I squinted my eyes and there's no mistake, the make shift ice bridge is too small. Even I would have difficulty traversing that!
"Stop messing around Alphos!" I snapped. He might as well just throw Shiavur to the waters. He's not even helping him. I'd feel bad to report to his parents that their awesome child just drowned or worse, got eaten by Kapros.
"Really, I can do that?" Alphos said, apparently reading my mind, clapping his hands in glee. I flatly said no. I haven't finished talking to Alphos when I noticed Shiavur stepping on the bridge. He isn't even walking carefully nor anxiously, he's sprinting! Does he have a death wish?
The bridge isn't just narrow, but thin, too. Cracks are forming on the ice where he last set his foot down, yet he was able to go forward with ease. Alphos smiles wickedly, "It's not only the ice he should be worrying about."
I know what Alphos means so I hurriedly went near the river bank so I can grab Shiavur once he's near. I checked the waters underneath, so far the waters are calm and stable. Or so I thought…
A smaller Kapro jumped over, snapped its mouth, thinking it got Shiavur, but he ducked and avoided becoming the crocodile's lunch. The bridge started to pop more due to his sudden movement. He exhaled sharply and resumed walking, undeterred by the dangers above and below.
The monsters didn't leave him alone. "Watch out, Shiavur! Just run!" I said. I'm a bit tired, but I created smaller pebbles of shocks, hitting every crocodile appearing on the surface. I should improve my aim and not hit where I'm not supposed to.
He picked up his pace, nearing the other side. I just have to keep this up then he'll be safe. But the ice near the riverbank got chipped off, drifting away. Oh no! I moved to the edge much closer. "Hurry!" I screamed.
More and more monsters appeared, I let out a whip of lightning, taking them all out at once. The roars of the Kapros filled the air as they dropped like flies back into the river. Shiavur jumped on the remainder of the frozen bridge and rolled over the snow near me. He landed smoothly for someone who was handicapped a week before.
"Thank you, Karah" He said, between labored breaths. He wiped a sweat over his forehead and watched the rest of the ice melt and collapse.
"What the hell are you doing!?" I yelled, hitting the top of his head with a karate chop. He didn't avoid it and yelped softly.
Alphos grabbed the hood of his coat and said, "That was fun, should I send you back?" He's grinning mischievously, with a glint of hostility in his eyes.
I pulled Alphos arms away and showed my disappointment, "He could've died there. What you did isn't funny…" The river is genuinely calmer this time, perchance they have realized that it's not good to go to the surface for the meantime. The wind brushed Alphos' golden hair and he withdrew for a moment. He took a few steps back and punched some trees.
I'm at my limit, I rested my butt on the cold ground and grabbed the food my mom gave me. Alphos probably smelled them so he hurriedly returned and rummaged through my bag.
However, Shiavur grabbed the pack and said that he should've asked for permission first. But Alphos took it again, the bag making a skidding sound over the snow. He took another sandwich and Shiavur scowled at him.
"My mom only made two of this. I hope you ate before going here Shiavur." I said, feeling kinda' sorry for him. Then I remembered the dead fish on the river. Maybe we can salvage a few and cook them.
I went to the river and scooped some out. They still look okay, just dead. Shiavur got curious and followed me. Finally understanding what I wanted to do, he chopped some branches and readied the camp fire. He cleaned the fish and skewered them neatly. I started the fire with my powers and waited for the fish to cook.
"Thanks" Shiavur said once again. "I thought you're going to shoo me away." The fire crackled and cinders floated in the air. A few rodents came out of their burrows and inspected the fire. Alphos made a separate fire for them and they idled close to it.
"Why did you go here?" I asked once again. "Your mom will be mad." Boys are given much more liberty to roam outside the village more freely, but Shiavur is untrained and younger. I highly doubt he was allowed to venture out on his own.
Alphos eyed him suspiciously, then laughed. "He is mad you went away without telling him."
I cocked an eyebrow and finished my sandwich. "Why should I tell him?" I said curtly, getting mad. Shiavur shook his head and frowned. Alphos giggled, making fun of him.
"Why are you making things up? I'm not mad. I was wondering what you guys are up to." He looks defensive. Then, he looks at me, hoping I would believe him.
I rolled my eyes. "There's no use denying it. Alphos can read minds, can't you tell?" I checked the fish if they are ready, but I guess we have to wait a bit more. Alphos stared at the fish hungrily, complaining that it's taking too long. The rodents from earlier are attempting to take our food but one zap on the ground and they all went scrambling home.
Shiavur winked his eyes in disbelief, "But it's true. It didn't even cross my mind. This kid is lying!" He clenched his fists, probably wanting to square up against Alphos. He won't win.
Alphos nodded, "See, even Karah thinks you won't win against me. You're too weak." He aggravated him more by wagging his tongue and mocking him. Shiavur threw a punch, but Alphos laid flatly on the ground, wagging his tongue again.
"Stop!" I shouted at both of them. They might put out the fire and spoil the fish I'm preparing.
"Liar" Shiavur said.
Alphos laughed, "Loser" They continued bickering till the food is cooked. Thank goodness, or else I won't hear the end of it. We finished everything and relaxed a bit.
We went home and good thing Alphos acquiesced in letting Shiavur teleport with me. But not without dropping Shiavur at a higher altitude than me. I hit my face lightly with my hand, my patience is dwindling with Alphos antics.
He apologized when he realized how mad I was. He opened a portal and went back to Suri.
While walking on our way home, Shiavur offered to piggy back me. I declined, I think my energy has been replenished after eating.
"Can I come with you every time you go hunting?" He asks politely.
That's surprising, I thought he doesn't want to do anything with me. "Sure, just don't hold me back you know." Because with my powers, unless there are other people around, my methods would be less conventional. We are nearing the village gates. The people are somewhat surprised seeing us together, I think their harassment will resume any day now.
"Thank you. Don't worry, I never told anyone about you and that kid." He promised and smiled. I think Shiavur and I are going to be good friends. He extended his hand and I shook it. "And I'm being honest with you, there's no way he can read my mind. What he told you earlier is something he said to make you angry at me."
'Not again' I thought. I'm started to get pissed. "Can't the three of us just get along?"
He smiled bitterly, "I highly doubt it. He and I would be at odds, for a very long time." Though we're practically living close to each other, he walked me in front of our house's door. "Believe me when I tell you that he can't read my thoughts." His voice got lower, almost to a whisper.
"Why's that?" I'm curious so I went closer and leaned my ear towards his face.
"Because he can't access my mind. He's unable, too." He doesn't sound like his lying. I wonder where his certainty is coming from.
I don't think he's unable, I retorted. Alphos didn't mention anything of being unable to read anyone.
"If he can read my mind, he'll stay away from you and me. He would've known how much I want to eliminate him." My chest tightened in his words as his eyes went from black to purple. I suddenly felt a wave of dread inside me, is this what my father call bloodlust?