Chapter 10: The Forbidden Grotto
It was getting dark in the forest. As the sun set below the tree tops it caused a blanket of light to encircle the tips of the leaves. It was a giant halo of light.
Mantar rested with one eye open, staring at the unconscious man. He had designed him a makeshift bed to sleep on until he woke. Sometimes Mantar made himself sick with how nice he was. He just couldn't bear himself to leave him in the dead of night.
He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes slowly, warily watching the man. When they finally sealed themselves shut Mantar let out a breath of exasperation. He should be looking for Adrian, but then again, this man could help him. If he didn't try to kill him again that is.
Mantar let his thoughts wander. Some touched on the last few days at school, others on the dreams he had. A smile snuck across Mantar's face. He was thinking of Kailaya. Her sweet smile lingered in his mind. Her eyes seemed to glow red and silver.
Suddenly Mantar heard a rustle by the man. He shot his eyes open and narrowed them in his direction.
The man slowly shook himself awake and propped up on one arm. He pulled his hat up above his eyes. However, Mantar could still only observe shadow beneath the brim of the man's hat.
"I see you have quite a reserve of energy at your disposal" He spoke softly, "When I calculated you threat level, I seemed to have disregarded that band you have upon your forehead. It is the resource you enacted, is it not?"
Mantar narrowed his eyes even further. "A word of caution," Mantar replied, "What I use as my source of power will remain my secret; I see no reason to continue this discussion."
Mantar smiled to himself, expecting a baffled look on the man's face. He was sadly disappointed. "Power? No dear boy, you have not power. Power is a conscious threat to the opponent. You no longer pose any serious threat to my well being. In fact, you pose just about as much of a threat to me as you do to that caterpillar by your right leg."
Mantar looked amused. "A caterpillar? You highly underestimate my power sir. I squashed you, I can squash it."
"Show me." the man said with a secretive smile on his face.
"Fine." Mantar spat back.
He looked to his left and picked up a sizable rock. He lifted it into the air and started to turn his head. His gaze crossed the man. Or at least it would have crossed him, if he had been sitting there. Mantar tilted his head in confusedness. He looked back down at the caterpillar. It was gone as well!
Now really confused, Mantar looked back at the man to see him sitting with the caterpillar squirming happily in his hand.
The man spoke without emotion,
"A wise man once said that a best defense is a good offense. However, when you lack a defense completely, the whole idea of an offense dissolves. This is your first lesson; Watch your enemy at all times once he is out of your gaze you might as well have blindfolded yourself."
Mantar sputtered out his words, "lesson? But...you...and then you...it wasn't there...then you weren't there...and then,"
The man put his hand up to silence him. "Now is not the time for talk. It is the time for observance. Now listen first; if you do not you will never stand a chance against your friend. They have done terrible things to him. Whether he keeps his sanity is up to him now. But, as the leader of the Forgotten Shadow, It is my duty as a human being to not let monsters be released unto this realm. Now observe..."