• Chapter 12:

    “Catherine? What are you doing here?” I asked bewildered.
    “I don’t really know. I got into Mrs. Carl’s class too late so she gave me a detention! A detention! I got really angry and then Mrs. Carl just turned to ice! I can’t explain it.”
    Syth looked down at Bral on my shoulder. “You did not explain it to her?”
    Bral smiled innocently. “I thought we were not to tell them yet.”
    “Explain what?” asked Catherine curiously.
    “Excuse us for a minute,” said Bral calmly.
    We stood there quietly, waiting for their return. Finally, when they did return, I saw Catherine’s face ecstatic.
    “I didn’t know we had powers!” she said.
    “Yeah, tell me about it,” I said through gritted teeth and looked over to Syth on my shoulder. He laughed through a smile and sank further down.
    I laughed. “Well, then! I guess we should be expecting Jake soon, then.”
    Sure enough, five minutes later, Jake walked in.
    I yawned and said, “So, what happened with you?”
    Before he could answer I said, “No. Don’t tell me. You got angry with your teacher and he … was blown out the window?”
    “Not exactly. He almost drowned in a puddle of water,” said Jake with a grin.
    I smiled. “Aw. So close!”
    Then I realized something. “Hey, guys! This morning I felt different somehow. Like something within me was awakening. And when I used my power just now, I felt the same thing. It was like a tingling sensation, really.”
    Catherine looked at me with a worried look on her face. “What are you talking about, Chris? I didn’t feel anything different. Did you feel anything, Jake?”
    “No. Nothing at all,” said Jake.
    I stared at them confused. Then, I looked over at Syth. He wore the same worried expression.
    “What’s wrong?” I asked a little nervous.
    Still staring at me, Syth said, “Bral? Gib? I would like to talk to you two. Alone.”
    They walked over to a corner of the office.
    Syth whispered, “Do you think it’s possible? I knew he was different from the first time I met him, but can he possibly be that different?”
    Bral frowned. “I don’t know! I know what you’re talking about, though. I felt the same way when I first met him, too. What do you think, Gib?”
    “I agree with both of you, but come on! He can’t possibly be a descendent of the Titanus! Besides, they’re supposed to be extinct!”
    “Yes, but remember the Tale of Titanus told by our father? He said that the Titanus were extremely powerful and had no boundaries. It’s possible that they can live for an eternity in disguise!” said Syth.
    “All we can do now is watch him carefully,” said Bral. “He may truly be the last descendent of the Titanus.”

    Chapter 13:

    The rest of the day was pretty much uneventful, although every time we passed someone, they would stare quietly. When the school day was over-not to mention the staring- we walked back to the clubhouse. Syth announced that training would start immediately, so for 3 long hours, we trained on the beach. We just learned how to control our powers, which didn’t go well for any of us because we didn’t know how to even bring out our power. We were told that our power and concentration came from our emotions. The main emotion that could bring out one’s power was anger, of course.
    When training was over, we were so exhausted that we went straight to sleep.

    Flames shot through my eyes as fresh bursts of electricity coursed through my veins. I saw a world of fire before me. Fire surrounded me from every direction. I flinched because I thought I would feel the extreme heat radiating off the fire. Then, I realized that I didn’t feel any sensation of heat. In fact, I didn’t feel anything.
    The fire in front of me opened up into a path. I calmly walked through the path and came to a large cavern of fire. It looked like a great hall because large pillars of fire lead from where I stood to a place farther into this odd dream. Each pillar was a different color. There were the conventional colors of fire; yellow, orange, and shades of red. Then there were pillars of brilliant colors; purple, green, and electric blue. My eyes rose farther and farther up until I saw an amazing sight. The pillars continued for miles and miles into the black sky. I walked down the hall to the end where I found the largest pillar of them all.
    It was about 3000 ft around and was the color of the darkest black. I felt a sudden urge to touch it and my right hand came up to meet the black fire. When my hand was inches away, a jolt of electricity shot through my arm and up my spine. For a second, my vision blurred and then everything went dark.

    Chapter 14:

    I woke with a start. I was face down in what appeared to be dirt. I was drenched in sweat. I sat up and looked around. Catherine, Jake, and all three Mythics were a few feet away and staring at me.
    “What?” I asked quietly.
    As if to answer my question, Catherine pointed up to the sky. I looked up.
    I gazed, horrified, at the sky, which, at this time of day, should have been pitch black. Instead, it was colored with shades of orange, yellow, and red. It almost looked as if the heavens were in flames. Waves of fire rolled across the sky like a demented ocean.
    Catherine explained, “A few minutes ago, I awoke to find you walking out of the cave. Your eyes were glowing red and massive rings of fire were circling you. I woke everyone else up and we followed you all the way out here. Then, you suddenly stopped and reached out as if you were going to touch something. A sort of tornado formed around you and mixed with the fire. The fire engulfed the whole sky and you just fell down.”
    After a few minutes of silence, the fire in the sky began to clear, and soon the sun rose on the horizon and lit the sky with beautiful colors.
    Finally Syth broke the silence and said, “Chris, what you have just done has confirmed my suspicions about something. I’d like to ask you a couple of questions in private.” When we were about 10 feet away from the rest, he asked, “Do you know who your father is?”
    “Well, no I don’t. But what does this have to do with anything?”
    “It has everything to do with this. You must not go to school for a while. It is for your safety and the safety of your classmates.”
    Catherine interrupted before I could say anything. “We’re going to school now. You coming?”
    I took a glance at Syth. “No, Catherine. I’m not going to school for a while.”
    She looked at Syth, then me and made the connection. “Alright, then. See you after school.”
    They disappeared into the woods and I could hear their feet crunching against fallen sticks for a couple of minutes. After they were out of earshot, Syth asked, “Have you ever heard of a Titanus?”
    “A Titanus?” I thought for a moment. “Oh, yeah! Like those ancient mythical beasts?”
    “Yes. What else can you tell me about them?” he asked.
    “Well, not much. I just know that they lived a really long time ago and were incredibly powerful. They’re extinct, though.”
    “Apparently not.”
    “What? The Titanus are still alive? Do you know where one is?” I asked eagerly.
    “Yes, I do! In fact, there’s one standing right in front of me!” said Syth with a smile.
    I looked around. There was nothing around me exept for trees and branches. “Where is he? Is he invisible? Or maybe he’s disguised as a tree!”
    Syth sighed. “You are so naive sometimes! You, Christopher Statis, are a Titanus!”
    I stared at him in stunned silence. Finally I said, “How do you know that I am a Titanus?”
    “Do I have to spell everything to you? Remember that first day? You said you felt different. It was the power in you finally awakening. Plus, nobody could do that,” he pointed to the sky, “unless they were incredibly powerful.”
    I thought about this for a while.
    “Chris, tell me about the dream. With that, I can determine how much power you have.” I explained my dream in full detail. While I told him about it, his smile turned to a frown. After I was done telling him, he said, “This is not good. You said you saw a big pillar of black fire?” I nodded. “That means you have dark power in you. This is not good.”
    I looked at him confused. “Why is it not good? What is dark power?”
    “Dark power. The power that represents evil. Don’t worry; it is not you that is evil. The dark power has a mind of its own. Dark power is just like a virus. It spreads. And quickly, too. It won’t stop engulfing your light energy until all is devoured. In your dream, how big was the pillar?”
    “Well, it was about 3000 feet around,” I said. “What happens when the dark power consumes all of the light power?”
    Syth snorted. “It’s simple, really. Either your body won’t be able to take the pressure and you will die, or your body will be able to take it and you will become the enemy.”
    I stood in stunned silence. Then, Syth broke the silence and said, “Of course, there is one way to lose your dark power, but it will be incredibly difficult,” Syth said quietly.

    Chapter 15:

    “No! I am not going to do that!” I shouted angrily.
    “But you must! It is the only way! If you do not do this, your dark power will consume you!” Syth yelled.
    “No! I will not do it!” I said.
    To my surprise, Syth stopped arguing and said, “Fine. Then we will start with some extra training.”
    “Extra training? Oh, goody,” I said sarcastically.
    “This is what you will do. Go to sleep,” said Syth with a smile.
    “Go to sleep? You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said happily.
    “Every night from now on, you will have the same dream over and over again. I’m going to use an ancient technique to see into your dreams.”
    “You can really do that?” I asked surprised.
    “There are many things that I can do that you do not know about. Now go to sleep.”
    “Aye, aye, Captain,” I said and gave a salute.
    “Just shut up and go to sleep,” he said annoyed.
    I laughed and then started to walk back to the clubhouse.
    “What are you doing?” Syth asked confused.
    “You think I want to sleep out here?” I said and pointed out the dense forest around me.
    Syth nodded. “Point made.”
    When we got back to the clubhouse, I went to the bed and quickly fell to sleep.

    I opened my eyes. Just like Syth had said, I was back to the same cavern of fire. I looked around and, to my surprise, found Syth in animal form standing a couple of feet away. He wasn’t looking at me. I followed his gaze back to the big, black pillar. My mouth fell open as I saw it.
    The pillar was at least a mile wide. I could actually see the black fire sucking up power from the nearest pillars.

    I woke up suddenly.
    Syth was in a corner.
    “What’s the matter, Syth?”
    “The dark power is taking over faster than I would have thought possible. We have maybe a month until you’re totally consumed.”
    “A month?!? Isn’t there anything I can do to stop it?” I asked desperately.
    He thought for a moment. Finally, he said, “I’m afraid not. Either you can do my first suggestion,” I growled, “or, you keep training and hope it goes away. Now get up! I have an idea.”

    Chapter 16:

    For a couple of days, I continued training with Catherine and Jake and while they were at school, I would do my extra training. The Mythics thought we should have a day of so on Friday, I got to go to school.
    Amazingly, I was glad that I could go to school again, just like any other kid. It was the only day of the week that I could be normal for 7 hours.
    When we got to school, I was amused to see all the double-takes at the sight of me at school. Others were surprised that I actually looked happy for once.
    We split up later and I walked cheerfully to geometry. I was already in my seat when Mr. Dulow walked in.
    “Oh, look! Mr. Statis was actually early to school today!” he said in surprise.
    “Watch it, Mr. Dulow. I’m in a good mood today,” I said smiling.
    “Well, I’ll be sure not to ruin it for you,” he said with sneer.
    “You better not,” I said, my eyes glowing.
    He was silent for a moment, and then started his lecture.
    I was really having a great day. I wasn’t picked once in any of my classes. I didn’t get sent to the office at all. Then, right before the last period, something happened that totally ruined my perfect day.
    I just happened to run right into the meanest bully in school.
    Damian Verhales.
    He’s the quarterback of the football team and beats up anyone who gets in his why. And, unfortunately, I was the one in his way right now. I hit him hard and sent his books flying across the hall.
    He shouted angrily, “Watch out, punk!”
    When he saw who I was, he smiled and said, “Well look who it is! Where’ve you been?”
    I glared at him. “None of your business.”
    He laughed along with his friends. “Whoa! Look whose Mr. Tough Guy!”
    I frowned. “Go away. I’m going to be late to class.”
    “And when have you ever been worried about that?”
    I shouted angrily, “I said get out of the way!”
    I tried to push through Damian’s friends, but seeing as how they are practically giants compared to me, it was pretty pointless.
    Damian pushed me against the lockers. He smiled and said, “And where do you think you’re going?”
    I pushed back and, amazingly, he moved a couple of inches.
    A crowd formed around us, chanting “Fight! Fight!”.
    Damian slammed me even harder against the lockers and knocked the air out of me. He punched my face profusely until blood was pouring out of my nose and mouth. Then, he punched me in the stomach so hard, I blacked out for a second. I doubled over in pain.
    Beads of sweat mixed with blood blinded my eyes and the pain in my face and stomach was excruciating. Suddenly, lights flooded back into my eyes. There was a sudden surge of power flowing through my veins. Then I blacked out once more.

    When I came to, Damian was squirming on the floor, grasping his throat with both hands. The hall was completely quiet. I looked around to see that everyone was staring at me scared. In the front of the crowd were Catherine and Jake. They didn’t look scared, though. More like worried.
    “What happened?” I asked. The sound of my voice made some of the students around me jump.
    Catherine and Jake came over to me. “Come on, Chris. We’ve got to take you to the nurse.”
    I followed them down the hall to the main office. “Tell me. What happened?” I asked as we waited for the nurse.
    Jake asked, “What do you remember?”
    “The last thing I remember is being punched in the stomach. After that, I blacked out.”
    Jake closed his eyes. “After that, you’re eyes started to glow and you just stood up like you weren’t hurt at all. Then, you started chocking him and wouldn’t stop until five people pulled you off him. The scariest thing, though, was your expression,” he shuddered, “You were smiling.”
    I closed my eyes and then looked down.
    What have I done?

    Chapter 17:

    After I was done with the nurse, I was sent to Mr. Garcia’s office.
    “Christopher, tell me what happened,” said Mr. Garcia in his big chair. I told him the whole story, starting from when I bumped into Damian, to when I blacked out. Catherine continued the rest of the story.
    Mr. Garcia nodded. “Like I thought. I want you all to go home for the day. Just remember that if this sort of thing happens again, Chris, we will take precautions for other’s safety.”
    I nodded.

    When we got home, I was allowed to skip training and went straight to sleep. The next week, I continued training. When Friday came, Syth said, “You can go to school again, Chris.”
    I stared at him in shock. “You’re letting me go to school again? After what happened last Friday?”
    “Yes, but I am coming this time.”
    So, we walked to school together.
    I walked into geometry 10 minutes after the bell rang. Mr. Dulow seemed surprised. “After last week’s incident, I would have thought you were expelled. Oh, well,” he said frowning.
    “I’m afraid not,” I said, smirking. I walked to the back of the room and sat in my usual seat. Once again, I got bored and fell asleep. I woke up suddenly after I heard a great slam on my desk.
    “Detention. After school Monday,” said Mr. Dulow with a satisfactory grin.
    “What?!?” I yelled angrily.
    “You heard me!”
    “But I can’t! I won’t be at school Monday!” I argued.
    “Well, find a way!” he said and smirked in delight.
    Suddenly- just like before- I blacked out.

    Chapter 19:

    I woke up in a cell. My head rang and my shoulder was pounding in pain. I looked around and saw a bed nearby. That was the only thing in the cell. I heard a distinct noise and realized it was a speaker turning on.
    “Why am I here?” I asked desperately.
    “You almost killed your geometry teacher! Luckily, your Mythic stopped you from killing him,” said a voice that I recognized but could not remember.
    “Where’s Syth?”
    “He’s right here,” said the voice and suddenly Syth’s voice came onto the speaker, “I am here Chris. I am sorry, but this is the best bet to keeping you-let alone others- safe. I will be here 24/7 if you need me.” Then the other voice came back on. “Is there anything you need?”
    “No,” I said quietly.

    (a week later)
    “We need to figure out what to do with Christopher Statis. He’s already tried to kill two civilians. If he manifests completely, he could kill us all,” said the governor. The city officials were gathered around a large table at the meeting.
    They thought this over for a while. The Secretary of Defense was the first to suggest an idea. “I think we should just kill him. At least, that would take care of him.”
    “That is not a good idea,” said the Treasury. “We don’t even know how to kill a Titanus. For what we know, he may even be invincible. I say we-”
    Suddenly a lady came onto the speaker and said, “Uh, Governor?”
    “Yes, Patricia?”
    There was a pause. “Mr. Statis has escaped.”

    Chapter 20:

    The council sat in shock. Then in one fluent motion, they all got up from their seats and started arguing about what they should do.
    “We have to capture him! But how? It would help if we knew anything about a Titanus!”
    “We need to calm him down, if we can,” said the governor.
    “Remember last time? We need Syth! He’s the only one that can bring Chris to his senses. Come on! Call the police squad to help!”
    The governor sent two people to the police station and another to get the surveillance video.
    When he got the video, he watched it. Chris appeared on the screen, sitting on the edge of his bed. After a little while, there was a change in his posture and he stood up. He walked over to the bars of the cell and his right hand rose to touch a bar. They all melted, one by one, at his touch. He laughed and you could barely hear him say, “This is way too easy.”
    He stepped out of the cell and out of sight.

    Meanwhile, I was walking through the doors of a house. Behind me, I could hear the swish of waves pounding against the sand. I looked around. To my left was the living room; consisting of a TV, a couch, and a big coffee table. To the right was the dining room; with a big, long table and a nice cabinet full of expensive china. To the front of me was a long staircase that led upstairs. I strode up the steps quietly and stopped whenever there was a creak in the boards.
    The first room at the top was a nice looking bathroom. I continued to the right. The next door led to the master bedroom; where the parents were sleeping soundly. I continued down the hall, searching every room until I finally reached Catherine’s room at the end. I opened the creaky door and saw her sleeping on her bed across the room. I walked over to the bed and kneeled down beside it. I reached out my hand and brushed the bangs out of her face. She was smiling. I refocused on the mission and my hand started to glow.
    “Catherine... Chris never told you this, but he always loved you since the first time he saw you in kindergarten. He thought you were the prettiest girl he had ever seen. He still does. For a long time, you were the only thing he could think of. Whenever he thought of you, the barrier between him and me grew stronger. He loves you so much that he could die for you. That is why I have to kill you. It is unfortunate. Even though we are different beings, we still share the same feelings for you. I wish you didn’t have to die, but this was how it was meant to be. I’m sorry,” I closed my eyes. Tears ran down my face.
    “Goodbye, my love.”

    Chapter 21:

    “No!” screamed Syth and jumped in front of me.
    I hesitated. “Not this time!” I said and brought my arm back for a fatal blow.
    “Stop! Chris! I know you’re in there! You can’t let this beast take you over! Fight it!”
    My hand stopped in mid punch. “What?” My hand wouldn’t let me go any further. “Chris?” The hand came back and closed over my throat. The pain freed me from the trance and I fell to my knees coughing. Catherine woke up and saw me. She rushed over and helped me to a chair across the room.
    After I caught my breath I said to Syth, “Thank you, Syth. You saved Catherine.”
    “What do you mean?” asked Catherine quietly.
    I looked into her eyes and swallowed. “I tried to kill you.”
    She stared at me in shock.
    “Luckily, Syth came and stopped me just in time to save you,” I lowered my eyes to the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    She came over and kneeled down before me. I avoided her eyes.
    “Chris, look at me,” I hesitated, then reluctantly forced my eyes up. She was smiling. “It wasn’t your fault. It was your evil side. Even if you do turn evil, I’ll be at your side until the end.” Tears ran down the sides of her face. I wiped them off from under her eyes.
    “Well, you won’t need to worry about that anymore. I’m ready.” I stood up and walked out the door. Catherine followed.
    “What do you mean you’re ready? Ready for what?”
    I walked to the window at the end of the hall and brushed the curtains back. Sure enough, seven cop cars were driving down the long driveway.
    I walked back down the hall to the stairs. After a couple of steps, I looked back and said, “Catherine, stay here. I don’t want you to see what I’m about to do.”
    Catherine said, “No! I thought I told you! I’d be at your side until the end!”
    I considered this for a moment, then said, “Fine, but remember, I warned you.”
    She nodded and followed me as I continued down the last steps. Instead of going out the front door, I went to the kitchen. I made my way through the room in a way so the cops outside couldn’t see me. I opened a drawer and pulled out a knife. All of a sudden, a policeman came onto the speaker.
    “Christopher Statis! Come out with your hands up! If you do not comply, we will use any force necessary.”
    I laughed. “You filthy humans can’t kill me!” I covered my mouth.
    Catherine looked at me worried.
    “I’m fine,” I responded and proceeded back to the front door. When I reached it, I gripped the doorknob. My hands were shaking and I was almost in tears.
    “Chris…?” asked Catherine. I could feel her slow breathing on the back of my neck. “Chris…?” she repeated. “What are you doing?”
    I yanked open the door. There, before me, sat at least ten cop cars. Cops were hiding behind them with their guns. I took the knife and gripped it with both hands in a death-grip. Tears were now running down my cheeks. “What am I doing you ask?” I said. “I’m ending this,” I said quietly and plunged the knife through my heart.