They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

"So, should I be happy because I'm immortal?"

When other kids hear someone told them this, they'll say 'Woah cool!" and imagine a lot of bad stuff they'll do because they won't die. But not me. Not after everything that happened.

"Oh, no, no. Not in the human realm. The immortality enchantments wear off in here. But in the magical realm yes, though not everyone is granted with the Mark. Only the Rankers have them. And they must pass hundred tests to have one. Mostly survival and life risking. So you need to be flexible, strong and have wits on you at all times.".

I don't think Magnus has that last part.

"They operate in teams, which they call Ranks. For the patronage of the twelve deities, they formed 12 teams. But they don't have blessings on their bodies. In fact, all the Gifted People don't. Except the family lineage of Rank Elders and Rank Ruler."

"Okay...so where does an Eklektos like me falls into? I mean, why do I have this mark and some power?"

Dad slowed the truck and pulled to stop by the red light.

"Hmm, lots of history which I have trouble remembering - I can only say for sure that Eklektos are Deities' chosen ones. Eklektos possess almost the same amount of lethal powers Deities has. And believe me that black wave of yours, is just a sneak peak for the vast deadly blessings dwelling within you."

"Dad, you're scaring me. My power involves killing cornfields and bat shifting men. If you say it's just a small part of a big bad hole, does that mean I could kill hundreds of people in a whim?"

"That's... terrible. Not good. But yes, we can't shrug that possibility. In magic, there's always a price to pay. You might consider not doing that black wave again Lance, we don't know what consequences it will bring. It may backfire and destroy you instead." Dad said grimly.

A sour taste flooded my mouth. I stared down at my hands. I don't want this power. I vaguely remember when I wish I could be Superman as a child. Rescue people, save the day, be the hero everyone admired to be.

Now I have power. And I want nothing to do with it. I couldn't be Superman with this. I can't save anyone either. For the last two days, I've done nothing heroic. Only trouble. I killed the cornfields those farmers work their limbs for days to grow. I killed the bat shifting men. And they weren't evil. Just people who became slaves and got turned.

"Look, Lance. I'll do my best to teach you control. I know Magnus has extensive knowledge and experience about fighting and blessings from the Deities but I can't leave you alone to figure this thing out. The best might be to teach you how to control your emotions and sensitiveness." Dad took his towel and wipe his sweat before stepping on the accelerator.

Emotions? Was it connected? When Dad was about to be killed I kind of lost my senses and give in to the building frustrations within me. And it ended up destroying our house... it killed Magnus. No, no. He's not dead. He's out there. Probably tossed to another country or another state. But not dead.

"What's sensitiveness Dad?" I asked. He made a quick gesture of sliding his palm to an arc.

"You're body awareness. It means you're aware of every little change in your body - like breaking a sweat when you jog or the sudden rise of your heartbeat. What's the first thing you felt when you released that black wave?"

"Mmm, a sense of urgency, then frustrations. After that, a surge of energy build inside of me - like adrenaline rush and I let it out."

"That was when you screamed right?" I nod.

"Adrenaline... didn't you say you felt it in the cornfields and when you touch the Auf?"

"Yes?..." Something in Dad's tone tells me he picked up some logic behind this bizarre mess.

"Then you better get away from any plants, animals or anything that has life forms. It seems your power in absorbing life force will activate whenever you're near small life forms. Or when your body detects danger in your surrounding."

My heart skips a beat.

"But Dad, I tried it with a potted plant and it didn't work."

He swerved the truck to the left and the wheels made a screeching noise at the momentum.

"It can be its unconsciously done. It always happens when you're not aware it's taking place right? Your body will react to whatever atmosphere it picks up in the surrounding."

"Atmosphere?"

Dad's giving me the look of 'I'm giving you advice here and you're being picky with my chosen words?'

"Anyway, I don't think we'll move to another remote town. Better in the middle of crowded cities. It seems you're harmless around people. I know this will expose us to more danger but it's better than catching attention when you accidentally kill another barnfield."

He put on a face of 'Don't object. This is all for your sake so bear with it.' I look straight ahead. Take the soda at the dashboard and stuff my mouth with it's dripping cold liquid.

"So where are we going this time?"

"I'm thinking Chicago." Dad said.

"I'm thinking England," I said. He shot me a look.

"Why England?"

"Because I wanna see Big Ben and Buckingham Palace?" I offered. It's always like this when we're brainstorming places. I asked Dad where we're going and I countered every place he mentions with my preferred location.

"You can look up pictures, there's a lot on the internet. Anyway, we're going to Chicago."

I groaned. "Dad, we've been to Chicago. Besides, that's the most dangerous place we could go to."

Chicago is - was our hometown. That's where Mom died. That's when Dad changed. That's where it all started. I may not remember what the place was like because I'm too young at that time but I know Dad is repulsive of the place. Brings a lot of bad memories to him.

"No, we need to go there. It's time to pay my friend a visit." He said, his face suddenly turn serious. And I know there's no way of convincing him to change his mind.