Coming back to consciousness wasn't smooth. It was like a series of stabs. I felt shock, smelled dirt and blood, heard voices far away, and had this huge pain in my head that matched my weak heartbeat.
Someone was carrying me like a sack over their shoulder. Every step was like a hammer to my skull. I tried to peek open my eyes, but everything was blurry. My Chroma-sense, once filled with colorful melodies, was just static. The world wasn't quiet. it was broken.
...holding them back... Kael grunted. ...but they're coming back.
...to the tunnel... It was Lyra. She was okay.
Focusing on their voices was too much. I passed out again.
I woke up on a cold, hard surface. The bouncing had stopped. I smelled old stone and dust. We were in the tunnel.
...Mara...? The word barely made it out.
A gentle hand touched my head. She's here, Kaelen. You both are. Rest. Elara's voice calmed me down a little.
Okay, I thought. I remembered the General falling apart and the pain it caused. Something broke inside me.
I tried to grab my power but felt nothing. It was gone. Like trying to move a limb that wasn't there. Where I used to feel a strong lake, there was now just a dry hole.
I sobbed quietly. I'd spent my whole life controlling that power. It was who I was, and now it was gone. I was just a kid again, but I knew what I'd lost.
The trip through the mountain was a blur of pain. When we got out, the scenery was amazing. Our new spot was a plateau with snowy mountains. The colors here were sharp. Everything hurt my senses.
We stayed in some caves. I lay on furs while healers tried to fix my mind.
It didn't work. The energy came and went, but the empty feeling stayed. The connection was broken.
Days or weeks went by. I learned that everyone made it out. Lyra had some injuries. Kael carried me okay, though he was. Anya was okay as well.
They saved everyone
I was just in bed.
The first time I left the cave, the world felt wrong. The sun was too bright, the wind too loud. The colors made me want to hide. I was a ghost.
Then I saw her.
Mara was sitting on a rock, wrapped in Elara's blanket, staring at the mountains. She looked small.
I needed to talk to her. She would get it. I wondered if she was broken too.
I got up, walked to her and said Mara?
She turned. Her eyes looked sad.
Kaelen, she said. You're awake.
I sat next to her. Are you… I couldn't ask if she felt empty
She looked at her hands. It's quiet, she said. Not like before.
I gulped. Can you still feel your power?
She nodded. It's small. Sleeping and tired. She looked at me. Yours… isn't?
My heart sank. I shook my head. I felt wrecked.
She put her hand on mine. I'm sorry, she said.
I realized the power had chosen her. I took all the damage so she'd be okay.
We sat quietly but there was silence. But now it was awkward.
Later, Elias showed up. He looked old. He sat by me, and said Your connection is… gone.
It's gone, I said.
We have the child, he said. She can be trained. what you were.
He meant to make me feel okay, but it hurt. It meant I was done. Mara was the future, not me.
What am I now, Elias? I asked. If I'm not a Scribe… what am I?
He thought about it then looked me and gave the honesty. I do not know, Kaelen, You are a Prince without a throne.. You are a hero who saved the people more than anyone have ever had to lost. Only you can write what will become your song..
He left me. i had to write that song with no instrument.
Days went by. I went to meetings with Lyra and Elias, but it didn't matter. They talked about defense and Mara's training. I couldn't keep up. I was there for nothing, listening to everyone plan.
I watched Mara train. She was getting better. made me remember that I was done.
I felt bitter. People felt bad for me. Every time Mara did well, I felt worse.
One night, I stood at the edge of the plateau, staring at the mountains.
Lyra came to me. She was getting better.
Elias told me you asking what you are.. she said.
What did you told him? I said.
I told him that you are Kaelen, she said simply. should be enough. It doesn't.
It's not enough for them, I said. It's not enough for you. You have a new Scribe. I can't do what I used to. I'm just getting in the way.
She faced me and said Is that what you think that means? That you are a thing that is not needed?
I can't fight, I said and shouted. I can't lead and my body doesn't work It makes me a burden and a reminder what we fight to protect, she hold my body which was a Scribe may not able to use but a Prince still here with strong voice to range
She left me as sun has gone down as a dull washed echoes with a self-pity and darkness, i didn't know if I want to reach for it of the chord had been broke. Then the music left with that echo,i had to know if there was any value when it left behind.