I swallowed compulsively. What he was asking me was something I feared, something I had spent my whole life avoiding: my powers. But Dominic was right. Avoiding using my powers did not make them disappear. Quite the contrary, I could feel them accumulating and became more and more uncontrollable.

Dominic went ahead by walking through the water. I made sure that the water was indeed shallow and went after him, trying to control the tremors in my body. I had only entered the sea once in my life and almost drowned. I also had no idea how to swim. But the route was quiet, although I found myself completely wet in the end.

-We have arrived. No time for resting, let's enjoy the adrenaline. Ready? -he asked.

Ready? Me? Not in a million years would I be.

-What do you want me to do?

-Attack me. -he answered as if it was obvious. -Don't worry, we'll take it slow. Imagine that I am your enemy and that I want to hurt you. I'm going towards you. What would you do?

Mad. Dominic was definitely a mad person. Did he really want me to attack him?

-If that would be the case, I would run away. – I replied sincerely.

Suddenly he came to my side.

-You can't run away. Attack me!

-No Dominic. This is madness. I might hurt you.

-So, I will attack you. - he spoke.

Then with a sudden, but controlled, movement he threw me in the air and I landed with my back on the ground. When I recovered myself and looked to Dominic’s direction, I saw that he was no longer there. In an instant, a tall figure appeared close to me. The power Dominic had was incredible, but I was afraid. I didn’t want to release what was inside me. I didn't want to risk hurting him.

-Attack me Althea. You won't hurt me, so don't be afraid. - insisted Dominic. As I still didn’t react to his demand, Dominic then started to sprint once again in my direction, with full speed.

This time I dodged it by turning my body to the opposite side. But, as fast as before, Dominic followed my movement and again I had my body thrown in the air.

I then got up before he could reach me once more and walked away from him, however, it was no use. In a few seconds Dominic was next to me again.

-Are you trying to kill me?! -I asked, pouting.

-Attack. I will not stop until you defend yourself.

And then I attacked. When Dominic raised his arm toward me, I raised my right fist and struck his blow, without touching him, but pushing him about ten steps away from where I was. I saw a smile on his face.

-Great, but it won't be enough to stop me.

He flew towards me and used another blow that almost hit my face. I deviated by very little and he attacked me again, only this time I held his hand. The force of the impact made the ground shake at my feet. I pushed him away and put myself in a defense position.

It was wonderful. I felt alive. That was part of me. All that power inside me, that I had held so tight, was finally free. But it was not under control.

Dominic then jumped in my direction and kicked me. I fell to the ground, on the top of some rocks, scratching my hands on them. I was concentrating as much as possible to contain myself and that distracted me. On the other side, Dominic had already noticed this weakness.

He breathed a sigh of disapproval and approached slowly. I closed my eyes and turned my right hand towards him. I released the energy inside me and threw an Impulsum in his direction, by instinct. The air wall then hit Dominic with a loud sound and a strong impact, making him fall to the ground. When I opened my eyes, I panicked.

-I’m sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I can't believe I did that. -I screamed extremely nervous as I ran towards Dominic.

-Are you apologizing to the enemy? It's the strangest thing I've ever seen. - he spoke, laughing, as if nothing had happened. Then, I noticed that his leg had a wound, already covered in red color.

-B-blood. - I shuttered without a voice.

-Yes, I seem to have hit a rock. Don't worry, it takes more than a little wound to knock me down. - he replied spotting my horrified expression. - It will heal in few minutes.

-I didn't want to...

-I told you not to worry. -Dominic insisted. -But I think that's enough for today. We have made great progress to tell the truth... I thought you weren't even going to lift a finger to fight. The good thing is that now I know you are able to defend yourself in case you're in danger. - he continued, while I was trying to clean his wound. -It's much better, thank you. Now let me see the damage I did.

Dominic then took my hands and ran his finger through the scratches. "Damn it" he murmured. He tore the sleeve of his shirt and started to tie it in my hands.

-You don't need to do that. - I said. The cuts were barely bleeding and were much smaller than his.

-Yes, I do. I think I crossed the limit with today’s test... I got a little inspired, I'm sorry.

-It was nothing Dominic, it's just a scratch. You don't need to apologize...

-Sure, I need it. And since I was the one who assaulted you, I have every right to take care of you. I won't forgive myself if you have an infection or something worse. -he insisted, while staring at me with a serious expression. His eyes were hypnotizing.  

-Alright, you convinced me. Now stop staring at me like that, please! -I said it getting blushed.

-So, is this your weakness?

I gave him an angry look, trying to imitate one of the furious expressions that aunt Guitan used to give me, but it didn't do any good. Dominic found it more and more amusing, laughing out loud. It was hard for me to be faced by someone else when only few days ago, I was almost invisible to the world.

Suddenly, Dominic lay down and looked up at the sky. His wound no longer bled and neither did mine. I found it incredible that he didn't ask questions about my abilities while I had to control myself in order not to ask him about his. So many questions...

-Don’t think too much now and get some rest. Remember we have a long walk back. - he said. Another question came to my mind at that moment. How did he always seemed to know what I was feeling or thinking? I lay down in the sand as well and closed my eyes.

-Do you remember anything more besides what you told us? I mean, memories from before the government took you? -he asked me, still staring to the clouds.

-Not much. I don't remember my parents. I remember the harbor where I spent hours admiring the sea. I remember the house where I lived, my aunt... but my clearest memory is the last day. My last day of freedom.

-Tell it to. All of it in details. - Dominic asked.

I didn’t want to talk about that day. I was scared that the memories would bring feelings that I had locked away, feelings that were painful. But I also wanted Dominic to know the whole true about myself.

- I remember it was night and it rained a lot. I was alone at home, waiting for my aunt.

-Guitan Fournier. -he affirmed.

Fournier. I couldn't remember that last name anymore.

-Yes. I remember it was an old wooden house, two floors and the attic. In some rooms, it smelled musty. But the house was well maintained for its age.

"It was already too late when she finally arrived. The moment I saw her face that I felt an enormous, dreadful fear. My aunt was with the biggest and darkest smile I had ever seen. Also, at that moment I already knew something would happen.”

“Then they came. Dozens of soldiers led by an incredibly strong man. They tied me up and blindfolded me, treating me as an extremely dangerous person. To be sincere, I didn't even resist.” – I confessed.

 “After that day there were very few times, I could see the light again. The pain they inflicted on me was nothing compared to the pain I felt in my chest, since I thought that there was no one in the world who would miss me… I knew my aunt never loved me. I felt that my life was totally expendable and useless. And as time went by, this pain became a void and I ended up forgetting the world. I never really found any meaning in my life.”            I said, with the words gushing out of my mouth. “But still, I think something inside me didn't let me lose my mind. I never believed I would get out of that cell alive... but for some reason, my mind didn't give up. Maybe I had some hope hidden inside me.”

Silence.

-I'm sorry about all this. I'm sorry I couldn’t find you earlier. - said Dominic, now sitting while looking at me.

-Nothing of this is your fault.

-Many things are my fault Althea. It's my family's fault. Since I was born, we have served Orion. We obeyed every order given by him and his late father. -replied Dominic, with once again a dark semblance.

-But... -I tried to say, but Dominic interrupted me.

-The officer responsible that night for your capture... his name is Albert Knight. My father.

Dominic remained silent and analyzed me, expecting some kind of reaction. What he said had left me very surprised, but I still contained my expression. Still, nothing was his fault.

-He is one of Orion's main Admirals. -he then continued. -I had heard a version of this story before, but from my father’s point of view. He always bragged about being assigned to the most important mission of all. At no time did he seem to have considered it absurd to lock up a child. I can’t help but to be ashamed of that.

-You're not your father, Dominic. And none of this matter now. -I insisted, while touching his arm lightly. -I'd rather forget the past. Right now, I am alive and free, and is all thanks to you and Joseph. I am recovering all I lost.

-I hope so. - he spoke, now looking at the horizon. -To be honest, you seem to be dealing very well with all this. Joseph and I were expecting that you would have a hard time adapting and absorbing all the new information. I'm glad you are well, but don't hesitate to talk to us in case you feel anything ominous.

I smiled. Yes, I was dealing very well. Only because I still believed it was all a dream, and I wanted to make the most of every second. However, I felt that my mind at that moment was made of a very thin and fragile crystal, which at any instant could break, if not handled correctly. I didn’t want however to cause any alarm.

My deep thoughts were interrupted by Dominic’s voice, now sounding more cheerful than before.

 -I think it's about time we got back. It's been hours since we left and Dr. Valmir will be worried. We don't want him to think that we got into any more trouble.

He stood up and stretched out his hand to me. We walked towards the water to cross back to the beach when I was stunned to see that the tide had increased. We would have to swim across.

Dominic went ahead into the water and started swimming. I stood still. He saw that I was not following him and came back to the where I was with a worried expression.

-What is the problem Althea? Are you in pain?

-No, that's not it. It's just that I...

-Speak.

-I can't swim. -I admitted, blushing once again.

He looked at me relieved and at the same time surprised with my answer.

-That's no problem. I'll carry you. – Dominic said with a smile.

-It is a problem. That doesn't change the fact that I can fall in the water and sink. - I answered back.

He took my hand gently and stroked my hair.

-Trust me. Come here. - he said pulling me to the water, which was already reaching above my waist. At that moment I remembered that Dominic was incredibly taller than me. He then turned his back on me and bent down to my height.

-Now get on my back and hold on tight.

The way he said, it sounded as a simple solution.

-Ok... - I agreed, still feeling nervous while I passed my hands around his neck. He easily lifted me up and held my legs tight, squeezing me against his body. After that, I closed my eyes.

Then we enter the sea. I held my breath, but it was not necessary. Dominic was very strong, and my head was not even close to the water. In a few seconds we reached the shore. He helped me get off his back, picking me up in his lap and putting me on the ground. It was so fast that it didn't even seem to happen.

-Was it so bad? - he asked.

-I have to admit that it was much better than I expected. -I said happy, but still a little shaky.

-Sure, it was, apart from the part where I almost suffocated from you tightening your hands so hard around my neck.

 -Be quite and let’s just go. -I spoke trying to sound furious. It didn't work out very well and we ended up laughing. That feeling was incredible. Was that what they called... friendship?

The way back was so peaceful that I didn't feel the time passing by. During the whole way, we spoke about random topics and about the nature around us.

As we left the forest, we sighted Dr. Valmir's house a few meters away. It was about noon and my stomach rumbled loudly. Dominic looked at my face as if he had forgotten something.

-What? I bet you are hungry as well. - I said indignant.

-I'm hungry to tell the truth, but for a moment I forgot that you had to eat too. -Dominic replied laughing.

We then rushed in the direction of the chalet. I realized that Dominic seemed to slow down to follow my speed.

We arrived at the doctor's house in a few seconds and met Joseph, waiting for us standing on the terrace. He gave us a smile and called us in. The smell of lunch was all over the house and we followed quickly to the kitchen. When we got there, I saw the doctor sitting at the table with lunch served and a charismatic woman by his side.

When we finally got noticed, the doctor and his wife stood up and came towards us.

-Althea, I want you to meet Yana, my wife. -He said.

-Very pleased to meet you. - I spoke smiling.

-The pleasure is all mine young lady. - she said. -Sit down. You must be hungry. Joseph said you left early to exercise, so I prepared plenty of food.

-We really appreciate your hospitality. -Spoke Dominic.

We sat down and then Dominic took my plate and started filling it. It was no use telling him that I did not want much food as he started to build a mountain. When he finally finished, he put the plate in front of me, told me to eat everything and started to fill his plate. It was half the size of what he gave me. Joseph sat next to me and we started talking about traveling and the islands surrounding us. After finishing the lunch, the three of us went outside.

-Joseph, how is this next island that we are heading to? -I asked.

-What Lyrus looks like? Well, it's a big island, much bigger than this one, and it is very famous for having the biggest shipyards in the world. That's also where we'll meet an old friend of Dominic who will helps us with a new ship. A bigger one.

Joseph then stopped talking, showing us a smile.

-I see you won’t tell us anything else, right? This guy here knows things, but he likes to surprise us. - Dominic said.

-That is certainly true. You will not regret it. Surprises make our life more amusing.

-Can I at least know when we are leaving? -I asked as I was drawing mental images of what a shipyard looked like.

-Now. - said Dominic.