Chapter 2: Childhood, a Death, and a Secret Revealed

My childhood was not one of the best that a young lad could hope for, but for me, it was fine. I never understood why I had to keep a red cloth wrapped around my wrist, but I decided it was best not to ask. My mother was ill a great portion of the time. Every time she was ill, I was afraid I was going to lose her. My father, on the other hand, I barely remember him after the christening ceremony because he left Lemuria when I was 7 to fight in the wars going on in the outside world. One of the last things he said to me before departing was, "Piers, my boy, promise me you will train your Psynergy and your body to be as good or better warrior than me while I'm gone."

"I promise, Father." I said, hating to see him go.

"Goodbye, son." he said, ruffling my cerulean-colored hair. "I hope to see you strong and talented when I return." And then, he was gone.

My uncle moved in with us to help care for Mother while Father was away. My uncle is a great man, the only father figure I ever had after Father left. Many years passed. My father sent many letters to us, telling of his adventures. My uncle and I grew very close. Mother was in good health more often. I had made good on my promise by practicing my Psynergy and swordplay everyday. Everything was going well until, I had noticed that Father had abruptly stopped sending letters. "Don't worry too much about it, Piers." my uncle had told me. "He is probably in the middle of a great battle and can't write home."

"You are probably right, Uncle." I told him.

Many days passed. My Water Psynergy improved greatly, faster than I ever anticipated. My swordplay needed some polishing, but I knew I would get better. Better, for Father. I thought. Then one day, a messenger came to our house. I opened the door and there he was. "Are you Piers?" he asked me.

"Yes, sir." I said politely.

"Are your mother and uncle home as well?" he asked.

I was about to answer when my mother suddenly appeared at the doorway and said, "Yes, I am Piers' mother."

"I am sorry, but I have some bad news." the messenger truly looked it. "But..." his voice trailed off.

"What has happened?" Mother demanded.

"Easy, Mother, don't get too upset." I whispered.

"Your husband, he has been killed in battle, milady." the messenger said as delicately as he could.

There was no denying that look of shock on Mother's face. "I am so very sorry." the messenger said. "Good day."

I shut the door. "I feel faint." Mother said.

Oh, no, not now! I thought. Then, quite suddenly, my mother fainted. Luckily, I managed to catch her. "Uncle!" I shouted. "Mother has fainted! Help me!"

"Hang on, Piers, I am coming!" my uncle said, rushing into the den.

My uncle grabbed her feet, and I continued to hold her shoulders. We carefully carried her to the bedroom.

"Fetch the doctor, Piers." my uncle said. "Hurry!"

I did not need to be told twice. I rushed out of the house as fast as I could and to the doctor's office. "Doctor, Doctor!" I shouted.

"Piers?" the doctor asked, surprised. "What ever is wrong?"

"My... m-mother has... f-fainted." I said, out of breath. "M-my uncle told m-me to come f-f-fetch you."

"Oh, good Sol..." the doctor said, obviously worried. "Come on, let's go."

The doctor grabbed his bag and we were out like a shot. "Do you know what caused her to faint?" he asked me along the way.

"A messenger came and told both of us that Father was killed in battle." I replied, trying to choke back tears.

"Ah..." the doctor said, but nothing more.

When we arrived, my uncle was standing there. "Hurry, Doctor!" he said urging us inside.

The doctor examined her and while both my uncle and I waited with bated breath. "How is she, Doctor?" I asked after awhile.

"Except for the fact that she's very ill, I think she's just fine." the doctor said.

"Why does she always get sick whenever she gets upset?" I asked.

"Your mother was born with a weak heart, Piers." the doctor explained. "You see, bad news to a person like you or me makes us emotionally ill. Do you understand?"

"I think so." I said, thinking this through. "So, that means, bad news to a person like Mother would make them physically ill as well as emotionally ill?"

"Something like that, Piers, yes!" the doctor said, surprised. "This is one of those times you really surprise me."

"Surprised me, too, Doctor." my uncle agreed.

"Good day, gentlemen." the doctor said, leaving.

"What kind of bad news did your mother receive that caused her to faint, Piers?" my uncle asked after he had.

So I proceeded to tell him about the messenger and his bad news about Father. When I had finished, my uncle was close to tears. "My little brother..." he said sadly.

"It's all right, Uncle." I said, patting him on the hand. "We still have each other."

"Yes, you are quite right, Piers." my uncle said. "I can't afford to go to pieces."

We embraced each other. "I think it's time we got some rest." my uncle said.

"Okay." I said. "Good night, Uncle."

"Good night, Piers." my uncle said, the sadness still there.

Both of us headed to our rooms. That night, I could hardly sleep. "Father, why did you have to leave...?" I said crying out over and over.

The next day, Mother was feeling a little better, but not fully recovered. "Piers..." she said at breakfast. "I have something I wish to tell you. Something I should have told you while your father was still with us."

"Do you wish to tell him in private?" my uncle asked.

"Yes, that would be preferable." Mother said.

My uncle left the room. "Piers... how well do you know Lemurian history?" she asked.

This is weird. I thought. She wants to tell me something, yet she asks me how well I know my history. As if she had reading my thoughts, my mother said, "It's not that weird, Piers."

"Not that well." I replied honestly. "Except for this one thing about a prophecy..."

"...Which states, 'The chosen master of Water shall be born a native son of Lemuria'." my mother finished.

"How did you know...?" I asked, very surprised.

"Because at your christening ceremony, King Hydros told your father and I your are the one to fulfill that prophecy." Mother said seriously.

"Me? But, I..." I managed to get out. This was a lot for me to be taking in. "That's impossible, Mother!"

"How else do you explain why your Water Psynergy is a lot stronger than your swordplay, hmm?" Mother said.

She had a point. It was true; my Psynergy was stronger, but still to think I was the one to fulfill that prophecy, it still felt impossible. Not to mention burdensome, too. "If you don't believe me, why don't you go ask King Hydros yourself?" she added questioningly.

"Fine." I said, slightly angry. "I will!"

So I set off to King Hydros' Palace. My uncle came in afterwards and asked Mother, "What was that all about?"

"Just telling Piers the truth." Mother said simply.

My uncle shook his head, and sat down to eat breakfast.