The Last Celestial

The Power of the Lion

It was the first time Andrew refused to listen to him. The young man had just recovered, yet after eating he insisted on train immediately. Sure Andrew has superhuman abilities and could heal several wounds within a day. But this was different. Timothy leered, displeased as the boy frantically looked for the gloves that Tahani gave him.

"I told you, I did not hide it." Timothy grumbled under his breath. His brows were raised and he crossed his arms against his chest. His point finger was tapping an erratic rhythm against his arm, a gesture he does when he's annoyed.

"Then where is it, Tim?" Was Andrew's impatient answer.

The older Keeper knows that the boy's temper is somewhat unpredictable. But this time it's different. It's similar to the time when Andrew lost a key. He did not know what it was for, but the young man stayed silent for days and barely ate. As well as the time when Andrew talked about how his father loved a fermented chinese cabbage called Kim-Chi. It seemed like a slip of tongue, and the look on Andrew's face was indescribable after that.

Now, he is trying his best to solve another puzzle that may be causing Andrew's outburst. He's aware that scolding the boy would not do any good.

"What's wrong?" Was his straightforward question to the young man.

Andrew remained silent, his hands were balled into a fist. It's one of the tell-tale signs that the young man is refusing to talk.

Timothy massages his temples then slowly takes a step forward to the boy, thinking---trying his best to understand. "I don't know what's gotten into you, kiddo. But if you don't tell me, how will I help you?"

The boy's tensed shoulders relaxed, and he hung his head low. His fist remains closed, shaking... as if he's trying to prevent his emotions from seeping out. "I dreamt..." He whispered with a shaking voice. "I dreamt of my father. He was burning on the flames I've created. He was running to the house... to save me from the fire, but then..."

And then he breaks.

His forearm covered his face as he faintly sobbed. Tears streamed down his face and his body began to tremble and his loud breathing can be heard across the room.

Sometimes, Timothy forgets that Andrew is just a boy. A teenager with a horrible past. He's so strong and joyful, anyone can look past him and say he's a person who hadn't experienced tragedy in his life. He walked closer to the boy, and then wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder. And he doesn't say anything, but he simply chooses to listen.

"I want to be stronger. I don't want to be weak. I couldn't protect anyone before.... I want that to change. I don't want to lose my loved one anymore."

=====================

Dah just got off the phone with Tahani. And he was relieved when he heard the news that she landed safely and is on her way to the forest of the Zodiac. This time, she said she'll create a shield that may protect other Keeper's and Andrew from the shockwave of his fire blast---as Tahani calls it. He went upstairs and decided to pick up clothes from the laundry basket. It was his turn to wash the clothes today anyway. And he was feeling a bit more energetic since Andrew finally woke up.

He rushed upstairs, and went on to Andrew's room, but when he was about to reach for the doorknob, he may have heard something that he should've not.

Andrew was looking for the gloves that Tahani made, and he sounded frustrated.

He feels immense guilt, since he's the one who hid it. He was simply scared, and was worried. What if Andrew used the glove again and was hit with a stronger shockwave? What if he never wakes up after that? Or what if he wakes up, then he's not himself anymore. He wanted to wait for Tahani to finish the shield before giving Andrew the gloves again. He simply wants to protect the boy.

He bit his lips hard when he heard Andrew's cry.

"...I couldn't protect anyone before.... I want that to change. I don't want to lose my loved one anymore.""

Dah sighed and slapped his forehead, hard. "What was I thinking..."

====================

There they stood again on the Gold Coast of Barbados. The two Keeper's were standing almost nine meters away from the boy. Dah insisted that they come closer, but Timothy did not want to risk being injured again.

"So where did you hide the gloves, huh?" Timothy teased, a devilish smile played on his face and crawled up his cheeks.

The other male rolled his eyes and tried to cover his reddish cheeks and ears by turning away from his friend. He was truly embarrassed of what he had done. And he can't count how many times he has apologized to Andrew. Knowing how to push the buttons of his best friend, Dah smiled. "Why would I tell you?" He said and one of his brow was arched up. "You'll just hide your p**n magazines the---"

Timothy bent down and grabbed a fistful of sand and throwed it to Dah. "You're really f****d in the head."

Dah laughed it off as he brushed off the sand in his hair and shirt.

Both men looked at the boy as he called for them, giving the Keeper's their much awaited signal. Andrew did the same thing as before. He ignited a spark of fire on the tip of his fingertips, and with a flash it combusted and the usual orange fire he summoned glowed. He slowly raised his hand, opening his palm. He summoned a bigger flame, and watched as the vine-like material envelope his whole arm.

When the glove glowed its gradient color of red to dark, he breathed in and began to summon fire once more. He opened the palm of his hand and summoned the red and blue fire. He watches as the fire spins and spins until it turns into a ball of fire. Before he had to throw the fire first before it turned itself into a ball. He did not see this before as he was too surprised and unaware of the glove's ability to utilize his power.

But now that he knows, he can see and feel everything.

His eyes that were once gray turned into chrome yellow mixed with red once more. And as he stared at the fire, the fire reflected in his eyes.

The ball of fire continuously spins in his hand as it gets bigger and bigger. He noticed how fast the fire was spinning. Combustion is when fuel reacts with oxygen to release heat energy. Combustion can be slow or fast depending on the amount of oxygen available, it results in a flame very fast and is called burning. Before it was just the size of a baseball. Now, it's the size of a cantaloupe.

He positioned himself to throw the ball, and with a huge swing he threw the huge ball of fire towards the ocean. The ball of fire left a similar trail of bluish red plasma. As the trail fades, it leaves sparks and embers behind.

Behind him, Timothy and Dah await the explosion. They were covering their ears and squinted their eyes. But seconds passed by and it didn't.

Andrew closed his eyes when he heard a familiar voice speak to him, it was the Celestial that controls the fire of life, Leo.

'The power is within you, Andrew. The fire follows your will.'

It was until Andrew lifted his arm and snapped his finger that the ball of fire detonated like a bomb and exploded. For a second it was quiet. Then the wind rushed into them, a great fire combusted in the middle of the sea. The fire was as bright as the sun and was similar to the highly luminous central portion of a nuclear explosion. It was strong enough to wreak havoc on the small village.

This is the power of the Lion. Andrew thought as he stared at the far distance. He remembered what Leo said to him, and he embedded it in his heart and mind. This is just the beginning, and he will make sure that he won't lose to the Undying man.

Behind him, Timothy and Dah stared in awe when the strong wind finally settled. The two Keeper's ogled the boy as he continued to practice. This time they sit back and watch as Andrew creates fire beneath his feet then forms a ball on his hand at the same time.

As he watched, Dah fisted the phone from his pocket and dialed his mother, Tahani. A few more rings and the Elder picked it up.

"I'm busy, Dah." Was her greeting to her son. "What do you want, my son?"

"Mama..." He paused then stared at Andrew who was unsteadily making his way up the sky, while creating a ball of fire on his hand. "Remember the gloves you made for Andrew?"

There was a pause on the other line. "Yes?"

"Do you mind if you try to create boots or shoes for Andrew as well." He said monotonously, as if he was asking such a simple thing. "This is the first time I've seen him fly... And I think he'll need those boots."

He heard Tahani sign on the other line, yet he felt like his mother was not frustrated, instead she seemed to be delighted with his personal request.

"I'll see what I can do."

And before Dah could say anything else the line was cut off.

After the call he looked at Timothy who was looking at him with a funny expression on his face. "What?" Dah said, as he pats his face and shoulders, thinking that maybe he has sand on his face or something else.

Timothy shook his head and smiled. "You're one confusing guy."