“How much do you know about the Entrati boy?” Corzon asked me.
I wasn’t exactly sure what he had meant by asking me this. Everyone on the Antaris knew that these creatures were savage beasts that took over the planet. At least that's what I was taught. I’d never actually encountered these creatures.
Growing up, we were taught that the Entrati were described as four-legged beasts that would best be described as “lizard-tigers”. They stood over six feet tall on four, gigantic legs, plated with scales harder than steel. Their faces had glowing cyan eyes that sat above a jaw full of sabertooth-like fangs, with a glowing bladed tail that matched their cyanic eyes.
“The Entrati are the powerful creatures that took over our planet.” I finally responded after thinking of a decent answer without seeming stupid. “They first appeared 30 years ago according to the records we have on the Antaris.” I continued.
“Yes, that much is correct,” he replied while stroking his chin. “However, there is more to know than your public records and teaching show.”
Classified files? I wouldn’t be surprised, but why would our former captain keep that information from the rest of the Antaris?
“When the Entrati appeared, there were certain humans that began to display seemingly magical powers,” he further explained. We assumed that those creatures brought with them a never-before-seen virus that mutated one's DNA, giving them supernatural abilities.” he sighed.
“Magic?” I responded.
So the rumors were true?
There had been rumors spreading around on the ship ever since the Corzons reached the Antaris, that magic was real, and that certain people were able to utilize it. One of the rumors was that one of the Corzon children was one of them. Of course, we hadn’t believed the rumors to be true because we never witnessed any of them display such a feature. Even most of our elders and war veterans didn’t believe such a thing. Those that did spout nonsense about strange occurrences, were thought to be delusional or were just trying to spice up their war stories.
There was no data to the indication that magic even existed. The only anomaly was the Entrati themselves, that were strange creatures who were thought to be extraterrestrial. Thousands of monstrous beings that we’ve never seen before had simply just appeared out of nowhere.
Maybe this ‘magic’ is the reason they suddenly appeared. But what the hell does magic have to do with me?
“You were glowing!” Mari’s voice echoed in my head.
“Are you saying I’m one of these m-magic wielders?” I stammered.
“An Awakened. That is what we refer to those who, well, awaken the power within them.” Aeris cut in.
An awakened? Me?
This news was quite unbelievable but maybe that's what they wanted me to think. I couldn’t exactly trust the Corzons, but then again three of them including the head of the family are here themselves. They left their cozy little bubble on the entire upper level, to come down here and speak with me, a nobody in their eyes.
And apparently, now ‘I’m’ a somebody.
I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and sighed.
So I’m a Mag- no, an Awakened. What can I do? Wait no, what ‘did’ I do?
The image of Reyna’s concerned face appeared in my mind.
Did I hurt someone?
I tried to remember if Mari or Regis were injured but nothing came to mind.
Shen perhaps?
“Could you tell me what happened in the arena?” I asked.
“As I was not there to witness your match, perhaps my son and daughter can explain,” Vargas Corzon said, clearing his throat.
Aeris turned to her brother who continued to stand leaning against the wall, looking at me like I had just ruined his appetite.
What’s his problem?
“Very well, father. I suppose I shall explain what I witnessed. Towards the height of the match, you received a blow that most likely- given your poor memory, left you unconscious.” She went on.
“Seconds before your opponent was about to deliver the final blow, he stopped. Even from the viewing chamber, your presence, your energy was felt.” she continued.
“As you got up from the ground, a cyanic glow emitted from your body, and your eyes. One of your arms changed its shape, almost tentacle-like before stiffing into a radiating blue blade that extended about three feet.“
“Finally, in one swift movement- a blur to anyone untrained, you amputated your opponent's arm in mere seconds.”
My face was stuck in confusion and surprise. The air was heavy in silence as i sat there trying to understand her words The only sound was the humming of the air vents and the beeping monitors in the room.
I did what now?
“Is he still alive?” I asked, breaking the short silence.
“He is, but he is in intensive care at the moment. Although, I’m not sure how long he will last, given this ship's low resources. There was a lot of blood loss and the next shipment of supplies is scheduled for a few days from now.” Aeris responded.
Well let's hope he doesn't make it, this ship would be better off without people like him.
A knock on the door paused our conversation.
“Ah, that must be her,” Vargas said.
Was he expecting someone?
“Please come in.”
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