I jerked my hand away from the basin, wondering what he saw that made him so furious. I mouthed the word 'Why?', and the next second he disappeared. That was odd.
The purple color diminishes and gradually shifts to blue. Shiavur finally removed his hand and dried it with a towel, his eyes looking down on me. 'Is he disgusted with me?' I thought. "You could've been subtler with that." "I said.
But he continued with the stare down and I didn't back out. His mom and mine are friends, but I don't need to be cordial with him if he's acting like a jerk.
Merimma doesn't know how to react and the people are murmuring amongst themselves. "Well, like I've said, Karah is welcome to our family, whether she's really my son's mate or not. But, first things first…" She pulled the towel forcefully from her son's hands and reprimanded him with her eyes. "My son needs to learn the basics or else, he'll get his ass whooped back to the wheelchair by his wife."
She successfully diffused the tension as the people giggled and gave me high fives. Shiavur frowned and went beet red in shame. Mermimma waved the water keeper to get rid of the basin, while other girls protested that they haven't had their turn yet.
But Merimma insisted and the water keeper complied. The girls complained and said they might not have another chance.
"Thank you Merimma for the nice party." My mother said, hugging her and kissing her cheek. She gave Shiavur a pinch on the cheeks, saying that she looks forward to his future. He just said that he'll do his best. My mother chuckled but my father eyed him suspiciously.
"My daughter is free to do what she wants. She's not tied to anyone, mate or not." He warned Shiavur. 'Are they taking the ceremonial water seriously?' My father probably noticed my confusion and showed a half-hearted smile. "Don't worry, Karah. You don't have to be with him if you don't like him." My mom slapped my dad's arm, urging him to behave. The other guests are also starting to take their leave.
"Well I don't like him." I said and crossed my arms. Ever since he got cured, he's been acting stony. I was expecting that he'll be friendlier since there's no bad blood between us, not mentioning the fact that I was the one who helped him. Talk about being an ingrate.
"That's my girl!" My father said and swooped me up.
My mom leaned towards my ear and said. "Karah, don't say that. He might be struggling because he doesn't know what to do yet. Give him a chance…"
I shook my head, "He's not my mate. And that's what's he thinks so, too." I peered over my father's shoulders and looked at Shiavur who got busy talking to other kids. He turned around, until it's his back towards me. He's really showing his antagonism. I pulled my eyelid down and stuck my tongue out.
But one thing I realized though is that he's really treated well, with or without his handicap. The only reason why the bullying has dwindled towards me is that I had finally showed that I can also be a hunter. But this guy hasn't been out of the wheelchair for a week and displayed no hunting skills or whatsoever and he's still faring better than me. The whole thing makes me sad. Yet, I can't put my abilities to full display. Will their perception of me be better if they know what I'm capable of?
---------------------------------------
The smell of my mom's stew filled the house. I roused myself to wake up and stretch my body. My eyes settled by the window, hoping to see Alphos waiting. But all I could see is the same gray, monotonous tone of the cloudy sky and a few avian birds taking their flight.
After preparing and cleaning myself, I went down to eat breakfast. My mom greeted me with a smile and asked how my sleep was. It was uneventful, I didn't exactly have any dreams nor nightmares. Today would just be another usual day.
Once I've washed all the dishes, I bade my mother goodbye and headed out. She gave me her usual reminders and handed me a small food bag.
My nostrils are filled with the cold air and I felt that it's a bit warmer today. I grinned internally, knowing there would be more animals out there. This will be a good chance for me to practice and learn. I set out and run at full speed.
I stopped near the river, my next target is the Kapro, a large crocodile twice the size of a were. Its mouth contains three pairs of enormous canines along with smaller sharp teeth in between. This crocodile is agile for its weight and is considerably strong, too. It can leap and run as fast as a young werewolf pup.
But what makes it highly dangerous is its method of dragging its enemies underwater. And you don't know where it will come out, not in this waters.
The rope I prepared the day before is hanging loosely around a tree and I took the end of the rope to tie it around my waist, just in case.
"Karah"
I turned around and saw no one there. I kept looking and looking, but there's no one. I scratched my head, thinking I might be imagining stuff.
We don't believe in ghosts; the living is far scarier than the spirits in old wives' tales. I resumed my activity when someone dropped in front of me, upside down. He has both of his hands on the side of his mouth and yelled.
"BOO!"
It was Alphos. I stumbled on my back in surprise. He gripped his stomach in amusement at my reaction. He looks so jovial now, unlike before at Shiavur's party. I was worried that he felt lonely for being alone and unable to go to festivities like that. Maybe we can have little parties on our own and as we grow older, he'll have more friends.
I laughed, then zapped the branch where he locked his legs unto, sending shocks throughout his body, weakening his hold. He fell on his face, his mouth open, making him eat some of the snow. This time, I laughed harder.
He stood up, but not without trying to get even by throwing snow. I retaliated, but he's good at dodging. And the next thing I know, he grabbed me by the waist and teleported us to the other side of the river. I panicked because I haven't been here on my own.
He gently sets me down to the ground and lets me go till I'm firmly stood up. "Relax, we survived the caves. This is nothing." He said. I don't know if I told him, I can't swim.
The other side is more serene and the trees have more leaves on them compared to where I was camping originally. The slight flow of water is more visible and I could see a pair of large eyes looking at me from its depths.
"ZAP IT!" Alphos barked. I let out a belt of lightning and invoked them from my palms towards the Kapro waiting under the river. The river sparked and the enormous reptilian monster emerged from the water, its mouth gaping wide. It's twice, no, four times larger than our size. This crocodile must be young. The fishes that died from my attack, flopped on the surface, but the monster paid no attention to them.
Charred scales appeared around the side of its face to a portion of its neck, clearly damaged from the bolt I released. The ground trembled as it galloped towards us.
"Bigger and stronger, Karah" Alphos said. He doesn't need to say more. I formed one belt and hit the inside of its gaping snout. The creature cried in pain and closed his mouth immediately. The creature turns around and returned to the waters. I jumped in the air to chase it, but the Kapro jumped from the water, its mouth open wide, ready to devour me.
I know it didn't retreat, it went back to where it would have a greater advantage. I clapped my hands together, forming a bigger and longer belt. Like a whip, striking the inner most of its terrifying mouth. I concentrated and the belt became brighter. It sliced the corners of it snout, to its neck, cutting the flesh like clothe to the body to its tail…
The separated pieces fell on the water, creating waves from one end of the river to the other. I thought I'll be falling into it next, good thing Alphos caught me and brought me to the land safely. As the waters calmed down, I saw another figure at the other side. It's Shiavur, with his own snow knife, alone. His eyes filled with dread and shock.
"That's Shiavur" I said. "What is he doing here?" Although I have killed one Kapro, it doesn't mean that there are no others idling by. There could be more of them lurking around. I shouted from my position, hoping he would hear me. "Go home! It's not safe!"
But his whole demeanor changed, and went back to his cold, stoic self. He waves at me to go to him. He's saying something, but I can't hear it.
I grabbed Alphos by the arm and said, "Let me tell him to go home. It's dangerous." But Alphos ignored me and averted his gaze.
"So what? Let the Kapros eat him since he's stupid enough to follow you here." He is not too keen with Shiavur's presence. He's clearly annoyed, and I don't know why.
I don't know how to cross the other side without Alphos' help. I just waved at Shiavur to go home, hoping he'll understand and turn around. However, he remained there, still gesturing me to go to his side. I pestered Alphos and casted a frosty fog over the waters, crystallizing it to make a thin bridge.
"He can cross if he wants, but you're staying with me." Alphos smirked and challenged Shiavur to go over, if he can.