Chapter Text
Fire was spreading. The people that were still hanging on to their lives watched as a figure walked out from the beyond and laughed. Laughed as lighting struck. Laughed as people died. Laughed as hope was coming to an end.
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“Devon wake up!” I heard my mom yell into my room.
“I’m up I’m up.” I answered as i sat up and rubbed my eyes.
“Great! Breakfast is almost done.” And with that i watched as my mom walked out of my room and downstairs.
‘When has she ever made me breakfast?’ I wondered as i got up and sluggishly walked downstairs.
‘Right. She’s acting like this because it will be my “special day” in three days. Then once it’s over she’ll go back to “not now I’m busy” mode. Faker.’
I sat down at the kitchen table and put my head down.
“Come on get up. You can’t eat with your face down.”
I groaned as i lifted my head up just as a plate of eggs and toast was put down in front of me.
“You need to eat up so we can prepare you more for-“
“When the time comes that i have to sacrifice my power to the rock and become a hero. I know i know I’ve only heard the story 100 times a week.” I said as i started eating my egg.
“The Life Stone and it’s important that you know.”
Just as she said that Darryl walked into the kitchen.
“Hey nerd. Ready for your soon to be big day?” Darryl asked while grabbing a piece of toast off of my plate.
“Hey!” I complained as i watched Darryl stick his tongue out and eat my toast.
“Boys, boys can you please stop bickering every waking moment. It’s getting more and more annoying.” Mother stated in an angry tone.
“Sorry.” We answered at the same time.
Mother smiled, “Great! Now, you must learn that you both need to be on your best behavior for the soon-to-be big day. So i don’t want any fighting between you two on that day. Alright?” She asked, staring at both of us.
“Ok.” We both said at the same time again. Mother smiled and walked out of the kitchen.
“Soo are you excited for the big day?” Darryl asked as he sat down in the seat next to me.
“I mean there’s nothing to be excited about. I’m just gonna go to the ‘Life Pebble’ or whatever and give up my powers” i answered with.
Darryl chuckled. “But just think about bro, you’ll become a hero!” He said while flinging his arms in the air and almost hitting me, “Everybody will know your name after this!”
I laughed a bit. “Heh i guess your right. I will become a hero!”
‘I will become a hero.’ I thought while sitting on my bed.
‘Will i? Or will people still worship the rock? Who were the other people who gave up their powers? Gods i don’t even remember them!’ I was zoning out when i heard a knock on my bedroom door. I looked up to see Darryl at my door frame. I was still a bit out of it so i just stared at him.
“Hey. You doing alright?” Darryl asked with concern on his face.
“Doing fine.” I answered dryly as i turned my head to look at the floor again.
“I don’t think you are.” He said as he walked over to my bed and sat down, looking at the floor as well.
“It’s just that…I know i won’t be a hero. People will think the stone is the true hero.”
“You don’t know that. People might think that your the hero. I mean you are the one giving up your powers.”
“But it’s not a choice. I don’t choose to give up my powers. IM FORCED!”
Darryl put his head up to look at me and then looked down again.
“I don’t like the full idea either.” He said quietly.
“Huh?” I said while lifting my head to look at him.
“I don’t like how the people with powers never get acknowledged. Notice how in the history books no one talks about the people. It’s always ‘the stone gained more power’ and never ‘so and so gave power to the stone’” Darryl said with noticeable growing annoyance.
“What happens if i refuse to fulfill the prophecy? What then?” I asked
“I’m guessing the barrier opens and the demons will be allowed into the city. I personally don’t have a problem with that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! I once met a demon and they were really nice.”
“Well if i don’t go down in the history books then-“
Just then the door swung open. Both of us jumped a bit and looked at the now open door.
“Hi mother.” Darryl said with a smile.
“Hello boys.” Mother said while glaring at me, “What are you two talking about?”
“Oh we’re just talking about DigCraft.” I answered quickly.
“That stupid game?” Mother said as she walked towards us.
She crouched in front of me and slapped me. I held my face while she spoke.
“I know you were talking about refusing the prophecy and you know that we don’t refuse.” Mother said in a low voice. “Once you turn 17 you WILL go to the Life Stone and sacrifice your powers.” She got up and straightened out her clothes. “Alright! Now that that’s settled, continue talking about your game.”
And with that she walked out of the room.I stared at the now closed door with a hand on my face. Tears threatening to fall. I looked back at Darryl to see him with wide and glossy eyes. “I-I am so sorry. I didn’t see mother anywhere when I came up here. I thought she was doing something outside so I-“
“It’s ok,” i cut him off from this rambling. “It’s not your fault. It was mine for thinking about refusing the prophecy. I should’ve realized that it was a bad idea. So I’m sorry for making you scared. I apologized. I know he didn’t get hurt but he looked terrified.
I rested my hand on his shoulder.
“It’s ok. You know she won’t hurt you.”
“I know but it was still scary to see her that angry. A-and then going back to be all calm. I haven’t seen her like that since i tried to run away that one time.”
I still remember that to this day. When Darryl ran away when he was about 11 and i was 10. That night was full of yelling and fake tears from mother. I was too scared to go downstairs. When Darryl came back to my room he had a light red mark on this arm, a bloody nose, and puffy eyes.
“Perhaps we should leave this for another day. Don’t wanna get caught twice.” I said while putting my arm around his shoulders.
“Are you still going to refuse the prophecy?” Darryl asked.
“I might. I don’t like the prophecy but i don’t know if i should refuse.” I whispered. I did not want mother to hear me and do something more extreme.
“I think it’s best if i leave now.” Darryl said, looking at the door.
“Ok. Be careful if you’re going downstairs.” I warned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.” He assured.
Darryl got up and walked out of my room.
The rest of the day was filled with loud silence. Mother didn’t talk to either of us. The only thing she said to me was telling me to cook dinner. Once it was done we all sat in silence. Darryl didn’t even try to make eye contact with mother. Before i fell asleep i had one thought, ‘what will i do?’