Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

The Riddles Of the Phoenixes Series

The Lost Soul

Chapter one: Memories

“She was looking kinda dumb with her finger and her thumb in the shape of a L on her forehead—” James sang at the top of his lungs, in a unharmonic voice.

Tom looked up from his book and gave James a stern look. “Can you cut it out?! Im trying to study for my history test!” He snapped. James smirked and tossed his hair carelessly. “Bro it’s just a test. Give it a break.” James said. “It’s not just a test! It’s the last exam of the year! Have you done yours yet?”

“Nah.” Tom blinked at his brother. “Well? Aren’t you?” He probed. James shook his head, rolling his eyes. “I think I’m just going to copy off yours.”

“James! You can’t do that! That’s cheating! And don’t put your boots on your pillow! That’s unhygienic.” Tom exclaimed. James raised a eyebrow.

He was sitting on the top bunk, his booted feet resting on the pillow. Deftly he pulled his black boots off and threw them at Tom. Tom ducked, barely missing getting hit. He glared at James.

“You know…sometimes I hate you. If only someone could make you more polite.” Tom snapped. James smirked and wagged a finger at Tom mockingly. “Many have tried and failed.”

Tom rolled his eyes. “I could make you..” He muttered under his breath darkly. James rolled over and hopped out of the bunk, not bothering to carefully climb down. He plopped down at the desk in the chair right across from Tom.

Tom gave him a stern serious look. James raised his eyebrows and wiggled them back and forth, grinning. “So Tom, whatcha doing?” He asked. Tom hid a smile. “Homework James. Duh, what did you think I was doing?” James just sat there grinning like a cat. “Stop making that face. You’re annoying me and I’m trying to study.” Tom growled.

James didn’t move. Tom sighed. “James please! Stop it!” Tom growled. James pursed his lips. “Only if you do one tiny little thing for me.” James said. “What?” Tom asked. Then stopped. “No James. I’m not doing that. I told you that I would never use my power to help you do your pranks. I’m not helping. NEVER EVER EVER.”

“I can’t believe you’re forcing me to do this.” Tom said, him and James tip toeing down one of the castle halls. James grinned. “It wasn’t that hard. You kind of volunteered.”

“I did not!” Tom whispered back. James raised his finger to his lips. “Shhh.” He said. Tom glared at the back of his retreating head and then followed him.

They stopped at a balcony over the the royal garden. The plant keeper was taking care of the plants. “OK. You know what to do.” James whispered. Tom sighed. “You promise that you’ll stop annoying me? I’ve never tried…controlling someone before.” He whispered. James patted him on the shoulder.

“It’ll be fine. I mean they still have full control over their mind, right? Ok let’s do it!”

Tom sighed once more and took a deep breath. He locked the plant keeper in his vision and his medallion began to glow dully.

BOOM. Suddenly he was in. A throbbing shot across the back of his head but Tom ignored it. He focused in on the plant keeper. The plant keeper’s head shot up and he put his hands to his head. “Agh—” He groaned. James motioned to Tom to be quieter. Tom closed his eyes and focused once more. “Shh.” He whispered mechanically.

Immediately the plant keeper went quiet. He didn’t say anything but he was starting to act frantic. The plant keeper opened his mouth over and over again, put his hand to his throat and seemed to be trying to speak but not. “What is he doing?” James chuckled. “Hey wait…make him jump and down.” Tom turned to his brother, a worried look on his face.

“Is that a good idea?” He asked slowly. James smirked. “Of course it’s a good idea! I came up with it! Go on.” The throbbing pains struck agin but Tom fought through it.

“He focused on the plant keeper. “Jump pls.” The plant keeper did nothing. Tom cleared his throat. “Jump.” He said. Immediately the plant keeper did. Again. And again. And then again. He kept jumping up and down, crashing into plants and vases in the garden.

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” A voice suddenly bellowed. Their father Edward stormed into the royal garden, looking furious. Behind him strode their mother Queen Sophie, her gentle.

Still the plant keeper continued to jump. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.

“Tom. Make him stop..” James whispered uneasily. “Stop.” Tom said. The plant keeper did, swaying dizzily on his feet.

“WHAT is this about?” Edward growled. The plant keeper opened his mouth and began mouthing words rapidly. Edward turned to Sophia. “You didn’t hire a mute plant keeper did you?” He asked. Sophie shook her head. “Then why isn’t he talking?! Sag something you fool!!!” He growled. The plant keeper still said nothing, rattling on silently, until tears gathered in his eyes.

He put his hands to his throat and kept pointing at it. “Why isn’t he saying anything?” James asked. “I don’t-know.” Tom said, trying to break his concentration. “Stop it.” James said. “I. Can’t. Stop.” James brow knit with worry.

The plant keeper was jumping up and down again and patting his throat. “I can’t—let go.” Tom cried. “Focus!” James snapped. Tom groaned quietly and clenched his fists.

Finally he managed to let go of the plant keeper’s mind. “I can’t—oh thank goodness I can speak. And I can finally stop jumping up and down.” The plant keeper panted. “What happened?” Sophie asked calmly.

Tom collapsed against the railing and he and James hid from sight. He looked at James. A strange look was in his brother’s eye, one he’d never seen before. Fear.

~

Tom awoke with a start. He gave a small gasp and put one hand on his back. Gosh, he kept forgetting how old he was. Probably don’t need to sit up too fast. “Agh..” Tom groaned softly, rising to his feet and stretched.

A loud cracking noise echoed across the room as Tom’s back popped. Tom sighed and walked to the window.

The clouds rose in a foreboding manner, black. The sun was unable to be seen although it should be rising. Tiny droplets of rain splashed on the window.

Tom sighed. It was time to get a move on. He’d been in Red Phoenix kingdom long enough, hiding as usual. After the funeral… he’d left. Josephina had begged him not to go. But he had too. He couldn’t stand the angry looks, the lurking guards, and the sorrowful faces of his nephews and nieces. “Coward.” A voice whispered in the back of his mind.

Tom shook it away. “But being a coward will keep me alive.” He whispered.

Next chapter coming soon!

-SunnyFox57