A Song? A Song!

Running for life and limb, A searing drought stricken desert, boundless passion to speak of being trespassed against, bridled like the mightiest ox.... My Heart, My blood and throat, and my voice, respectively.

These befit my state as Professor Siobhan etched, by blood - my blood - mixed with ink, the images that would become my Kine tattoo. Pain? Until now, I've never known pain. Not like this. Each millimeter of ink placed felt like a mile. But I am determined. I am uninhibited. I will persevere!!

I noticed that nothing appeared more than a second before disappearing all together. I knew that I knew nothing of this procedure, but I at least expected to see something. Still, there was nothing but I could feel there was something there. Even through the anguish, I could feel where he'd already passed over, a sensation like an open palm waiting to grasp something replaced the pain. It was like my flesh had become a thirsty container. Thirsty for what? That was the question.

All these thoughts were all I could handle as the indescribable pain seemed poised to relieve me of consciousness. I was holding my breath now, but, for how long, I didn't know. His hands had begun to hover over the lower part of my bicep and I assumed he had to be close to being done. At least, I prayed for it to be so. I didn't know how much longer I could last.

My brain rattled with an inability to think. It's sacred complexity that made a man distinguishable from beast seemed to fade and was replaced by a primal perseverance. Something snapped in those moments, and those deeply rooted instincts took over, allowing me to feel nothing. I didn't black out, but, rather, I blanked out. I sat there deep within myself, staring into an abyss. My everything became numb.

His hands had made it up to my shoulder and spread the procedure over the right half of my chest and my right shoulder blade. There they lingered until, he went to the use of one hand and slowly moved it along that side of my neck up to my jawline. Just as his hand met the side of my cheek and temple, he stopped and pressed his hand onto my flesh. His thumb was just under my earlobe and his index finger was perpendicular to that along with his middle finger. His ring and small fingers were half bent but held tight to the other fingers. As he pressed his hand against the side of my face, I snapped back to reality as he sealed the procedure, and it felt like a nearly molten iron maiden closed onto my face and head.

I slowly opened my eyes, and what I saw shocked me. Professor Maggie and Siobhan were covered in what seemed like a water cloak, but that wasn't what concerned me. The entire structure of the building was blown to pieces and only a solid formation of water in the shape of the original structure was left. All of the floor was covered in cracks and what was a bookshelf now looked like a terrible paper machete project. As I stared in confusion, Professor Siobhan exhaled deeply and with intense exhaustion.

"This is why this procedure is so expensive. As it continues, the recipient's kine is left unchecked, unbridled, and unleashed. It is needless to say that it is dangerous, but I don't believe I've ever experienced before what I've experienced with you today." Professor Siobhan whispered tiredly, "Professor Maggie, you are dismissed for the evening for rest. I will remain here with Mr. Valrsen."

Professor Maggie nodded, "Thank you and I'll see you both in the morning." She bowed slightly touching her palms to her master. Seeing as she began to walk away and the building remained intact, the gesture of their hands must have been a transfer of control over the structure.

"Now Let us see what this work is going to accomplish. Almost all of these tattoos are no bigger than the hand, but yours is much larger." Siobhan said after turning back to face me.

"What I am going to do is hum a pitch and you're going to place your hand in the air to face me. Focus on the energy of the sound and try to grasp it."

This all sounded completely implausible for me to do, but I decided I would give it a shot. If this works, there is hope after all, so, nodding, I signalled that I was ready.

'Hmmmm....." The Professor hummed and then it hit my hand.

At first, I felt a pressure on my head, but then I focused on the source of the sound. I could feel the energy hitting my hand before anything else. I then focused on that emptiness I felt before and tried to fill it with the energy that was hitting my hand. Then, as if someone placed a cloth over Siobhan's face, the hum was muffled and I felt a searing pain in my hand coupled with what also felt like a fulfilling warmth. I looked at the back of my hand and saw what appeared to be five parallel lines begin to traverse in a spiral beginning from my index finger but they stopped before it could reach my wrist. This ceasing was linked to Siobhan ending his hum. Curiously, there seemed to be a buzzing sensation in my hand that I had never felt before. It was like my hand had gone numb from sleeping on it for too long whilst also an adrenaline sensation lingered there as well. Also the lines on my hand didn't disappear.

"Do you feel anything? I noticed my hum became muffled." Professor Siobhan whispered, breaking my concentration on my hand.

"It feels like my hand is filled with anticipation." I replied, trying to put into words what I felt.

"Good, now for the release. In order to do this, you must focus on that part of your hand. I suggest a simple snap of your fingers, but try to empty that energy from your hand. Think of it as attempting to do the loudest snap of your fingers possible. Of course, I'm merely theorizing at how you can utilize this energy once stored, so this may not work." He stated.

I nodded in understanding. I closed my eyes and focused on the strength and power I felt in my hand. I then decided that I needed motivation, so I remembered just how much I hated disappointing my father. I remembered all the times I'd stayed up late thinking of all the ways I'd keep the Valrsen name powerful with my flames. I remembered all the times I was too shy to talk to Lina before. Oh Lina! I can only imagine how much she must've been traumatized by all of what transpired with my awakening. I want so bad to show her that I am still going to be powerful enough to keep the Valrsen name mighty, that I am worthy of her attention. I am worthy of the world's attention. The Valrsen name will be MIGHTY!

'SNAP!!!'