A/N: Italics are Chris' thoughts, and bold is another character. Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming (it makes me write faster).
Chapter 15
Chris!
Ok. There was defiantly a voice. I whirled around searching, "What the hell is going on, who said that?"
This was too weird, I mean seriously. I have things that I need to concentrate on revelations I need to deal with.
Calm down, I have been trying to get your attention for days.
"Days? Who are you?" This was bad I just knew it. Hearing voices was always bad, even in the magical world.
Did you not read the passage?
I glanced at the book, now cautious. "So you're a spirit guide?"
Do not assume things. I only asked if you had read the passage.
"Oh. Then yes."
That was the closest description to what I am that I could find. Something was wrong. There was a warning bell going off in the back of my head.
"What are you and what with me?" I couldn't put my finger on it.
I need your help.
"How am I supposed to know that this isn't some kinda trick? The passage says that spirit guides can be either good or evil. How do I know which you are?"
I was able to touch the book with my magic wasn't I, and only good can touch the book. You have to trust me.
"The book can be tricked," I said, but there was no real conviction in my voice. He was right but I still wasn't sure about what exactly I was agreeing to. "Do you really expect me to jump and follow you without some kinda proof? How stupid do you think I am?"
There was a long pause and then it hit me. The feeling of wrongness, the alarm bell going off in the back of my head. Here I am standing in the attic, having a conversation with a voice in my head like it's a weekly event.
"What did you do to me?" I was way too calm.
I needed you to be calm for this meeting.
"How is this a meeting? I can't even see you." I felt the stirrings of anger but it abated almost immediately. I was again calm. My emotions were not my own. "Is this something you will always be able to do, manipulate my emotions so they fit your needs?"
You know that without my interference you would have come to the same decision. I merely decided not to waste time in convincing you to rationally listen to me. I do not have time for it...you do not have time for it.
"What are you talking about?"
Your focus, while appropriate, is somewhat skewed. You came to save your future but there is a greater loss that you need to work to prevent.
"I still don't understand."
You will. But I need your help and agreement now.
My instincts were telling me to listen to him. The same instincts that I had honed after years of fighting alone on the streets in a futile attempt to avenge the death of my family. They had never let me down before. My gut was telling me that I needed to do this. There was a reason I came back and my list of allies was short. If I was to save the future I was going to need his help.
"Alright, but lets get one thing strait. Don't ever try to control my emotions again. I'll know it and it will be the last time I'll ever help you."
Agreed.
I slowly closed the book, thinking about what I had just agreed to and the vague description of what kind of help I would actually be receiving. "What do I need to do first?"
I flinched as I heard a door slam downstairs then rolled my eyes at my own stupidity. First, I needed to get out of the house before the sisters got home.
Without making a noise I orbed back to my room at Sara's house and sat down on the edge of the bed. Hesitantly I asked, "Is this going to be one of those partnerships where you can contact me at any given time without my consent?"
Yes.
"That's what I thought. Can you read my mind?" There was a pause, like he was weighing decision about what to tell me. "I want the truth," my voice had a hard edge to it.
If you had been a mortal then the answer would be yes. But because you are a witch, no. However if your intent is to contact me without speaking aloud, I can hear you. Before you ask, I cannot randomly control people. The only reason I was able to make contact with you is because I have been searching for you in particular for so long. I knew that you would be the one I needed. Had I wanted to affect anyone else I would need to be intimately familiar with him or her and concentrate solely on him or her for extended periods of time. The only times I have done this over the years is when I was practicing so that I could reach you.
I nodded, "Alright. But you do know that one of these days you're gonna have to come clean about who you really are."
I understand.
"Good. Now what I don't understand is why we aren't focusing on the Titans. They're the reason the future is in such terrible shape."
The threat of the titans was merely a means to an end. Your presence in this time was imperative to stop a different kind of evil.
I waited for him to finish, "Is that all I'm gonna get? I have to face an evil. How is that different than the every day evil that I face?
It is all you need to know at the moment. I'll leave you to your thoughts for now. I suggest that you spend your time considering the amulet.
My hand reflexively reached for the chain hanging from my neck. I had completely forgotten about it. The amulet that had started this conversation. With that realization I quickly ripped it from my neck and resisted the urge to throw it against the far wall. My doubts were returning full force, and in a strange way that actually calmed me some.
"Well, at least he kept his word about that."
Chapter 15
Chris!
Ok. There was defiantly a voice. I whirled around searching, "What the hell is going on, who said that?"
This was too weird, I mean seriously. I have things that I need to concentrate on revelations I need to deal with.
Calm down, I have been trying to get your attention for days.
"Days? Who are you?" This was bad I just knew it. Hearing voices was always bad, even in the magical world.
Did you not read the passage?
I glanced at the book, now cautious. "So you're a spirit guide?"
Do not assume things. I only asked if you had read the passage.
"Oh. Then yes."
That was the closest description to what I am that I could find. Something was wrong. There was a warning bell going off in the back of my head.
"What are you and what with me?" I couldn't put my finger on it.
I need your help.
"How am I supposed to know that this isn't some kinda trick? The passage says that spirit guides can be either good or evil. How do I know which you are?"
I was able to touch the book with my magic wasn't I, and only good can touch the book. You have to trust me.
"The book can be tricked," I said, but there was no real conviction in my voice. He was right but I still wasn't sure about what exactly I was agreeing to. "Do you really expect me to jump and follow you without some kinda proof? How stupid do you think I am?"
There was a long pause and then it hit me. The feeling of wrongness, the alarm bell going off in the back of my head. Here I am standing in the attic, having a conversation with a voice in my head like it's a weekly event.
"What did you do to me?" I was way too calm.
I needed you to be calm for this meeting.
"How is this a meeting? I can't even see you." I felt the stirrings of anger but it abated almost immediately. I was again calm. My emotions were not my own. "Is this something you will always be able to do, manipulate my emotions so they fit your needs?"
You know that without my interference you would have come to the same decision. I merely decided not to waste time in convincing you to rationally listen to me. I do not have time for it...you do not have time for it.
"What are you talking about?"
Your focus, while appropriate, is somewhat skewed. You came to save your future but there is a greater loss that you need to work to prevent.
"I still don't understand."
You will. But I need your help and agreement now.
My instincts were telling me to listen to him. The same instincts that I had honed after years of fighting alone on the streets in a futile attempt to avenge the death of my family. They had never let me down before. My gut was telling me that I needed to do this. There was a reason I came back and my list of allies was short. If I was to save the future I was going to need his help.
"Alright, but lets get one thing strait. Don't ever try to control my emotions again. I'll know it and it will be the last time I'll ever help you."
Agreed.
I slowly closed the book, thinking about what I had just agreed to and the vague description of what kind of help I would actually be receiving. "What do I need to do first?"
I flinched as I heard a door slam downstairs then rolled my eyes at my own stupidity. First, I needed to get out of the house before the sisters got home.
Without making a noise I orbed back to my room at Sara's house and sat down on the edge of the bed. Hesitantly I asked, "Is this going to be one of those partnerships where you can contact me at any given time without my consent?"
Yes.
"That's what I thought. Can you read my mind?" There was a pause, like he was weighing decision about what to tell me. "I want the truth," my voice had a hard edge to it.
If you had been a mortal then the answer would be yes. But because you are a witch, no. However if your intent is to contact me without speaking aloud, I can hear you. Before you ask, I cannot randomly control people. The only reason I was able to make contact with you is because I have been searching for you in particular for so long. I knew that you would be the one I needed. Had I wanted to affect anyone else I would need to be intimately familiar with him or her and concentrate solely on him or her for extended periods of time. The only times I have done this over the years is when I was practicing so that I could reach you.
I nodded, "Alright. But you do know that one of these days you're gonna have to come clean about who you really are."
I understand.
"Good. Now what I don't understand is why we aren't focusing on the Titans. They're the reason the future is in such terrible shape."
The threat of the titans was merely a means to an end. Your presence in this time was imperative to stop a different kind of evil.
I waited for him to finish, "Is that all I'm gonna get? I have to face an evil. How is that different than the every day evil that I face?
It is all you need to know at the moment. I'll leave you to your thoughts for now. I suggest that you spend your time considering the amulet.
My hand reflexively reached for the chain hanging from my neck. I had completely forgotten about it. The amulet that had started this conversation. With that realization I quickly ripped it from my neck and resisted the urge to throw it against the far wall. My doubts were returning full force, and in a strange way that actually calmed me some.
"Well, at least he kept his word about that."