Crystal (Writetober 2021 Day 1)

Crystal 

“Take it.”

“What do you mean take it?”

“I genuinely don’t know how else to say it to you.”  Sarin scrunched his brow as he sighed in frustration.  “Grab the glowing rock and put it in your pack.”

Some time had passed before the other man spoke.  “I don’t feel good about this.”

“Are you kidding me!  Grow a damn pair or get the hell out of my way.”  Sarin didn’t wait for a response as he shoved his partner out of the way.  “I’ll do it myself.”  

Sarin outstretched his gloved hand and reached for the crystal that mysteriously balanced on its point.  The sky blue gem’s light pierced the dark tomb that the two men had found themselves in.  Even without their torches, the chamber they stood in would have been well illuminated.

“Interesting.”  Sarin’s fingers were tickled with a cooling warmth as he gingerly neared the azure crystal.

“What?”  Fear had crept within his partner’s words.  “Sarin, what did you say?”

“Nothing…”  I feel your power.  Sarin grasped the gem with held breath and closed expectant eyes.

But nothing happened. 

“Sarin, let’s go.  You got it, now let’s go.”  The man made his way toward where they came.  

But nothing happened.

“Sarin, you’re starting to scare me…Let’s go!”  The man waved his torch in an attempt to attract his partner.

But nothing happened.

“Screw this, I’m leaving.”  

“No…wait.”  Sarin’s words were distracted by the beauty that he held.  “I’m coming.”

The two had walked for sometime before they saw the sun’s light through the cave entrance.  They had traversed in silence, though Sarin’s mind raced with thoughts and dreams that were not his.

Sakar’s Crystal is mine.  “This magnificent stone…it’s-”  Sarin cut his words as he noticed they had left his mouth.  Do it.

“What are you mumbling back there?  I have to admit, you are really freaking me out.”  The man turned to face his friend.

Sarin watched the horror on his friend’s face as he smashed the crystal into his temple.  The mad man didn’t stop, he continued to beat the glowing crystal into the face of the man he had known for more years than he cared to count.  

“This…power…is…mine…”  A wet thud echoed between every word as Sarin continued his barrage.  “Sakar’s crystal is mine.”

“And that gives you power?”  The voice echoed all around Saren, it followed its words with deep laughter.

“Who…who…Show yourself!”  Sarin clutched the crystal with possessive strength.

The laughter continued as darkness wrapped around Sarin.  The crystal dimmed and the sunlight that once shined at the cave’s entrance was extinguished.

“What exactly do you plan to do if I refuse?”  The voice cut into Sarin’s mind as it taunted him.

I don’t know…  Sarin’s thoughts raced as fear paralyzed his body.

“Of course you don’t know.  You’re just a peasant that stumbled across power that is far above your pitiful life.”

“No..I have spent my entire life searching for this, for…you.”  Sarin’s thoughts focused on the voice, he had wanted this, he needed this.

“I see you obtain slight intelligence.”  The laughter returned.

“I know you are attached to this crystal, I know your power is only a fraction of what it was…I know you need me.”  Sarin’s eyes scanned the darkness that surrounded him.  “You can’t kill me, or this crystal disappears with me.”

Nothing happened.

The darkness receded as the light returned to the world around Sarin.  Quietly, Sarin allowed himself to relax.  What now?

Laughter danced around Sarin’s thoughts.  “Your thoughts are no longer your own, and your feigned bravery is only flesh deep.  I may need you, but understand that your need for me is far superior.”  Sakar’s words cut through the air.

Sarin stared at the dead body at his feet.  The name of his friend didn’t come to his mind as he focused on the blood stained hand that clutched the crystal.  With hard intent, he walked toward the light that illuminated his exit.