Catalyst(19)

“I will explain everything. Where should I begin?” He fiddled with his long white beard. “I suppose I'll answer your first question. I know your name because it was I who named you. I was at your home the second you were born. I'm sure your mother must have told you?”

I couldn’t believe this was the so-called angel my mother told me about. The story was true, but he didn’t seem like an angel. No wings, no special glow, no heavenly voice, nothing. He was merely a strange old man with an unusual staff.

“She told me,” I said, barely finding my voice. “She's told me the story countless times. She called you an angel.”

“Believe me, I'm no angel. I'm better than that.” He laughed, then frowned, seeing the sternness and shock on my face. “I certainly hope you have a sense of humor, Hellsfire, but I guess now isn't the time for jokes. I had made it in time for your birth and decided to name you Hellsfire. The name came to me, and I knew that it would be the right name for you.”

I leaned forward. “You named me?”

He nodded. “I did.”

“Did you also give me these powers I can barely control?” My anger rose, and the fire began to surface on my hands. “Were you responsible for this?” I thrust my hands out to him.

The old man didn't flinch. In fact, his eyes sparkled with delight. “You're further along than I thought.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

I was filled with anger. I thought of the dragon and the climb up the mountain, both of which had almost killed me. But it was the memory of what I had done to Kenneth and his family and to my mother that caused me to lose control. Fire shot out from my hands. My eyes widened in horror as the flames headed towards the old man. I was too slow to warn him. There was nothing I could do.

An invisible force parted the flame. Instead of enveloping him, the fire went around him. The flames hit the wall and dissipated.

“I-I-I'm sorry,” I said. “I couldn't control it.”

“It's all right, my boy. I wasn't in any danger.”

I studied him, checking to see if any part of him was singed or burnt. He was fine. “How did you do that?”

“I'm a wizard.”

I gasped. “A wizard?”

It all made sense now. Why I was able to do what I did, who made it winter on the White Mountain, and why he had a dragon. But there weren't supposed to be any more wizards in Northern Shala. The Great Barrier and the aftermath of the war had destroyed most of them. The others had disappeared long ago. I stared at the wizard, seeing him in a new light. No wonder my mother had mistaken him for an angel. According to the stories, the power at his command was incalculable.

The wizard leaned closer. “I can see in your eyes that you understand.”

I nodded and whispered, “You want me to be a wizard.”

“Yes.”

I looked away from him. Out of all the things I had expected to learn or to happen, this wasn't one of them. I thought about all the stories I had heard while growing up. There were a few stories of wizards being heroes, like Shala. He had been mainly responsible for defeating the evil wizard, Renak, during the War of the Wizards—a war that had devastated and divided the land. But most stories weren't like that. Most stories I’d heard had to do with the dangers of a wizard’s powers. The dangers I knew all too well. I didn't want to hurt those I cared about, and I didn't want to be another Renak.

“Can you teach me to control this power?” I asked, staring at my bruised hands.

“I can. I must warn you, though, that being a wizard is far more than learning to control your powers. It's a serious undertaking, Hellsfire.”

I didn't want to be a wizard. All I wanted was to not hurt anyone with my power. “What if I say I don't want to be a wizard?”

“You don’t have a choice.”

I opened my mouth. Was he going to trap me? Was this his goal all along? What did he want me for? I couldn’t escape from a wizard. I was a prisoner here. Tears crept into my eyes.

“What’s wrong, Hellsfire?”

“I’m stuck here.”

“No. You’re here for a reason. You’ve a destiny to fulfill. You’re the One who was prophesied long ago. I’m here to guide you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t say any more.”

I grimaced, angry that he would tell me that much, but not completely explain himself. I didn’t feel special. I was just me. I could do things with fire, but that was more of a burden and a problem than a gift. I couldn’t see myself doing anything great, nor did I want to. I considered pressing the wizard for information, but, judging from his stern gaze and hunched shoulders, he wasn’t going to tell me any more right now. If I stayed with him, I was sure I could get those answers. But his so-called prophecy wasn’t my concern at this moment. I had more immediate questions to attend to.