has come to call his friends.

As Gus spends more time with Desiree the pain continues to grow within him over the loss of his daughter. Despite her best efforts to make amends for what she did there remains a wall between them. It isn’t until both are trapped in a life or death situation that the truth comes to the surface and only by working together can they hope to save themselves.

The mystical bond between brothers continues to grow and soon Iggy realizes that there is a side to his brother that he dared never to see. With the fate of not only the whole Water Realm in their hands, but also their home town of Daunt, they race to try and stop the events that have been set in motion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Solomon Woytowich
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9780986620959

Solomon Woytowich

I've always been a dreamer, even from a young age. The world around me has never been simple or easy. I learned that if I could find the good in the world I would have to create a place where I could show others what was possible. This is why I started writing. For more about my years growing up and my experiences with writing visit: www.solomonwoytowich.com

Book preview

TIDES OF DARKNESS

BOOK II

TEARS OF OMEGA SERIES

By

Solomon Woytowich

* * * * *

This book is a work of fiction.

All characters and events portrayed in this book are either products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

TIDES OF DARKNESS

Copyright © 2012 Solomon Woytowich

All right reserved. No part of this book may be used

or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission

of the Author.

ISBN: 978-0-9866209-5-9

Smashwords Edition: February 2012

For more information on this book and the series, please visit:

www.tearsofomega.com

Join on Facebook™. Twitter™ @tearsofomega

* * * * *

In Loving Memory

Of My Grandmothers

Margaret Summerfield

1923 ~ 2011

Olga Kowalczyk

1918 ~ 2010

I love you both with all my heart.

Thank you for the years we had together.

I look forward very much to the day I will see you both again.

* * * * *

TIDES OF DARKNESS

Daunt…

Day 259

CHAPTER 1 – MORE THAN A DREAM

Drops of sweat slowly rolled down over Zeph’s skin. The heaving of his body caused them to drip onto the floor. It didn’t seem to matter, as more continued to bead on his forehead. Blood dripped from his eyes, mixing with the tears that were already falling. His hands trembled as he pressed them hard against the wood floor. The only silence that filled the room was the pauses between sobs as he gasped for breath. The walls within his mind had collapsed and the sea of emotions was free to drown his senses. Memories from his life flashed before his eyes. All the nights he had cried himself to sleep as a child came rushing back. All the times he had ached to have the comfort of his father near.

Those gathered in the room could only sit and watch as the young man poured his sorrows out onto the floor of the family den. His mother knelt down in front of him. She was still trying to process what had happened. The memories were coming back for her as well. The day she had said goodbye to her husband flashed through her mind. Reaching out, she placed a hand on her son’s head. He continued to rock back and forth as he wrapped his arms around himself.

She feared the stress of having two visions back to back had been too much for him to handle. Slowly, she pulled him close until she could wrap her arms around him. Everyone else simply sat back in their seats and tried to understand what had been said. First came the news of an impending disaster that would affect the whole world, followed by the news that Zeph’s father was still alive. It was hard to believe.

Zeph tried with all his strength to retain his composure but seeing his father was more than he could handle. It had only been a few months after his ninth birthday that his father had disappeared. He had lived with that for over nine years now. Over the last five months he had learned a great deal about himself and the things he held onto. The two months he had spent training with Sensei had helped him greatly. As he felt the burden of the years of pain once again weighing him down, he wondered if it was all for loss.

Iggy was sitting on the floor beside Zeph. His head was resting against the doorframe of the den. Everyone seemed to be looking at him for answers again. It reminded him of how they had all looked at him after he and Zeph shared the experience with the scroll. Because of that experience, Mal’ak had told them that they would have a connection to each other. It seemed that with each passing day, and as Zeph grew stronger in his abilities, that their connection was indeed growing. The images of the vision hadn’t passed to Iggy but the feeling Zeph felt as he had held their father’s hand was clear as day. He had been five years old when their father had gone missing. The memories were not as strong with him and even now he had trouble remembering their father’s face.

The sighs and gasps from Zeph began to slow as he tried to sit up. His eyes were red as they had begun to bleed after the second vision. Marcus remembered how Zeph had looked after his vision of Desiree; he had been in very bad shape at that point. Over time, he had grown quite strong to the point where the visions no longer physically harmed him. He knew that for Zeph’s eyes to bleed, the vision must have been very intense.

Reaching up, Zeph wiped the tears and blood from his face with the sleeve of his shirt. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Crossing his legs, he placed a hand over each knee with the palm facing upwards. Meditation was something that had become so important to him over the months. Taking those moments to clear his mind had helped him to develop his abilities and increase his control. The distress of the visions was something the he wouldn’t be able to rid himself of in a mere moment though.

Gus watched as Zeph began to meditate. He was the first person to teach Zeph the benefits of practicing meditation. Everyone watched with him as Zeph created pools of glowing energy in the palms of his hands. Spreading his fingers, they watched as it began to drip and run through them like it was real liquid. As the drops fell through the cracks between his fingers, the energy drifted into strands like smoke. They rose up into the air and filled the room. It was something that they had never seen him do before. A moment later the air cleared and Zeph opened his eyes. In the dimly lit room they had a hint of a glow to them.

Zeph looked around the room at all the pairs of eyes that were staring at him. It was to be expected, this was their first experience watching him have a vision. Zeph’s eyes fell on his mother, who was sitting on the floor across from him.

Tell me what you saw, she said with a harshness in her voice that portrayed the confusion of trying to comprehend that her dead husband may still be alive.

I was in a city at night. The city was so advanced that the buildings towered high into the sky. Glass windows cover the whole outside of them. The building I was in was like a clinic of some kind. I followed glyphs along the floor to a room. In the room I saw a man lying in a bed. In his hand was the Water Scroll and his hands were marked like mine. The mention of the Water scroll caught everyone’s attention. Zeph’s mother looked back at him anxiously; he had said everything except what she was waiting to hear. Zeph looked back at her and then continued.

As I grew closer to the man, the scroll began to glow brighter. It was then that I saw how sick he was. There were all sorts of things attached to him. I don’t know what they did but it seemed like they were meant to help him. When I drew close I saw his face. It was sick and older than the face in my memories. But I know without a doubt that it was Dad. He called me son, Zeph said as he closed his eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to come again.

I have a question, if I may? asked Praotes. Zeph looked at him and nodded for him to continue. How are you sure that this vision is of what is to come?

All my visions to this point have been connected to my purpose. With Desiree, it was because she was to become the Shadow scroll holder one day. I had visions of both the past and the present of her so that I would know how they connected. This time, I can only assume that both visions are connected somehow, and with both of them, they felt like they were to come.

What do you make of the first vision? Praotes asked as he leaned forward in his seat. There was a curiosity on his face like that of a young boy.

I know that I was in Thai during the vision. The flash of light came from the south on the horizon. What do we know about what lies south of Sire?

Victor’s mind started working quickly as the question was asked. He knew the seas and that part of the world very well, that was where he was from after all.

Well, the Water Realm lies to the far south of Sire over the ocean and past the Vortex, said Victor.

No sooner had the words left his lips than his eyes widened. Zeph had begun to look away but did a double take when he saw the expression fall over Victor’s face.

What is it, Victor? Zeph asked with concern. Victor shook his head for a moment as if he was trying to shake off the thought that had entered his mind as a fleeting nightmare. Zeph pressed him again to speak, and after a moment, he did.

I don’t want to believe what my mind has suggested but it is the only thing that makes sense, a very frightening, horrible kind of sense.

And that would be? Zeph questioned.

The Water Tear lies on the ocean floor at the exact center of the Vortex.

The World Vortex was located in the center of the Euphraic Ocean. It was closest to the Water Realm with the Shadow lying far to the west and the Fire far to the North. All three Realms knew of its existence. Victor knew firsthand about the Vortex. He had built his additions to the Nephesh so he could sail around it. The only reason he suggested the Vortex was because of what had already happened to the Shadow Tear. Everyone else slowly began to put together what he was suggesting in not so many words.

You think the Water Tear is going to break and the tidal wave is a result from that? Zeph asked not wanting to consider that as a possibility either.

No, I don’t even want to think that. Sire, and even Tsayla, are much farther away than Nysos is. If what you saw in your vision comes to pass, then well over half of the whole Water Realm will be covered under the seas.

The Water Realm covered one continental piece of land and a handful of large islands all adjacent to the eastern side. Victor had mentioned Nysos in passing. It was the name of the land he was from. In terms of perspective, it was one and half times larger than Tsayla. Much of the center of it was mountains.

Are we sure that’s what happened? asked Gus.

I don’t want to believe it, but it’s the best suggestion we have to go on. If the World Vortex was to collapse for some reason, it would change the very fabric of the seas across the world. Zeph listened to Victor’s words. It was hard not to after seeing what was going to happen in Thai.

There is one other thing I’ve been wondering, Desiree said, speaking up. Everyone turned their attention towards her. It made her slightly uncomfortable but the question was important. If the wave hits Thai like it does in Zeph’s vision, then isn’t it going to hit here too?

The room fell silent once again. Appagon was a decent ways farther out in the ocean from the Vortex, but if Thai got hit, then it was extremely likely that Daunt and possibly Tweedsmiur would be hit as well. The wave would be much smaller but still large enough to wipe out both villages. Everyone in the room began running the different scenarios through their minds. Zeph, on the other hand, was running something else through his mind.

The city loomed out past the window as he replayed the vision through his mind again. It was like something he had never seen before, or even heard of. It wasn’t a place that his father had ever told him about before. So why was his father there and where was this vast city?

When is this going to happen, Zeph? asked Gus with weariness in his voice.

I honestly can’t say for sure but I’m guessing not more than a year, Zeph said as he finally stood to his feet. Both Victor and Gus joined him as well.

The night was late and the events of the day had worn everyone out. Gus in particular was very tired. He headed home to his shop with Victor. Before he left, Victor leaned in and kissed Dawn on the cheek. She caught Zeph looking at her as Victor left. She simply smiled and blushed. Marcus stayed in Iggy’s room and Desiree stayed in Zeph’s room. Bedding had been made up on the floor for the extra guests in each room.

Zeph sat on the side of his bed. Desiree was preparing her bedding on the floor. He looked out past her with a blank expression. She knew to give him his space. Even after the weeks together since the day the Shadow Tear broke, she knew there would be moments where he would draw into himself. It wasn’t until after a few moments had passed that she looked up at him. His eyes were glowing brightly. Quickly, she sat up and looked into his eyes. They were still blank in their expression but she could tell that something more was going on.

As he sat on his bed in a trance, his Omega symbols began to glow as well. Desiree sat on her knees on the floor in front of him and watched. She could tell that it wasn’t another vision, but Zeph was definitely in some kind of semi-conscious state. His breathing was even and steady, there didn’t seem to be any signs of distress. She tried calling his name but there was no change in his state.

The image of the grand city was stretched out before Zeph’s eyes once again. He was drawing the vision up from his memories and into the present once again. He knew that there had to be more to go on than what he had seen the first time. As he played out the vision again in his mind, he felt himself being pulled into it once more.

He walked down the hallway following the girl. This time, however, he gazed out the window at the glistening city. There were many different buildings all throughout, each towering high into the sky. As he looked to the very tops of them, he noticed that they had names written in glowing light at their tops. The words didn’t make any sense to him. As he scanned the buildings, there was something that caught his eye. In the distance, he saw a shorter building, perhaps only five stories. There was no name on the building itself but the Fire symbol was on banners that ran down the sides of the building. Large lights on the ground shone upwards illuminating the orange banners.

Zeph scanned the city for anything else that he could go on. The building was a good place to start. He guessed that based on the banners of the building that the city was indeed somewhere in the Fire Realm. Perhaps it was the capital city of the whole realm. He had never seen a city such as it before.

As he rounded the corner in the hallway, he came to his father’s room once more. This time he hesitated at entering the room. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to replay the visit, at least not yet. Closing his eyes, he let his head fall. Opening his eyes, he saw Desiree staring back at him.

What’s wrong? he asked.

You’ve been in some sort of a trance for a little while now.

Oh really, Zeph said raising an eyebrow. When he experienced a vision for the first time, the whole vision happened in an instance for those watching around him. He didn’t realize that when he thought though the memories that real time did pass by.

Desiree was ready for bed and Zeph quickly got ready as well. Covering the sphere lamps in his room, he crawled into bed. The day had been a long and weary one for both of them. Any memorial service was hard, but it was especially hard for them. Even though many had forgiven Desiree, she still did not feel completely welcome in the town. Zeph was perhaps the only person that could really see her for who she truly was. The memories of his life with Breeze kept creeping into his mind. It wasn’t that he wanted to push them away; it was that he didn’t want them to overwhelm him.

Despite everything that had happened, Zeph continually stressed the importance of Desiree in their group. She was the Shadow Scroll Holder, the Chosen One of her element. Whatever was happening to the world, all seven of the Chosen Ones would have to come together. Thinking about their role caused Zeph to think of his father once again. In the vision, it was clear that his father had somehow become the Water Chosen One. Zeph was having a hard time processing the thought. He had always wanted to believe that his father was still alive and, now that the moment had come, it was filling him with more pain than joy.

Zeph could hear Desiree stir in her bed. He knew that she was looking up at the edge of his bed by the sound of the noises. Slowly he rolled over and looked down at her. In the dim light of the dark room, he could see her eyes looking back at him.

You know they glow, she said.

What do?

Your eyes, she said with a smile, Not brightly, but there is a slight glow that can be seen in the dark.

Zeph hadn’t realized this as of yet. He did of course know that those gifted with visions, or Seeiers as they were called, did have glowing eyes as a part of their gift.

What’s going to happen tomorrow? Desiree asked.

I’m guessing there will be a meeting with the town elders to discuss this situation. Praotes and Siah already know since they were there, but Mr. Yad still has to be informed.

What can I do to help? she asked softly.

As much as it might not be fully wanted, your abilities and skills could greatly help with the modifications to the Nephesh. I understand it’s still several weeks away from launching, Zeph replied.

They talked for a while longer. Soon the exhausted nature of their bodies took over and they fell fast asleep. Peaceful sleep did not come to Zeph as he had hoped though. Memories began to flood his mind of the years he had spent with Breeze. As happy as the memories were to relive, he knew that they would never be again. He awoke several times throughout the night dripping with sweat and his chest heaving. The memories were almost nightmares in a way. He knew, in time, that the memories would slowly fade away but for now everything good he remembered simply haunted him. No joy could be found in the memories, only heartache.

Morning came quickly, much faster than Zeph would have wished. As the five of them sat around the breakfast table, there was silence. Everyone helped make the meal in silence. Out of all of them, Zeph looked the most tired. It was clear that he had not slept well.

A knock at the door was the distraction they all needed. Opening the front door, Dawn found Victor and Gus standing there. They informed her that the meeting was to take place at the school. The Upper-class students were given the day off so the meeting could be held in their classroom.

Victor and Gus waited in the den as the rest finished getting ready. Gus looked down at the red stains on the wood floor. It was Zeph’s blood from the night before. It was taking all of Gus’ strength to keep himself together. He did the only thing he knew how to do in this kind of situation; he put himself towards a task that would keep his mind busy. The Nephesh still had much work to be done, and now with impending disaster, he would have much to keep his mind busy.

The group left the house and headed down the street. Zeph, Marcus, Iggy and Desiree all stood out in the crowd. It was not because of their arrival back to town but because of their attire. The clothing they wore was still from the Shadow Realm. It was a very different style compared to the townsfolk in Daunt.

As they walked up the gentle slope towards the school, Zeph’s thoughts turned towards their days together within its walls. The years he had spent there had been some of the best of his life. Granted, he had spent all of those years without use of his abilities, but it was the friendships he had made that meant the most to him. The absence of Breeze carried some pain with it as they entered the building.

Mr. Yad greeted them as they entered and the group headed towards the classroom. Instinctively, both Zeph and Marcus went and sat in the seats they used to when they were still students. Everyone else took up seats around the room. Praotes, Siah and Yad stood at the front. They were the town’s elders and responsible for the well being of Daunt. Zeph quickly brought Mr. Yad up to date on the pending situation. He was careful to point out that it was, in fact, Desiree that had first voiced the concern for Daunt. Zeph wanted to try and cast her in a good light whenever he was able.

After everyone was caught up, they began to discuss different ways that they could protect and save the town from the tidal wave. There were those in town with the ability to control water. Mr. Yad was one of the best and strongest Water elementals in Daunt.

It doesn’t matter how many Water users we have, we can’t hold the ocean at bay, Mr. Yad stressed.

I agree, said Siah as he leaned back on Mr. Yad’s desk, Even if we were to band all the Water users together, there is no way we could stop the kind of wave you’re describing, Zeph. Siah was also very powerful with his abilities. Hearing from the two strongest Water elementals that it was an impossible task didn’t fill any of them with confidence.

Zeph kept his thoughts to himself as the others exchanged ideas. He looked down at his hands. The answer felt like it was on the tip of his mind. It was just water, a lot of water to be sure, but just water nonetheless.

What about a mix of elements? Marcus suggested.

What do you mean? asked Gus.

Well what if we have some Water elementals pushing back the wave while Fire elementals evaporate it? It was a good suggestion. The speed of the wave was the problem though. There was just no way they could disperse the water fast enough to prevent the wave’s impact.

Zeph’s thoughts turned more towards the Tear itself. Everyone else was thinking of ways to save the town, while Zeph was thinking of ways to prevent the disaster in the first place. If they could prevent the Tear from breaking then it wouldn’t matter. He knew that there had to be a connection between the Tear and his father.

What if we don’t try and stop it? asked Iggy. His question caused everyone in the room to give him a strange look. Zeph was the only exception, his eyes began to dart back and forth as he processed the idea Iggy had thrown out.

What are you proposing, lad? asked Mr. Yad with a skeptical look on his face.

We’ll let it pass over us! both Zeph and Iggy exclaimed at the same time.

Everyone else in the room looked at them and then at each other. They weren’t quite sure what the boys were proposing but they could see their brains working very quickly.

In all honesty, we can’t ever hope to stop something like that but we don’t have to, Iggy explained.

He’s right, Zeph added as he stood and walked to the front of the classroom. We form a field around the town, he said as he began to draw a diagram on the chalkboard, Just like the protection field Light users can create. All we have to do is hold the field until the wave has subsided into the sea again.

Everyone else’s minds were also at work now. It wasn’t a bad idea at all. They just had to figure out how they were going to go about it. For what was being proposed, they would need the help of every Water and Light elemental they could recruit.

How do you propose we form a field to cover the whole town? asked Praotes.

I might be able to construct some sort of mystical emitter that people’s abilities can be channeled through. It would be much in the same way that the engines I’m putting in the Nephesh channel fire and air, Gus replied. It was his new challenge and the exact thing he needed to keep his mind focused.

They continued to discuss the idea back and forth. It was going to take the coordination and planning of the whole town to pull it off. They all hoped that they would have enough time before the event happened. Zeph was convinced that the mountain village of Sanctus Spire would be safe from the wave, but Tweedsmiur would need to protect itself too.

So I think we’re in agreement that our first priority is to protect the town. Our second priority should be to travel to Nysos and try to discover what is happening to the Water Tear, Zeph said as he faced the room. Everyone nodded in agreement. Gus, Siah and Victor began discussing how they would go about constructing the emitters. Dawn walked over to her son.

You’re going to leave again aren’t you, she said taking Zeph’s hands in hers. He leaned in close until their foreheads touched.

I need to know mom, I need to find him, he whispered back to her.

Promise me that no matter what you’ll come home.

He smiled and nodded, I’ll come home.

Everyone left the school and headed to their destinations. There was much to do and prepare for. Time was already ticking, and no one knew where the hands of the clock stood.

Day 260

If we wish to see change in the World, we must become that very change. Only then can we truly understand the meaning of sacrifice and the cost of making the world a better place.

~ Praotes

CHAPTER 2 – DAM, THAT’S A GOOD PLAN

With each passing day the town of Daunt prepared for the coming challenge. A week earlier the elders had gathered the town together and informed them of the possibility of what was to come. The news had been shocking at first but with each passing day the town banded together even more. It was an amazing sight to see everyone working in unison towards the common goal of survival.

Zeph and Desiree had been working side by side for days. There were two main projects going on in town. One was to assemble and place the emitters in strategic points throughout the town. Gus had surveyed the town and found the points that would work best. The emitters themselves didn’t have to be incredibly sturdy, but once the wave was over the town the sheer weight of the water would be pressing down on the field. Gus had to make sure that the emitters were in places with a firm foundation.

The second task was the completion of the Nephesh. She was a grand ship in her original state. With all the modifications that were taking place it was almost hard to call her the same ship. Nevertheless, much work still had to be done to get her underway.

As the first week came and went the spirits of the townspeople were high. Five of the fifteen emitters had been assembled and placed around the town. Gus was working almost all day and night on them. Siah stayed with him, being his voice of reason in many cases when Gus hadn’t slept in days. Victor remained hard at work on the Nephesh. Zeph and Desiree bounced back and forth between the two jobs. Their ability to levitate objects was vital when it came time to raise the emitters or move the equipment and engines around on the ship.

To help relieve some of the work down at the dock, a crane had being constructed. Zeph had suggested the idea based solely on what he had seen in his vision on Thai. Having a large device that could move crates and other things off a ship was a good idea for Daunt to have. Designing it had been a little tricky, but after several different designs they found a good idea and began construction. It stood at the end of the new section of docks that had been constructed for working on the Nephesh.

Gus had gotten to work the very same day, right after their meeting. He didn’t want to waste a moment and the project helped to focus his energy. The initial thought of the emitters had been a simple one at the beginning. As time went on it was clear that it would be a much more complicated task than he originally had thought. Unlike the engines that were being put in the Nephesh, the emitters were being used to channel a specific Light ability. If all he needed to do was create large lighthouses it would have been an easier task.

He had spent some time with both Iggy and Praotes in order to get a better understanding of how they created a projection field. After he had a decent understanding of how the field formed he created large towers. They reached several stories up into the air, high enough so that they were taller than any building in town. At the very top there was a large metal dome that pointed upwards. The tricky part had been the elemental plates needed to transfer the energy through the tower.

One of the workers in Gus’ shop was a man trained in the art of Engraving. Most of his skills had been used for jewelry in the past, but now they needed him for a different task. He and Gus had worked on making a series of mystically empowered plates. Praotes had given them permission to use the town’s supply of The Tears of God for the task. They had created three different elemental plates for the base of each emitter tower. The plates were linked to the metal dome at the top of each tower.

Each plate was attached to a panel at the base of the tower. It allowed a person with either Light, Water or Fire abilities to channel their abilities to the top of the tower. The plates were also mystically charged, which increased the power of a person’s abilities as the energy travelled up the tower. Each of the towers were placed at equal distances from each other throughout the town. Once activated, they would make a perfect dome-field over the town. It was the mystical technology from Thai that Victor was using for the new designs for his ship that had allowed Gus to create the mystical tech they needed for the task.

If it wasn’t for the modifications being made to the Nephesh, the required supplies for the emitter towers would have taken a few weeks to come in. Thankfully they had brought in a great deal of metal tubing and plating for the modifications. The extra metal was enough for the construction of the emitters. The towers didn’t look like much, but they would do the job when the time came.

At Gus’ shop there was a team of men working on the parts of the tower. Those with Fire abilities worked to weld the tubing together. Others shaped metal plating into bracers to hold the tower together. The engraver worked on the plates and the bowls. Once the plates were activated at the base of the tower the energy would travel to the top and be spread out by the metal bowl. Sparks flew from the metal as the flames wrapped around the tubing. The town almost had an industrial feel to it as the work continued on.

A row of men left the shop, carrying on their shoulders a large piece of the tower. After several more trips they had brought all three lengths of the tower down to the beach south of town. They raised the first section up and let it sink a ways into the sand until it felt firm. They set up a series of scaffolds around it until they were able to stand at the top of the section they had just placed. Zeph was standing by to help with the raising of the next piece. The men gave him the signal that they were ready. Zeph lifted the next section up into the air. It was a sight to behold for sure, but one that the villagers had become accustomed to.

Zeph strained and flexed his fingers as he lifted and turned the large tube piece. It was hard to describe what it was like to move an object with your mind. The size and weight of an object played an important part in levitating it. Even though Zeph would lift the object into the air by extending his arms outward, it was in fact only his mind that was working. The energy flowed down his arms and out his glowing palms as he raised the tube higher. Carefully he positioned it in place. Gus had designed the pieces to fit into each other easily. Once Zeph got in place, the workers began welding the sections together from atop the scaffold.

Sitting down on the slope of the beach, Zeph took a breather. The mental strain was beginning to take its toll. It was beginning to become a daily custom to take out his scroll and recharge several times a day. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he closed his eyes and leaned back. There was a little bit of time before he would have to lift the next piece into place. He would also recharge for a few minutes with the scroll as well before he continued.

A shout caused Zeph’s eyes to pop open. It was one of the men on top of the scaffold. It took Zeph a moment to realize what was happening, but then he saw it. The tower was starting to sway. The sand around the base wasn’t holding up the additional weight of the second piece. Zeph reached out and tried to steady it, but the strain on his mind was too much. Even in a telekinetic state he felt the tower slipping from his grasps. It started to lean towards the water and began to fall. Zeph shouted for everyone to get out of the way. Several of the men atop the scaffolding jump in an attempt to avoid the falling tower. One of the men hit the sand hard. Zeph watched in horror as the tower came falling towards the man. With all the little mental strength he had left, Zeph reached out and pulled the man with his mind. He looked around wildly as he felt his body being dragged across the sand. Despite Zeph’s best efforts, it wasn’t enough. The tower came crashing down. The man’s screamed out in excruciating pain as the tower crushed one of his legs. If not for Zeph’s last minute attempt to save him the tower would have completely come down on him.

The cloud of sand and dust could be seen from the docks on the east side of town. Victor knew something had to be wrong. He called out to Desiree to go take a look. She immediately stopped what she was doing and jumped down from the ship. Gravitating through the street she reached the beach within moments. The villagers had become accustomed to both her and Zeph moving through the streets in that manner. At first it had been quite a shock to see a blur of a person race pass you.

Arriving at the beach, Desiree saw Zeph on his hands and knees by the trapped man. He had stopped screaming but was in terrible pain still. Tears rolled down the man’s face and his hands shook uncontrollably as he tried to regain his composure while going into shock. Desiree rushed over to them.

What happened? she asked as she looked down at the trapped man.

The tower started to fall, and I didn’t have the strength to hold it up, Zeph explained as he took several labored breaths. It was clear that he was very exhausted.

Desiree looked down at the man. His right leg from just below his hip down was under the tower. She didn’t want to know how bad the damage was, but she knew it was bad. A healer came running to their aid from the path leading down to the beach.

I’m going to lift the tower, Desiree said as she gestured the healer over. I need to you pull him out and take care of him. She looked down at the trapped man. This is going to hurt quite a bit, are you ready? The man nodded even though it was obvious that he was terrified.

Taking several steps back, Desiree took up position. Everyone else backed away as well. Zeph and the healer stayed next to the man. In one quick motion Desiree lifted the tower several feet into the air and moved it away before dropping it again. The man cried out in pain, it was clear the injury was taking its toll. Zeph caught a glimpse of his mangled leg and then quickly looked away. The healer on the other hand had to look at the leg straight on in order to heal it.

After several minutes the mangled limb of blood and bone was healed enough so they could move him properly. Several villagers came with a stretcher and took the man away. Gus and Victor came running down to the beach, passing the man on the way.

What the heck happened here? Gus barked out.

The tower fell and I wasn’t able to stop it, Zeph explained.

Well you’re lucky no one was killed.

That’s enough, said Victor as he placed a hand on Gus’ shoulder. Gus looked tired, there was a slight redness to his eyes that was a clear indication of his lack of sleep. Zeph did the best he could, but we’re all tired.

Yea well next time he might not be so lucky, Gus said as he turned around and stormed off.

He’s not doing so well is he? asked Zeph as he looked up at Victor.

I can honestly say he’s been better, Victor replied as he sat down next to Zeph.

They were both looking down at the blood soaked sand. Despite his outburst of frustration Gus did have a point. The accident could have easily claimed that man’s life. Even with the healers present, there was a chance that he would never walk properly again. Desiree sat down with them. The three of them looked over at the tower lying across the beach. They had to place two of the fifteen emitters on the beach to have full coverage. There was no way the towers would stand up in the sand though.

What are we going to do? Zeph asked.

There has to be a way we can make the towers stable on the beach, replied Victor.

Could we pile rocks around them? asked Desiree. Both Zeph and Victor looked over at the base of where the tower would stand. It was possible that if they could dig a hole and pile enough rocks around the tower that it would stand firm. It wouldn’t matter too much once the field was active, it would bear the weight of the water not the tower itself.

That’s not a bad idea. The only way were can get them here is if you two bring them, replied Victor, looking at the two of them. Take the rest of the day off, rest and get your energy up. And from now on I want the two of you working together on raising the towers. We don’t want a repeat of this.

With that Victor stood up and headed back towards the docks. Zeph told the other workers on the beach to head home for the day, or find another project to work on. After what had just happened they were happy to do it.

The beach was quiet now. It was mid afternoon and a cool breeze was in the air. The growing season had been underway for nearly two months now. Waves continued to wash up on the shore only a few paces away from them. The sound was comforting to Zeph as he sat and stared out to sea.

Are you ok? asked Desiree.

I don’t know, Zeph replied, still staring blankly out at the water.

What’s on your mind?

There’s just this dull ache inside that won’t go away. I feel small, he said as he pulled out his scroll from his pocket. Ever since I held this scroll for the first time I’ve felt like I’ll never fill the role I’m supposed to have.

Desiree reached into her clothing and pulled out her scroll as well.

I think I understand something of what you’re feeling. For hundreds of years I never let this go, and now all I want to do is be someone else. But I have to believe that I can still be the Chosen One of my element and be a different person than the one who brought me to this point.

Zeph simply nodded as she spoke. The words were there, they just weren’t fully sinking in. He thought back to all the years he had sat on that very beach. There was a longing deep inside of him to go back to those times, to have the world return to the way it was when he was a child. He and Marcus would play in the water or fish from the docks. Even when they would fight with each other they would still return to their old ways and the friendship would continue on.

Over the last month Zeph had fought and bled for a calling he still didn’t understand. It hurt to think about, to think about everything he had gained and lost. There was a part of him that wished he could run away. He just wanted things to be normal again.

I know everything a person can know about themselves. And yet I know nothing about myself, said Desiree as she looked down at her hands. In my short time with you, Zeph, I’ve learned that it’s the people that care about you and love you that help to keep you centered. Maybe that’s why I turned out the way I did, because I abandoned those that cared about me for someone that only wanted to use me.

Zeph turned his face to look at her, I care about you Desiree. She turned to him and smiled a small smile. It was a nice thing to hear.

They took the rest of the day off as suggested. It was actually the thing they needed more than anything. It wasn’t until that moment that they realized they had been working on one project or another from sunrise to sunset for the last week. They guessed that everyone else in town was also starting to feel the pinch. The progress they had done in a week was truly amazing though.

As the afternoon turned into evening, both Marcus and Iggy joined up with them. They had been working hard as well. Marcus had spent most of his time in Gus’ shop helping to weld parts together. His abilities with Fire rivaled everyone else in town. Most were sure that by now he had grown to the elemental level of Mage. It was the sixth highest level of Elemental Ranking, right below Master. Iggy had grown as well. When he had left school he was at Emitter, the third level. By now they were sure he had reached the level of Guardian, the fifth level.

Classifying Zeph and Desiree was hard. If there was some sort of rank above Master they were sure that both of them would have it. Perhaps Chosen was an unheard eighth level. Zeph still knew he had much to learn about his abilities. It seemed that without even meaning to, Zeph would do something completely unexpected with his abilities. The ones he still used most commonly were Telekinetic, Teleportation, and Transference. During the last week his Transference ability had come in very handy to help the villagers keep up with some of the tasks.

So how are the projects going on your end? Dawn asked as they all sat down to dinner in the family