Chapter eleven

"Helios! Come fly with me!" I said chasing after him.

I looked behind my shoulder to see mom and dad smiling watching us. A younger girl stood in the distance. Her eyes were covered with a white cloth and a tall dark man stood behind her.

"Watch where you're going!" Helios said grabbing the collar of my robes.

"You don't want to fall over the edge. What were you looking at anyways?"

"It was nothing. Let's go flying!"

"Okay! Do you think mom and dad will let us fly high?"

"We can ask!"

As we ran towards them everything turned to black. Screams filled my ears as my lungs stung from the cold air.

"Helios!" I screamed as fire rained down.

"Where are you." Tears went down my face as I stopped in my tracks. The beast roared as it reared up on its hind legs.

"Don't make me do this! Please just turn away!" I held my sword up to block as its paws crashed down hard.

"Kill it brother!"

"I can't!"

"Do it!"

"It's okay my child. All will be forgiven in the light of the protector say my prayer. And guide his poor soul back to the heavens."

It tried to lunge at me as spit and drool sprayed from its mouth. I rolled out of the way and stabbed it's back. It screeched as it fell to the ground. I watched as it began to turn to ash.

"No!" I screamed as I sat up covered in sweat.

"Erin! Hey calm down it's a bad dream." I felt some pull me into a tight hug as the panic took over.

"It's a bad dream you're okay."

"I've killed so many people, animals. I don't want to fight anymore."

"I know. I know." He held me in his arms and wrapped his wings around me.

"Please, don't leave me. I don't want to go to training tomorrow."

"Erin, listen to me, it's okay."

"Are you boys okay?" Mom asked stepping into the room.

"Another night terror."

"I have to go train." I mumbled as I slid out of bed.

"But it's still night." Helios tried to get in my way but I pushed past him.

"I know. I'll be fine." I put on some practice armor and grabbed my sword.

"You're supposed to be-"

"I don't want to practice magic! I don't like it! It makes me feel weird."

"It makes you feel weird because you're natural born but have never used it. Come, let us train together."

I sighed and placed my sword back on the rack.

"If you insist."

The night air was still as I could hear the battles slowly closing in. Bombs made streaks of fire scarring the stars. I could hear the cries of the dying. It was such a painful and sorrow scream.

"I don't want to fight any more mom."

"Me neither. But we have to."

"Protector forgive me." I whispered as I felt the energy surge into my arms.

White, blue energy formed in my palms as I felt a strange sensation in my back. I watched as moms hand did the same. But her wings were also wrapped in the hue as well. I felt my anger bubble in my chest. How could I be so stupid! How could I be so weak? The flames died from my hands as I fell to my knees.

"I can't do this. I can't be the mage you want me to be. The mage Zeus wants me to be. Every time I feel the power I'm just reminded that I can't do it." I looked up.

Mom stood over me anger twisted her angelic face. I felt a sting as I was forced to look the other way. My face stung as I touched the hot hand print that tattooed my cheek. 

"How dare you speak of my child like that! Now get up!"

"I can't do it!" I yelled shoving her legs.

"I'm not built for magic."

"Fine! Then suffer the consequences!" She grabbed the back of my shirt and pulled me to my feet. I watched as my sword crashed through our balcony window.

"You want your sword so badly then make one!" I watched as the metal seem like it was plastic as it crumbled to the ground.

"Do you have any idea of what you just did!"

I felt a burning sensation course through my body as the rage became unbearable. That sword was crafted by dad specifically for me. And mom just destroyed it! It was my first ever sword and saved me from countless attacks.

The flames flickered in my palms as they grew brighter and bigger. I clasped my hands together and moved like I was being controlled by outside forces. I felt something make contact and my bones vibrated from the impact.

"Yes!" Mom exclaimed snapping me back to reality. The flames died and the rage I felt subsided.

"Why did you stop? You were doing great!"

"What did I do?" I asked looking around. Wasn't I just over there?

"You used magic!" She beamed.

"I don't even remember using it though."

"Yes because you were angry."

"I don't want to use magic out of anger! That's not what magic is meant to be used for!"

"But you're so strong!"

"I don't want to be strong from anger. Of all the people, you should know that by now."

"You're going to be so much better off without that clunky sword. I never liked you using it to begin with."

"I've always hated fighting. But I always did it with the most compassion and you took the sword that I felt comfortable slaying my fallen brethren with! The sword that would take them home! Now I'm left feeling impure and violated all because you want something you think is better for me. I love you mom, but this is why I never liked you." My face crumpled with disgust and anger as my fists remained clenched. I couldn't bring myself to look at her. And I hated how much I looked like her. It just reminds me that I have the vial curse of magic.

I left her standing in the dead of night alone with her guilt and sins of what she has done. But who was I to judge? When I'm just as sinful and just as guilty.