Genesis of Apotheosis

[Strazio Rockwell]

In just the span of a few minutes Strazio had managed to punch a softball-sized hole through the bark of a nearby tree. In his tantrum he had stormed a good distance away from the campsite and was now busy chucking rocks against the poor defenseless plant. With every throw he held out his hand and tried to exert his willpower over the projectile. And with every throw he grew more and more frustrated. His skin fizzled and his hands trembled. He threw another rock, held out his hand, and cursed when the stone followed its expected trajectory. Try as he might he could not keep the gaze of his mind’s eye focused on the task at hand. His gibbering monkey mind kept oscillating between his rising hatred at the absurdity of Tearen’s teachings and his own inability to grasp them properly. His thoughts turned to the Strazberry and his flaring temper led him down a path that ended with Damien. Hundreds of howling thoughts ricocheted off the inside of his school each of them screaming for attention. He threw another rock. Another failure rebounded off the smooth underside of the tree.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” he growled, “what is the fucking problem?”

As if to answer his question something rustled the underbrush behind him. He whirled around to greet the noise.

“You don’t have to sneak up on me,” Strazio growled.

Tearen stepped into view and raised his hands in deference, “I did not mean to sneak up on you, I just came to make sure you were okay.”

With as much venom as he could muster Strazio answered, “I don’t need you to check up on me.”

Tearen simply nodded. For a long while neither of them said anything. They stood no more than a few feet apart. Strazio’s eyes darted across Tearen’s frame, while Wover’s seemed to stare off at some imperceptible point. The Shadow offered a smile and Strazio looked away.

With a huff Strazio broke the silence, “sorry, I know you mean well, it’s just… so frustrating”

Wover nodded, “I understand.”

“I’m not sure you do,” Strazio answered.

For a moment The Shadow said nothing eventually he shrugged, “well, maybe not completely, but I understand well enough to empathize.”

“Well…” Strazio started, but let the sentence die on his tongue.

After another wave of silence Wover spoke, “we should probably head back, I’m sure the others are ready to start again.”

Strazio threw one more rock before turning to follow Tearen. The two walked carefully through the jungle. Night was falling upon them and were it not for Tearen’s impeccable senses they probably would’ve gotten lost. As they walked Strazio asked a question.

“So, I’ve been thinking, you say everything is interconnected, one piece of some greater cosmic whole, and you can exert your willpower over rocks and bugs and things like that” he said, “but what about a person? What’s stopping you from zapping my brain and turning me into a puppet? And what about Omni, is he connected as well?”