#fridayflash "The Boy Who Was Once a God"

*Once again, I'm delving into the future of Amora and the Phoenix Trilogy but before the Last Trilogy. You can blame Apenth. He's an unyielding muse.*

The Boy Who Was Once a God

"Alyxander, he's waiting."

I cringed at that name. Why couldn't the woman call me Apenth as I asked? It didn't matter, I told myself, but it did. My fingers tightened upon the railing. I longed to jump off it, but I'd probably end up breaking a leg.

"Sir?"

"Just a moment, Kalina. Don't you have some dusting to do?"

The tension released in my shoulders when she left.

From the house on Palamartia Hill, I saw my temple, or what remained. A few leftover columns stood erect. The dark blotch of the central building was untouched. I remembered when it was white and gleamed in the sunshine.

It's no more, Apenth. You knew the price.

I ripped my gaze away from my pride and joy and left a piece of my heart with it.

My boots clomped along the marble floor. I faltered when I saw the Amoran Presidential Uniform. A lump formed in my throat at the triple-starred phoenix emblem on his chest. He turned his hawk-like nose toward me. His shoulders squared and form erect as if he'd attached a board permanently to his back.

"It's time for you to join up, son. The President has advised me to enroll you in the Amoran Guard."  

"I know, father." And I did. I'd just hoped he could prevent it. Stop the impending visions. I didn't want to harm her. The girl with the black-blue hair and phoenix birthmark. I couldn't.

But I would.