I could see traces of worry on her face. Books fell off the bookshelves and the floor beneath me was a little cracked.
My head felt a little hazy. And my body felt incredibly exhausted. The joints were a little painful. I guess I strained myself a little too much.
"What happened..? This place is a mess." I said to Emma.
She sucked in air and tightened her fingers. I couldn't help but tap at her hand for mercy.
"Sorry about that. I wasn't aware this could happen. I'll help however I can." I said to her and stood up. Pain shot through my body, but I just ignored it and went to gather the books.
"Atticus, do you know what you've done." Emma said to me as she stood up.
"Not exactly. I was just meditating when I felt the power in me. I felt cold, then hot. Then later, I felt... peaceful." I said looking down.
"You've activated your core. And it has begun to generate power for you. If you fail to control it, your fragile young body will break down. We have to do something about that." Emma said as she held me by the shoulders.
Her words made me happy. They sounded like praise. But they were also scary. She sugarcoated it, but i still understood her. I might die from my own power, at least, that's the worst possible outcome.
I felt my insides shrink slightly. God knows I was a little scared. I wanted just a little amount of power so I could sleep. But I seem to have started something I can never reverse.
"Can I... do something about it. I mean, is it possible to train so I can deplete my energy daily?" I asked her, almost retreating.
"Go and sit down for now. I'll come after setting all this up." Emma tapped my shoulder as I went to sit down. I carried my books along. Maybe something helpful will be in them.
While Emma dealt with the book mess I made, I decided to scan the books. Of course, my body was still aching. But that was the least of my problems.
But pain was pain nonetheless. Coupled with lack of sleep and a huge wave of exhaustion.
In a few minutes while a sat on the table, I rested my head for moment. The embrace of darkness led me into sleep. And just like that, I was out like the lights.
....
"Atticus... remember! Atticus Atticus Atticus.... REMEMBER...!!!"
...
"No no nooo..!" I just up as I was pulled out of my sleep. I couldn't stop myself from panting. It felt like I just took a long marathon.
My heart beat loudly in my chest I could almost hear it. My head throbbed with a little hazy feeling.
"Good, you're finally up. But... are you okay? It looks like you just had a nightmare. And sweat is dripping all over you." Emma said, standing before me.
She handed me a hankerchief to wipe myself.
"No.. I'm fine. Maybe I was just too tired." I said wiping my face to avoid locking eyes with her.
I could tell her about my nightmares and dreams. But I don't know what that may bring. For all I know, these may be my memories and not just dreams.
If she told my parents about it, they might seal them. Who knows when I might be able to regain them.
Parents are always protective, whether it's a medieval fantasy world like this. Or just anywhere. Even most animals know to protect their offsprings.
"I found a solution. Though it will be temporary and will require you to really train." Emma pulled me out of the waves of my thoughts.
"Really? What do we need to do?" I asked her curiously.
"First we have to tell you parents. We don't have to reveal everything. Just telling them you have activated your core and are generating energy should be fine." She said laying two books on the table.
"Then what next? Is there another way to control my power? Or will I need to deplete myself daily?"
"Depleting your energy daily will only bolster your power. It will gradually cause your power to grow more. What we need is to slow that process. Or maybe, to suppress your power until you're old enough to control it."
"That makes sense. Then, a curse or an artifact would be useful." I suggested, raising a finger.
"A curse is fine. But they're unreliable and can corrupt your core. So what we need, is an artifact. This one to be precise." Emma pointed at one of many magic artifacts in the book.
A red bracelet with an emerald stone and a Ruby on the sides. This was a type of sealing artifact.
It works in more ways than one to seal one's power. Some of which include circulating and storing energy possessed by its host.
"Are you kidding me? I know my family is rich, but do you really think they would waste money on this. Especially when told that a child soon to be four has a core. It sounds more like a lie than it is a fact." I said sitting back.
Yeah sure, I know we're loaded. But my family isn't always so giving. They're the kind of nobles that follow logic and reason. But mostly, they do things that serve them as long as there is a plausible and reason for doing so.
Never in history has a four year old awakened.
"It's either that, or you're dead. Make it plausible. After I tell them the selective truth, you'll release some of your energy. If you fail, you won't get what you want. Meaning... you'll die. Of course I might follow you as I would be executed for killing you. I would like to hold onto my life thank you very much." Emma said as she stood up and took her books.
"How very troublesome. Curses."