THE DARK GRIN

A huge hand appeared out of the earth. Alongside it, chunks of hot-red blocks shot out with great strength and burning power. All around him, he could see mystic creatures destroying his home.

The warriors had marched to battle. With their spears and swords raised high, mankind prepared to face the enemy. Kael stood in the middle of a road, rigid and unshaken. All his muscles had become firm.Everywhere, darkness loomed. Shadows lurked in the unknown places. When all hell finally broke loose, many people died.

Two-headed creatures shot out from the faults. They all had razor-sharp teeth and sturdy skin. Their knife-like tail edges tore human flesh apart.

Kael could only watch as his home was being destroyed.

Fires and cries filled the place. His family was burning, and more blood was being shed.When Kael looked up, he saw part of the sun darken. The dark patch grew until it engulfed half the sun. Five stars orbited around it. Of them all, only one shone the brightest.

Before he knew it, the earth was shaken by rumbles and quakes. The shaking caused widespread destruction and confusion. When the quakes ceased, a huge mouth opened in the earth. It was deep, seeming to have no end. Fires and smoke arose from the depths of hell.Kael was shivering when he found himself in a lake of blood.

Skeletons of fallen warriors floated to the surface all around him. He tried to swim out, but he could not; his fear was so strong that he was frozen in place. He felt his hands being pulled. When he looked, he saw black strips crawling up his body.

They covered Kael's body like a virus, and before long, the darkness had reached his eyes.Before he knew it, he started drowning. He tried to kick, but he could not. He could feel his body and spirit slowly separating.

Convulsing, he broke out of his sleep. Then looked around the room.

"Wow young man, is this the way you say good morning in your langauge?"

“Died. I was… I—”He was once again gripped by fear.

"Died? Who died?"

Kael's crimson eyes gave the old man an agitated glare. Once more, his chest began rising and falling as his breathing quickened.

"They're here, they're here!" He excalimed ." We have to-" he was shifting in his bed.

"Another dream if I may guess." Kael's grandfather said.

"They're here granpa, this time I saw them. It was no dream. Every where blood, death. Everyone died granpa. " He paused a bit. "You died granpa."

"That’s one heck of a dream you had there.” The old timer tried to keep the worry out of his voice.

“But what exactly do they mean? I’ve had them since childhood, and even now, I still don’t understand them.”

Grandpa cleared his throat, then put the cloth back in the basin.“The meaning, huh?” He closed his eyes to ponder.

“There is no meaning; they’re just plain ol’ dreams.”

Kael said nothing to argue with him, but his eyes said otherwise.

“I’ve always told you, they’re just mere creations of your mind. Everyone has them.”

“Everyone?” Kael repeated, starting to regain his composure.

“Yes, everyone,” the old man answered. “Even your old man used to have ’em.” He paused for a moment.

“But unfortunately…” He continued, “he died at their hands.” His voice grew weak and soft.

“Yeah, he died a hero, at least. He defeated Salta and his army,” Kael said sullenly. Then he went on, “Grandpa, do you think I’m like my dad?”

Those stern red eyes looked directly into Mr. Kan’s blue ones. The determination in Kael’s eyes was strong.

“Yes, of course, you’re like your father. You resemble him from head to toe. Sometimes, I see him in you.”

“Well, does that mean I’ll get to be like him?”

“Not quite,” Mr. Kan began. “He was a loyal servant to the queen. She gave him strength and power. That power was meant to allow him to kill Salta. What I mean is, the power was given to him physically. It doesn’t run in his bloodline. I’m sorry to say this , but you don’t have that power. It died along with him.”

“There’s no need to apologise. Even if my father was a great man, I, his son, will never be like him.”

“Don’t say never, lad. You know it’s not only magic that makes a true warrior.” Mr. Kan shifted closer to him.

“Let’s face it, I’m no warrior. I’m a disgrace to my father. I don’t even know what my magic power is. I can't even yeild the simpest form of magic. "

Kael’s voice began to wane.

“You’re no disgrace,” the old man said. “If your father were here, he would still be proud of you. Look.” He pointed at a shelf.

“See that?”

“That half-broken piece of junk?” Kael sighed.

“No, that locket,” said Mr. Kan. He took Kael by the shoulder and walked over to it. The half-silvered locket lay on top of the drawers.

“This,” he began, holding the locket in his hand, “was your father’s possession. He cared for this thing and protected it. But now, it’s your turn to care for and protect it.”

The half-piece had a head of some sort at the front and a broken knife at the other end. Both were made of gold that shone brightly in Mr. Kan’s palms.

“It would have been easier if I had a power like my father’s,” Kael remarked.

“Child, you are strong with or without magic. The real power is in you.”

“But why me? Why can’t I use magic like everyone else?” Kael drawled.

“That’s not true. You can use magic; you just haven’t found yourself yet. Besides, you’re not the only one with that problem.”

“Come on, Grandpa,” Kael began, burying his face in his hands. “I’m the only one who can’t wield magic or power. Even you can summon the great one. I’m useless. I can’t even use a sword like my father did.”

“Say what?” the old man remarked. “All these complaints and disappointments will get us nowhere. Take this; it belongs to you.” He gave Kael the half-broken locket.

Stretching, Mr. Kan stood up and scratched his hoary head.

“Why don’t you have some breakfast and head for training?” Mr. Kan asked, moving towards the kitchen.

“What’s the point of going if I’m stuck at the same level?” Kael replied. He, too, was heading towards the kitchen.

“You’ll never be great unless you keep trying. Only the persistent survive in this world.” Kael did not argue with that. He meekly walked to the table and ate his half-meal.

“Thank you for the food,” he said at the end of the meal.

“And thank you for enjoying it,” another feminine voice said.

“Now then,” Mr. Kan began, sitting on a chair. “Why don’t you hurry on and get busy? You’re already half an hour late.”

Kael stood up from the table and went to his room. When he reappeared, he was holding a black duffle coat and his shoes. He slipped the half-broken locket into his pocket.

When he was ready, Kael looked like a dark, uncanny figure moving through the shadows. His red eyes and black hair blended into the coat.

“Okay, Grandpa and Miss Padolar, I’m heading out now,” he announced.

Mr. Kan replied with a wink.

Although he seemed nonchalant on the outside, Mr. Kan felt uneasy inside. The truth he had kept buried was boiling to come out.

Kael’s dreams were also growing stronger, which meant that sooner or later, the boy would discover exactly what he was— and who he was.

But for now, Mr. Kan could only act normal and sip his coffee, trying to rid any past events.

Kael had reached the training grounds. It was a huge area, with sections of wooden structures and walls. The first section was for developing sorcerers, who used water as a weapon.

The next section was for fire benders, who used fire as swords. Some of them could even gush fire from their mouths.

At the far end of the grounds, the older sorcerers used all sorts of magic. Beside them was a smaller room with children and first-time magicians inside. And that was Kael’s destination.He found them all practising and bringing out their powers. The lucky ones had already got the hang of it. As soon as Kael walked in, distrustful glares turned his way. Even the trainers looked at him with disgust.

He paid no attention to them. Besides, it was always like that.

He sat on a white rag behind the group. Everyone else continued with what they were doing. They were all meditating, trying to find themselves.

Sparkling rays of light protruded from their fingers and travelled through their veins.

Kael, in turn, closed his eyes and tried to focus, just as his grandpa had told him.

But all he felt was his own breath. He could not bring out his inner self like his father or grandpa.Whatever was wrong with him remained a mystery. Why could he not yield magic like everyone else? And, most importantly, why was he having those strange, dark dreams?